Master's Hand Ministry

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Lest We Forget

Over the next week, many will don the red poppy over their heart in remembrance of those who served in the military, the RCMP and other agencies. For those who gave their lives in support and protection of others and for the thousands who serve and have served Sovereign and country over the past, we remember their sacrifice of their own lives and their time. We do this so we do not forget the horrors of war and abuse that have occurred. In remembering, we also seek ways to prevent the deadly losses of the past to repeat in the future. I will speak this truth, however; when the memories fade and are forgotten, history tends to repeat and the horrific events of the past are once again realized by the actions of those who do not hold onto the sanctity of life. I do understand that some may not appreciate the harshness of this declaration but I fear that the importance of remembrance is slowly being forgotten. You see, fewer people are taking a time out to stop and truly remember those who sacrificed their lives, both their mortal lives and their daily lives as they set everything to the side in order to come to the aid of others. The less society remembers or ignores the past, the more likely society is to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Let me shift to the messages from the Bible. Jesus came to live amongst us all and to teach us the way of love and compassion over war and destruction. As Peter cut off the ear of the servant, Jesus healed him and claimed;

“Put away your sword, those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Matt 28:52-54 NLT

Many tend to forget the part where Jesus healed and asked compassion on those who came to persecute Him. Many more have forgotten the sacrifice He made on our behalf so that we would not know the pain and suffering associated with death. Jesus promised us before He left that He was going to prepare a place for us, a place in Heaven where we would no longer know pain, sorrow or evil. The world has lost faith in this message and doomed itself to repeat the errors of the past when the needs of self overshadowed the compassion and love for others that Jesus taught us. We will remember them, the motto of the Royal Canadian Legion. Our battle cry of the faith family should be “We Will Remember Him”. Love God with every ounce of your being and love all others around you as you are loved by the Creator.

This week, we gather on the Sunday before Remembrance Day and will take a few moments to remember those who have passed in service to our nation and our Sovereign and Pastor Todd will reflect on the sacrifice made by our Lord and Saviour centuries ago so we can live with the assurance of a future without pain and oppression, plus an eternity filled with love and fellowship with the Father. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.          

Blessings,        

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The Next Big Thing

So, I have a question, but I want to clarify the reason for the question in advance. You see, Natalie and I have told my family, her family and our church family about our future plans. We have let others know that we are moving back to Nova Scotia in April of 2025 and now you know. Many have asked why and, while we are very transparent about the primary reason for the move, there is another bit of information that weighed in on our decision. You see, there are no such things as coincidences, but there are opportunities. We spent many days praying over our decision to move and to retire from leading a church and, while Natalie and I will truly miss our Sundre faith family, as well as our Alberta family & friends, the time has come to “go and make disciples of all the nations”. Now, you need to understand, there were numerous opportunities that presented themselves over the past few months but the one that we, Natalie and I, chose was one that truly spoke to us in a special way. When you lean on His calling, there is a peace, an excitement, and even a bit of nervousness, but in God we trust.

The question is this; what is the next big thing? It has been an amazing 25 years in church ministry, but God is opening doors for several opportunities outside the formal church setting. He has provided and we are willing to go where He leads. There are a variety of teaching & training opportunities, plus transitional ministry and more. We look forward to finding ways to continue to be relevant in our dailylives, and move forward in faith. When we came to Sundre, at the time it was the nextbig thing in our ministerial life. We feel God has used us well in this community but there is a calling to the nextbig thing. The passage that came to mind as I was contemplating the change was from Matthew 28:19-20 NLT.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The time has come to take this message to the east coast of Canada, to be His representative and build relationships as He guides & directs. These past two weeks, I have been referred to as Padre and Chaplain and numerous individuals have come forward for spiritual guidance and advice. Was this confirmation of His calling for the next chapter in my ministerial life? Another opportunity was very interesting to say the least, but we are confident this is the path He has set our feet upon.

This week, Darryl Wicks, President of our local Missions Ministry will be bringing us a message that touches on Kingdom news throughout the world. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Once More Into The Fray

Have you ever had one of those days, those weeks, or even those months where you have had the rug pulled out from under you so many times that lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling seems like a natural position. You see, when you have an expectation of how things should flow, and others decide that there needs to be more to it than that, well, things must change. It seems that fully relying on others to help in the successful completion of an activity was rather naive of me. Now, don’t get me wrong, most of the time this is not the case but, let’s be honest, we can default to the negative when it comes right down to it and some things can overshadow the goodness that is around us all the time.

Let me try this illustration as an explanation. I remember a couple years ago I was given some gourmet jelly beans. I was intrigued by all the wonderful colors, but I realized I have come to expect a certain taste to accompany the visual queue. For me, a deep vibrant red and orange jellybean builds up an expectation of a taste explosion of possibly orange and grapefruit but instead it was a hot cinnamon. The next one was a nice bright green which would make you expect a lime but alas it was green apple. Disappoint me once, shame on you, disappoint me twice, shame on me. The jellybeans went into the garbage. My expectation was that the jellybeans would be a wonderful treat, and yet it turned into a negative memory.

There are those out there who will not lift a hand to help others up from the dumps, there are also those who will throw roadblocks to trip you up and will stand by to see just how you handle the trial. I have seen so many people who have such kind and caring hearts, who would drop everything to lift a friend up, get so downtrodden that eventually their “give a care” runs out or is busted. Truth be told, we are all human and are fallible. We will fall short, at some time, and cause others some disappointment but we should always try to err on the side of compassion when we can. I know this can be rather difficult to maintain but think about this;

It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man Ps 118:8 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLT

Whenever things get me sliding into that dark place, when people laugh at my expense, when people make promises then fail to carry it out, I cry out to the Lord and ask for strength, and I will testify to this for the rest of my life, He has NEVER let me down.

This week, Pastor Todd will be on holidays but we have Eryn, our Community Minister blessings us with a message. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Happy Thanksgiving to One And All

This is the time of year when we take a deep dive into the past year and pull out echoes of the previous year and give thanks. We gather together, share with family and friends the memories of the year past and celebrate good times and blessings. For many in our country, there is a celebration of good luck or positive karma, unless you consider the position of the turkey, and that opportunity to have that one extra day off. But I do have a question, who are you thankful to? Think about this for a moment, who, or what, exactly, are you thanking? Let me throw this out there.

“I am so thankful for my wonderful friends”.

That is a wonderful thing to be thankful for, isn't it? So, are you thanking them for being your friends? Are you thankful for karma or luck that you all met? Did they just pop into your life courtesy of cosmic forces? When I think of being thankful for wonderful friends, I thank my Heavenly Father for bringing them into my life. I also give thanks to my Lord for providing for my needs and for His protection. The one thing I am most thankful for every single year, every single day, is His promise of Heaven and His forgiveness. Christ’s grace has given us all hope of a perfect life in glory, and we can get there through His sacrifice. His promise is for all, we only need to declare Jesus as Lord, leave our sins with Him and give thanks for the ultimate gift that He has provided.

I am so thankful for my friends and family; I am grateful for all that we have been provided with and I am filled with gratitude for all He has done for each and every one of us.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Ps 9:1-2 NLT

Give thanks with a grateful heart and praise Him for all He has done for you, for us all.

This week is a bit of a change as we will be not only gathering to celebrate but also to share the wonders He has provided for us throughout the year. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Once Again, Did You Know?

I want to start this article with a reference from scripture: Psalms 37:7-9 NLT

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

The other day, I watched as road rage took hold of a person who did not feel it necessary to stop at one of the two stop signs on Main Avenue in our fair town. When the person following honked the horn at the next intersection, the person got out of the vehicle, went back to the honking vehicle and proceeded to yell and beat on the window. I was outside the church watching this all unfold and, truth be told, I was getting a bit of a chuckle, but I could see this escalating to the next level. As I started to move towards the intersection to intercede, a big semi loaded with wood chip laid on the air horn and the skirmish quickly ended. The second vehicle decided to avoid further issue by turning right and head out in another direction.

There are times in life when time is not on our side, and we start to bend the rules to suit our personal needs. A full stop at a stop sign becomes a rolling stop which then becomes a modified yield and then a full-on disregard to the rule or law. When traffic does not flow to meet my demands, do I disregard the rules to accommodate my needs, or do I remember this for next time and leave a bit earlier? This has been a tough lesson for myself over the years, but I am getting better at practicing patience. Six hundred years before the birth of the Messiah, Isaiah told the nation of Israel the King of kings was going to come and free mankind from oppression. The nation went through many situations where they needed the Messiah to come and save them but what they did not realize was that He was coming to save mankind from themselves. He came to save us all from our sins.

Back in the day, the Israelites were oppressed by the Ammonites, the Amalekites, the Canaanites, Greeks, Romans, Persians and the list grows even today. The names change and the reasons change but what does not change is the evil that is through the devil and the sins of mankind. Did you know that Jesus came to change all that? Did you know that He will not abandon us, nor will He forsake us? The selfish desires of the world will always be with us but when we wait patiently upon the Lord and pray for His guidance and strength, there is no power that will conquer the Lord. This is His promise to all of us.

This week, Pastor Todd will be continuing a mini series on “Did You Know”, a look at little known facts in the Scriptures and how they still relate to our lives today. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Did You Know – Part Two

Over the past few weeks, I have been having a ton of fun with this series. You see, last week, I gave the congregation a small glimpse into the way my brain works when it comes to prepping for a sermon. For example, in 25 years of preaching, I have never used the same sermon twice and, in each case, I have wandered down so many rabbit holes that I have a wealth of useless trivia that would rival even that of the almighty Cliff Claven. Now, I will admit, I come from it honestly because my Dad could rattle off all sorts of trivia for just about every occasion. Not all the trivia is useful, such as “what is the boiling point of mercury at sea level?” (347 degrees Celsius). Here, however, is a very interesting thing about rabbit trails when it comes to rabbit trails, at times, it does add a better understanding to Scripture when one reads in context and applies the wisdom with that in mind. I was once told that Eugene Peterson spent years honing his skills as a scholar and pastor, reading and researching all he could before he carefully and thoughtfully translated the Holy Scriptures into conversational English so that even more would be able to appreciate and read God’s Word. He did not pursue this to rebel against those translations that were widely accepted as proper, in fact he invited biblical scholars to read through his translations and asked them for their input and approval. I met Mr. Peterson a couple decades ago and listened as he not only opened up about his adventure in researching and writing the Message but was also fascinated to listen as he wandered through the rabbit trails that helped him better understand the Word.

With all that said, this week I will continue to work through the book of Judges and the story of Gideon. Did you know that Gideon was chosen to not only free the people of Israel from their oppressors but also to condemn their idolatry? Here is a guy with next to nothing for an army, a man who was witness to the absolute power of the Lord while leading a very small force and who turned down the kingship. Did you know that his actions afterward the battle led to the Israelites once again worship false gods after he used the spoils of war to create an ephod? Did you know that we, too, face these issues still? Jeremiah 10:1-16 is very clear about idol worship and the power that false idols have upon the world and I will touch on this Sunday but let me throw this out there as an appetizer:

Say this to those who worship other gods: “Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.” Jer 10:11

Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jer 10:15-16

Why is this so important when studying Gideon? What does this have to do with today? Tune in Sunday to find out.

Blessings, 

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Did You Know?

I have questions, as many others do, about things in the Bible and about faith. Did you know that life was very different back when Christ was alive? Even back in the days of Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) there were things considered very commonplace that we do not recommend today. Consider this:

After Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran Gen 11:26 NLT

Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’” Gen 20:11-13 NLT

Now, in no way do I want anyone to think that I am condoning or supporting anyone marrying their sibling but, in those days, it was not out of the ordinary. Science has proven that relationships with those way too close in the family lineage can cause health issues, back then, there was no such proof. As time went along, this practice was discarded and today, the law in Canada states that “A person may not marry their grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (brother or sister).”

Do you like bacon? Did you know that eating pork in days gone by was forbidden? Eating bacon and eggs with a couple pieces of toast, hash browns and a slice of orange on the side is one of my favorite ways to break the evening fast and start off the day right but in Leviticus 11 there is a list of things you cannot eat.

The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you. Lev 11:7-8 NLT

Why? What is the reasoning behind this? Well, in those days they did not have refrigeration, and they probably did not prepare pork properly to destroy the parasite that causes trichinosis, so it was declared unclean. There were also many other animals that were declared unclean in that chapter because of a variety of reasons (bottom feeders, garbage guts, carrion eaters, etc.)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Acts 10:9-15 NLT

There are so many preferences that have infiltrated the church and have become “Law” but if you take a close look at the Truth, take the time to research the reasons for the rules and even attempt to understand them in context, you may be amazed at some of the wonderful messages and truths that are revealed. Did you know Jesus loves you? The bible tells you so.

This week, Pastor Todd is back and will be starting a mini series on “Did You Know”, a look at little known facts in the Scriptures and how they still relate to our lives today. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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Who Are You?

I am going to say something here that many denominationalists could find blasphemous, but it will be backed up with logic and scripture. Over the years, we have all seen or been involved in situations where people are arguing over who is right. There was one person years ago who suggested that my denomination was not a recognized denomination by their organization and, while I am not one to start an argument over which Christian church should designated as a “properly recognized” church, I am guessing the look on my face prompted the person to proceed to tell me why we were not a true denomination/church. Here comes some of the logic; was it not the Pharisee and the Sadducee who were denying the deity of the Christ? Were they not looking for ways to discredit Him, attack Him and get the nation to turn away from Jesus and only follow the true faith? Did they not realize that when they called Him a heretic, calling for His demise, they were attacking the very God they served? This is my thought; if a faith gathering, a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, a Koinonia, meet each other in His presence, then we come together in His name, not the name of the denomination.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matt 18:19-20 NLT

This passage is a red-letter passage, Jesus Christ spoke these words and nowhere does it say a denomination. The message plainly says, “where two or three gather together as My followers”, followers of Christ, Christians. He says nothing about being followers of this sect or that group, Jesus says “as My followers”. I spoke at a faith gathering in Nova Scotia not long ago and in that hall, they were not a mixture of Nazarenes, Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelical, Full Gospel, etc., but rather a collection of Spirit-filled followers of Christ who were on fire for the Lord and declared through songs of worship and a time of fellowship their love for Him and for each other. Some do not recognize this beautiful gathering, this blessed koinonia, as a “proper church”, but I would argue that this group is doing the will of God for the Kingdom, and I will defend them to the end of time.

Those churches that met in the homes of the faithful, met, at times, in secrecy for fear of death by the religious, all came together to praise the King of all kings. The disciple Peter denied Christ three times because he did not want to be found out yet when Christ went forth into Glory to be with the Father, Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly stood up in front of thousands and declared the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ and thousands were saved. Paul, filled with the Spirit, declared Christ as the Son of God and preached the Good News for all to hear in Damascus (Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” Acts 9:19-20 NLT) and fearlessly spoke of the Son of God throughout the land.

So, here is my question for all not only individually but also as a faith family: who do you say you are? This week, our Minister of Community, Eryn, will dig into how we, as a faith gathering, see ourselves as not only a koinonia but also as a community resource. If you are joining us online, please feel free to converse with us/me in the chat on Facebook as your input is very valuable to us all, remember, you are a part of this family. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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The Cost of Walking Away

For over twenty years, I have been counselling couples, helping them to deal with their disagreements and giving them the tools they need to overcome whenever arguments threaten to drive a wedge into their relationship. You see, the key to a strong relationship is not covering up issues with a big thick blanket but actually dealing with it with a mindset that focuses on finding a good solution for both parties and also treating it as an opportunity to grow stronger in your relationship. Here is a quote from a fairly wise counsellor.

“If every time you walked away when you did not get your own way, very soon you will be living alone in a very quiet house.” JTM

Think about this for a moment. There is not a single person in this world who is exactly like another. Each of us has our own opinion that differs from others in some way. Should there be a difference of opinion that leads to an argument, there are two primary methods to dealing with the issue; plant the feet firm, close off the listening device and determinedly focus on getting your own point across, or open up a dialogue, listen to each other and, together, develop a plan that will be mutually beneficial.

So many will take the easy road, the third road, the route of avoidance. Here is an example. Two friends, Jon and Jin, had an argument that started small but slowly developed into something that resembled a full-on feud. Jin would not budge and changed his daily routine so that he would even breathe the same air as Jon. In doing this, he alienated others as a preventative measure including those who were trying to help the both of them. Jon tried everything to mend fences but it just didn’t work. Soon, Jin found himself alone, his friends moved forward and he was left behind.

I have also seen this in many churches, it happened in our church decades ago. When you hear the term church split, it is because no one wants to focus on the primary message, unity in Christ, but instead focus on their own wants to the point of disharmony. I remember a split that happened quite some time ago where one person was so demanding and steadfast that they said “if you don’t like it, leave. This is the way it has always been done and nothing is going to change. This is my church!” It took six months for the remaining people to leave. In the end, four people and one clergy remained and the doors finally closed for good. The devil had won and the Kingdom was in mourning for those who left the faith family for good. Here is my question; what have you done lately to contact those who have left, to re-build the relationship and invite them back into fellowship with Christ and the faith family?

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:4-7 NLT

Blessed are those who find ways to bring peace and love into a situation and work hard to build up the body for they will be surrounded by a faith family united in Christ to promote strong community. There is no worse place to be, lost in the wilderness, alone and without the love of those around us. If you are the one who is lost and alone, shake off the bonds that are keeping you hidden and grab hold of the hand reaching in to help you up.

This week, we welcome members from Teen Challenge. They will be bringing a message of hope and redemption. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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Doing It My Way

I was going to write an article on a particular subject, but, due to circumstances, I have chosen another subject and will hold off on that one until a later date. Today is not the day to open that can of worms, I’m not fishing for an argument.

A few weeks ago, I was struggling with a few choices that required some rather big decisions and, while I am fairly good at thinking things through analytically, this required much more wisdom then I was able to provide. I was stuck looking at a massive wall that seemed to be rather formidable and suddenly a massive waive of doubt rolled over me and I was sucked into a well of despair and self-doubt. I am a fairly confident leader but when so many choices come to light and the need for answers comes on like a tsunami, it feels like I’m drowning and suddenly I am grasping around for any answer that will do in order to come up for air. That has been my summer and, yes, I have made some bad decisions as a result, but for the past few weeks, I have heeded my own advice and taken time out to focus on prayer and waiting on my Lord for His input. There have been some who demand instant answers and throw the burning embers of fires at my feet for immediate attention, but I am becoming more and more aware that our society is suffering from immediateness obsession disorder, yes I made that up, where they want an answer or results right now.

Consider this, if you want an answer right away and you are relying on me for a quick response, then 1+1=5, math is not my gifting, but if you wait upon the Lord, the answer will come back 3. Do not become so reliant on the world, or even Google for that matter, just because it is convenient or you can find the answer you want by trying to manipulate the data, instead, take the time to ask, pray, and then listen. Secondly, don’t get all uppity with the person if they are not quick to respond, not everything in life is a home makeover reality show. Trust in the Lord, take time to listen, He is a lot smarter than any of us.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:5-7 NLT

This week, Pastor Todd will be bringing a message, what it will be is still to be determined because he is waiting on the Lord to calm his heart and mind so the message will touch the hearts and minds of those who tune in. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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The Time Has Come

Over my life, I have heard this term, and I have also communicated it to others. There was “the time has come to get off the couch and look for a job” and “the time has come to shake off the ughs and embrace the happy”. When a good friend passed and I was going through a rough time letting go of the grief, someone offered up sage advice and told me “The time has come to let go and move on with your life”. Now, as a counsellor, I can tell you that it is not the best advice but that was then, this is now. I will, however, say this – the time has come to make a decision that will affect not only your life today but also the lives of those around you going forward. The time has come to repent, declare Jesus as Lord and Savior and let Him bless you in ways that you could never imagine.

Over the past decades of ministry, I have seen and heard of people who have some very questionable theories about salvation and grace. There were some who thought they were going to heaven because they were good people but when asked “do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?” they were rather put off. “I have read the Bible; I know what it says” but the question remains; do you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Have you repented of your sins and claimed Him as the King of your life? The time has come to evaluate one’s own relationship with the King of all kings and ask yourself, “have I asked Him to forgive me, have I asked Him to direct me on my journey to Glory?” Decades ago, my life took a turn for the worse and I idolized the things of the world over my relationship with my Lord. One day, I ended up back at the church I was born into and was challenged by the speaker, Dr. Alden Aikens, during the sermon. He was talking on the perfect healing through the Blood of the Lamb in Acts 3.

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. 17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

I was crippled in my own sin because I had lost sight of the Savior, but, in that moment, I went to the altar and laid my sins at the foot of the cross and turned away from my past. Since my birth, I was in the church, I was in VBS, I memorized bible verses and knew the Lord’s prayer but until I realized that the time had come to repent and declare Jesus as my Savoir, I was still lost. I was one of the people who said, “I am going to heaven because I am a nice guy”, but now I know I am going to Glory because I have repented of my sins, and I know Jesus and declare Him as my salvation. Don’t wait for it to be too late to repent, the time has come to embrace His saving grace.

This week, Community Minister, Eryn Austin-Bergen, will start a two-week series where we will be seeking direction for our faith family’s journey for the next year. Your input either online or in person will truly help us continue to be relevant in our community, both online and in our town. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms, or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Touching the Edge

Before I get started on this article, I want to make one thing perfectly clear – I am not knocking His church, I am questioning the misconceptions of His Word by members of the establishment. If I have to listen to one more person make false assertions on the validity of a person’s faith or whether a church is legitimate because it does not meet the criteria of an individual’s preferred belief, I am going to push back a bit more than I have in the past. Yes, there are churches out there that add rules and regulations to the already perfect Message, and there are those who make up criteria to judge a person’s whereabouts in their faith walk, but I would suggest they are adding their own finite parameters to an already perfect, infinite Message. She can’t be a Christian; do you see the way she is dressed? He can’t be a preacher; he is covered in tattoos. This isn’t a real church; they don’t follow the liturgical calendar. This church is not a proper church, it’s full of homeless people and drunks. They don’t do communion properly, the preacher wears shorts and sandals, the music is not to my liking. I was watching a video from Zach Williams called “Heart of God” and the chorus, in my opinion, says it all:

'Cause there's only love in the heart of God

No room for shame in His open arms
There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are
And there's only love in the heart of God

Consider this for a moment, in Luke 8:43-48, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years could find no relief from her affliction. She could not go to temple, could not talk to the holy men, could not have contact with anyone for she was considered unclean. Jesus went out into the market place and she took a chance at a miracle, she snuck in and simply touched Christ’s robe. The second Jesus recognized her touch, He stopped and called her forward and said to her “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” A man stricken with leprosy, suffering great pain not only physically but emotionally and spiritually because he was shunned and unable to attend worship ceremonies sought out the Son of God (Matthew 8:2-3), knelt before Jesus and said “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.

The heart of God on full display. There was no room for shame in His presence, there was no question of whether they were in good standing with the church, with the holy leaders, there was only compassion and complete healing. As I mentioned in last week’s sermon, we are a broken community with churches divided by manmade rules. If His churches came together as one united voice calling out to the world that “… everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Rom 3:23-24 NLT and accept that we all stand on equal footing before the Lord, division would disappear. You see, no one is better than the next person, His infinite love and forgiveness is available to all who call upon Him, to all who have faith in Him, to all who give over their sins to the Master. Do you have the courage to reach out and embrace His perfect forgiveness, His perfect healing? Are you willing to touch the hem of the Master’s robe? Are you willing to tell the world that He has saved you?

This week, Community Minister, Eryn Austin-Bergen, will start a two-week series where we will be seeking direction for our faith family’s journey for the next year. Your input either online or in person will truly help us continue to be relevant in our community, both online and in our town, Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms, or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

The Heart of Jesus

As I started to write this, I had nothing but issues with the tablet, the keyboard and the word program, but I carried on and persevered. You see, there are things of this world that are manipulated to cause us angst. Many times, we ask God “why me” when we should really be asking for strength to overcome, to persevere and to overcome. The question should not be “why did You allow this to happen” but rather we should be speaking the heart of God and leaning on His strength and wisdom to overcome. Think about this for a moment, if you want to build up your body, you do not sit around in front of a big screen TV in a plump recliner and expect to get buff, rather you go to the gym expecting there to be some resistance and pain as you work through the cycle and use the resistance to strengthen.

Now, I’m not saying that we should intentionally place ourselves in harm's way but rather we should seek the counsel of those wiser, strength training coaches, scholarly mentors, Jesus, to help us grow in body, wisdom, and spirit. You see the heart of Jesus is for all of us to be filled with love and compassion for God and for each other. Proverbs 3:5-6 does not say lean on your own understanding, rather it says lean NOT on your own understanding, trust in the Lord. In all situations, don’t look around for someone else to blame, rather seek the heart of Jesus, let Him show you the path to take. Reading on a bit further, the Scriptures also say, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom, instead fear {respect) the Lord and turn from evil”. You can take the victory lap but make sure to acknowledge His part in the win. I can, at times, feel compelled to “flip over the tables in the Temple courts” and I have to remind myself to calm down and seek His will before I throw the tablet and the keyboard across the room. The devil loves the chaos and anger, Jesus loves all His children. Remember to take a breath, a spiritual breath through the power of the Holy Spirit and seek His heart before losing it over something that really doesn’t rate the angst or anger.

This week, Pastor Todd, will share a message with us, a message and a challenge that will help to share with those around us in a powerful way. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Walk In the Light

Many years ago, I had a dream that was so real, I remember the vivid details to this day. I have referred to it many times in print and sermon and it begs repeating again. You see, I was walking down a very well lit path heading towards a distant point of light. The path seemed very safe but there was an uneasiness in the darkness beyond the path. There was a constant murmur just beyond the light, in the cold just outside the safety of the path. After a few more steps, I paused to peer into the void beyond the light and suddenly a hand exploded from the darkness, flailing in the hopes of grasping onto anyone or anything that would serve as an anchor to pull themselves out of the grips of the void. It was almost as if they could not sense the path but could see the Light that was within and were pleading for help, for a release from the suffering. As I got closer, the hand grasped my arm, the only thing I could think of was to call out,” in the name of Christ, release him!”

As he came out from the shadows, even more reached out and the cycle was repeated over and over again but they all just hung around, not knowing what to do, some even falling back into the darkness. That was when it came over me to tell them to look to the Light, that point in the distance, and walk towards the point of Light with a laser focus for in Him, the Savior, for in Him is perfect hope, a release from the grip of death. Those who listened walked into His perfect love and, by the grace of God, they were saved. In this message, this vision, I realized two things; if someone is reaching out for help, take the time to stop and lend a hand. Second, once they are on solid ground, they still need direction and guidance to walk on the path and not fall into the ditch of despair. In our lives, we will run into those who are seeking help, please, take the time to help them up. Also, we will run into those who are on the path but they need a gentle nudge or guidance to walk the path to Jesus and His Glory. For some, the hardships of life can throw a wrench in their path and they get turned around a bit. Point them in the right direction because, one day, we may be the ones in need of a gentle nudge.

This week, our Community Minister, Eryn, will share a message with us. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Thinking About Tomorrow

This article is very late in getting out, in fact I was thinking that since I am on holidays, I was going to take this week off from writing. This would have been the first time in nine and a half years with Main Avenue Fellowship that I did not write. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to chat with friends over lunch and we started talking about the future. We did reminisce about the past for a short time, it was a bit of a rough season for both our families, but the conversation quickly turned to the future. We walked around the back yard and I was taken aback at the changes there. New buildings that were, at one time, only a dream, now a reality, and there were four. There was now a garden that was much larger than the one I remember from the last visit. We walked around the property and he shared the dream of a fruit garden and some additional expansions and that would be there before we returned in a couple years. So many changes, and yet the foundation to the relationship has never changed for us.

When the disciples chose to follow Jesus, they did not fully understand what was going to change for them in the future. Thinking about tomorrow meant what will we have to eat and where will we be sleeping. They did not think that the hard times were going to truly test them, but Jesus knew. When He sent them out, they were paired up so they would not be alone. There is comfort in going out into the unknown with a buddy who will support you and help you up when you fall down. Better yet, there is even more comfort in knowing that, together, friends can overcome a great many things, but with Jesus at their sides, there is an endless hope for a great tomorrow.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

While we both have those needs that only God can address, we also have those needs that a friend, a brother or sister in Christ, can help with and I truly believe God brings people together not only for great relationships but also for support in those times of need. We may look at tomorrow with a sense of trepidation and some fear, but with good friends and a mighty Saviour, there is nothing we cannot overcome.

This week, Pastor Todd and Natalie return from Nova Scotia with fresh hearts and a tan. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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When Your Hope Is In the Lord

I am currently in the wonderful province of Nova Scotia where the days are hot, the beach is near and the salt water is so cool and refreshing when you need to wash off the sweat. The temperature was hovering around the 30C mark when we got out to The Merb, slang for Melmerby Beach, and, for Natalie and I, beach time is relaxing time. The moment we arrive, we look up and down the beach for what would be our base camp. We have a routine, Natalie says she is headed for a walk which means she is going to hunt for shells and sea glass, while I set up the towels, move the sand around to make perfect indentations and piles so that I am comfortable. Once that is accomplished, I close my eyes, thank God for a perfect moment in time, and listen as the waves caress the shore. Most times, I tend to drift off into a light slumber until Natalie comes back to inform me as to the temperature of the water.

Well, this time was rather different, thank you Lord for the inspiration on this, because there were two ladies about thirty feet away who were carrying on a conversation that was not all that quiet. The more aggravated the one lady became while recounting the events of what I can only assume are events from the past many months, the louder she became. The stories, which one could not ignore unless one chose to move out of earshot, were so negative and so causticthat it got me to thinking about life in His presence verses the lack of hope so many have these days. I was on a beach, surrounded by the beauty He has provided, smells that are so soothing and sounds that calm and yet these two were so focused on the garbage cards that someone had dealt them that they did not see the wonders around them. Big thing going through my mind on all this goes back to Genesis where we were made in the image of God and God is love. Focusing on that helps to eliminate some of the stress of the anger because we are also commanded to love as God loves and that includes our enemies. Once again, I find that forgiveness is a great stress reliever but it is also a hope for a future. Pray for your enemies, for those who vex you, just as your Father in Heaven forgives you. Another great stress reliever!

Finally, seek out the joy in creation all around you and let that which He has provided for you, for us all, be the thing we look for. In the whole time they were at the beach, they missed the laugher of the two kids down the beach as they threw the football around, they missed the sound of the puppy as he chased the waves coming onto shore, and they missed the wonders God provided for them and all others who were enjoying the beach. When your hope is in the Lord, things seem just a bit brighter, life a whole lot easier and the future filled with the promise of joy and love.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Bob Hillock as he brings a message of hope to our faith community. Pastor Todd is still on the east coast but will be bringing a message to our faith family in Nova Scotia at Master’s Hand Church. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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This is Not Me – Really!

This article took me awhile to put to post because I had to look back on the weekend and examine my attitude. You see in Luke 9:23-25, Jesus said this:

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

You see, most of the time I am a rather easy-going guy who is very focused on the needs of others, but for the past few weeks I have been “off my feed”. My mood has been rather morose and, instead of taking much more time than I have with my God, I have been fighting my way out of the hole on my own by my own strength. Go ahead, ask me how that worked out. It got so bad that I split logs for over an hour using my new splitting axe and was feeling exhausted but not emotionally or spiritually renewed. Truth be told, I was feeling worse, and I had no explanation for my foul mood. Natalie asked me what was wrong, but all I could say was, “I don’t know, I’m just mad at everything and at nothing”. I had forfeited my spiritual and emotional peace for a darkness that was of the world. This was not doing anyone any good.

The next night, I opened up to Natalie about how I was feeling, and it was then that I realized my emotions were based on selfish dark thoughts. The people around me were all loving and supportive, and I am guessing that Natalie was praying for peace and contentment. As I set my head down on the pillow, I felt at ease because He was washing away the anger, and, as I took some much-needed time to converse with the Father, I gave up the stressors that had taken hold of my thoughts and came into a place of His calm. Give up the darkness to the Light and let Him take control of the future. God wants only the best for us, but we must get out of our own way to see His blessings. I am at peace today, praise the Lord, and tomorrow I start my holidays.

Pastor Todd is going to be on holidays for the next couple weeks, so we will be welcoming our own Rev. Glenn Reeder this week. The team will be working together on a series concentrating on the work of the Holy Spirit. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Back To Basics 2.0

If you missed the service last week, you missed quite the fashion show. I was informed that my jungle camo shorts did not match up with my blue Aztec pattern shirt and my dark green camo Keen sandals. Come to think of it, they also noted it did not really match up with my position in the church on a Sunday morning. Here is the kicker though, when I changed into a head-to-toe tunic and a prayer shawl, that was also not the norm for a preacher, well not in Canada at least. Was I uncomfortable preaching the Message in either outfit? Not at all. You see it is not whether you present the Good News in a particular outfit, it is the fact that the Salvation story was presented. There are so many who feel the Gospel must be presented in the church by an ordained clergy member. Well, guess what, that is not how it works.

Moses stuttered but Aaron was with him as was the Lord, Gideon was fearful, yet God provided in the victory, Peter denied yet God made him the rock upon which the church was built. So long as you have breath in your lungs and the breath of the Spirit living in you, giving you strength and wisdom, preach the Good News in shorts and a tee shirt. The world needs your voice to communicate His perfect hope Message.

Pastor Todd is going to be on holidays for the next couple weeks, so we will be welcoming our Minister of Community, Eryn this week. The ream will be working together on a series concentrating on the work of the Holy Spirit. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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Back To Basics, Again

Years ago, I remember a story of a woman who was of meager means but still tithed and then some to the church. When the doors were open, she was there, when help was needed, she was the first to raise her hand. Her husband had passed years before and had left her enough to cover the bills for years, but she still had to pinch pennies to make sure there was enough to make her commitments when the payments came due. The only items of true wealth she had, besides the home, was a silver tea setting inherited from her mother and her wedding band, which she wore in remembrance of the love of her life.

Now, the church was in rather a tough spot and was in need of some extra funds to cover a rather major expense so the preacher, at the request of the elders, went out to the congregation asking for whatever they could afford to build up the church. After some time and a couple cups of tea, the pastor walked out the door with the silver tea service, washed of course, and a wedding band. The pastor did not feel right about what he had done, but the deed was done, and the perceived crisis was averted. It was not long afterwards that she left the church, moved away to relatives and never darkened the doors of a church again. Her thought was that if one church could be so uncaring, they must all be that way.

There are so many things wrong with this in my mind, the church is not the building, the fellowship is the church, and we must do everything in our power to build up the fellowship and not tear it down. Secondly, the building is only temporary, the fellowship is forever, it flourishes on earth and will become perfect in Glory. For years, I have questioned the rationale of some of the practices in religion and wonder “what would Jesus think?” The time has come to re-prioritize our faith lives. Jesus did not say “go out and make more church buildings”, He said “go out and make disciples”. We need to remember that basic fact and not adapt the Message for personal gain or for the glorification of the temporary. Our eternal reward is in Glory, and the more that show up, the merrier it will be.

Pastor Todd is going to dig a bit deeper into some of personal preferences that have no Biblical foundation. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect Father

For 34 years, I have questioned my ability to be a good father. I was talking with my son and many things he said were things that I thought of way back then. Before I found out I was going to be a father, I wondered if I was good enough to be a proper dad. Did I have the patience, the knowledge, the care to be a loving father? My memories of my father are all over the place. There were times when things were not so good and then there were times when he and I got along famously but through it all, I knew I could count on him if I was in dire need. There were times I pushed my father a bit too much and I deserved the punishment I got for some of my transgressions. I look at my role as father to my son and I will acknowledge there were times and situations I wish I could go back and do it over differently. You see, all have sinned and fallen short. Consider this passage from Luke.

“So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NLT

Two things spark my curiosity with regards to this passage; the father was so hurt by the son demanding his inheritance, yet he was watching for his return. Secondly, how bad did the father feel when he sent his son away rather than look for ways to keep him at home? I believe this passage helps us to understand our Heavenly Father when it comes to wayward children. The love the father had for the son was so great that not only did he wait upon the son’s return but when he returned, the father was so overjoyed, he did not care who was watching, he ran out to the filthy, stinking son and embraced him. His sense of loss was replaced with an overwhelming joy on his return. With the son’s return, the burden of separation and the guilt of thinking he was responsible for the separation was removed when the son walked through the gates. You see, there are no perfect fathers save our Father in Heaven. We all will mess up; we all beat ourselves up with that one question “could I have done something differently?” Allow me to propose this suggestion; celebrate your fathers, forgive them for their errors (they are only human), celebrate them and lift them up. Most will move heaven and earth to protect and love their children, give thanks.

This Sunday, we will look at three fathers from scripture who did all they could to guide, protect, and love their children. Join us as we celebrate fathers and reflect on their influence in our lives. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

_________________________________________________

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Holy Breath of Life

I was watching a movie the other day where the hero was in danger of getting sucked out the airlock into outer space where there was no air. The panic in the face of the actor was very convincing and, had this been real, I am sure there would have been a lot more urgency in his scramble to maintain his grip. You see, his grip slipped and he suddenly found himself on the way out of the complex and faced certain death. Spoiler alert, his friends showed up in a cool spacecraft and grabbed him before he was lost but the other guy was not as fortunate. You see, the other guy had, over time, lost his way and, in the end, did not find that outstretched hand that would afford him a better outcome. I have said this before and I will say it again, we need oxygen to live. The heart can pump the blood through the system but if there is no oxygen to enrich the red blood cells for the body’s cells live, the body dies.

According to numerous websites and authorities, the definition of death is this:

Clinical death is the medical term for cessation of blood circulation and breathing, the two criteria necessary to sustain the lives of human beings and of many other organisms.

In the beginning, the breath of the Lord filled the lungs of Adam and he lived. When Jesus appeared to the disciples in John 20:21-22 He greeted them in Shalom and blessed them.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has always been with us, is all around us and will be with us into eternity but we, as His children, need to recognize where life comes from and give thanks and recognition. In the book of Psalms, chapter 104, verses 29-30 (NLT), the psalmist is acknowledging God as the great provider of all things including the breath of life.

When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust.When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.

This goes much deeper than just taking away mortal breath, but I would suggest that should an individual decide they do not need the Breath of Life, eternal life is no longer an option.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30 NIV

He is our life, our eternal life and our guide. The world would be a much better place if we all would heed His direction, embrace His wisdom and just take a moment out to breathe. All the world needs to reach out and grasp a hold of His grace before it’s too late and they are swept into the vacuum of space.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd talks more about the gifts of the Spirit. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Special Place In Heaven

Usually my article has something to do with the Sunday service but this week, not so much. Sunday, we will still focus on the gifts of the Spirit but today, I want to take a moment to address something I heard this past month.

Overheard at a table in a coffee shop, “Our church isn’t like most others, we preach the truth the way it was meant to be presented.” My ears perked up and I mentally leaned in to eavesdrop on the conversation. You see, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect church and could hardly wait to be amazed. Hate to say this, but I was rather disappointed. The only thing I heard was how bad the other churches were compared to his and the fact that the only people who were going to Heaven were those who believed like they did.

There are days I would have enjoyed stepped into that theological debate, but this was not one of them. The commitment to his position was obvious, and, I dare say, not open for discussion. With that said, it did get me to thinking about positions in Heaven and the request from Salome in Matthew 20:21 when she asked for special considerations for her two sons. Jesus then let them know in verse 23 “Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” NLT.

How I longed to walk up to him during his monologue (I heard little from the other person he was talking to) and suggest there is a special place in Heaven for him, right beside me and all others who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pride goes before the fall but I do think people need to be ready to come alongside and help the prideful fallen back to their feet. None of us is perfect and the only perfect church is in Glory but we do have a Savior who fully understands this and is there equally for us all. Scripture says:

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26-28 NLT

For God does not show favoritism. Rom 2:11 NLT

So, for those who are out there thinking that you or your gathering is the only way to Christ, remember this:

John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” We can't get to heaven by works, because God doesn't pick favorites.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd talks more about the gifts of the Spirit and yes, there is a test. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Order Now And You Will Receive…

I get a bit twitchy when I hear people talk about the church as a business, but I do get it, there is a business side to the church. There are bills that need to be paid, the facility needs upkeep, staff and payroll needs still require addressing and a hierarchy that have statistical requirements so they can do something with them (I have no clue). This past week, I watched an online church go about their business, no I will not tell you which one, and was rather perplexed by the presentation. Yes, I said presentation because the majority of the service was business rather than Message. The pastor was a former classmate of mine and, in one of our preaching classes, he came forth with a powerful message that truly lifted us all. That was almost two decades ago, and I wondered how he was doing now. His sermon was sandwiched in between some great worship music and about fifteen minutes of what I will call commercials. His message was good, but I left feeling that it was not the central part of the service. This led me to reflect on what truly is important to the overall Message that God would have us communicate.

First, and foremost, I want to say this; if Christ is not the center of the service, then something is missing. If the central message is focused on donations to the latest cause and, if you donate over a certain amount, we will also include a bottle of holy water derived from the springs of the Jordan, then the focus is wrong. If the message is that you need to up your giving so the pastor can buy a new plane so he or she can get to more remote areas to preach the Word, then, in my opinion, the message is on material things and not on the message of Salvation. I have preached this over and over and I will continue to preach it until the day I die; Jesus paid the price, His grace is sufficient for all of us and you don’t need to win Lotto 649 to buy a ticket to Heaven, your freedom from sin is paid in full through the sacrifice of the Messiah. You can write all the DIY books on getting to Heaven but it is not through self that you enter Glory but by the grace of God through the Son, it is that simple. Some preachers say name it and claim it and it will be yours and they are talking of great financial wealth, but I say this; name the love of God and claim His grace on your life and you will be eternally rewarded in Glory.

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:2-8 NIV

Praise His name in word and song, give your heart to the Savior and ask Him to take away your sins and claim His grace over your life. The prize is not the amount of money you have in your savings account or the size of the plane in your hangar, it is actually the Word of God written on your heart, the promise of salvation through the sacrifice of the Son on the cross and the cleansing of your sins through your confession to the Master that makes you richer than any billionaire on the planet. Cast away the cloak of sin, and in the name of Christ, get up and walk. The time is now to refocus on Him, rather than the things made to be important by mankind.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd talks about the centrality of Christ in all His churches and what is truly important in the faith gathering. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

What Are You Waiting For?

This Sunday is going to be a different sort of service because two of us are going to tag team the sermon, one will do the pre-Spirit contact and the other will talk about the thrill of the infilling. See if you can figure it out from this article penned by Pastor Todd,

When we talk about the Holy Spirit, we must remember He is one of the three that is Yahweh. So many people try to come up with elaborate methods to explain the Trinity of God, but I want to toss this out there; before the start of time, God decided to create and the Father, who is God, spoke the universe into being. The Son, also referred to as Logos or “the Word”, was there because all was spoken into existence.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Gen 1:1- 5 NLT

The Holy Spirit has been with us since the earth and universe was created so why is Pentecost so important and why do few even understand the significance of the day? The Father created Adam, Holy Spirit breathed life into him. When Adam was created, the Word was written on his heart, and he carried the love of God, agape, with him his entire life. So, consider this, Jesus was with the disciples from the resurrection until forty days later when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. Ten days later, Holy Spirit came upon the faithful in the upper room and breathed a fresh new life over them, in them and through them. The account of the upper chamber has not changed in almost two thousand years yet there are those out there who will deny the work of the Spirit, the gifting of the Spirit or the miracles of the Spirit. The proof of the miracle has stood the test of time, there are signs and proofs of the miracles every day and yet there are those who need more proof.

So, here is my question; what do the people, the skeptics or even those who do not believe, need for proof? Jesus talked of Holy Spirit in John chapter 16, verses 5-7

“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

What will it take for you to believe in the promise of God? Open your heart and mind to the proof before you and ask the Holy Spirit to make it all clear. Yes, it is that easy, so what are you waiting for?

This Sunday, Pastor Todd and Pastor Eryn celebrate Pentecost. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

What Is Love

This is a big question so let us look at one segment of society, our Moms. I was in a store the other day and I heard the screams of a child from the next aisle. The sound was very distinctive. They were in the cereal aisle and the tirade was preceded by, “but I want the Lucky Charms”. The noise started low but ramped up like a siren, gaining to full volume in a matter of moments. How glass was not broken in the store was beyond me. As I came around the corner, I could see so many emotions in her eyes. She was embarrassed over her child’s actions, furious because he was throwing a tantrum and not listening to her request for silence, and exhausted because this was not the first time it had happened that day. I gave her that understanding smile that signaled I had been there and done that and she responded with that skyward sigh that I think all mothers have done. As I stopped to grab something off the shelf, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that she had knelt down beside him, held him by the shoulders, whispered something to him and then gave him a big hug. She did not give into his demands but did let him know that he was loved and forgiven.

So often, the actions and influence our mothers have in our lives is overlooked and we save one day a year to let them know that we appreciate their role in our lives, but I would suggest we need to remember this every single day of the year. Sunday, I want to focus on all we owe to our mothers but let me share this with you as an appetizer.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. Proverbs 31:25-31 NLT

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will bring a message of joy and celebration of mothers. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

Mind Your Tongue

So last week, I was focused on the fact that so many people are steadfast in their own opinion and will not admit to the fact they could be wrong or even be open to listen to the opinions of others. The actions of those who are so stiff neck not only drives wedges in relationships but they can also affect the reputation of the obstinate individual. As I sat back on Monday morning, I took another look at the message from Sunday and discovered there is another energy drain in not only the church but also in life as well. I will be the first to admit that I have done this and am not proud of my actions. There was a cartoon on Facebook and I wish I could give credit to the artist but I could not find a reference.

There are a few things I noticed about this cartoon. Firstly, it looks to me like this was prayer time and, rather than hold off until after the service, the complainants chose this time of fellowship with the Lord to point out the shortcomings of others. Second thing I noticed was that they were being admonished in public and not off to the side which would have been proper and professional. My question is this; were they trying to sow the seeds of dissension within the faith family? My final point regarding this illustration, the folks praying on their knees are associated with leadership within the congregation. Should they not be allowed to have their day of Shabbat? There is a time and a place for everything and this was neither the time nor the place. I know what you are thinking, this is just a cartoon but it does hit a bit close to home if we start to look around us.

Allow me to paraphrase a passage from scripture, namely Matthew 27:38-44. Two rebels on the cross either side of Jesus and the one is needling the Savior. “If you are in charge of all things, if you truly are the Son of God, why don’t you fix this little issue we have so that we can go back to enjoying life?” Could not have picked a better time to bring this complaint forward. Hanging on a cross, about to die for the sins of all mankind, kind of going into uncharted territory and someone decides to mention that the water closet is out of toilet paper as it were. I had this happen to me quite a few years ago when I was just starting in ministry. I was just about to go up to the platform and a member came up to me and mentioned that the toilet in the women’s washroom was plugged. I suggested they try to plunge it themselves but was told it was not their job. It has been well over two decades and I still remember the day. Now don’t get me wrong, church is not the only place this happens, it can happen at our places of employment. It is a subtle killer of joy and peace and can really turn the day in the wrong direction. You see, Jesus wants us to lift each other up and support each other, not talk smack or take the feet out from under anyone. Peter said it best:

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it., it can happen in our homes. 1 Peter 3:10-11 NLT

This week, Pastor Eryn finishes up her series. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

Not Always Right

The simplicity of His message is so easy to understand and even easier to accept yet so many try to add further rules and regulation to appease their own sense of superiority over others salvation. My question for those who feel it necessary to add more rules to God’s gift for all peoples of the world is this; “who do you think you are, a god?” I have sat through so many lectures and conversations where learned people try to explain salvation by deeds (which is what their ideas lean towards) where if a + b x c equals G then salvation can occur. All throughout the New Testament, the Master’s message is very clear. For example, read 1 John 2:1-2 NLT.

1 John 2:1-2 NLT

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

You see, if we add all these idiotic man-made rules to the simple message that Christ lived, communicated and told us to preach, then we end up with division, stress a feeling of unworthiness. Here is something to consider, God’s message has never changed but the additional rules His creation has added is very akin to a game of Calvinball where the rules change to meet the needs of the person carrying the “ball”. For those who keep changing and adding to His perfect Word, could I suggest they are so in doubt of His way that they have to set up proofs in order to have confirmation of salvation. Read through John 3:16-17 NLT.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

I hold to this Truth rather than the sometimes ridiculous rules made by the doubters of the world. An old joke about marriage comes to mind regarding happiness. I could be happy or I could be right. In the case of following the Lord I am happy and I am right when I stick to His perfect Word.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NLT

This week, Pastor Todd brings a message of victory over doubt and worry. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

Who Do You Say I Am?

When I worked in security, I came across a person who was trying to break into the office I was guarding. While I was discussing with him the error of his ways, he asked me if I knew who he was and who his father was. Well, this was something I had never heard before. Never had I heard anyone, who was incredibly intoxicated, ask me that question as I was holding them until the police came to take the person away. In fact, it is so kind of them to inform me of their name and also inform me their father was a famous lawyer. I would ask who that person was as I may know them. To follow this up, not two minutes later when the police are presenting him with a brand-new pair of chrome bracelets, the individual clams up when he is asked his name. That is when I look at the officer and ask “don’t you know who this is? This is John Doe, son of the famous defence lawyer Jack Doe”.

This morning, I was having bit of a pity party because I am exhausted, frustrated, argumentative and sore. I am just waiting for someone to recognize my mood and either tell me to get over it or try to get me to see the sunny sky (it is actually overcast and snowing). Either way, it is going to take all I have to keep it on the down low and not blow-up causing people to ask “who do you think you are?” Here is what changed it around for me this morning; God recognized my mood and I felt led to take an extra bit of time in bed in conversation with the Lord. That is when it came to me, scripture has Christ asking Peter in Matthew 16 “who do you say I am?”, I asked the Father this morning, who do you say I am?

I am a child of God (1 John 3;2) and I belong to Him (John 14:18) and He loves me as a perfect Father loves His children (John ,3:1), “and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. God claims us all as His own and He tells us that we are His children. Jesus testifies who we are to the Father and, I suggest, He loves it when we testify as to who He is in our life. It opened my eyes this morning to the fact that I identify as a child of God and should always be ready to ask, “do you know who my Father is?” The rest of the morning is going very well and, even though it is still snowing, my chat with the Lord has changed my mindset.

This week, we welcome Pastor Eryn as she continues her series. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

It Is Finished

Last Sunday, Pastor Eryn brought a wonderful and thought-provoking sermon. There was a part that tied into some research I was doing over the past month, and I thought it would make a great tie in for this Sunday. About halfway through the sermon Pastor Eryn stated, “Jesus came to free you from that death. He came to free you from regret. He loves to forgive. He loves to make all things new. God loves to forgive you and to “remember your sins no more”.” He went to the cross to make all things new, to take the sins of mankind upon Himself and to clear the slate for us all. You see, when the life was leaving Christ, He declared “It Is Finished”. Now I thought this meant that the prophecy up to that moment had been fulfilled and it was finished but two things about that; there were still more prophecies to be fulfilled and He knew He would come back.

It is finished is a rather crude translation and means much more in both Greek and Aramaic. You see, in Greek the term is “τετέλεσται” (tetelestai). This term comes from the Greek root “telew” meaning to bring to an end, finish, or complete. But let’s look at it in another context. In business, tetelestai means that the debt has been paid in full, nothing else is owing. In the courts, it meant the sentence had been fully served and the person was free from all further persecution for the sin. There is also a military aspect that refers to the battle that had been won. Much more meaning than just “it is finished”. As He hung on the cross, Jesus declared, your debts are paid, there is nothing to be held against us and the battle over the evil is won.

Now would Jesus have declared this in Greek or Aramaic? Yes, the New Testament was translated to English from the Greek, but I would suggest He called out “Meshelem” which is Aramaic for “to be finished” in its passive form. The root of this word is shelem which is from the family of shalom meaning peace. So, consider this, in English, Jesus declared it is finished and in Greek we have been declared free from our sin through the sacrifice of the Son on the cross. He declared publicly that our past would not be held over our heads and that the slate was clean, and the battle was won. There would be peace in His name and our future was secure in His grace. To be finished was fulfilled when the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not there, He had risen and had defeated death; tetelestai. So here is the great news, Jesus does not hold our past over our heads, He is peace and declares a peace over our hearts and souls. Jesus has made all things new, and we are the recipients of His Shalom. He asks but one thing; give over your sins to Him and declare Him as Lord and Saviour. He already paid the price; you only need to embrace this perfect gift.

This week, Pastor Todd will walk us through these three simple words that means so much more for our lives. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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There Ain’t No Grave

Over the past few weeks, my prayer time has focused on the end of my days. Now, don’t go calling mental health authorities and telling them I am having thoughts of ending it all but rather hear me out. As noted in the past two sermons, Jesus willingly went to the cross and in doing so eliminated the power of the grave. You see, Sheol was that place where all went when they died in ancient Judaism but around 100 BC the Pharisees posed the notion that there is a reward for following God’s ways in the afterlife called Olan Ha-Ba (World to Come). There was also the teaching that when the Messiah came, there would be a bodily resurrection (T'chiyat Ha-Metim). I got this bit of information from an article from Rabbi Howard Jaffe. Now, lets take a look at a piece of scripture from Matthew 27:50-53 NLT:

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

According to their very own understanding and teachings from a century before, the dead in God were raised from the graves and they did not take off for the hills but rather they wandered around and made themselves known to the residents of Zion. There was no denying two things; Jesus is the Messiah and the T'chiyat Ha-Metim is real. What the Pharisee had declared and the Rabbi taught was the truth and yet they did not declare Jesus as the Messiah. The grave could not hold them and they arose, Sheol was under the rule of the Son of God and no longer something to be feared. Molly Skaggs sings a song called “Ain’t No Grave” where she declares there “ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down, when I hear that trumpet sound, I’m gonna rise up outta the ground.” Truth is this, the followers of the Lord Almighty in the Jewish nation and the Christian nation have seen the promise fulfilled the day Christ died on the cross. He has risen and the grave holds absolutely no power over the children of God. I think Paul said it best in his letter to the Thessalonians;

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thes 4:16-17 NLT

My prayer thought was this; will it hurt when we are washed absolutely clean from our sins and iniquities and step into the perfection of Glory? Gone will be the doubts and fears, the pains and sorrows and we will enter His gates with infinite thanksgiving in our hearts. As the crippled beggar rose up on healthy legs at the Gate called Beautiful, so shall we dance in His Glory.

This week, we welcome Pastor Eryn as she brings us all a message of hope. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Cry Out To Jesus

This is the time of year when we are on a bit of a roller coaster. Take the first few weeks of the month here in Alberta for example. We were, at one point in time, basking in sunshine and temperatures in the high teens. There was almost no snow in the yard, the buds were getting ready to open up, and the shorts had been pulled out of the bottom drawer. Suddenly, the snowstorm hit and there was close to two feet of snow everywhere. No bare patches on the lawn, the buds had pulled back on bursting forth, and the shorts made way for long johns and gloves once again. Today, I look out my office window watching the snow melt off roofs and lawns once again. So many times I have heard this week “enough already, this is supposed to be spring and I should be sitting in shorts on the patio!” Cars drive by the church and they are all the same colour, dirt grey. No need to go get them clean because the second they drive out of the wash, they are messy again.

Consider this, Jesus was having one of those weeks centuries ago. He made His triumphant entry into the Holy City having a wonderful time and then got a bit upset at the money changers in the Temple. Later that week, He enjoyed fellowship with the faith family only to be betrayed later, nailed to the cross and killed. Three days later, He arose and carried on with the fellowship, teaching and preaching as He went along. Talk about a rollercoaster week! At one point in all this, Jesus cried out in prayer,

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:42-44 NLT

I highlight this because I believe this was the only time in all this that Christ called out for His own relief. He did not call down legions of angels to destroy those who were scourging Him with whips and nailing Him to the cross, He did not call down curses upon those who falsely accused Him and demanded His death, instead, He called down mercy and grace on those who watched as He suffered for us all, suffered for our sins. The one thief on the cross chastised Jesus taunting Him to save them, prove He was who He claimed to be. The other thief simply asked forgiveness, “remember me when you come into your Kingdom”.

Cry out to Jesus, remember me Lord, forgive me Jesus.

We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:41-43 NLT

Jesus did not destroy the Holy City, He did not destroy the population. He could have easily done just that but instead He called for mercy and grace.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NLT

When the world cries out demanding personal justice because they are hard done by, Jesus called mercy on those who were persecuting Him. Does the world fear the Message because it means they have to soften their hearts and turn their back on evil? Jesus awaits us in paradise, we just need to cry out to Jesus and give over to Him, it is that easy.

This Good Friday, we will be gathering for a message from His Word and then again Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. We invite you to gather with us as we proclaim Christ’s victory over the darkness. Our service is at 6:30 PM on Good Friday and 10:30 AM on Easter Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Cry Out For Jesus

When we were young, we cried out for nourishment when we were hungry, and our parents made sure they went out of their way to ensure we were fed. There were times when they went hungry in order to make sure we had full bellies. They laid the foundation for us as we grew older, had kids and, in some cases, took portions off our own plate to fill theirs.

Our Father in Heaven watched over each and every one of us as we took our first steps in faith and cried out for more. We demanded leadership to oversee us in times of turmoil and strife and He gave us judges to guide us with wisdom. The people demanded a king and Saul was chosen. This turned out to be a poor choice but out of the chaos of deceit and jealousy came a great leader in David. There were good leaders who gave it all for those around them in those days but there were also those who changed once they started to feel and crave more power and more wealth.

Consider this, at the time when the people of Israel bowed down to the rulers from Rome, the hierarchy of the Jewish ruling family, the courts of the Sanhedrin and the Priests plus the tax collectors of all the groups, the atmosphere was ripe with deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. The nation, under the burden of such chaos cried out for relief and God sent forth His only Son to feed the masses a message of love and peace.

So, get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3 NLT

He came to nourish the hearts and souls of all and once we began to feed on the Message, we craved more, and He provided for all. He provided an example of living a life filled with love, Jesus showed the way to forgiveness of others and compassion to those who cried out for healing. The more we sought out wisdom, the more He provided, and, in the end, He gave it all on the cross for our salvation. God has held nothing back and, in the future, He will be back to take us all into a place where glory reigns.

We are heading into the Easter week starting with the triumphant entrance of Jesus into the Holy City on Palm Sunday. We invite you to join us as Rev. Glenn Reeder shares a message with us all. We invite you to join us either in person or online. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Jesus on My Terms

I started working on this sermon series well before I went on holidays last month and I am looking at the world a whole lot differently as of late. This is probably the toughest sermon to write because I had to face the fact that I am guilty of what I am about to write about and, this Sunday, speak about. Let me start this off with a personal illustration. Natalie and I went to the Caribbean last month and I will say this right off the hop, we had an amazing time. Even the one day it rained, we went to the beach and rejoiced because there was next to no one there. There was, however, a hiccup in that our room was not available for us for three days so they were going to put us up in a hotel, a better hotel, close by. Here is the personal confession – I was rather upset because this is not what I paid for and it was the second time our plans were shifted in a month concerning this vacation. Truth be told, I was rather upset that we were not getting the vacation we paid for or deserved. My vacation on my terms or else! I was a total bear until the next morning when I had a fabulous breakfast and then put my toes in the soft, smooth sand on the beach. There were a few times I grumbled again while we were at the “better” hotel but that was all about the condition of the room rather than the circumstances. When we got to the hotel we were supposed to be at, there were a few guests that were livid that they did not get what they paid for, what they deserved, but Natalie and I could not wait to get changed and onto the beach.

There are those in the world that want everything their way and will fight for their right to achieve their desired results and that is alright. We are all entitled to our opinions, and I, for one, will respect another’s opinion but what I will not tolerate is when someone says I have to follow their ways, buy into their preferences or else. I believe in the perfect power of the Lord, the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternity in Glory for those who embrace the love of Christ and follow Him in faith. What I do not believe in are those who use Jesus as a weapon or a tool. There are some who manipulate the Word for their own preferences, who declare judgement on others because they are not following Him perfectly. I have heard those who claim the love of the Lord and preach that Jesus forgives and in the next breath claim that so-and-so is going to hell because of their wicked ways. Did the cripple man at the Gate called Beautiful rise up and walk through the power of the Holy Spirit? While all who walked through the Gate called Beautiful overlooked him, Peter and John stopped, spoke with him and, in the name of Christ, helped him to stand up. How many priests and temple leaders walked by him without a single message of hope? This is not the Message of the Messiah; this was the preference of mankind.

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matt 15:29-31 NLT

So many look for reasons to argue, fight and hold onto ill will but, truth be told, Jesus wants us to become more like Him, not the other way around. Those who were trying their best to help us on our vacation did so with open hearts and cared for us so much that they truly did make this a wonderful vacation. We could all benefit immensely if we took the time to study what Jesus wants for us and shift our thinking to His ways. What would Jesus do?

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Luke 5:23-24 NLT

This week, Pastor Todd will be continuing the series on Acts 3 and 4. We invite you to join us either in person or online. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Preach It In His Power

I would like to take you back to Acts 3 when the crippled beggar at the gate called Beautiful was lifted off his mat and miraculously healed. He was lame since birth, considered filthy and without worth and yet Peter and John stopped, took notice of him and healed him by the power of Christ. Can I suggest this for your consideration; when the Spirit of the Lord poured through the beggar and the moment his legs were healed, the man formerly known as the beggar preached the power of God. As the formerly lame man jumped for joy and then entered the Temple grounds, his actions testified to the power of God. I personally do not think that he could have contained the joy and excitement of being able to walk, of having the opportunity to be declared clean and made a part of the community as a full member. He was preaching the Message in his actions and, filled with the Holy Spirit, he walked arm in arm with Peter and John through the Temple grounds and up to Solomon’s Colonnade, one of the more prestigious locations at Temple. Were they noticed? Yes, they were, and they were arrested for preaching His message. The next day, they stood in front of the religious leaders and ...

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12 NLT

Here is the question I ask myself less often than I should. Am I as on fire for the Lord and so filled with the Holy Spirit as the former beggar at the gate called Beautiful as I could be or as I should be? This is a question I believe we all need to reflect on all the time. There will be those who would argue the point, but I stand firm in my belief. There is always more we can do to communicate the Good News throughout the world. Do our lives reflect the love of God within us, and do we jump for joy in His name, so high and so loud that those around us notice and want to know more? Are we so strengthened in His power that we stand up to those who would persecute us for faith in Christ or do we shrink into shadows like Peter did when confronted before the crucifixion? Consider this then.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves. Acts 4: 13-15 NLT

Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke boldly and the man formerly known as the beggar was there with them. The same Peter who ran away in fear was now helping others to realize the power of the Lord through his testimony. Lean not on your own strength but rather testify of your faith in the Messiah with all the joy and love He provides you. We are all healed in the name of Christ, rejoice and praise His name.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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We Are All Equal

Natalie and I were away on holidays, hence the reason for no article last week, and had a fabulous time. We had been saving for quite some time and even splurged a bit on an upgrade to the room. This was the first time in many years that we had taken time out for just the two of us with no appointments or deadlines. Once we hit the ground, the day consisted of us wondering what we were having for breakfast and were we going to start at the beach or by the pool. We had already decided where dinner was going to happen so that was a matter of just showing up. There was a slight problem, however, because when we arrived at our hotel, they informed us they did not have a room for us and we would have to shift to another hotel for three days. They apologized profusely and told us we were staying at a better hotel and they would be back but for us, we just rolled with it, we were on vacation.

We got to the new hotel and realized we were not in Kansas anymore, this was swanky, in fact it was so posh we found out that to eat a la carte, we had to make reservations and there was a dress code. One had to reserve first thing in the morning otherwise they were already booked so we booked early and showed up early for the reservation. Here is where it gets interesting. There was a couple who were waiting for their table and had arrived just before us. They were dressed to the nines and when we were called for our table, one of them shot up and made it known that they were there before us. They had also asked another couple who were going in when their reservation was for. As we sat down, the young couple were escorted to a table just down from us but there was a difference in the atmosphere. You see, Natalie and I were elated with our table, with the treatment we were receiving and with the food. It was a fabulous evening with perfect company. The other two seemed fixated on the fact they were done so wrong by not being treated as royalty and their experience appeared to be rather tainted.

This really got me to thinking of a passage from Acts 3 where Peter and John are on their way to Temple and came upon a man who had been lame since birth begging at the gate called Beautiful. Those entering the Temple would have passed him by and considered him unclean but Peter and John stopped to talk with him.

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:3-6 NLT

Here is the thing, this man was considered below all others who could walk to the Temple to be in union with God. He has to be lifted and taken to the gate and removed from there in the evening. After receiving this healing gift, he jumped for joy and then went into the Temple with them. By one miraculous act, he had become equal to those around him in their eyes but consider this, Jesus walked among the lame and the sick, He cleansed them of their infirmities and laid a blessing upon them rather than casting them aside as damaged and full of sin.

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Rom 3:21-24 NLT

You see, when one looks upon others through their own eyes, one judges based on human standards but when one looks at others with God goggles on, one can see past the infirmities and can help others up from their place in life and show them the truth. Money and position can get you a fancy table at a restaurant but when we come to His table, we are all equal in His eyes, we are all forgiven perfectly and completely. Take the time this week to plant a seed of hope in the life of someone you may have considered a write off, the beggar at the gate called Beautiful was thankful that Peter and John stopped, that’s for sure.

This week, Pastor Todd will bring a message fresh from the beaches of the Caribbean (BTW, the white stuff here in Sundre is not white sand, just saying).

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Anticipation

Last year, I was booked for a sabbatical and, for six months leading up to it, I was so excited. I had so many plans that included taking time to reflect and consider the future. That may have been a bad thing because I did take a long, hard look at not only my future but also the future plans for my family. During the time I was on my sabbatical, I noticed a couple of people I went to high school with had passed away and that hit me rather hard. I spent a ton of time in anticipation for my sabbatical, looking forward to taking time away and reinvigorating myself for my return to work but what I was not anticipating was contemplating my future after ministry and my future after my lights go out for the last time.

You see, there are three things in my life that take priority, faith, family and friends. Jobs come and go, money comes and goes, power comes and goes but faith, family and friends are precious. There are people in my life I have known since I was a kid and when we chat, its like no time has gone by. My family has been with me through thick and thin. When it comes to my faith, even though I wandered away for a time, He has never left my side. Since my sabbatical, my priorities have shifted and I am looking forward with great anticipation to what the Lord has in store for me, my family and my friends. For you see, God has shown us all the way to Glory and it is with great anticipation that I look forward to being with Him in that place and I know He will be with me, with us, until that day comes.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Phil 1:6 NLT

There are better things to come, I promise you that, because Jesus has promised it. When we focus on the things of this world, we focus on that which is temporary, finite. But to seek His will with anticipation is to seek an infinite future, eternity in Glory. Earnestly and eagerly seek Him in all you do, in all you are and, with all the power of the Holy Spirit, help others to see and embrace His eternity.

We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. Heb 6:9b-12

Praise God for His blessings and grace and let us all anticipate the fulfillment of His promise soon to come.

This week we welcome Pastor Eryn Austin-Bergen and eagerly anticipate the message God has laid upon her heart. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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It Is All About Perspective

Today, I was asked about an event that was scheduled to happen. The question was regarding the temperature and the chance of snow. You see, we got a bit of a dump overnight and the temperature was going to get down to about –8 C tonight. I am all about safety while traveling and all that and am very appreciative that my advice was sought concerning this. My response was quite quick in this regard because I have been on social media and texting our family in Nova Scotia who, in some cases, are having trouble getting out of their homes because the snow is two thirds the way up their doors. I saw a picture from my niece where the snow was two feet over her head after the sidewalk was cleaned. For the record, I have been there when we got hit with that much of a dump not once, not twice but rather three times in one week. Temperature-wise, they are not in a deep freeze like we were a few weeks ago (-46 without the windchill is very cold). In making my quick decision, the weather events in Nova Scotia helped me to realize that, from a safety standpoint, we were just fine.

Perspective is a very individual thing. There are some who do not feel there is a Heaven and that is okay, it is their perspective. I can take time to chat them up with His message and pray the seeds take root, but, in the end, it is their choice. There are some who think they can get to Heaven by being a good person but without that heart and soul commitment to Christ, being good will get you a bunch of friends and that could be about it when it comes to eternity in Glory.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:6-7

Now, I know I am coming from a perspective of a follower of Christ and I trust that His promise is solid. My life both here and into Glory is based on my faith in a living God who died for me and for all. Even within the faith family, there are numerous perspectives that can cause some angst between denominations, and they can affect the relationship amongst us all even affecting our own perception of another group but in the end, Jesus Saves.

This week, Pastor Todd brings talks about the blessings from God. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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God’s Will for All Mankind

I know a person who is NEVER wrong. This person does everything perfectly and will be sure to let me know when I have messed up. Over the years, I have been on the “corrective side” of some learning moments, and, in many cases, I have learned some new ways. Here is the problem, this person does not want to be reprimanded or given any advice. You see the tried-and-true ways are proven to work flawlessly – until they don’t. There have been a couple opportunities to apply constructive input, but the concept has always been met with “that’s nice but we will do it this way.” I have given up trying to help as I feel rather stupid when I try to assist.

I have learned something by this. There was a young lad who thought he knew it all but when he made a mistake, he would ask me how I would fix it or do it differently or he would ask my opinion on a new idea and, in the end, we both learned and grew. Now you must understand, this all happened many, many years ago and I am certain this guy is still doing it the same as always but the young lad I was working with is a very successful contractor.

This has happened in the past and I am afraid it still happens today in the faith community. There are those who are steadfast in their ways to the point of harm to self, but Jesus told the Pharisee that they may not know everything, and in fact, they were very wrong about the Messiah, the one they were trying to not only challenge but also destroy.

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:31-32 NLT

If they were able to understand the message He was giving them, they would have realized that it was their own preferences not being in harmony with Christ’s Word that was making them sick. They did not realize that they were trying to cut down the tree of life and would not cease because they were right, and the Master was completely wrong. While they thought themselves righteous, they were actually sinning against the Creator. Here is the hope, the hope for all.

I do not hold any ill-will towards the person who is always right but instead pray that God’s wisdom and grace take root within them, and they come to realize that He has set them free. Pride is a terrible master; our Saviour is far greater though – praise God for that blessing.

This week we welcome Pastor Eryn Austin-Bergen and celebrate with her as she receives her local minister’s license. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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I Know Where You Are

...And I know what is to come. If we go way back in my life to the days of chaos and stupidity, I was not a joy to live with. My father worked his tail off trying to get me to stay on the straight and narrow and, when it really went sideways, he was still watching over me. Both of my parents saw such potential and tried to get me to see it, but I was having none of that. I know better than anyone and you can’t tell me anything. Interesting thing, the older I get, the smarter my parents become.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Matt 6:9-10 NLT

There was a moment when I was at the fork in the road, continue the road I was on and possibly end up in jail or call for help. I knew exactly who to call and I knew just where to find him. You may be thinking I called on Jesus, but you would be wrong, I called my dad. Even though we did not see eye to eye, he was there to gather me up within twenty minutes, he took me back in, gave me a place and, yes, gave me the talk.

“You are more than welcome to come home but you are expected to get a job, finish school and change your ways.”

I knew exactly where my father was, and I knew he would be there if needed. He also made sure I knew there was a standard to keep and wanted only what was best for me. Decades later, I came to understand that my Father in Heaven is also right there, all the time. My Father is in Heaven and His name is Holy. To call upon the name of the Lord, to call out for HIs help, is to ask for His guidance is not a sign of weakness but rather a nod to wisdom.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James1:5-6 NLT

This Sunday, we continue the series on the “Will of God”. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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God’s Will Is Not Temptation

Over the years, I have heard the argument that God created evil and have heard some compelling arguments but, truth be told, the arguments fall short of the truth. Take a read through Genesis at the very beginning and you will see that when God created, it was followed with “and it was good”. In fact, when God had finished creating everything, He stated in Genesis 1:31 (NLT) “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good”. God was pleased because that which He had created was perfect. We do not know when evil slithered its way into the Garden, we don’t know how it even existed in the Garden but we do know this for a fact, the first temptation in the Garden was cast by means of doubt.

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”Genesis 3:1 NLT

The temptation went even further and finally the doubt got the better of Eve and she succumbed to the temptation to know it all. The rest is history (read Genesis 3). There is the example of falling to temptation and it is not the last in scripture. Today, the temptation is even more powerful and it is not so secretive, in fact advertising companies thrive on developing it. “If you buy this, you will never have another issue for the rest of your life”. Temptation to the dark side is always there and the powers of evil want you to focus on the doubt, focus on the desires, focus on self, and not on the perfect answer. You see, the devil wants you to be distracted because he knows that we have an unlimited source of power to repel evil intentions through the Holy Spirit. We need only to remember God’s prayer from Matthew 6:13 NLT:

And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

When you are feeling tempted by the devil, visit the Lord’s prayer and claim the power of the Holy Spirit over the evils of temptation. Get thee behind me Satan, your power is nothing compared to my Lord and Saviour. Don’t let evil fool you into doubting God and turning to the darkness, God loves you so much that He will give you the strength.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd continues the series on the “Will of God” by looking at temptation. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

 www.mainavefellowship.ca 

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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God’s Will Is For Our Joy

There was a time where I was teased and bullied because I was different or annoying or just not cool enough. There were days where I would race home from school taking all the back routes so I wouldn’t get beat up...again. I tried to disappear during gym class so I didn’t get targeted during the sports activities and rarely, if ever, joined organized sports. You see I was not the biggest kid in school, in fact I did not really grow much until after I left school. There were times I would dream about what I would do if I were bigger. I had some great plans for those bullies should I ever meet up with them again. Someone was going to pay big time for all my pain and suffering. Then the words of my Grandma MacDonald rang in my ears and it still does to this day:

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us Matt 6:12 NLT

As God has forgiven, we/I should forgive. There are those out there who did me harm not only as a kid but also as an adult that have no clue how much they have been forgiven. I will admit, there are those who did me wrong that I did get my revenge when I was younger and if I could ask their forgiveness to their face today, I would. As I grew up, I realized retaliation only leads to more reprisals and the cycle continues. Look again at the passage from Matthew 6 “Forgive us as we forgive others”. We have been forgiven perfectly and completely without any note of a return to the sin for further review in the future.

Just recently, someone did something to me that could have escalated very easily and I will admit this, we were both in the wrong. I was truly apologetic regarding the event because I did mess up, but I will say this, I was furious about the actions of the other person and was looking at ways to get that person back – big time. I held the higher ground and strategically, I was in the favourable position. This was going to get ugly but then Matthew 6:12 came to me and I reached out for forgiveness for my error and noted that I forgave that person as well. There was a great deal of joy that came from that because I found out that person’s response was delivered in haste and in anger. What could have been a very difficult situation was avoided and we chat quite regularly now. How many more issues in this world could be alleviated if we forgave rather than escalated tensions?

This Sunday, Pastor Todd continues the series on the “Will of God” by looking at forgiveness and forgetfulness. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. 

Blessings, 

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Thy Will Not My Will

Warning, contents might be rather unsettling for some. Discretion is advised.

There are times when I wonder about the future of our society as the trends of the world become more and more self-centred. There are a multitude of perspectives out there that, for the individual, could be found offensive or go against their own beliefs but here is the thing, I may not agree with their perspective, so who is right? I am going to try this social experiment knowing full well there will be some out there who will start a discussion regarding their views on this simple topic.

Three people sitting around at a coffee shop talking about cars (you can change this to whatever you wish). One is a diehard Chevy supporter, has the bow tie light in the garage, a poster of the latest muscle car that will soon be sitting in the garage and has a ton of Chevy bling everywhere. The second person has the “Built Ford Tough” jacket, drives the new Ford F350 with all the bells and whistles and defends the beloved name brand to the point of heated arguments about the company that built America. The banter goes back and forth for what seems like an hour. People in the coffee shop are both amused and concerned as the conversation does, at time, become rather heated. The third person at the table is listening intently but not participating too much in the discussion. The two notice this and one asks “well, what side are you on?” and without batting an eye, the reply was “I chose the one that is paid for.”

This is only one discussion/argument/debate that happens every second of the day and, for some, it can cause irreparable damage. I have seen families torn apart over the simplest of differences. There are disputes about lifestyles, religions, political views, race and the list goes on and on. So many can get so angry with one another that the division between sides grows over just about everything once the ball gets rolling. Have you ever seen where a simple argument over butter or margarine becomes so bad that everything one person says, the other automatically counters and it grows to include the whole family? There has to be common ground, the eye of the storm as it were, where peace reigns despite the division. You see, while everyone thinks they have all the answers and their answers are the only one that counts, it is all a matter of perspective, and it should be examined next to the something that is foundational to all.

In Matthew 6, Jesus was teaching us how to pray and one thing that makes me take pause is in verse 10.

May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. NLT

Take this back to the car discussion. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, import, domestic, electric, hybrid, diesel, gasoline—who cares. Does it take me from point “A” to point “B” in relative comfort and is it paid for? Baptist, Presbyterian, Nazarene, Pentecostal—who cares? Is Christ the center of the teaching and has the price been paid? There is really nothing on this planet that cannot be simplified to lowest common denominator, and, at that point, the argument becomes rather mute. Consider the prayer “may Your will be done” not my will, not the will of a particular denomination or religious group but rather the will of God. May this be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Do you think there are arguments, strife, backstabbing, wars or fighting in Glory? Of course not. Love God with absolutely every ounce of your being and love each other as yourself. I would say enemy, but you know what, there will be no enemies in Heaven, plain and simple. What would Jesus do? He loves perfectly and forgives abundantly. If that were done on earth as it is in Heaven, would there be wars or worldwide strife?

This Sunday, Pastor Todd starts a new series on the “Will of God”. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Ringing Out the Old

The other day, I took the Jeep into the car wash because I was not sure what colour it actually was. I think the colour could best be described as a brown, grey mash smattered with white flake. Now the inside is very organized and fairly clean compared to the outside. It is interesting how we can look at the outside of a car, see the dirt and mess it is in, and make the assumption the inside is equally a shambles. Actually, it can happen with so many different things like houses, properties, clothing. You see, so many people judge by what they see on the outside and miss the importance of what is on the inside. I have seen some fabulous homes that look amazing but, on the inside, the love was missing, and the home was broken. There are those who are dressed to the nines, have rings on every finger, drive the best cars and seem to have it all but are suffering on the inside and take it out on those around them and on themselves through drug and alcohol abuse but you don’t see it until they end up on the news or even in the obituary column.

At one time, I thought the external presentation was how society measured success and I tried to live up to it. Was I ever wrong. I started to look past the grease, grime and dirt, the bling, shine and pizazz and discovered this truth; there is a blessing available to us all that is just waiting to be recognized. It is a cleaning that sets every one of us on the exact same footing. The mess can be cleansed, it is only temporary, and the rest can be washed away. What is truly important is this, once the dirt has been cleansed, leave it alone, leave it behind. Here is an example: I washed my Jeep and gave it a good wax job and then I cleaned the dust off the dash, shook out the mud mats and threw away the garbage. How ridiculous would it be to throw the mud I just cleaned off the Jeep back onto and into the vehicle?

So, here is the good news to end the year; Jesus saves! Jesus cleanses from the inside out and does an amazing job. We can ask Him to cleanse us of our sins and He will. We can ask Him to show us a way to live a cleaner life and He will. We can ask Him to soften our heart and he will. You see, Jesus sees past the mud and grime of our outside and knows us better than we even know ourselves, right to our souls. So, when we ask Him to forgive us, cleanse us and take away our sins, we need to trust that He will do this and leave it in His hands. There is a time when we need to shake off the baggage of the past and ring in a new year. Is it time to embrace a new life in Christ? Trust me, He sees you in a way most of society does not understand and He looks forward to greeting us in person in Glory.

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43 NLT

The thief on the cross was probably messed up big time but Jesus heard his heart welcomed him in. This is the new start; this is the new year.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will bring the final messages of 2023. Our service is at 10:30AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Where There Is Strife There Needs To Be Hope

That statement may have you scratching your head but I will say this, without hope there is little for which to carry on. I have talked with many folks in counselling sessions, in those conversations where one just needs to be heard and in the church setting as a pastor where the issues of the day are just building and the only outcome they can see is destruction or nothingness.

“Why should I even care?”

“What is the use?”

“It just doesn’t matter anymore.”

A few months ago, I took a refresher course in Suicide Intervention and those statements were just a few indicators that hope had been lost and the cry for help was being sent out. Some cries are from those who are in the midst of the chaos while others are pleading for understanding because they can’t make sense of the turmoil around them and are, themselves, being sucked into the confusion. So much death and destruction in this world. Where is the hope? Let me throw this out to the wind; could it be we have legislated and denied the communication of hope, joy, peace and love right out of our lives? Those who make the laws of the lands have mandated religious silence because it is non-inclusive and yet Jesus states in Matthew 11:28-30:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” NLT

Jesus is the hope and the love of the world, inclusive for all who want and need hope. He invites us into a relationship with Him and asks only that we give over our sins and declare Him as Saviour. It was through His death certificate that we were given a new birth certificate. That is the hope we all need to hold onto and to declare. Jesus is the bright morning star that is our guide in the darkness. So long as there is light, darkness cannot fully reign. Remember this; “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:20 b

Where does my hope lie? It does not rest with our governments because they sway in the wind like reeds, bending to the will of the breeze. There will always be strife because there will always be differing views and all of society will be swayed by how they understand the situation but know this, Jesus is the Rock and the Anchor. He is never changing and on Him we can place our hope because He will prevail. He is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.” Isa 9:6b-7a

If we see someone dying of thirst and give them a glass of water, they have hope. If we see someone drowning in the depths of despair and pour into them with love and compassion, they will see hope. If we see someone dying in the grips of hopelessness and we show them Jesus, the Light will shine forth.

For God so loves the world He gave His one and only Son so that all, every single person, who believe in Him will not perish but instead have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT (emphasis added)

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will bring the final messages of Advent. Our first service is at 10:30AM both online and in person, a second service will be held in the Mountain View Senior’s Home, in person only, at 1:00 PM and the third service will be the Christmas Eve service at 6:00 PM online and in person. Following the evening service, we will gather around the campfire behind the church for roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Why Does Evil Exist

I hear this question all the time and will admit that I also have asked this a few times but awhile back, someone pointed this out and I have yet to forget it. You see, in light of all that is going on around the world, there is a cold fear regarding the dark, nasty garbage that is so prevalent today and the media seems to be stoking the flames of this fear to keep society glued to their televisions and social media devises. Fear is a tool that, when used by the forces of evil, can keep so many bound up that they are paralyzed to live life to its fullest and best. Why does evil exist? Why did God create evil? Why doesn’t God eliminate evil for good?

Consider this, cold is the absence of heat. While we can define the lowest temperature as that point where there is no energy, movement of atoms ceases and temperature cannot go any lower there is no limit that we are aware of to the upper reaches of heat. At minus 273.15 degrees Celsius, absolute zero, the fundamental particles of nature reach their zero-point energy induced particle motion. So cold is a measurement of a lack of energy. Part two to this, darkness is considered by definition to be a lack of light energy. If there is any energy at all, be it particle movement that generates heat or light energy that provides a small spark in the darkness, then there is heat, there is light.

With that said, think about this for a moment, evil is the absence of faith and love. You come across a person who has just been fired from their job and the boss has just torn them down another notch and someone who has a big heart comes by and lifts them up, dusts them off and helps them out the actions of evil are displaced by the actions of love and compassion. A group of hardened criminals are in a hard place, locked up and considered outcasts by a society gather in the prison gym to listen to a singer with a message from God fall to their knees because they hear the power of His message in their souls and cry out to God in worship and celebration. The energy is added and the darkness recedes. A stadium filled with those seeking reassurance and a break from the harshness of an evil world are embraced by the energy of the Holy Spirit while the preacher pours out a message of hope and love and a community is filled with the light energy of a loving Saviour. The evil one sucks the energy out of a nation so that darkness moves in, the coldness of his world pushes out the energy of love and faith and the chaos fills in the void that was once bursting with hope and joy. The devil wants to suck all the energy out of the lives of all so that he can claim victory but remember this, there is a limit to absolute zero and to absolute darkness but there is no end to the energy that is in Him. God did not create evil; it exists because we allow it to take hold. Embrace God’s power through the Holy Spirit and claim victory over the darkness through faith and love. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light and we will come to the Father through Him and on that day, there will be no more darkness, no more fear, no more evil. Evil does exist in the world but it holds no power because God is the power, the light and is infinite. The evil’s time is finite and the Light is coming.

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So Tell Me Again How Christmas Is Illegal

According to the National Post dated Nov 24, 2023 (Tristin Hopper), https://nationalpost.com/opinion/federal-commission-declares-christmas-holiday-is-religious-intolerance, “The Canadian Human Rights Commission, which wields broad quasi-judicial powers, argued that a day off on Christmas is 'discriminatory'... The Canadian Human Rights Commission — an agency with broad judicial powers that is fully funded by the federal government — has declared that the celebration of Christmas is evidence of Canada’s “colonialist” religious intolerance.”

So, what does this mean for the average person in Canada? According to the article, Easter and Christmas should not be statutory holidays. You see they are based on colonialist religious intolerance and should be eliminated as they are not in keeping with inclusion of all as the other religions have to seek special permissions to get their days off. The article does go on and it quite interesting (I have included the link above) but, again I ask, what does this mean to the average citizen in Canada? It means that those statutory holidays would be rescinded, and it will either become another named statutory holiday or it will become just another day of the week. Happy holidays all.

Here is another way to consider this push. The Christians of Canada would still celebrate the birth of the Saviour because the celebration of Christmas (Mass- the Holy Communion...of Christ) and of Easter, that is, the celebration of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection for us all, is more than a paid day off. These holiest of celebrations for the Christian community are above and beyond the laws of mankind and we, as a faith nation, would still celebrate regardless of the situation. But what I want to know is this, why is this agency so opposed to the celebration of the birth of the Prince of peace? The message is about loving those around us and spreading the joy of the season. The Easter message is not about bunnies that produce chocolate eggs but rather the fulfillment of the promise of salvation. Do we need a statutory holiday, a paid day off, to realize the birth and the sacrifice of the Messiah?

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:10 NIV

Persecute the faithful and they will only grow stronger, try to remove the relevance of the two seasons and they will only dig in their heels and become stronger, eliminate the religious rights of the Christian nation and nothing will change because we know the true reason for the season. Here is the kicker, eliminate the statutory status of the holidays and those who appreciate the extra day off, the extra cash on the pay cheque will rise up and demand it reinstated. You cannot quench the Spirit, one can try but, in the end, He is greater than the machinations of humanity and His will shall prevail. So take away the the designation of a statutory holiday, make it another set of normal days on the calendar and leave it at that. Jesus was born over two thousand years ago, gave fully of Himself without concern for monetary rewards and died for us all so that we would not know death and was resurrected as proof that death had no hold on Him. This is what we celebrate and we can do that without the stat designation.

This Sunday, Rev. Bob Hillock will bring the second message of Advent. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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How Big A Sign Do We Need?

We are located on the corner of Main Avenue and 3^rd Street in the wonderful little town of Sundre, Alberta. The community is nestled in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, and we are truly blessed by the beauty that surrounds us. While the location is spectacular, there are a couple of drawbacks to everyday life in the community. We are on the Cowboy Trail that was, and still is, a major route of travel for a variety of goods and services for the western province. It is a major oversize route for heavy, large loads, freight runs and, along with the numerous tourists that pass through, sees over 7 million vehicles traveling through each year. Where am I going with this? Consider this, there is one set of lights in the town on Main and Centre and the rest of the intersections on Main (aka Highway 27) were controlled by two way stop signs. Five years ago, we went to a series of three roundabouts for the road to allow better traffic flow but this fall, the province began the job of replacing the temporary roundabouts with permanent fixtures. This may not seem like much, but it is going to take a while and the intersections are now controlled by four way stops. I sit in my kitchen watching as hundreds of vehicles fly through the intersection without even acknowledging the signs. In fact, the other day, I was almost hit by a semi who was running the sign. So here is the point, as soon as the large orange fixture was replaced, the rules went out the window and it is now a free-for-all even though there are stop signs in place. One driver was heard to say, “if the sign was bigger, maybe we would be more likely to stop.”

Life is that way as well. I was going to say it is getting that way but, in reality, it is there already. The scriptures warned us about times like this and, in the past, many people were respectful of the scriptural ways and of His word but today, they are turning their back on His wisdom and guidance. The yield signs and stop signs have, over the years, always been there to provide some sense of organization and boundaries that keep us safe today and well into the future. But people are choosing to ignore the wisdom of the warning signs and doing it their own way just like those who are running the stop signs in our town. The officers who are there to inform and, yes, ticket, the offenders of the law, are demeaned and chastised on many occasions and yet they are there for the safety of the travelers. Those of the faith family and the clergy are also chastised for being bible thumpers or the holier-than-thou crusaders but we are not there to judge but are simply trying to show a sign.

“Why not make the signs bigger?”

Here is my question, why not watch for the signs, accept the signs for what they are there for and respect the message they are communicating? Life is not about blaming others for the mistakes made but rather watching for the signs, using wisdom to discern the outcomes, should the signs be ignored, and taking appropriate action to avoid pain and suffering. God’s message is simple, Christ came to save all through His sacrifice and who claim Him as Lord and Saviour. The signs of what is to come are very large even though there are those out there who do not believe in the end times and push back, but the time is coming when those who do not want to yield to the signs will come to a sudden realization of the consequences. The signs are there, they are noticeable, and it is up to all to acknowledge and not ignore.

This week, Rev Glenn Reeder brings the first message of the Advent. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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I Am No Longer a Slave to Sin

My wife Natalie showed me a meme the other day that spoke directly to this article. It stated, “the devil knows your name but calls you by your sin, but God knows your sin but calls you by your name.” Consider this if you will, there was once a young man who was rather ordinary, and I do not mean this as an insult. In a crowd, he did not stand out, at work, he did his job satisfactorily and was neither a standout nor a cause of concern. He was as grey as grey could be in his job and his perceived private life. There was, however, a dark side that no one knew about, and his secret life was fully immersed in the dark web where he was a completely different person. His alternate identity was very different, and he was, in this space, a giant, delving into criminal activities. He could not stop even if he wanted to because he was so entrenched in the lifestyle but, like all things, it had to come to an end and the police force helped him to quit.

Let us call this guy John. When he was caught, no one even thought he could be this person they were describing. John was definitely not going back to work after he was released from prison and the only job he would get was working as dishwasher at a local restaurant. He was tagged as a thief and scammer who could not, should not be trusted. What was not known to many was this; while he was in prison paying for his past transgressions, John found Jesus and he gave his life over to the Lord. He gave up his past ways and started a new venture when he was not working but it was an uphill battle. John was a convicted computer scammer and a thief in the eyes of the business leaders but to those he served, he was their knight in shining armor. You see, he started a small group composed of individuals who had a desire to help those who were susceptible to scammers, seniors, the less affluent and the lonely singles who were getting ripped off by false promises of love and travel. The church they met in embraced the ministry, the community was thankful for the blessing, and this group of servants were called by their names and not by their sins. I feel this passage talks to our lives as much as it did to the tribes of Israel.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isa 43:1-3 NLT

This week, Pastor Todd brings part two in the sermon series, No Longer A Slave To Sin. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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I Am No Longer a Slave to Fear or Taxes

Carbon taxes, higher food prices, food banks not being able to keep up with demand, fuel prices make it tougher to get to work and the argument in the halls of government is all about money. Is anyone else besides me getting tired of it all? As I sit here writing this article, all I can think of is “what would Jesus do?” Go back in time when the Romans exacted a tax on the people for their “protection” and then the local rulers, the king and his people, would exact another tax. Combine this with municipal taxes, the temple taxes and the skim by the tax collectors and I dare say there would be much left to fuel up the donkey to get to work. Good thing most worked from home or in close proximity to their jobs. So, consider this, there are only two things that are certain, death and taxes. Levels of leadership will always try to get the most of everything they can from everyone but at some point in time they will either see the errors of their ways and back down or they will find themselves on the outside of the halls of leadership while another group rewards the common folk for their support by lowering the taxes. This is only temporary (review history), so why fear? Instead of fearing the taxman, prepare for the inevitable and rejoice when you are correct in your assumption and preparation.

Same goes for fear of death. So many times, I have sat with people who are facing their last moments on earth, and they inform me they are scared. Going to get this out there right now, I am almost certain I will be fearful when it is my time and I do hope that someone will remind me that my Saviour is awaiting my arrival. You see, we are only human and tend to forget there is more to life than what we know on earth. When my time is up on this planet, there is still eternity awaiting where there is no more sorrow and no more pain. Love rules and chaos is no longer in the equation. I am no longer a slave to the fear of death because my Lord has made us all a promise that should eliminate our fear.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Thomas noted that he had no clue where Jesus was going, and Jesus made sure Thomas knew the full truth. There are a lot of people who are fearful because they are unaware of Christ’s promise. I am no longer a slave to the fear of death because I know there is something beyond the grave. My fear would be not knowing what the future holds if I did not have faith in Christ.

This week, Pastor Todd returns with a sermon series on No Longer A Slave To Fear. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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I Am No Longer a Slave – Cut These Chains

For years, the fear of not making the most of life has really been a burden, a chain that bound me to a way of life where satisfaction could never be fully realized. There was a fear of never being good enough to measure up to those around me and also the fear of being left behind if I did not overachieve. I was a slave to doing everything I could to stand out and be recognized for raises and promotions. If the job required extra hours, count me in, if it needed more knowledge, there were always courses to take and if it needed more dedication to job than self, family, and friends, guess which one got the priority. Chained down to the American dream of wealth, power, and the good things in life. If those were not achieved, we were either not doing enough or trying hard enough to be considered a success in the eyes of our culture. I can honestly say that I am still somewhat trapped in that ideology because that was the way I was raised but I am trying to break free from more of the bonds every day. Bet you thought I was going to say that ever since I found Jesus, things drastically changed, and all the chains of bondage were broken but I cannot say that. You see, I still hold onto some of the old ways, but fear is no longer the master of my life, Christ is, and I find strength in Him. Focus has shifted, behaviours have changed, and continue to change.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. Heb 12:2-3 Msg

The moment we realize that there is more to life, eternal life, than the finite measurements of this world, that is when we will truly break the bonds of this world and free ourselves from mortal bondage. Consider this, gold is a metal that mankind has given a value, and it is a measurement of wealth yet give a baby a rattle made of gold, and it is simply a toy. In heaven it is a paving stone, nothing more than a pretty covering for a path to be trod upon without a thought of being worth anything. The paper/plastic in our pockets is simply a representation of a wealth denomination and yet it can be wiped out with a simple declaration that it is worthless. It is my opinion that the greatest wealth one could be blessed with is a fabulous relationship with not only the Saviour but also with those all around me. You see, in Heaven there will be no need for finite measures of wealth but rather we will be amongst the greatest treasures, our Lord, our families and our friends. If we refocus on that which is truly important, we are no longer a slave to the finite but rather are set free to be blessed forever. For me, it takes time to completely release from the behaviours of the past but, in His strength, I/we can break completely free.

This week, we welcome, once again, Craig Fisher who will share a message that God has placed on his heart. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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I Am No Longer a Slave

These next two weeks we are going to hear from a wise and knowledgeable speaker, Craig Fisher. I can assure you his message will not only open our eyes but will also speak to our hearts. With that said, the next two weeks, I will be focusing on the start of a series called “I Am No Longer A Slave”. Now, before anyone starts getting up in arms about “what do you know about slavery” and “who are you to talk”, I am going to use these next two weeks to set up the series because we, as Christians, are being oppressed by the world and it is time to recognize that basic fact.

Let me say this; I am no longer a slave to fear because I am a child of God. The world can say “you are not allowed to say prayers in our schools, in our places of government or even on our battlefields” but I can assure you that I am praying. You can ask me not to pray over the sick and dying but I promise you I will and there is nothing you can do about it. The world can threaten to put me in jail if I do not cease and desist praying but what they do not understand is this, I am a child of God. There are those who deny the power and strength of prayer because it is not tangible, it is not measureable and therefore it is not real yet I know the power of prayer, I know His power. When a person comes up to me and says “I know you are a man of God, can you please pray for my mom, my sibling, my friend?”, I am the first to say yes and I make sure they know I am praying for them as well. Only once have I ever heard someone say “it won’t work for me because I don’t believe”. I tell them it works because God believes in you and that is the truth.

Consider this, I am not a slave to fear, to sin, the darkness of death because I am a child of God and I know He has conquered the grave, not just for me but for us all. He went to the grave and he arose because He believes in us all. The woman who had suffered for a dozen years overcame her fear to reach out in the crowd and dared to touch the hem of Christ’s garment overcame her fear and was healed.

But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:46-48 NLT

She was no longer a slave to her infirmity, but was set free to live a life in the fullness of His love, joy and peace. I had a dream not too long ago where I was struggling with several issues and, in my dream, I reached out to touch the hem of a garment and when I looked up, I saw Jesus smiling down at me. There was such a rush of joy that came over me and my eyes were opened. That day, Natalie introduced me to a song by Zach Williams called “No Longer A Slave” and the dream and the song opened my heart and my eyes to what my future holds and while I should be fearful, I am no longer fearful for I know He has it all under control.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isa 41:10 NLT

Fear not to pray for others wherever you are, fear not to speak out for your faith, fear not to proclaim His salvation message for we are all children of God.

For the next two weeks, we welcome Craig FIsher who will share a message that God has placed on his heart. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

YouTube Live – You Tube

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Jesus, Remember Me.

While sixty is just a number, the effects of ageing are a tell-tale. After years of abusing my mind and body trying to stay young and keep up with the youngsters, I am quickly becoming aware of my limitations as I am sure many others are as well. Five years ago, I would strap on the skates and race around the rink thinking “I still got it” only to realize everyone else has been into the zone and the puck was in the other end. I have yet to get on the ice this year but I am fairly certain I have lost another step or two. It is not just the body that is slowing down but it is also the mind.

The other day, I was in a fabulous conversation with a group of my peers when I realized I was a couple points behind the conversation and when I did interject my thoughts I realized they were in context at the time but rather disjointed in the current setting. Words that flowed from the tongue, thoughts that just wound in and out of the conversation now take a bit more time to bring together and memories are, at times, fleeting. It could be worse and, I fear, it will get worse but I saw a video the other day that brought joy to my heart.

A granddaughter had come to town and offered to take her grandfather to church on Sunday. He spoke very little on the way into church, which brought tears to her eyes, and, truth be told, to mine as well. All her attempts to get a reaction from him were met with that far off stare, a blankness that we can see but have no clue what it is like to live in. After trying just about everything to communicate with him, she put an old gospel tape in the radio and within a few moments, he was speaking the words of the old hymn by memory. You see, the words of the old hymns are generally scripture put to music and he knew his Savior’s message, it was still there and it was still strong in his heart. When the mortal facilities of our being start to fade, the Word of God, written on our hearts, never fades and it never fails.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. Ps 25:6-7 NLT

As life goes on and my thoughts begin to fail a bit more often, Lord, please, remember me.

For the next three weeks, we welcome two guest speakers who will share a message that God has placed on their hearts. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

YouTube Live – You Tube

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Mission Seems Impossible

So much goes on all around us that we are totally oblivious to that I am amazed we are still able to function at all. A person walking down the street was totally unaware of the danger fast approaching and even though there were others all around trying to get her attention she could not hear because of the earbuds. You see she was so distracted because of the loud music and, you guessed it, the texting, she was completely shut off from the reality around her. Just moments before she was run over by the vehicle, another person rushed over to her and pulled her out of harm's way, and she was saved from possible death. Almost immediately, she started to scream and fight off the person who had just saved her life, berating him for his good deed rather than thanking him. You see, she had no clue. The signs were there, a speeding car, people shouting at her to run, oncoming traffic braking hard and tires screeching. In the end, one person put himself in a difficult position, stepped up with a rather aggressive message and was chastised for his efforts. Yes, when she fully realized what had just occurred, she thanked him, but she never apologized for her initial actions.

You see, preaching and sharing the Message is almost the same as what happened to the young lady on the street. There are all sorts of warning signs out there, in fact there was even a book written warning people about the bleakness of the future, and yet there are those out there who are completely oblivious to the dangers. Missionaries, evangelists, clergy, and people of faith are all trying to inform family and friends that the end times are near, that none on earth will live forever on earth and yet the world turns up the music and digs even deeper into their world of reels. My fear is that people are so wrapped up in the world and the here and now they forget about what awaits them when life on earth comes to an end. There is only one who will be ready to jump into harm's way to protect but if we forcibly shrug off His grip and continue on our way, there will be a time when we won’t be able to come back from the brink.

I have shared my fear, now I will share my stressor. I am not here to force people to come to Christ, I am simply a messenger, a bystander on the sidewalk trying to get the person’s attention to oncoming tragedy. It is heartbreaking to know that there are those out there who refuse to listen to the message because they have come to believe it is just a myth. Here is a crucial factor, if you come to believe and it is a myth, what have you lost? Nothing, in fact, you have gained because you will look at life from the side of peace, love and hope. My stress has been greatly decreased over the years, not because I no longer care but rather because of a new understanding. I can only plant the seeds; it is up to the individual whether they want to accept it.

But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets, and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ Luke 10:10-11 NLT

For the next month, we are going to explore what mission means and how we can all be a part of communicating His promise to those who are seeking a new way to love, hope and peace. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Say What?

I have to say this, there are times when I listen to well-meaning Christians try to explain Jesus and salvation to people and it comes out sounding like a military sergeant barking out orders in army acronyms. Now, I do not want to upset or insult anyone but trust me, if someone does not understand the lingo, they are not going to fully understand the message. In my mission courses at college, the professor let us in on a story that happened decades ago that made us sit up and take notice of our language when we are speaking to others.

A missionary went into the jungles of South America and armed with tracts, an interpreter, and a Bible, He set off to tell the unreached about the good news of Jesus. He wanted to keep the message simple, so he chose to start with the birth of Jesus. Not where I would have started but he felt it a great starting point. The conversation started out well although the idea of God impregnating a mortal woman was a tad difficult to explain but this was not the toughest part. You see, there are no sheep in the area and to reference shepherds tending the sheep at night took a long time to explain but that was not the obstacle. The tough part came when the missionary referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God. To them, Jesus came as a boy child, born of a woman whose father was God and He was a shapeshifter who became a sheep, and this sheep was a creature they had no clue as to what it was.

So often we think that people understand what we are talking about, but they look at you with that smile and nod attitude and hope you will just go away. No one has ever said I am subtle so take this as a word of advice, Keep It Simple, Seriously (KISS). Leave the thousand-dollar words like sanctification, justification, or glorification in the briefcase for those deep dives into faith at a Bible study and tell it like it is. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even that one is a tough one, but it is a good foundation to start on. Next, there is recounting the birth of Christ, God among us and what this truly means for us all. Simplicity is the key, and His message does not need words to satisfy a professor in a university but rather speak to the hearts of the shepherds who did not have the education to understand. The gospel was meant to speak to all, not just the elite so why present the gospel to those today in such a way that can be confusing. Take this for what it is worth, in my opinion, the Word of God is so simple and so pure, we do not need to jazz it up with fancy words or lofty ideas. For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

For the next month, we are going to explore what mission means and how we can all be a part of communicating His promise to those who are seeking a new way to love and peace. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Help, I Need Somebody

I am going to take some liberties with the Beatles song “Help”. I know that they did not intend for it to be used this way but while watching a show, the song hit me in a weird way and, after looking at the lyrics in a different way, it hit me, we all need help. Take a look at the lyrics with me.

When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone
I'm not so self assured
And now I find I've changed my mind
And opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me

When I was younger, nothing really troubled me, well nothing major that is. I didn’t really need much of anything but as time went along, things really didn’t do much of anything anymore and it always felt like I was chasing after one thing or another but never really being satisfied with anything. One day, I found the one who could answer my many questions, the one who could open up the doors to a future that was so filled with hope and joy, I wondered how I never really knew the fullness of life before Him. I was fooling myself into thinking that the temporary things of the world could outshine the gifts from a loving God. He truly got my feet back on the ground and He helped me so much to get me rolling in the right direction.

Every time I had a rough time, He was consistently there, with me, guiding me and lifting me back onto my feet when times were so dark. There were those moments when I was a wreck and He helped me regain my way. So much good comes from God and yet so many turn away because they either don’t fully understand or they don’t want to trust without proof. Many will seek out DIY to solve their issues but, truth be told, the answer to all life’s issues is faith in a loving Saviour who only wants us to lean on Him and trust in His way. When I needed help, He has never failed me. Is it time for you to call out to Him to help you?

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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We Are Mission

There has been a lot of focus on missions for decades, centuries even. Missionaries from Europe, North America and others sent messengers of the Truth to countries around the world. Sometimes the messengers used some rather violent methods to get the Word of God out there such as armed crusades, others went into harm's way armed only with the Sword of Truth (a Bible) and a stalwart faith in a loving God. Consider this, we do not have the market on mission, in fact, the western world is not the originator of mission. If we look back in history, the first missionary of the Christian movement were the angels when they went into the fields to spread the Good News to the shepherds in the fields. Go a few years into the future and we find the Messiah gathering the messengers to join Him and He taught them the Way. Eventually they were ready to set off into the world to share the Good News and this was the start of missional ministry.

Luke 9:1-6 NLT

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

So, they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

They went out into the nation, on the circuit, and they helped wherever they were accepted but they did not force anyone to come to faith. If they or their message was not appreciated or they were turned away, they simply turned on their heels, wiped the dirt from their sandals and carried on. They did not call down curses, they did not egg the houses or chastised those who turned them away, they simply left and went on to the next house, on to the next town. You see, not everyone wants to hear the Good News, they do not want to make enemies but rather, they wanted to go into the world and offer an alternative to the finality of death through the sacrifice of the Son. Mission is all about communicating the eternal promise of hope to a world in dire need of hope.

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. John 12:44-47 NLT

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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First Aid

For over a decade, I have provided training for first aid to a variety of groups. The groups are very diverse, but one thing remains constant, all who attend are preparing themselves for the future. Many take the course so that, in case of illness or injury, they are prepared to act and assist those in need of help. You see, the definition of first aid, according to St John’s Ambulance is the help given to someone who is injured or ill to keep them safe and to cause no further harm. The role of a first aider is to give someone this help. Tens of thousands of people take on the challenge and the responsibility to care for other’s lives in their time of need every year and are ready to assist when others walk away. At times, those in need are not found in favourable locations. Rarely have I come upon a casualty who is found in a warm, comfortable location. Most of the time, I am doing first aid in the rain or snow, it’s cold and I get very messy. In the end, though, the person comes through it all and learns to be a bit more careful going forward; usually.

There is a parable in the Book of Luke in chapter 10 that talks of first aid.

30 A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

³¹“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³²A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

³³“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

³⁶“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

³⁷The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” NLT

Consider this in all you do each day, should you come across anyone in need of physical, emotional or spiritual assistance, are you ready and willing to lend assistance when asked? Are you trained to provide first aid for those who are reaching out in fear or pain? Are you equipped to be there when needed? The question we all need to ask is this, what do I need to do to help my brother or sister who is in need?

This weekend, I am teaching first aid to a group of youth in Calgary, but we look forward to hearing from Rev. Glenn Reeder who will bless us with a wonderful message. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessings,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Relationship Through Grace

The other day, I was pondering the question of an unconditional relationship. You see, there have been occasions where, out of the blue, events of the past have been brought back to awareness and it is usually when others are around to witness it. Now, for those who brought it up and for the subject person it is old news from the past and probably had been put to rest way back when. For those who were just made aware, it is fresh news, and their opinion of the subject person is usually tainted. It could have happened twenty years earlier but to someone fresh into the conversation, it could have been yesterday. In my opinion, if forgiveness has been asked, remorse has been expressed, let the waters of forgiveness wash over it and cleanse it away. So why do others feel it necessary to resurrect the past? Is it to garner power over another? Is it to embarrass or cut someone down? Is it to deflect attention from one's own deficiencies by putting a light on someone else’s? And what if this person is a close friend who continues to bring up the past in awkward moments? I tell you the truth (one of my favourite Christ sayings), this is not a way to maintain a relationship, and yet so many people put up with it. So, what can we do about it?

Consider teaching people about the truth of Grace, Grace means forgiving and loving a person unconditionally, in fact, it is extending perfect forgiveness when it is not deserved, you know, the kind Christ extends to us all. I had a person bring up my, not so pristine, past a few times in certain situations that could have caused embarrassment, but I reminded my brother in faith that my past has been forgiven by the one who counts. My past shaped me but it is my faith that defines me now.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption...

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Eph 4:21-24, 30-32. NLT

We invite you to join us this Sunday as Pastor Todd explores this Ephesians passage. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Rest and Recovery

Years ago, I was asked to take a break from ministry while I went through some personal issues. I was incensed because I felt like I was being fired, let go, sent out into the boat without an oar, without any life preservers. I tried very hard to get anyone to listen to me, to listen to my plight. Nothing had changed except the fact I was having to deal with an issue, but I could do that and my job without any added stress. In my humble opinion, the people who were telling me to take a break had no clue what they were talking about, I knew better because I understood more than they, just how much I could handle. The scripture in Proverbs tells us not to lean on our own finite understanding but rather to trust in the Lord in all things. At the time, I was fooling myself and it completely clouded my judgement and understanding. You see, God knows these things and, when we are not listening, He uses others in our lives to speak into our situations.

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isa 40:30-31 NLT

The incident was almost a quarter century ago and today, I am called on to help others who were, or are, dealing with similar issues. So here is to walking alongside those who are hurting or are feeling overwhelmed, taking time to listen to what they are saying and lean on the wisdom of God to know what to do and how to be there for them. I can attest that when we are in that place where we feel we can deal with it and start getting defensive when others offer to assist, the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit seems to take a back seat to self. I got hit with this over twenty years ago when my stubborn streak kicked in:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Pro 12:15

I may not be the wisest man but I do lean on the promptings of the greatest wiseman going and He says wait and rest, let Me show the way, who am I to argue? Today, I am thankful for the wonders God has provided me, my family, my calling and the gifts of the Spirit. I am also very thankful for the time away to refresh and renew. I did not know just how tired I was and, even though there were signs, I thought I was doing very well. This has opened my eyes to the fact I was a bit overwhelmed but had become blind to the reality the stress was having on not only myself but also my family and my faith family. Wise counsel suggested a rest, God provided.

All this to say thank you for not only the break but also for the opportunity to reset and reorganize my life and ministry plus I would also like to thank our faith gathering for all they did to keep His message front and center. I look forward to seeing you all again this coming Sunday where we will join together in praise and worship to a mighty God.

We invite you to join us as we welcome back Pastor Todd from Sabbatical. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Fear of the Unknown

There are so many people out there who have abandoned hope in a loving and gracious God who created all things, watches over all creation and genuinely cares for every person on this planet. They have abandoned their faith in the promises of an eternity in Glory for a future that holds little in the way of life beyond the grave. I would like to tell you what I believe in and why. First, I do believe in a loving and caring Lord who has created each and every one of us. He has designed us perfectly and in His image, the image of love. We are, each of us, social people that desire the loving relationship of those around us. God created Adam and Eve for the purpose of relationship and, when they went against His will, He did not destroy them but rather He did what many parents do when a child errs, He punished them, but He still watched over them. Today, many have abandoned God, but like in those days long ago, He has never left us.

Secondly, I believe that God has prepared a place for us in Glory and that we should have no fear of death. I recently lost a dear friend, and while it hurts that she has left us there is a joy in knowing she has passed into His Heavenly realm. She knew what her future held and was always quick to tell others that she was looking forward to being with those loved ones who passed before her. Her hope was in the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. You see, Christ went before to prepare a place for us all and while some have lost that understanding or have abandoned that hope, the promise is still very valid, and it was known and written down long before He was even born.

In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world.

It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.

There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people.

The Lord has spoken! Isa 25:6-8 NLT

Finally, even though I cannot fully support the thoughts or beliefs of those who deny my God, I will not mock them or berate them because the choice to follow is a personal decision. I can only plant the seeds of His message and pray that there will come a time when they will see His light. And for those who mock us for our faith in God, relax, like I said, the choice is yours to believe or not. I do not fear the end because it is not the final resting spot, it is the doorway to a future in eternity.

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Don’t Stop Too Soon

Was watching a video the other day that brought a scripture to mind.

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Phil 3:12-14 NLT

Many, many years ago, I would run 10K races, and, while I was not in the upper echelons of the racing elite, I generally finished in the middle of the pack. At the very beginning I was very excited and eager to get the race underway, but it did not take long for the negative thoughts to start entering my mind. At the start, I tended to struggle to find my pace because I wanted to stay with the pack, later I would start analyzing the various stitches and spasms wondering if I was even going to make it through the race. As it got later into the race, thoughts of “why even try” or “you’ll never be as good as these other guys” crept into the fray and, yes, there were moments where I considered just giving up, one time was when I was only a few hundred yards from the finish. So, the question remains, why even try?

The video I watched was about an elite racer who was rounding the final corner on a longer race and had a commanding lead. He did not see another racer making a mad dash for the lead and, on the final fifty or so yards, he started to celebrate, waving to the crowd. With only a couple yards to go, the second-place racer who was leaving nothing to spare, flew past the leader and won the race by inches. Now, none of us is perfect, and there are occasions where we might set the cruise control on and just coast along with the blinders on, or doubt can creep in and set our minds into a protectionist mode, or, in this case, we can lose focus and we get passed over.

Life can be like a 10K race as can our faith walk. At the beginning, there is an excitement that is indescribable. We are at a quicker speed than we may want to be, but we are only trying to keep up or, in some cases, catch up. While there are numerous stages along the way where we can hydrate and receive some nourishment and encouragement, there are those times when we start to focus on the wrong things or just settle into a comfortable pace and let things happen as they do. “I’m saved, that works for me” or “look at all the people waving and cheering for me, I’m on my way!” That time where I was about to give up with only a few hundred yards to go, I lost focus on what was just beyond the finish line. A voice in my mind screamed “finish strong, there is rest on the other side of the line!”

The journey to glory is fraught with so many pitfalls and challenges, but there is always an encourager in our corner cheering us on. Just like in the 10K, there are always people around you cheering you on and the Lord is always at your side. As I came upon others who looked like they were struggling, I was able to pour into them and be an encouragement. We all need to lean on each other and our faith because none of us is perfect. Press on through the finish line, there is rest on the other side.

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Look At Me!

Hypothetical situation; let’s say there is someone out there who takes every opportunity to toot their own horn so they are considered indispensable and should be adored for their contribution to the success of a project. They spend more time maneuvering their position through self-glorifying conversations and boastful actions to promote their own ideation of self-worth. Combine this with their need to stay at the top by downplaying the contribution of those around them and you have the making of a very fragile team dynamic. You see, if those who are relying on the accuracy of the person who is acting in a very self-serving manner, more focused on self over the whole, they come to discover the message was false, the whole team can suffer and even break once the truth comes to light. Remember, this is only hypothetical, but I have not only run across this in a variety of situations but have been guilty of being that person at times. I can say this, true strength of leadership through a servant attitude does not come from a boastful position but rather from a position of support and care of one who is dedicated to the community rather than self.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:18-20 NLT

All power and authority is given as a gift from God to go out into all nations baptizing and teaching in the name of the Lord, not in the name of the individual. Be careful of those who teach and preach but do so to bring glory to self over the Almighty. The Truth is for the benefit of the whole of creation and not for the glorification of any one individual. There was not one specific disciple singled out in this message from Matthew 28, they all had the same message to relay to the world. In 1 Cor 15:9- 10 NLT, Paul even claimed that;

“...I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”

So here is a thought, when it comes to dealing with those who are focused on self over the needs of the whole, let them boast and yammer on because the truth will be revealed. For me, I have come to understand that I am not in this for the recognition of self but to glorify God in my words and actions, addressing the needs of those in our community.

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 2 Cor 10:12-13 NLT

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

When I look back on my career in management, I can remember using the line “where do you see yourself in five years” as not only a part of yearly reviews, but also in the interview process. In the review process, it served as a tool to not only find out an individual’s outlook for the future, but also see if their goals or focus had changed. You see, as we get older, sometimes our goals shift and it is a good thing to occasionally look at our focus in a new light. Now, for a person in an interview, this question can be a bit of a setup because I used it as an opportunity to see if the candidate did their homework. I was hiring for entry level positions, and I was focusing on succession planning for the future. If the candidate did their homework, they would know what things would be available to them and what it could lead to. I giggle at the thought of me asking that question in the fall of 2019. What would you say to a person if they replied, “I see myself sitting at a kitchen table in pajama bottoms and a shirt and tie with a fake background answering questions in a virtual meeting at my home”? How about if the answer was this, “I see myself retired, doing projects around the house, listening to the Guess Who, and sipping coffee”?

To tell the truth, I was getting rather tired of asking people “where do you see yourself in 5 years” because it was usually the same rehearsed answers that changed like the sands on a beach. I do have my own plans for the future and am working towards setting up for retirement, but I have come to the realization over these past few weeks while working with a couple of Padres in Cold Lake, that retirement is only a small aspect of my future. You see, while Chaplain Tony and I were chatting about the next few years, and I shared with him some of my thoughts about moving forward into the “Golden Years”, he pointed out that we never truly retire from our calling. This got me thinking about the future in a whole new way. You see, I was making plans for the future, but I was not leaving room for His will in my life. We are all messengers of the Truth, and we need to remember this is a life calling, not just something for a time. This bit of scripture popped out at me and has changed my way of thinking. It is not about where we see ourselves in five years but rather where we see ourselves when the race has been run.

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Phil 3:12-16 Msg

So please do, go forward and make the plans, and when you are asked about where you will be in the next five years, be confident in saying that you will be serving the Lord in whatever capacity He sees fit. I wonder how that would go over in a job interview? Maybe I will give it a try should I be asked that at some point in time, it could be a rather interesting conversation starter. Remember, in all things praise His name, give thanks for the time He has provided us and serve Him with all you are until the day the race is over and He calls you home. That is where I see myself in the next five, ten or twenty years.

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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What a Day That Will Be

At the end of June, I said goodbye to my wonderful wife as she hopped in the car to head to the airport. A few hours later, she arrived in Nova Scotia to visit with her family and the very next day I jumped into my vehicle and headed northeast to start my six-week tasking at the Cold Lake Training Centre. We left our pups in the very capable hands of our good friend who was watching over our house and for the past five and a half weeks, I have been missing Natalie, my pups, and my friends terribly. As a part of the Wellness Team here on base, we have helped many overcome the pains of separation from friends and family. Over time, the pain of separation has slowly subsided and those here have started to form strong bonds with others and, I fear, there will be many tears shed when we all depart for home at the end of the week. Once again, these feelings of loss will subside as we gather with our friends and family once again and things start to return to a bit more normal. Here is the important thing, we will never forget those whom we have shared a bit of our lives with or built relationships with. When we see them once again, there will be a time of sharing and then we go on once again. I am looking forward to being back with my wife and friends once again but until then, we relish the times we can talk and share over the phone.

So, consider this, how much does our Saviour’s heart earn to be with us in person? He was with us, in person, for a brief time and the bonds He created in that time were incredible. In that time, He built relationships that not only were for a time but were for all eternity and even though I have not met Him in person, I know Him in Spirit. I know His loving touch, I have felt the wave of love roll over me and through me that day I fully got it, the day I asked Him to come into a personal relationship with me. I can still remember that day. The tears rolled down my cheeks as I came to fully understand just how much He loved me and cared for me. And even though I have never met the Man in the flesh, I know I could not walk away from Him, not even for a moment. There are times when I do not feel close to Him, but I know He is near to me, He has never left me and all I need to do is pick up the Holy phone (go to prayer) and have a great conversation with Him. I know He waits for me, for us all, and we will one day know Him, touch Him, and experience His perfect love for us.

What a day that will be,

When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be. Bill and Gloria Gaither

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Sorry

Two children playing happily in the back yard when suddenly an ear-shattering scream is heard followed closely by another and two kids come running around the corner of the house, both in tears, both trying to get the story out before the other. I am sure there are those out there who know this scenario or who live it on a daily basis. There are as many ways to deal with this as there are parents and grandparents on this planet. For some, they separate the two combatants, go calm down the one and then go to the other, calm them down and proceed with a negotiated settlement that sees them return to a state of play. When my brother and I acted out, we were sent to our rooms to think about it and not come out until we were allowed. One thing was very common in that we were told to say sorry for what we did. There were also times when our sorry was as heartfelt as saying thank you for that scratchy wool sweater at Christmas. Now before I get a bunch of emails saying they liked that scratchy sweater at Christmas let me say this – you were one of the few. So, to continue, my parents would make me say it over if they felt it was not heartfelt. There is sorry, then there is sorry (I am going to be grounded for a month if I don’t choke this out) and then there is the heartfelt “I AM SOOOOOO SORRY” that also includes ugly cry and those hiccup sobs.

Let’s bring this back to church. How many times have you been hurt at church and the pain is so bad you leave and then blame the church for it? For the sake of honesty, I can admit that there are times when it happens to me, and I feel like just walking away. Happened just before I was supposed to preach, and I had to leave. I did come back in time to speak (the subject was joy) and, while the person that caused me to burst into tears was absolutely oblivious to what they had done, I was crushed. Later, a friend who had noticed what happened, and realized the effects of the treatment, made mention and they were told that is not what was meant. The apology came a few days later (I was not expecting it) and went something like this; “I am sorry you took it the wrong way but...”. Where am I going with this? Glad you asked. Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive others who trespass against me. I did change it slightly to personalize it but here is the truth. Forgive like you have been forgiven and do so with an open heart. Ask forgiveness with that gut wrenching, ugly cry, deep down hiccup sob request and on the flip side, forgive with tears of joy and full-on heart embrace that says, “it's all good”. You see, relationships can be destroyed because our own pride gets in the way of seeing past the faults of others. I am not perfect, and I can upset other people. It is the last thing I want to do but it does happen and the best thing I can do is to ask forgiveness and not find a way to deepen the chasm with the word “but”. Why not forgive as you have been forgiven? What is the outcome of all this? A deeper relationship within our community and a blessing of Peace.

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Not Everyone Is a Believer

So, as you may or may not know, I am away from home at an air force base in northeastern Alberta. There are so many people on this base from so many different ethnicities and they all have such an array of religious or non-religious backgrounds. I could go down several paths with this article, but I want to focus on one thing; we are all God’s creation whether we know it or not. Earlier in the day, my cohort and I were discussing the big bang theory and the creation and, while our ideologies are very compatible, we did have our own opinions. My thought is this; while evolutionists conclude that all life came from a massive explosion of a small and finite amount of matter which produced an infinite and massive universe that continues to expand and will do so until sometime in the near or infinite future when it may or may not collapse in upon itself. I do not want to get too deep into this but will say this, according to Antoine Lavoisier in 1789, “Matter can change form through physical and chemical changes, but through any of these changes matter is conserved. The same amount of matter exists before and after the change—none is created or destroyed. This concept is called the Law of Conservation of Mass.” My questions regarding this are where did the original matter come from and what was the “spark” that set it all off. Secondly, if something that massive and that hot was the start of all life, how did the organic material survive?

Let me throw this out there as a possible answer; In the beginning God created... Gen 1:1. You want the spark to the start of all that is, God created it. Intelligent design, He has a thought and a purpose and He created the universe and it was, in my opinion a very large bang, He created the heavens and the earth and all the stars in the sky, He took the time to place the earth just where it needed to be, He set up the perfect amount of water and air required, prepared the dry earth for food and animals and then God created man, in His image. He set the foundation for life, He created life and He then created man and woman. From Adam and Eve came all mankind and we are all one in the Father, the creator of us all. Not everyone believes this, not all will proclaim this but, truth be told, it makes much more sense in my mind that a chance encounter of a series of proteins that somehow survived a cataclysmic event and through some miracle, sorry, evolutionary event, became a sentient life form, survived the harshness of a very inhospitable environment, and somehow formed complex organisms that eventually became human beings. Here’s a heads up for those who follow the theory of evolution, not everyone is a believer of this. I, for one, can appreciate the differences in our understandings and beliefs and I will never force my beliefs on anyone. It is my calling to inform others as to what I believe to be truth and also to respect the ideology of others. I try to keep an open mind just as I hope others would to my ideas and beliefs. We all do not have to fully buy into the thoughts or beliefs of each other nor do we need to fight wars over our differences, we simply need to respect each other and, as in all things, keep an open mind to the opinions of others.

I have learned so much from listening to others in my time here and am grateful for the added knowledge and wisdom they have shared with me. We are all family on this rock that circles the sun at an incredible speed and for that I am truly humbled and grateful.

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Who Is the Fool

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. Pro 17:27-28

I know I have written about this before on a few occasions but there are times when we all, me included, need to be reminded that there are times to speak and there are times to shut our pie holes. Prime example, I was watching a show the other day and was in one of those moods where I was hypercritical of the message being delivered. It was a comedy show but for some reason I was watching it like it was real and was getting rather upset at one actor. You see, the protagonist was asked a question regarding his opinion and, if memory serves correct, the antagonist interrupted him and told him that was not right and that this is how it really should be. The protagonist was very patient regarding the interruption and when he was given the chance, he continued with his opinion. He was interrupted on numerous occasions and when it came time to provide an illustration, he could not even get through the story and the antagonist was interrupting with a “better story” than the one the protagonist was telling. I know these are actors and it was a simple skit, but I have lived through discussions like this, and I am embarrassed to admit, I was the antagonist on many occasions in my youth.

When I got into ministry, my mentor who is a very patient and loving person, took me off to the side and suggested I read Proverbs 17:27-28. I read it though a couple of times but really didn’t see the significance of the verse as it pertained to me but over the years, I have come back to it numerous times and have often quoted it under my breath on numerous occasions. Abraham Lincoln was thought to have said “Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt” This, combined with the Proverb was the turning point to my life, I concluded that if you ask for my thoughts or opinions on something, tell me I am wrong and then proceed to relentlessly carry on, I will let you have your rein so you can keep on galloping ahead. Following scripture, I will simply remain silent, smile and nod and I may even let you know that I have never heard it presented like that before. You see, I am trying to be wise and understanding, and I figure if I keep my mouth shut, I can keep a ton of people guessing and I will be able to reduce some of the stress in my life by avoiding useless arguments. Does it work every time? No, it doesn’t but I am not perfect, just forgiven.

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Farewell For Now

Farewell my friend but it is only for a time, not forever. It has been a while since I saw my friend Walter but I want to tell you a bit about him. You see, he had a big smile and an even bigger heart. I would see him at church and his joy was infectious. You could not help but smile when he was around. I cherished those times he would share his nature pictures on Facebook, such wonderful glimpses into the world just outside his back door. At the church gatherings, it was truly wonderful to chat with him and hear the love of God communicated through his words and actions. While I won’t see him again on this earth, I look forward to seeing him once again in Glory. Such a wonderful thought that one day we will be able to see those who have left before us in Heaven. I do have to say this, there are those who will say that I am a fool for believing in a fallacy, in a myth but I have to say this, I have faith in a magnificent and wonderful Saviour and in His promise. My response to those who mock is simple; am I hurting you with my faith? If not, pump the brakes, step off my belief and continue on your merry way. You see, my faith in a living and loving God is just that, mine. I don’t hurt you or force you to believe but if you do want to ask the questions and ponder, I will gladly sit and chat...just like Walter and many others like him.

There is a parable about three men who were given a task of taking care of the master’s wealth and how the one servant took the time to grow the wealth over time and when the master returned, there was an increase and this was good. I want to challenge you to think about the things God has entrusted us all with; His Message. We have not been tasked to save the world but rather to share the love of God and the message of grace to all around us as we come into contact with them, We don’t need to slay the mighty giant with a stone or part the sea with a stick but rather spread the Word of God and see the fruits grow for the Master. I only hope one day there will be those who will say that I planted the seed of faith in their heart and they found salvation because they heard the Good News. For me, however, what I want more than that is to hear my Master say, “well done, oh good and faithful servant.” Those who mentored me, who took time to share the Message and help me better understand His Word, like Walter, I am certain they were met at the gates of Glory by the Saviour and heard those words from Him directly. Praise God for faithful servants!

The Main Avenue service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Days Are Getting Shorter

Once we pass June 21, our days start to get shorter and shorter. I have stood on a balcony in the far north and watched the sun dip down to the horizon and then come right back up moments later. It never did get dark that day and I was truly amazed. There is a downside to this however, in the winter, it gets super dark for a very long time. It is hard to stay super positive when you are lacking enough light to keep the Vitamin D levels up. You see Vitamin D is critical in helping the body to absorb and retain both calcium and phosphorus, both essential for building strong bones.

Also, laboratory studies show that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections and reduce inflammation. Many of the body’s organs and tissues have receptors for vitamin D, which suggest important roles beyond bone health, and scientists are actively investigating other possible functions…Vitamin D production in the skin is the primary natural source of vitamin D, but many people have insufficient levels because they live in places where sunlight is limited in winter, or because they have limited sun exposure due to being inside much of the time. (Harvard TH Han https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/)

Vitamin D is the “sunshine vitamin” and without it, we would not have the vital foundation required to do the amazing things we want to accomplish.

As the world gets smaller and smaller through the instant communication network that is social media, conspiracy theories, cancel culture, public shaming and negativity seems to rule the web and many conversations, on a daily basis. No wonder depression and mental disorders are so prevalent in our culture because there is so much darkness in all aspects of our daily lives. The darkness that is out there is widespread because the world wants us all to focus on that instead of the Truth that is the Light.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

Why is this message so scary? Jesus did not come to the world to condemn but rather to save, to bring Light into the lives of all. It is a message of love and kindness, peace and joy. This is a message of caring for others and keeping the Light front and center. Even though the world wants for itself, Jesus came to chase out the darkness and conquer death for all. So, for a time, the lovers of the darkness have their time but, in the end, the Light will destroy the darkness and He will prevail. As Harvey Dent said in the Dark Knight “The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.” Jesus will return, be ready and be vigilant. When the time is right, He will come and chase away the darkness forever. Praise the Lord!

The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Can We Pump The Brakes?

This sabbatical has been good for me but it has also opened my eyes a bit more. You see when one focuses on the needs of the faith gathering for the majority of the time, one tends to be somewhat blind to the needs of the greater community around us and the warnings contained in Scripture. I was perusing the internet for scripture paintings and art that I could possibly purchase for my office when I came upon one that grabbed my attention. The more I read it and read around it, that is the passages before and after, and I realized this was a message that needed to be studied and broadcast to the world.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Tim 3:1-5 NLT

Many will call those who stand on the street corner packing signs and pamphlets that declare “the end is near” yet two thousand years ago, Paul was telling Timothy what the end days would look like. There will be even harder times coming unless we, as a faith community, take a stand and ask the world to pump the brakes on selfish attitudes and shift the focus off dangerous and divisive self-centred desires and shift the paradigm to one of love and unity in Christ. While the world looks for ways to promote distinctiveness, Jesus promotes unity and peace.

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. 1Tim 2:5-6 NLT

Over the next two and a half months, I will be focused on Paul’s message to Timothy and will start a series on the epistles to Timothy.

The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Church Is Not About the Speaker but the Message

A while back, I attended a service where the person beside me was chatting rather loudly with regards to the preacher. The conversation mainly focused on the delivery, the tone of the preacher’s voice, and a variety of other issues that had nothing to do with the message. I even overheard the person say, “if this person becomes more regular in the church, I am looking for another church”. I will admit, I was not all that into the delivery or even the attitude of the preacher, but I did keep it to myself, but I will admit, the message was fully scriptural and right on point. There are some who preach like Rev. Lovejoy from the Simpsons or preach like a wind-up monkey with a set of tambourines but what we need to listen for is the message. Let’s try this on for an illustration.

There are many out there who do not like southern gospel. Some people love the old hymns, some appreciate the new choruses and others a good old fashioned Gregorian chant. Over the past twenty-three years in ministry, I have heard the same complaint with regards to music, “they never play music I like”. Consider this, if I was to pull up some of the worship songs from the days of Christ, not many would really fancy the tunes but think about this, are we there to tickle the fancy of self or are we there to share, worship and celebrate our Lord and Savior. Take some time to look at the lyrics of the Christian songs you like and define the central message of the song. Now, look at song you are not a fan of and analyze the central message presented. Are they the same? Do they celebrate Jesus and encourage a faith in God? Sure, not all messages tickle our fancy but not all of us like the same things in life. My suggestions is this, instead of complaining about the delivery, celebrate the fact that someone has taken time to listen to His Message, that the preacher or worship team has been faithful to present His Message to those who need to hear and celebrate and that they are doing everything they can in a world filled with doubt and confusion to declare the Grace of God. Celebrate God, lift His messengers in prayer and support the faith family through encouragement and uplifting discussions. You see, the evil one’s main tool is chaos, confusion and separation, don’t give into his nasty tactics.

One last thing before I sign off for this week, if the church is missing something like a children’s program or a youth group or even a young adult’s group, don’t walk away going “they have nothing for us here”. Instead, ask around to see if there is an opportunity to start something and then just do it. It takes time and effort to build up the church, don’t wait for “someone” to get the ball rolling, be that “someone”. Remember, Jesus said go out into all nations to share, baptize, and build up the faith community (I paraphrase). He did not say go out and find a group that is already up and running that suits your needs.

The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Build It Up

I was watching a show the other day about engineering mistakes and some of the consequences. There was a building that was erected on rather sketchy ground, and after a couple of earth movements, it began to shift. Over a few months, it had shifted enough that the experts were convinced it would soon fall down and cause major issues to the buildings around it. The decision was made to bring it down. It took a week to figure out how to implode it safely and a couple seconds to bring it to the ground. Had the engineers taken some time to work up the plans better, research the area better and build up the foundation even more, the building would not have failed and had to be taken down. There are numerous examples of buildings falling down due to people not taking the time to fully appreciate the situation and working on ways to build up the foundation on the way to creating something of beauty. It does take more effort in the planning stage, but the results are evident in the end.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Eph 4:29 NLT

It takes only a moment, a slip of the tongue, to bring down a person. I have, unfortunately, been on the delivery end of some hurtful comments and, even though I have taken time to apologize for my error, my words/actions still haunt me to this day. It takes time to slow up, think about what we are about to say and rework the message to build one up rather than lash out and take the feet out from under someone. When we use foul or abusive language (hurtful remarks), it is like setting dynamite at the base of a building and letting it go off and rarely does the person who pushed the button stick around to clean up the aftermath. It does take time to think our way through a thoughtful way to build someone up and invest in them so they become all they can be. How much richer is the community when we seek ways to build each other up rather than take the lazy way out and tear down those around us?

As a person who has the legs taken out from under him on numerous occasions, I can tell you the names of every person who has taken the time to help me up, dust me off and encourage me to go forward with a new outlook and strength. To those people, I give you thanks. To the ones who did not, I forgive you completely.

As I am on sabbatical for the next three months, these articles will still be coming out because it is an opportunity for me to share what God lays on my heart. We invite you to gather with us at 10:30 a.m. to explore His love and His message for our hearts through His messenger Rev. Bob Hillock. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Living on the Edge

You know, one really does not fully realize just how close to the edge of the cliff one is walking until you look back and see how close you were. Last week, I was out in the back country and we hiked up to the top of a rather large hill. If I was to name it like it felt, I would have called it a medium sized mountain. It took a bit of time to actually get up to the top (except for two intrepid mountain goats whom shall remain nameless who went straight up) because we were being cautious and were zig-zagging our way to the crest. There was deadfall on the path, some rather tricky parts on a side slope but we made it right to the summit. One of our hikers had a slight sprain and I took a bit of time to assess the ankle and, while I was doing so, someone snapped a picture and showed it to me. Now generally I am a fairly safe person but I did not realize just how close to the edge I was sitting because I was more focused on the needs of the other person. Another thing I did not notice was there was another person close beside me who was, it appeared, watching to make sure I did not go for a tumble. You see, this cliff behind me was a rather large drop with basically nothing on the face to arrest a fall and, when I looked at it from the bottom on our way up, it was a shear rock face. I am very grateful for the fact that someone was watching my back while I was helping another.

So this leads me to part two. We can burn the candle at both ends at times and, as we get used to the pace, we can get quite comfortable with that pace but forget to take a look around us to see what all is being affected. Sure, there are things we need to do and other things we are expected to do but there is a time when we need to stop, take a look at what all is around us and assess our surroundings. It may seem that we have it all in hand but when we stop to take a look, we see the damage that is in our wake. An eight-hour day turns into a nine-hour day and then into a ten-hour day. There are not enough hours in the day so Saturday becomes an option. Suddenly the family and friends start to feel neglected and out come the excuses. “Just let me push through this on the weekend and next weekend we will go to the beach”. The beach never happens, more promises get broken, and the stress begins to affect the health of not only the individual but also the relationships around us. For those going to church or participating in faith activities, it becomes a thing that can be whittled away to make time for other things and it just keeps spiralling out of control. The most important person who can speak into this chaos is the one who is getting pushed to the back of the priority list. Scripture states that He will never leave us or forsake us yet we are the ones putting up the wall and shutting Him out. Ask yourself this, has the time come to do a re-org and re-prioritize life?

As I write this, I am in day one of my sabbatical and have already been warned to take a break, a real break and re-org life. They took away my phone and distributed my responsibilities to others who are more than capable of handling them. I am in a time of rest and relaxation so that I might renew and rebuild. With God watching over me and my friends and family watching my back, I know I will not fall.

We invite you to gather with us at 10:30 a.m. to explore His love and His message for our hearts. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

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www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Church Is More Than The Building

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a friend regarding the church. It was a common discussion where the person said they were a Christian but the church had hurt them and they stopped attending because of it. Now I can understand being angry with a person or leader of a church, I can even understand if people were upset with the rules of the church but to stop attending because they have an issue with a person is a bit of a stretch in my mind. You see, the church is full of people who are fallible and prone to messing up. Jesus came to allow us all to be on the same footing even though we are, none of us, saints. When the girl in the square was being chastised by the masses by the “clean” members of society, Jesus knelt down, declared “those who are without sin, cast the first stone” and the “righteous” slinked off into the shadows. Here is the key to this, there is not a single one of us who has not caused angst to another but in Christ, we are all family who need to stick together, support each other and forgive as we have been forgiven. It seems simple but it is rather more difficult especially when God is not a part of it.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. Eph 1:19-23 NLT

We are the church, the holy gathering, and we all look to the great I AM for the hope, love and forgiveness. None of us is perfect, none of us is above the other but we are all made complete by the agape love of Jesus. If a person of the church hurts you, spend some extra time and effort to love on them, forgive them and stay in relationship with them because we are only complete when the family is all together.

Blessing,

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Lean On Me

Have you ever had that moment where you think “If I get out of this unscathed, it will be a miracle”? Sitting in a restaurant and someone yelled “stop that guy” and before my brain could register time, place and circumstances I stood up and promptly was run over by a guy who registered on the Richter scale the second he stepped out of bed. The only thing I could think of as I bounced off his chest and rolled backwards down the aisle was “what was I thinking?” I, like so many others, have had numerous moments in life when we get into situations and realize we are well over our heads. Some will scream out to the sky hoping for a lightning bolt to fix the problem while others would rely on their own strength or smarts to find a solution. When the going gets tough, the strongest lean on the Holy Spirit for the strength and fortitude to overcome. When the Holy Spirit is on your side, there is nothing that cannot be overcome.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26-28

I am a strong advocate of the immense power of Holy Spirit and truly believe that our strength comes through Him for He is above all things created and, by the Scripture above, He is making prayer out of our wordless sighs. The details of our lives, the events of our past shape us, our reliance on the Holy Spirit helps us grow in our faith walk and gives us a hope and a strength that is only found in the love of our Lord and Saviour.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

There is power in the Holy Spirit that is beyond our comprehension and knowledge, and I am sure He has acted in our lives more often than we realize. As we pray in the Spirit, seek out His wisdom and listen to His directions, we might learn to sidestep the great monster that is trying to harm us and not get run over by a set of size seventeen shoes.

Blessing,

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Let His Light Shine Through

The last couple weeks we have been talking about the Word of God written on our hearts and challenging each other to live the love of God for all around to benefit from. You see, our faith is one of love and peace. Yes, there are those factions who claim to be of the faith family but, unfortunately, do not live the love of Christ in their daily lives. There will always be peoplewho point out the failures of those who are not in step with God like the gathered who are quick with their cellphone cameras when we have a YouTube moment. Let me throw this out there for an example.

The other day I made a mistake and for the life of me I cannot remember what the error was. It did affect a couple other people and when the slipup was discovered, I did exactly what was expected, I blamed someone else and deflected. Actually, I did the exact opposite. I apologized profusely and took responsibility for the mistake. It did not cost me anything, this error, but it not only made me feel better for living out my faith but it was also a testament for others in that I was willing to name the error, claim the error and seek forgiveness. You see none of us is perfect but we are forgiven, if we seek His forgiveness.

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So, we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:5-10 NLT

Walk in faith, take responsibility for your actions, and make amends by seeking forgiveness. It is not all that hard. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide and follow His directives. You see, God does not set us up for failure but rather watches over us when we do mess up and yes, we will mess up. Great thing about our Saviour, like so many of our real good friends, He will not hold our mistakes over our heads. Praise God for that!

Blessing,

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It’s All About The Heart

The other day, I was thinking about something and before I knew it, it was out of my mouth. Now don’t get me wrong, it was nothing bad, in fact it was not even a word that got me in trouble, it was a sigh.

There have been times when I have said “sorry, did I roll my eyes too loudly” or let out a rather loud guffaw but this past week I got to thinking that this is all an external expression of what is in my heart. We have talked about this before, what is the foundation of our faith? God said that He has written His word upon our heart. Jesus has the perfect message, “love one another as yourself”. Ask yourself this then, would you guffaw, roll your eyes or, let’s kick this up a notch, yell at your friend or family member if you truly loved them. Funny how I was taught that we are the hardest on those we love the most and, in many cases, we will say things to them we would not dare to anyone else. This got me to pondering why? I truly believe, and you can correct me if you want, it is not the mouth that gets us in to trouble but rather the heart. Think about this for a moment, if we were to truly love our neighbour as ourselves or even love our enemy just as much, would we take jabs at them and fan the flames of the anger? I mean Jesus told us “blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9).

This may be an old cliché, but I feel it is the one thing that may be missing in this world. I am talking about “what would Jesus do?” Let’s take this down a parallel path “what would Jesus say and why would He say it that way?” Yes, Jesus did raise His voice a couple times but for the most part, He sought out ways to lift people up rather than let the situation control His heart and temper. The Pharisees were looking for ways to mess Him up, but Jesus’ mouth was in unison with His heart. The woman at the well was waiting for chastising but she found love and compassion in His words. The woman caught in adultery was waiting to hear the judgement of death by stoning and yet Jesus said, “where are your accusers?” This is where His heart shone through when He told her “Then neither do I, go forth and sin no more”. What is in the heart, I feel, is what guides our mouth in the direction of hurtful or helping comments.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Eph 4:29 NLT

Read on further in this chapter because this is where we will be focusing on Sunday. We invite you to gather with us at 10:30 a.m. to explore His love and His message for our hearts. The service will be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.

Blessing,

Pastor Todd MacDonald

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I Can’t Even Walk

There are those out there who are not big fans of Southern Gospel so they may not know the song “I Can’t Even Walk” by Cody Johnson. If you get a chance, Google the lyrics or search the song on YouTube because the message is so appropriate for today. You see, the world is reaching out and seeking answers to the issues that constantly bombard us every single day either on the news or in our daily lives. Last week, I asked the question “do you know of Jesus or do you know Jesus? There is a huge difference in that one single word. Consider the passage from John 12:44-47.

For those who know of Jesus I say this, even the devil knows of Jesus but that does not mean that he has put his trust and faith in the Lord. If you know Jesus, if you have put you hope and faith in Him and Him alone, if you have given over your life, your whole heart is with Jesus and you trust Him completely, you know the power and grace of our precious Saviour. This is when we all realize that we need Christ to walk with us, to give us strength, to show us the way. As the song says:

I thought I could do a lot on my own. I thought I could make it all day long. I thought of myself as a mighty big man but I can't even walk without you holding my hand.

If I put my trust in the world, the world will try to guide me in the way that it wants for it’s own benefit but if I put my trust in the Lord, He will guide my path in the direction that will benefit both myself and those around me. You see He wants us to be with Him in Glory, when the time comes. He will show us the path that will work best for our journey to Heaven and, through the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened and lifted along this journey. You see, I can’t even walk without Him holding my hand. There are big mountains and wide valleys that will provide some tough obstacles and that is a guarantee. The position of strength is on our knees in prayer, when the journey gets too rough. Reach out and let Jesus take you by the hand, let Him give you the strength to carry on, the wisdom to deal with the issues of life and the focus to keep on His path.

There is a friend who just found out some terrible news. When we lose someone close and are left alone to wonder why, we can seek out comfort and care from friends plus we can take time out to pray for guidance and strength from the One who can truly comfort. I pray for His love to ease the burden, His wisdom to be able to come alongside others who are grieving and the strength to overcome the loss. Jesus is with us at all times and always is on the ready to take our hand in these difficult times.

We will be gathering Sunday at 10:30 to celebrate Christ’s love for each and everyone of us. Service will be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB.

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Do You Remember?

Do you know Peter Ostrum? Mr. Ostrum is a veterinarian in Glenfield, New York. He graduated from Cornell in 1984 and went into practice shortly afterwards. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio and Hunterdon, New Jersey. In 1987, he married Loretta Lepkowski, and they have two children. An ordinary man living an ordinary life. His son, Leif, is an up-and-coming actor in his high school and may be following in his father’s footsteps. Do you know who he is yet? His one and only role was that of Charlie Bucket, the sweet loveable kid in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He had a wonderful relationship with Gene Wilder who, for five months, mentored young Peter during the filming. An ordinary kid who did an amazing job for a brief period but his contribution to the arts has a long-lasting effect on millions of people. Here is the thing, there is a whole generation who do not know Peter Ostrum as Charlie because the show was remade and the new Charlie was played by Freddie Highmore, better known today as The Good Doctor. You see, today, very few people survive the popularity rollercoaster because society is very fickle and to tell the truth, once someone has had their “fifteen minutes of fame,” they can just fade away rather easily.

Do you know Jesus? You know, if I ask that anywhere, most people will acknowledge they know of Him, a few will acknowledge they know Him personally. Like Peter, Jesus had a short public ministry, but His work continues. Peter walked away from the film industry even though they offered him three more films. Peter came back in a different way and continued to do great works in a way that benefits so many. Jesus lived, taught, showed us a wonderful way, and then stepped away momentarily, three days in the grave, and He came back in a new and magnificent way. His return signaled the fulfillment of a promise, He conquered death. After His ascension (His return to the Father in Heaven), His new position as intercessor for us all continues His message of Grace for all who call upon Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Here is my worry for society, just as people forget who Peter was, there are so many who are losing touch with the Saviour. This is the one person none should want to forget about because Jesus is the only way into Glory and to lose sight of Him is like losing the golden ticket.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. ⁷If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:6-7 NLT

And remember this, the story is not over yet for He will return, and none know when that will be. So many claim to know but they are confused. Christ has made it clear that He will return.

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev 22:12-13NLT

Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour? Have you given your life to Him, laid your sins upon the Saviour and asked His grace to be upon you? Do you remember Him because I can assure you of this one fact; He knows you.

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We Shall Never Grow Old

I got up this morning and took a look in the mirror and noticed a few more grew hairs in the beard a couple more wrinkles around the eyes and a few less hairs on the mountain peak. It takes a bit more effort to get out of the chair, I grunt sitting down and getting out of bed sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies when you pour the milk on; snap, crackle, pop! When reading the newspaper, it rather looks like I am playing a trombone and people tend to have to repeat themselves more and more because I am either not paying attention or I can’t hear them. Afternoon scheduling must include a nap time and staying up late means going to bed at 10:00pm. This getting old is for the birds but I tell you the truth, one day this will all come to an end. Yes, there are two things that are assured, death and taxes but death is not the end but rather the new beginning for those who declare Christ as Saviour. You see, Jesus went to the grave, He faced the darkness and He conquered death. On the third day He arose and with that came the fulfillment of the promise, that through Christ we will be with Him in eternity one day. Paul wrote this inspired letter to the church in Corinth:

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Cor 15:50-58 NLT

Our bodies may grow old and weary but every day we grow in the Lord, our souls remain strong and vibrant because the Holy Spirit is with us, filling us to overflowing and giving us a renewed strength as we reach for the eternal prize, eternity in Glory with the great Adonai! I have sat beside some of the greatest faith warriors I have ever known as they come against the wall of mortal life. The body may be failing but their faith is still strong as ever and they face this obstacle with the knowledge and joy knowing the Saviour paved the way for them and they face the new journey with anticipation.

We will be gathering Sunday at 10:30 to hear a wonderful message from Rev Bob Hillock. Services will also be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB.

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Faith of a Mustard Seed

When I start an article, the first item which needs to be addressed is the title. Usually this is not a big deal and, even today, the inspiration came from a daily reading but there was a twist. As I renamed the file it said “saving; faith of a mustard seed”. That got me to thinking about the completeness of the message for the season. Think about this for a moment. Christ had entered the city of Jerusalem, triumphant as the King of kings, and the people cheered Him on and rallied around Him. A few days later, He was falsely accused of crimes against the laws of the Temple, sentenced to death and suddenly the masses were rallied against Him and they turned. Suddenly they were calling for His death and willing to have a known criminal, a ruthless criminal, released back into their midst rather than have Christ set free. Their faith in Christ being the Messiah was replaced by doubt and fear, even His closest friend had turned away and departed. Just like Peter stepping out of the boat in faith, the second they took their focus away from Christ, they began to sink away and disappear.

Christ had told them numerous times to have faith, that salvation faith in the Son of God. Scripture is pretty clear in this.

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more… Matt 12:12

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matt 17:20

But when the people rallied against the Messiah and their hope was left hanging lifeless on the cross, fear for self replaced faith in Christ. The promise, however, was still in place and not even death could silence His covenant, for Christ had already told them the truth.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

The world is in a tough way right now and it is not the first time. Fear, doubt and self-preservation dominates the news, people have lost focus on the Way and now rely on the world to right itself. I hate to say this but the world will not fix itself, only through Christ can there be a love and a peace not available in the world. The time is now to refocus on Jesus, let Him lift you up from the waters of turmoil and set you on firm ground for He is the way, the truth and the light. Let the seed of faith find root in your heart and you, along with millions of others, can make a huge difference in this world. It is time to rally around the Saviour, and in one voice proclaim victory in His Grace, and we will be with Him always.

We will be gathering Friday, April 7 at 10:30 AM for a Good Friday service and then again Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 for an Easter Celebration. Both services will be broadcast online (see links below) or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Avenue W in Sundre, AB.

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Prepare Thee the Way

This is a time of joy, celebration and yet it is also a time of sorrow and loss. You see, this was the day of the coming of the Lord. He came into the presence of the people, the victorious King of all kings and the people sang praises to His name and shouted Hallelujah and recognizing Him as the Messiah.

When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Luke 19:37-40 NLT

Such a fabulous celebration and, as it was foretold in the ancient texts, He arrived as the victorious Saviour, the mighty Son of God on a small colt. For it was written in Zechariah 9:9 NLT:

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!

Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.

He was lifted up as He should have been but, according to the prophecies, He was destined to be betrayed, brutalized and crucified beside the vilest of villains. The Saviour, victorious in life, triumphant over death. He died on the cross so that we would have victory over death through Him. He takes our sins upon Himself and, when we proclaim Him as Lord and Saviour and live for Him, through His grace, we will, one day, join Him in Glory. He went before us to secure our salvation in eternity. The victory won that day was meant for those who knew Him that day and for those who proclaim Christ as Lord of their lives today. Jesus paved the way for us all going forward into eternity. In that, we can truly celebrate.

This Sunday, we celebrate His love for us all in the lead up to Good Friday. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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In What Do You Believe?

So, here are two questions to contemplate; what do you believe in and what symbol represents it? You may question what this illustration has to do with anything but stay with me until the end. The bow tie on a vehicle years ago meant you identified with a particular family, the Chevrolet family. This was a large family that had/has a very large impact on our nation and, yes, they had their opponents. The Ford family was/is also a very large family, and they rally around the big blue oval. Both families, both communities, were and still are very brand loyal and have a very distinct culture within the domestic scene. This is but one example of symbolism in our society and I am sure you can come up with literally thousands of other examples because we all rally behind a symbol as a part of our need to belong to a specific community. These symbols can change over time such as the Canadian flag and it does take time to get used to the change but once we accept the symbol as part of the ethos, it becomes the image of the culture.

Consider this, when Michael Jackson hit it big, the Jackson nation started wearing one white glove, when the Beatles were all the rage, Beatlemaniacs started wearing their hair just like them. The world today knows the swastika as a symbol of death and war when at one time is was actually a symbol of spiritual well-being for the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains for millennia. So let us think about the cross for a moment. Before the death of Christ on the cross, it symbolized a cruel and painful death. There were many crosses, the “X” cross, the pole, the “T” cross but I can guarantee that not a single follower of Christ wore the symbol of death around their necks as jewelry. They followed the Way, identified as His family through word and deed. They led with their hearts, not with spears and swords. Scholars feel that it was not until the 4^th century that the Christian nation actually adopted the cross as the symbol of the faith family. So, here is the question; why does the Christian nation wear the symbol of death, method of death for their Saviour, around their neck? Why is it a symbol on their churches and in their sanctuaries?

The cross is a symbol of hope, the sign of a promise fulfilled. By His death and resurrection, we have a hope of life eternal through His sacrifice. The empty cross is a symbol of His promise fulfilled, death has no hold over Him and through Him we are saved.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isa 53:10-12 NLT

This Sunday, we take a look at the symbolism found during this season of forgiveness and celebrate His love for us all in the lead up to Palm Sunday. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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It Could Be Worse

So, after a very mild January and February, we start off March with copious amounts of snow, minus thirty temps and a snow blower that decides it no longer identifies as a mover of snow. We went from hoping to have a nice mild end to winter to asking the weather broadcaster “what did we do to deserve this?” You know, the cold temperatures are not forever and it truly could be worse. I think of those who are suffering through the cold but they are living in a war zone and have lost all they own, their homes are gone, friends have been killed and there is no end in sight with regards to the hostility around them. The warming trend that signals the start of spring only makes conditions slightly better. Here in Sundre, we are making plans for a yard cleaning once the snow clears, clean the windows of the winter filth and put away the winter clothes. In war torn countries, they are looking to start rebuilding their homes and their lives while still dodging bullets and bombs.

I was chatting with a friend who still has family in the Ukraine and he was telling me that the one thing they are clinging to is the fact God is still with them even in the crisis. Some in this country ask “where is your God in all the chaos” while his family is thankful that God has not left them. They are relying on a compassionate Lord to see them through this crisis and He is their only hope in a time of darkness. When I think of this, I look back to the scripture where David and his cohorts are fleeing the king and are doing everything they can to stay hidden in the very back of the cave (see 1 Samuel 24). God was with them all that day and, when David could have taken the life of his adversary, the wisdom of God prevailed and then He softened Saul’s heart.

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Ps 33:18-22 NLT

When all things look bleak, consider this message from David and hold it to your heart, write it on your heart. When the darkness creeps into life, call on the Light, lean on the wisdom, strength and compassion of Adonai. Think about it; things could be worse. We could be wondering through life with no Heavenly Father to watch over us, with no Saviour to advocate for us, with no Holy Spirit to bless us every moment of the day to see us through. When we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we never walk alone for He will be with us at all times and for all time.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder as Pastor Todd is away for the weekend. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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He Will Never Leave Us Nor Will He Forsake Us!

I heard a story the other day. There was a preacher who walked into a barbershop for a trim and, after a few minutes, the conversation turned to occupations. The preacher told him a bit about his responsibilities at the church and as the conversation went along the barber confessed that he did not believe in an all powerful God. He said that God was a good resource when people were not well informed about the ways of the world, science and such and that now a days no one really needed to believe in something they have never seen. Ancient people believed in many gods such as the Greeks and their belief in the gods of Olympus but since there was absolutely no proof of their existence, they did not exist. He ended the debate with this; “if God exists, why are there so many sick people? Why are there abandoned children in the world or so much suffering and pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

The preacher quite enjoyed the debate and, when it was all over, he paid for the trim and left behind a very nice tip. The preacher walked out the door and noticed a homeless man who was in dire need of a haircut so he brought him into the barber. The preacher then said to the barber “there are no such things as barbers otherwise there would be no one unshaved or improperly quaffed”.

"Ah, but barbers do exist! " answered the barber. "What happens, is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, does exist! What happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

There is strength when we come together in His name and work together to not only alleviate suffering and pain but to also help the world to understand He cares much more than we realize. I believe Paul addresses this in his letter to the Church in Corinth:

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. 2 Cor 1:3-8 MSG

This Sunday, we will look at strength through Christ and discover that God is there with us celebrating in the good times and lifting us up in the bad times. Though many question how a loving God can let bad things happen, we will delve into how He never leaves us alone in the tough times. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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Diversity Is Strength

When it comes to the issues of our day, it seems like there is more focus on the things that separate us then there is on those things that can bring us together. For example, a friend of mine is a huge fan of Levi jeans. He has numerous pairs of Levi jeans, many are purposely purchased for a variety of occasions such as going to a concert or for business meetings. He even has a pair specifically for funerals. Now, another mutual friend of ours is a Wrangler guy and very devout at that. They would argue and kibitz about which company has the best jean, finding fault in everything they could to get the other to make the change. They tried to draw me into the argument once but it was short-lived. You see, my brand, WIOS, Whatever Is On Sale, could be Wrangler, Levi, Costco stretch jeans or thrift store whatever jeans. For the casual observer, it could seem that these two would soon come to blows and I have even witnessed some pipe up and get involved in the discussion. As a counsellor, I sit back and watch the dynamics and, for the most part, the debate degrades into a head butting contest and so many are left with feelings of anger.

Differing opinions, preferences, ideals and beliefs can be very divisive, especially when the people involved are only interested in telling you why they are right and you are wrong or they are not willing to really communicate, that is to both listen & speak. It is when we recognize the value of another’s opinion that we truly grow and the fullness of a relationship strengthens the whole.

Here is another example. My friend had some leftover scrap wood hanging about in his garage. There were several types of wood, a variety of colours and grains. It represents two things in this illustration; diversity and worth. There are those out there who will only use cherry and others who vehemently defend the use of maple for projects. When someone who is looking for beauty and strength in diversity, the thought of combining materials is intriguing, the idea of making something wonderful out of what others would consider scrap is a talent. When people devote time and effort into celebrating diversity rather than putting time and effort into not only seeking out the negatives but also propagating divisiveness, we can revel in the beauty of a united community. My friend took what others saw as scrap, a collection of garbage leftovers, cleaned them up, trimmed them and glued them together making a beautiful cutting board. Had there been an argument as to which wood should have been used or how it should have been put together, I dare say we would not have been privileged to share in the beauty of a one-of-a-kind cutting board made with love and care. Apart, we are nowhere near as resilient as we are bound together in community, strong and beautiful.

This Sunday, we will look at strength in diversity and unity. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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Where Does My Hope Lie?

I, for one, am so glad I do not have to count on the judgement of mankind for my future. There are those out there who would have me put into therapy for my faith in a ghost, in a mythical being who has never before been seen. There are some who would take me off to the side and suggest I keep the whole faith thing under wraps so that I do not bring attention to my beliefs as it could hamper my career. How many times has someone come up to you and suggested that if you would put career ahead of faith, you could be making big money.

“You’re a born leader, why are you wasting your time working part time in a church?”

This was once asked of me. There was a time that honesty and integrity were more important than getting something at any cost. A friend was once told by his boss to get the contract no matter what.

“Do whatever it takes to get that contract.”

He did not get that contract, the owner of the company was not happy and a few days later, my friend was let go. Think about this for a moment. If you placed all your hope in an individual, your future is only as good as your last result. If the head of the denomination was in charge of the Book of Life, how solid is your hope of an eternal life with the Saviour?

“You mess up one more time and I can assure you the gate to Glory will be closed to you.”

Where does my hope lie? Where does our hope lie?

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Ps 51:7-11

Jesus came to save us, not condemn. He brought with Him a hope that no man or woman could offer. By His sacrifice on the cross, He purified us from our sins, He washed us clean. In Him we have a perfect joy because He has healed us. Our sins are forgiven, our hearts are cleaned and, just as He promised, Holy Spirit walks with us every moment of our lives. Our hope is in His promise and not in the temporary promises of mankind. Our hope is in the Lord, and we can truly count on Him forever.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd is on holidays and we are truly blessed to have Pastor Glenn bring us a message. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Where Does Our Strength Come From?

What does it take to start a movement or affect a change in direction? One day, I was looking up at a pile of snow thinking “how am I supposed to shift all this with such a small shovel?” It had snowed all night and well into the morning and there was no sign of it slowing down. So much snow, so much work. It was even worse for many others because their drives were so much longer and much more exposed to the winds and drifts. All up and down the Abercrombie-Granton Road, dozens of driveways with two to three feet of snow and little to no movement from any of the homes. Slowly, figures emerged from the homes, snow shovels in hand, and they began to carve out trails in the fresh snow. Some pulled out snow blowers and made rather short work of their drives while other driveways remained untouched. As driveways were cleared, the community began to come together to tackle the drives that were still in need of clearing. Many of the driveways were owned by seniors in the community who were unable to shovel out. Within a few hours, the drives were cleared, seniors came out to thank the community with fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate and, in the end, all left with full bellies and warm memories.

The strength of the community comes from the loving relationship of the fellowship. Each person looking out for the needs of others, the strengths of the individuals combining to enhance the strength of the whole. We can look at life in a variety of ways. We can stand at the door and look out at the massive piles of snow and feel utterly beaten. We can fear the thought of taking that first step into the unknown questioning our ability to handle the situation and shrink back into our four walls or we can rest in the knowledge that there are those out there who are watching out for us. When all seems bleak, we need to remember there is a loving and compassionate Saviour who watches over us and wants nothing but the best for each of us. He sends help in the darkest of time, gives strength in our times of greatest need and champions for us. There are those who do not know this loving Saviour and rely on their own devices to make it through life’s struggles but I can say this, life is so much brighter when one lives in the love of Jesus and leans on His strength in all occasions. How does this play out in life? Today, even though some thoughtless person decided to take a run at me, I am at peace because my Jesus is in charge and He is my rock. Life on earth is short but life in Christ is eternal, that is what truly matters and that is where my strength lies.

This Sunday, we continue with the series on God’s Provisions; Where Does Our Strength Lie. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Were Does My Strength Come From?

Have you ever had one of those day/weeks/years where it is just one thing after another and all you can think of is “if I can just make it to the end of the day”? I took some time to sit back and think about this issue and realized I was wasting precious time and I needed to get back to work. Where does my strength come from? There is a term out there that is starting to really take off. Quiet quitting is not defined as grabbing your gear from the office and stealthily making an exit out the door for good. This movement is all about taking back the time that the job has been stealing. The issue people are having is that the job is now demanding more and more, and it is robbing so many of quality time with friends and family. They expect you to keep your phone on for texts at all hours, answer work emails as soon as they come in regardless of the hour or even take a phone call from workmates or the boss during the supper hour. At the end of the day, which really is not the end of day, there is little left for the things that are truly important.

Where does my strength lie? Family, friends, faith, all suffer when the world takes so much of our time and leaves us with the dregs. So many are burning out because they are burning the candle at all ends and in numerous spots in the middle. When was the last time you had a day completely to yourself? When was the last time you took a long moment away from the world and focused on a time of prayer and meditation with the Lord? When was the last time you turned off the world and focused on relationships?

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Ps 121:1-4 NLT

My help comes from the Lord, my hope is in Him and for that we are grateful. To rely on mankind is to rely on a finite promise but to lean on the Lord for strength, wisdom and hope is to draw from the infinite source of love. He knew what He was doing when He called for a day of rest, the Shabbat.

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 NLT

Take the time to rest and communicate with the Lord. Take that day of Shabbat to connect with the source of all hope for all who are weary and need rest.

This Sunday, we continue with the series on God’s Provisions; An Uplifting Account Of Christ’s Strength. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Jesus Will Meet Our Needs

I am watching the Chosen online right now and quite enjoying it. One item that struck me had to do with daily life in the disciple’s camp. You see, Thomas was counting the lentils trying to see if they would have enough for the next meal and was coming up short. They were coming into Shabbat and had no time to get anything before the start of the Holy Day and would go hungry before the next opportunity to gather supplies. In the show, the group had gone to temple and Jesus healed on Shabbat and while on their way back to the camp, Peter Simon took up a handful of grain to eat since he was hungry and the holy men demanded to know why Jesus allowed them to gather food on the Sabbath. Jesus pushed back and told them:

I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Matt 12:6-8 NLT

As I pondered this passage, something hit me; Jesus came to offer mercy and not condemn the children of God to a life of servitude to an uncaring Creator. Something many forget is that the duty of the faith gathering is to support those in the faith family, welcome in those who hunger both physically and spiritually and to care for others as Christ cares for each of us. Rules are good but when they overrule the foundational message of Christ, are they for the needs of the faith family or to satisfy the ego of man?

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28

Long after we are all dead and gone, after Christ comes back and all things are made new, Shabbat will be everyday for it will be a time of great rejoicing and rest. Can we not practice that everyday in our daily habits? Rest in Him and He shall make your path straight. As it is done in Heaven, let it be done on earth. Love one another as Christ loves you. Love God with your entirety and let Him give you strength and direction. All of this will make life that much better for us individually and as a community. I challenge you to give it a try.

This Sunday, we start a new series on God’s Provisions; An Uplifting Account Of Christ’s Compassion. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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He’s Got This

Many, many years ago, I remember singing a song called “He’s Got the Whole World, In His Hands”. This song could go on forever and ever because you could add anything to the song and sing about it. He’s got the itty-bitty possum, in His hands, He’s got the great flying squirrel, in His hands, He’s got the ring-tailed mongoose, in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands. We used to have fun seeing what we could include in the song and, yes, it would get ridiculous after a while. I am sure we drove the Sunday School teacher right round the bend, it was a great time of laughing and playing while we were getting a wonderful truth. The truth behind it all is that God does have the whole world in His hands. Even though there are so many atrocities in our world today and it all seems to be heading in a very destructive direction, we can rest assured that He’s got this.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT

God is the One over all things, that is, His creation, the wholeness of the seen and unseen universe (we have no clue how far the universe extends) and the realm of Heaven and earth just to name a few. If you think that He does not have time to look after some of your issues or problems because they are so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, think again. Our Father in Heaven knows every hair on your head and cares deeply for our lives. There is not one person in this creation who fully understands the absolute fullness of God. There are some who will try to place Him in a box but, truth be told, we have no clue at all. His love for us is absolutely perfect to the point that we don’t even have a word that can properly describe the depth of this love. When we suffer, the Son cries with us and the Holy Spirit brings comfort and strength. We are perfectly cared for by Elohim, the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He truly has this all under control and there should be a perfect peace and a hope knowing that fact.

This Sunday, we are excited to welcome Rev Glenn Reeder. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Baruch Haba

Welcome, blessed is the one who comes. Shalom aleichem, peace be with you. Aleichem shalom, peace upon you as well. Here is the question, if you walked into work and were met with this type of a welcome, would your day be looking up? How about Shlam'alokhon -- Peace be upon you in Aramaic. So many ways to welcome, some heartfelt, some are rather sterile. I recently walked into an establishment where the greeter was saying hello to everyone in the exact same way.

“Hi there, how are you doing, that’s great.”

The person ahead of me said “not so good, feeling a little under the weather” and the response was “that’s great, welcome to the store.”

I am wondering if it ever did hit the greeter what the customer had said. There are so many things out there we are just conditioned to say or respond. There are times when those we come into contact with would like to have a chat about how things are going but the other person is simply going through the motions and secretly hope no one will talk to them. I watched as a staff member walked down another aisle in order to avoid a customer. There are times when we all need to have that bit of space or want to avoid any personal interactions but when it becomes the norm, maybe it is time to take a step back, review, refocus and refresh. As life closes in and we start to disconnect from relationships, the trend is to build up walls, hide the pain and wear a mask of false smiles. As the world becomes more weary, it truly starts to feel like we are all alone, fighting against the current and in fear of getting sucked down the drain. Turn to the Lord, for He said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Another way to say that, welcome all of you who are absolutely spent, let Me bring you relief from all that burdens you.

There is something about a heartfelt Baruch Haba B’shem Adonai. When the Saviour calls out and says “take a break, review the things in life that are important, refocus your priorities and refresh in the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit”, are you willing to take on the challenge of letting go the pressures of the world and welcome in the Lord for a time of prayer and communion? Life is too short to spend looking at the walls of the box we have put up to insulate ourselves from the world. Shalom aleichem, peace be with you, His peace bring you comfort and joy. Call upon the Messiah and welcome Him into your life. Baruch Haba B'shem ADONAI - -- blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

This Sunday, we finish up the series on welcoming. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Welcoming

A few years ago, I was at an event where numerous friends had gathered to celebrate the return of a cohort from an injury. He had been involved in a car accident which nearly cost his life. You see John (not his real name) was at a party and had consumed a great deal of alcohol and, as the night came to a close, he tried to find the keys to his car, but a friend had hidden the keys knowing he would try to drive home. They had lost track of John and assumed that he took a cab or walked but that was not the case. John got into the car with another party goer. To make a long story short, they got into an accident and the driver, Steve (not his real name), came out unscathed while John ended up battling for his life with head injuries and multiple broken bones. It took almost a year of rehab for John to recover enough to go back to work and while the scars on his face would still require further surgeries the emotional pain would always be there. Steve: he disappeared and no one really knew what happened to him.

The old crew got back together again to celebrate John’s return to work. The party started off well (no alcohol was consumed) and was completely relaxed and jovial until Steve walked in the door. Many there were thinking what one of the lads shouted “what are you doing here?” You see, the group had blamed Steve for almost killing John and then when he just disappeared, they were really upset. From the back of the room we heard John holler for us to pipe down and asked us to lay off Steve. You see, Steve was arrested on the scene which none of us knew, he confessed to his mistake, did his time, and went into a recovery program immediately upon his release. What none of us knew was that Steve not only realized what he had done but he also reached out to John every day he was in jail and every day he was in recovery. Steve had, on the night of the accident, pleaded with God to spare his friend and when he found out John was expected to live, Steve dedicated his life to Jesus. John, already a man of faith, forgave Steve and their friendship grew over the year. You see, John held firm to the message in the Book of Romans.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26 NLT

John took the time to explain to us that Steve had seen the error of his ways, asked forgiveness, and was forgiven. He built the relationship with John and together, they both healed over time. John could have held Steve’s transgression over his head, but he chose to release John from the bond of his error and John asked the group to let go of their anger towards Steve as well. Holding the past over someone’s head not only hurts the other person but is an anchor that holds us from fully appreciating the freedom of the good life. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

This Sunday, we will examine the gift of forgiveness and what it means to welcome the grace of God. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Welcome To Our House

We have, as a modern western culture, moved so far away from so many great traditions that could, in my opinion, change the way people view and treat each other. Many cultures still have the holy kiss, also known as the brother or sister kiss which signified a desire for there to be a peace and a blessing upon those you meet. Combine this with the traditional greeting of Shalom aleichem – peace be upon you, and the response, aleichem shalom – unto you, peace and it becomes a very personal and intimate greeting of hearts. There is still that type of a greeting, sort of, in our culture but it is guarded at times and was interrupted by the pandemic where people were fearful to come into contact with one another. Relationships and our mental health took a terrible hit with the latter. Greetings are a very complicated thing in western culture. For example, there are rules for the pastoral hug, one arm only and side on. There is also the wave – we just met usually from a distance, the handshake – formal and non-binding on first meeting, the awkward handshake to fist pump – this is where one anticipates and yet is mistaken and, well, it’s complicated. Upon researching this topic, there are hundreds of different styles of handshakes with just as many meanings but the one I like the best is sometimes called the hand hug or the arm wrestle grasp. This is the one where each come together, grasp each other’s hand firmly and pull the other into their personal space for an embrace. This is usually reserved for the closest most trusted friends and family. This is, in my opinion, the modern day version of shalom aleichem.

Where am I going with this? Well, I could go on for pages defining just handshakes and embraces but I want us to consider the most personal of spaces and how we approach the welcoming. I know that not all are comfortable with being so open and vulnerable to greet another with a hand hug embrace at the door of their house or even the church. It is understandable that some are uncomfortable with this but the question is this; do we embrace those who come into the church, the gathering of Christ followers, with the same exuberance that Jesus welcomes us? There are so many out there who fear coming into the circle of faith, into the church, for fear of judgement or retribution yet we were given an example of the pureness of His embrace in Luke 15:20.

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

The son was fearful of judgement and retribution yet the father sat there watching for his return and when it happened he may have shouted “Baruch habaleveytnu: blessed is the one who comes to our home”.

We put up fences to guard our property and keep our families safe, we have attached garages so we can get into our homes without fear, cameras stand sentinel to dissuade trespassers and our property is chained down or locked in sheds so it does not go missing. There is enough fear out there that vulnerability is shielded by distrust and guarded with emotional walls. Jesus says in Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Here is the challenge for us all; on the door of the church, at the entrance to our homes, in our hearts is there a sign that says “Baruch haba leveytnu: blessed is the one who comes to our home”.

This Sunday, January 1, will celebrate New Starts. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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A New Beginning

A few weeks ago, I was doing some work on a project and slipped as I was getting into the truck. I smacked my elbow and shoulder into the door, hit my knees on the metal running board and got all twisted up trying to stop from hitting the ground too hard. I should have just went straight down but, no, I had to try to save myself. One the way home, I kept berating myself for such a dumb mistake and then there was the constant reminder every time I put my elbow on the arm rest or knelt down. There are still moments when I think “if I had only watched my step, this would not have happened” or “if I could go back and do it again, I would not have had those items in my arms and I could have caught myself”. How many things are there in your life that you wish you could get a mulligan for? I would still have all my teeth because I would not have been in the situations where I could lose them. My choice of occupation would have been far different had I listened to my Grandma when I was a child. I would still be in my then new Cavalier rather than the ol’ busted car I replaced it with after the accident. After these incidents and accidents, there was a moment when the thought “if I could just get a do-over, things would be so much better.”

So many people will, on New Year’s Eve, make a promise to do better, to resolve to be nicer to others, get in better shape, to turn over a new leaf, a new beginning. Now, there is nothing wrong with making New Year Resolutions but let’s face it, many do get broken before the month of January even closes out. There is, however, something we can resolve to do that would have a long-lasting even eternal affect on our lives. A week before New Year’s Day, we celebrate the birth of the Great Redeemer, the Savior of us all.

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:12-14

This is the promise of a new beginning with an eternal consequence, and I mean that in the most positive way. When we make the conscious decision to acknowledge our brokenness, to believe the power of Christ and to confess our sins to Him, that is the moment of a wonderful new beginning. A friend of mine only came into the church when there was a lunch going on and never came in for the service. He later told me that he did not feel clean enough to be in the service and we helped him to realize that this faith family wanted only to love on him and include him in the family. At some point in time, something clicked for him and he realized that his place was with the family and from that moment he rarely missed a service until the day of his passing to glory. His new start was not by the hand of man but the power of the Spirit in his life. He is with our Savour and one day we will be reunited but until that day, I, for one, celebrate new beginnings and new opportunities.

This Sunday, January 1, will celebrate New Starts. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Love, the Ultimate Declaration of Vulnerability

Do you ever wonder why some of the biggest hurts in life come from our family members? Why is it that some of the harshest arguments or the deepest pains come from family disputes? Kirsty Moseley stated “Unfortunately, sometimes we hurt the ones we love the most.” When we allow those into that very vulnerable area where love and trust are so intertwined, there is that chance that we might use their disadvantage against them. Years ago, a friend of mine called me for a time of counsel and support as he had just been taken down by a trusted friend, someone whom he trusted and loved. They had an argument and the trusted friend had decided to push a button that was hidden behind the trust panel. As the words were coming out of the trusted friend’s mouth, a little voice inside the orator’s mouth was screaming “shut up, shut up!” They both just stood there in silence wondering what had just happened and the crowd around them just went silent. Damage done, relationship changed. It took a moment to break trust, the question is this; did the love survive?

Those who knew Christ understood He was the Prince of peace yet they wanted Him to be so much more. He came to the world as an infant, grew up amongst us all and built some pretty strong relationships. He loved His family and would do anything for them, including die but they wanted more. They would test His patience and His love. They would ask for healing and when He did so, others would taunt Him or declare Him a fake and demand His death. The thief on the cross even taunted Christ to show off His divinity but the other thief saw the love in the Christ and did not push His buttons but rather asked to be remembered. I personally think the greatest declaration of love He had for us all is in the simple statement “forgive them Father, for they know not what they do”. Jesus spent His entire life being persecuted from the time King Herod wanted Him killed sometime before His second birthday right up to Caiaphas demanding Jesus be crucified by the ruling Romans. Yet through it all, Christ came to earth, lived with us, taught us and, in the end, died for us so that we could be forgiven. He proved His divinity by returning from the grave and yet, the world still doubts. Through it all, His love for us reigns and this love is perfect, transparent and eternal so quit doubting and embrace His love.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will explore the beauty of the love of Christ and what it truly means for us all. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Joy of Life

Have you ever been so overjoyed that your eyes sweat? I’m not talking about laughing so hard that the tears flow but rather so completely overjoyed and you can’t explain to those around you the reason for it. As the overwhelming joy completely encompasses, others come to understand and also succumb to the emotional overload. Have you ever lived through such a time of indescribable joy? If you have, can you fully explain the emotions you went through at the time?

The day my son was born, I was completely overcome with emotion, and I will admit this, I cried profusely with joy when I heard him cry out for the first time. Moments later, they placed a beautiful boy wrapped in a receiving blanket into my arms and said, “here you go daddy”. I do not remember a single thing after that, but I can recall seeing him, through tears, his wonderful face looking up at me. In one moment, life changed completely for the best. This is only one example of what I would consider unfathomable joy.

Consider this. A group of shepherds in a field, another day another few baubles to keep food on the table. The only hope they had was a chance to be employed and warm for the upcoming winter and to maintain their cleanliness, so they did not find themselves on the outside looking in. Suddenly an angel came to them, lowly shepherds, to proclaim the birth of the King of kings, their long sought-after Saviour.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” _{Luke 2:8-15}

Can I ask this question; when the shepherds came to fully realize the magnificence of this announcement, did they fall to their knees, overcome with the joy to the point of tears? Were they speechless and so filled with awe that they could not contain the best news to just themselves? When you heard the fabulous news that you were forgiven, that in Christ you are saved and through Him you will know glory, were you overcome with joy? Do you still feel that way and celebrate it daily?

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will explore the joy of the birth of Christ and the anticipation as it was first reported hundreds of years before. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Peace, The Final Frontier

Forgive me for daring to take liberties with such an iconic phrase but it just came to me while I was waiting for my breakfast at the Backwoods Bakery and Café this morning. For those of you familiar with Sundre, this wonderful little café is so welcoming and peaceful. As I walked in the door, it felt like I was being wrapped in a warm blanket of memories. There was the smell of fresh baking and of soup simmering on the stove. There was soft music playing in the background, conversational murmurings all around and a true sense of peace. I wish I could bottle that feeling and share it around, a wonderful peace to be sure.

Peace, the final frontier. As we venture through life, such encounters with these comforting moments seem to be fleeting. I can remember a time long ago when peace was laying back on a hillside on a summer afternoon, the sound of birds and crickets filling the air, the warm sun and the smell of the grass all around calmed one to their very soul. Today, you can have those moments but they need to be scheduled in and the peace is not complete because the watch on one’s arm is always reminding this is only temporary. Sorry to be a downer but it is true. Holidays end, vacations are short, and the time between work and sleeping seems to be getting shorter and shorter. Mornings like this are truly refreshing and much needed at times.

Peace, the final frontier. Think about this for just a moment. God worked on His creation for six days and on the seventh He rested. He told His creation to rest on the Sabbath because this was a day to rest and be blessed in what He created for us all. Jesus spent much of His day ministering to others, pouring out all He could for those who needed whether they knew it or not. In the evening, He retired to pray and meditate, to rejuvenate from the day and wrap Himself in the peace of the Father. As I think of this, `all I can think of is the prophecy of Isaiah.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

There is a time coming when peace will reign for all and the thoughts of war and conflict will be long forgotten. In my memory, the thoughts of those precious moments of peace where time was not important, the issues of the world did not matter are, for me, fading with time only to be brought back to the forefront on special occasions. I look forward to the day when it is the perfect peace that dominates and conflict, wars, disease and negativity are long forgotten. What a wonderful thought this beautiful morning. Lord, Prince of Peace, be with us all.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will once again be digging into the Epistle of Paul to the Church in Philippi. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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A New Day

If I were to ask “How do you define hope?” I am sure I would get a myriad of answers. For a starving person, hope could be defined as an anticipation of a great feast that never ends. In the case of a person wracked by a painful and incurable disease, hope could be defined as an expectation of a cure or even just a relief from the pain. For someone waiting for a loved one to come back from a military tour overseas, this could be seen as a hopefulness that they come home safe and sound and life can resume some sense of normalcy. Hope has, over the past, been seen as something temporary or even a pipe dream because so often our hope has been in the things of the world. Yes, this may sound harsh but, if we are to be truly honest with ourselves, to put our hope in a person is not a perfect scenario. Think about this for a moment. I love my wife beyond all understanding but there have been times when she has placed her hope in something I promised and I was unable to deliver. It is not that I did not want to fulfill her hopes but I am fallible. There is not a single one of us who can claim perfection and if anyone says they have never had their hopes dashed because of another, I say think a little harder. You see there is only One who is perfect and you can place your hope in Him because He has never failed any one of us.

Consider this, His hope is that all shall come to know His love and joy and embrace His promise of life eternal in Glory but there are so many out there who have been hurt by placing their hope in people, and yes I will go so far to say in the church, only to be disappointed but I offer this; God has not let us down, not even once, it is the people who falter and this tests our faith, our hope. For many, they have walked away yet Jesus remains committed to everyone of us, for you see “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.” Rom 5:8-9. This is where we should look for our perfect hope. This is the perfect promise that is already paid for, is already waiting for all of us to claim and embrace.

This Sunday, we are celebrating perfect hope, a hope in a Messiah who came for one and all. God sent His Son so that we would all have access to the perfect hope of Glory. Christ loves us so much that He came to take our sins upon Himself so that we may embrace the promise of Glory and therein lies our hope. We can put our hope in our brothers and sisters but our ultimate fulfillment will come from our Saviour.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will once again be digging into the Epistle of Paul to the Church in Philippi. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Right Of Way

I would like to give you a small glimpse into the life of Main Avenue in Sundre, AB. You see, we have round-about intersections through downtown. If you watch the services on Sunday, you may hear me refer to the intersections and see me cringe as I witness almost accidents right outside the front door of the church. There are daily outbursts of car horns as people let others know how wrong they are when using the intersections and, in a few cases, some gestures of disappointment were exchanged after the vehicular auditory expression of disapproval was communicated. For me, I was taught how to navigate traffic circles when I first learned to drive and remember the lesson my instructor told me; “the key to traffic circles is yield to the person in the circle and be courteous to others as this will ensure traffic flows easily. You see, the mentality of so many is that the right of way belongs to those traveling on Main Avenue because it is the main thoroughfare, it is the highway and it has always been that way. The reason the circles were put in was so that people trying to cross Main Avenue had the opportunity to cross the road more easily and safer. For those who do not want to adhere to the principle of yielding to others and being courteous, there will always be frustration because it hampers the way they want things done.

Self before others is the call of the world but we can make a huge difference by reversing the trend; others before self. You see, if we all embrace this motto, others will always have our best interests in mind while we help others to succeed. If I yield to the needs of another in the traffic circle, they will feel good and I will not be stressed. This is the big win-win. This is not a new concept and there are times when we need that opportunity to call out for a helping hand and, in the end, there is a peace.

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matt 26:39 NLT

Jesus was having a tough night. He knew what was to come, the disciples were not fully onboard, Peter was going to deny Him, Judas was going to betray Him and none of them could stay awake even for a short time. Frustrated Jesus called out to the Father asking for relief, asking to have the burden of it all removed but then remembered the will of the Father was to serve the needs of others and Christ’s needs would be taken care of shortly thereafter. Life was a bit chaotic but only a short while later, it was done. Father, forgive them.

It is going to take some time for things to change when it comes to understanding the benefits of the circle but when it becomes like second nature, there will be more joy and less stress when the whole embrace the new way. Others before self; so many benefits for all in the grand scheme of things.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will once again be talking about others before self, a study of Christ’s sacrifice. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Remembrance Day 2022

There are times when I refer to my military career and it rather blends into my clergy career. Some would have me refrain from mentioning it but it is just who I am. On the military side of things, I am an instructor, a leader and a former medic. On the clergy side of things, I am a teacher, a spiritual leader and a counsellor/healer. Is there a difference? Canadian Armed Forces personnel prioritize service to the country, the military and their teammates ahead of themselves as a personal commitment to mission success. As military professionals, we place service before self to maximize team effectiveness (this is straight out of the military handbook). As a clergy member, my commitment is to prioritize the needs of the community ahead of personal needs in order to be a part of a team that spreads the Good News of a mighty Saviour. So again I ask, is there a difference?

We come together this week to remember and honour those who have served the needs of many, those who gave up their own lives to help others who were, and still are, living in fear and need assistance. The members of the Forces as well as those first responders in our own communities are committed to entering into situations where all others around are running away in fear. Police members making scenes safe, fire fighters rushing into burning buildings to save others, paramedics going into perilous situations to save a life. Not all make it out alive and on November 11^th we take time to remember their sacrifice, we also remember the loss their families and friends endured through it all.

When you see or hear the sirens blaring, take a moment of time to say a prayer for those who are heading into harms way to help others. As the news reports on our soldiers coming alongside those suffering, lift them up and say a prayer for them. As Christians, when you see someone who is in need physically, emotionally or spiritually, why not become a spiritual first responder and come alongside them. When Jesus went to the cross, He willingly went into harms way for each and everyone of us. His sacrifice on the cross saved millions. Seems so many in this world have forgotten the sacrifice of the many (those who fought for the needs of others) and the sacrifice of the One, our Lord and Saviour. My prayer to all is that this Remembrance Day, we take time to remember those who went before us, those who continue to serve.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

This Sunday, Pastor Todd will be talking about others before self, a study of Christ’s sacrifice. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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What Answer Do You Want?

Now, I know there will be those out there who will note that I have covered this topic a few times over the past decade, but it does need to be said. If you don’t want to hear what I think, don’t ask me the question. How often have people asked you a question only to argue your opinion trying to get you to change your mind? Think about it, why ask the question if all you are trying to do is start an argument or they want to hear their opinion coming out of your mouth? A few months ago, I was asked a question to which there were numerous answers that could cover a variety of viewpoints. To answer wrong, that is, express a viewpoint that runs contrary to that of the inquisitor, would have led to a rather one-sided debate. You see, the person I was talking with does not appreciate the fine art of a good linguistic joust but would rather take the “excessive volume equals a win” method of discussion. As the discussion ramped up, I simply asked “what do you wish to accomplish with this discussion?” The response was not completely unexpected. My debating partner informed me that the aim of the discussion was for me to see their point of view and to come around in my thinking. If you don’t want my opinion, don’t ask for my viewpoint.

The Laws of Moses were supplemented with the laws of mankind. When Jesus came and tried to let those around them better understand the truth of the Law, the crowds yelled and tried to scream down the message. Christ opened up a dialogue and the masses drove the Messiah to the edge of the precipice and He simply walked back through the crowd and walked away. I was once told by a very wise person that once the other person becomes verbally aggressive, that is they hurl insults or try to shout you down or, in the case of Christ, attempt to throw you off a cliff, the debate is over and the discussion dissolves into an argument. According to scripture, God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17). The debate is not whether Jesus was real or if God is truly the Creator but rather whether one believes in the promise of the Saviour. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). My position within the church, within the Christian community is to present a message, be prepared to respectfully defend the position and to be open to the viewpoint of others. Others can choose to follow the Lord or not, it is not up to me to bully others into belief but rather to be transparent and considerate of other’s position. Life is too short to get overly stressed through arguing.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matt 26:52-54

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Darryl Wicks who will be presenting a Mission Message. Pastor Todd is away on holidays and will be returning November 8^th. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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The Silence Is Deafening

In today’s social media driven community, the courage to speak one’s mind has been greatly hampered by the fear of being bullied, aka cancel culture. When Simon and Garfunkel wrote the Sound of Silence in the very early 1960’s, do you think they would have even contemplated the extent of the silence today?

And in the naked light, I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

Again, this was in the early sixties but think of how this relates to our communities today. Millions of people so locked into their own preferences and wants that they forget to listen to the needs all around and if one makes comment against a single belief or preference, the backlash is quick, the walls go up and the act of compromise and debate is silenced. Is there an opportunity to reverse the trend, for the voices to be heard and not silenced?

Jesus stood before the masses in Luke 4 and gave all hope, showed them a way to help them move forward and spoke in a language that was contrary to what the pharisees were preaching in their position of power. When they could no longer argue against the Truth, they rallied the group and decided to bully the Lord by coming against Him physically.

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed Him and forced Him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push Him over the cliff, but He passed right through the crowd and went on His way. Luke 4:28-30

Over and over again, the crowd tried to silence the sound of hope, they did not want to hear but rather embraced the sound of silence by shouting down the song of joy. In the end, Christ silenced the naysayers when He rose from the grave, when He walked through the crowd fully alive and declared by His action “I AM GOD”. Tens of thousands of people around the world have been unable to hear the Truth because they have not heard, have chosen to remain deaf to the declaration or refuse to participate in active conversation or even debate and the sound of silence continues to be the norm. Remember, you can try to silence the message of God but in the end, He will walk through the chaos of this world and embrace those who have tried to speak into the silence for the wellness of all.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Bob Hillock as Pastor Todd and Natalie are away on holidays. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

A postscript from Natalie:

One definitionsays that“Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving.” Why would that concept ever be put with the word cancel!? Why would we want to take the array of colours and shades in our world and try to make everything a shade of beige?

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I Deserve This

I am not sure if this resonates with a lot of people but, after reading my daily devotional, a memory of days gone by popped into my mind and I thought I would write on it. Today’s verse comes from the Book of Hebrews chapter 12 in verses 5-11.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

When I was young, I remember thinking I was being so hard done by when I was punished by my parents. There were times I got a swat on the behind, got things taken away from me or was grounded for my actions. I thought it cruel that my parents were so strict and I got punished while others I knew received no punishment at all for what they did and, much of the time, my stumbles were much less terrible than theirs. My sin was minor compared to the massive sins of those and yet I was still held accountable. That was completely unfair, right?

As I grew older, I came to realize just how much my parents loved me. When I became a father, my son would make his mistakes and I would, out of love, correct him so that he would not come to harm through his errant actions. I love him so much that I will discipline even though it hurts us both at times. He is now grown up and I can only hope that the lessons of the past are not lost. There is nothing wrong with correction. It is tough to go through the process of being disciplined and it is also very tough to be the enforcer but it is done through love. It does pain the Father to discipline but it is done through an infinite love. When we come through the other end, we are so much better for it and much wiser as well. The really wonderful thing about the Father, He will not burden us with more than we can handle and His reason for correction is always with our best as the final outcome. Fear not the discipline for it leads to a better living in the end.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder as Pastor Todd and Natalie are on holidays. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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What Matters Most

Many years ago, I worked with a non-profit group who always had a tough time keeping the doors open and the lights on. You see, it had a very good volunteer base and fantastic donors but what was missing was the next level of support that would not only give the organization some wiggle room in the budget but also help it to grow and help even more in need. The economy was rather tight and the funds available were getting spread thinner and thinner and while the pool did not grow, the needs within the community had. It was, at one time, rather simple because so many were more than willing to help out those in dire straights and the recipients were so grateful for the love and support. As things tightened up, it almost felt like we were looking for ways to sell the public on the desperation of those in need. In a planning session, someone mentioned that we should crank up an event with a few well-known celebrities and make a party out of it. We, myself included, thought this was a fabulous idea and the plans were put in place. The celebs were going to cost us a bit of money and the party was also going to cut into the money available, but it was going to be a great fundraiser. Invitations were sent out, response was incredible, and the celebration was a hit, but one thing was missing, the people we were trying to help and many of the hardworking staff and volunteers.

This event came to mind as I was reading the book from Rev Bud Robinson “The Story of Lazarus”.

“To show you that church members are bound by the things of this world, I was in a nice town in the month of October 1908, and there was a nice church in the beautiful city with 588 members on the roll. One night while I was in the town the prayer meeting was held and there were eleven persons present; the next night there was a church entertainment and according to the report of the town paper, there were 1, 100 out.”

This is not just in churches but also in so many different areas of life. If you feed them, if you entertain them, if you woo them, they will come. Sound harsh? Sometimes the truth must be stated, the elephant in the room pointed out. Jesus started out with two, then four then twelve who followed Him and learned the Way. Jesus did not use expensive fog machines, have massive concerts with big name acts nor did he have image specialists to market Him. Jesus met in the streets, preached and healed people where they were and built relationships one heart at a time. Jesus fed souls and hearts. It was not a popularity tour, it was a truth tour and, after He left and the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they fed the bread of life to those who would listen in the streets and through the power of the Spirit, thousands were saved.

So, here is a humble suggestion; when you go to church on Sunday, do not critique the music (Psalm 100 says make a joyful noise to the Lord) open your heart to the foundational message of the worship and the sermon (pastors seek the wisdom of the Lord for the Truth) and be in fellowship with those of faith so that you may celebrate together and support one another in prayer and worship. If the church leadership is more focused on entertaining rather than building relationships in Christian faith, how strong a foundation will there be for the community? Feast with the Lord, feed your soul and be fully alive in the joy of the Saviour.

This weekend, we finish the Lazarus series by celebrating the joy of relationship. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Entombed and Putrefied

This stinks! In days gone by, the dream of owning a reliable car, a nice home in a good neighbourhood and some recreational toys to add enjoyment to life was attainable while working a forty hour work week, only one person needed to work and the family life was the primary focus. To tell the truth, I have never lived in this reality but I was told it was the best of times. So, what changed? I am going to hypothesize and, if you think I am wrong, please let me know.

As life got better, people saw a way to capitalize on the prosperity of society and costs started to rise. As costs rose and living became more expensive, something had to give. Spouses had to go to work to help bring in more cash, children were suddenly needing afterschool care which added more expenses which meant either cutting back on other things or putting in overtime. Overtime led to more expenses for the employer which led the company to cut back on full time and increase salaried positions. These spots helped employers avoid overtime and could get more out of people without having to compensate them for the extra time they put in. Many young couples looked at the price of starting a family and would decide to put it off until they could afford kids. This has, for the past fifty years, been building and, even though it has been a subtle change, the agents that bind have so tightened so much that society has accepted it as the norm even though it stinks so badly.

There is a group of young adults who are bucking the system through quiet quitting. They want to get back to a simpler time when relationships and enjoying life were more important than working themselves to death. You see, as many seek after the wants of life, a growing number are wanting their needs fulfilled, a need for relationship and community. If the focus is on spending every moment of life to fulfill the temporary wants of life, we are essentially entombing ourselves in an ever-shrinking lifestyle that is controlled by the things of the world. As the bonds continue to dig in, the wounds caused by the ever-tightening bindings begin to fester and life truly begins to stink. The easiest way to cover the stench is to add scented oils to mask the smell. I must admit, the movement to taking back time, build relationship and focus on community is a ray of light that could become the turning point for a paradigm shift towards peace and forgiveness. The world can fool themselves into thinking that happiness comes by way of “more stuff” but I refer to these wise words; “three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:13.

Many will believe that if they can keep up with the Jones, they can be happy but, truth be told, if we ask the Jones, they would most likely say they are not really happy but feel crushed in the clamp of misplaced focus. This weekend, we will examine not the failures of the world but rather at what life can look like once the stench of old bonds is washed off. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Conquering the Fear

A few months ago, I was out with friends and we were having a great time chatting, laughing and basically being ourselves. One of the guys referred to me as Padre and the conversation stuttered for a moment. Most of the guys know what I do but it was the new guy who took a stutter step at the mention of religious affiliation. I smiled and waited for the shift and it didn’t take long for his behaviour to change. Every time someone cracked a joke, it seemed he nervously looked over to see my reaction. What you need to understand is this, I am used to it, in fact, I have come to expect it. Later in the evening, I got up to order more wings and he got up to come with me. He wanted me to know that he went to church as well and told me that his preacher was nothing like me. I braced myself for a lecture on how my demeanor was not representative of the clergy or the friends around the table were not all fine Christians. The conversation did not go that way however. He wanted to know how I could be so open with my faith in the setting we were in surrounded by people who, by his assuming, were not all Christian. Simple response, God uses us all in different ways and gifts us with the talents needed to be relevant in our community. We all have the ability to affect lives but we do not always do it in the same way. Some of us are able to go into certain environments and boldly proclaim God’s message without pounding a pulpit and we do so through the strength of the Holy Spirit.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:9-12 NLT

Jesus showed the way to getting His message out there. Sunday church is only a small part of the plan. We need to live boldly in our communities, living our faith each moment of the day and “preach” the gospel as God has gifted us. None of us can be Billy Graham but we can all be followers of Christ in our own special way. Yes, I will sit down with friends in a pub and share in their lives. Jesus went to where the people lived and affected the lives of thousands. He sent the disciples into the world to deliver the Good News. He did not tell them to go build a church building but rather build relationships, build a family.

We returned to the table and the conversation took on a whole new life and through it all, my friend came to realize that all at the table were brothers in Christ. For those of faith, be bold and hold fast to the strength He provides. Honestly, it takes more courage to not believe.

This week, we continue with a look at the story of Lazarus where we will explore Lazarus the bound. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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It’s My Way or the Highway

Yesterday, we had our first board retreat for the church since before the great lockdown. There were numerous items on the docket that could have proved to be slightly divisive because, going into the meeting, there were comments made on both sides of a couple points that led me to think we could have a bit of a debate happen. The agenda was out there, notes and reports were prepared and, when the point came up for discussion, the conversation was calm and professional with all listening intently to the information being presented and, in the end, all were completely satisfied with the direction of the vote. No one person dominated the discussion and we all chose the best decision for the faith family and the church. Now, you may think, “okay, so what” but consider this; look around you and, with open eyes and a discerning heart, dig into some of the arguments that you have witnessed or even been involved in and ask yourself if the desired outcome was self centered or other centered. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Ten people got together one day and formed a group to lobby the government to change a policy that they thought was infringing on their personal right. They gathered together to form a plan and get the ball rolling. They elected a leader, started to form up a vision statement but found out that they did not all fully agree on some points and cracks started to form in the group. Arguments started to erupt and, as lines were being drawn, one person stood up and declared, “If you don’t like it, then you can leave!” A few left with the person and started their own group and, once again, cracks developed because they wanted the direction of the group to service personal needs rather than the needs of the whole. We see this in so many things these days and it divides families, communities and countries. If the rally call is “it’s my way or the highway” the guarantee is that conflict and strife will always be a key part of the movement and the chance of a unified front will never be achieved. Consider the church. In the days of Christ, a group of 12 went forth under the banner of the Saviour and the faith grew. It did not take long for personal preference to trump divine principle and the faith movement split. Look, I am being honest here. Read the Epistles of Paul as he tried to get the churches to focus on Christ’s message rather than society’s preferences. Strife, chaos and division are the tools of the evil one and it works. Our focus should remain on the Son of God and His example. My suggestion is quite simple and you can either take it or leave it – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Pro 3:5,6. If your vision is “my way or the highway”, look around, you may be the only one on that road.

We invite you to join us this Sunday for a message from Rev. Glenn Reeder. Pastor Todd will be away this weekend at a conference. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

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Lazarus Series Week 1

The Story of Lazarus is Death; Maybe.

If there was a simple rule such as “you shall not do any work on the Sabbath”, it would seem to me like a fairly easy thing to follow. For six days God created and on the seventh He rested. Did God know something we didn’t? Talk to most experts in the field of medicine and they will tell you that a day of rest, complete rest, helps reduce stress, reduces inflammation and the risk of heart disease, boosts your immune system, adds years to your life, restores mental energy, you're more creative, you'll focus better and improve short-term memory. So, when I looked at what you can do on the Sabbath according to the Mishnah, there were a ton of things that were allowed so that life could go on and the Lord’s command did not get broken. They talked the simple rule of resting to death and got to the point where you needed a cheat sheet just to remember them all. There is more stress in trying to relax as God commanded then there was in the simple act of rest.

When we start to over-regulate the law, do we not create more opportunity to “sin”. As we cast judgment upon those who are breaking the law of man, are we not committing them to death on a spiritual level? Follow me if you will. God says rest, man defines rest and states what does or does not define acts against the law. So, what about the actions of Jesus in Matthew 12:9-12.

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

This does not give us freedom to breach the law for it is written “love God with every ounce of your being and love your neighbour”. This means do nothing to bring grief to those around you. This is the difference between preaching (or living) spiritually alive or being mired in spiritual death. Rest in the Lord, know He has only your best interest at heart and do not add to His message; it is perfect already. God says rest, then rest – it is that simple. Spiritual life can be found in the message of the Saviour for the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.

Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for week two of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Lazarus Series Week 1

Have you ever had someone speak words of prophecy over you? For some out there who do not believe in the Word of God or of religions, an example could be something as simple as “that kid is going to be an amazing artist” or “with a wrist shot like that, the kid is going to be the next great one”. There were also some whom it was said, were going to end up on the short end of the stick or be in jail before their fourteenth birthday. I just watched a documentary about Dr. Billy Graham and, before he was touched by God, some would say he was not going to amount to much. The one statement that drives me right round the bend is when people spread false prophecy over others when they declare a person is going to hell for what or who they are. They have basically taken the position of God by declaring eternal damnation upon another simply due to their own limited perception of that person’s life. Let us consider Lazarus.

In John 11, it is declared that Lazarus was a sick man. In those days, sickness was a sign of sin and it would have been wrong for a Rabbi or a Priest to come into his home but Christ went there for a visit with His friends. Unwell physically meant unwell spiritually and Lazarus was, in essence, bound for the depths of hell yet Jesus knew better. Let’s think about this for a moment. There were those out there who, when they became unwell, were shunned because illness equals evil which was contagious so one must stay away lest they be affected. I can assure you Lazarus did not want to get sick but it happens, right? The keepers of the Law would be the first to point out that Lazarus is dirty and must be avoided yet Christ sought out His friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. While the keepers of the Law are blinded by the fear of breaking the rules set before them, Christ is bent on being with those who are in need of healing, desire release from the torment of the judgement and simple want to be embraced in the loving arms of the Master. Isn’t that what we all want? Scripture says “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 For God’s children to think they are greater than the Master and declare judgement upon their brothers and sisters is the greatest tragedy they could do. We are commanded to declare the love and grace of the Saviour to all who will listen rather than call down rivers of fire on those who will not listen. Remember, the thief on the cross declared the glory of the Messiah with his last breath on the cross and Christ declared “you will be with Me in Glory”. Do the world a favour and point them to the Way, the Truth and the Light.

Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for the start of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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The Story of Lazarus

I was recently given a book by my father-in-law called “The Story of Lazarus” by Bud Robinson. Never heard of him. Neither had I.

“Reuben "Uncle Bud" Robinson (1860-1942), was a Methodist Episcopal evangelist, who would later become a part of the Church of the Nazarene. Known for his folk wisdom and colorful phrases, his preaching focused on the message of entire sanctification.

His father made whiskey and ran a bar in the hills of White County, Tennessee. "Uncle Bud" grew up in a poor family, one of thirteen children, and did not get an education. After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Texas, where he fell into a wild life of drinking and gambling. In 1880, he attended a tent revival, was converted, and then joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a Sunday school teacher who taught him how to read at 20 years of age. In the 1890's he studied at Southwestern University and would become a major influence in the emerging Church of the Nazarene.

He experienced the call to preach at his conversion, and despite a bad stutter remained an active evangelist for 60 years. He is estimated to have preached over 33,000 sermons and witnessed more than 100,000 conversions. He died in 1942 at 82 years of age, but remains one of the most colorful folk evangelists in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. An example of one of his well-known prayers is when he asked God to "help me sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I've got a fist, and bite him as long as I have a tooth, then gum him till I die."(My Life Story – Bud Robinson, Published by First Fruits Press, 2015 Previously published by Pentecostal Publishing Company, 1096”).

One may wonder why I have included all this information before we start the series but the reason is simple, God does not always call the equipped but He will equip those He has (the) called. I did take some liberty with the saying as you can see but I wanted to make a point. So often, the ones who have not been with the church since their father’s, father’s, father built the First Church are not truly considered worthy to lead the children of God in the Holy of Holies yet Bud was an integral part of the faith journey for over 100,000 people. Can’t read, doesn’t matter, God will equip. Have a drinking problem, don’t worry, God can help with that. Have a gambling problem, God can strengthen you and help you overcome. Have a stutter, the Holy Spirit can work through you.

Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for the start of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Construction Phase

We have been talking about the fact that we are all under construction. The second we take our foot off the pedal, the moment we stop questing to learn more or even share what we know with others is the second we begin to stagnate. Last week we talked about how we all have a purpose that does not have an ending.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet. Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:1-7 NLT

Yes, this was a rather large section of scripture but the key here is the last two sentences; Moses was 80 and his brother, Aaron, was 83 years old. I have more years behind me than I do ahead and question if I have what it takes to be a spiritual leader or an effective rabbi (teacher). Do those in the younger demographics still look to us for direction or wisdom or are we supposed to fade off into the background? I read this and realized that we will never be ineffective unless we talk ourselves into it. Stagnation leads to degeneration which, in turn can lead to a spiritual death. If Moses had decided he was too old or not good enough to lead a nation, where would the faith be today? Read Exodus 4 again, Moses said that he was not good enough, not ready to lead yet God knew exactly what He was doing. We, as a society, need to not only check our ageism at the door but also seek out ways to engage those who are older (the grey hairs) as a resource for spiritual growth. When I hear those in the community describe their congregation as senior heavy, I rejoice because there is a ton of wisdom there and even more opportunity to mentor the next generation of spiritual leaders. We need to encourage our seniors to reach out to these generations and become the cheerleaders of future church mentors.

This week we look to some of the greatest leaders in scripture who started their ministry in their senior years. Youth should be encouraged and enabled but it is the seniors who must be the ones to set them free to minister and grow. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Flip Flop

Have you ever considered the flip-flop? It is a staple for most people in the summer, it is an easy item to pack and store and it can be dressed up to match occasions. I have done a few weddings where the bride and her attendants have opted for the simple flip-flop as a comfortable and light shoe for the event. They come in so many colours and styles, they are very affordable and can easily be accessorized. I have even seen the groom and groomsmen wearing these laid back casual kicks. The sound of the flip-flop is also very distinctive and had a large part in the naming of the beach shoe. The versatility of this shoe plus the fact it has been in use far longer than we think makes it an integral part of our society. In fact, if you research it, the flip-flop goes back to ancient Egypt more than four thousand years ago.

It is such a simple item to make, easy to repair and almost every culture in the world has benefitted from their existence. If you ask anyone, they can define the basic make up of the sandal but it will differ slightly depending on where you are from. The ancient Romans had a strap after the second toe, the Mesopotamians, the third toe. Were they wrong? Nope, just different. Is it worth arguing over? Nope, not really. Do people argue over it or disagree with where and when they should be worn? All the time! I went to a really nice restaurant in Jamaica with my wife a few years ago and I can tell you we were not the only ones wearing sandals, in fact it would have been out of place to wear dress shoes. So why does society feel such a need to make such a big deal out of such a small issue?

There are those in this world who look at other religious organizations, other denominations within a religious order, and they find ways to push these groups out of their own little circle of righteousness because they do not hold the same ideals or beliefs of that individual or group. Here is my question, in order for someone to be my friend, must they hold the exact same values and beliefs as me? If that is the case, Natalie and I would not be married because she would rather play with her plants than go quadding with our group. Natalie would rather sing than beat on the drums. I like a plain ordinary pair of flip-flops as opposed to Natalie who likes a sandal with a bit more character. Here is the thing, I love my wife regardless of her choice in sandals, despite her choice in hobbies or her choice in hockey teams. I have many friends who do not believe in what I do and each friendship is as different as one could imagine but there is something that is very much the same – we appreciate and respect the relationships we have with each other. My closest friend wears the most amazing sandals and we have a perfect relationship. I am called to share this news, it is up to you if you want to hear it. It won’t change our relationship going forward just like your flip-flops won’t affect my walk. Love God, love each other – it is that easy.

Last Sunday, things went a bit sideways and the message was not what we had planned. This week, we look at how we can release the bonds of over doing it with the rules and leaning on the Word of God. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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So Hypercautious You Get Nothing Done

As we continue the “Under Construction” series, I happened upon a thought that was triggered by last week’s sermon. Now, before I begin, I am not saying that we are to be rebels and push back against all the rules but I do want to explore common sense. Common sense suggests that if you order a hot chocolate from a vendor, you should get what you asked for—hot chocolate beverage. I remember the days a long time ago when my dad taught me how to properly hold a beverage while he drove the half-ton. You see, in a 1974 Chevy pickup there were a couple things missing that modern trucks have; bucket seats and a center console with cup holders. The truck was a standard which meant you needed your right hand to shift, the left hand on the wheel and you could not hold the beverage between your legs because of the need to clutch. The middle passenger never held the cup because they were always dodging the shifter so the shotgun got the cup. Was there a warning sign to say the contents were hot – no. Did I need to have it explained what would happen if it spilled – no. Back in those days we did not have “travel mugs”, instead we had the big old ceramic coffee mug that held a half a pot of coffee. Dad taught my brother and I how to hold the cup properly, how to lean it as we went around corners or sped up and how to absorb the bumps on rough roads.

Common sense meant that we knew it was hot, dad wanted his coffee at the end of the trip and if we messed up, dad was upset and someone was getting slightly burnt. Now-a-days, we need to have warnings on a coffee cup that states the obvious “contents may be hot”. The thought that we need to express the fact it is possibly hot is hilarious but the other thing we often overlook is the word “may”. If the person takes a sip of the beverage and finds it to be lukewarm, the client can go back and demand a hot beverage. So here is the thing, you have a hot beverage, in a cup holder close enough to the driver as not to be a distraction or inconvenience and you are driving in a province where distracted driving includes eating or drinking while driving. Why is this? Because people may spill the contents of the drink in their lap while they are driving and could possibly cause an accident. Hypercautious. Common sense is being legislated for us and we are getting more and more reliant on others to make our world safe. How long until our playgrounds are enveloped in bubble wrap and everyone is required to wear protective gear to play on the monkey bars?

It is the same thing with our faith. Over the past centuries, church leaders have bubble wrapped the faith so no one can be tempted to practice or grow in their faith. Common sense says God created all things, Jesus died on the cross for us all and the Holy Spirit is our loving guide and our strength. We are not invulnerable to temptation but God has given us the means and the ways to grow in our faith and learn through His word and by His example.

You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. 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 also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Col 1:7-11 NLT

This Sunday, we look at how we can release the bonds of over doing it with the rules and leaning on the Word of God. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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The Time Has Come To Face Facts

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a person who seemed to have a rather interesting viewpoint when it comes to entering into glory. Let me try to explain it through parable. A young person decided they wanted to go to a concert and had been waiting for most of their life to get tickets for the event. There were more than enough tickets for anyone who wanted to go but you needed to arrive at the venue at least three hours before the concert. The young person did as instructed and dutifully waited in line. At the first stop, the person was asked to provide identification and submit to a security scan. This is not uncommon so the person accepted. With that test done, the person moved back out into the line again. In the distance, the person heard a commotion and turned around to look. There were numerous people approaching the gate and being turned away. They were screaming that their rights were being violated and that they were only a few minutes late. That is where it ended because the line started to move once again. The next stop and another test, this time it was a test of knowledge. They wanted to know if you were a great fan or a poser. Fifty questions about the artist and the person could not have more than two wrong otherwise they would be sent out. The test was completed and only one wrong so onto the next challenge.

At the next table, there was a second knowledge challenge involving the artist’s music. Three songs and the person not only had to know the words but also had to identify other selected songs by hearing a very small excerpt. This was now getting tougher and tougher. After making it past this challenge it was back into the lineup for the next test. With every test there seemed to be less and less people in line, kind of reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The tests seemed to get harder and harder and finally the young person got to the last challenge. Standing at the door was the bouncer who looked the person up and down. If the bouncer thought you worthy, you were in. The young person must have passed that test because the door was opened and access was granted. Inside the hall were a handful of others, the lucky few who made it through the labyrinth, who proved their worth to receive the great gift from the great artist.

If I told you that in order to pass from this world into the presence of the Father you needed to jump through a myriad of hoops and prove your dedication through acts, would you even try? If you are being truthful with yourself, you probably would not. But I tell you the truth the reality of entrance into the Kingdom of God is far easier than what some would have you believe. Consider the thieves on the cross.

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 34:49-43 NLT

Name the love of Christ and His reign over your life and claim His promise of eternal life in Glory.

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NLT

I am here to make this very simple, in plain words. Love God with absolutely all you are, declare Him as Lord of your heart and soul and give over your sins unto Him and He will cleanse you. He will welcome you into Glory with open arms and all Heaven will rejoice. It is not by works that you will be saved but rather through the grace of God. Works do have a place but it is to help and inform others around you that God is looking forward to sharing Heaven with us all.

This Sunday, we will examine the entrance exam for Heaven and rejoice. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.ca

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Pointing Fingers

In the past, I attended many a service where we were told that if we do not live a perfect life, if we do not memorize scripture, if we do not look and act a certain way that is pleasing to God, we will surely go to hell. Talk about scaring a little kid to death. I mean who tells a kid, who is just wanting to go out and play with their friends after church, they can’t because it is wrong. “It is wrong” is associated with “against the church” which is linked, in a young child’s mind, as sin and there is a special place in Sheol for those who break the rule. Move forward a few decades and these kids have grown up and away from the church because, as many research papers have deduced, there is no way to live up to the expectations of the church. There was and, in some churches, still is, such a concentration on sin and the consequences of non-compliance, that the truth is not getting the proper billing. In Romans 3 starting at 23, it is noted that:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

This is a common verse used by many a preacher to throw it out there that none of us is truly worthy of the gift of God, that is Glory. But, as we read on in that chapter:

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Everyone has sinned and fall short but hear me now when I say this is not truly the focus for those who are trying to relay that absolute Truth. The finger that points at the sinner (whom is all of us) in condemnation is doing more harm to the family than building up the community of the Kingdom. Jesus said it best in John 8 starting at 3:

As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd…“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

While mankind looks for ways to point the finger at people’s flaws, Jesus simply wants us to point others to Him. Think of it, Jesus said He did not come into the world to condemn but rather to save. Why would we not point others to Him? Life, love, and grace—this is the perfect message.

This Sunday, we will continue to explore construction of faith, building people up. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Under Construction

We just got back from our holidays in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and, while it was fantastic to be with family and friends once again, it is wonderful to be back home. I dare say I need a holiday to recuperate from our holiday. It was wonderful to see everyone but it was also magnificent to see some of the changes going on. Our friends had not changed much at all but the surroundings sure did. There were some things that had to change, like the old buildings that were falling in on themselves but in their place were a couple of beautiful parks and some new buildings that were alive with new tenants. There is a road between New Glasgow and Antigonish that is notorious for accidents and fatalities especially around Marshy Hope. After years of research and deliberation, the powers that be decided to make a rather radical change to that section of the highway, they are taking it over the big hills and twinning it. These changes should make the journey a bit faster and a lot safer. The construction is well underway but it will not be completed overnight, it takes time when you want it done right. New construction to change lives for the better. There are times we have to let go of the past and embrace the future with a new passion.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 2 Cor:1-5 NLT

We are on a journey and, while we are on this planet, all have an opportunity to research the path they are on and make choices on the route they will take. For those who embrace the Christ, accept His promise of a future without end and hand over their sins to Him, life begins anew. When we become a Christian, a follower of Christ, we enter the construction zone. The old is stripped away and, through the giftings of the Holy Spirit, we grow and become a new creation in the Lord. It does takes time and the journey does continue until we are greeted in Glory but when it is all done, our reward will be eternity in paradise, all safe and secure.

This Sunday, we will explore this area of construction and also celebrate a wonderful 2022 Vacation Bible School week. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Holidays and Revival; Is There A Connection

I feel like I am writing a thesis for my Master’s but as all of you may know, the chances of me doing a Master’s degree is slim to none and Slim has left the building. The fact is I have started working on a new series for the fall and am basing it on a book by Bud Robinson called “The Story of Lazarus”. If you want to get ahead of the game, Google it and you will find a free download online. I have been reading this intriguing book, all of 110 pages, and was prompted to think about how the actions of the church in 1909 are very similar to society today. We change so much yet we don’t really change. One tiny part of the book concerns how a church of well over 500 relies on a very precious few to attend to the affairs of the church and even fewer to do God’s bidding of preaching the Word. Remember, this was in 1909!

For the past six months, Natalie and I have been planning and preparing for holidays. I think this is the first time we have done so with very little stress and, when the time came to depart, even the threats of lost luggage and cancelled flights did not phase us. We were ready for a rest. No rentals in St. Johns, no worries, God provided an answer and U-Haul got our business. One day the weather did not cooperate but God provided the answer; you needed the rest. In Nova Scotia, the morning started off hot, muggy and overcast but by noon, the skies cleared and we made plans to hit the beach; God announced we needed time alone in His beauty. Take the time God provides and enjoy the beauty of His creation. So here is the key; listen to His direction, rest when He provides the occasion and be ready to respond when He opens up opportunity to share the peace and joy of the Lord with others. You see, the world has become way too busy fully enjoy the gifts God has provided. In some cases, society has become so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good. As I write this, my grandson has come to me with, what some would call, an interruption but for me it was an opportunity to share a laugh and hug. I am still working on the article but it is not the most important thing right now. God has provided the opportunities to relax and rejuvenate and, as we talked about last week, has even commanded it. Keep the Sabbath holy.

What does it take for the pendulum to swing to the Lord? We all need to take a break from the busyness of the world and take stock of what God has provided. What would happen if we took a holiday from the rush and stress of tight schedules and embrace the peace and relaxation God has placed before us? Revival is defined as an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again. My thought or suggestion for society is this; take a holiday from the hustle and bustle once a week, embrace the peace and solitude of the Lord and find out what is truly important once again.

This week, we will once again welcome a message from Rev. Bob Hillock. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Don’t Do It!

As I was growing up, I thought for sure my nickname was “What where you thinking?” My last name was “Don’t do that again!” My brother and I had a great childhood. We had a swing-set in the back yard that needed to be tied down to the ground with a large piece of ready-rod lest we tipped it over swinging too high. We were often told not to swing so high because we were going to wreck the swing and if we did, we would not get another one. Beside the swing was a very cool fort. It had three levels and windows for shooting our cap guns out when the enemy came to attack. It later served as target practice for shooting tennis balls at with our hockey sticks. Then we got the bright idea to get people to go inside the fort and put their face in the window and try to avoid getting hit with the ball as we fired the dripping wet tennis projectile at the hole (we had dogs that loved to drool). Apparently we were “not thinking” when it was discovered what we were doing and we were told to stop it – NOW! Beside the fort was our sandbox in the shade of a huge evergreen. We spent hours playing with our Tonka trucks and Dinky cars and, like most boys, we also dug holes. One day in our exuberance, we started digging and just never stopped. After some time, mom looked out the kitchen window wondering where we had gotten to and came out the back door to call us in for lunch. My brother and I popped our heads out of the rather large hole to answer and we asked “what on earth are you two doing?” We thought it was quite obvious but failed to realize that as we dug down, hacking through roots as we went, we were weakening the tree at the foundation. We were told very vehemently that what we had done was wrong and to fill it back in and don’t do it again.

If you read the scriptures, the Old Testament is full of rules God handed down to us. These were not meant to hold us back but rather to protect us and, yes, direct us to a better path. God’s creation, His children, often rebelled because rules are meant to be “broken or tested”. My parents set up some very solid rules to live by, many of them biblically based, and, while we did push back on them, they still are an integral part of our personalities. When we were living as children, we needed the parameters but as we grew, rational thinking became a part of our makeup and our thought process changed quite a bit. The Old Testament had the pat rules but take a look through the New Testament and count the number of times Christ referred to the law and put it out there in a different way, “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you.” Take Matthew 5:21-24 for example;

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Here we see rational thought and a positive solution being presented in such a way as to promote growth and peace for all involved. This is the message of the Christ. This Sunday, we will explore the “but I say to you” moments in the New Testament. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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The Fullness of God

When we start to think outside the box and test the boundaries of limited understanding, this is when we can fully begin to realize that we may not know everything. There are those who will attempt to impress with their vast knowledge of a variety of topics but when it comes right down to it I just want to know the basic facts. Consider this, I was having issues with a solenoid for a garden tractor and, like a dope, I forgot to take pictures as I pulled the solenoid and the starter off the tractor. Part two to this, if enough time has gone by, I will forget or question myself on how to put it back together again. Long story made short, I could not remember which pole to put the positive wire on and I started to question myself as to how it all went back together. So, like all guys, I googled it and ended up even more confused and not at all confident. There is a lot of conflicting messages out there and numerous “experts” who will be more than happy to tell you how to do it even if they are bat crazy. We need to question things (science relies on this to move forward) but we all need to recognize that if the facts lead to a specific conclusion, we should really heed the wisdom even if it runs contrary to our own preconceived notions. An open mind is a wonderful thing, a closed mind leads to stagnation.

With all that said, consider this; God, three in one, is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. In other words, He is infinitely powerful in all creation, infinitely wise and infinitely everywhere. He is the Father of all creation, the Son is perfect in word and the Holy Spirit is with us always and forever. In John 1:1-5,

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

And in Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

In the beginning, God, the Father, created and at that same moment, the Holy Spirit hovered over the surface and eventually breathed life into Adam. In the beginning was the Word, the Son of God. This from the word of God, witnessed to and faithfully followed for thousands of years. It has been studied, questioned and tested well before the thoughts of mankind had even begun to fully understand. I am not saying that science does not have a place in our world, but I am saying that the Word of God has just as much a right to play into the conversation. Many do not understand faith in God but faith in an all-powerful divine Creator makes a bit more sense than blindly following spaceships, aliens and zombies.

Do you want to test it? Join us this Sunday as we seek the truth in the Word. We would love for you to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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How Do I Explain This?

While I was in university, one of the discussions we had focused on the Trinity, or Triune God. The question our professor wanted us to consider was this; how would you explain the wholeness of God to a ten-year-old? Our class had some brilliant students and we thought this was going to be quite simple but it turned out to be more difficult than we first presumed. The group was fortunate to have a parent of a ten-year-old and, as we began to formulate a method of delivery, we discovered this was going to be more difficult than we first imagined. Let me give you an example.

God is like an egg. The egg has a shell, the yellow yolk and the white. While all three are separate, they all make up an egg. The parent in our group just stared blankly at us and we waited for the response.

“God is an egg? Do you know what the first question would be? Do you realize where the questions are going to go especially in a Sunday school class full of ten-year-olds? Is it a boiled egg or a raw egg? Is it a brown egg or a white egg? Robin’s eggs are blue”

We were just talking about eggs and hadn’t even started in on the Triune God. Explaining the Father was going to be relatively easy since most children of faith already understand that God, the Father, was Christ’s Father (don’t get me started on when someone noted that Joseph was His father – there is always one). The Heavenly Father, by way of the Holy Spirit (don’t use the term Ghost, that is a story for another day) became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matt 1:8 NLT

We all thought we were going to nail this part but we soon found out how wrong we were. Here were some of the possible questions:

· Where do babies come from?

· Was Joseph mad?

· Is Joseph the stepdad?

· What’s a virgin?

None of us really saw that coming. We were thinking on an adult level and not a child level. We were using adult speak where we needed to kid friendly language. You see, the message of God is not complicated but we have made it tough. Too many scholars trying to make everyone realize just how smart they are rather than take the time to speak the truth in simple terms. This may upset some of the highly educated and the professors but the truth is this, Christ came for all and not just the highbrows. In fact, if you want to know the Trinity read this bit of scripture.

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Luke 3:21-22 NLT

God is the Father of all creation, Jesus the Son who came to earth to save us all and the Holy Spirit who dwells with us 24/7. All three are God and God is the great I AM. It may seem tough to wrap our head around it all but we can think of it this way; God is creator, saviour and protector wrapped up in one magnificent package. This is as simple as can make it.

This Sunday, we will finish the series on Pentecost. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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The Way of Life

There are two phrases that I question. The first one is when I hear people say “it is what it is” because that means the person has resigned themselves to accept the circumstances rather than fight for what they feel is right. The fight has gone out of them and they accept that it is what it is and nothing is going to change it.

The second phrase is “it’s just the way of life”. This is also known as “it’s the new normal” or “that’s the way it is”. I heard a funny thing the other day where a politician was telling the audience to trust the science yet Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “the important thing is to never stop questioning”. If you adhere to the thoughts of Vinod Khosla, an Indian-American billionaire businessman and venture capitalist, when he states “Religion asks you to believe things without questioning, and technology and science always encourage you to ask hard questions and why it is important in science and technology. So I was always interested in science and technology”, then the two phrases I hear so often take on an almost religious attitude. I would like to counter with this; when Thomas was doubtful and questioning the return of Christ, Jesus did not come up to Thomas and destroy Him but rather Jesus provided the proof.

²⁴Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 NIV

The final sentence says it all for me. “because you have seen, you believe, blessed are those who have not seen and yet they believe.” Thomas asked for proof but the key is this, he accepted the proof. When people first come to hear the Truth, there are questions, there are inquiries. This is, for many, not a blind following but rather an educated choice based on research and facts. Like all inquiries, there are those who will oppose, who will not listen to the proof and try to sway. This is a fact of human behaviour. We all have a choice to make but those who are not willing to hear the opinions of others and decide to default to accept the phrase “that’s just the way it is” are only robbing themselves of the chance to grow in knowledge and wisdom by testing, researching and asking for the proof. Put you finger here, do you feel the nail holes, do you recognize the spear’s entry point? The neutral path is to accept society’s lethargy and resign to walking the fence between good and evil. Just remember, the evil one owns the fence.

This weekend, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder to bring us a message of hope and joy. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Where Does Your Strength Come From?

Where has the voice of the nation, the faith nation, gone? The strength of those who were some of the mightiest evangelists has, in my opinion, died when they passed and those who were supposed to take up the challenge of the greats like D. L. Moody and Billy Graham to mention a couple, have been attacked, bullied and abused by a nation focused on self. Sure, there are some strong evangelists out there but listen to the message, it is often watered down to meet the needs of the masses rather than take on the needs of the lost. If you think I am being harsh, guess what, I am and the one I will be the harshest is myself. I read a meme the other day that said: “if you want everyone to like you, go sell ice-cream”. I can guarantee you that regardless of how soft or “grey” a stance you take in life, someone will have an issue with you. If you are trying to get through life with your head low and hope to never be the cause of any issues, at some point you will step on toes so why go through life fearful of causing a problem? Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we should all rebel and fight the system, I am, however, saying never be afraid to live your faith. There will be some who will be rubbed the wrong way by your stance but hold firm and seek out strength in the Holy Spirit.

Consider this, for forty days, the disciples followed the risen Saviour and they learned at the feet of the Master. They went to the chamber after He ascended and waited as directed and the Spirit came upon them like tongues of flames, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This Sunday we are going to look at this but I want us to focus on this most important message; Peter, who denied Christ before the crucifixion, who cried because Christ confronted him at the feast after the resurrection, who hid behind locked doors after Christ was buried, this same man stood before thousands after the Holy Spirit filled him with divine courage and he spoke boldly to a crowd who were gathered to ridicule and bully the followers of Christ. The passion of the message was so powerful that it touched the hearts of many and about three thousand were saved! The message was simple, Christ is Lord, He loves us all and died for our sins.

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away —all who have been called by the Lord our God.”Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Acts 2:37-40 NLT

This weekend, we celebrate the message of Pentecost. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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What Can I Say

There are days when things are just sort of, how do I put this; Meh. You know those days, right? It’s one of those days where emails from the head office don’t really rate a reply because, it’s all just – meh. Most days are full of hope and joy where you look forward to the next meeting with anticipation, the sun looks just a bit brighter and even the clouds glisten with a silver lining. There are also the days where nothing is going right, the sunshine gives you a headache and the clouds only signal rain and cold. Then there is Meh. These are the days where nothing really matters too much but there is a chance that if one shoe drops, the day is going to head south in a real hurry. Then again, there is also a chance that one act of kindness could totally brighten up the day. Today is that day for me. Now before people start sending in notes of concern and such, this is a “meh” day and as I write this, I am taking note of how wonderful God is in the toughest of times and in the meh times.

I remember years ago when we used to see how deep we could dive before we had to surface. We had an idea of how deep we could go and there is that point where you could either go a bit further or turn back. I do recall getting to that point this one time and thinking I could try just a couple feet deeper. Turned out that was the wrong call. I had gone past the “meh” point and set myself up for the rest of the journey. As I turned to go back to the surface, I realized how deep I had sunk and it was going to be close getting to the surface. I raced to the surface, using up the oxygen in the lungs at a greater rate and, with lungs burning, I realized I wasn’t going to make it. The air escaped my lips in a scream and the void was replaced with water but, at the last moment, a hand grabbed mine and, in the next moment, I was on the surface coughing and sputtering. What a blessing and a miracle in that one precious moment.

We have the opportunity each and every day to grasp that hand of blessing. Remember, when the day is going south, call upon the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance to help you get to the surface. Those times when the world is that little bit brighter, call out to the Holy Spirit in praise for what the Lord has provided. On those “meh” days, take time out in prayer and meditation, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your eyes to the blessings around you and bask in the light of the Lord.

The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Ps 145:9

This weekend, we begin a new series on the Holy Spirit leading up to Pentecost. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Tough Nut to Swallow

You want to know the absolute truth? This is very tough to say but I do not know it all. Really, I don’t. In fact, I truly admire it when others admit they do not have the answer but can out me in touch with someone who does. For example, about three years ago I was having a tough time with constant pain in my joints but I got to thinking that maybe I could diagnose the situation and apply a remedy on my own. So, I called Dr. Google and got to work. So many suggestions but nothing that really worked. One night, the pain was so intense, I asked Natalie to drive me to the hospital but I had to go to the bathroom first. No matter how hard I tried, I could not close my fingers on the drawstring of my pants and I had to get Natalie to pull up my pants and knot the draw sting. That was a tough one to take. Sitting on the edge of the bed in the hospital, I began to realize that I may not have the answers. This was truly humbling. The Doctor came in and started asking a bunch of questions including some about my grandparents. At the end of the discussion, the Doctor suggested it may be Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis. Never heard of it. Neither had I. The Doctor was able to narrow down the possibilities but she suggested I consult a specialist. Long story short, the Emergency Doctor referred me to a specialist who took care of the situation and my personal Doctor works with him to help me get better.

This is a tough thing to admit but we are not perfect at all things but we can ask others who are specialists or more knowledgeable to give us a hand. And it all works hand in hand. There will be times where we will be asked to share our talents or expertise to help others. Let’s consider this:

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 Cor 12:12-21 NLT

We are all gifted in some way and by sharing our gifts and talents with others, we can make a difference in people’s lives and in our overall health of our society. We all need to take a look at the world around us and find a way to contribute wherever we can rather than seek out ways to separate from the whole and take the ball and go home. Life is much more than being the lone wolf.

This weekend, we welcome Singer/Songwriter Trevor Baker who will be bringing the Message of God in word and song. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Perfect Harmony

Over the years, I have had discussions with peers across numerous denominational lines and, while most of the time, these conversations have led to a common consensus; our foundational beliefs are very similar. If you compare our statements of faith, they are very close and the differences are not worth fighting over. Let me be so bold as to say this, so many arguments that happen within our own Christian faith family are because of the interpretations of theologians who had a viewpoint and people followed the teachings of a man rather than embracing the Truth of God. I know I will get a bit of a backlash but I can tell you this for certain, there is not a special place in Heaven for the Calvinists, the Wesleyans or the Lutherans just to name a few. We are all of the same Creator and it is time we embrace that truth. If you think I am way off base, please feel free to email me or even call me because I love to read the Scriptures and they are very clear. Let me reference 1 Corinthians 12 starting at verse 12:

Keep reading on further and you can see where the message is this; we all need each other. There is no need to argue how to interpret “kurios” but rather embrace the message, meditate on His Holy Word and let it nestle itself into your heart. Once you capture the joy and love of His Word, spread the joy and peace of the message in word and in deed throughout the land.

Many years ago, I remember a marketing campaign for Coca Cola that was a modification of a song by the New Seekers called “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony)”. Once I put down the lyrics, it will be an earworm for many of you.

“I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company.

I'd like to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace throughout the land”

We need to present the Gospel in perfect harmony with all the different denominations but we need to do so in such a way as to honour the Body as a whole. This is not the time to declare the righteousness of the denomination but rather proclaim the perfection of a loving and gracious God. Truth be told, I am not the only one to think this way. United for God, one voice for Christ.

This Sunday, we celebrate in songs of worship and do a lil’ business (our Annual General Meeting). This is a time of praising Him and thanking our Lord for an amazing year. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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The Purple Jersey

The time has come for the faithful to rise up and declare their faith once again. There have been those who have denied their faith and others who followed other paths only to realize they were wrong and must now choose to, once again, make a choice. The choice is not as easy at it seems as there are many different options available. Do you choose the odds-on favourite, the road well worn, or do you jump on board with a new plan that may or may not have been your go to in the past? For some, the ever faithful, there is that thought that no matter what, I will stay the course and not deny my choice. There are also those who have jumped on and off the bandwagon so many times, you can almost predict at what point they will return. Others still, who have turned their back and will never return. No matter what you do or say, they will never change their allegiance, nor will they even listen to any reasonable argument. Tonight, the NHL playoffs started and Leaf Nation’s ranks will swell. Not what you were expecting, right?

Cheering on your favourite team is much like faith in a religion. There are numerous religions out there and all considered, by the faithful, to be the only one. Wars are fought over who is right, families are split when someone “changes teams” and relationships are damaged when people argue over silly things like which translation is correct. Here are a few tips when it comes to choices. Respect other’s positions. You don’t have to like their team, but you can respect their right to choose. Your team may not be the favourite of everyone else, but you can represent with joy and humility. And finally, when someone jumps on board, welcome them with open arms and celebrate. There is a time when the world will all come to know what the Christian faith family know and that is Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 ESV. There is, in my mind, no reason to argue or fight over differences of opinion because one day we shall all call upon the name of the Lord.

¹⁴When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Eph 3:14-19 Msg

In my house, we celebrate the Leafs, the Habs, the Flames and the other Canadian teams on the road to the cup. But when it comes to faith, I ask you to consider this.

…if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

This Sunday, we celebrate the message of our living Saviour. We invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM. You are invited to wear your favourite team’s paraphernalia to the service.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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The Son Is Up and It’s a Great Day

I am sitting in my office and have already had numerous visitors come in to say hi. Things are always a bit better when the sun is shining, friends are close and the coffee is fresh and hot. It has been a long winter, a very long couple of years with all the restrictions and the masks. I am not sure anyone will fully realize how much the masks have affected our social wellness but am sure someone will do a study on that. You see, part of the fullness of our overall health is the physical queues we get from others when we communicate. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating for or against masks but rather am pointing out the importance of facial expressions in communicating with each other. Those who are hearing impaired need to see your lips when you speak, there are subtle nuances that they read in your facial expressions that help them to understand the tone of the conversation. There are those who will read your face as you speak to fully understand your communication. If your words say it is a beautiful day but your face says you are in pain, they will see the conflict. For us, this hidden conflict can be a stressor and the body, as a whole, will suffer.

So here is a question for us all to consider; is it really a great day in your faith walk? Let me explain this for a second. We are witnessing so many people struggling with their faith because they feel they must be perfect all the time, wear that smile constantly so that everyone will see that Christians have no worries in life. I know this is not the case for everyone but it will speak to some who struggle keeping that mask on. Behind the mask, the smile is gone and the struggles manifest as hurt, confusion and doubt. There are times when we fake it until we make it but what is the price paid? The thought of being vulnerable and transparent is, in many minds, considered a weakness and to reach out for help a sign of softness. Did you know that God does not see us like that? He sees through the mask and knows our heart, knows our pain. He sent His Son for us to relieve us of the stressor of sin, He sent Holy Spirit for us to find strength and guidance. God is with us at all times and provides the hope and strength for a glorious future. He also knows we will trip up, have struggles and feel less than worthy to carry on, that is why He walks with us at all times.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10 NIV

And in that, He will provide others to come alongside, to comfort and care, pray and encourage.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor 1:4 NLT

We are never alone, He is always with us and provides in ways we can not imagine. The Son is up at all hours and it is a great day when we look to Him.

This Sunday, we celebrate the message of Christ, our living Saviour. We invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Ever On the Defensive

For centuries, millennia even, the Word of God has been the guide for so many people. There were many who believed, had faith in the Almighty Creator, yet there were those who turned away and went their own way. We have, one and all, a freedom to choose. Some may choose to follow the ways of the world, to embrace the systems of mankind. Power and wealth define the person and their position in society. Wars are fought over it; lives are lost and chaos reigns supreme. For some, this is the driving force of life, the singular focus for many but it has a price. In this there are winners and there are losers. Hope is fleeting and the future is a road that eventually ends. Wealth is defined by mankind and changes hourly, power is held so long as people rally behind the person and, in today’s age, loyalty holds until the novelty wears off.

The focus of the faith filled, the followers of Christ, is one of peace and forgiveness. When the faithful focus on the Word of God, when they devote themselves to following in the footsteps of the Master and are dedicated to upholding the law of God over all others, there is a hope like no other. Love your Creator with absolutely every ounce of your being and love your neighbours as yourself. The focus shifts from self to others and the wellness of the family is the responsibility of all. Love others as you love God. Where there is peace and love, there is joy. Yes, there will be hiccups as we go through life regardless of what we believe but through Christ and with the faith family’s support, hope prevails. Jesus made us all the promise that if we believe in Him, seek His forgiveness for our past, we will not know the darkness of the grave but will find eternity in glory. That is a wonderful message and, to tell the truth, it is not a threatening concept. For those who are threatened by it, the question is why?

Why are you worried about my faith and my actions as a follower of Christ? My focus is on the health and wellbeing of those around me, so, where is the problem? Would it not be more advantageous for you to worry about you own faith then to seek ways to knock down those who only wish to be a blessing to their community? Seems like a huge waste of time and energy considering all things.

This Sunday, we celebrate the message of Christ, our living Saviour. We invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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The Easter Message

Over the past many years of writing these articles, not once have I ever penned one while I was upset; until now. Quick overview, we have a company that provides us a service and, over the past week and a half, we have left numerous messages for them to provide said service as per the agreement. After about the sixth message, I left a voice mail basically saying that I did not appreciate begging for service and asked if I should seek an alternative provider. Are you waiting for the rant? Do you want to know the provider or the service they offer? Well, don’t hold your breath because the information is not relevant to this article. I finally got a call back and my contact was very apologetic and wanted to make it right. What would you do? I know what I would have done back in the day as a business leader, but life is different now. It may seem easier to slam the door and move on to find a new provider, I could bad mouth the company and rally others to boycott their service, and don’t think that didn’t cross my mind, I am only human after all. It is so difficult to turn the other cheek when you realize that you may get slapped again. Human behaviour suggests that we lash out in return, exchanging slap for slap but what does this accomplish? No one that I know of has ever found a peaceful solution to a problem by matching a slap for a slap.

Jesus told us that when we pray, let us remember to forgive as we have been forgiven (see Matt 6:12). If we were to treat others the way we are being treated, the road could go two ways. If we pay back bad for bad, is there a chance of closure or healing? If we pay back kindness for kindness, what is the by-product of that? If we pay back kindness where others are expecting negative retaliation, what is the message there? Jesus was brought to trial for crimes He did not commit. The hatred the religious leaders had for Him was unwarranted and the punishment leading up to His death was not right. Truth be told, when the religious leaders attacked and persecuted the Son of God, they were violating God’s law, love the Lord your God with your entire being. It would have been fully understood if Jesus called down the legions of angels to strike down the oppressors for the injuries they instigated on the Messiah. They demanded their brand of justice and, when given the opportunity to have God released, they voted to have a known criminal released. Jesus suffered and died on the cross paying back pure love and forgiveness in the face of persecution and sin. In the end, Jesus called out to the Father in Heaven “Forgive them for they know not what they do”. As of ten minutes ago, the provider made good on the promise to provide their service and, as far as I am concerned, the matter is forgiven and forgotten. Some may say this is enabling them to do it again, yet I say we will remain vigilant but forgiving. How many times?

Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21, 22.

I can only hope that others will do the same for me. This Sunday, we celebrate a risen Lord, a living Saviour. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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He Did Not Come For the Rich Alone

There is a healer in the States who is considered by many to be one of the best clinical psychologists in the country. There is a four year wait list to see her and that is if you have the finances to get onto that list. She has worked with celebrities, leaders of industry and politicians throughout the States and will, on occasion, lend her advice to the media as an expert in the field. Only the richest and most affluent can access her talents and there is no end to the number of people who want to see her.

It is wonderful to be so talented, so influential and in such demand. I do not say this mockingly because it is so true. Just think if you were one of the few who were granted access to her for a consultation. It would be absolutely spectacular to have access to the incredible knowledge and wisdom if even just for an hour. You would want to be prepared for this meeting by jotting down notes, preparing your thoughts and recording every moment of the session for later review. So much to ask with so little time to do so. When it is all over, there is the need to put it all into a workable solution and script out your life based on the wisdom that was communicated. So much to do, and so little time. One of the greatest minds in psychology has poured out such a special gift into your life, embrace it and grow!

Now, my question is this; what about those who are not among the blessed, privileged to partake in such wisdom and knowledge? Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not getting down on the rich but rather I am throwing this out there; there is a Counsellor out there who is infinitely wiser and more knowledgeable than this famed clinical psychologist. This Counsellor is not only interested in the well-being of the “client” but is also intimately aware of our needs and has a staked interest in the “client” because He loves us infinitely and perfectly.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isa 9:6-7 NLT

Our Wonderful Counsellor, the Messiah, our Saviour came to this earth to not only fulfill the prophecy but to save all mankind through His eternal love for us all. This love was so intense that He not only went to the cross to take our sins from us and save us, He stayed on the cross until it was done. Jesus did not do this for the rich, for the fanatical faithful, for the powerful. Jesus did it for us all. We do not have to be the elite to access the infinite wisdom and compassion of God, we do not have to wait in line or make an appointment with the Almighty. Our healing and growth is not based on a one visit and you are on your own, God is with us all the time through the Holy Spirit. Life is not about getting to the finish line and just complete the race but rather it is about embracing what He has provided perfectly all the time. There is no end to His love for us all and no waiting line to spending time with Him.

As we approach Easter we will continue to focus on His Message of Salvation through the sacrifice of the Messiah on the cross. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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God On My Terms

If you have watched the services over the past few weeks, you may have heard the frustration in my voice and may have even heard my numerous apologies for being rather testy of late. The biggest reason, as far as I can tell, is that I have taken on way too much and think that I am fully able, on my own, to fulfill the obligations set before me. This leads to stress which, in turn, leads to frustration in self and, in the majority of cases, leads to the great snap. There just seems so much to do and so little time to accomplish it that it all needs to fit into that nice organized box which I made and I put the parameters in place by which it will be judged upon completion. This is life on my terms and by my standards. Now, many will wonder “what is wrong with that”, so let me throw this out there; there is more to life than making sure everything around us is perfect. There is only one perfection in life and I am not it.

I will be the first to admit that when life starts getting tight and stressful, I am the first one to take back the reigns and steer the cart in the right direction, my direction. No one else is better qualified to steer this rig down the road. This is a fallacy and a selfish point of view. When this kind of stinkin’ thinkin’ starts to settle in, those around us start to worry. As we travel down the path we have set and ignore or even forget the guidance of the Lord, we become very much alone. Walls go up, few, if any, is qualified to offer advice and our life falls off the right path and enters down a path less traveled, a road that only one person knows the route.

Faith on my terms. I remember that time from long ago. If I feel like helping out, I may, depending on the day. It’s a beautiful day out, I think I am going to skip out on church today and watch hockey on the tube. They won’t miss me at another prayer meeting. God knows me, we are connected and I tell Him what my needs are all the time. Consider this; life in Christ is not about self but rather about dying to self and seeking out the richness of family and relationship with God the Father as the head of this family. He wants us to be together, love on one another and care for each other’s needs. This is the message; this should be our passion.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb 10:23-25 NLT

This is not about getting God to live life on our terms but rather us seeking out His will for our lives and for us to live life on His terms. His terms are simple and the way is that of peace and love.

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:40-44 NLT

Jesus knelt before the Father in prayer and asked that His will be done, not mine. That should be out plea to the Father in Heaven day in and day out. Lord help me to become a reflection of your love and compassion while I draw breath on this earth.

We are fast approaching Easter and will be focusing on His Message of Salvation through the sacrifice of the Messiah on the cross. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Living Dynamically In the Spirit

A question to ponder. Have you ever gotten to a place in your life where there just seems to be no way out? I mean you have been beat up physically or mentally to the point where there just seems to be no more gas in the tank. Your spiritual determination is waning, and the only thing still left is a chance that you can muster up one more bit of personal strength to throw up that final hail mary. I have probably related this story a hundred times, but I still remember coming home from school after spending another day getting physically and mentally beat up. It was a normal day in Junior High where I was ducking elbows, taking shots in the arm, getting charlie horses while standing in line for milk at lunch and getting called all sorts of names just because I was the new guy in school. What made it even tougher, I was a farm kid in the city and was taught to control my temper and not let it get the best of me. This one day, I sat on my grandmother’s lap bawling my eyes out and she just rocked my in the rocking chair and sang “Jesus Loves Me” over and over. This was the lowest of low in my life and yet, it was a moment of great joy because this was the day the Holy Spirit spoke to me and put me at ease. I did not realize it at the time, but this was the call upon my life. I told grandma that one day I would be a preacher and she just said, “I know”. It took 24 years of rather questionable living, but it finally happened.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 NLT

We all have our times of suffering, but the Holy Spirit is with us all the way and in Him we can stand on a firm foundation. We can live dynamically in the Spirit, and we will make a huge difference in a world that, at times, seems bent on self-destruction and violence. God has a plan; it is a perfect plan, and we can do all things in Him who protects and preserves us.

This Sunday, we will dig into 1 Peter 5 and examine life lived dynamically in the Holy Spirit. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Living Dynamically in Today’s Society

This Sunday will be the last in our Living Dynamically Series and, while Rev. Reeder’s series ended on our End Times service, I was led to bring one more to the series. What is it to live dynamically in our society today? We touched on this a little bit on Sunday when I asked “How does the community look at us when we declare we are Christian?” Do they guard their words? Do they find ways to walk away rather than get into a conversation about the Bible? Do they act differently, talk differently or look at you differently? Here is a tough one to hear; “Really, I would never have guessed!”

Living dynamically for Christ in our society, means not backing down from our conviction to lead a Christ-like life, regardless of what the world thinks. Being a follower of Christ is not a job but rather a calling and He has called every single one of us to follow Him. He created us to have fellowship with Him! Do you want to know what the most frustrating thing about being a member of the clergy is, in my opinion? It has nothing to do with numbers, it has nothing to do with counting converts. For me, it is simply this; finding the best way to communicate to the world that we are all God’s creation and He wants only the best for each and every one of us. This is where I put it out to everyone, we are His and He is with us all the time. Name it and claim it, that is name Him as Lord and Saviour and claim His love and peace in your life. It has absolutely nothing to do with money, wealth or power but rather peace, joy and grace. Live dynamically in His love, in His grace and you will find perfect peace and those around you will be impacted. There are those out there who will deny this, but I ask you; have they given it their all?

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Heb 4:12-13 NLT

Transparency in living is the key. God knows our inner most thoughts, He knows our very essence. We cannot, should not, think we can deceive Him. As we live before Him, so should we live in front of our family, friends and neighbours. It is time to live dynamically in His Light for we are accountable to our Creator in Heaven. Let His Light Shine.

This week, we finish the series of Dynamic Living in End Times with Pastor Todd. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

Spreading the Good News, the Gospels, is not the job of one person bit rather the calling of every single one of us in the faith family.

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It Was the Best of Times, It Was the End of Times

What truly drives me up the wall is when people come up and ask “Do you think we are living in the end times?” My answer is YES!! Of course, we are living in the end times. We started living in the end times the second we were told that Christ was coming back, in the end time. It will be the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of the new life with the Creator. The next push back comes in when they say “No, no, I mean will the world end in our lifetime?” Let me think about this for a moment; “I have NO sweet clue, in fact no one has any idea except for the Lord Almighty. Do I look like the Creator of all the Universe?” So, let’s wrap our head around this for a moment; the second we are born is the moment we start to die. We all have a shelf life on this earth, in fact there are those who may even say we have a best before date.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.

You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” Mark 13:32-37 NLT

This is not a message of condemnation, it is a heads up, like preventative measures. Brush your teeth to prevent tooth decay, take your vitamins to ward off ailments, believe and follow Jesus Christ to ensure the end of times don’t catch you napping. As a Pastor, all I can do is communicate the Message. There are so many out there who would have you believe they know the date and time, they have been doing it for eons but I say this; be prepared today, live dynamically in Christ and you will not live in fear but rather in joy and happiness. You need not ask when but rather rejoice in the promise of eternity. Keep an eye out but do so with expectation of the best things to come, the best life to live. There is absolutely no reason we should not live in dynamic joy. Life, on earth, is short but what is to come is eternal, so while we are here, dance like no one is looking.

This week, we continue to explore the series of Dynamic Living in End Times with Pastor Todd. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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Dynamic Living During Times of Temptation

It was a moment of weakness that drove a young boy to tears for days. His mom and dad were beside themselves because they could not understand why he was in such a rough state of affairs. They asked all the usual questions such as “are you being bullied?” and “are you sick?”. They had no idea what was causing him to run straight to his room after school. They inquired at the school and nothing had happened there except that he was very removed and was not focusing on his work. He was not participating in afterschool sports, his friends were wondering what was going on and he wasn’t eating. Nights were filled with nightmares and they were woken by his screams on more than one occasion. Finally, his father came in after one of his episodes late at night as asked what was happening. The boy wrapped in his father’s arms, crying uncontrollably, let out that he didn’t want to go to jail forever and that he was scared.

It turns out that a couple of boys in the neighbourhood had dared him to steal a toy from the department store. They told him if he did so he could be in their super secret club. After much coaxing, he did it but he felt terrible. The boys said “if you tell anyone, you will go to jail for life and will never see your parents ever again!” From under the pillow, the boy pulled out the toy, still in its original packaging and he cried out that he didn’t want to go to jail and he didn’t want the toy. The father held the boy tight and told him that it would all be better in the morning.

The next day, father and son went to the store and explained to the manager what had happened. The manager commended him for his honesty but did say that it must never happen again. The young lad never did steal again. He became a police officer and spoke at many schools on being the best person you could for those around you.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13

Though the temptations of the world are great, they are finite. As the lights go down on this world, there will be an end to the worldly things of life. What God has to offer in infinite and perfect. Lean not on your own finite limitations and trust completely in His infinite power. When temptation grows strong, when things are overwhelming, wrap yourselves in the loving arms of God and He will provide the way. Name the love of God in Christ the Son and declare freedom from sin through our Savior. This is truly dynamic living in these times of temptation.

This week, we continue to explore the series of Dynamic Living in Times of Temptation with Rev Glenn Reeder. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Living in Tight Spots

Have you considered the early life of King David? Think of it, he was thought to be the youngest of Jesse’s children and when the battle was on with the Philistines, he was watching over the family flock and ran food and gifts to his brothers who served King Saul. David’s brothers were warriors and were prepared to fight, sort of, and the lines had been drawn. Goliath demanded a champion but all the Israelites could see was a huge warrior who was battle-hardened and hungry for blood. David’s brothers told him to go home, Goliath mocked him and, I dare say, many in the Jewish camp did not have much faith in David, especially when he refused the armour offered. He faced the giant with a sling and some smooth stones.

The lines were drawn all around him and David was in a tight spot. Behind him were those who placed their faith in the physical strength of men, in front of him was a giant who looked at David as an ant waiting to be stomped, not even worth his effort but he would make short work of the youngster on his way to victory. And then in 1 Samuel 17:45-46, “David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶Today the Lord will conquer you…” No fear because the Lord was with him, and he fully trusted in his God.

Today, we watch the news of nations setting boundaries while others challenge them, there are people setting the battle plan for the fulfillment of personal preferences to the detriment of others around them. There is no peace in the arms of chaos and division, only heartache. We live in a tight spot where so many are afraid to speak for fear of cancel culture, yet David loudly proclaimed to the Israelites “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” The tight spots we find ourselves in are, in many cases, due to our reliance on self but David has shown us the way when he declares “I come in the name of the Lord”. When the world seems to be closing in and the pressure gets too much, do not be afraid to yell out “LORD, GIVE ME STRENGTH!!” We have a Champion in the Lord, and we can declare a dynamic life in His light.

This week, we continue to look at Dynamic Living in Christ and will continue to pray for the Peace of God to rain down upon our world. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Dynamic Living in a Dangerous World

I don’t have to tell you that things are a bit rough out there lately. Egos the size of planets deciding to butt heads without fear because they are not the ones who are going to put their own lives on the line. Change the rules and have them step into the octagon. There is only one rule: last one standing wins. If that were the case, I am sure there would be a lot more thought give to starting a fight. This world is in a bit of turmoil as of late. The sides have been drawn, there are at least two camps, maybe more. Each side is upset with the other for reasons unknown. Family members squaring off against each other all trying to convince the other to change sides before it is too late. Science say this while the other side digs in because the science they found says this. In the end, no one wins and life continues on. People are trampling on the rights of others all the while claiming the truth and in their path, destroyed relationships and giant rifts. This is a dangerous world we live in and one can always be assured there are those on the fringes of the fight who crave the chaos and seek ways to feed the flames of dissention.

So, what is dynamic living in this dangerous world? I would suggest there is a whole group of people out there who are on their knees begging God to bring peace, asking Him to open hearts and minds to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and change their ways from division to unity through the love of Jesus Christ. Let me ask you this; when is the last time you saw a person drop on their knees in the middle of a tense situation and ask God for wisdom and strength? Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane was facing a situation so stressful that He went off on His own to pray to the Father. He prayed with such fervour and intensity that His sweat dropped to the ground like great droplets of blood. In times of great danger, Christ knelt in prayer to gather His strength from the Father. Some may see this as a sign of weakness and would gather others to come witness the fear. Yet this is what I would call dynamic living. He knew what was to come and, at any point in time, He could have walked away but instead He stayed. He could have called down legions of angels to destroy the world but instead He chose the cross. The first thief on the cross taunted Him, trying to get the Master to bend to His will but Jesus did not. The second thief asked only to join Him in Heaven where the love and peace of Glory reigned and he was rewarded.

Dynamic Living is not about might and dissention. Chaos is the language of the world but grace is the language of Glory. Take time today to live a dynamic lifestyle. Pray for those who lead the nations, ask God to grant them wisdom. Pray that the truth will be spoken and the lies will be like dust in the wind. Give praise to the Lord because when all is done and Jesus comes again, what will remain is Truth, Peace and Love.

This week, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder. We will be starting a shared series over the next four weeks and will pray for the Peace of God to reign down upon our world. For those who wish to know more about Dynamic Living, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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His Promise

Over the years, I have done some wild things, made some huge mistakes and, in almost all circumstances, I have learned a thing or two from it. If you want the nitty gritty of these escapades, I am more than willing to share but I will tell you this; with every story I tell, I will also tell of the lesson. There were times when I would indulge way too much but did not see the effects until I quit drinking to get drunk. There was so much I missed during these times and there is no way to get it back. I used to work far too much (still do on occasion) and, again, I missed out on so much and, while there is no way to get it back, I do try to make amends for the errors of the past. Like I said, there are numerous things in my past that still haunt me, events missed, occasions forgotten, and while I cannot change the past, I do try to learn from them for the future.

So much missed, so many things we wish we could do over. For some, the biggest fear is missing something, forgetting to show up completely or overlooking the big picture. We ought to fear this because, as a society, many are missing out and, at some point in time, this miss will lead to a fairly important consequence. The one mistake I fear the most for those around me is dreading they may miss the opportunity to fully appreciate the promise the Father made to us all through His Son. Life is full of distractions and indulgences, and many have forgotten the perfection that is covering us all in His loving embrace. His promise is for eternity and is easily achieved by simply proclaiming Christ as Saviour.

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. Hebrews 4:1 NLT

Clear the scales from your eyes and see what the Lord has set before you. Help others to see that it is never too late. For those who are skeptical, my question is why? Some will say they do not believe in a god so I ask, what do you believe? Some will say they have been burnt by the church to which I say the church is full of people who, at times, do or say the wrong thing but our God knows what He is doing. Some say “we’ll see” and I respond “at least think about it”. Do not wait too long to invite Him into your heart, don’t wait too long to experience His perfect Grace.

This Sunday, we will seek comfort in His message for all His children. For those who wish to know more about the fellowship of Christ, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Someone Call for Help

I gotta tell you, as we get further and further along in this pandemic, the greater the division grows. As people look to various sources for information, for current theories or even for some sense of hope, it seems as though there is more confusion and less clarity. I am not going to get into who is right or wrong because regardless of what view I present, there will be someone who wants to convince me I am wrong. Social media is one of the biggest sources of dissention and strife. Try saying one thing that may be slightly controversial and I can almost guarantee you that that someone will grab hold of the opportunity to argue the point and begin to rally others to come against you. As things escalate, you look at ways to stand your ground and then, for many, they give up and either leave the conversation or delete it all together. There are times when some will come alongside and help defend but the hurt and confusion still linger. So, when this happens, what do you do? Do you call out for help or do you curl up in a corner and look for ways to escape and just disappear? What if I told you that help is as close as a prayer?

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Ps 121 NLT

We may think we are alone, facing attacks without any help at all but that is far from the truth. God is not one who leaves us to paddle the boat without an oar, He is with us always and speaks of joy, grace and love within the eternal relationship. He understands the pain we face and stands ready to walk with us or even carry us when things get overwhelming, we need only to ask Him to give us strength, to give us wisdom. There is none greater than the Creator and none who can successfully come against our Lord.

This Sunday, we will seek His strength in these times of trial and dissention. For those who wish to know more about the fellowship of Christ, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Why So Bold?

A while back, I read an article about a pro sports team that had performed well above their level and had come very close to winning the championship even though they were a very new expansion team. There was speculation as to why they had gone so far in the playoffs and even grumblings that this new team did not deserve to get so far into the playoffs or even make it into the championship rounds. Some claimed foul because they had not paid their dues, others lobbied to ratify the rules so that teams in their first few years of existence should have to wait to get a chance. I understand this sounds rather ludicrous but there were some very upset people out there. On the flip side, there were those who loudly cheered them on, rallied around the little team that could and jumped on the noob bandwagon. The deeper they went into the playoffs, the more people started to believe until the wheels fell off in the final games and they failed in their bid for a championship. The naysayers were quick to point out that they never stood a chance, they should never have gotten where they had and you won’t see them in the playoffs again for a very long time.

Truth be told, based on their roster, the lack of playoff experience and their mediocre talent pool, they should not have done well but they had something going for them that no one really understood, they had faith. Their leadership told them they could achieve greatness if they only believed and supported one another. The coaches gave them all the opportunities to prove the naysayers wrong by giving them the tools they needed to succeed and the players all supported one another and believed in each other. You see, all the players on the team were the ones their past teams felt they could do without and left them unprotected but the General Manager saw potential and greatness in them. The leadership brought them together and they did awesome things, together.

Now, consider this. In 1 John 4 starting at 18, the early Christians are being persecuted and there is a sentiment of fear and doubt but they are being told that the love and protection of Christ is greater than all the evils they confront.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

It is becoming more and more common for those who do not know the love of God to come against those of faith and try to stifle the Message or break up the team. They bring forth tactics such as belittling, bullying or even cancel culture to either shut the faithful up or to eliminate the message. I would ask that for those who are so adamant there is no God, continue on your way and don’t worry about the followers of Christ for our mandate is one of peace and compassion. For those who are dedicated to the Message, band together, support one another, pray for those who persecute and know that, in the end, there will be victory in Glory.

This Sunday, we will delve into examine the power of Christ through His love for the world. For those who wish to know more about the fellowship of Christ, we invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Why So Joyful?

Heard at a shopping centre a few years ago “chivalry is not dead”. A woman walking up to the doors of the mall and a young gentleman noticed her coming. He paused before reaching out to grasp the door handle and, as she approached, he opened the door for her then rushed by her to the inner doors and opened them as well. It was not the act of being polite that caught my attention, even though I found it to be quite refreshing to witness it, but rather the expression on her face. She seemed quite stunned that someone would not only pause to open the door for her but that he would then race forward to open the second one. There seemed to be a lilt in her step that was not there before and it was almost as if a joyful light had gone off in her being. It played in my mind that this was an example of the mission of Christ. What would Jesus do?

He is kind and loving, willing to put the needs of others regardless of their post in society. He came for all, not just the rich, not just the poor, nor the healthy or the lame but rather for all. As the disciples stopped for supper, Christ loosened His robes, took up a towel and a basin and washed their feet. I can only imagine the look on their faces as He did so. Could they have had the same expression as the woman who had the door opened for her?

“You want to wash my feet? But why? There are servants paid to do that. I can do this myself.”

I realized my age a few months ago when a young man paused at the door of the pharmacy and waited for me to come near. As I arrived, he opened the door for me and, after I thanked him, he wished me well and skittered off to do his own thing. My day took a turn for the better after that one act of kindness. I wanted to ask him if he was a man of faith but instead, I rejoiced in his kindness and asked God to bless him. Love your neighbour and be blessed.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:16-17 NLT

This Sunday, we will delve into the thought of What Would Jesus Do by discovering the attributes of Christ. If we truly desire to live like Jesus in this world, it would be advantageous to delve into His character. For those who wish to know more about the attributes of Christ, we invite you to join us either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Why So Scared?

So many people are fearful of those things they cannot see. Think of those things that are unseen that so many are fearful of, things that can paralyse a person in fear or can change a person’s attitude or actions purely based on a fear of a negative outcome. There are those who will bow down to the fear mongering just to avoid the repercussions and then there are those who will push back and rebel or just walk away and let the chips fall where they may. This is a tough time, a time of uncertainty and of fear. Conspiracy theories about, cancel culture rules social media and people are not only fearful of the diseases and choices out there but they are also afraid of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person and essentially setting themselves up for social abuse and exclusion. That is a fear in the human realm.

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4:13-16

Let me preface this by admitting that the church has done a disservice by preaching the whole fire and brimstone message. Believe in God or face the consequences. Yes, there are consequences but why try to motivate people with the negative? Read the message from Jesus, let the Truth bring light to the real Message; Jesus saves. There is nothing to fear in His message. Love God, love each other. Trust in Him and He will set you free. What are you set free from? Your past is forgiven, your eternal life is guaranteed, the world will look far different when you seek out the joy and love in the world rather than dwell in the stressors the world would have us believe is the norm. There is a choice to be made and it is yours alone, no pressure, no threats. When we chose to follow Christ, our lives will change forever but if the choice is to maintain the current direction in life, nothing much will change so why are so many fearful of His message? My life changed for the better when I decided to follow Jesus. When I started to write these articles, the choice to read them or to ignore them was fully in the hands of those who had a choice. Some do not believe, some have pushed back and some have even argued in order to change my mind but there is one thing remains; I still love them all regardless of their attitude towards me, towards my Saviour.

What is there to fear from the Lord? The choice is yours just as there was a choice for me. I respect the choices of others and appreciate the same in return. For those who wish to know more about faith in Christ, we invite you to join us either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Why Does The World Fear Christianity?

As I sat down to write this, I began to think back on the past and research the “why” of this question. Under the banner of Christianity, all sorts of disgraceful actions and sins have been carried out. It is truly embarrassing to realize how much has been done to sully the name of Christ by those who do not fully understand the basic foundation of the faith. There are those who developed some rather far-fetched regulations and put into place punishments that would scare many into falling into place through fear. Judgement by those in position of power could and did overstep the bounds of mortal authority and, in the past, could relegate those who faltered as outcasts from the faith family. This was, at one time, terrifying because the church was the center of the community and to be an outcast from the faith community was to be excluded from many things in the community. We can also consider the damage done through colonialism, crusades and inquisitions just to name a few as these were all fodder for society to question the motives or mandate of the Christian church. The atrocities of man carried out under the banner of God without the true authority of God. I know this is a bold statement and many will question my comments but if the Truth is to be told, it must be told with transparency and with boldness for His Truth as suffered by His children’s actions.

⁷Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

⁹God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

¹¹Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. ¹²No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

¹³And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. ¹⁴Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. ¹⁶We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. ¹⁷And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

¹⁸Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. ¹⁹We love each other because he loved us first.

²⁰If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. 1 John 4:7-21

I know this is a rather lengthy passage for this article but it does talk to the issue of fearfulness of Christ. I would suggest there are many, past and present, who have forgotten this teaching. The old expression of “What Would Jesus Do” has rather fallen to the wayside and, with it, the ultimate message from God; Love the Lord with absolutely every ounce of your being and love those around you just as deeply. If we truly love the Lord and those around us, we would certainly not put up barricades to keep people out and we would not cause others to suffer by our judgement on them. Jesus came to save all from their past, from their sins. He did not come to condemn but rather to save. Why should the world fear this message? Is it because this is not the message they have come to understand as the Truth of our faith?

This week, and for the weeks to follow, we are going to talk about Christianity, dispel some rumours and look at how we can break the trend of fear within our community and our nation. All change starts with the first step and so we start this journey by addressing where we need to go.

We invite you to join us either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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New Start

Consider what the birth of the Messiah means for the people of this planet. There are the effects for those at the time and then there is the impact on us all today. We talked about this a bit last week when we looked at the levels of governance of the Jewish people. There were the rules of the Caesar through the levels of government, administered by the governors and military. Add to this the rules of the Jewish hierarchy and the leadership under the king, in this case, King Herod. Then there was the rules and regulations of the priesthood, the Mitzvah, 613 Commandments of Jewish faith, along with the laws, traditions, and edicts of the faith community. There were some delicate dances performed in the administration of the nation by all levels of government and those most impacted by all these rules, by all the bureaucracy; the common people. So many rules, so much stress and, for many, little hope. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the sinners, the infirmed, children, women, shepherds, and those who were not Jews, just to name a few. So, when you are living in a segment of society where there is little hope for any appreciation, equality or forgiveness, life can be rather depressing or even meaningless.

Then one night, the angels of the Lord came to the shepherds to declare the arrival of the Messiah, God with us. He came to bring great tidings of joy, hope and peace. Jesus came to grant all a new start. When we dig into the Holy Word, we find that Christ came to forgive and not condemn. So many of the rules and regulations by the many levels of governance were based on the things that were not allowed and were punishable by incarceration and, in some cases, execution. Our Lord, Emmanuel, came to give us a direction, a pathway to a peaceful and joyful life filled with hope rather than fear. Love God with absolutely every fiber of your being and love those around you fully. Jesus said when you pray, give forgiveness as you ask the Lord to forgive you. Love as God loves, forgive as God forgives, claim as much of the Grace of God as He is willing to provide. How much Grace does He have for each of us? Who really knows because His love for us is without end.

So where is the hope for us today? Jesus came for us all. Look back into the Scripture for examples. Jesus walked among the sinners, healed the sick, dined with thieves (tax collectors), defended prostitutes and blessed the black sheep (Samaritans). Christ sent the Disciples into the nations to minister to all, Jews and Gentiles alike. When the Son of God came, He did so with a purpose in mind; to save and to offer a new beginning. When Scripture talks of being born again, it is not that we return to the womb to start over but rather that we are offered the opportunity to die to our past and be reborn in His love, forgiven by His Grace and we live with a hope for an eternity in Glory with our Creator. Yes, we are under the law of mankind in our daily lives when it comes to daily living and, yes, some of those laws are rather hard to rally behind, but the hope of our future is in the two commandments of God; Love the Lord Almighty and love each other as yourself. Embrace what Jesus has provided each and everyone of us, claim victory over the sins of your past by declaring Christ as Saviour, ask Him for forgiveness, and begin life anew in His love and by His Grace. Happy New Year and Happy New Beginning!

This week we celebrate the new beginnings in a new year at 10:30 AM. We invite you to join us either in person or watch us online.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Fægen Hāligdæg!

I don’t mean to start an argument or be seen as uncaring of other’s right to enjoy this time of year in their own way so I will simply wish you all a Fægen Hāligdæg! Perhaps I could wish you a Kala Christougena or Feliz Navidad? Are you perhaps awaiting a joyous “Seasons Greetings”? So many people get so easily offended by these words and find ways to either avoid or, in the cases of some businesses that wish not to offend any particular group, mandate that their employees avoid certain phrases. I recall a memo that came down from the higher echelon when I worked in retail that stated “please inform your store managers that the staff should refrain from wishing our customers a Merry Christmas as some of our customers are offended by it.” For me, I was offended by the fact they expected us to deny our right to freedom of expression because of possible lost sales. I could go down this road for a long time but that is not the purpose of this article. I am here to wish all a Fægen Hāligdæg! It is pronounced Faegen Haligday or Happy Holiday. In Old English, this literally means Happy Holy Day. How many people get up in arms about being forced to say Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas? Seriously, when we say Happy Holidays, we are wishing others a blessing on a Holy Day. What is the Holy Day in December? For Christians, it is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. Bring on Happy Holidays!!!

The other term that is a safe, non-religious declaration is Season’s Greetings. Let’s tear this one apart for a moment. To use this term is to declare to another that you wish the other person to enjoy the celebration of this particular time of year. This is the time of year when people gather to share in the love, peace and joy of relationship. We gather together when we can, break bread with each other, rejoice with old and new friends alike and share mementos of our appreciation of each other through gift giving. Now, the reason for the season is a celebration of the birth of the Messiah, the Saviour, the Son of God. God sent His Son for us all because He loves us and wants us to find and grow in relationship with Him.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NLT

This is the spirit of the season in my opinion and when we ask a blessing upon others by greeting each other in this manner, are we declaring to others that we wish them love, peace and joy? Think about it for a moment. I declare to you a greeting in love, peace and joy. The name of that love is Christ for He is love and He is the reason for the joy of the season. So consider this, whether we declare Happy Holy Days, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Season’s Greetings or Merry Christmas, let us do so in the Spirit of the Season, with joyous hearts, love for all those around us and let’s strive to make this more than a blip on the calendar in December. Let us declare the love, joy and peace throughout the year for all those around us

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12 NLT

This week we celebrate the birth of the Messiah at 6:30 PM on Dec 24^th and new beginnings on Dec 26^th at 10:30 AM. We invite you to join us either in person or watch us online.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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What Is True Might?

When I was younger and we were on the farm, I remember a time when this guy came out from the city to load up some straw bales to take back with him. This guy was huge, weightlifter huge before the time of Arnold and Lou. Dad was in great shape, but this guy had some pounds on him. If an outsider was to take bets on who could load the truck faster with less sweat, I am sure that most would go with the bodybuilder rather than the skinny farmer. Now, this guy was chucking the bales around pretty good, launching them onto the truck with relative ease and rather quickly but it didn’t take long to realize that the initial fervour was going to wane with time. You see, we can look at the size and build and make an assumption based on preconceived notions but when it comes right down to it, there is more to true strength than looks. This guy did reps in the gym working in a specific pattern to build the muscles up over a specific time but what he had failed to do was work on his endurance. Dad, on the other hand, threw these bales around every day plus he loaded buckets with chop and carried them the length of the barn every morning and night. Dad lifted gates into place, shoved pigs and cows out of the way, cut boards with a handsaw, pounded nails, fixed fences and basically had a twelve-hour workout every single day. Dad had stamina, an inner strength that many could have missed if they were looking for a stereotypical “strong man”.

There are many people out there whom I greatly admire because of their strength. There are those who are not afraid to show their feelings rather than hide behind a façade, those who show strength in their transparency, the ones who are not too proud to admit when they are wrong or even lost and need directions. Some of my greatest mentors are the first to go to prayer, acknowledge the Saviour, Jesus Christ, as Lord and lean upon the Spirit for guidance and strength.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Eph 3:14-19

Christ did not come as a giant king on a white stallion ready to destroy all who opposed the Jewish nation but rather, He came to show the way in a very different manner. He brought the love and peace of God in a tiny, vulnerable package. His might was in the stamina, His coming is still celebrated today. He came to show the way to live a wonderful life wrapped in the power of the Spirit. His love for us is far greater than we will ever realize while we walk this earth but when we meet in glory, the fullness of His agape (love) will be revealed completely. He is in this for the long haul and those who claim the fullness of grace will share in the joy now and forever. Do not be fooled by the false might of those of the world for their power is fleeting, instead put your faith in the King of the universe.

This week we celebrate the Might of Christmas, week four of Advent. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Majesty

We are coming into the third week of Advent and what a week this is to celebrate. We have been using a series that Rev Reeder introduced to us a month ago and it has been such an eyeopener. Paul’s letters to the churches throughout the Mediterranean served as both encouragement and warning for those new to the faith family but what truly amazes me is how relevant they are today. Consider this, the world is slowly losing touch with the majesty of the Creator. He is being reduced to a “once a week” visit, if that, and the fear of His majesty is getting so watered down that the urgency to seek Him out is falling down most people’s priority list. This past Sunday, we looked at the Ministry of Christmas and really drilled down to the foundation of faith, that being, we are more than observers of the majesty of Christ but rather are called to be ministers of the Word. Many will ask “what do we say?” Consider seeking it out in His Word!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Eph 2:14-21

His majesty has overcome the world and His Word is the perfect place to start sharing from. Don’t water it down because He who created the universe has empowered the faithful to speak through the power of the Holy Spirit. One can only wonder if Jack Hayford had this passage in mind when he wrote “Majesty”.

Majesty, worship His Majesty.
Unto Jesus be all glory, honour and praise!
Majesty, Kingdom Authority,
Flow from His throne, unto His own
His anthem raise!

This week we celebrate the Majesty of Christmas, week three of Advent, with Rev Bob Hillock. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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The Passion of God

There was a time, decades ago, when my family did not have much for extras. December was always a hard month for our family because, while we had enough for the necessities of life, the extras, like Christmas presents, were not top priority. My brother and I could hardly wait for the Simpson Sears Christmas catalogue to come out so we could pour through the pages and make up a wish list. There are very few gifts I can remember from back in those days save the mandarin orange in the toe of the stocking, some comic books to round out the sock, a chocolate bar, a candy cane and one of those small puzzles with the tiny metal balls that you had to fit into the holes in the picture. I remember those but I also remember all of us sitting around, opening presents, eating a wonderful breakfast and then heading out to visit friends and relatives. My parents always went all out to ensure we had a great Christmas regardless of how things were financially. In fact we never knew that things were tight because we always had so much fun together. As I look back over my life, I can understand just how much my parents gave up for us. It still is my mom’s passion to make sure her kids and grandkids and her great-grandchild are well taken care of, not just at Christmas but all the time.

Christmas, it is literally the celebration of the Holy Communion of Christ. He left His place beside the Father to be amongst us all, to show us a better way than what we were and are experiencing. The day the Father sent His Son to earth was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. He came forth into a world that was full of chaos and darkness. It was a time of uncertainty about the future, yet Jesus gave His all for those around Him. He healed the sick, comforted the hurting and gave hope to those who had lost all hope, the outsiders who had no one to turn to. He gave His all for everyone including those who persecuted Him. Jesus has a passion for all His children and gives us the gift we will never forget; peace on earth, goodwill towards all.“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” God gave the perfect gift without thought of the cost. That is His passion for us all. This Christmas season, let us take the time to celebrate peace, love and joy in the same way Jesus celebrates each of us.

This week we celebrate the Ministry of Sainthood, week two of Advent. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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The Promise of the Father

A few years ago, I had an issue with a vehicle and took it into someone for repairs. This person came highly recommended and I was told he was very reasonable when it came to prices. The shop was out in the industrial section so it was a somewhat distant from walking distance home but that was okay because I could get Natalie to run me home. Now, I was a tad skeptical because I have rarely had good experiences with shops so the first visit, for me, is always the test to see if he truly lives up to his reputation. As we pulled up, I noticed the usual gathering of parts vehicles in the compound, the shop was rather sparse of tech and the owner/operator met me in the shop office. Now, for some, this would be a warning flag but it took me right back to the days when I would go into the shop, have a quick chat with the mechanic and walk away knowing I was in good hands and, to tell the truth, I was comfortable right from the start. There are those who want to see a bright and shiny shop with all the bells and whistles, mechanics with fresh uniforms, fresh coffee and nibblies available while they watch the TV or surf on the free Wi-Fi but for me, I want to drop off my vehicle, get an idea of how long and then get on with my day without worrying. Looks don’t mean a thing for me, it is the outcome I hold onto. I went back to pick up the truck and he told me what he had done, told me what would need to be looked at in the future and, when the bill came, it was within a few dollars of what he quoted. He proved to me that what was said about him was absolutely true and I have not gone anywhere else.

A couple thousand years ago, an entire nation was looking for a Person, a Messiah, who could help with personal repairs. For centuries, there had been writings about a Saviour who would come to earth and free the people from tyranny and evil. They were told by many including Isaiah that the Messiah would come and how He would appear to the nation. Somehow, in the translation throughout the centuries, the message was garbled and people came to expect the Messiah to come as a warrior, be born in the palace of God and conquer the enemies of the chosen similar to the way He took care of Sodom and Gomorrah. Instead, they got a babe, born in a stable, a drafty, dank, smelly cave. He was born to a carpenter and a woman of ill repute (she was having a child outside of wedlock) and not to a king in a great palace. Here comes the best part, Jesus had no proof of His divinity, he was a simple child of a simple family with no pedigree. Jesus gave us His everything from the day of His conception until His ascension to repair our lives through His ministry. He gave up His place in Heaven to come to us on earth, He gave his blood, sweat and tears to ensure we would understand the Word and He gave His all on the cross for our eternity. We are in good hands with Christ. He promises us a future in eternity, we simply need to follow Him, declare Him as Saviour and, when the bill comes due, the price has already been paid. Jesus does not need to prove to me He is the King of all kings, the Saviour of us all, He has already been good to His word. If you know Christ, spread the word to your friends and neighbours. If you do not know the Saviour, let me tell you about the best mechanic out there.

This week marks the start of Advent. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM as Rev Glenn Reeder brings us week one in the Advent journey.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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I Have a Passion

Many years ago, a friend of mine was looking to buy a house and I went through it with him to see if there were any glaring issues he needed to be aware of before the purchase closed. It was an older home that was going to need some care and repairs right off the hop but there were also some precautionary items that should be scheduled that would greatly reduce the risk of costly repairs in the future. We walked through the home noting issues such as some soft spots in the washroom, staining under the sinks, some of the electrical would require replacing and the insulation was a bit lacking. The list was not huge, but it did add a few thousand to the equation plus there would also be the inconvenience of repairs before moving in. This was nothing major, there are always repairs to be made, some extra cleaning to be done, you just need to plan for it.

They bought the house, did the repairs and settled in but completely forgot about the other pages. The section marked “Items that will need attending to in the future” was forgotten once the paint went on the walls and the mess was cleaned up. The basement was unfinished when they bought it and I suggested he replace the copper pipes in the basement in the future as they were showing their age. I also suggested a new sump pump and a full clean out of the sewer pipes before they finished the basement. One day, the hot water pipe let go in the basement, the clean out in the laundry room was packed with garbage and was useless and the sump pump, which had never come on in the time they were in the house, was inoperable and the basement flooded to the point it was going out the toilet and the bathtub in the basement. I got a note a few months after the flood from my friend who stated “you never told me that the basement plumbing was messed up and now my basement is destroyed. Thanks a ton buddy”. As he stood over the carnage in the basement, all he could think of was “who can I blame other than myself” and I guess I fit the bill.

I look at the story of Noah and think about those outside the Ark pounding on the door demanding to be let in as the waters rose screaming “you never told us this would happen!” You never told us we would wander lost in the wilderness if we strayed away from the teachings and worshipped a golden calf. You never told us that the city would burn if we didn’t stop our evil ways. My passion is to share the Good News and invite people to consider the blessing of His grace available to each and every person on earth. My desire is to live fully in His passion for us all and to communicate that in word and deed everyday. I do not want to be standing at the gate and looking out to those who just realized that they did not heed the call of God on their lives and when the end came, they found the gate closed. When, not if, that time comes, will you be ready to answer the question, “do you know Jesus as your Saviour?”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.” John 10:25-30

I am passionate about sharing the Good News, but I am not going to force anyone to believe. I can lead the horse to water, explain just how good the water is, and the benefits of the water on our lives, but it’s the horse’s choice to drink. This week we explore passion. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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We Will Remember

I am going to cheat this week by posting a poem that many will know from days gone by. There are many who want to bury the past, tear it down and hide it but when it comes to war, I truly believe we should not forget. We should not forget those who laid down their lives for the freedoms others cherish today. We should not forget those who willingly joined up to defend and those who continue to serve Queen and country to this day. We should not forget the horrors of war for if we do, it will surely come around again. Let us remember the past, pledge to never let it happen again and seek out ways to prevent it from happening in the future.

For me, I remember my great uncles, Malcolm, Murdoch and Howard who served with honour in WW2, my Grampa Dallas who served during the war here in Canada, friends lost in Afghanistan and my brothers and sisters who continue to serve both in the military and with the police forces. Thank you for your service!

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

And The Act of Remembrance from the Legion Ceremony Handbook:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them.

This week we welcome Rev. Tim Kirby. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd (Captain J. Todd MacDonald)

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Unity in the Body

I know I harp on this a lot and so many of you must be getting tired of hearing it, so I invite you to gather as one united voice and do something about it. The only way to get me to stop writing and speaking about this issue is to come together and make a difference. I could speak of the division of the church through the applications of denominationalism but when we break it down to the essential basics, faith in the Almighty Creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal salvation through Christ, the rest is rather trivial. Consider this, the version of the Bible that you read is not as important as actually reading and embracing the Word of God. There is nothing in the Scriptures that states you will not be allowed through the gates of Heaven if you do not consume the proper juice and cracker for the Holy Communion. If you do not say the prayer of salvation during the declaration of faith, your conversion to Christianity is void, said no one ever in the Good News.

My question is this, when did we become puppets for the whims of the newest power-players; social media moguls and media spin-masters? Leaders of nations cow down to the media because they need the support of this group to remain in power. Cancel culture now rules the way many live their lives, and this causes so much division. I want to hear my opinion coming out of your mouth is now the attitude and having a respectful debate has been replaced with yelling and social bullying. Unity has been replaced with division caused by fear of ostracism, social shunning, and loss of standing in the communal order. God did not intend us to be a solo act, He intended us to live in relationship with each other, to watch over each other in times of need and celebrate with the community when life is going well. This is not to say we all have to exactly like each other, but we should really work in cooperation with each other to seek out a life of joy and unity.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

So here is the challenge; seek out ways to raise one another up, to strengthen your brothers and sisters in their journey and to lift up those who have been tossed aside and are left beside the road. For those who are hurting, they don’t care what denomination you are, they only remember that you took the time to stop and take time with them. We are all on the same journey and it is tough enough with those out there trying to divide and create chaos. In the famous words of the great Canadian philosopher, Red Green, “Remember, I’m pulling for you, we’re all in this together.

This week we finish our series on the grace of God. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

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What Do We Run On?

Living in a small community has its ups and downs. If I was to drive an exotic vehicle, rest assured I would have to travel to the big city for servicing and repairs. Now, I could gripe and complain that every time I had to do something to the car, I am inconvenienced and, in many cases, direct my displeasure to the fact that my town does not have a reputable place to service my needs. There is one set of lights in my town and yet there are complaints that they never seem to be green when we get to the intersection. Some people in our town complain bitterly that we have round-abouts in the intersections but there are many of us who, having taken our drivers course in a town or city that has them, don’t mind them at all. I have come to realize that fifty percent of the time, the light at the intersection will be red and I will have to stop. I have a recreational vehicle, the brand of which is not supported by the dealer in town but they will order in parts for me, I have learned to do my own servicing with the help of my friends who know how to do some of the minor repairs and maintenance. There are primarily two camps in this world, the ones who find the silver lining and can adapt to changing circumstances and those who hold onto the negative and work hard to recruit others to join their cause. Divisiveness is the work of the evil one and lately, he is grinning from ear to ear.

Galatians 5:16-17 NLT

So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.

It is so easy to slip into the negativity and follow the crowd. My question is this, what does it accomplish? Negativity leads to anger, leads to stress, leads to health issues and, for the most part, a rather discontented life. The sky is never blue enough, the water is never the right temperature, the lights are never going in your direction, the service is never good enough, the preacher never addresses the issues I think he/she needs to, and the list goes on and on. It is a constant battle with the power of goodness on the one side and sinful desires on the other. Now, I know I am going to get responses to this concerning the term sinful and questioning my right to judge but let me state this, I am not the judge but rather the messenger. If you feel the conviction, it is not me but rather Someone else trying to get your attention. Take a read though Galatians 5 from verse 16-26. I read through this passage frequently as a reminder of what not to do and also what the Holy Spirit is providing when I surrender to Him.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Gal 5:22-23

There is enough anger and division in the world today that there is no need for me to add to it. Instead, I have decided to follow in His way and seek out the peace of God in all things. Take hold of the joy of the Father, name the love of Christ and claim it as yours, immerse yourself in the embrace of the Holy Spirit and live life to a fullness that is forever.

This week we segue into a journey of understanding the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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What Is Your Focus?

For those who know me, you know that Sunday afternoon is generally spent in front of the television watching NASCAR. I have my favourites and really enjoy watching them as they not only strategize the race but also display amazing driving skills. This past race, one of my favourite drivers was bumped and ended up wiping out and smashing up his car. The person that did it seemed to bump into him on purpose but there was no proof that it was his intention to do damage. The other driver was very upset because they were both looking for a spot in the chase and the wreck should have taken him out of contention but they worked hard and got him back on the track in fairly good order. The car was a mess, his hopes of going forward were slim and his anger was about to get the better of him. He took time to settle down and changed the focus from getting even to getting ahead and by the end of the race, he had worked his way up to the rear bumper of the guy that wrecked him. Now, whether it was a nervousness from hearing footsteps behind him or not, he lost his composure, spun, lost control of the car and put it into the wall. His day was over and my favourite driver finished the race and moved up in the standings.

Life is very similar to this race. There are times when we are just cruising along, focused on the things around us and suddenly, out of nowhere, we are blindsided by the unexpected. Someone did us wrong and, for some, the focus moves from getting back in step with our lives and moves to finding a way to get back or even find ways to wreck the other person. These divisions can last a lifetime if we let it, but there is another way. Shift the focus from self and look to the scriptures because there is a better way and a better peace that can come of it. Read Matthew 5 where Jesus taught us to pray and focus on part of the message of peace and forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil” When our focus is on the grace God has given and we follow His leading, we will soon find ourselves in a place where the chaos parts and a newness appears. The young driver could have focused on putting his bumper into the back of his nemesis and wrecking him but instead focused on the race and on gaining the points required to move forward. There are many out there who need to get past the short-term focus, take time to refocus on what is truly important and reset their effort in a way that will last into eternity.

Forgive as you have been forgiven, focus on a path of righteousness rather than temptation and gather your strength from the Holy Spirit to avoid evil ways. This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and Life, Sufficient Grace”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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To Whom It May Concern

Have you ever got a letter like this in the mail or by email? Here is a hint for anyone wanting to send a note like this to me; do your research! The other day I got a call from a marketer asking to “speak to the person in charge of our debit machine”. I stopped for a moment and thought “should I play this out for a bit or cut the conversation short?” there have been numerous occasions where I have played around with the calls that claimed I had a parcel at customs that was suspicious and I was being investigated or, the best one in my opinion, my computer was acting up and they needed to help me fix it. Playing dumb is not a hard stretch for me at times so I can make this process drag on for some time. My friend plays country music at high volume for them, another buddy will share the gospels with them while another…let’s just say there is an air horn involved. For those who are trying to sell me a product, I have a hint, those conversations usually start with “Good day, Todd” or “How are you today, Mr. MacDonald?” This means I may know them and I will take a moment to listen and give them the courtesy they deserve, whether I know them or not. Letters in the mail that start “to whom it may concern find the trash bin quickly unless there is a free gift inside, then the letter goes into file 13 and the gift goes on my desk. Sound harsh? Just remember this, people love to hear the sound of their own name and will pay attention if you use their name right off the hop. It is our nature.

So, why do I say this? There is a Christian song by Tommy Walker called “He Knows My Name”. Some of you may know the song but if you don’t, Google the lyrics and read the words. The chorus goes like this:

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

Consider Isaiah 43:1

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Our Creator knows our names, He calls us by name and knows us more intimately than we realize. He knows our hearts, He knows our dreams, He even knows the number of hairs on our head. There is a relationship by Him for each of us but is it reciprocal? When He calls, do people play the mind tricks and try to play Him, do they screen the call and figure He may just leave a message that can be ignored or do people shout so loud trying to drown Him out? When God calls, He calls you knowing full well who we are and what we have done. He knows each tear that falls and He knows our voice when we call. His invitation does not start off with “To Whom It May Concern”. What a joy to know that!

This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and Life, Sustaining Grace”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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A Step Above

So, usually I do an article on Monday or Tuesday of the week but this week, nothing came to mind and I was left with a half finished article that was making little to no sense. I will revisit that article at a later date but today, God gave me a message to pass along. To tell the truth, as I was riding around today on the quads with my buddies, this message also spoke to me. So, with that said, allow me to share.

About a month ago, I ran into a few issues with my quad. Had a problem that was self-inflicted, that is, I tried to turn my quad into a submarine. After two oil changes to flush out the system, a couple of us went for a rip and I ended up wrapping a tow cable around the rear axle and destroying the CV joint. After getting a new axle and installing it, the V-belt blew apart, took out the gasket on the cover, one of the cover bolts seized and had to be cut out, my winch caved on me and the seal on the axle I just put in leaked because I nicked it during installation. Everything was in place to do the repairs and all the parts were purchased except for one thing; the seal was the wrong size because the differential had been changed out and the seals were different. I found two seals, one was in Vancouver and the second was in Calgary. I ordered both but the delivery company from Calgary had taken the day off so we were not able to complete the repairs in time for our outing today. So, you may ask what does this have to do with anything? Where is the devotional message I spoke of? Wait for it.

The night before we were supposed to go out, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was not going out with the crew but something changed. I got a text message from my buddy Steve that I could use one of his quads so that we could enjoy an awesome day out with friends on the quads. This morning, I was picked up by Al and we rolled out to Rigs Street (Google it). Once there, Steve showed up with both quads, one a 2018 and the other, a very new 2021 quad, barely broken in and nary a scratch on it. We unloaded the machines and I started to load my gear into the older and smaller unit as I had assumed I was riding that one but Steve jumped onto that one and told me I was riding his new quad. I was beside myself. It was a grand gesture to offer me a ride for the day but to offer the best ride in the stable. I was completely floored but, if you know Steve, that is the type of guy he is. This was top of mind for the majority of the day and then it finally hit me and no, I did not fall off the machine and hit my head. My friend had offered me the best he had without expectation of return. Mind…blown!

Consider this, God did not hold beck His best for us. He created the world and gave us everything we needed to succeed in his realm. We had the Garden of Eden, had all we could ever need to live in perfect relationship with our Lord and He had provided us with perfect love. As time went along, God continued to provide numerous opportunities for all His children to know and experience His grace and live with a hope of a returning to Him in glory. Over two thousand years ago, He gave His Son to us all. The Father did not hold back. God did not send a second cousin twice removed or the son of a guy who used to be a servant to a land owner He used to know but rather He gave us His one and only Son, the best He had to offer. Now comes the interesting point. Steve knew of my track record as of late yet he gave me his newest machine without hesitation. God knows all of our track records yet He gave to us His Son, perfect in every way, so that we live our lives in a wonderful relationship with our Lord. Steve did not want our crew to be missing a member on a wonderful day that the Lord had made. God does not want a single one of His children to miss out on the perfect eternity He has made for each of us. Let us be glad and rejoice in this.

This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and Life, Saving Grace”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Entangled In Barbed Wire

There are times I get caught up in the YouTube view loop. If you are not sure what that is, it’s when you watch a video that leads to another interesting video that leads to another vid and before you know it, you’ve lost an hour of your day. What’s even worse is when the boss is standing right behind you and is also captivated by that same loop. I quite enjoy watching those heartwarming videos from Dodo. The video I was watching had a deer caught up in a barbed wire fence by the horns. The more the deer struggled against its binds, the more entangled it became and, when the video was taken, the deer had basically become so tired that it had given over to the bonds had laid down, given up and given over to its fate. The deer had a bit of fight left in it when a group of men came by to help it out of the fence but it only lasted a short time and it let the men minister to him. They carefully adjusted the deer so as to untangle him, they cut away the wire that was stuck in the antlers and, when the deer was free from the binds that was holding him back, they let him loose and he took off for freedom only briefly looking back as if to say thanks.

Life is a lot like that. There are so many things in life that hold us and bind us. I am going to be very blunt and honest here so if you are offended, I am so sorry. There are people who bind us and keep us from knowing true freedom. We just had a video on Sunday about human trafficking and there are millions upon millions of people who are bound to serve people who profit from their suffering. There are people out there who are under the bondage of a harsh work environment who have nowhere else to go, they can’t complain lest they lose their job and, for some, their housing and benefits. Here is the big on as far as I am concerned. There are millions out there who are affected by sin and are under the bondage of embarrassment of being called on it or even being found out. Like the deer in the fence, many keep struggling and pulling back from it only to find the more they struggle, the more tangled they become. There comes a point where those tangled in the bondage of sin just give up and give into the fact they can’t get out of it. There is, however, a bright spot in this. Jesus gave up His life for us and cleanses us of our sins. In other words, He came to free us from the bonds of the barbed wire and sets us free from the certain death we would have faced in the ever-tightening bondage of sin. This is the truth and we can count on it.

Now for the part that may offend; church, it is our responsibility to be the ones helping to cut people free from the bondage. We are the messengers of His message, of this Truth. The church is not here to add more wire to the antlers but rather help people out of their predicament and help them find the freedom that is in Christ. Sin is universal. Why would we add to the binds of others when we, ourselves, have been set free by someone with a pair of wire cutters and a willing heart. I challenge those of faith in Christ, to be a part of the solution and not the one holding the cellphone, taking the pictures of the calamity, and judging the world through the lens of social media. It is time to unite under Christ’s banner and assist those around us to realize the freedom available to all.

This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and Life, Different Story, Same Need”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Seeking Grace

I spent almost an hour looking for my glasses a while back. This was not the first time and I know for a fact it will not be the last time. They sell strings for glasses so that, when you take your glasses off, they hang down around your neck and you know where they are. There are numerous glasses around my house. Prescription sunglasses, regular sunglasses, my prescription glasses, my bifocals, cheaters and so on are laying about the house, office and in my truck. Now, I looked high and low for my glasses but to no avail, they were nowhere to be found. When I took my hat off, however, they fell from the brim of the hat and onto the floor. They had been with me the whole time, safe and sound. Funny how the only time I start hunting for my glasses is when I truly need them. They had been on the brim of my hat for hours, but I did not truly start to seek them out until I needed to read the fine print on some instructions. It is interesting how we only truly start to seek when we are in dire need. Consider this, you have put your cell phone down somewhere and are in dire need of it because it contains so much of your life and it would be a travesty or even the end of the world for some, if the phone was to be lost for good. So much of our lives is tied up in this one object and the elation felt when the phone is found is such a release. There may be some reading this who have never had the experience of losing their glasses or a cell phone and that is just fine but for those who have, there is a fear of loss, a panic to seek out and joy when it is found.

There have been many occasions when I have sat with people who feel they have lost their way and are, in some cases, panicking because they figure they are forever lost. I have seen the worry on their faces, heard the sorrow and fear in their voices as they relate the facts but, like those strings that we had on our mitts when we were young, they aren’t truly lost because there is still an attachment, and we only need to come to realize God will never leave us or forsake us. This is, for some, hard to understand but allow me to explain.

¹³You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

¹⁷How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me! Ps 139:13-18 NLT

You, Lord, have known me before I was even aware of You, and I have never been lost because You have always known where I am. There were times when I have walked away and become lost in the world but when I come to realize where I am, I find You right there, watching over me and caring for my. Like my glasses on the brim of hat, You have been close by, I was just too caught up in other things to realize where You were. And when I wake up, You are there, still there with me and protecting me. This is not only a personal revelation but also one I have shared with many others throughout the years. God has promised He will not leave us or forsake us. He is there in the good times celebrating with us and beside us in the times of greatest sorrow, protecting and comforting. Seek out His grace in your life, call out to Him because He is never far away, His love and grace goes with us and before us. Praise God for His commitment to all His children.

This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and Life, Seeking Grace”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Grace as the Foundation

We were talking today at our study and the conversation turned, as it usually does in our Bible studies, away from the intended topic to that of foundational Christianity. Now you may ask, “what is foundational Christianity?” It is getting back to basics and getting rid of the human rules that get in the way of God’s intentions for His children. Let me give you an illustration that may help. When I was younger, I challenged my father at every turn. His rules made no sense to me and I did not agree with many of them. We butted heads on numerous occasions and my mother was the buffer between the two of us trying to keep the peace. Many is the times I heard my father say, “when its your house, you can make the rules but until then, you follow my rules.” This makes perfect sense to me now but back then he was just a controlling figure that was clueless to the way things really work in the real world. These rules stifled my personal rights and I knew I could do better on my own. I could hardly wait for the day I was in charge and the rules would be much more fair in my home. Speed forward and I came to appreciate that not only were my rules very similar to the ones my father laid out but there was also a realization that the rules were in place out of a sense of love for family and friends. In fact, when I looked closely at the rules, they are very similar to the rules God set forth for us all; love God with every ounce of your being and love your neighbour.

Back to the basics does not mean throw out the manuals and bylaws but rather measure them against the known Word of God. If a rule countermands the rules God set forth, then it should be examined, tested and modified to come into parallel with His Word. Consider this, the act of circumcision does not make you a Christian just like standing in a garage does not make you a Ferrari. It is Christ, the foundation of our churches, who sets us free and delivers us from our sins and delivers us to eternal life.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

²Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. ⁴For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

⁵But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. ⁶For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

⁷You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? ⁸It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. ⁹This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! ¹⁰I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. Gal 5:1-10 NLT

It is time to return to the basics of our faith. It is by grace we are saved and Jesus is the way to salvation.

This week we begin a series on “The Way, Truth and Life” that brings it all back to the basics. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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At The End of the Rope

What does it take for you to reach the end of your rope? Growing up, I heard this quite a bit, along with “you are getting on my last nerve”, “I have just about had enough” and “you’re enough to make a saint swear.” I never understood that last one until I realized just how much the saints had to put up with in their own lives. Over the past two years, we have endured health calamities, droughts, storms, more health pandemics (we are on wave four of how many?), the Leafs failing to make it out of round one of the playoffs, again, terrorist attacks, elections, more elections, and even more elections. There were promises made that were not kept, promises made in secret that came to light that should not have been made, discoveries that have rocked a nation and unspoken secrets that have yet to be revealed. I now think back to my youth, “I have reached the end of my rope! You go to your room until you learn better!” I head up to my room, the curtains are drawn, music plays softly in the background, and I close my eyes to contemplate the world around me while taking time to pray for peace and comfort. This is the place where I find the greatest comfort, wrapped in the arms of my wonderful Lord and feeling His strength as the world challenges that perfect peace.

Do I sound pessimistic? Please don’t, for a moment, think that I am in a dark and desperate place because it is the exact opposite, for I am confident in the Lord and find encouragement to carry on, I find power in my Saviour. When I get to what I think is the end of my rope, God says to me “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will bring you rest” Matthew 11:28. When I hear the news speak of another atrocity, another nation splitting revelation, God says to me “For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isa 41:13. When I have had just about enough, the Holy Spirit says to me “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me.” Ps 55:22-23 There are many out there who have reached the breaking point and do not have a place to turn for relief. It has been a rough couple of years for so many and I fear there is more to come. How can we best respond to those who are at their last straw? Pray for them, encourage them to seek out the beauty and miracles that surround them and help them to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Pro 3:5-6

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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I Can Feel It Coming

It all happened in a moment. I could see it happening but it was too late to avoid it. Had I been more aware, had I been more observant, I would have been able to avoid it but it happened. This incident happened many, many years ago. On my way to work in the lower mainland of British Columbia, I found myself, once again, stuck in traffic heading towards the Pattulo Bridge. It was backed up for almost a mile but the lane I wanted was open so I just motored along grinning as I passed the stalled traffic in the other lanes. I was blissfully unaware that the power was down and the traffic lights were not operating. As I came up to the intersection, which I assumed was green for me, a car came out of nowhere and I realized I had a front row seat to an accident. From sixty to zero in two feet then nothing but white as the airbag went off. Funny what a bit of inattention can cause.

My parents put me through defensive driving before I got my license and, for many years, I practiced everything my instructor had taught me. “Look well down the road for hazards, always expect the unexpected, slow when coming to an intersection, always be vigilant”. Over the years, I developed some bad habits, wandered away from some of the teachings and had begun to rely on my own great driving habits. Nothing bad had happened to date so why continue to do this and that? We never know when the lessons that we have ignored come back to haunt us.

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT

There is a time coming when life will come to an abrupt halt and we will be simply a passenger as the events unfold around us. Are we prepared; are you prepared? Is your seatbelt fastened, is the stuff in the car fastened, have you ensured your children or even grandchildren secured in place? The time to start worrying about these things is not while the accident is happening but rather well in advance of any situation that may occur. Have we taught our children, our grandchildren about the wonders of our Lord and Saviour or are we going to let them figure it out as they go along? I hate to say this but there are thousands, if not millions, who have, in the past, decided to let those around them figure it out for themselves, make the choice on their own as it were, because they did not want to infringe on their rights. Tell you what, show them how to use a seatbelt and to store things under their seats and explain the importance of following the safety protocols so they can make an informed decision, after that it is up to them. Bring them up with the basic instructions so they at least have a fighting chance to survive that big collision.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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The Way, Truth and Life

Back to Basics should be the theme for the Christian movement in our world. We get so caught up in dissecting the Bible that we miss the most basic of messages that is as plain as the nose on our faces. I sat in a conference with a whole bunch of my peers who are far more educated than I am and was taken aback at the conversation. Not only did the discussion get hung up on the tense of a couple words in Greek but it also started a rather heated debate as to how it affected the meaning of the passage. As a counsellor, I have, over the past many years, developed a passion to help others come to an amicable decision that would alleviate the tension but, in this particular situation, I opted to remain silent and observe. There have been numerous times I have been thought the fool because I did not interject and there have been many more occasions in the past where I have opened my mouth and proved it.

Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about going back to basics, simplifying the message so that it is not some major effort to attain the grace of God. Our Father in Heaven did not want the journey to Glory to seem like a daunting task that only the very best of the best would be able to attain. Last week, we boiled the commandments of God down to two basic principles; love God with all your passion and love others with the same passion God has for us. Would you harm your neighbour in any way if your passion was to see them succeed? Would you turn your back on a friend if they were hurting? Would you turn your back on God if you didn’t get your own way? Tough questions but these are the things we need to look at when we are sharing the message with those around us. So, now the big question. Would I purposely harm those around me by not sharing the simple, basic message that God shared with us?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them, to trust Him and to be prepared. Jesus has prepared the way for eternal joy in Glory through His sacrifice for us all and then simply stated “I am the way, the truth and the life”. I have heard so many complex methodologies to salvation using words I do not understand where a simple basic statement would suffice. Jesus, I am a sinner, forgive me for I now declare you as Lord and Saviour. Trust in Jesus with all you are and believe that He is way to Glory, to eternal life. Let us resolve to avoid the crazy arguments over semantics and simply embrace the basic message, He loves us so much that He sent His Son for each and everyone of us; those who embrace the love of the Son will not perish but rather enjoy life eternal.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Back To the Basics

When I first became a member of 12 Med Coy in Vancouver, I still remember the first day like it was yesterday. The central supply had issued me my uniform, gave me a quick tutorial on what went with what and how to wear it. It was all a blur, and I was fairly certain I would forget some things but I still showed up at the headquarters at Jericho Beach with, what I thought, was a fairly good presentation. I could not be more wrong. The Sergeant spotted me as soon as I came in the door, looked me up and down, gave me my first dress down as a member of the Canadian Armed Force, CAF, and instructed a private to make me look presentable, show me around the place and keep me out of trouble. I did everything I could to keep in step so the private would not get in trouble because of my mistakes. All I had to do was stay close to him and do what he did. I was at the Corps for almost five months before I shipped out for my Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) Course in Shilo. In that time, I had learned so much from a great group of people who truly wanted us to succeed when we went off to our BMQ. Our no-hook chinooks, or newbies, came back sporting many awards for excellence because we had such wonderful examples of leaders to learn from. We hit the ground with a firm understanding of the basics and we built on that throughout the course.

Many people my age, were brought up with a good understanding of the Gospel and of faith in Christ but, stepped away from the church due to a variety of reasons. I am not here to chastise anyone for not being a part of the church but rather to encourage us all to take a close look at our faith, our position in the Kingdom quest and challenge you take the next step. There are so many out there who do not have a clue how to put on the amour of God, they don’t know how to hear the commands of God properly and are frankly lost when it comes to understanding even the basics of faith. They need those who have been there and done that to help them find their way, to understand some of the pitfalls that lurk in the periphery and help them become the best they can be as they face each new and daunting challenge. Some of the best instructors out there are the ones who have been in the trenches, faced the enemy head on and can share their wisdom and knowledge with the no-hook chinooks.

You may say, “I walked away from the church for a reason”. That “reason” may have left the church a while ago or the focus of the church may have shifted but I can say this for certain, the primary focus of the church has not changed, He is still King and the church is His family. God has not walked away from any of us so is it now time to rejoin His army? The world is divided and there is no end to the amount of chaos that is lurking on the horizon.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Sam 17:45

David went back to basics and declared the true power of God before the enemy and knocked the giant down. Let us rally and declare the power of God, let us go boldly into the world, invite back those who have been absent and ask them to help train up the Army of God. The time has come, the time is now.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Peace and Quiet

On numerous occasions, I have been asked my opinion only to be argued with and, at times, ridiculed because the answer I gave was not the one they wanted to hear. Now, I am no snowflake, that is, I do not melt under pressure, I can handle push back, but I still walk away wondering what just happened. Over the years, I have taken many courses on effective communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention and one of the biggest hindrances to attaining a respectful and healthy conversation is the art of listening. Many of you may think “Todd, you have talked about this before” and you would be correct, but this seems to be something that is becoming more of an issue these days. I am not writing this because someone has recently confronted me but rather it is something I am observing every day in our communities and in our media. So, allow me to post this one reference to scripture and add a bit of my own thoughts to the equation.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT

So often these days, people are half listening, or not listening, to the input from the person they are talking to and, instead, are formulating their response or preparing their next talking points. In many cases, if you paraphrase what they just said, they will stop to listen because you are saying what they want to hear. Just be aware, the second you begin to go away from their opinion, you will see their eyes shift and they are back to formulating and not really listening anymore. For me, I quite enjoy listening to the opinions of others because it gives me an opportunity to learn more about their stance and about them as well. A wise person once helped me with a great ideology; “do not confuse my silence for acceptance, I just want to know your side first”. Proverbs 12:15 states “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” and Proverbs 18:13 says “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame”. The world seems so divided lately and people just seem to be deaf to the words of others. As some try to get their opinion across, others seem bound and determined to shout them down. The common theme seems to be “I want to hear my viewpoint coming from your mouth!” Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Pro. 2:2. Even if you do not believe in God, there is incredible wisdom in the Proverbs. For those who are looking for an argument or want to bully people into silence, remember this; “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent” Pro. 17:28.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30 AM.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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How Hard Can It Be?

For some of you, this drawing makes perfect sense, or does it? Look at it closely and try to focus on one or two points that may make sense and then work your way out from that point. Do you see it? Dig deep and look at the numbers then find a point of reference that will make it clearer. Now, do you see it? Still nothing? I am sure there are a few out there who have a degree in engineering or are skilled tradespeople who have figured one part of this out; it is upside-down. When you flip it over, do you see the four wheels on the bottom tray? How about the control knobs for the burners in the middle of the page or the distinctive shape of the hood at the top of the picture? Now, consider this. You are the recipient of this wonderful gift yet you have no idea what a portable gas BBQ looks like and haven’t a clue as to how to put one together. You are given the tools required to figure it out but instead of clear and concise instructions, you are given this blow-up parts diagram and told to assemble the item in two hours because that is when the guests arrive. Add to this the stress of having to assemble the item on the patio, in the rain with no help.

Years ago, I was told that if you want people to fall in love with Christ, use the KISS method; Keep It Simple Silly. While learning all that was needed to be a preacher in God’s house, I started throwing around these big words like ecclesiastical, eschatological, dispensationalism and marmalade only to be told that these are words that people in the church, or in a Christian university, know and relate to. We have, over the past many years, made the message so hard to understand through big words and tough concepts that it isn’t relational but rather institutional. I have said this numerous times and will go to my grave preaching it; faith in Christ is not about knowing the right words but being in right relationship with our Creator, our Saviour. Jesus said it in John 3:16-17 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

In the beginning of any relationship, we need to know the basics and build on this. It would be the same as having someone show you a picture of the BBQ before you started to do the build. Once you have that understanding, the time comes to build the BBQ, or relationship, using simple terms and descriptions like a basic instruction guide. Consider the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, BIBLE. I would like to make note at this point, it is always easier to build the BBQ, or relationship, with the help of a trusted friend or two. Once the BBQ is completed, there is a time to rejoice and enjoy the wonders of it all but also a chance to help others when they find themselves in the same position as you once were. Same goes for building the relationship with Christ. We can bask in the knowledge that we are saved by His sacrifice, we are forgiven for what He accomplished on the cross and we can build that relationship over time until the day of Glory comes but wouldn’t it be so much better if we could share this love and joy with others? The message is simple; Jesus cared so much that He laid down His earthly life for all of us, He asks only that we believe, follow Him and mirror His love for us to all we come into contact with. Yes, it is that simple and it all begins with a willingness to trust in Christ the Saviour.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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A Child of the King

Did you realize that each and every one of us is royalty? We are all a child of the King and yet many do not realize just how glorious that is or how important it truly must be in our lives. Do we pass over the accounts of Christ taking the time out to lift up those around him, those who were the downtrodden and forgotten? In so many of these cases, the religious leaders questioned His wisdom as He sullied Himself with the dregs of society but the truth is this; we are all His children and He loves all equally. I have, in the past, been told to avoid certain people, told not to associate with certain people because if I did, I would be jeopardizing my relationship with them. What kind of person would put such restrictions on another? Would these same people be willing to stand in front of the Master and demand He overlook a certain person? Would we or could we shun one of our own children because someone told us not to love them or associate with them? I can only imagine the pain and sorrow in the heart of Christ as He listens to such a demand.

So here is my question, how can we, as a faith community, not share this good news with every person in our community, in our lives? Over the past 22 years of ministry, I have been told where to preach the message, who to teach it to and how to teach it properly. I declare this, however, that those who truly need to hear the glorious message that they are children of God and that all are worthy of His love and forgiveness are those at the well in the middle of the day, those begging outside the gates of the temple, those who have only known exclusion from the blessed gathering.

I challenge those who know they are a child of the King, spread the Word throughout your community of influence. Be a spokesperson in word and deed for those who are on the outside looking in. Show them what the love of Christ looks like and help them know they are an integral part of God’s family. It is time to welcome back the lost sons and daughters who are in dire need of love and comfort.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30. We are blessed to have Greg Dole from Mission Aviation Fellowship bring us a message this Sunday.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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The Joy of the Day

I was sitting in the backyard on a hot summer’s day having a glass or two of iced tea with a friend. We have some interesting conversations most of the time and today was no exception. One topic we bandied about was regarding the pandemic and how people have managed to survive these strange times. He said, “how have people managed to make it through this without faith in Christ?” Without hesitation I said, “The CERB”. This sparked a very interesting conversation because I was referring to a needed program for those in financial distress that is starting to run its course, but the government will not shut it down because it would be political suicide to take it away just before an election. So many people were blessed by the government intervention during a very difficult time, but they are now relying on federal and provincial assistance that can, at any moment, change and, I’m afraid, not for the better. The help is there for a time, but it is not there for all time.

There is a better way through it all and those of faith have come through this with a bit of a bonus, our help cannot be pulled back because God is with us all perfectly and for all eternity. There is not a claw back of services because God has to balance the budget, His blessing is for all and, for those who accept the Son as Lord and Saviour, it is eternal. Consider Psalm 121 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

This is a wonderful promise that has no expiry date, it does not rely on an election promise or budgetary allotments. This is a promise from the Father to us all and should be the central message to our faith testimony. Why did we, as a faith nation, come through the pandemic a bit differently? I would suggest our priorities are a bit different because our hope is in the Lord and not on finite promises of mankind. Praise God for His provisions in our lives, for meeting our needs in times of trouble and for always being there for us, at all times.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or watch us online at 10:30. As Natalie and I are on holidays, we are blessed to have Rev. Bob Hillock bring us a message this Sunday.

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We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

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Summertime and the Living Is Easy

Things seem so different in the summer. Iced tea replaces hot chocolate as the go to refreshment, jackets fit into a belt pack or easily tie around the waist and socks are optional. We have our casual shorts, our swimming shorts and our “going out to dinner” shorts and long sleeve shirts are reserved for those chilly nights around the fire. The days are longer, the light seems brighter and, now that masks are optional, the smiles we see are a bit bigger, or so it seems. I was chatting with someone the other day and they made mention that since it got warmer and the masks were discarded, there seems to be a new attitude that has been lost for many, many months. People were acknowledging each other while walking down the street. When holding a door open for someone, the gratitude can be seen on the face and kind nods are exchanged. It is funny what a mask can do to the psyche. For months, we have been trapped behind the mask, unable to utilize a language that has been a part of our makeup since forever. It hard to tell if a person is smiling or downtrodden when the mask is hiding the subtle nuances of the silent language. The language of us all is a combination of the spoken word, what is seen by the eyes and what is felt in human contact.

A couple days ago, I got to hug my son for the first time in over a year and got to kiss my grandson for the first time in both our lives. I got to smell his hair, hold his hand and hear the contentment in his breathing as he sat with me drinking his bottle. For eleven months I drank in every nuance of his being over the internet but the connection was not complete, there was still something missing. When I caught up to him and my son at the airport, what was distant was made whole in only a moment. The days are even more sunny this week, the leaves are even more green and life is good. The bond has been made and I can honestly say to my grandson that nothing will ever separate him from the love of Grampa. We are made in the image of God and therefore are very protective and loving of those around us. In Romans 8 it is said:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I look upon the face of my grandson as he smiles up at me, see the joy in the face of gramma as she shines with joy and watch as my son displays perfect love towards his own son, I can only imagine the joy and love our Father in Heaven has when He looks over each of us. Summertime, and the living is easy, we bask in the love of our Creator, marvel at the wonders He has made for us all and reflect the light of the King in all we do. My suggestion for us all, grab a tall glass of iced tea, take a moment out of your busy schedule and reflect on the wonders all around you and give praise to the Master and Saviour.

Once again, an FYI; the Board of Directors for MAF voted all in favour that masks are personal choice in accordance with the AHS Protocols but still ask that if you are feeling ill, watch us online until you are feeling better. We invite you to join us either in person at 10:30 AM Sunday or online at:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31

YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

______________________________________________________

Is It Hot Enough For You?

The two phrases that drive me up the wall are “Is it hot enough for you” and “Is it cold enough for you”. This past weekend, Natalie and I had the honour to attend a wedding for a wonderful couple. We were in Banff and the weather was amazing albeit a tad warm. As we were arriving at the location, the temperature, according to the truck thermometer, was already in the high twenties. By the time we had finished setting up and the service was about to begin, we were into the high thirties. We were outdoors on an open field with only the tents to provide relief from the heat. I had thought well ahead and decided to wear my khaki kilt, Kathy, the mother of the bride, and Natalie had on light dresses but poor Mark had pants, dress shirt and a tie. The only relief he got from the sun was the fedora that provided some shade for him. Needless to say, there was a significant amount of water being consumed and moist napkins were a necessity. The wedding went off without a single hitch and there were no cases of heat stroke and, in the end, the heat will long be forgotten but the joy of the day is forever etched in our memories.

Now, the wedding was complete, the celebration continued for the younger crowd and we helped the now exhausted parents get settled in their new hotel room in Canmore. I brought the bags into the room and felt immediate relief as the freezing cold air of the air-conditioner gripped a hold of me. We helped them get settled but I really did not want to leave but realized the restaurant we were heading to was air-conditioned as well. Once seated, the waitress asked us for our drink order and we all said the same thing, a big pitcher of ice water and please keep it coming. You don’t realize just how refreshing and comforting a tall glass of ice water can be. We all rejoiced as the body absorbed the life refreshing moisture and the coolness began to lower our body temperatures. With bodies refreshed and minds made clearer by the rehydration, we settled in for a great meal and wonderful conversation. This brings to mind the healing power of the Living Water, Jesus Christ. While our bodies scream out for the life sustaining water on a blistering hot day, our souls also scream out for the life sustaining Living Water that is our Lord and Saviour. While the world races around trying to find just the right source of fulfillment from a variety of sources, Jesus offers the perfect, life refreshing solution.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 14:13-15 NLT

When the promises of the world dry up, the promise of Christ never fades. He offers so much and asks so little in return. I would offer this up; be like the woman at the well, ask Christ to cleanse you and refresh you with abundant living water so that you never thirst again.

This week, our team is back together again and we celebrate a fresh start to the summer. The Board of Directors for MAF voted all in favour that masks are personal choice in accordance with the AHS Protocols but still ask that if you are feeling ill, watch us online until you are feeling better. We invite you to join us either in person at 10:30 AM Sunday or online at:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31

YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd

www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com

______________________________________________________

The Start of Holistic Healing 2021

In Canada, July 1 is a national celebration of our nation. There will be people in the millions decked out in red and white, waving the Maple Leaf and enjoying the freedoms we have in this wonderful nation. Differences will be put aside and many will come together to sing O Canada, voices raised in somewhat perfect harmony. In Alberta, the celebration will be two fold. The Covid restrictions will, for the most part, be lifted and we will be able to celebrate a new beginning and a fresh start to the summer. Now, as I said that, there was a shiver went down my spine and it was not one of fear and trepidation but rather of relief and joy. You see, for the past fifteen months we have focused primarily on physical health and healing. In order to tackle the virus, we have put the priority of spiritual and mental health of the nation into a hold pattern. You could meet with a counsellor but it had to be virtually or in a Covid safe manner. There was the loss of an aspect to counselling that was lost in the absence of in person sessions. Churches were either closed and had to rely on virtual services or they were under restrictions that took away from the spiritual health that a faith gathering nourishes. The wellness of the nation took a hit but July 1 marks a new start to personal wellness.

This wonderful piece of scripture deals exactly with what has been missing. By gathering together, supporting one another in prayer and compassion, we can be the catalyst for a healing. Many will cling to the past and to the darkness of the past fifteen months but I challenge you to consider the hope that comes with the new day. July 1 marks the start to the second half of the year. Let us leave behind the darkness of the past many months and embrace the newness of community fellowship. Not only will this renew our emotional health but will build upon the foundation of a spiritual wellbeing for us all. Let us not neglect meeting together and sharing in each other’s strength and joy but also encourage one another to embrace the wholeness and unity of our faith. There are so many distractions in this world right now that divide and weaken us as a community, as a person but if we focus on the healing and the gathering, we can find a greater peace and a new outlook going forward. The time has come to rise up from the ashes of the past year and a half, embrace the Light and reach out to help those around us to rebound from the chaos.

This week, our District celebrates our annual assembly; Reunion 2021. On Sunday, we will be broadcasting the online from our General Superintendent but will lead into the service with a time of worship and praise from our own Worship Team. We invite you to join us either in person at 10:30 AM Sunday or online at:

Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31

YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Todd