Desire to be Great

www.EasTview.org
Today: Owning ‘YOU’: Desire to be Great Delbert Enns  Matt 23:11-12, Rom 12:10, Luke 14:7-14
Songs this Morning: Come, Now Is The Time To Worship   Brian Doerksen Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King   Thomas Miller How Great Thou Art  Wesley Keene Nothing But The Blood Robert Lowry Jesus Messiah   Chris Tomlin 

The father loves the son. The son can do nothing on his own.  You will see greater things than the healing of the lame man. Read the text over and over.  You have a number 10 in you.  You have greatness hitched to humility. The greatest among you must be your servant. Those who humble themselves will be exalted. Who will get up at night to take care of the baby? Selfishness destroys relationships. Humility builds relationships.
Being humble has to be ungoing every day.  God does the exalting.
1. Humility towards ambition. Who is the greatest? The disciples were arguing. World changers. They didn't get it. God does not squash ambitions. Get as humble as the little child.
If humility overshadows your pride you can be great. Let God lead you.
You can't fix relationships. Depend on God.  Wait on God.
2. The need to be noticed. The rich man wanted the benefits without commitment. After that Jesus told the disciples he would die. Now 2 disciples wanted to sit next to Jesus in the coming kingdom. Be a slave, Jesus said. Not a selfie. Leave it up to God.
God made you wonderfully complex. God's very own workmanship.
Become an encourager.
Humility.  At a great banquet all the guests wanted to sit at the head table.  Jesus said take the back table and you will be invited to sit at the head table.
We tend to compare ourselves among ourselves.  Not a good idea.
Chris and Cory. Interview. Chris is 2 years free of drugs. What do you fill your life with now? Congressional friends, 188, choir, Forward House. Get rid of all old friends. Celebrate with cake.
Cory.  Loves competition. Won the medal. Leads 200 students here at church. We have been blessed. Help students build relationships. In this age of entitlement. Learn to flip your perspectives. Spring break inner city ministry. Get involved pray for the kids. Buy some soup.

Communion.
The moment in history that exemplifies humility is when Jesus died on the cross. Jesus invites us on the journey of humility.

Death - What a wonderful way to explain it

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was planning to leave the
examination room and said, "Doctor, I'm afraid to die. Tell me what
lies on the other side."
Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know..."
"You don't know? You are a Christian, and you don't know what's on the
other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side was the
sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang
into the room and leaped at him with a show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's
never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew
nothing except that his master as here, and when the door opened he
sprang in without fear.
I know little of what's on the other side of death, but I know one thing...
I know my master is there and that's enough."

Owning 'YOU': Approval Addiction

www.EasTview.org

Worship Services: 9:15 & 11:15am Messages are recorded and video is available online: www.eastview.org/sermons DVD copies are also available. Today: Owning ‘YOU’: Approval Addiction
Delbert Enns  
Luke 16:15, Romans 12:1,2

Love you.  Make sure they say I love you too. God wrote my name in the palm of his hand. Read his Word.

Everyone wants to be noticed. Why did no one notice me? If no one notices us we say why? We like compliments. Charles the Great wanted to be buried with all his regal stuff and sitting on a throne with the Bible on his lap snd his finger pointed to Matthew 16:26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Why do we need constant approval? Does it really matter? There is something that says we need to find something bigger. That's why we go to church.

We have all had abuse in life.  We don't need to be a victim.
Sunday morning we may want to do something else.

Approval addiction it's all about me.

We have societal, corporate, Christian values. Seek the will of God and all else will be taken care of. Luke.  Jesus prayed all night and then selected the 12 apostles. Everyone is known by God by name.

If you want to walk away from the ME life we need to live the Luke 6.20 life.  Hunger and thirst after righteousness. Jesus has a big reward for his followers.

Life is not about now.  It's about something more.  There is a reward for faithfulness. Feed your soul! Be involved and train your mind.  Take the marriage course. Let your bodies be transformed by changing the way you think.

Greg. You work with people that are living for themselves.  Alcoholics are selfish and addicted. Some people walk around with a long face and that becomes addictive. Anger is addictive. Greg used to cary a crowbar. Had a heart attack that made him realize that hebneeded to change. Grandma prayed for her family relentlessly. Her prayers made a big difference. Post cardiac men always think about what they do not who they are.

Next Sunday Becoming more like Christ.

Is what I'm doing bringing me closer to Christ? Everything else is relatively worthless.

Tara Teng

Free2work.com
Find out what products are ethical.
Asgreenasitgets.org
Traffic jam java supports rescue operations
Freedom tastes sweet for tea
Sevenly created campaigns to raise funds
Senhoa ethical jewels employs women emancipate

New opportunities
TMC fashions high value. They use only modest dresses
Segway in Winnipeg needs pajamas to help sextrade workers feel valuable.
Cycles of sustainability are starting to make a difference.
Our foster care system is broken. Churches need to show love
1st nations people have so much wisdom.
We need new laws to protect vulnerable women.
Send letters all over to make the public aware of ethical business.
Move into the neighborhood to change and transform the world. That's what Jesus did. Become part of real change.

Connecting with habits

Freedom from abuse.
Pastor Del Enns
It happened again and again. She felt irregular heartbeat. She had made plans to travel. Needed a pacemaker. Now she had cancer. Her heart is very weak now. Mom is ready to go now.

She has a heart of love. A hard life.

People build walls.  Our hearts are out of sync. Disapproval lingers. Disappointment lingers.  Families break.  We say that's who I am. How is your heart today?

We are told to behave to avoid pain.  Get your mouth washed for foul language.

How's your heart?

Matt 15: 17 "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

The truth will set you free. Are there places in your heart that are closed? Open up. Name your abuse. Your family that kicked you out. Friends that condemned you.

Wide Awake 3

www.TheMeetingHouse.com/downtownToronto

Ken Shigematsu pastor from Vancouver "God in My Everything"
Worked for Japanese company where he was a 7/11 man - gone from home from 7am-11pm on company business. Became a 7/11 man at church. Went to Ireland with Leighton Ford and discovered monastic peace.

If you were forced to live in a Muslim theocracy you would find out how Daniel felt when he was exciled to Babylon. They were being reprogrammed with a new name.
Daniel prayed 3 times a day.  There he learns to inhale God.  And gives thanks.  The only way to explain his wisdom is that God lives in him. 

The rule of life is a rhythm a trellis to produce more fruit. Remain in Jesus to bear fruit. God is at work.  Create a simple rhythm in your life to support your walk with Jesus.

Love sailing and it is a privilege and enlivening. Honour the 4 th commandment.  It is better to work from rest than to desperately need rest.  Exercise is part of good rhythm.  It helps to focus life on health.
Meditation.  I have 1000 chimpanzees running around in my head. Meditate on Jesus for 12 minutes a day and your brain gets better.  And your life gets better.  Healthier. 
God in my everything. How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17133254-god-in-my-everything

A trellis of rhythm - start a simple rhythm in your own life.  Something that supports your friendship with your best friend Jesus. It is not a burden.
In 2014 we will all live in a rhythm.  Buy the book.  Discounted today. You can have it for free.

My wife says you're the happiest pastor I know. my hope and prayer is that you would know God in everything.
May the road rise up to meet you.  May Christ be above you in you.

The church for people who aren't into church

Www.themeetinghouse.org
Vince lead pastor

Wide awake.  Week 2
Our being wants relationships. There are seasons of dryness.

Vaporub was mommy's quick fix for colds. And rectal temperature.  That prevented us from pretending we were sick. We didn't know there were other options for dealing with colds.

Used to try to have 1/2 our devotions.  That was not working for me.

Went on a canoeing trip. Went out swimming in the buff and got caught by a family of canoers.
That was a time of worship and feeling close to God.

Galatians 4.13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."5:14 Lev 19:18. 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

As we walk with the spirit there is freedom to choose to walk in the spirit.

Fruit of the spirit is love joyfulness peace...
A life in Jesus is spiritual fruit.
Are you missing something?  Gary Thomas lists 9 types of people by temperament. Naturalists.  Traditionalists.  Ascetics. Activists. Caregivers.  Enthusiasts. Contemplatives. Intellectuals. Lifestyle learning.  Sensates. Taste touch smell sight. Rembrandt's Prodigal son painting.

Online tool. Read the book.  Or do the test. http://common.northpoint.org/sacredpathway.html
Read summary of the book http://www.garythomas.com/books/sacred-pathways/

Wake up all believers.

Religion Poisons Everything?

Politics Poisons Everything?
Business Poisons Everything? MONEY Poisons Everything?

"The dividing line between good and evil runs right through the human heart." Solzhenitsyn

Life after God.  Coupland. I need God.  I need him to help me.

Everything Poisons Everything?

Without God nothing makes sense.  Jesus was anti religion.

5 simple things. 
1. Humans designed for relationships. Not rules regulation doctrine
2. Humans have incredible value made in the image of God. Not random atoms.
3. There are real choices to be made that makes a real difference. Not better by ethics
4. There is such a thing as real love.  Jesus came to save
5. There is a big story. We can't just think that everyone can invent their own way.
It all centers on Jesus.
God is generous and there is room for everyone in God's house.

Q&A
Why are Christians so self righteous? They shouldn't be because the Bible says we are all filthy.

God relates to us personally.  There are fundamental major differences between Christianity and other religions. Islam teaches the opposite to the Bible. Love is not part of Islam. Very different. To say all religions are the same makes you very self righteous and arrogant.  All these people that believe what they believe don't agree with you.
We need help.

Mike - what happens to Christian soldiers that just killed someone and then got killed.
Just wars theory.  Sometimes wars are inevitable. Sometimes killing is not murder.

Christ is the only One that can give deep soul satisfaction.  Too often in our age of consumption we keep being hungry because we chase the wrong things.

If you join Christ he promises you'll have trouble but the rewards are well worth it.

In Islam persecution of Christians is real.  We tend to water it down.

Tamara worked with atheists soldiers.  Be good for goodness sake. We need to watch that the secular humanists and atheists don't steal biblical values.

Dr Leff, atheist philosopher says we are all the same. Why can't I decide to poison everything.  Good does not exist without a higher powers.

Do we have better thinking now than 3000 years ago? We are so specialized that we don't connect the dots.

Freedom from or freedom to achieve our purpose.

Craig Evans. Acadia. Good scholar. Paul and James wrote occasional letters. He died for his faith.  James dealt with the Jewish Christians. Paul with the the Greeks. So their letters are different.  Check the book of Acts. They agreed.

Attitudes sometimes masquerade as ideas.

Sort your ideas into show stoppers and rattlers. If you want to be an atheist what are the problems. Physics converts people into theists.
Pakistani pastor was tortured. Christians in the west are afraid of being laughed at.  We need a revival of confidence.

Reasons for suffering. Job was not rewarded. Naomi was not rewarded.

Intellectual lens can deal with it.  Christ deals with it. He comes too late.  Jesus wept. He was angry at death.

When we look to Jesus it's unique,  rare, to see a God of love.  Because of that we can trust him. Job did not talk about God he spoke to God. Our God is not silent. He went to the cross.

The God of the Bible wants to be understood. That's why we need good translations.

Hidden in Christ. Life

Luke 15 Tim Keller writes about it in the book "The Prodigal God"
Both sons wanted the father's stuff. The older son needed to repent of his goodness.

Colossians 2.20 why do I so often live the old life?

Why do we need markers to show we are so nice?
Why do we think our house has to look like we don't live here? Why do we have to clean up before we can have visitors?

Part of living with Jesus is to repent of our righteousness. Develop a Habit of joyfulness thankfulness. confess the deep dark secret.

Colossians 1-4 are the best verses in the Bible.  You have been raised to a new life.  A gift given to all those who embrace it. Life eternal. God breathed life into us

It's a new beginning.  Cake for your born again date.  We could have cake in church every Sunday. do you recognise that you are new?  Seek things that are from above.  Reorientation of life.

Repentance is a 180º turn.  Not just sorry. Set your mind on things above.

We live in a world that shapes us. Do you create space for God on your life? To dialogue about God with others?  Care group?

Your story is what has shaped you to who you are. Somewhere you had an encounter with God and your life is changed.  The past is redeemed by Grace. Your life is now defined by the grace of God! Your life is a gift.  Live to show it!

Hidden in Christ. Victorious

Dave Ens
Col 2
Live your life abounding in thankfulness. What are you thankful for?

In Christ. 2 short words that make a giant difference.
It's about losing myself in Christ.
Dating is: I like being with you. Marriage is I'm giving myself to you. I'm doing what you want me to do. Being in Christ is I'm relinquishing my rights.

Is Christ at the centre of your life? Colossians were under pressure to conform to the religious demands of the Jewish leaders.

Discontent is a big deal in our society. We "must have" all the stuff.

Jesus asks us about the simplicity of following him.

Jesus triumphed over everything.  He has won the victory.  He defeated the enemies on the cross.

The evil powers thought they had the victory when they hung Christ on the cross. But he rose from the grave.

Col 2 you were raised with Christ.  He erased the record against us.

Greed envy lust are not the real thing.  Christ is the REAL one.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face.

Hidden in Christ. Jesus

Dave Ens www.EasTview.org
Mark 10 a man RUNS to Jesus asking what do I have to do to grab unto the good life.

Jesus asked him a question back. Have you done everything right? Yep! I'm a good guy.

Sell everything? The issue is not money. One thing is important. Follow me. Jesus said. It's that simple.

We talk about stuff. It all boils down to FOLLOW JESUS. Leading people to Christ and on to maturity in him is ONE process.

We will use the book of Colossians as our guide in the next number of weeks as we unwrap what it means to follow Jesus.

Paul starts the book with a beautiful prayer.

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our
4 Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people,
5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We don't live the fullness of what God has done.

May you be made strong. Rescued forgiven made free by what God has done through Christ.

Colossians 1:15
The song the church sang right after Christ's resurrection. Jesus is the image of God. The fullness of God. By making peace through the blood.

Christ Is Supreme

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.
For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

To get to know God get to know Jesus.

The one who created you is the one who saves you. He does not leave us alone.

Colossians is a chewy book. Lots to digest.

You are invited to follow Jesus

Rejoicing in God’s Justice

Rejoicing in God's Justice Delbert Enns   Luke 1:26-38 www.EasTview.org

This is a hectic stressful time. Loneliness, losses, mourning, grief, bankruptcies, all happen this time of year.

What is justice? If it works for me that's justice?

Is this season worth celebrating?

Truly God is good. Psalm 73:1-5 In the midst of trouble, God is good. If you feel things are disconnected remember Mary had her issues. Nothing good can come from Nazareth. I'm not from Jerusalem. Joseph, what a wonderful man! He stuck with me. I was proud to be at his side. When Jesus came all I had was a feeding trough. I admired him, my redeemer who would change everything.

Joseph could have had Mary killed.

You might be feeling you were born on the wrong side of the river. Things may be all wrong. Maybe nothing makes sense in your life.

Something happened that changed everything. Luke 1:26- The Annunciation. You will have a son whose kingdom will never end. The son of God. Nothing is impossible with God. I am the Lord's servant. Did Mary know what would happen?

We think the advent is for me. It's not about me and my pity party. It's about others. Mary's life was rearranged. She understood that this child was not here to be selfish. To walk humbly.

Joseph. He was also transformed. Your mess up is not just your own. Others are also involved. It affects others.

God's justice is for everyone. Not just for me. Joseph was willing to walk with Mary even though she was pregnant with someone else's child.

The shepherds got messed up. Herrod's life was messed up. The Jews were looking for a political redeemer messiah.

Mary was mentally confused deeply upset when the angel gave her that message. I'm a virgin she said. Why me?

Hush hush does not work. Call to God. Yell at him. He is not offended. He will hear your cry.

The Holy Spirit will overshadow you and give you peace in the quietness.

When you are in a traffic jamb pray for the others on the road. God is trying to talk to you. God has a rescue plan for them too.

Jesus took on the form of a servant. Mary said I'm your servant. This is the King of Kings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HodA8jUCk

Hug someone now. You need at least 3 hugs to know you are loved.

What hope we hold. Song.
Praise his name Emmanuel!

Wonder at God

Welcome to Eastview!  We're glad you're here! At Eastview, we are committed to "Leading people to Christ and on to maturity in Him."  Worship Services: 9:15 & 11:15am
Messages are recorded and video is available online: www.eastview.org/sermons
Today: Advent @ Your Door Steps   Wonder at God Delbert Enns   Luke 2:8-21
Third Sunday of Advent   
Next Week: Advent @ Your Door Steps   Rejoicing in God's Justice Delbert Enns   Luke 1:26-38 Fourth Sunday of Advent       

Eastview Christmas Eve Service Times   Monday, Dec 23, 6:30pm            Tuesday, Dec 24, 5:00pm & 6:30pm 

Songs this Morning: Joy To The World    Frederic Handel For All You've Done Reuben Morgan Come Thou Fount Robert Robinson Offering  Paul Baloche Music Team: Adam Bergman, Heidi Boon, Jesse Hamm

Bulletin
http://www.eastview.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bulletin-Dec-15.pdf

How many Charlie Browns do we have? What is Christmas all about? How many Linuses do we have?

Where is the wonder of the season? We go through the rigamarole of Christmas and feel miserable.

How did Joseph feel? His girlfriend was pregnant with someone else's child. How did Mary feel? Subject to stoning.

Luke 2. How did the shepherds feel? Good news for all! These shepherds were chosen to be the first ones to hear the good news.
Shepherds had a noble calling. King David was a shepherd. By the time of Jesus's birth they were despised and considered ceremonially unclean.
They got fantastic good news. They were outside.
Jesus said: healthy people don't need a doctor. Sick people do.

If you want to understand 1 Cor 1 says few of you were wise when God called you. God calls the marginalized.

Claudia, a healer preacher, wanted to preach to the assembled 4,500 when Delbert heard that there were 2,500 people wanting to come in. They let them in and a small boy was in that group and he was worshipping God.

The shepherds did the ordinary things of life when God showed up. Jesus does that.

Jesus asked Peter and his team to go fishing after they had wasted all night and caught nothing. Peter said if you say so I'll do it! When they were overloaded with fish, Peter fell at Jesus' feet and worshipped him!

The Christmas story changes people's lives. Mega joy comes to those who are touched by God. Don't believe Satan's lies.

The great news comes to the community. God chose me!

Peter got a new assignment. Become fishers of mankind!

Have you shared the message of the messiah to those who don't know Him? Invite them to come to Jesus.

Invite people to the Christmas eve service.

This Table - written 20 years ago

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.

Advent: Wisemen seeking God

www.EasTview.org
Song: You are calling us all by name.
You choose the humble and raise them high
You choose the weak and make them strong  
You heal our brokenness inside 
And give us life
The same love that set the captives free
The same love that opened eyes to seeIs calling us all by name
You are calling us all by name
The same God that spread the heavens wide
The same God that was crucified Is calling us all by name 
You are calling us all by name
It's a really nice song; why sing it over ad nauseam?

Oh come all you faithful
O come let us adore him

Fabulous choir music. We anticipate the Christmas eve choir programs Dec23 6:30, & Dec 24 5:00 & 6:30. Worth putting on your calendar!

A new king was born. 400 years of silence broken by the cries of the son of God.

Dave Ens

"Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes – The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."– Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Interconnectedness. God is present in all our times.

People are seekers. The Wiseman were seekers.
They had expectation - 2 years the Wiseman followed the special star. (Maybe it was 2 months?)

Am I keeping up with Jesus? God is working. Are you watching for it? The Wiseman stopped to see Herod. (Was that wise?)

When they finally found Jesus they had a God moment. Finally they found the promised messiah! They were overcome with joy!

Jesus is difficult to see because we have so many preconceptions. We think he is with our team.

We presume to speak for God in spite of the fact we are not good at seeking God's will.

There is something bigger than we are. The seekers in the Bible were often outsiders. The Greeks came to see Jesus. Jesus said come follow me.

Seeking to see stuff is not truly coming to see Him.

Leave things behind to really find Jesus!

Advent Waiting for God

Steve says, Easter is what Christmas is all about so let's sing Easter songs today. Jesus Messiah Lord of All!
Humbly to the earth you came. Born into this world to save. Your name is a strong and mighty tower. Nothing has the power to save but your name.

Elton Da Silva
Jesus's parents brought Jesus to the temple. 2 devoted people recognized him as the Messiah. Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the deliverer for a long time. They recognized God had come!

Do we recognize God in our lives? Are we ready to meet God? Do we recognize God at work at Tim Horton's?  I felt down that day, and when I opened the door, someone opened it and said I know who you are. God told me to come here to encourage you! Never met the man before but God worked something miraculous.

A four year old prayed for the man who is very sick. Who? The man who sold us the car. The next day mom went to encourage him.

God is doing amazing things. Are we missing Him because we have lost our passion? We don't expect him. Do we come just because or are we expecting God in church?

Are we hugging God with excitement like people at the airport?

Consolation Redemption are the 2 words of the text. Jesus brings healing comfort restoration.

God wants your life to be an exciting revelation. The glory of the King is about beauty.

Surrender. The story starts with the old law. There is a junction of the old and the new. The 2 old people are surrendering. Their lives are over. The new has come.

When guests come we surrender a room. It's yours for a season.

We need to surrender and say to Jesus this life of mine is now your temple.

Good Grief: What's Healthy; What's unhealthy

www.RussellCounselling.com www.DrDonRussell.com
There are all kinds of losses where there is no funeral. You get kicked out of the family business but there is no funeral for that.
Our world has been turned upside down.
Could be loss of a job or not getting the job you want.

Grief is a process of:
Orientation 》 Disorientation 》 Reorientation
Grief is fatiguing because it takes up a lot of emotional and mental space inside as we attempt to find a new normal after the old one has been lost. It is only as we digest emotional happenings.
Sometimes there's more than just grief. It can be traumatic. Consider the 2 layers. Trauma adds anxiety, avoidance, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, fatigue, brain freeze, nausea, guilt, should haves, the feeling of I'll never get better......

Unhealthy grieving includes:
Denying or suppressing the cocktail of feeling
Doing a spiritual bypass jumping to God knows. You can't take a spiritual bypass. God gave you the ability to feel
Becoming anxious or depressed for more than a year
Engaging in numbing self medication
Staying stuck in one of the stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression
Avoiding places or people that remind us of the loss

Take care of yourself. Stress of loss will deplete your energy and emotions.

Face your feelings. In order to heal acknowledge and express the pain or you'll kill yourselves. Not everyone is weepy. That's OK. Talk with people you feel safe with. TALK.

Express your feelings. Write a loss journal. Write a letter to the one who passed. Read it at the grave. Make a scrapbook or photo album. Get involved in a cause.

Don't let anyone tell you how you feel or should feel. Your grief is your own. Let yourself feel whatever you feel. Let yourself grieve without embarrassment or judgement.

Plan ahead for grief triggers: Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, .. Be prepared for an emotional wallop and know it's normal. Give yourself permission to me cranky. Agree on strategies to honor the person you loved.

I so want to say something to take your pain away but Mr Fixit in me just can't. I must learn that the most important thing is to sit and listen.

Does the church help people who grieve? I would love to be out of business but I'm not.

We know Jesus is the answer but sometimes we are too superficial. The deep corners of the soul don't get touched.

An accepting congregation is a beautiful thing. People need to be open to each other's junk.

Getting angry at God is part of grief. God does not need defending. God can take it. It doesn't make you a bad person. Just read the Psalms. Your feelings need expression. I get it. That's a strong feeling.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. God knows us in the deepest places.

How do you help children grieve? Language appropriate. Diluted to their level. Prayer is not a slam dunk. You may not eat dessert before you eat your vegetables.

What's mental health got to do with the church?

Mennville EMC north of Riverton.

Scripture reading by Roger Friesen:
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

DrDonRussell.com
Privileged to be here this morning. Beautiful drive this morning from Landmark.

Deals with people issues. Jesus has understanding about mental health.
Bullying and postpartum depression news is all around us.

1 of 5 people will have serious mental issues. All of us are touched by mental issues. Costs $51,000,000,000 in Canada.

Jesus speaks to us.  Romans 8:22 Creation is groaning. Great crowds came to Jesus with all kinds of issues.

In the beginning no one had mental issues.

In the end Jesus will make everything right again.

We make sense of it because we live in a fallen broken world.

Don't just sit and wait. Do something. Don't say the dreadful phrase: it is what it is.

We treat mental issues like they used to treat leprosy. Jesus has something to say about it. Leave something for the poor. Be extra gracious to the disadvantaged in society. We need to draw the 'thems' into our circle of friends. That includes the gay. If Jesus came to Steinbach would he shoot hoops with the cool jocks, or would he find the bullied? What did he say to the prostitute in John 8? What was Jesus writing when the self righteous wanted to stone her?

When clients talk about depression, I say I get that.

Shame bad is bad. Adam and Eve were not ashamed to be naked. The fall created shame. But now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Rom 8

There are bad simplistic answers that hurt
1. Mental illness is demonic.
2. Psychobable
3. Medical problem.

We are fearfully made. Spirit. Body. Mind. Mental illness impacts all 3 areas of the person.

Exercise improves the body and mind.
Talk about it. Open the conversation. Love and acceptance goes a long way. It makes it far more manageable. Know where to find resources. Be the bridge.

So can I help myself?
Reach out. Ask for help.
Practice mental hygiene. Anchor yourself in biblical truth.
Practice spiritual disciplines. Read Ephesians. Practice gratitude. That is mood altering. Just as good as any drug.
Dialog with God. Talk to him about your crankiness.
The Lord is near. With thankfulness present your requests to God. Focus on the good.

Started an anger management group some years ago. One person dropped out. Then he came back after spending time in psych ward. They used to call them asylums. A safe place to rest. Not doing anything. Just resting.

Make the church an asylum. A place to rest.

The Marvel of Earth's Canopies

The Marvel of Earth's Canopies
by Professor C. Theo Schwarze
A fascinating book on the harmony of science and the Bible
This book is out of print
Click on the image to read it on line

Choices are OPTIONAL. Consequences are NOT.

Malachi 3
There was a small group who feared the Lord. God wrote their names in a Book of Remembrance. The Book of Life.
V17. They will be my people. My own special treasure my jewel. Recorded by name.
Do you know that you are the special treasure of God? If not, get right with God today!

Baptism and new member's Sunday:
Val has 7 grandkids. Wants to be baptized. Attended an Anglican church. Married 40 years. Lived in Flin Flon and Selkirk. Went to Roman Catholic church. Sherry was baptized at EasTview. Husband was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago. Ted was doing well. They had an accident. Then she had cancer. Tough times brought me closer to God. God loves me and he has a perfect plan. The struggle is to learn to trust God.

Kelly was raised in a Christian home. Never got baptised. Got married very young. Moved to northern Manitoba. Forgot to attend church thinking she had spirituality. Mom got sick and wanted to go home to heaven. After 6 months she got better. Started to attend EasTview 6 months ago.

Scott grew up in Selkirk in a Lutheran church. Worked 6 days a week before having children. Had a tough time getting pregnant. Thought they lost that 1st child. Carter was born. 3 years later our second son was born.

Greg born in Winnipeg. Baptized as a baby in a united church.

Kelly always considered herself a Christian. United church. Then EKMB. Now wants to be join EasTview. Attended NK Alliance and got baptized there.

Cindy married 21 years with 2 children. Accepted Jesus at camp and war baptized there. Jesus is my rock and salvation. EasTview is now our spiritual home.

Choir
A Mighty Fortress is our God. A really good musical arrangement.
Praise the name of Jesus.
He's My Rock in Him will I trust.
His kingdom is forevermore

The baptismal water is too cold. Val God has never left you. I baptize you in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Today is the right day to be baptized. This is the day that the Lord has made.
Do you confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?

Congregational songs.
He became sin who knew no sin.
Love so amazing Jesus Messiah Lord of all. All our hope is in you.
Jesus Messiah name above all names Blessed Redeemer
In Christ Alone my hope is found
O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Choir
Be still and listen to God

Pastor Delbert. You are God's special treasure. Pray to be included in God's special chosen ones. Meditate on God's Word day and night. Be planted firmly so you can celebrate for all eternity.

Let's read the covenant together.

Song. You choose the humble. The same love that set the captives free is calling us all by name.