Fairview Alliance Church

Jackie Robinson: Taking a Bat to Prejudice

2012-01-31T13:48:00.001-05:00

Jackie Robinson: Taking a Bat to Prejudice

Today we celebrate Jackie Robinson on his birthday. He would have been 93. Columnist George Will wrote an amazing article about him: “Like many New Yorkers leaving home for work on April 15, 1947, he wore a suit, tie and camel-hair overcoat as he headed for the subway. To his wife he said, ‘Just in case you have trouble picking me out, I'll be wearing number 42.’

No one had trouble spotting the black man in the Dodgers' white home uniform when he trotted out to play first base at Ebbets Field. Suddenly, only 399, not 400, major league players were white. Which is why 42 is the only number permanently retired by every team.” Read the rest of Will’s moving tribute to Jackie. Jackie was a spark that reignited American dialogue on race. Because of Jackie, we live closer today to the precept that “all men are created equal.” But we still have a ways to go. For more tips, try these 10 ways to teach your children not to be prejudiced.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me

2012-01-17T12:58:00.001-05:00

Galatians 2:20

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You Can Still Be Merry!

2012-01-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

You Can Still Be Merry!
by Jon Walker

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20 NIV)

40 Days in the Word: Learn the Word, Love the Word, LIVE the Word.
The nationwide launch of Pastor Rick’s 40 Days in the Word is coming Jan. 29. It’s not too late for your small group to get involved! Watch a three-minute video testimony of lives already being changed. Download a free sample PDF of 40 Days in the Word.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus, and then we return to the office, to school, to the things we normally do.

Do you remember that Christmas was just a few weeks ago? (Or are you still thinking about when you’ll take down your decorations?)

The shepherds of Bethlehem returned to their fields. God had sent them to find the baby Jesus in a manger. They marveled at God and knew they’d been blessed to see the Messiah’s arrival.

And then they returned to their flocks. They returned with an energized faith, glorifying and praising God. But, still, they returned to their routine.

God takes us to the mountaintop where he shows us great miracles and wonders, but he doesn’t leave us there. It is in the fields and among the flocks that our faith grows, nurtured in the soil of the day-to-day, the mundane. This is where we die to Christ, allowing his life to blossom within us (Galatians 2:20).

You may have returned to your routine, but God wants you to know this:

The things we truly believe emerge day-to-day. It’s the conflicts over who makes the coffee, who cleans up the mess, who gets to go home early, or who gets the biggest piece of pie that test whether it is Christ who lives in us or if we’re still saying, “No, it is I who live.”

God wants you to succeed, and he is going to stay with you to help you get it right. As Pastor Rick often says, God is on your side. This means God’s intent is not to catch you doing something wrong; his intent is to reveal where you still need to yield to the Jesus-life growing in you.

You can still be merry! Don’t we always point out how friendly, cordial, loving, and giving people are during the Christmas season, and then lament the fact that they aren’t like that during the rest of the year? It may be January, but you can still be friendly, cordial, loving, and giving right now. It is a choice!

Merry Christmas and a Happy Return to Routine.

Jon is managing editor of Rick Warren’s Daily Hope Devotionals and the author of Costly Grace: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship.” This devotional © Copyright 2012 Jon Walker. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Courage in Spite of Terrifying Circumstance

2011-12-29T10:08:00.001-05:00

Courage in Spite of Terrifying Circumstance

Written by Sheila Schuller Coleman

"You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you." -Psalm 91:5-6, 9-10a

As a young wife and mother, I found myself terrified from time to time. There was the time when my three-and-a-half-month-old son was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. I was terrified when they wheeled him into the pediatric intensive care unit (he completely recovered - praise God!).

I was terrified when my husband and I were hit with an unexpected bill from the IRS that we did not have the money to pay. (Thankfully, we were able to get a loan and pay it off in time.)

I was terrified when my husband and sons were late coming home some evenings (prior to cell phones). I imagined them dead at the side of the road and often worked myself into nearly a panic attack.

I was terrified when I received a phone call in the middle of the night telling me my father was in a coma and in brain surgery in Amsterdam - they didn't know if he would survive and, if he did, what shape he would be in for the rest of his life.

Some of my fears were rational and some were not. Nevertheless, I learned this through the terrors that I have encountered in my lifetime: Terror is a frame of mind - not a state of being!

That means that terror is an attitude - not a circumstance. This means that terror is merely a response. I can choose how I will respond to any circumstance. I can choose courage just as I can choose terror. I can choose to cry out to God when I find myself in a terrifying circumstance. When I do, God will deliver me - and He will deliver you, too - from the terrifying feelings and the terrifying circumstances!

* * *

PRAYER:

Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I cry out to You when I am afraid. Deliver me from my terror and deliver me from my terrifying circumstance. You are my strong deliverer. I praise You and thank You for what You are doing for me -today and every day. Amen.

Trials and Pain: The Necessity of Wounds

2011-12-14T09:22:00.001-05:00

December 14

Trials and Pain: The Necessity of Wounds
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word....It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. --Psalm 119:67,71
It is amazing to me! There are people within the ranks of Christianity who have been taught and who believe that Christ will shield His followers from wounds of every kind.
If the truth were known, the saints of God in every age were only effective after they had been wounded. They experienced the humbling wounds that brought contrition, compassion and a yearning for the knowledge of God. I could only wish that more among the followers of Christ knew what some of the early saints meant when they spoke of being wounded by the Holy Spirit....
In every generation, the people who have found God have been those who have come to the end of themselves. Recognizing their hopelessness, they have been ready to throw themselves on the mercy and grace of a forgiving God. Men Who Met God, pp.59,62
"Lord, don't let me waste the humbling wounds. Do Your great work within me, and help me to respond properly and learn all You want me to learn through Your working. Amen."

Today's "Insight for Leaders" is taken by permission from the book, Tozer on Christian Leadership, published by WingSpread Publishers

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: The Seared Conscience

2011-11-21T10:46:00.001-05:00

November 21

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. --Titus 1:15

But when a conscience has become seared, when a man has played with the fire and burned his conscience and calloused it until he can handle the hot iron of sin without shrinking, there is no longer any safety for him.

Paul wrote in his epistle about those to whom nothing is pure any longer, "but even their mind and conscience is defiled."

Here Paul speaks of an inward corruption, revealed in impure thoughts and soiled language. I am just as afraid of people with soiled tongues as I am of those with a communicable disease.

Actually, a foul tongue is evidence of a deeper spiritual disease and Paul goes on to tell us that those with defiled consciences become reprobates, something just washed up on the shore, a moral shipwreck. Echoes from Eden, 64-65.

"Oh Lord, deliver me from that 'inward corruption.' Guard my mind and my tongue; convict me of any carelessness or straying. Keep my conscience alive and active. Lord, I really don't want to end up a dirty old man, 'washed up on the shore, a moral shipwreck.' Amen."

Today's "Insight for Leaders" is taken by permission from the book, Tozer on Christian Leadership, published by WingSpread Publishers

Tumbalalaika – Amsterdam

2011-10-12T11:09:00.001-05:00

This is the Sephardic Synagogue in Amsterdam. It is entirely lit by candles.

It was built several hundred years ago and never "electrified."

The arc, seats, bema, etc., were all hand-made by ship-builders.

During WW II the Nazis somehow missed it and never entered it so it is entirely intact and original.

It is a real beauty. This concert was done in the sanctuary and is very rousing.

| Tumbalalaika |

The Church: Different From the World

2011-07-23T02:47:00.000-05:00

July 23

The Church: Different From the World

Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." --2 Corinthians 6:17

The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.

This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course,
where the world is too, too sinful....

Let us plant ourselves on the hill of Zion and invite the world to come over to us, but never under any circumstances will we go over to them. The cross is the symbol of Christianity, and the cross speaks of death and separation, never of compromise. No one ever compromised with a cross. The cross separated between the dead and the living. The timid and the fearful will cry "Extreme!" and they will be right. The cross is the essence of all that is extreme and final. The message of Christ is a call across a gulf from death to life, from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God. The Set of the Sail, 35,36.

"Lord, help me to be willing to be different. Forgive me for the sin
of blending in. I pray that our neighbors would see something
different in our church and our people and be drawn to the Savior. Amen."

Today's "Insight for Leaders" is taken by permission from the book, Tozer on Christian Leadership, published by WingSpread Publishers

God Thinks You're Wonderful!

2011-07-11T22:48:00.001-05:00

God Thinks You're Wonderful!

...It may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name...but He does.Written on His hand. Spoken by His mouth. Whispered by His lips. Your name.

You have captured the heart of God. He cannot bear to live without you.

God's dream is to make you right with Him. And the path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back.

It is not our love for God: it is God's love for us in sending His Son to be the way. If you want to touch God's heart, use the name He loves to hear. Call Him "Father".

He thinks you're wonderful!

I have written your name on My hand. Isaiah 49:16

Excerpted from the Book, God Thinks You're Wonderful! by Max Lucado »

Fairview Alliance Church, Spring Garden Clean Up

2011-05-28T23:30:00.001-05:00

Sugaring off with the FAC Youth Group

2011-04-05T09:37:00.002-05:00

The Holy Spirit: He Can Be Grieved

2011-02-14T09:22:00.001-05:00

February: The Holy Spirit

In my sober judgment the relation of the Spirit to the believer is
the most vital question the church faces today.
Keys to the Deeper Life, page 15

February 8
The Holy Spirit: He Can Be Grieved
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. --Ephesians 4:30
Because He is loving and kind and friendly, the Holy Spirit may be grieved.... He can be grieved because He is loving, and there must be love present before there can be grief.
Suppose you had a 17-year-old son who began to go bad. He rejected your counsel and wanted to take things into his own hands. Suppose that he joined up with a young stranger from another part of the city and they got into trouble.
You were called down to the police station. Your boy--and another boy who you had never seen--sat there in handcuffs.
You know how you would feel about it. You would be sorry for the other boy--but you don't love him because you don't know him. With your own son, your grief would penetrate to your heart like a sword. Only love can grieve. If those two boys were sent off to prison, you might pity the boy you didn't know, but you would grieve over the boy you knew and loved. A mother can grieve because she loves. If you don't love, you can't grieve. The Counselor, 51-52.
"Lord, I think I take Your love for granted and consequently forget how grieved You are when I sin. Overwhelm me today with Your love, so that I might be more careful to not grieve 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.

You are receiving this recurring mailing because you subscribed to the daily Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International.

No Crib for a Bed

2010-12-28T11:46:00.001-05:00

"...and she gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough." - Luke 2:7

Read it again. This is the New Century version of the most familiar pieces of scripture in the Bible. What’s that? Not quite the way you recall the story? You ask, “What happened to the soft, swaddling clothes and the quaint little manger?”

It’s easy for us to sanitize the reality of the situation, and thereby remove some of the irony. The fact is the Savior of Mankind, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was wrapped in rags and set to rest in an icky trough that was used to feed pigs and cows.

Why would a mother allow this for her child? Well, she had no choice, because there was no room for them anywhere else. Perhaps a better question would be, “Why would our Father permit His Child to be treated in this manner?”

Well, in addition to prophecy being fulfilled, maybe God also knew that His Child had to experience humanity. He needed to know what it was like to be homeless, helpless, and in poverty. Later, He needed to understand hunger, the death of loved ones, persecution, and even death itself. Jesus needed to experience mankind – as He came to die for mankind.
And that, my friends, is the real, unvarnished Christmas story.

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Christmas: God Is For You

2010-12-24T12:10:00.002-05:00

Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas: God Is for You
by Rick Warren

But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

"And if God is for us, who can be against us?"
Knowing God is for you will change your whole perspective on life. You'll stop thinking of God as someone looking down from heaven, ready to yell, "Gotcha!" anytime you mess up.
Instead, you'll realize God loves you; God is with you; and God is for you! God is for your success in life; he created you for a purpose and he wants you to succeed. It is God, your Creator, who will measure your success in life, and no one else.
This is extremely good news!
It means you don't need to be afraid of God because God is for you. Yet, some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him. Do you know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, "If I get close to God, he's going to lecture me. He's going to remind me of all the things I've done wrong, and then I'll feel even worse!"
Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said, "I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I didn't come to scold you, I came to save you."
And if God is for us, who can be against us?
Jesus came to save us, not to scare us. That's why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he says is: "Don't be afraid!"
In fact, when God sends a message to people in the Bible, it's not unusual for the first words to be: "Don't be afraid." There are 365 messages from God in the Bible that begin with a phrase like, "Fear not!" In other words, every single day of the year you can read a message from God that says, in effect, "You don't need to be afraid. I am for you; I am with you; I love you."
We celebrate Christmas because of this good news from God!

Christmas basket preparation

2010-12-14T02:34:00.001-05:00

Birth Announcement

2010-12-14T02:30:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010

Birth Announcement

"...you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21
One type of letter we often get in our household is a birth announcement--someone announcing the birth of a child---a wonderful time of celebration and excitement. But when Jesus Christ was born, the ultimate birth announcement came straight from heaven when God, through His angels, said, "Today in the city of David has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord."
You may ask, "Why do I need a Savior?"
God's Word is clear that we need a Savior because all of us sin, and in the process, find ourselves separated from God. If we die separated, that means hell...and that's bad news. But Christmas is about good news, because Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and made right with God. For those who believe, He saves us from sin and, ultimately, hell...and that's pretty important.
As you rush around getting ready for Christmas, remember why He came and believe it. That's the key to having a Merry Christmas.

Cowboy 10 Commandments

2010-09-14T22:57:00.000-05:00

Yeah, right. Take a look below. ;)

Thar ya go! ;)

Bidding Farewell to Tinco & Jane Tran

2010-09-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

We will miss your presence at Fairview Alliance Church Dr, Tran and Jane.

Bro Jean Milfort reading a message for Dr. Tran and Jane Tran.

Pastor Fady presenting a plaque.

Reading to Dr. Tran and Jane the inscription on the plaque.

Dr. Tran addresses his Fairview Alliance Church' Family

Lost Ones

2010-09-10T13:36:00.001-05:00

September 10, 2010 — by David H. Roper

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Luke 15:4-6

Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! —Luke 15:6

Bible in a year:
Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3

In my college years I worked as a guide, taking boys on treks into Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. On one occasion one of my hikers—a small, slow chap—lagged behind and took the wrong fork on a trail. When we arrived at our campsite he was nowhere to be found. I frantically went out to search for him.

Just before dark, I came across him sitting by a small lake—utterly lost and alone. In my joy, I gave him a bear hug, hoisted him on my shoulders, and carried him down the trail to his companions.

In a story by Scottish writer George MacDonald, he describes a young woman finding a child alone and lost in the woods. She gathered him up in her arms and carried him home to her father, at which point she gained an insight that was never to leave her: “Now she understood the heart of the Son of Man, [who came] to find and carry back the stray children to their Father and His.”

I want you too to know the heart of Jesus, the Son of Man, who came to find and carry back His straying children to their Father, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). No matter how far you may have strayed and how lost you may be, He came to seek and to save you.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost,
Left heaven’s glory, minding not the cost;
Looking high and low and far and wide,
The Son of Man for all was crucified. —Hess

To find salvation, you must admit that you’re lost.

Sovereign Calling

2010-08-26T07:58:00.002-05:00

August: Evangelism
Every notable advance in the saving work of God among men will, if examined, be found to have two factors present: several converging lines of providential circumstances and a person.
Let My People Go: The Life of Robert A. Jaffray, 50.

August 26

Evangelism: Sovereign Calling

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
--John 1:12-13

There is another and worse evil which springs from this basic failure to grasp the radical difference between the natures of the two worlds. It is the habit of languidly "accepting" salvation as if it were a small matter and one wholly in our hands. Men are exhorted to think things over and "decide" for Christ, and in some places one day each year is set aside as "Decision Day," at which time people are expected to condescend to grant Christ the right to save them, a right which they have obviously refused Him up to that time.

Christ is thus made to stand again before men's judgment seat; He is made to wait upon the pleasure of the individual, and after long and humble waiting is either turned away or patronizingly admitted. By a complete misunderstanding of the noble and true doctrine of the freedom of the human will salvation is made to depend perilously upon the will of man instead of upon the will of God.

However deep the mystery, however many the paradoxes involved, it is still true that men become saints not at their own whim but by sovereign calling. The Pursuit of Man, pp. 37-38

"Sovereign God, I'm Your servant. I'll share the message, I'll pray for response, but only You can draw an unsaved person to faith in Christ. Thank You for the privilege of having even a small part in Your sovereign work. Amen."

Evangelism: Too Easily Converted

2010-08-21T08:11:00.001-05:00

August: Evangelism

Every notable advance in the saving work of God among men will, if examined, be found to have two factors present: several converging lines of providential circumstances and a person.

Let My People Go: The Life of Robert A. Jaffray, 50.

August 21

Evangelism: Too Easily Converted

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." --John 8:31-32

First, we must consider the person who becomes a disciple of Christ on impulse. This is likely to be the person who came in on a wave of enthusiasm, and I am a little bit suspicious of anyone who is too easily converted. I have a feeling that if he or she can be easily converted to Christ, he or she may be very easily flipped back the other way. I am concerned about the person who just yields, who has no sales resistance at all....

Actually, I go along with the man or woman who is thoughtful enough about this decision to say truthfully: "I want a day to think this over," or "I want a week to read the Bible and to meditate on what this decision means."

I have never considered it a very great compliment to the Christian church that we can generate enthusiasm on such short notice. The less there is in the kettle, the quicker it begins to boil. There are some who get converted on enthusiasm and backslide on principle! Faith Beyond Reason, pp. 55-57

"Lord, this is contrary to our usual thinking. We're aware of the urgency of the hour, of the need to trust Christ before it is too late. But thank You for this perspective on serious consideration rather than flippant acquiescence. Amen."

Why Do I Procrastinate?

2010-08-18T14:19:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Why Do I Procrastinate?
by Rick Warren

Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17 (NIV)

"What have you been postponing? Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?""

The Bible has a lot to say about procrastination. Just take a minute to read today's verse and really let it sink in. I know the things I ought to do and I don't do them. And I know the things I shouldn't do and I do those. But I procrastinate on the things I really want to change in my life. Why?

The Bible says you procrastinate for one of five reasons.

1. Indecision. "A double minded man is unstable in all he does." (James 1:8 LB) Have you ever sent a waiter away at a restaurant because you couldn't make up your mind? Indecision causes you to postpone buying a car, choosing a college, getting married, buying new clothes, changing a job.

2. Perfectionism. "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" (Ecclesiastes 11:4 LB) If you wait for things to be perfect, you're going to wait a long time. You don't have the time or the money for things to be perfect.

3. Fear. "The fear of man is a trap." (Proverbs 29:25 LB) Have you been postponing going to the dentist? Or having that needed surgery? Or getting into marriage counseling? Sharing your faith at work? Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?"

4. Anger. "A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive." (Proverbs 18:9 GNT) Procrastination is a way to get back at people we don't like. We delay. Kids are great at procrastination. You ask them to clean up their room. They do it but they take so long doing it. One of the reasons may be that they're resisting your control. Procrastination is passive resistance. I don't want to do it because I don't like you telling me to do what I have to do. Anger causes us to put things off.

5. Laziness. "Lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering." (Proverbs 13:4 LB) One of the most popular words in America is "easy." If it's easy, we like it. If it's hard, we don't like it. Can you imagine a best seller titled, "Ten Difficult Steps to Change Your Life" or "Fifteen Difficult Ways to Get in Shape"? If it's easy, we like it. If it's hard, we don't like it.

The next time you find yourself procrastinating, stop and ask yourself why. Then ask God to help you overcome it so you can move forward and do what you need to do.

You can’t please everybody

2010-08-17T12:03:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

You can't please everybody
by Rick Warren

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)

"Even God can't please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even God can't do."

Have you realized that there are some people you can't please? No matter what you do or what you try or how nice you are to them. You just can't please everybody.

But the Bible tells says you don't need to please everybody. "It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you." (Proverbs 29:25 LB) It's an emotional trap when you start worrying about what other people think. We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even like -- all because we think we must be liked by everyone in order to be happy. That's foolish!

Jesus said, "I only seek to please Him who sent me." (John 5:30 LB) Even Jesus didn't try to please everybody. One person wants it to rain; another doesn't want it to rain. I was one in Texas talking to oil people. They want oil prices to go up; the rest of us are hoping they'll go down. Even God can't please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even God can't do.

In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you." (NIV) That's probably because the only time everybody's going to speak well of you is at your funeral!

I meet Christians all the time who must live with someone who makes life crazy. Every day they face someone who is an EGR (extra grace required). They say, "I try and try to make peace with this person, but I fail and I feel so guilty." The fact is, it may not be your fault. It may be the person you're trying to make peace with is just flat out difficult.

Give that person to God and focus on pleasing Him.

Love, love, love

2010-07-25T22:39:00.001-05:00

John 13:35 (New International Version)

³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Stepping into a new life

2010-07-23T12:30:00.000-05:00

Friday, July 23, 2010

Stepping into a new life
by Rick Warren

"Come!" answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 (TEV)

"By our obedience, we learn to be faithful."

(This guest devotional is by Jon Walker, author of Costly Grace: A Contemporary View of Bonhoeffer's 'The Cost of Discipleship.)

When Peter stepped out of the storm-tossed boat and onto the water, where was the safest place to be? In the boat or in the arms of Jesus?

The answer, of course, is Jesus, and for a brief time, Peter saw that. Right then he got a glimpse of what it is like to TRUST in Jesus and what it is like to operate within the realm of costly grace as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

And we get a glimpse of that too. We see that following Jesus requires us to step into apparent insecurity in order to find true security.

It's a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.

The essence of discipleship is Jesus constantly pushing us into new situations where it is possible for us to trust him even more. He pushes us toward "the impossible situation in which everything is staked solely on the word of Jesus," says the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Undeterred Determination

2010-06-05T14:58:00.001-05:00

June 5, 2010 — by Joe Stowell

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. —2 Corinthians 5:18

Bible in a year:
2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15

One of the great privileges of serving at Moody Bible Institute was hearing about graduates who had impacted the world for Christ. Their stories of sacrifice, perseverance, and passion for the gospel were inspiring.

In the late 19th century, Mary McLeod Bethune spent 2 years studying at Moody in Chicago, training to become a missionary in Africa. But after she graduated, no mission board would give her the opportunity, as an African-American woman, to serve on the mission field. Unable to fulfill her dream to go to Africa, she didn’t give up on her calling to serve Jesus. Undaunted, she started a small school for African-American girls in Florida that would eventually blossom into Bethune-Cookman College. She became a powerful force for change in the status of women.

Mary’s legacy was forged by her determination to serve Jesus even in the face of shattered dreams. She knew that God had entrusted to her “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18)—and she wouldn’t give up.

That wasn’t just a mandate for Mary McLeod Bethune. Telling people they can be reconciled to God through Christ is a calling given to all of us. Look for a way to make a difference for Jesus today—right where you are!

Wherever You have placed us, Lord,
Give us the courage to proclaim
To people who are lost in sin:
“You can be new in Jesus’ name.” —Sper

One of the qualities God looks for in His people is a heart that is willing to serve Him.

| Our Daily Bread |

A. W. Tozer

2010-05-17T09:40:00.001-05:00

Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 - May 12, 1963) was an American Christian pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker, and spiritual mentor.^[1] For his work, he received two honorary doctorate degrees.

Biography

Hailing from a tiny farming community in western Pennsylvania, his conversion was as a teenager in Akron, Ohio. While on his way home from work at a tire company, he overheard a street preacher say: "If you don't know how to be saved... just call on God." Upon returning home, he climbed into the attic and heeded the preacher’s advice.

In 1919, five years after his conversion, and without formal theological training, Tozer accepted an offer to pastor his first church. This began 44 years of ministry, associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), a Protestant evangelical denomination; 33 of those years were served as a pastor in a number of churches. His first pastorate was in a small storefront church in Nutter Fort, West Virginia. Tozer also served as pastor for 30 years at Southside Alliance Church, in Chicago (1928 to 1959), and the final years of his life were spent as pastor of Avenue Road Church, in Toronto, Canada. In observing contemporary Christian living, he felt that the church was on a dangerous course toward compromising with "worldly" concerns.

In 1950, Tozer received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Wheaton College. It was May 1950, when Tozer was elected editor of the Alliance Weekly magazine, now called, Alliance Life, the official publication of the C&MA. From his first editorial, dated June 3, 1950, he wrote, "It will cost something to walk slow in the parade of the ages, while excited men of time rush about confusing motion with progress. But it will pay in the long run and the true Christian is not much interested in anything short of that." In 1952, he received an LL.D. degree from Houghton College.^[2]

Among the more than 40 books that he authored, at least two are regarded as Christian classics: The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy. His books impress on the reader the possibility and necessity for a deeper relationship with God.

Living a simple and non-materialistic lifestyle, he and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, never owned a car, preferring bus and train travel. Even after becoming a well-known Christian author, Tozer signed away much of his royalties to those who were in need.

Tozer had seven children, six boys and one girl. He was buried in Ellet Cemetery, Akron, Ohio, with a simple epitaph marking his grave: "A. W. Tozer - A Man of God."^[3]

Prayer was of vital personal importance for Tozer. "His preaching as well as his writings were but extensions of his prayer life," comments his biographer, James L. Snyder, in the book, In Pursuit of God: The Life Of A.W. Tozer. "He had the ability to make his listeners face themselves in the light of what God was saying to them," writes Snyder.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._W._Tozer

Need wisdom? Just ask.

2010-05-17T09:27:00.001-05:00

Need wisdom? Just ask.
by Rick Warren

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5 NIV)

Need wisdom? We all do. And the good news is that God wants to give it to you. He is eager to do so.

Just like it pleased God when Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-14), it pleases God when we ask for wisdom. It's God's nature to give. He is a giving God.

The Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)

This verse says three things about how God gives wisdom. He does so:

Continually. "Ask God who gives ..." In Greek this is in the continuous tense. He keeps on giving. He doesn't run out of energy. He never wears out.

Generously. God's resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everyone. He's got plenty of wisdom to go around.

Cheerfully. James says God gives "without finding fault." God loves to give. It's in his nature to give! Don't get embarrassed to ask. He wants to give you wisdom!

Where do you need wisdom? Got a big decision coming with your career, your marriage, or your kids? God wants to help. He has wisdom to offer. But remember what James says. If you want wisdom from God, you've got to ask! If you ask, he'll give it.

Relections from Perge and Aspendos

2010-05-16T21:54:00.001-05:00

Assembly 2010

http://cmalliance.ca/index.php

Emile Thibodeau Memorial Service

2010-05-11T22:34:00.001-05:00

Tribute to a Friend

2010-05-11T11:53:00.001-05:00

Emile Thibodeau

Reflections from Pastor Dave Smith

Dear Fairview Alliance Church Family, Marcel, Janice, Norma, Kim, and other family members of Emile’s,

I was the Senior Pastor of Fairview Alliance Church from 1996 to 2004, and during this time I had the privilege of knowing Emile Thibodeau.

Emile and Theresa, were long standing members of Lakeshore Pentecostal Church, and for a variety of reasons began to attend the Fairview Alliance Church. We welcomed them to our church family, and Emile to our worship team.

It was not long after they began attending, Theresa died very unexpectedly and I recall the wonderful unified service we conducted at our church with the worship team and full participation of the Lakeshore Pentecostal Church congregation. It was a lovely service and a time to honour a loving mother and Emile’s best friend.

Emile had a number of challenges raising Janice and Marcel, and often lamented that his children were very saddened and missing the influence of their mother growing up. Despite his own loneliness he greatly loved his children and from my times visiting with him, I was always impressed with the way he managed to provide for his family and very capably looked after the meals, and maintained a very immaculate home for his family.

A few years later, at Emile and Kim’s request I performed the wedding ceremony that was to unite two lonely people and to provide comfort and companionship for both of them. I wasn’t around to see how this relationship played out, but was later told that Emile had once again found himself on his own.

As a pastor, I have always longed to see people come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to experience the majesty of our Sovereign God, to be comforted and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to walk humbly before our God.

As I have reflected upon the life of Emile, as I have experienced him, Emile was a man who was acquainted with grief and sorrow, a man who did not live an easy life. He was a man who had many challenges, received few breaks, laboured for all that he had, and lived a very lonely and hard life.

Despite all of this, I have known Emile to be a very humble man. A man who was very gentle, kind, and generous. Emile Thibodeau possessed a very realistic view of himself, and added value to the people around him. Perhaps his greatest attribute was the very simple and childlike faith that he possessed.

When I think of Emile Thibodeau, I think about Jesus words... (in Matt. 5:1-12)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God

Rejoice and be glad Emile, because great is your reward in heaven!

It has been my pleasure and privilege to know Emile, and I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family on this great loss. I will cherish my memories of this humble man and friend, and look forward to the day when I will see him again.

Love,

Pastor Dave

Emile Thibodeau, beloved brother in Christ, October 27, 1954 - May 7,2010

2010-05-10T14:44:00.001-05:00

You will be missed brother.

Memorial service will be held:

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Fairview Alliance Church
220 Hyman Drive, DDO, H9B 1L8

Show you believe by belonging

2010-04-29T10:32:00.001-05:00

Show you believe by belonging
by Rick Warren

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 (NLT)

The Bible says a Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It is an unnatural state. The Bible says, "You belong in God's household with every other Christian." (Ephesians 2:19b LB)

Today's culture of independent individualism has created many spiritual orphans—"bunny believers" who hop around from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment. Many believe it is possible to be a "good Christian" without joining (or even attending) a local church, but God would strongly disagree.

The church is so significant that Jesus died on the cross for it. "Christ loved the church and gave his life for it." (Ephesians 5:25 GW)

Except for a few important exceptions referring to all believers throughout history, almost every time the word church is used in the Bible it refers to a local, visible congregation.

The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation. The only Christians not members of a local fellowship were those under church discipline who had been removed from the fellowship because of gross public sin. (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1-5)

The Bible offers many compelling reasons why you need to be committed and active in a local fellowship.

A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. I can't claim to be following Christ if I'm not committed to any specific group of disciples. Jesus said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35 NLT)

When we come together in love as a church family from different backgrounds, race, and social status, it is a witness to the world. (Galatians 3:28 MSG; see also John 17:21)

The Treasure And The Pots

2010-04-16T11:49:00.001-05:00

April 16, 2010

The Treasure And The Pots

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READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. —2 Corinthians 4:7

It has been said that the Roman Empire ran on olive oil. It was used in cooking, bathing, medicine, ceremonies, lamps, and cosmetics. For decades, olive oil from southern Spain was shipped to Rome in large clay jugs called amphorae. Those jugs, not worth sending back, were discarded in a growing heap of broken shards known as Monte Testaccio. The fragments of an estimated 25 million amphorae created that man-made hill, which stands today on the bank of the Tiber River in Rome. In the ancient world, the value of those pots was not their beauty but their contents.

Because of this, the first-century followers of Christ would have clearly understood Paul’s illustration of the life of Jesus in every believer. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7).

Our bodies, like amphorae, are temporary, fragile, and expendable. In our modern world that highly values outward beauty, we would be wise to remember that our greatest treasure is the life of Jesus within us. By God’s grace and power, may we live so that others can see Christ in us.

We are just the clay pots. Jesus is the true treasure within us. — David C. McCasland

Although my outward shell decays,
I’m inwardly renewed each day,
Because the life and power of Christ
Indwells this fragile jar of clay. —Sper

Christ is seen most clearly when we remain in the background.

The Power Of Praise

2010-04-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

April 5, 2010

The Power Of Praise

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READ: Isaiah 61:1-3

The Lord has anointed Me . . . to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. —Isaiah 61:1,3

Praise is powerful! When Scottish pastor Robert Murray McCheyne was troubled with a coldness of heart toward the things of the Lord, he would sing the praises of God until he felt revived in his spirit. Those in his household were often able to tell what hour he awoke because he began the day with a psalm of praise.

One day, while he was trying to prepare his heart for preaching, he wrote in his journal: “Is it the desire of my heart to be made altogether holy? . . . Lord, You know all things . . . . I’ve felt so much deadness and grief that I cannot grieve for this deadness. Toward evening I revived. Got a calm spirit through [singing psalms] and prayer.” McCheyne had been uplifted by praising God.

Perhaps you feel as if you are mired in what John Bunyan called the “slough of despond.” Lift a song of praise to the Lord. The psalmist said, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever” (89:1). When we do that, the praise will flow not only from our lips but also from our heart. The Lord delights to give “the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isa. 61:3).

Yes, “it is good to sing praises to our God”—at all times (Ps. 147:1). — Paul Van Gorder

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To His feet your tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing. —Lyte

If you find yourself wearing a spirit of heaviness, try on a garment of praise.

Easter Sunday Photos - 2010

2010-04-05T07:31:00.001-05:00

It’s Friday But Sunday is Coming!

2010-04-05T06:12:00.001-05:00

Who Are You?

2010-03-18T10:20:00.001-05:00

March 18, 2010

Who Are You?

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READ: Matthew 4:18-25

Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19

If someone were to ask, “Who are you?” my guess is that you would tell a little about yourself and what you do—“I’m an electrician” or “I’m a nurse.” But that’s not really who you are—it’s what you do. Which leads to the question, If what you do is who you are, who will you be when you stop doing what you’re doing?!

Who you are is found in your relationship to Jesus. And this sense of identity will drive your behavior. Take Matthew, for example. As a tax collector during the reign of the Roman Empire, his life was driven by greed. But everything changed the day Jesus showed up and invited Matthew to follow Him (Matt. 9:9). Suddenly Matthew had a whole new identity as a follower of Christ! And he wasn’t the only one. We also read about four fishermen in Matthew 4:18-25, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their nets to follow Him.

Jesus is a compelling Person, and He is still looking for followers. He wants to make something of your life by giving you the identity of a follower of Jesus. It doesn’t mean giving up your career, but it does mean that you will do your work—and all of life—according to His will and ways.

So next time someone asks, “Who are you?” I hope you’ll answer, “I’m a follower of Jesus”! — Joe Stowell

For Further Study Read about 10 perspectives that should form our attitudes and actions as followers of Jesus in Kingdom Living at www.discoveryseries.org/hp092

If you are a follower of Jesus, that’s all the identity you need.

God’s Mercies

2010-03-11T12:38:00.000-05:00

March 11, 2010

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download

READ: Genesis 32:3-13

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies. —Genesis 32:10

Less than the least of all God’s mercies.” This was the motto 17th-century English poet and clergyman George Herbert engraved on his signet ring, and it was the phrase with which he signed his letters and books. Jacob had spoken these words when he pondered God’s goodness despite his own sin and shame: “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant” (Gen. 32:10).

The word “mercies” is from the Hebrew word chesed, meaning “God’s enduring love.” I think it is significant that it rose from the heart of one who saw himself as utterly unworthy.

Relying solely on God’s faithful love, Jacob cries out: “Deliver me!” What an odd combination of thoughts: “I am not worthy . . . . Deliver me” (vv.10-11). Unlike some who seem to have it all together, Jacob knew that everything he brought to God had been ruined by sin. He thought of himself as a man undeserving of God’s grace. But his hope lay not in his worth but in the promise of God to look with favor on those who throw themselves on His mercy. Humility and contrition are the keys that open the heart of God.

As He did with Jacob, God hears us when we humbly cry out to Him for mercy. —David Roper

For mercies so great, what return can I make?
For mercies so constant and sure?
I’ll love Him, I’ll serve Him with all that I have
As long as my life shall endure. —Chisholm

Mercy is an unearned blessing bestowed by God on an unworthy recipient.

Tuning in to God

2010-03-06T08:37:00.001-05:00

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Tuning in to God
by Rick Warren

"God does speak—sometimes one way and sometimes another—even though people may not understand it." Job 33:14 (NCV)

"God's will is found in God's Word."

After we ask in faith for God's guidance, we need to listen for God's response!

Did you know that the room you are in right now is filled with radio waves? You can't see them but if you had the right type of receiver - like a radio - to tune them in, you'd be able to hear them.

God designed you to hear His voice. There is a receiver in you that allows you to get guidance from God. Job 33:14 says, "God does speak—sometimes one way and sometimes another—even though people may not understand it." We don't understand when we're not tuned in.

What channels does God use? The primary way that God speaks is through the Bible. The Bible is God's guide book. It's like a road map to guide us along the way. It helps you negotiate the mazes you face in life, giving you the directions you need. This is why we need to read the Bible very day. God's will is found in God's Word.

God also speaks through godly Bible teachers. Have you ever been in church or at a Bible study and you feel like the teacher is speaking directly to you? In that moment, God is speaking directly to you.

God not only speaks through teachers, he also speaks through every Christian. He even speaks through you. If you'll stay in tune to Him and learn His Word, sometimes God will use you to say things to people that He wants to say to them. It's not something special reserved only for pastors; God speaks through every believer at different times.

God also speaks through your circumstances and your pain. God whispers to us in our pleasure, but He shouts to us in our pain.

God is speaking all the time. But we must listen. Tune in to God and He will lead you on the right path.

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life

2010-02-21T07:53:00.001-05:00

February 21, 2010

Running In The Right Direction

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READ: John 6:53-69

Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” —John 6:68

One of the most difficult experiences in my years as a pastor was telling a member of our church that her husband, her son, and her father-in-law had all drowned in a boating accident. I knew the news would shatter her life.

In the days following their tragic loss, I was amazed as she and her family responded with unusual faith. Sure, there was deep brokenness, haunting doubt, and confusion. But when nothing else made sense, they still had Jesus. Rather than deserting Him in the midst of their desperately difficult days, they ran to Him as the only source of hope and confidence.

This reminds me of the reaction of the disciples to Jesus. After some of them “went back and walked with Him no more” because He was hard to understand (John 6:66), Jesus turned to His inner circle, and asked, “Do you also want to go away?” (v.67). Peter got it right when he responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (v.68).

Whatever you face today, be encouraged by the words of Peter and by the example of a family who went through the fire with their faith intact. As long as you’re running in the right direction—to Jesus—you’ll find the grace and strength you will need. —Joe Stowell

Jesus is the One to run to
When our lives bring grief and pain;
He provides His strength and guidance
With a peace we can’t explain. —Sper

When all is lost, remember that you haven’t lost Jesus. Run to Him.

Harvest Principle: Give generously

2010-02-21T07:41:00.001-05:00

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Harvest Principle: Give generously
by Rick Warren

Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" John 6:8-9 (NLT)

Whenever you have a need, acknowledge your faith by planting a seed. In other words, take your focus off your need and look at ways you can provide for the needs of others, planting a seed in their lives.

This isn't easy; it goes against our nature; it's totally illogical. If I'm out of money, I'm probably going to think, 'I can't give away any money?' Or, if I'm out of time, I'm probably going to think, 'Why should I spend more time on something else?' Or, if I don't have any energy in a relationship, I'm probably going to think, 'How can I give more energy away?'

Yet, God says this is exactly what demonstrates faith: when you have a need, you plant a seed.

You can see this principle imbedded in our blood. When you give away blood, you get more blood. You don't end up with less blood; you end up with as much blood or more than you had before.

God often works through this harvest principle, that when you have a need, you give - and what you give away, God replenishes. Faith is like a seed, so it has to be planted - deposited.

Remember the story of the little boy who had five loaves and two fish? He gives them away, and God uses it to feed 5,000 people. Jesus takes what the boy gives; He breaks it; He blesses it; and He uses it.

That's what God does in our lives. He takes us; He breaks us; He blesses us; and He uses us. He multiplied a little into a lot because it was planted as a seed.

OH, GOD! USE ME!

2010-01-11T16:38:00.003-05:00

OH, GOD! USE ME!

I’ve been in the ministry for 50 years–and every day I’m looking for something to do for God.

In 1959, my boyfriend, George DeTellis, opened a church in Medford, Massachusetts. I was 17 years of age. Our Saturday night dates consisted of going to Medford Square to the Colonial Theatre… up to a second floor room that we rented for church services. Together, we swept up the cigarette butts, picked up the beer bottles, hung a cross on the red drapery, rolled out the piano and set up the chairs. On Sunday mornings, my father let me borrow his station wagon. I did a transportation route, played the piano, taught Sunday School, and was the secretary and treasurer. My employer gave me permission to duplicate the church bulletins on their stencil machine. It’s no wonder that George asked me not to go to Bible School but to continue on in my role supporting his new ministry.

In 1960, I became the pastor’s wife. Our big Italian wedding gave us the finances to buy the former mayor’s home for the church. We took down the walls on the first floor to create a chapel. After six years of establishing a church, three children and three miscarriages, George gave up the keys and deeds to the house, church building, and a valuable piece of property next to an interstate. George started broadcasting on the radio and began travelling the East Coast as an evangelist.

In 1967, George accepted an inner city church in Worcester, Massachusetts. We opened the first coffeehouse in New England, and had three community houses working with the street people, directed a summer camp, and built a loving, strong congregation.

In 1975, I opened Women’s Aglow Fellowship in Worcester, and the following year became the President of New England Women’s Aglow Fellowship. Speaking throughout New England was a ride on the edge as I balanced being a pastor’s wife and mother to now four children.

In 1977, I went to India. Missions was my breath and passion. I established New England and World Missions.

In 1980, I became the president of Camp Woodhaven and in 10 months dedicated a chapel–my first construction project.

In 1982, New England and World Missions purchased land in Haiti. In 1983, George and I lived in a tent in Haiti.

In 1984, we resigned from our pastorate. I graduated from Clark University with a master’s degree in international development.

In 1992, I turned 50 years old in Haiti and planned a big birthday party–launching an evangelism event that opened more than 50 Bible studies in local villages.

In 2000, George and I moved to the Dominican Republic where I worked with George to open churches and schools, and was by his side during his
nine-year battle with cancer.

In 2008, George rested from his work, and I returned to the DR to resume directing the ministry.

In 2009, this may have been the most painful time of my life, but it has been the most exciting time of being used by God.

After 50 years of ministry, I still want to run alongside my great big adventurous God and see Him do marvelous things.

~ Jeanne DeTellis

[ New Missions Website ]

Easter Musical 2009

2009-09-29T17:48:00.001-05:00

Operation Christmas Child 2009

2009-09-29T16:36:00.000-05:00

Having Patience in the Midst of Discouragement

2009-09-03T14:30:00.001-05:00

September 3, 2009

Having Patience in the Midst of Discouragement
by Rick Warren

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay’” (Hebrews 10:36–37 NIV).

If you’re discouraged because of God’s delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come—yet—that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer, or that he’s forgotten you, or that he doesn’t care about you. It simply means “not yet!”

Spiritual maturity is knowing the difference between “No” and “Not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

The delay may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, anybody can be patient twice. And, just about anybody can be patient three times. So God tests you patience over and over and over.

Why? To see how patient you are?

No, he does it to show you how patient you are. So you’ll know what’s inside of you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.

If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.

You may be going through difficult times right now and feel like dropping off the planet. You’re discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”

But you can.

You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit.

Don’t quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before you.

Listen Up TV - An Easter message from Prime Minister Stephen Harper

2009-04-13T22:21:00.000-05:00

Easter Musical 2009

2009-04-13T09:31:00.003-05:00

How do I become, as you say, a "Christ Follower"?

2009-03-30T10:52:00.001-05:00

How do I become, as you say, a "Christ Follower"?

Well, to become a 'Christian' you need to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is begun by coming to him and acknowledging our failure and asking for his forgiveness. Obviously we have something we need to be "saved" from if Jesus came to be our "Saviour", right? Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard."

Are you ready to admit your failure to live up to God's ideal? He is ready to forgive you and cleanse you from all your guilt. Next comes our whole-hearted commitment to following him, which simply means to do whatever he would want us to do.

Of course, if we're going to learn about what his will is for our lives, this will mean that we become students of the Bible and study it for ourselves as well as learn what we can at church.

So becoming and being a Christian is not really about being "Catholic" or "Protestant" or "Baptist" or "Brethren In Christ" (which The Meeting House is). Joining one church or another is not the issue, but committing to Christ is. In fact, it seems quite possible that there are all kinds of people who call themselves "Christians", both Catholics and Protestants, who may think they are Christians because they go to church and do other good things, but who don't really know Jesus.

That seems to be the message Jesus gives in Matthew 7:21-23. He says: "Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord', but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Jesus goes on in those verses to describe that it is not enough to talk the talk, but what's important is our relationship with him displayed in obedience to his teachings that makes the difference.

The Bible uses a word for that - "faith", which simply means "active trust", believing in someone or something enough to act upon that belief. Are you ready to commit your life to following Jesus as his disciple? He's ready to lead you into new and deeper life (John 10:10). [Bruxy Cavey]

from: http://www.listenuptv.com/listenup/ask-question

Christmas Musical and Drama 2008

2009-01-03T23:25:00.002-05:00

How to Be Thankful in Tough Times

2009-01-02T11:02:00.000-05:00

How to Be Thankful in Tough Times
by Rick Warren

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

1. Don't worry about anything. Worrying doesn't change anything. It's stewing without doing. There's no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That's good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:34 NLT).

2. Pray about everything. Use the time you've spent worrying for praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you'd have a whole lot less to worry about. Some people think God only cares about religious things, such as how many people I invite to church or my tithing. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. He's interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take any problem you face to God.

3. Thank God in all things. Whenever you pray, you should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love, but gratitude. It actually increases your immunities; it makes you more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. They're never satisfied; it's never good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.

4. Think about the right things. If you want to reduce the level of stress in your life, you must change the way you think. The way you think determines how you feel, and the way you feel determines how you act. So if you want to change your life, you need to change what you're thinking about.

This involves a deliberate, conscious choice where you change the channels. You choose to think about the right things: focus on the positive and on God's Word. Why? Because the root cause of stress is the way you choose to think.

When we no longer worry, when we pray about everything, when we give thanks, when we focus on the right things, the apostle Paul tells us the result is, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NLT).

What a guarantee! He is guaranteeing peace of mind.

© 2009 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers

December is a month when people celebrate miracles

2008-12-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

December Desire

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Revelation 22:1-5

They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. —Revelation 22:5

December is a month when people celebrate miracles. The Jewish tradition of Hanukkah—the Holiday of Lights—commemorates the time when a small amount of oil lasted 8 days and kept the light in the temple from going out. And Christmas celebrates the coming of the “Light of the World,” God in human form—Jesus.

A miracle is generally thought of as something that contradicts nature. But a true miracle is the introduction of God’s supernatural power into our world in a way that suspends the laws of physics as we understand them.

In December, it seems that more of us are willing to suspend disbelief and entertain the possibility that “nature” is not the final authority. Even the non-religious yearn for miracles. Deep down, everyone wants to believe that darkness, disease, and death can be overcome.

Perhaps the most wondrous thing about miracles is that it is God’s nature to do the supernatural. The closing chapters of Scripture assure us that this “December desire” for all to be well will become a reality: “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain” (Rev. 21:4). God will one day bring to an end the unnatural rule of Satan and begin His righteous reign as the rightful Ruler of the universe. —Julie Ackerman Link

Thank You, Lord, that although we live in a world
where Satan’s shadow obscures Your glorious light,
we eagerly anticipate the day when Your full glory will once again illuminate all creation. Amen.

A miracle needs no explanation to those who believe in God; to those who don’t, no explanation is enough.

The Power of 5

2008-11-29T12:27:00.001-05:00

What is it? It's a Bible reading plan. You commit to reading the Bible at least 5 times per week. We commit to helping you. As a church family we will read the entire New Testament together in 2008!

Click here for January - June Reading Schedule

Click here for July - December Reading Schedule

Why 5 times? According to research conducted by Back to the Bible’s Center for Bible Engagement, those who engage in Bible reading four or more times per week experience life much differently than those who don’t! Indeed, statistics show a much higher level of health and stability despite life’s constant challenges.

What are the stats for
less than 4 times?

Those who DON’T read at least 4 times a week are much more likely to have:

· marital infidelities

· drug dependencies

· financial crisis

· emotional sicknesses

· other undesirable behaviours

Based on the significance of these findings, we decided to create the Power of 5.

It's simple. It's dynamic. It's life-changing.

Here's how it works:

· Look for the weekly reading schedule in your weekend church bulletin

· Commit to read one chapter each weekday.

· Count on us for encouragement!

What's the power behind the Power of 5? Taking in God's Word is the power; doing it at least 5 times a week is the plan.

[ Credit / Source: Heritage Park Alliance Church ]

From Today's Daily Bread

2008-11-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

November 29, 2008

A Convenient Christianity

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Matthew 16:24-28

Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. —Matthew 16:25

So many television programs, so little time to watch them. Apparently that’s what our culture thinks, because now technology allows us to see an hour-long program in just 6 minutes or less! The Minisode Network has pruned episodes of popular series into shorter, more convenient packages for interested viewers. “The shows you love—only shorter” is how it’s advertised. All to make our life more convenient.

Some have tried to make the Christian life more convenient. They choose to practice Christianity on Sunday only. They attend a religious service at whatever church makes them most comfortable. They give a small offering and are nice to fellow churchgoers—nothing that requires much effort on their part. That way they can have the rest of the week to themselves, to live as they please.

That would be a convenient Christianity. But we know that following Jesus is a lifestyle and not a Sunday-only convenience. Being a “disciple” calls for giving up our lives for Him (Matt. 16:25). It’s about living as Jesus calls us to live, daily giving up our plans and purposes for His. A relationship with Him causes us to be concerned with our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, and actions—all to make our life joy-filled for us and pleasing to God. —Anne Cetas

The Christian life is more than just
A prayer of faith made in the past;
It’s dedicating every day
To live for Christ and what will last. —Sper

Faith in Christ is not just a single step but a life of walking with Him.

The Way

2008-11-22T10:03:00.001-05:00

John 14:6 (New Living Translation)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12 (New Living Translation)
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

John 3:36 (New Living Translation)
36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

1 Timothy 2:5 (New Living Translation)
5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:11-12 (New Living Translation)
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Evangelism

2008-08-14T23:30:00.000-05:00

August: Evangelism

Every notable advance in the saving work of God among men will, if examined, be found to have two factors present: several converging lines of providential circumstances and a person.

Let My People Go: The Life of Robert A. Jaffray, 50.

Read about A. W. Tozer

August 15

Evangelism: Gospel Implications

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
--Titus 2:11-12

The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal
more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and
for that may God be praised; but it is also a message of
repentance. It is a message of atonement, but it is also a message
of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world.
It tells us that we must accept a Savior, but it tells us also that
we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message
includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of
cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God even unto death.

To be strictly technical, these latter truths are corollaries of the
gospel, and not the gospel itself; but they are part and parcel of
the total message which we are commissioned to declare....

To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of
Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that
the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold
injury where it hurts him worst. The Set of the Sail, 19-20.

"Lord, help me to proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth as I present the Gospel today. Amen."

Have the Attitude of Christ

2008-07-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

Philippians 2:1-11 (New Living Translation)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Philippians 2

Have the Attitude of Christ

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,^[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges^[b];
he took the humble position of a slave^[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,^[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Footnotes:

Philippians 2:6 Or Being in the form of God.
Philippians 2:7 Greek he emptied himself.
Philippians 2:7 Or the form of a slave.
Philippians 2:7 Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.

Special Music Guest- Ramona Nouneh

2008-07-02T11:13:00.002-05:00

Blessings!!

Ambrose University College

2008-06-20T10:47:00.002-05:00

God is good...all the time!!! All the time...God is good!!!

How to Stay Motivated When You’re Fatigued

2008-06-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings. Proverbs 25:28 (NAB)

*** *** *** ***

It’s not unusual for people to become disillusioned, discouraged, and fatigued about halfway into a difficult challenge. When I start to feel the fatigue, I look to Proverbs 25 and remember that my feelings are not a reliable measure of how things are going.

We’re to trust wholeheartedly in God and put no faith in our own perceptions (based on Proverbs 3:5 NJB).

Our feelings come from a variety of sources – past, present, and future. But feelings often lie; they’re not always a reflection of reality. Plus, life is complex and we must often live with mixed feelings: “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief” (Proverbs 14:13 NIV).

People often compare life to a roller coaster of hills and valleys, but actually life is more like two rails on a railroad track. One rail represents the good and positive in your life; the other represents the bad and painful in your life.

You’ll always have both at the same time! There will always be something good and something bad happening in your life. We can’t expect everything to be good for one month and then everything to be bad the next month. There’s always a mixture of both, a blending of both bitter and sweet.

However, we can choose the focus: “When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow” (Romans 12:15 NLT).
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.

Grace

2008-06-05T07:53:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 2:8 (New Living Translation)

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8 (The Message)
The Message (MSG), Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson, [The Message at Navpress] [NavPress]

7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer

2008-04-26T23:12:00.000-05:00

Read about A. W. Tozer

April 26

Prayer: Be Patient

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in
prayer.
--Romans 12:12

Think of the kernels of grain, the seed, that the farmer plants in
the ground in the fall of the year. How patient the farmer must be!
Throughout the long, cold winter the seed is dormant. There is no
evidence at all that it is there--covered by the cold earth itself.
The snows come and go. The ground freezes and thaws. Does the
farmer lie awake at night worrying that those seeds he placed in
the ground may be ineffective? He does not. He knows that spring
will come!

And in due course, the sunshine of March or April warms the air.
Spring rains water the ground. The farmer knows then that it will
not be long until green shoots suddenly break out from their
covering of earth. And in their own time, great waving fields of
grain are ready for the harvest. The farmer's faith in the seed he
planted is fully justified.

Likewise, God wants us to be patient with every prayer and
petition we sincerely send up to that heavenly altar. Our praying
done in the Spirit cannot be ineffective. It is as though God is
saying to us: "You have planted the seed. You have prayed for My
will to be done and for My kingdom to come on earth.... The
effective prayers of my son, Jesus, will join with the effective
prayers of righteous men and women. Be patient and put your trust
in Me, day by day!" Jesus Is Victor!, 122.

"Lord, I'm tempted to jot down, 'Give me that patience, and give
it to me now!' That's so typical of our hurried mind-set. Change
that mind-set for me today, Lord, and give me a patient,
steadfast faith, with a willingness to wait for the harvest.
Amen."

Praying on Behalf of Others

2008-04-24T06:52:00.001-05:00

April 24, 2008

Praying on Behalf of Others

By Robert H. Schuller

"Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." – Acts 12:5

I was taught in seminary, "Never assume that a person who is in a death coma is incapable of hearing. They probably just can't respond."

The call came that Stanley Reimer, a beloved friend and a beautiful elder on our church board, was on his way to the hospital with a heart attack. "He may not live until they get him to the hospital," I was told.

A fast drive to the hospital. "He's still alive," they told me when I arrived. "He's in intensive care."

As I stepped into Stanley's room, his doctor drew back from the bed, dropped his head and said, "He's alive – but probably not for long, Reverend Schuller." Without another word the doctor left.

"Stanley," I spoke softly, but strongly, my lips only inches from his ear. "Stanley, it's Dr. Schuller. I've come to ask God to save your life! Stanley, I telephoned the church. Countless prayers are being sent to God right now for you. Stanley, you had a twenty-minute cardiac arrest. You're hurt – badly. But you will recover, Stanley!"

Tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. He heard me! "I hear you, Stanley! Your tears are speaking when your lips cannot. You heard me!" More tears came – his and mine.

In a matter of hours, Stanley's eyes opened. Speech – slurred but understandable – returned! He recovered, not completely, but enough to live, laugh, talk, and pray joyful prayers for another ten years. And he never forgot that day when the miracle of new life was given by God in answer to others' prayers on his behalf.

Intercessory prayer is where our faith in a living, loving God grows and glows.

* * *

Thank You, God, for the people in my life who have stood in the gap and prayed for me when I didn't even know I needed it. You have sustained and protected me through others' prayer. Use me to do the same. Amen.

* * *

Easter 2008 at Fairview Alliance Church

2008-03-26T15:25:00.002-05:00

Click here to view the Easter 2008 Photo Album on Picasa Web Album

Enjoy, be blessed!!

Read or Get Out of the Ministry

2008-03-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

March: Pastoral Ministry

The work of a minister is altogether too difficult for any man. We are driven to God for wisdom.

This World: Playground or Battleground?, 86.

Read about A. W. Tozer

March 25

Pastoral Ministry: Read or Get Out of the Ministry

A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding
will attain wise counsel.
--Proverbs 1:5

When a very young minister, I asked the famous holiness preacher,
Joseph H. Smith, whether he would recommend that I read widely in the
secular field. He replied, "Young man, a bee can find nectar in the
weed as well as in the flower." I took his advice (or, to be frank,
I sought confirmation of my own instincts rather than advice) and I
am not sorry that I did.

John Wesley told the young ministers of the Wesleyan Societies to
read or get out of the ministry, and he himself read science and
history with a book propped against his saddle pommel as he rode
from one engagement to another. Andy Dolbow, the American Indian
preacher of considerable note, was a man of little education, but I
once heard him exhort his hearers to improve their minds for the
honor of God. "When you are chopping wood," he explained, "and you
have a dull axe you must work all the harder to cut the log. A sharp
axe makes easy work. So sharpen your axe all you can." The Size of
the Soul, 33.

"In the busyness of life, Lord, help me to always guard time to
sharpen my axe. Amen."

WATP , 4 Fast Miles

2008-03-13T20:54:00.000-05:00

Lifehouse Everything Skit

2008-01-23T17:41:00.001-05:00

Personal Life: Be Thou Exalted

2008-01-22T15:35:00.000-05:00

January: Personal Life

Some things may be neglected with but little loss to the spiritual life, but to neglect communion with God is to hurt ourselves where we cannot afford it.

The Root of the Righteous, 9.

Read about A. W. Tozer

January 22

Personal Life: Be Thou Exalted

The Lord lives! Blessed by my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation! --2 Samuel 22:47

O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase; let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, "Hosanna in the highest." The Pursuit of God, 101-102.

"In my increasing knowledge of You, Lord, and as I spend more time in solitude and silence before You, this prayer becomes so logical. Be Thou exalted in my life. Amen."

Christmas Musical Extravganza and Drama Presentation

2007-12-23T08:48:00.000-05:00

Christmas Musical Extravganza 2007

2007-12-22T08:51:00.001-05:00

Lillian Edwards - Special Music

2007-11-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

Lillian Edwards - Special Music

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: The Erotic Age

2007-11-19T11:07:00.000-05:00

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.

Read about A. W. Tozer

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.

You are receiving this recurring mailing because you subscribed to the daily Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International.

For more information about LMI: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/

For additional commands, email: tozer-help@litmin.com

We Serve God By Serving Others

2007-11-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

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.

Mark Z - Special Music Guest

2007-11-05T16:59:00.000-05:00

Mark Z - Special Music Guest

Failure and Success: Greatness Has Its Price

2007-10-23T08:35:00.000-05:00

Read about A. W. Tozer

October 18

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.

Happy Birthday Emile

2007-10-22T10:39:00.000-05:00

[ Link to the Photo Album ]

Pastor Appreciation Night Potluck

2007-10-22T10:32:00.000-05:00

[ Pastors Appreciation Night Potluck Photo Album ]

God is good!! All the time...God is good!!

When We Don’t Know What To Say

2007-10-17T23:33:00.000-05:00

October 18, 2007

When We Don’t Know What To Say

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Job 6:1-14

To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend. —Job 6:14

About this cover

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. —Anne Cetas

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.

Walking Away the Pounds at FAC

2007-09-18T12:07:00.000-05:00

It feels so good to sweat, sweat, sweat.

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 ;-)

l-r: Carmie, Rose, Karen, Mercy, Agnes, Ranjin, Nilda

C'mon, where are the men, you need to work out and stay fit too ;-)

In Appreciation of Rev. and Mrs. Yvan Fournier

2007-09-16T21:35:00.000-05:00

[ 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

2007-09-16T15:49:00.000-05:00

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

http://www.threesixteen.net

2007-09-10T14:54:00.000-05:00

http://www.threesixteen.net

The numbers of hope.

I am He

2007-09-10T08:32:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 46:4 (New International Version)

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.

Pastor Fady and Ramona - Special Music

2007-09-10T08:22:00.000-05:00

God is good!!!

All the time!!

"I Gave It All Up!"

2007-09-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

Read about A. W. Tozer

August 17

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."

Colin Lewis Charles Waller

2007-08-15T09:33:00.001-05:00

"Colin Lewis Charles Waller - July 16th, 1969-August 13th, 2007"

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

A Pure Heart

2007-08-09T13:18:00.000-05:00

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.

Fairview Alliance Church Keenagers Choir

2007-08-05T20:27:00.000-05:00

This morning the congregation was blessed with a song presented by some of FAC's seniors women.

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

The business of the Church is God

2007-07-08T01:01:00.000-05:00

The Church

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.

Special Music, Dorothy Kelly - June 24,2007

2007-06-24T16:25:00.000-05:00

Dorothy sang "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb".

Worship Ministry Team Fellowship Picnic

2007-06-24T16:18:00.000-05:00

June 23,2007
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

We See God Too Small

2007-06-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

Read about A. W. Tozer

June 20

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."

October 2003, Presentation to Rev. Yvan Fournier

2007-05-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

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)

St. Lawrence District elects new District Superintendent

2007-05-27T21:08:00.000-05:00

The delegates to the St. Lawrence District Conference have elected Rev. Francis Pearson as the third superintendent of the district. He will commence his ministry as superintendent on August 1, 2007.

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.

[ rest of the story ]

Brian Doerksen - Holy God Concert

2007-05-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

Jesus And The Jerks, by Jon Walker

2007-05-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

“But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)

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?

The Ascended Christ

2007-05-17T07:49:00.000-05:00

May 17, 2007

The Ascended Christ

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

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

About this cover

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. —Richard De Haan

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.

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Basics Of Faith > Jesus Christ > Resurrection

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2007-05-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

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2007-05-16T22:44:00.000-05:00

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2007-05-14T14:38:00.001-05:00

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