Finding Balance

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The 16 youth go to Thailand leaving Friday morning. Phase 12 Corey Bell has created a blog www.phase12Thailand.blogspot.ca . They will be helping Dave and Louise with the church planting ministry.

The Grey Owls are going on the Prairie Dog Central on Tuesday 11 a.m. call 204.222.8080

A good worship song praises God. It's to worship God, not singing about God. Instead of Forever God is with us, sing, Forever You are with us. Makes a big difference!
Hosana you are with us

Terrance: Sophia's Garden. Yoda's Garden. Wisdom. Listen to what God has to say. When we water the plants they grow. Not instantly. It takes time. Same with praying for wisdom. We pray and sometimes it takes a while.

Our bodies are designed to take breaks. We need to sleep. Every day. Rest to get strong.

Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd. He gives me strength.

When you make bread the dough has to rest before baking. Flowers need to rest to grow.

Andrea Toews, Children's Ministry:
The plants are growing. When watering the plants I pray for God's guidance. Sharing the Word is such a responsibly. Wisdom is more than knowing what it is, but to be obedient to God.

I have been amazed at how these plants have grown!

Last Sunday's object lesson worked well. A Mars bar a day, at work rest and play. The ad leaves the impression that the Mars bar creates a well balanced life.

Leisure can be very stressful. A perfect plan can get very exhausting.
A lesson from jelly beans. 28,000 days of our lives. What are you going to do today?
Is there a perfect balance for life?
Proverbs: Do not love sleep or you'll go hungry. Learn from the ants. Work work work.  Or poverty will attack you! Like a bandit.
God gives rest to God's loved ones. God's burden is light. God values hard work but wants rest in our lives.
God painted a picture of what is good balance. He worked 6 days and then he rested from all his work. God wants us to have rhythm. Circadian rhythm has been built into us. Our calendars have been built on the 7 day rhythm. A French experiment of running a10 day week left the people exhausted. The Soviet Eternal calendar was a 5 day week. They staggered work days. That did not work. So they implemented a 6 day week. That did not work so eventually they switched back to the 7 day week. God designed us to take a day to worship him. Take time to be holy. Let God be your guide. In joy or in sorrow still follow your Lord.
Work is part of creation. God values it. Busy is easy, smart is hard.
Jesus and his disciples went off to rest. Jesus left the crowd just when there were so many people that needed his help.
Leonardo DaVinci knew he needed rest to do his best thinking.
Rest helps us to be more effective. Aesop said a bow needs to rest so it can produce music. You'll be the best for the Lord if you loosen the bow.

Sticks and Stones May

Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Ancient Words Lynn Deshazo http://lyrics.bradlis7.com/songs.php?song=106 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIF3GQJF72g

www.EasTview.org
Greg Armstrong
A Boy Named Sue - names can hurt.
Ancient words are so true
James. We can steer a horse with a bit or a ship by a small rudder. No one can tame the tongue. Can a fig tree bear olives?

Inadequate. Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. That's ridiculous!

If I am a child of the I Am I can say to you, you are!

Sin is sin. Telling lies. Spreading rumors. Unsigned letters. That's bullying. Leads to suicide.

I was told in grade 5 that I would not amount to anything. For 20 years it was true. That word hurt me for all that time. The great I Am loved me more than that teacher hated me.

The power of the tongue. The grace of God is greater. Keep your tongue under control. Even fools that keep their mouth shut are considered wise.

By your words you will be judged. Proverbs 26.20 fire goes out without wood.
Soulpancake you are beautiful. Give compliments.

If I say I know the I Am then I can say you are beautiful.

Isaac means laughter. Zacchaeus means hope.
The name change happens over time. Jesus is changing you. Saul named after the king was changed to Paul means small.

A childless old man Abram was renamed Abraham. God renamed Jacob (grasper) to Israel (God wrestler).

Greg and Gregory. Sometimes I'm one sometimes the other.

Your new name is God's name for you. He gives you a white victory stone with your name inscribed on it.

You can no more make amends for harmful words than you can gather the feathers of a pillow scattered in the wind. Fix your gaze on the name God gave you.

Summer wisdom: Being

James 2:19-27, 3:13-18
www.EasTview.org/media
Delbert Enns
All for Jesus? We live in tension everyday. I want to be more like I used to be. What makes me happy? Where does the good life come from? I want I want I want! Can I live the good life without pain?
Do you like reno projects? Do the expenses ever stop? Does chasing the good life ever stop? Do the kids ever stop wanting more?
Why do keep chasing the good life? Do we go to God like a vending machine? We want our little buckets filled. Emotional, happiness, satisfaction. We think God should fill those buckets.

James defines the good life. A way of doing life. Humility with wisdom and gentleness. Who had greater wisdom? Thomas Edison or his mom? His teacher sent a note saying he was too dumb to teach. His mom decided to teach him at home. She taught him everything she knew.
Whatever we have been told we are, we become, unless someone is willing to raise us up.
Wisdom is not a popularity contest. Wisdom comes with the humility of what God has done. Tom's mom taught him about God. Home schooled and prepared to be an inventor.

Check point!
What motivates you? Selfish ambition? Check your heart! Pure heart? Evil? Psalm 16: don't shop for God by brand name. Message
2. Peace making lifestyle. Are you at peace with those around you? v17 willing to yield and be at peace.
3. Committed to the process of getting wisdom from God? Treat each other with dignity and honor. Talk to someone and bring peace to them. 
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. Thomas Edison

4. Perseverance in prayer. 1:5 God says ask and I will give. Pick up God's word and read.
Pray! Pray! Pray!

Fellowship with those you don't normally associate with and make a difference this week.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

Early bird gets the worm. Everything has an end excerpt the sausage has two.

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Pastor Dave Ens
What does biblical wisdom do for us? God is right there with us. The Greek word for wisdom is Sophia.

There are many voices out there. What do you listen to? How can we find wisdom. The oldest wisdom book is the book of Job. There is a transaction between God and Satan in a bizarre chain of events. Job's 3 friends speak to Job the traditional wisdom. For a long time they argue back and forth. Job 28. It's a ballad about where shall wisdom be found?
God understands the way to wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom.
That's the mystery of finding wisdom.
Fear of the Lord is an interesting line. It's about God is God and I am not. Turn to God for wisdom. Wisdom is perspective. If you need more, ask God. Wisdom is a posture that leans to God. A fool is someone who says there is no God. Wisdom eludes the fool.
Job's friends mean well. They think they have it figured out.
God gives wisdom to everyone who asks. Happy are those who find wisdom.

Meetinghouse Oakville

> Grow the membership.

> Invite 100,000 people to accept Jesus. Each person to introduce 4 people to Jesus. Who are the 4 people in my life. Goals. We need to make them real. Some people can make a face to face invite. Not me.
An older gentleman prayed for Matt Vincent. Thought he led him to the Lord. We need to be honest open relational
> Care
Maybe we are sponsoring 1000s of kids. Can we concentrate on sponsoring in Malawi so we can go visit them? Send them letters.

Jesus heals and forgives
Mark 2:1-12 Mark gets right into the story. Friends take the paralyzed man to Jesus. Everyone is pushing to see Jesus. They went up on the roof, removed some tiles and lowered him. The first thing Jesus did was forgive them. For wrecking Jesus's home.
The religious gate keepers were upset. No one can forgive sins but God alone. Jesus knew their thoughts. Which is easier? Forgive sins or heal? He is either who Jesus said he is or a fake. The son of God or a hypocrite. Jesus healed the man to prove he is who he says he is. Deut 18:20-22 a fake prophet must die. Jesus is not fake.

If Jesus has changed me they will want to know. The things that are important to Jesus need to be important to me.

Not Flasher evangelism. We need to be real and share our faith. Who are the 4 people I need to develop relationships.  Am I authentic and natural? Have I been authentic?
Let's reach out personally to 100,000 people and share with them what happened to me when I met Jesus.

The Meeting House

Speaker youth pastor Dave:
Energetic speaker. He was the speaker at an event and a girl in a wheelchair volunteered to sing a song. She was fabulous. The Lord sees the heart not as man sees.
Jesus was able to communicate that he saw people as God sees. David was disqualified from the worship service because he was too young too small. When Samuel saw David he knew here is the anointed king of Israel.
All of us live with faults and failures and we tend to concentrate on that. We are made in the image of God. Concentrate on God. Caleb was born with defects and lived only for one hour but he was loved. God is willing to hold us and love us no matter what.

Sarah:
There is power in words. I am your father who loves you. We've all have had moments where words made a real impact. You are seen and loved. We must be willing to partner with God and help others see God.
I was adopted. Why wasn't I good enough for my mom? I have a fabulous parents and the adoption was the best thing that happened to me. I need to speak God's love into others. Help others see that because of God's love Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice.
Paul met Timothy and saw something. He called him to go alongside him.
2Timothy 1:2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Paul says I want to spend time with you.
Dad always said: Sarah you are beautiful a gift from God I will love you forever.
It's all about God and what he's done for us.

I can imagine Renee giving this presentation. I think about her every day. I'm often struck with moments of paralysis of grief.

Satellite located in downtown Toronto at 259 Richmond Street West
http://www.themeetinghouse.com/locations/downtown-toronto/

Celebration Sunday

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Celebrate children advancing to the next level in our church's children's ministry. 40 hours a year. Parents have 4,000 hours a year to teach their children. God placed them into the home for a reason.

Thomas means twin and we pray that he will grow up to be a twin with Jesus.
Ember means to glow.
Olyvia olive tree peace don't worry about anything
Blessed and beautiful
Dylan Andrew off the sea the strong one. Gavin white-hawk you will battle through the struggles of life. Jesus is the son of God.
We pray that they will each feel the certainty of God's presence.
Nathan is in grade 4. What did I learn? Genesis to chronicles. We can trust God no matter what.
Nicole and Jenna take care of the 2 year olds.

Cassie. I can always turn to God no matter what.
Jenna is one of the teachers of the 3 year olds. It's so worth it to teach these kids. They all have a special future. They were a lot of trouble but so fun.

Brad. I learned that I'm human and that's ok. God invites me back.
Kids Moving from Kids Cove to 56 Degrees. They get a Bible as a gift. Don't let dust collect on them. Your parents have written a message into your Bible just for you.

Mr Kroeker. Experienced lack of energy diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Felt God's nearness through it all. Every day was a test. Learned to trust God. My faith in Jesus my savior sustains me. There is still the rest of the story. God began a good work.
Levonne led the group through 56 Degrees to bring the Bible alive to each of the kids. The kids collect points for points toward the Triple B Trophy. And the winners by 87 points are the boys! They are moving into youth group now. They each now get a Bible protector.

Oh Lord you never let go of me!
This year's babies presentation.

One Heart service Winnipeg

Prayer time to pray for Winnipeg. For government leaders, police services, education systems including bill 18, new Canadians, aboriginal community. 6 minutes.
Milt Stegall football player testimony: Life is not all about me. It's about Jesus. Read the Bible. There is no 85% commitment. The ultimate team sport is football with only one goal. Win.
Churches need to learn to give God the glory. There is only one thing for sure. You will die. Give God the glory.
Pastor Mark Hughes:
Any Given Sunday. Today over 1,000,000,000 people around the world get together to celebrate Christ.
One Lord, one coach, one church, one team.
When we really become one church we will make a big difference.
Inch by inch we will fight and die. See the guy next to you. We either work as a team or we die individually. We are all on the same team. Jesus said you all are the the light of the world. Vince Lombardi started to win 75% of the games. You may not like them but you must love them. The players must love one another.
In 1963 Martin Luther King said the most segregated hour in North America is 11 a.m. Sunday morning. It is still that way.
Love Winnipeg starts tomorrow. To make the gospel real to Winnipegers. Brandon helps at a homeless shelter. They donated their shoes. He wrote a book: "The barefooted church". Told the story in church. The bus driver donated his shoes the next week.
It's time for us to get out of the pews and love the neighborhood. Change our world!
We need every one on the team. If you are not saved, come now.

Dr Curt Thompson Being Known Attachment

Curt@BeingKnown.com

Delighting in the Trinity is a recommended book.
God can't help himself but create.

Never too late to change. When you get to 75 God will change you. You will be a blessing for generations.  Make sense of your story. That will create secure attachments. Thank the grocery store clerk for the good job she did yesterday. Life is not about not being messy but how do you deal with life's messes.
When 4 year olds make a picture they make a mess and bring you their treasure.
Jesus said here's news. I'm going away. If he had stayed here we would keep begging him for favours.
Toxic ruptures happen in life. You said ten I heard two. The first 12 months of the infants life is all about joy after joy. Life is about discovering the world. Do we let the 15 month old eat the begonias? How do you do it? STOP or join the fun.

Tolstoy said we are created for joy. Did you have at least 5 minutes of joy this weekend? Babies come into this world looking for someone to need them.

We can't wait until ruptures happen before we figure out how we'll deal with them. Tripod of awareness: Open Observe how does this connect to the now? 10,000 hours of Practice. Know all about the iceberg.  Say sorry to fix ruptures.

2 groups of rats. One gets nothing but all the good stuff. The other group gets all the stress with short good stuff portions. The stressed end up with better brains.

With repair we get better. Ultimate rupture repair happens over time. We need honest friendships.

We have shame attendants that go with us wherever we go. We sense it so easily. Get a 3x5 card and just make a mark every time you sense it. The shame attendant keeps coming back again and again.

For the joy set before us God keeps telling me. I hear it in song and art. What do you picture? God is delighted in your presence.

Let's work on The development of healing communities. Song: Sara Gross. Lay down your arms give up the fight. Love is a mystery a miracle.
We are called to embody miraculous things. We must embody 1 Cor 13. Rethink group therapy to get over the issues. 1 John 1:9 confess, telling the truth of my life. You have the fruit of the Spirit. What if you decided to embody each of the attributes for 1 week each? What would that look like?
The story of Neuro science needs to be told by Christians. Articulate the new paradigm.  What is the Difference between feelings and emotions? What is shame? What are other things we attach to those words? Where do we feel that? Do we feel love right now? The individual is the most important thing in the iWorld. The Bible does not say that.
We have to know our anthropology.

Living: Hallmarks of the Spirit-led Life?

Dave Ens
www.EasTview.org
1Cor 12: - 13:
Happy Mother's Day
Thankful for the women that make such an important difference in our lives.

What do you think when you hear the word Christians? Judgemental? Malcolm Gladwell says we always make judgements. What jersey are you wearing? We judge in so many ways.

We are made to be a being of integrity. Jesus said you know a tree by the fruit that it bears. What does your life show?

What defines a spirit filled life look like? We can put on carnivals without love and it's useless. Gal5:22 the fruit of the spirit.

The fruit of the spirit is relegated to the kids. Mostly we get negative news. Occasionally there is a fruit of that spirit report.
Someone has demonstrated love joy peace. Do we force it happen or do we "show love even if it kills me?"
Some people in Paul's day wanted to enforce the law. But Paul says you then negate the grace of God.
Isaac was so anxious to look like everyone else. His suit didn't help to find friends. We were meant to live in the freedom of Christ.

How can we bring patience into our situations? Persevere. Be ok with the fact that you are on a journey. The work we are asked to do is to abide in God. Plunk yourself down in the midst of God. What does that look like for you?

Find ways to stay connected.
Next week Delbert will talk about that.

FMD - DON'T DO IT!

Mark your calendar: May 26 1p.m. for One Heart Winnipeg worship service. Get together with 25,000 Christians to a citywide celebration of Jesus at the first public event at the new Blue Bomber stadium at the University of Manitoba.

Living: Natural vs Supernatural Gifts
Dave Ens
www.EasTview.org
Happy Spring! Yard work didn't used to hurt so much!
Jesus said out of the believers heart will flow rivers of living water. What flows out is determined by what went in.
1Cor 12. Each of us has been given gifts.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
Paul wrote this letter to the churches of Corinth. 500,000 people lived there with people from around the world. Rich cultural diversity a city of the unchecked ego. Do what you feel like it. Ego cannot be satisfied. It is unstoppable. An uncontrollable monster. A screaming child getting hauled out of the store because he can't have what he wants. Ego can be very dangerous. I want what I want more more more.

We should be reading 1Corinthians in our day. We have the done issues today. We want good feelings. Spirituality drugs. Help us feel good.

What is Paul talking about? Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

We can be so hungry for spirituality in our world because we are made for God. It can become an egotistical rush. I'm more spiritual than you! They sorted into divisions in the church. I'm more spiritual than you! Get rid of this division. All Christians are equally saved through the Spirit. Jesus is Lord and nothing else is. Caesar is NOT Lord. Saying that was akin to suicide.
Paul is calling us to surrender our gifts to God for the good of our community.

FMD - DON'T DO IT!
Forget Mother's Day? Next Sunday
http://skitguys.com/videos

This Table - written in 1993

This Table




Broken.

Cut from side to side.

Life is like that

sometimes.

Through a series of foolish errors we are broken.

Or

we break others.

That hurts.

We

learn. We remember. We heal in time.



This coffee table is in the centre of our living room. We see it every day. We use it every day. We put things on it. It carries our loads. But its glass top is broken. Four pieces of glass where there was one. Held together with glass mending glue. Three lines run through it. Reminding us.



Renee, this glass broke when you sat on the cutting board that should never have been left on this table. No one picked it up and put it away.

You know you should not sit on the coffee table.

We know that cutting boards do not belong on coffee tables. We know that people should not sit on cutting boards.

But you did.

The pressure point of the cutting board edge on the glass broke the glass tabletop.

You learned a lesson.

You were sorry. You cried. But the glass was broken.



Your daddy saw what you did. He forgave you and mended the glass with mending glue. But the lines remain. Reminding us of our lives.



Your mom and dad experienced much pain and brokeness when one by one your brothers Kris and Jason went to be with the Lord. God has healed us but the scars remain.

Sometimes they still ache. You will experience pain in your life. Let this table remind you that God heals.

He heals when others hurt you deliberately or accidentally. He heals when you hurt yourself. Be careful where or who you sit with in life.



This table reminds us of God. Three lines run through it from side to side. They remind us of the trinity of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Running through our lives and mending us.

Like the almost invisible table top glass holds the coffee cups, God holds us. He needs to be in the center of our social lives.

As we share the coffee and donuts, we need to keep God in the center of the Living Rooms of our lives.



This table reminds us of our family. Four pieces of glass held together by love. Four children, Justin, Renee, Alayna, and Karalee.

Fragile.

Transparently honest.

Innocent. Clean.



Life is fragile.

Be careful not to get broken.

Broken by the allures of sin or the slights of others.

Make sure you read wholesome books and keep wholesome friends. They mold your lives.



Be transparently honest with God. Keep asking Him to cleanse you.

Read His Word

and

commune with Him daily. Stay tuned in to Him so He can guide you

around and

over the thunderstorms of life.



Clean. That's what we all want. But life will throw dirt on you.

You will stumble and get dirt all over you.

Let God clean you

every day, moment by moment.

If you let the dirt and the splatters of sin harden in your heart, then it may take a razor to scrape it off.

That could hurt.

Keep the glass clean.



Always Remember.

God loves you.

Your mom and dad love you.

We will guide you to the

best of our ability.

We

care about

you.

Living: Beneath the Surface

Greg Armstrong
www.EasTview.org

Women know what's right or wrong. The Samaritan woman was the 1st missionary.

Jesus poured his love into her even though she was the one everyone whispered about. He released her from the pain of shame. She expected condemnation. Jesus really saw her. He assured her she was significant. Grace mercy salvation. We all need it.

What are we afraid of? Are we stuck in the iceberg syndrome? 90% under water? Do we try to hide in drugs? Ikta? I know this already?
1. Hurt. Brought on by you or others. Happy are you if you are spiritually poor. God can fix you.
2. Hangups. Fading dreams. Let God renew you.
3. Habits. Hurts and hang ups become your normal. Being robbed of hope.

Communion. For those who understand what Jesus did for us. If you are coming with all kinds of hurts hangups and habits God can give you hope. If this is your 1st understanding of communion, please come up and pray for new life. Come now and partake.

Jesus took bread broke it and gave it to his disciples. "Do this in remembrance of me."

Bless the Lord oh my soul worship his holy name.

Teresa Siemens Thiessen funeral

The church was filled by 1 and the other big church served as an overflow.

She bounced into heaven and lit up the place with her beaming smile and twinkle in her eyes.
Stefan (nephew) liked his aunt so very much. She told him he was her favorite. He will sing for her. Don't let her death separate you from God. We will sing now. Aunt Teresa and a million angels will be joining us. Songs: My savior lives. He died to be my savior.
Our God is greater awesome in power. If our God is with us who can stand against us?
Amazing grace how sweet the sound! My chains are gone I've been set free! My God my savior has ransomed me.
All is well with my soul he is God in control. I know not all his plans but I know I'm in his hands.
Teresa was 42. She died Monday of a heart attack just like her dad and other cousins.
Obituary Kurt and Colleen, siblings
Anthony and 3 children Pierce 14 Payton 13 Gabrielle 9
Teresa is organizing a big party in heaven for her family.
Song: I will rise Jesus has overcome the grave. I will rise on eagles' wings. by nieces nephews
Tribute to mom: Payton: mom was so wonderful. Mom called me her twin and rebel child. Mom borrowed my clothes and I borrowed hers.

Tribute by Anthony: Loneliness. Fly to the Angels, song by Slaughter. Handwritten tribute not readable on the screen.
Wish someone would read his tribute and cut out the awful noise.

We interviewed her brother Eric at one point.

Eulogy Jennifer and Bailey
Teresa
Funny laughter fun jokes work biking hiking running never sit still Slurpee lover
Consider it Done business startup

Devotional - Pastor John Driedger
Recurring theme. Enthusiasm, energy. How can empty cliches comfort me?
She did so many things. 200th EMC conference she knew when to say no. She did everything with enthusiasm. She did children's interviews and she knew exactly how to things whole heartedly. She always got things done. Organized spontaneous almost perfect, she served God. She was a follower of Jesus. She proved it was fun to trust Jesus. 
Teresa knew she had a genetic heart defect. But she served Jesus with her whole heart.
Jesus conquered death. He gifts us with his righteousness. That would bring her into God's presence in heaven.

Teresa had her name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. She heard the words of welcome this Monday when she arrived at the heavenly gates. Her reservation had been made.

Song: When I Get Where I'm Going the first thing I'm doing is to spread my wings and fly. Don't cry for me down here. There will be only happy tears.
I'll stand forever in the light of my amazing makers face.

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!