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

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.

 

Courage in Spite of Terrifying Circumstance

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!

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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.

The Holy Spirit: He Can Be Grieved

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

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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."

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

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This Insight for Leaders devotional is also available in a print-friendly format here on the LMI web site.

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Tuning in to God

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.

OH, GOD! USE ME!

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

Having Patience in the Midst of Discouragement

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.

Easter Musical 2009

The Power of 5

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 ]

The Alpha Course

The Alpha Course

• Have you heard of the Alpha Course yet!? It's where millions are going to explore the meaning of life!
• Each session people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life and God is seen as too simple or too hostile to discuss... questions like — Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

Free introductory dinner and movie

• Intro Night – Sept. 19, 7:00 pm (call for details)
• Meet: Sept.21– Nov. 23, 2007
  Place: 4411 rue Champagne, Pierrefonds
• 10-week course meets every Friday at 7:00 pm
  Meal + Video + Discussion
• RSVP or info : 514-626-7757

I am He

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.

Special Music, Dorothy Kelly - June 24,2007

Dorothy sang "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb".

Worship Ministry Team Fellowship Picnic

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

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

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

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 ]

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.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Basics Of Faith > Jesus Christ > Resurrection

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

Spring Clean Up

Spring Clean up at Fairview Alliance Church- clean up completed, we gathered for some time of worship and singing praises to the Lord.







| The rest of the photos |

Brian Doerksen - Holy God Concert

Pam, Allen, Sharon, Nil and I met up with Mark and Emile at Eglise Nouvelle Vie, in South Shore- Longueil, to see Brian Doerksen live in concert.

It was an evening of concert of Praise & Worship to our Lord God Almighty.

Also met some people from Westview Church as well as the Snowdon Baptist Church.


The Eglise Nouvelle Vie house band opened up the Praise & Worship concert. Here's Brian and his band preparing to sing their first song.




Come, Now Is The Time To Worship




Creation Calls - "how could I say there is no God, when all around creation calls"


Mark and Emile, during the intermission.




Eglise Nouvelle Vie dancers




Singing Hallelujah - Your Love Is Amazing






Today - "I choose to follow You, I choose to give my YES!! to You"






After the concert of Praise & Worship

[ The rest of the pictures at Webshots ]

Why does God answer prayer?

Tozer Daily Devotional

April: Prayer

To pray successfully is the first lesson the preacher must learn if he is to preach fruitfully; yet prayer is the hardest thing he will ever be called upon to do and, being human, it is the one act he will be tempted to do less frequently than any other.

God Tells the Man Who Cares, 69.

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Read about A. W. Tozer

April 21

Prayer: If God Answers Prayer

So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." --Isaiah 6:5

Why does God answer prayer? Let's not imagine that it's because somebody was good. We Protestants think we don't believe in saints, but we do. We canonize them: we have Saint George Mueller, Saint C.H. Spurgeon, Saint D.L. Moody and Saint A.B. Simpson. We get the idea that God answered prayer for them because they were really good. They would deny that fervently if they were here.

Nobody ever got anything from God on the grounds that he deserved it. Having fallen, man deserves only punishment and death. So if God answers prayer it's because God is good. From His goodness, His lovingkindness, His good-natured benevolence, God does it! That's the source of everything. The Attributes of God, pp. 46-47

"Thank You, God, that You are indeed good, You are faithful, You are gracious, You are full of lovingkindness and benevolence. Thank You that You do in fact answer prayer! Amen."