Memorial for uncle Peter

Uncle Peter was different and eccentric. A remarkable man. Uncle Pete arranged for aunt Esther's visits to Manitoba. He cared for her after she had a stroke. Nephew John arranged for her siblings to visit.
He was a good story teller. He loved to exaggerate his stories. At age 6 he drove the horses 20 miles with a load of grain and sold the grain and deposited the cheque before driving home.
At age 8 he started school read the book backwards and forwards.
He chased a rattlesnake and almost got bitten but knew not to chase rattlers again.
He was a renaissance man and could build good buildings. He was beggar poor and could not afford university. But he made sure his kids could attend university.
He remembered stories and told them 90 years later. When Eugene passed away 2 years ago he had a hard time with that. Children are not supposed to die before their parents.
Uncle Pete is now safe at home. Iris cared for him with love and care. He is resting under God's wings now.

Ed Reimer: Thanks for the invitation to share. Pete was a wonderful man. Never negative. He married my favorite aunt.
Dug a trench once when it caved in on Ed. Ed ended up going back to school and eventually earned his doctorate.
Worked with uncle Peter one summer. Was a lot of fun. He was a very supportive person. Worked into his 70's. Walked miles all over town well into his 90's.
We will be there for each other as we grow old and frail.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!

Ralph Unger:
Loved uncle Pete. Learned lots of lessons from him. The most important was forgiveness.
Luke 15: The prodigal sons. The younger brother was selfish and squandered his money. When hard times hit he ran out of $20s and friends.
Back on the farm they have a calf in the fattening pen. Father waits for the youngest son to come home so they can kill the fattened calf. He waits.
When the son shows up he forgives him immediately and puts on a big party.
The older brother is too selfish to appreciate the party.
God loves us so very much.

How Beautiful Heaven must be. Sweet home of the happy and free.

Knox Presbyterian Church

www.KnoxToronto.org
Greg Waglund and Anna are moving to Calgary to work at the Mustard Seed.
Rogalski family went to Nicaragua to work with Schoolbox building schools there just outside of Leon. Most children only get to grade five. The volunteers prayed for unity. They found God created a positive attitude.
We pray for our leaders to be kind and merciful to the least among us.
The FIRST PETER PROJECT to memorize the entire book. "Memorization of Scripture," Dallas Willard writes, "is one way of 'taking charge' of the contents of our conscious thoughts, and of the feelings, beliefs, and actions that depend on them."
1Peter 2.1,3
Paul Johansen
Craving Nourishment In an Underresourced World
Christians were like hopeful aliens. Peter talked about change though spiritual nourishment. Internet has miles of Christian resources.

Questions. What do you crave? What are you trusting? We have a story about Peter that might help us understand his book.
He has great gifts and we can learn from him even though he didn't always get things right. At one point he rebuked Jesus and at other times he says the right things but gets things wrong.
We understand his foibles.
In his book he maybe showed he had learned a thing or two. Open your eyes and ears. CRAVE the WORD. Go deep with God. God chooses to call his followers friends. Rid yourselves of malice the desire to harm people. Deceptive actions and words.
Grow into your salvation. Christians expect slander. The scriptures are sweeter than honey.
There are all kinds of resources that help Christians grow. Ancient meditations are coming back. Seeking The Face of God. A book you should read.
Memorization of Scripture is a wonderful way to open up hearts to the will of God. The more you memorize the more you'll want to.
Kate is an artist. She painted herself with a milk mustache. Grow.
The church can't be concerned about growth unless it is concerned about personal growth. The love language of Jesus and forgiveness.
When you dig into the Word you will understand how deeply you are loved. As you dig into the Word you'll start to pray more deeply.
Amen.
Guide me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah
Seek Ye First the kingdom of God

Beautiful But Broken

www.TheMeetingHouse.com
Bruxy Cavey #TMHWhoAmI

Appetizer: Talking back to the screen
I don't understand what I do
Dawn of the Dead pushed the Passion out of first place.
People talk back to the screen. Scary movies are predicated on people doing stupid things. Viewers talk back to the screen. This is an experience we all relate to. We watch the movies of our lives and we say I should not be doing that. We say we should not be so stupid but do it anyway. We are glorious and gory.
There is something wrong with us.
There is sin in us. How do we respond to the word. What if we call it goosblab. Does that make it better?
Paul said I do the stupid stuff? Which one is the real Paul? The stupid one or the other one?

Genesis we learned we are made to relate reveal reproduce rule. Like God we are created to live as us.
But we Reach rebel retreat ruin and blame
Genesis 3 the serpent was crafty. Satan or the devil was there. Is God really that bad? The tree was a place of choice. Love live or evil. Adam could have said to God your evil snake is talking. Snake and Eve were talking like God wasn't there. There was no evil in the garden. Eve didn't know what evil was. Good for food, attractive, and good for gaining wisdom. So she ate it. And gave some to her husband. He was the quintessential couch potato. They realized they were naked. They covered up their private parts because they were ashamed. People bring shame on themselves.
They are now trying to hide from God.
We can't hide from God. When did nakedness become a category? Did you eat from the tree? The woman YOU made is to blame, he said. Eve says it's the serpent's fault. When Adam sinned, sin entered the world.
Take Out
Restraint is not wrong. Freedom happens when we do the right things. The goldfish restrained in the bowl is happier there than on the floor.
You can't hide from God. Repressed emotions don't heal.
Forgiveness will be the way forward. Every relationship must be bathed in forgiveness. Start by receiving God's forgiveness.

We have an internal serpent. Garden snake meant God gave them a real choice.
Foreknowledge is not fore-causation. My wife will kiss me. I know that but I am not causing her to do it.
Why is the kingdom better than the garden? You know when you have kids they will get hurt. There is something better than the pain.

Parting Shot
God said that the woman's descendant will crush Satan and Satan will bite Adam 2.0 (Jesus) for a restart.

YouVersion app Live search the meeting house.

Never heard the Bible that way before.

Living in the zone of the Holy Spirit

www.EasTview.org
Dave Ens
What does it look like to live in the post Easter season?
My friend is nobody children's song. Catchy tune was ok for kids but not for adults. I'm friends with Jesus. You can't see him. Are you ok?
Jesus told me to do this? Leave my spouse? He would never say that. There is danger in using Jesus an excuse for doing "what I want to do"!
Jesus said I call you friends because I have shared with you what God told me.
How has Jesus made things known to us?
Creation
Community, God brings people into our lives
The Holy Spirit, God makes himself known to us. Our invisible friend. God is made real and present.
Who is the HS?
Breath of God renewing the face of the the world
Haggai says I am with you. Courage. Evil goes away. Strength. Ps 51 create a new spirit within me. Cleansing. Forgiving. Guarantee. Assurance.
Joel has the promise of renewal. The power behind the work of God.

The Spirit is at work. The Trinity. God has 3 parts. All moving in the same direction in perfect unity. They can't be separated. Luke 4 the Spirit is on Jesus.
A life lived in the Spirit. What is it? Clapping, dancing while worshipping? Slain in the spirit loss of control? We are big on control so we have difficulty with those wild visions.
Regardless of how you look at the Spirit we here are talking about living in the Spirit of God. Jesus said it's good that I leave this earth so I can send the Holy Spirit. John 16:13-15
The Spirit is the will to live God's way. I want to be more loving and gracious. God's Spirit gives us the mind of Christ. And the power. Life can be so exhausting trying to do the right things. The Spirit gives us the power for Jesus' life to shine through us. That means we have to let go of our will. A little less of my will and a little more of God's will every day. Letting go a little bit more every day.

Lots of people have said that the evil they do is from the Spirit of God.
Life in the Spirit will give you a life that looks like Jesus.
Focus on Christ Jesus every day. Read books and the Bible that make us more like Jesus.

Are you doing it?

Joe MacDonald President www.cbmc.ca

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 NLT

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

If the 12 year old said I'm getting ready to clean my room and spends all her time translating the phrase and planning procedures but does not actually clean her room her father is not going to be impressed.

God has asked us to connect people to God. Are we studying how or are we doing it? Is it enough to show love? Is it enough to teach Sunday school?

Do we think we need more blood in our organization? More plans? God's Holy Spirit will help us connect people to God wherever we are. When our eyes close everything we have will belong to someone else. Unless we fix our eyes on the eternal and connect people to God it will pass away.

Take the 10 most wanted list and fill it with people God has laid on your heart and pray for them and God will make you a co-laborer with Him.

When your eyes close in death make sure your grandchildren know you were committed to faithful service to Christ.

Train others to train others for outreach. Mentor someone for Jesus.

The church is most effective outside the church. "Go and make disciples" Jesus said. Not come to church. Christians need to be discipled. They need a close relationship with Christ. Leadership is needed in all our churches.

A group meets Fridays 7 a.m. at Perkins Henderson.

Because He Lives I can face tomorrow

Austin Evangelical Fellowship.com
How sweet to hold newborn baby. He can face uncertain days because He lives.
Our God reigns. Can we sing this with certainty?

Pastor Colin Bell
Matthew 28 we know the end of the story. We love it. The disciples were devastated. They had given 3 years of their lives to him.
How do we face these uncertain days?
The women went to see the tomb on Saturday but nothing happened. On Sunday there was an earthquake and the tomb was empty. The soldiers fainted for fear of what happened.
The angel said to the women, don't be afraid for there is hope. Come see the place where he lay.
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. I trust in God no matter what happens.
We can move from despair to hope. Ps 34 taste and see the Lord is good!
V11 the opposite happens. The guards were paid to tell the world that Jesus' body was stolen.
The promise has been fulfilled. 1 Cor 15 if Christ has not been raised our faith is in vain. Not one part of the Bible is true.
On good Friday Satan had a party. Ever since Easter Sunday Satan has been fighting the Truth.
V20 highlight it. Christ HAS been raised and all in Christ will be made alive. The perishable will put on immortality. The only way we can have victory is in Christ. Every religion's founder has a body in a tomb except Christianity! The tomb is EMPTY!
We were given the responsibility to go and tell. Christ is ALIVE!
How will people know unless we tell. What is heaven like? What is hell like? Don't miss Jesus. If you do you miss everything.

Our preaching is not in vain! Jesus lives. That's awesome!

Easter Sunday

www.one88.org
A special ordinary day. When Jesus showed up the disciples were fishing. The first thing Jesus did was to make breakfast. The resurrection takes place in everyday life.
At an Easter service where there was a challenged individual who interrupted the service with extreme noise. His caregiver had to take him out. The resurrection brings hope to both of them.
The resurrection comes alive everyday as you live it out day by day. At work at school wherever you are.

Good Friday

www.EasTview.org
Pastor Dave Ens

Today is a paradox an irony. A dark day when we celebrate a death. In darkness we face the darkness in our own souls. This is a good day of hope. The symbol of God's love is the cross. The cross is where God comes to meet us.
Bring peace in the darkness.
Luke 22:39-42 The mount of olives the Garden of Gethsemane.
Matthew 26:36 NLT

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray."
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

John 19:1 NLT

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.

They crucified Jesus with the criminals.
Luke 23:46 NLT

Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.

I come to the cross where you died in my place seeking mercy and grace. You called me by name. Jesus, I come.

http://www.introducingjesus.org/inj007cross.htm

Jesus did this deliberately. He knew exactly what was happening. To make things right between us and God. We remember his death knowing God knows beyond our understanding.

Eternal God, in whom we live and have our being.

The disciples must have felt alone.  The man they spent the last 3 years with was taken away without a fight. Left alone. Purposeless. Dark day. Good because we are reminded that God has not left us alone. He finds us wherever we are. God takes on the powers of darkness. His love for us is profound.

Allow yourself to sit and meet God at the cross. God will meet you in the darkness.

We know this is a true story. A 1st century fiction writer would never have invented a story where women were the first to meet the crucified founder.

The Reconciling Church

Www.TheMeetingHouse.com
YouVersion app notes at Live search The Meeting House

Efrem Smith - Superintendent/Bishop of 150 Churches in the U.S.
Book - Post Black Post White World

Appetizer - Bizarro World
2 Cor 5.14-21
the reconciling church
Love movies. Super hero
Went 3 times to see them. In childhood had Bizarro World comics. Superman sacrifices himself to save planet earth. We live in Bizarro World on planet earth with evil and brokenness. Someone came into this world to redeem us. Jesus.

Dine in - the big idea
Out of the overflow of God's love we are called to reconciliation
1. A Deeper Understanding of Culture and Context
Jesus is coming back. When? 2011?
How are we to live until Jesus returns. Justice will come but until it does it is just us. We need to make ourselves available to
We need to be connected to God. Paul wrote to a diverse church teaching them to live in reconciliation. Love is kind.
How to live as reconcilers.
1. Corinth was multicultural and an evil empire that was broken. We see more and more consolidation. GTA includes nearby cities. Growing diversity and disparity.
God is calling you to be a reconciler in your community. V15 live as Christ.

2. A Deeper Understanding of Christ
We see no one from a worldly point of view. See them through the eyes of Christ. Something happened to Paul so he saw Jesus differently. He used to see Jesus and his followers as a trouble maker group. Then he met Jesus. Now he saw everything differently. It opened up his eyes. Let God change you.

3. A Deeper Understanding of Change and Transformation
V17 God was reconciling the world. Understand change. You are new but the Christian life is a journey of change. You are changed and changing at the same time. I'm the same person and we need to purposefully change and transform.

TAKE OUT - Closing the Gap
No Christian should assimilate into the culture. Our citizenship in heaven should show through at all times. God blesses us with cultural diversity. We are tourists here on this earth.

How the Resurrection Changed Everything. A Great Expense

www.EasTview.org
Pastor Delbert Enns

John 12.1-8
Mary's great expense. Why wasn't the perfume sold and money given to the poor?
Passover was coming. This was the 3rd recorded Passover with Jesus. This one was in Bethany. This is where Jesus raised Lazarus.
Jesus has a price  on his head. He knew that he would soon be crucified. He would become the new Passover lamb. Here he was with Simon the leper. They were Ceremonial unclean.
Here he was with unclean people. He was safe from the self righteous religious leaders. Jesus loves a party. We are in the party! Martha is serving. That was her love language. Lazarus had his own love language. Praising Jesus. Mary was always at the lowest place worshipping at the feet of Jesus!
The value of the perfume was $50,000 or more. She worshiped fully. She undid her hair to dry Jesus's feet. She held nothing back. She laid it all on the alter.
We tend to think that spare giving is good enough.
Some of us are with Judas. Criticize what is going on.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.
This is not about Mary. It's the story of Jesus. For those who have no hope there is hope. We are invited to Jesus's hope. Worship him who is worthy of praise.

Pointing At Jesus

http://www.themeetinghouse.com/
The Lion The Lamb Easter series coming up

Promo: Parenting course is a good idea.

Churches are preaching Gospel Centred themes. But the point is JESUS! Nothing else. This is a person to person church.

Jesus said follow me. When we do that he takes our leadership. Submit to Jesus as Lord.

Philip became a witness immediately after he was called. We have found the messiah. not I but we. We have found the messiah. Of Nazareth (technically incorrect) son of Joseph (technically incorrect)
But better than not inviting people to Jesus. The God of the universe from Puslinch? Come and see! These 3 words are a magical gift to us. Come and hang out with us. Today people will ask can anything good come from Christianity? Come and see. Gen 27 the story of Jacob. Jacob wanted to be known as the firstborn. He was a manipulator. He manipulated to get the birthright and and the Blessing.
Gen 32 wrestling with God to get a bigger blessing. Here is the Israel with no Jacob (deceipt).
Jesus said Nathaniel was no Jacob. An honest sceptic became a believer. You are the king of Israel, my king. Gen 28 Jacob has a dream. Ladder from earth to heaven. God defines himself by the people he is involved with. I'm the God of you guys. All the people of the world will be blessed through you.

Jacob talks about that place as the thin place.

Jesus said amen amen. He starts important sentences with that. It is a Jesus's exclusive. The you is plural. You Will see heaven opened up and the angels. You'll see Jacob's ladder.

Jesus called a Nazarene is a generalization. There is the concept of Jesus making himself less.

Takeout. If you declare Jesus as Lord, you will be saved. Lord means giving control to Him.

Core community not a membership.

These notes are online at: YouVersion.com Live Event Notes - Pointing At Jesus #4
QUOTES
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Today we're learning from John 1:43-51…

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.

"Come and see," said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."
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APPETIZER -- Review: Come and See
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Broken Record Witnessing…
Proclamation  = Jesus / Jesus / Jesus
Invitation  = Come & see / Come & see / Come & see

WHO AM I?: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes

Starting April 7 / 14
Who are you inviting?

DINE IN -- Jacob's Ladder
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That this view is correct is supported by the fact that everyone else who comes to Jesus in this chapter does so because of someone else's witness. … John the author is reinforcing his theme of the importance of bearing witness.
~ D.A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary

When we help people see how much Jesus knows them, they may have a Nathanael experience too.

Like with Thomas, Jesus reveals the most to the honest skeptic.

Genesis 27:35-36
Isaac said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob?"

Genesis 32:28
Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.

What you'll see from now on is the reality towards which Jacob's ladder, and even the Temple itself, was pointing like a signpost.  If you follow me, you'll be watching what it looks like when heaven and earth are open to each other.
~ N.T. Wright, John for Everyone

When you're with Jesus, it is as though you're in the house of God, the Temple itself, with God's angels coming and going, and God's own presence there beside you.
~ N.T. Wright, John for Everyone

John 1:43-51
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John 1:43-51 (NIV)
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The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." 
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip. 
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." 
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." 
Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."

Genesis 27:35-36
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Genesis 27:35-36 (NIV)
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But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." 
Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!" Then he asked, "Haven't you reserved any blessing for me?"

Example Bible Reference Title
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Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 32:22-30
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Genesis 32:22-30 (NIV)
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That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."
But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 
The man asked him, "What is your name?"
"Jacob," he answered. 
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." 
Jacob said, "Please tell me your name."
But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. 
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

TAKE OUT -- Following the King
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Jesus is Lord.

The Apostle Paul (Romans 10:9)
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Jesus is Lord.

How we follow Jesus at The Meeting House…

Four Qualities of Core Community…
1) Believer baptized
2) Home Church connected
3) Volunteer serving
4) Regular giving not necessarily to this church. But get connected to a great church. Help us find more Nathaniels.

Note: This is not the complete list of what following Jesus entails, but the basics of what sustaining this community entails, so that we can continue to make disciples through The Meeting House.

HOME CHURCH QUESTIONS -- HANGOUT
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1. Have you ever invited a friend or family member to "come and see" at The Meeting House or another church?  How did that go?

HOME CHURCH QUESTIONS -- HEAR
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2. Read John 1:43-51. Try reading it slowly, letting each line sink in.

a. What verse or idea stands out to you?  Why?

b. Notice all of the titles / descriptions of Jesus.  No other chapter of the New Testament provides such a comprehensive list.  What do we learn from each title?... Lamb of God; Rabbi/Teacher; the one Moses and the prophets wrote about; Nazarene; Son of Joseph; Son of God; King of Israel; Son of Man.

c. Nathanael objected to the town Jesus was from.  What are some contemporary objections raised against Jesus today?  For each one, talk about how you might respond.

d. Review verse 51. Now read the story Jesus is drawing his imagery from in Genesis 28:10-22. What are we saying when we claim that Jesus is Jacob's ladder? The house of God? The gate of heaven? The offspring who will bless all people on earth?

John 1:43-51
===============
John 1:43-51 (NIV)
---------------
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." 
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip. 
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." 
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." 
Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."

Genesis 28:10-22
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Genesis 28:10-22 (NIV)
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Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the lord, and he said: "I am the lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." 
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." 
Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

HOME CHURCH QUESTIONS -- HUDDLE
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3. Do you have friends who aren't Christians?  What has your witness to them been like so far?  Are you planning to invite any of your friends to our Easter services this year, or our post-Easter seeker series – Who Am I?: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes? 

4. Are you a part of "Core Community" at The Meeting House?  If not, what is holding you back?

MEMORY VERSE
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If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

How the Resurrection Changed Everything

Www.EasTview.org

Corey Bell youth pastor
2 missions trips. 27 to inner city during spring break. 17 to Thailand this summer.

Sing: Great is Thy Faithfulness Lord unto me.

Dave Ens, Servant Leader:
Something exciting happened this week. A historical occasion review. Where were you when Crosby scored that goal in Vancouver? Where were you on 9/11? 
We have shared experiences. Some of them change us and our world. Our perceptions change.

We are in the season in the history of the world that changed everything. It was an extraordinary event that changed the history of the world. Is this story too familiar already?
How can we reignite the wonder of the world changing event? Jesus is the most influential person in history.
We can't ignore him. He is not a good man. He is God incarnate. If the resurrection isn't true Christianity falls apart.
Jesus wants you to know him personally. The best evidence of the truth of the resurrection is a changed life.
Paul said that whatever gains he had personally, are rubbish compared to the power of Jesus's resurrection.
What are the things I strive for?
Eternal hope is sure and certain because Jesus rose for you. You have the power of the resurrected God in you. No one who believes in Jesus will not be saved.

We want to celebrate the Lord's table today.

Regardless of where you are at, read the Easter story in all 4 gospels. You''ll find God works in mysterious ways. The disciples should have known that Jesus would rise in 3 days. They should have been excited. When Jesus rose it was entirely unexpected.
Pray for eyes to see God when things don't go as expected. An Engineering Student sent 200 resumes. Got 1 phone call from a mine in northern Manitoba where he did NOT want to go. Now he has huge Christian influence in that community.
We have an Ironic relationships with the Easter event. We celebrate but the disciples lived in fear that first Easter.
2 responses - for fear the guards fainted. The women left the tomb in fear AND Great joy and amazement. They were pulled into the action of God.
I want my life to be what God wants it to be.

Lord's Table. For 2,000 years Christians have celebrated.

Time for Supper!

Famous Dave's Barbeque
Will that be a Feast for Three?

What is the Bible about?

Dr Timothy Keller

Martha and I were listening to Dr Keller's message on the way to Martha's mom today.  He concluded the message with this summary:

 

Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.

Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.

Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing wither he went to create a new people of God.

Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”

Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.

Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.

Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.

Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in the desert.

Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.

Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.

Jesus is the true and better Esther who didn’t just risk leaving an earthly palace but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.

Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.

Jesus is the real Rock of Moses, the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us. He’s the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.

The Bible’s really not about you – it’s about HIM!

Relationships. For Richer or Poorer

Tuesday will be 5 years since Renee departed this earth and entered the gates of glory. We are left to grieve her absence here.
http://daddydueck.blogspot.ca/2008_02_01_archive.html?m=0

Pastor Delbert:
Relationships. Everyone drags things with them that makes relationships hard. Serve one like good stewards. With whatever gifts you have received. God has given us the gift of Love. We all have enough love but may not be aware of
it. Sometimes we fail to grow.

RRSPs are on our minds. But we forget to build relational funds. Plan today to build better relationships. Read Gary's book. The 4 seasons of relationships
1. Romantic lasts for a week after the I do
2. Reality. The dream has become unattainable. No makeup and weird noises coming from the other one. So outrageous. Embarrassing.
3. Resentment winter. If you can't get over that then the relationship falters. Negotiate the differences. don't live in seperate igloos. Love becomes a choice. It is tested. Paul says that in this season you need forgiveness kindness and get clothed in love.
4. Rebuilding. Few people make it into this season. It takes effort. BREAKDOWNS can happen any time. Loss midlife crises can do it.
What are God's standards.
Feed your soul daily. Read God's word. Don't comprise your love. Drink water from your own well. Share life with your spouse. Don't hide behind other activities. Just saying sorry doesn't work. Make changes for the better. Ask and give forgiveness. Release like God released you.
Panel discussion:
Laurie and Keri Enns. 33years Winston Virginia Churchill 21years
Ephesians deals with relationships.
W. V. Had some struggles and he walked out on her and 2 kids. Changed when he realized that he needed to change. Kids prayed for dad daily. Now still have troubled from time to time.
L. K. He is task oriented. They make financial decisions together. Problem is time together. Kids can drive us crazy. Love them very much. Not always kind to each other. God, change me. Have a granddaughter and the whole family goes to the same church. Everything is purrfect. I'm stupidly in love with my granddaughter.
V. I cried to God. He provided for me. It was hard. I cried a lot. I reached out. Even with a spouse around you, you need to touch your sisters. W. God and my family forgave me. The chicken is involved but the pig is committed at breakfast. When you ask God to help us be committed separation is no longer an option.
K. We sat together and made a plan to stay together and make our marriage better.

Grow in your love for God. Make your relationship work. God created us and will sustain us.

Sign your commitment again.

Winnipeg Real To Real Film Festival - today

Www.everylifeisbeautiful.com October Baby - really good film! Well worth the time! Buy it rent it watch it!

Living with Lava
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2401695/
Way too long and boring

We should enter Renee's films into the festival for next year. Maybe Kara will have one too.

Tertius and Phoebe

www.GraceBibleChurch.ca
Mission moment www.prov.ca Providence College University changes lives.
Students come from 20 countries. 1925 was the first grad class. From 60 countries.

Dr George Shillington
Persons. Some names are mentioned only once in the Bible. We tend to concentrate on the big names and pay them respect.
We tend to do that today. We honor the movers and the shakers. God honors the lowly.
2 Biblical names from Rom 16. The chapter has more than 30 names including many women who were used by God in the growth of the kingdom.
Some scholars think that Romans chapter 16 was added later. A benediction at the end of chapter 15 suggests that is the end of the letter. Did Paul add these people so others can verify the accuracy?
Tertius says he wrote this letter. Paul was almost blind and signed some of his dictation.
In the ancient world they thought that people could not think and write at the same time.
How many times must Paul have said: now where was I?
Tertius was a skilled scribe. He had enough self esteem to mention himself. His work was invaluable to the work of God.
Phoebe was a wealthy woman. Paul recommended her to the church of Rome. She was trusted to carry the letter to Rome.
Benefactor patron was needed to write the letter. It cost $30,000 to write the original scroll. Paul needed a sponsor.
2 people in the background. Inconspicuous and indispensable to the kingdom.
Many people today contribute behind the scenes. Audio, bulletin printing.

Real to reel film festival

The Pilgrimage El Camino
Short film
VERY GOOD
Well worth the price of admission
http://www.winnipegfilmfestival.com/index.php/short-documentaries

Madres - mothers at 15 cents
In Spanish with English subtitles. BORING! LET'S GO.

Relationships: The Log & the Speck

Video vignette: I will not press charges. All I ask is that you change. I'm sorry.

Pastor Del
Www.EasTview.org

The depth of our relationships is proportional to how much reveal about ourselves.
Prov 28:13 conceal transgressions=not prosper. Confession leads to compassion.
Matth 7:1-5 judge not. Take the log out of your eye so you can take the speck out of your neighbour's eye. We build walls. I'm not as good as you think I look.
We have shortcomings.
Bitterness is cutting.

What is your body language? Do you roll your eyes at everyone? Are you legalistic?  Is there a root of bitterness? It is always destructive.
The Mark. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God. Release the other person  of their debt. Forgiveness is at the core of the gospel. Release.
If you forgive others you will be forgiven.
The Nature. Unforgiveness creates trouble. Pointing the speck in other's eyes. Let all bitterness be put away.
The Result: If we let bitterness build up in our lives it defiles.

Rebuild. Forgive, release. Put on a heart of compassion. Love, the perfect bond of unity.
Justice. To pay back.
Mercy. God doesn't give us what we deserve.
Grace. Getting good that we don't deserve.

Panel discussion.
Jim Cory Lisa Jesse
Focus on annoyance and it gets me out of my anger.
Remove the log and you can see clearly.
As Jesus forgives true forgiveness does not keep score. It wipes the slate clean. God commands us to listen. We can be right.
Unrealistic expectations cause upset. Why do we feel upset? There is more to the story.
The most valuable things in life you can't put a price on. Relationships. Grace.
Anger is a choice.
There is brokenness in life. Is there hope?
God loves everyone of us. Turn it over to Jesus and there is hope.
Tackle the issues. Pray with others. Take the risk. Talk to a friend that needs healing. Pray with them.

Why do loved ones have to die? I am the thorn in your brow but, Jesus, you loved me anyway.

Sustaining Relationships

Pastor Delbert: Relationships. Gifts. We all have buckets of problems. Guilt, lack of acceptance, self-hatred, hatred in general.

If we walk into a relationship with heavy buckets and things snap because we don't want to talk about it and we can't carry our bucket and the other person's bucket.

Serve one another in love.
What interferes with that?
Disrespect for differences. Denial of the right to feel.
Failure to grow. We are all made differently. Growth happens in different ways. Sometimes things get too busy for us to grow.

1John 4.7 Love is from God. Build.

God is so good. He cares for you. Draw on God to understand and help you carry the bucket. Draw on God to help us love each other.

Marianne, Dave, Nicole,Tracy, Mark: we were designed to love each other and we need to figure out what our love languages are. Men, you need to buy a dozen roses for your love every 2 weeks.

Commandment
Those who love God must love their brother and sister also.

Celebrate the love of Christ's last supper.
www.EasTview.org