Sunday, September 29, 2013

Musical grandchildren

60th anniversary of George and Maria Wiebe.
Interview by the grandchildren:
Where did you learn: If you don't have time to do it right the first time how will you have time to do it again?
Grandma did you have other dreams besides marriage? Wanted to have cows to milk.
One year of dating once a week. Went to the weddings in a horse and buggy with wooden spokes on the wheels.
Grandpa did you have any other dreams? No.
How old were you when your first child was born? 43 How old were you when your youngest child was born? 90. How did you manage raising 13 children?
We had $1,000 and got a one month working permit.  In 3 years got Canadian citizenship.
What do you love most about each other? The love she he has for God.
How do you keep married for 60 years? Always make everything right before going to bed.

Grandchildren sing: You are my sunshine.

Milton Loewen: moved to Arborg in the same year. The Wiebes have been a real blessing to us.
They drew their strength from the Lord. They made simple vows 60 years ago.
King David recognized that he needed to praise the Lord. How long is your list of blessings? We are getting older. David prayed that God would keep him in old age. Praise God more all the time.
God will guide us. We will flourish in old age. Ps 91 the Lord is my refuge.
God's hand is over you. May God richly bless you!
Kids Anna Susan Anna Peter Marie Jake Tina George Helen Margie Nettie Abram Abe Johnny Martha plus 10 spouses children and grandchildren = 106-4 in the family.

Riverton Community Service

This service today is in memory of pastor Don who passed away recently.
Unity and diversity. People telling their faith stories. God's Word in many languages. 1st Corinthians 12:12-13 Romans 12:3-5
English French Ukrainian Icelandic Spanish German

Hymn: The love of God.
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
Oh for grace to trust him more

Come thou fount of every blessing.

Faith story Menno Friesen
Sharing our faith walk should be an encouragement to you. Grew up in a wonderful home. Parents tried to install biblical values. I rebelled trying to do my own thing. Called Christianity a crutch. I wanted fire insurance for protection from the fries of hell. Was in several accidents and came out of it alive even though we got soaked in gasoline. Tried to hide during thunderstorms. In 72 went hunting and prayed that if God existed he would send a moose to him without taking another step. A moose came straight at him and when the moose was less than 50' away he finally had the gun loaded and dropped the moose. God said this is nothing for me. You will see greater things. From that day on I've served the Lord. It took some struggles to die to self. Do you really love me? Jesus asked. My life changed so dramatically. I became a new creation. God was making all mankind his friends. God said go and share the good news.

Enjoy your faith walk. You are a new creation. It's wonderful and we have heaven to look forward to. When my vitals stopped a few years ago I had a taste of heaven. The angels were with the doctor and staff that day.

Hecla pastor John: in volunteering with Siloam I have realized there are lots of needs. Today's offering is for the Riverton Food Bank. It is not government funded. Your donations keep it going. 50 families need this every week. You can also volunteer.

Riverton Lutheran church choir: A wonderful savior is Jesus my Lord.
Oh come angel band and bear me away in your snowy wings to my immortal home.

Children's feature: A sheep story. Little lamb what are you doing out there by yourself? I have a shepherd that looks after me but I ran away and got hurt and scared. Then my shepherd called and I was so happy to respond. I heard all the wolves howling and when I heard my shepherds voice I responded so happily. Now I'm happy to be in the fence my shepherd built. Jesus is the good shepherd who looks after us. He loves you. Jesus loves me this I know. The Bible tells me so.

Special Music: Willie Nelson song. That Bible on the table. Dad would read to us from the family Bible. I can see us sitting round the family and hear my mother softly singing rock of ages cleft for me. If we only had more Bibles on the family table.

Thrift Shop story: Luanna Friesen. A black garbage bag. Could contain the remnants of a life well lived. I work as a volunteer. I'm swiss. Amish. I never met a perhogie till I moved to Manitoba. The thrift shop is what keeps me busy. I belong to Christ you belong to Christ I belong. I bring hope to the world. 34 years ago Ruben and I were invited to join the thrift shop start up. We served on the board for 20 years. Volunteered there for 40 hours a month bridging the gap between the black garbage bag and hope.

Special Music: His Church song by Ruth Dyck and daughter. Be encouraged it is His church. The cornerstone is in place. It's God's church. Not yours not mine.

Faith Story: young man's story: The Crazy Farmer. Wanted to do things differently. By hand. He seeded each seed by hand and watered it all by hand. Even seed that was planted many years ago. He never gave up. God is like that, caring for each of us and never giving up hope. Theology is trying to understand the logic of God. Jesus gave himself and died for us. Let's sing Amazing Grace.

Music Ministry: Amazing Grace.  Sam & Barb

Closing and Prayer: Dwight Plett
We have seen people working together and we are having potluck
Closing song Jesus loves me sung in all the languages simultaneously.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The essentials of church. Worship

www.EasTview.org
Pastor Dave Ens.
In 42 years I may have attended 1,400 church services. Why? What are the things that make the wheel go round?
Take a spoke out of the wheel and it loses integrity.
1Tim 2.1 First of all then... refers to something before this. Keep the church on track.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
Paul is challenging us.
Mark 12.30 Love the Lord and your neighbor goes together.
Where does it flow from?

1st you need to worship God. What's the chief end as humans. To glorify God and enjoy him forever.
How you understand God depends on your understanding of God. Get worship right. They had all kinds of arguments in the early church. Worship had to get right.
Presentation and order is not important. Entertainment is not worship. The church can't compete in the entertainment world. Each episode of 'Thrones' costs $6 million dollars to produce.
Does my worship pull me out of this world? Or do I find something bigger. Experience know and appreciate God who is so much bigger than I can imagine.
When we worship we are all at the same place at the foot of the cross.
God's love sustains us. Of the 1400 times I've been in church Psalm 27:4 behold the beauty of the Lord.
1Tim 2.1-9 the Lord our God and savior wants everyone to be saved.
When we get threatened we retreat. Paul wants us to reach out.
The church needs to be salt and light but FIRST OF ALL get your worship right.
Transcend our pressures and fears. Worship is an essential spoke in the wheel.
Read Scripture together to worship God. Rev. 5 fall down and worship.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

What is working in the kingdom of God?

Mark 2.1,12
Falcon Lake Church
Pastor Brian Hamilton
What is easier, tell him he is forgiven or tell the paralyzed man to get up and walk?
Jesus was back home in Capernaum. Jesus was making a huge impact. News spread quickly. Soon there was a crowd at the door spilling out unto the street. People at the windows trying to see and hear Jesus. 4 men showed up with a physically handicapped friend. This is strange for that era. Handicapped people were mostly ignored. These friends carried the paralytic. They could not get through the door so they climbed up and chopped a hole in the roof so they could lower the man to the feet of Jesus!
Would I be willing to do that? These men are a good example to us.
1. They were people focused and willing to be inconvenienced. Could they have been the 1st row? Yes They were healthy men.
They had to repair the roof afterwards. Be concerned about others more than about ourselves.
2. They had a spirit of cooperation. One might have been able to haul him up the roof and drop him at Jesus' feet. Jesus could have healed him of the concussion too. We all need each other. We have different gifts but as we work together the kingdom gets built.
3. Conviction. These men were determined to reach Jesus. That determination meant victory and healing to their friend. That determination causes church growth. James Corbett was a boxing star. How do you get to the top? Fight one more round.
4. They knew that the most important thing for their friend was to be laid at the feet of Jesus. Will we disturb others too much. Thank you God for people willing to dig holes in roofs. People willing to bring friends to Jesus.
Imagine what God can do if we all become willing like the 4 friends to bring people to Jesus.
Come back to the cross and say Lord forgive me.
See yourself in the story to be led of the Lord and bring others to the feet of Jesus.
That can only be done in the power of God.
Let's pray.
Come thou fount of every blessing.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

All People's Church

Pastor Brian Hamilton
Communion
Luke 22.7
John 17
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me.
The essence of the Lord's table is unity.
Paul was scolding the early church for creating disunity. We need to be brought to complete unity.
Nova Scotia was as beautiful as ever. We felt belonging with the family. When parents die some people feel like orphans.
have always felt secure in his family. His Mom wrote a letter to Brian every week since he left home at age 18. Last week she gave it to him in person. (She's 81 now)
Mom provided a package of goodies every month. She kept reminding him of home and family.
God has placed eternity in our hearts. That's how God made us.
Jesus left us a message to celebrate the Lord's table. His message to us is that He loves us. Jesus prayed for our protection.
When you pick up your communion cup and bread think
How much Jesus loves you.
We are significant in Jesus's eyes.
We've created so many things to make us feel significant. When you participate this morning remember that Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself.
Mom was always concerned about him. Communion reminds us of God's presence.
Jesus said I'm leaving for your benefit. I'm sending the Holy Spirit to be with you all the time.
Jesus wants a close relationship. Rev 3 Jesus says I stand at your door and knock. Come near and eat with me. There is a safe place. The Lord's table is A care package from our home in heaven to remind us of his love. Remember Jesus today.
Celebrate God's presence today. Thank God Jesus forgave you.
This is my body BROKEN for you.
This cup is the new covenant.

Monday, September 02, 2013

Harry Funk and family

Harry Funk and family at All People's Church in Falcon Lake.
The 5 couples shared one cottage this weekend. Last night they had no hot water. Emergency repair and they are all here sparkling clean.
Psalm 23 is a favorite. Husband was a teacher and then a pastor in 4 churches. Where to retire was a hard decision. Set aside a day of fasting and prayer. The next day we both knew that Portage La Prairie. Now working with needy boys ministry.
Song:
Here we stand at a crossroads again. We turn our hearts to what is yet to come. We know you will lead us Lord. Prepare our hearts to risk again to lead a life of fruitfulness.
Like a shepherd God protects us. John 9. Jesus came to give us abundant life. He gives us strength. Reach out and experience the breadth and depth of God's love. Glory to God through all millennia.
Song duet
He leads me by his hand he leads me through Jordan or wherever. His faithful follower I will be.
Solo by Harry
There has never been a friend like Jesus. We walk hand in hand through this pilgrim land. Let me recommend this friend so faithful.
Group song
Because the Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need. I will never be afraid because he is close beside me.
Reading
Our shepherd gives us nourishment of every kind. Psalm 59 I will sing of your strength
Solo
Your love is life to me. My truest longing my deepest need. Without it I don't know where I'd be. Your love is life to me.
Ladies Quartet
Holy Words long preserved. Ancient words will guide us home. They will change us they will change you. They resound with God's own heart.
Reading
Shout for joy.
Song
Harry with the Ladies Quartet
God will carry the lambs close to His heart.
When I pause in God's presence I enter God's cathedral. There are times when I can't feel his presence because doubts fill me.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

All Peoples Church Falcon Lake

Pastor Brian Hamilton has a twin. His name is Brian Hamilton and he works for Ambassadors For Christ of Woodstock NB a mission that works in Cuba and Cambodia.
Oh wait no, he is the same fellow!

Philippians 3.7 I consider everything rubbish compared to Christ.
A popular movie that came out a few years ago, Elephant Man. Brought people to evaluate self worth. The man was considered a freak and a circus object until a doctor saw through his deformities.

It is now 50 years since "I have a dream" speech by Dr Martin Luther King.

There are cultural ideas of ideas of worth. Handsome males and beautiful women are in. All others are...

Sweat pants used to be only for exercise. Now our gods and goddesses make many people feel useless.

A man from Switzerland with the Elephant Man syndrome came to Falcon and was amazed at the beauty here. He shared how he had been shunned.

If a doctor who works among the poorest of Africa is ignored. Angelina Jolie gets lots of attention.

Jesus identified with the poor and outcast. God loves the poor. He made so many of them.

God chose the week to shame the wise. Anything we rely on can become an idol to us. In Cambodia idols were easy to see. Our idols are more difficult to see. Our idols are the things we think about all the time.

Dr Paul Brandt wrote lots of books. There were lots of good preachers in England. Then he encountered a fisherman preacher Willie, a simple man who showed Paul the image of God. That changed his life.

Beauty fades wealth gets left behind.

Mother Theresa said when she looked into the face of a begger she prayed that she would see the face of Christ.

Music by James Fast of SCHS. His chamber choir won top honors in Chicago recently.
Next Sunday Harry Funk will lead the music and devotional. Pastor Brian and Linda will be in Nova Scotia to celebrate his father's 80th birthday.

May all who come behind us find us faithful.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Gap between Me and God

Www.TheMeetingHouse.com/Oakville Christa Hesselink @clhesselink teacher:
Sin is missing the mark. We are full of sin. Jesus is the only one who can rescue us.
The higher the need for rescue the higher the impact of rescue.
Dramatic rescues:
Deal with life and death. The Chilean miners needed a dramatic rescue.
The whole story of the Bible is about the most needed and dramatic rescue of all time. Jesus is the rescuer going to the place of bondage to rescue us. Rom 3:22-25

I need a God who can rescue me.
I was rescued I am being rescued I will be rescued.
God's motivation is love. Rick and Dick Hoyst are running marathons. The son is paralyzed so the father carries him through the races. God our father takes us and carries us.
Let love in.

God has already rescued you. Make sure you get in touch with God. Live as a follower of Christ. Sameness leads to numbness. Participate in rescuing others to stay in touch with the dramatic rescue.
Sing a new song together.

God is able.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Wisdom: get to know God. Trust

1) Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world,they resound with God's own heart, oh let the ancient word impart.
words of life words of hope give us strength help us cope in this world wherein we roam, ancient word will guide us home

chorus 
ancient word ever true changing me and changing you we have come with open hearts oh let the ancient word impart

2) Holy word of our faith handed down to this age come to us through sacrifice o heed the faithful words of christ
Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world they resound with God's own hearto let the ancient word impart
chorus

3) Martyr's blood stains each page they have died for this faith hear them cry through the years heed these words and hold them clear.

Chorus(4x)

Dave Ens pastor
Proverbs 3.5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own heart. Parallelism. Or Trust in the Lord with all your understanding and lean not on your own understanding. We like to say to God, help my life to go the way I think it should go.
What does it mean to acknowledge God? Oh hi there you are? Hello?
In Hebrew it says 'know' God. Discover what God plans for you.
How do we get to know God? Study. Practice what we know God wants us to do. Walk with God in the everydayness of life. In all your ways... get to know God every step of the journey. Live with eyes open towards God.
There is a direct correlation between the time spent to know God and the ability to trust God.
A youth pastor came to talk to Dave. I don't believe in God because he hasn't answered my prayer. I prayed that a certain girl would come and ask me out but she hasn't.
Proverbs 16.3 let go to the Lord whatever you do and God will establish your plan.
Saul's priest is doing through the rituals to get God to listen to him. Jonathan says this is ridiculous. If God wants to defeat the enemy he'll do it. Jonathan moved ahead with his armour bearer. God have Jonathan the victory. 600 people can't beat the enemy, but 2 people and God can.
Listen and God will make your path well and right filled with integrity. The manner in which you live your life will be straight.
In every situation you can walk in honesty.

Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong For God

Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong For God. This week at www.EasTview.org

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Pineridge: Get out of the Boat; Treading Water

http://www.thechurchatpineridge.org/
They are / have / will be doing the c2c series. They have the 8x8 cross that used to be at EasTview.org. They installed 2 new projectors. One facing the front the other to the screen at the back. 1 service approx 120 people.
Good singing group. All modernist "worship" songs.

Pastor Lorne:
Matth 14 we like the word immediately. We will not talk about that. We'll talk about waiting. Do you like waiting? Sailing in a crisp wind is fun. Sometimes we got stuck in the middle of the lake with all the wind gone out of the sails.
Waiting at the park entrance you are
Happy
The opportunity to invite them to church
Pass by on the shoulder
40,000,000,000 hours are spent waiting in North America each year. We hate to wait.
A person without patience is like a car with no brakes.
God gives you opportunities to wait.
Becalmed
Interruptions happen. They are opportunities to learn patience.
Irritations
You can sit on a mountain easier than on a tack. Inactivity
Patience carries a lot if wait.
Lord I need patience and I need it now!
When people got impatient waiting for elevators they install mirrors so people can see themselves and check their hair etc.
Becalmed
People say I'm just waiting on the Lord.
Becoming Patient
Discover a bigger protective.
We want God's resources without waiting. I must learn to trust God and wait for him to do it. To the Lord a thousand years are like a day.
Patience comes when we see life from God's point of view. Patience develops strength. The marshmallow test. Those who waited would get more marshmallows. They were the people who became successful in life.
Wait to deepen your faith. Noah waited 120 years till his boat floated.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The Bible talks more about Jesus's second coming than his first.
God always has the last word. Depend on Jesus's power. God will give you patience. The Egyptians chased the Israelites with evil intent. Moses said wait. God's got it under control.
What God is doing is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to do. God is waiting for you.
God's promise
Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.
Flap your wings. Glide. Or soar like an eagle.
God is giving you power to soar. Not on your own strength. Keep running. God will give you strength to soar in due time. He knows your condition. Jesus kept walking. He was not soaring on the way to Calvary. He stumbled and fell.
It will be worth the wait to trust in the Lord. Remember the suffering of Jesus when we take communion. We will celebrate Jesus's willingness to suffer to pay the penalty we should have paid. Jesus took your pain. Love is patient. The first word used to describe love.

Communion is served with a gluten free option.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Finding Balance

www.EasTview.org
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.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

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.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

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.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

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

Www.EasTview.org
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.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

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.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

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/

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Celebration Sunday

www.EasTview.org
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.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

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.