Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Spiritual Warfare and Sin: The Erotic Age
Tozer Daily Devotional
November: Spiritual Warfare and Sin
To be entirely safe from the devil's snares the man of God must be completely obedient to the Word of the Lord. The driver on the highway is safe, not when he reads the signs but when he obeys them.
That Incredible Christian, 51.
November 18
Spiritual Warfare and Sin: The Erotic Age
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles-that a man has his father's wife! --1 Corinthians 5:1
The period in which we now live may well go down in history as the Erotic Age. Sex love has been elevated into a cult. Eros has more worshipers among civilized men today than any other god. For millions the erotic has completely displaced the spiritual....
Now if this god would let us Christians alone I for one would let his cult alone. The whole spongy, fetid mess will sink some day under its own weight and become excellent fuel for the fires of hell, a just recompense which is meet, and it becomes us to feel compassion for those who have been caught in its tragic collapse. Tears and silence might be better than words if things were slightly otherwise than they are. But the cult of Eros is seriously affecting the Church. The pure religion of Christ that flows like a crystal river from the heart of God is being polluted by the unclean waters that trickle from behind the altars of abomination that appear on every high hill and under every green tree from New York to Los Angeles. Born After Midnight, 36-37.
"Lord, I pray this morning for any of Your servants who are caught in the trap of immorality or pornography. This 'whole spongy, fetid mess' has so many in its clutches-give victory today, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen."
Today's "Insight for Leaders" is taken by permission from the book, Tozer on Christian Leadership, published by WingSpread Publishers
This Insight for Leaders devotional is also available in a print-friendly format here on the LMI web site.
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
We Serve God By Serving Others
by Jon Walker
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)
Many people have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others.
We are not saved by serving, but we are saved for serving. The Apostle Paul gives three insights related to this:
First, the basis for serving others is salvation. Paul says, “You were called to be free.” You cannot serve God until you’ve been set free by Jesus. It’s the prerequisite for serving.
Until you experience the transforming power of God’s grace in your life, you’re too enslaved by your own hurts, habits, and hang-ups to think much about others.
Without the freedom of forgiveness, you’ll end up serving for the wrong reasons: trying to earn the approval of others, trying to run away from your pain, trying to remedy your guilt, trying to impress God. Service motivated by these illegitimate reasons is bound to leave you burned out and bitter in the end.
Second, the barrier to serving others is selfishness. Paul warns, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” The No. 1 reason we don’t have the time or energy to serve others is that we’re preoccupied with our own agendas, dreams, and pleasures.
Only a small minority of people use their lives to serve others, but Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark 8:35 LB)
Third, the motive for serving is love. Paul says, “Serve one another in love.” This is an important key to building community: 1 Corinthians 13:3 records, “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (MSG)
God is far more interested in why you serve others than in how well you serve them. He’s always looking at your heart, serving willingly and eagerly out of love for Jesus and gratitude for all he’s done for you.
You are most like Jesus when you’re serving others. After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14–15 NLT)
What now?
· How can I help? – Consider your response to this Scripture verse: “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” (Romans 15:2 MSG)
· Who will you serve this week? – Ask God to bring to mind someone you should serve this week, and ask him what you should do for that person. Then do it!
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Failure and Success: Greatness Has Its Price
Failure and Success: Greatness Has Its Price
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. --2 Timothy 2:3-4
The laws of success operate also in the higher field of the soul-- spiritual greatness has its price. Eminence in the things of the Spirit demands a devotion to these things more complete than most of us are willing to give. But the law cannot be escaped. If we would be holy we know the way; the law of holy living is before us. The prophets of the Old Testament, the apostles of the New and, more than all, the sublime teachings of Christ are there to tell us how to succeed....
The amount of loafing practiced by the average Christian in spiritual things would ruin a concert pianist if he allowed himself to do the same thing in the field of music. The idle puttering around that we see in church circles would end the career of a big league pitcher in one week. No scientist could solve his exacting problem if he took as little interest in it as the rank and file of Christians take in the art of being holy. The nation whose soldiers were as soft and undisciplined as the soldiers of the churches would be conquered by the first enemy that attacked it. Triumphs are not won by men in easy chairs. Success is costly. We Travel an Appointed Way, 26.
"This success may be costly, Lord, but surely nothing in the light of the eternal perspective we looked at yesterday. Give me a willingness this morning to pay any cost which You may exact in my service for You. Amen."
Today's "Insight for Leaders" is taken by permission from the book, Tozer on Christian Leadership, published by WingSpread Publishers
This Insight for Leaders devotional is also available in a print-friendly format here on the LMI web site.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
When We Don’t Know What To Say
October 18, 2007
When We Don’t Know What To Say
READ: Job 6:1-14
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend. —Job 6:14
Roy Clark and his father sat in the family car in the funeral home parking lot for several minutes. As a teenager, he wasn’t sure how to respond when his dad put his head in his hands and moaned, "I don’t know what to say!"
A friend from their church had been in a car accident. She had survived, but her three daughters had all died when a truck hit their vehicle. What could they say to their friend at a time like this?
In the Bible we are told that during Job’s time of grieving, his three friends came to mourn with him and to comfort him. For the first 7 days they sat and wept with him because he was in deep sorrow (Job 2:11-13). "No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great" (v.13). Their presence alone was a comfort to him.
But then they began to lecture. They told Job he must have sinned and that God was punishing him (4:7-9).
When Job was finally able to respond, he told his friends what he needed from them. He asked for reasons to continue hoping (6:11), for kindness (v.14), and for words that did not presume guilt (vv.29-30).
Remembering the story of Job and his friends may help us when we don’t know what to say.
Lord, give me sensitivity
To people in their grief and pain,
To weep with them and show Your love
In ways mere words cannot attain. —Sper
When someone’s grieving—listen, don’t lecture.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Walking Away the Pounds at FAC
Jackie, we missed you last night. See you next time, when you're schedule permits, that is.
Thanks to the Leslie Sansone DVD program, we've been at it, trying to stay fit and energetic weekly at Fairview Alliance Church - Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00pm.
Would be nice if we could get a donation for a bigger screen TV and better sound system ;-)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
In Appreciation of Rev. and Mrs. Yvan Fournier
[ View the rest of the pictures at our Picasa Album ]
To view all the photos featured on the slideshow above just click on the above link to the Picasa Web Album web site or click HERE
Blessings!!
Lito E.
The Alpha Course
The Alpha Course
- Have you heard of the Alpha Course yet!? It's where millions are going to explore the meaning of life!
- Each session people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life and God is seen as too simple or too hostile to discuss... questions like — Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
Free introductory dinner and movie
- Intro Night – Sept. 19, 7:00 pm (call for details)
- Meet: Sept.21– Nov. 23, 2007
Place: 4411 rue Champagne, Pierrefonds - 10-week course meets every Friday at 7:00 pm
Meal + Video + Discussion - RSVP or info : 514-626-7757
Monday, September 10, 2007
I am He
4
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
"I Gave It All Up!"
Evangelism: "I Gave It All Up!"
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. --2 Corinthians 5:17
I have been asked more than once what I gave up when I was converted and became a believing child of God. I was a young man, and I well remember that I gave up the hot and smelly rubber factory. I was making tires for an hourly wage, and I gave that up to follow Christ's call into Christian ministry and service.
As a youth I was scared of life and I was scared of death--and I gave that up. I was miserable and glum and unfulfilled--and I gave that up. I had selfish earthly and material ambitions that I could never have achieved--and I gave them up.
That forms the outline of the worthless things that I gave up. And I soon discovered that in Jesus Christ, God had given me everything that is worthwhile.
If God takes away from us the old, wrinkled, beat-up dollar bill we have clutched so desperately, it is only because He wants to exchange it for the whole Federal mint, the entire treasury! He is saying to us, "I have in store for you all the resources of heaven. Help yourself!" Jesus, Author of our Faith, pp. 49-50
"Why am I so hesitant to share the Gospel, Lord--when this is what I'm asking people to give up? Thank You for all we gain through our new life in Christ--in exchange for all the junk we give up! Amen."
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Colin Lewis Charles Waller
Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Home
222 Highway 20 (Exit Cartier Ave off Highway 20, corner of Cartier Ave. and Salisbury Rd)
Tel. : (514)483-1870
Visitations: Thursday, 2-5 PM and 7-9 PM
Funeral: Friday, 11:00 AM (funeral home chapel)
Directions:
The funeral home is off Highway 20, Cartier Avenue exit
corner of Cartier Ave and Salisbury Rd.
If you're coming from Highway 20 East, Cartier ave. exit is after Blvd. St.Jean.
If you're coming from Highway 20 West, Cartier ave. exit is after Blvd. St.Charles.
(Note: If you Googled the address Google maps points to a different location)
Funeral Service schedule (Friday, 11:00am, August 17)
Colin Lewis Charles Waller - July 16th, 1969-August 13th, 2007
Hymn: How Great Thou Art- Pastor Bill Massey
Tribute: Patricia White –Colin’s Mum
Word of God: Pastor Fady Nouneh
Hymn: Take My Hand Precious Lord – David Maye
Tribute: Alex & Jane Waller-Colin’s Sisters
Sarah Waller -Colin’s Niece
(There’ll be) Peace in the Valley (for me) – by Elvis Presley
Tribute: Richard Horne
Tribute: Murray Sherriffs
Final Word & Prayer: Pastor Bill Massey
A cold buffet will be served following the ceremony, all are welcome.
Please join us for our final good-byes.
Burial site:
Cote St-Charles United Church
2503 St-Charles
St-Lazare
Exit 22 of Highway 40
Thursday, August 9, 2007
A Pure Heart
by Jon Walker
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
Oh God, create in me a pure heart ...
* A heart that won’t run with lust after physical pleasure,
* A heart that obediently refuses what you’ve rightly and wisely fenced away as sin,
* A heart of love that never insists on its own way (1 John 2:16).
Oh God, create in me a pure heart ...
* A heart that knows no greed when it looks upon worldly treasures,
* A heart that thinks of others, and not itself,
* A heart that argues for love instead of fairness.
Oh God, create in me a pure heart ...
* A heart that never boasts about what it has or what its done,
* A heart that walks humbly, not trying to appear more important than it is,
* A heart that takes no pride in the flesh.
Oh God, create in me a pure heart ...
* A heart that chases after you,
* A heart that looks to you for its provision,
* A heart that trusts that you are at work in others,
* A heart that does not manipulate people or circumstances,
* A heart that looks upon the things above and not the things below.
Heavenly Father, renew a steadfast spirit within me ...
* A spirit committed completely to you,
* A spirit that is not double-minded,
* A spirit that is focused, and single minded on your purposes,
* A spirit resolved to know Christ and Christ alone.
So what?
* Start from the top of the devotional, and work your way down.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Fairview Alliance Church Keenagers Choir
Here are some photos (was taken with my Palm Treo camera, resolution not so great).
Blessings!!
Lito
Singers: Hyacinthe Lewis, Agnes Latouche, Rose Marriot, Laurene Inniss, Hilaria Charles, Lucille Estwick, Iola Duncan, and Fred Tabah.
Conductor: Marc Andre Chene
Sunday, July 8, 2007
The business of the Church is God
The business of the Church is God. She is purest when most engaged with God and she is astray just so far as she follows other interests, no matter how "religious" or humanitarian they may be.
A.W. Tozer, The Set of the Sail, 80.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Worship Ministry Team Fellowship Picnic
Hosted by Earl and Wendy Hackl
Grillman- John Hands
Music- FAC Worship Team
Beautiful weather, food, refreshments, provisions, etc.- our Faithful and Loving Father in Heaven
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
We See God Too Small
Worship: We See God Too Small
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. --Psalm 34:3
Worship rises or falls in any church altogether depending upon the attitude we take toward God, whether we see God big or whether we see Him little. Most of us see God too small; our God is too little. David said, "O magnify the Lord with me," and "magnify" doesn't mean to make God big. You can't make God big. But you can see Him big.
Worship, I say, rises or falls with our concept of God; that is why I do not believe in these half converted cowboys who call God the Man Upstairs. I do not think they worship at all because their concept of God is unworthy of God and unworthy of them. And if there is one terrible disease in the Church of Christ, it is that we do not see God as great as He is. We're too familiar with God. Worship: The Missing Jewel, 21.
"Sovereign God, expand my vision of You today. Give me some grasp of Your majesty and declare to me Your glory. Then draw me to my knees in awe and reverential worship. Amen."
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
October 2003, Presentation to Rev. Yvan Fournier
Rev. Yvan Fournier and his wife Georgette being honored and presented with a PC Notebook gift in behalf of the District churches in the St. Lawrence District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (C&MA)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
St. Lawrence District elects new District Superintendent
Dr. Franklyn Pyles, C&MA president, installed the new DS in a very special ceremony after the results were announced. Rev. Pearson is the pastor of the Matane Church in the Lower Saint Lawrence region of Québec. He is married to Mrs. Lyse Harrison and they have three sons: Luc, Simon and Julien. Francis is a graduate of the Canadian Bible College, now Alliance University College, with a degree in Christian Education. He is a man with a vision and passion for the growth of the Kingdom in Québec and around the world.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Jesus And The Jerks, by Jon Walker
Jerk: A person regarded as disagreeable, contemptible, especially as the result of foolish or mean behavior.
One of the biggest jerks I ever knew was a 23-year-old college graduate whose anger and arrogance spilled into many of his relationships. His hypocrisy was astounding – one moment he claimed to be a Christian and the next he acted like a son of hell. If it had been my choice, I would have avoided him all together – but since that jerk was me, I was stuck being around him!
Most of us try to avoid jerks. We pat ourselves on the back for not telling them off. We applaud ourselves for putting up with them. We remind ourselves everybody has a cross to bear, and so we grudgingly accept certain jerks as our divinely ordained burden.
But is that what we’re called to do?
Jesus embraced jerks; he graced them with love – while stilling telling them the truth in love. Now he had no qualms about pointing out a whitewashed tomb when he saw one, but the corporate evil of the Pharisees was a far more serious matter than mere human jerkiness.
The point is this: Jesus didn’t shelter himself from the pain and heartache caused by jerks. In fact, he voluntarily stretched out his arms on the cross and allowed several jerks to slam nails into his hands and feet.
Behind all their stomp and snort, jerks are still spiritual beings, created in God's image and destined for heaven or hell. We’re compelled to be ministers of reconciliation, willing to embrace the pain of a fallen world for the sake of our God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
The heart of the gospel is that God loves the unlovely. Could it be that the jerks God places in our lives are there to teach us to be more like Christ, to teach us the God-like quality of loving the unlovely?
Most of us take for granted the incredible change God initiated in our own lives: We were once jerks to God, yet even while we were still jerks, Christ died for us!
Jerks are never easy to embrace. If it were easy to love everyone, then Christ need not have died; we could love them on our own. But in order to embrace the jerks in our life, we need the Life of Christ within us so that, as new creations, we can overwhelm jerks with God’s grace, showing them the only power that will stop them from stumbling in the darkness, teaching them to cling to the only thing able to move them from being jerks to being Jesus-followers.
So what?
· Jesus loves jerks too – Even the most difficult people are spiritual beings in need of Christ.
· Jesus transforms you – Jesus can use the “jerks” in your life to transform you into a more Christ-like believer. Is it possible that the “jerk” who annoys you is God’s instrument to show you areas where you should grow, areas where you have difficulty loving unconditionally, the way that Christ loves you?
· God’s plan for you – If God allows a difficult person in your life, consider that he may want you to (1) pray for them and (2) show them by your own example how much God loves them, regardless of their behavior.
· Your mission – Who in your life seems disagreeable, contemptible, foolish, or mean? How would God have you approach them from now on? What can you do today to show them the love of Christ?
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.Miss out on one of the Daily Devotionals? View the online archives at:
http://www.purposedrivenlife
The Ascended Christ
May 17, 2007
The Ascended Christ
READ: Hebrews 4:9-16
We have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. —Hebrews 4:14
Today is Ascension Day—a day that is often neglected. Coming 40 days after Easter, it marks the occasion when the risen Christ ascended to the Father in glory.
W. H. Griffith Thomas writes in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “The ascension is not only a great fact of the New Testament, but a great factor in the life of Christ and Christians, and no complete view of Jesus Christ is possible unless the ascension and its consequences are included.”
Thomas then summarizes what the ascension means to believers. It speaks of an accomplished redemption (Heb. 8:1), the Savior’s high-priestly work (Heb. 4:14), His lordship over the church (Eph. 1:22), His intercession for us with His heavenly Father (1 Tim. 2:5), the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:33), the Lord’s presence with us today (Matt. 28:20), and the expectation of His return to this earth (1 Thess. 4:16).
Think of it! Jesus not only died, but He rose from the grave, went back to the Father, and is interceding for us right now. And He is coming again.
May this Ascension Day be a time for special rejoicing and thanksgiving to God.
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore. —Chapman
Jesus who died to save us now lives to keep us.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Spring Clean Up
| The rest of the photos |
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Brian Doerksen - Holy God Concert
Pam, Allen, Sharon, Nil and I met up with Mark and Emile at Eglise Nouvelle Vie, in South Shore- Longueil, to see Brian Doerksen live in concert.
It was an evening of concert of Praise & Worship to our Lord God Almighty.
Also met some people from Westview Church as well as the Snowdon Baptist Church.
The Eglise Nouvelle Vie house band opened up the Praise & Worship concert. Here's Brian and his band preparing to sing their first song.
Come, Now Is The Time To Worship
Creation Calls - "how could I say there is no God, when all around creation calls"
Mark and Emile, during the intermission.
Eglise Nouvelle Vie dancers
Singing Hallelujah - Your Love Is Amazing
Today - "I choose to follow You, I choose to give my YES!! to You"
After the concert of Praise & Worship
[ The rest of the pictures at Webshots ]