Good Friday

I just found: 'Good Friday: This Man Named Jesus' from the The Meeting House Android App and thought you would enjoy it.

Download the The Meeting House Android App from http://road.ie/meetinghouse

SOAR Sunday

Cory Bell: www.EasTview.org
MB Mission organized this for the MB churches of Winnipeg for the last number of years during spring break.
Start off at NKMB church.
Worked at Keenleyside. Interacted with the kids.
Stayed at 188 Princess.
Jack
How did God call you? Took the forms decided not. Soon all the spots were full. At the last minute got in anyways.
Katie. The youngest. Volleyball was a problem. Worked around it. Well worth it.
Found new friends. Matured.
Went on learning tours. Got to know inner city life situations. Learned to be less judgemental. These people have powerful stories.

What are we learning through this experience? How does it impact our faith? Learn to trust God. Changed everything.

Many stories of God working. Jenna went on SOAR last year. The kids were so open to interacting with the team and willing to open up to God.

Jessica was the program leader and the social staff in the community were really impressed with this Christian group.

A big peace came over the team. They did international prayer walks.

God has shown me that everyday is my Missionfield. Give it to God. Grow in faith.

4 team great leaders. The youth grow so much. Encourage each other. Affirm each others talents.

Jodi was the first one to sign up. She sacrificed her studies.

Faith Community. Living and building each other up. Foot washing. Encouraging one another. Become part of EasTview.org

It's easy to have faith when you are with 300 other Christian youth on mission. Home and school witnessing is harder.
Peter sees Jesus and took the step of faith.  He sank but kept following Jesus.

Fun fact.  Got to know Ryan in grade 2. Now he is in SOAR!  Jolene helped him share his testimony with his peers.

What energized Peter to step on the water in faith? God calls us in faith. Step out.

What energizes you? How often do you get refueled?

God gives us lots of different things to re-energize us. Netflix games exercise church time-off God's spirit in us.
Focus on God. Vertical and horizontal focus.  Horizontal focus only will disappoint.

Keenleyside told us we were not welcome to witness there. Cory went in person to meet with the social workers. Now the doors are wide open to more witnessing.

Have you ever been prompted to step out in faith? Giving away Bibles. Encouraging others.

We have a promise that the Holy Spirit will work in us. Walk in boldness. Expectation that God will prompt you to step out of the boat.

Song
God you make everything glorious. You made me. What does that make me? I am yours.

Going Back. .. or Pressing Forward

Www.WestminsterChurch.org
Rev Robert Campbell:

Mary Magdalene got up early.  You would expect her to try to get away from it all. No. She went back to be close to her friend.
But the body was gone. She wept.
The beloved disciple finds the clothes.  The body has just disappeared. The disciples went home. She stayed there weeping. She didn't see the angels as angels. She turned around and didn't recognize Jesus.  Was Jesus wearing the gardner's clothes?
He spoke her name. All the shock of the last few days was eclipsed by the shock of seeing Jesus is alive!
Her despair turns to joy. The next she hears words that were even more shocking. Don't hold on to me! Surely he loved hugs. She called him master. Expecting that things should be as the were before. But this is a new day.  New life is frightening. Death and grief are natural. Resurrection is not natural. We like to be where we are rather than allowing him to take us into the future.
Greg Glatz is an associate pastor

God has had the last laugh and devil has been defeated.
So now we need to laugh.
There is a new hand gun produced in honour of the Canadian Senate. It doesn't work and you can't fire it!

Jesus Christ is risen today
Let everything that has breath - he is greatly to be praised. Let's praise the Lord! Fabulous rendition
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
All creatures of our God and king
Hallelujah chorus
Carillonic Bells

Up From the Grave

Is there a church in Winnipeg that will sing "Up from the grave" as part of their inspirational Easter program this Sunday?
If you know of one please comment below.  That's where we want to go.

Low in the grave He lay —  Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day —  Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed —  Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead —  Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep his prey —  Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away —  Jesus my Lord!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oN77HjfAc8k

Good Friday choir at EasTview

I love you - written in red
It is finished! Hear the dying Saviour cry. Hallelujah glory to the Lamb!
Who has believed it. He was despised and carried our sorrows. Our failure was laid on Him.
What wondrous love is this? When I was sinking down God's grace was reaching down. I will sing through eternity.
The soldiers mocked him and crucified him.
O sacred head now wounded.
John 1. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The unblemished Lamb. The best you have. In O.T. times they managed the sin by continuously sacrificing the best lambs. Shuffled and deflected.
God placed on Jesus all our sin. We come face to face with our darkness.
Behold the Lamb of God who TAKES AWAY the sin of the world. He did it once and FOR ALL. He removed the power of sin to control us. 

We are now FRIENDS of God. Forgiveness on the cross.

Jesus instituted a symbol. We want to participate in this ancient symbol today. Embrace the forgiveness Jesus offers.
May you be blessed as you partake.

This is His body broken for you. He listens gently dries the tears from their eyes. Poured out and broken for you.

The cup signifies a new covenant. A new promise. Jesus steps in to take our burden. Open up your hands come to me. I will wash you clean. You are no longer slaves.

Take a cup drink it. Embrace what Jesus offers. Drink my blood and be forgiven.

My Jesus I love thee,  you purchased my pardon on Calvary's. Tree. If ever loved you my Jesus it's now.

Jesus cried out with a loud voice.
This was God' s son.

IT IS FINISHED!

I am the vine... Jesus said

Check out my friend Carlin Weinhauer's blog at www.CarlinsJourney.blogspot.com He's expecting God's chariot to come for him soon.

The Zoo Crew is coming for VBS. EasTview needs 100+ volunteers for the week of August 10-14. www.EasTview.org

Songs today
For all you've done
Nothing but the blood
Hallelujah to my King what a Savior
Hosanna

Dave Ens
Happy Palm Sunday to you!
What are we asking of God?
Mark 11 brilliantly gives us a daily journal of Jesus's last week.

In Mark 10 Jesus asked twice, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly not on a war horse but on a donkey.
We can't ignore the cross. Who is Jesus? He, the son of God, came to die for us.
Being the least is to be the greatest.
I want to see what you, Jesus, are doing for me. Jesus died for me because he loves me so.
No one has greater love than the one who lays down his life for us. What more can we ask?
Jesus is inviting us into something bigger than all you can imagine.
Jesus asked us to be connected, to stay connected to the vine.

The vine is used to describe the people of God. Gen 12:1-3. I will bless you and all nations through you.

You brought a vine... Psalm 80:8-9
God wants to make the world right.
God wants the fruit of justice. Jesus speaks to that. Israel is the vine - Jesus is the true vine.
Not just for us.  It's bigger than that.
Often we don't want God to be good. Is Aslan safe? No but he's good!
Good wants to remedy the pain. A best friend will tell you when you are dumb and ignorant. He tells us when it's time to change.  Change is hard. He doesn't want things to go to hell.

He wants things to change. For the better. He prunes us to make us better.
We had a fruit tree that gave us lots of small apples. Mother in law pruned it. She cared. She cut most of the branches and that year the tree had large delicious apples.
Pruning hurts but brings luscious fruit.

Embrace the pruning. That's love in action.

What does that look like to bear fruit that blesses the people you interact with? Are you part of the work of redemption?

God bless you.

My friend Carlin

Carlin's Journey Blog

Who do you say I am?

Easter Choir Program on Good Friday at www.EasTview. org

Dave Ens pastor.
When Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus repeatedly said No.
Satan's temptations were not about what Jesus came to do but to take a shortcut to the goal. Jesus said the end does not justify the means.
Does the end justify the means?
John 14. Jesus prepares his disciples with the idea that he is leaving. Where do we go from here? His disciples ask.
Jesus said don't be troubled. I'm preparing a place for you. You are not alone.  There is ongoing work Jesus is doing.
My peace I leave with you. You already know the way. Thomas is like us always questioning. There is danger in looking for a new way when Jesus has already given us the way. We always want the latest thing.
We go through frantic things just so we can relax. We look for the new things. We get distracted by the devil. He takes good things and makes us make them into idols. Buy more. A bit more. Focus on more.
John 14 Jesus said you've seen me you've seen the Father. There is only one way one God.
You walk in light.

Malaysia Airlines flight 370

What happened on Malaysia Airlines flight 370? All was well for that 1st hour.  When the co-pilot said good night he meant it.

Shortly after that the fire in the electrical system under the cockpit knocked out all communications equipment. The fire started when the batteries malfunctioned.  That combined with lax maintenance, shut down all systems.

The pilot had just enough time to program the autopilot "George" to fly in the direction of the nearest airport, before losing consciousness.  Within minutes the fire burnt a hole in the fuselage, causing rapid decompression,  and killing everyone on board.

With the fire extinguished due to the blast of cold air,  the plane kept flying until it ran out of fuel 7 hours later.

The plane went down in the deepest ocean and the black boxes may never be found.

Who do you say I am? ..the light!

John 9:1-12
Dave Ens www.EasTview.org
Feasts remind us of who we are. The feast of lights remind us of Jesus. Jesus said He is the light!
How you answer the question tells us who we are.  The blind man has a new identity after his encounter with the Light of the World. He was touched by Jesus. Jesus has delivered us.
The pillar of fire in front of the people.  The light of God led them.
Light can show us in a positive way.  But light does not discriminate. It shows the truth. The Pharisees did not like the healing.
When things are in the dark we don't know they are wrong.
Paul has a neat way of saying pure. The light of the sun shows what things are really like.
Jesus is shining a light in this world. Why would you hide your light at work or school? Don't ever be scared to let your light shine.

The new operating system

TheMeetingHouse.com
Bruxy
It's us becoming the version we would have been had there not been a fall.
We have 2 directions for guidance. Internal and external.
We need to slow down sometimes to find out what I really want.  We need each other to grow spiritually.
Come to me and drink.  Rivers of living water will flow out of us.
"Follow your heart" is the advice we give when we don't know what to say. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
John 3.1-
How does Nicodemus respond? How can this be? Jesus responded and it fades into John's text.
We speak. .. our testimony... earthly things. .. heavenly things
Son of man
Heavenly things. .. Jesus is more than a teacher. We... more than Jesus. .. you can became part of us, his people. .. and the trinity...
there is trust... Jesus spoke Aramaic and trusted his followers to record it accurately in Greek. To copy it over thousands of years. We are today in a chain of trust.
God works in we.  Through his people.
Did you hear him say blessed are the cheese makers?
He trusts us to be accurate.
1 Corinthians. .. you "were" sinners
Through rebirth we have and are becoming Jesus's followers.
Fruit of the spirit is LOVE. That gives joy peace patience. ...
That's who I am now. .. not angry not fearful. ..I am now a person of peace
Meet your true self perfected in Christ.  Why are so many Christians so un-Christlike? Not real or not connected to the voice of love.  We are made for relationship.
The Bible is intended to be a community experience.  Live it in community.
1 Corinthians 13 we discover who God is and who I am remade in the image of God.

Life 2.0

http://www.themeetinghouse.com/locations/uptown-toronto/

Life 2.0
Born again.
We are born individually into a people group.
When we are born again we are born into the culture of God.
We are and want to identify. We cheer for our team as if we did something to contribute to the team's win.
When the women's team won hockey gold we applauded politely like Canadians do.
Teaching
John 3
The Pharisee Calls Jesus rabbi teacher - he's ok with that
Jesus takes the Jewish concept of a change of status not essence.
Nicodemus was smart. He's going with the metaphor. How do I,  a mature Jew start all over? Pay attention Jesus said.  You must be born of water and wind spirit. A new beginning. Water? What's that? Debatable.
Baptism
John's baptism was water and John said someone else will baptize with the Spirit
Cleansing of the Spirit
Physical birth.  We are physically born out of water.
Not baptismal regeneration.
Baptism is cleansing and the spirit represents empowerment. In the old testament Hebrew spirit is always feminine.
New birth is feminine. Desire the pure milk. Female
We serve the Father God who has a mother's heart.
He provides nurturing care to you.
God loves you more than your mom does.
The wind.  You don't know where it's coming from. We should expect the Spirit's work everywhere. God got there before we did.
We rejoice be in touch with God all the time. Call your mom.
Receive the gift of eternal life. I am that loved and forgiven.
March 9 baptism 6:30 at Spring Garden Baptist
DST starts next Sunday

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.