MAY 2-11
MISSION"S TRIP
TO
EL SALVADOR
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A Christianity That Works
How To Treat People Wisely Part 9 of 15
Have you seen the bumper sticker that says, The more time I spend with people, the more I love my horse. The fact is, a lot of the problems we have in life are because of personality conflicts. It's important we learn how to get along with other people. Again we look to James for practical advice. “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness”. James says, every day in every relationship, you're planting seeds, and inevitably you reap what you sow.
How you get along with other people shows how wise you really are.
If I’M WISE I WILL NOT COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY.
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure..."
Pure means uncorrupted, authentic, genuine.
IF I AM WISE I WILL NOT ANTAGONIZE YOUR ANGER.
Some people are always arguing, always looking for a fight? Wise people work at maintaining harmony. Proverbs 20:3 Any fool can start arguments. The wise thing is to stay out of them.
The secret of wise relationships is knowing what to overlook.
IF I AM WISE I WON'T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS.
Wisdom is considerate: "mindful of the feelings of others".
We often belittle people’s feelings. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they're just feelings. When my wife has a feeling it's valid. Whether it's logical, whether it makes sense, the fact is she feels it. If I'm wise I'm not going to minimize that.
IF I'M WISE I WON'T CRITICIZE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
A wise person can learn from anybody. Wisdom is submissive: submissive meaning reasonable, willing to listen, open to ideas and suggestions.
Most of us are oversensitive. If somebody makes a suggestion we take it as a personal criticism and we become defensive. James says that's dumb. A wise person can learn from anybody. Proverbs 12:15 A fool thinks he needs no advice. A wise man listens to others.
IF I'M WISE I WON'T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES.
Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit. Do you jump on people every time they make a mistake? Cut them some slack.
Some people just hound you about your past. If I'm wise, with mercy I'll give you what you need, not what you deserve.
Two long-lost buddies meet at a convention they attended with their wives. The two guys sat in the lobby all night talking. When they realized the time they knew they’d be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. What did your wife say? I walked in the door and my wife got historical. Don't you mean hysterical? No, historical. She told me everything I ever did wrong.
If you're wise you don't rub it in, you rub it out.
IF I'M WISE, I WON'T DISGUISE MY OWN WEAKNESSES.
The mark of a wise person is they don't hide or disguise their own weaknesses. When you reveal your weaknesses to others, they won’t be shocked, they already know.
I don’t know about you, but there were a few things in the above notes that need my attention. I hope you enjoyed “How to deal wisely with people”, part 9 of a 15 part mini series entitled “A Christianity That Works” we are studying at The Gathering Place.
Have you seen the bumper sticker that says, The more time I spend with people, the more I love my horse. The fact is, a lot of the problems we have in life are because of personality conflicts. It's important we learn how to get along with other people. Again we look to James for practical advice. “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness”. James says, every day in every relationship, you're planting seeds, and inevitably you reap what you sow.
How you get along with other people shows how wise you really are.
If I’M WISE I WILL NOT COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY.
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure..."
Pure means uncorrupted, authentic, genuine.
IF I AM WISE I WILL NOT ANTAGONIZE YOUR ANGER.
Some people are always arguing, always looking for a fight? Wise people work at maintaining harmony. Proverbs 20:3 Any fool can start arguments. The wise thing is to stay out of them.
The secret of wise relationships is knowing what to overlook.
IF I AM WISE I WON'T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS.
Wisdom is considerate: "mindful of the feelings of others".
We often belittle people’s feelings. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they're just feelings. When my wife has a feeling it's valid. Whether it's logical, whether it makes sense, the fact is she feels it. If I'm wise I'm not going to minimize that.
IF I'M WISE I WON'T CRITICIZE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
A wise person can learn from anybody. Wisdom is submissive: submissive meaning reasonable, willing to listen, open to ideas and suggestions.
Most of us are oversensitive. If somebody makes a suggestion we take it as a personal criticism and we become defensive. James says that's dumb. A wise person can learn from anybody. Proverbs 12:15 A fool thinks he needs no advice. A wise man listens to others.
IF I'M WISE I WON'T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES.
Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit. Do you jump on people every time they make a mistake? Cut them some slack.
Some people just hound you about your past. If I'm wise, with mercy I'll give you what you need, not what you deserve.
Two long-lost buddies meet at a convention they attended with their wives. The two guys sat in the lobby all night talking. When they realized the time they knew they’d be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. What did your wife say? I walked in the door and my wife got historical. Don't you mean hysterical? No, historical. She told me everything I ever did wrong.
If you're wise you don't rub it in, you rub it out.
IF I'M WISE, I WON'T DISGUISE MY OWN WEAKNESSES.
The mark of a wise person is they don't hide or disguise their own weaknesses. When you reveal your weaknesses to others, they won’t be shocked, they already know.
I don’t know about you, but there were a few things in the above notes that need my attention. I hope you enjoyed “How to deal wisely with people”, part 9 of a 15 part mini series entitled “A Christianity That Works” we are studying at The Gathering Place.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Voice In The Wilderness
Here's a little play on words that came out of this morning. I see the word"revival" that churches across America are using to look to the past to find their passion, to get the masses moving again, to find heart and soul andcourage. The "glory days" of old, so to speak. It always alludes to a state of being where people are dead, complacent, apathetic, even comfortable .Just watch "the Matrix" and you'll see what I mean.
God can't help those that don't help themselves! So the real word that we are looking for is and always has been "Revolution". We as born again, bible believing Christ-likebeings are at war. Not necessarily with a weapon. Your Sword and Trowe limage comes to mind. We work hard and endlessly to build the church foundation, but yet we as culture have no idea how strong to build it and we don't have the "army" to protect it.
This bodes the question, how are we going to build Christ's Church strong enough to withstand the forces at work in our world?
Where are we going to find men and women with enough guts to stand and resist?
When will we actually fight for our lives and our freedoms?
What inspires people to become alive?.... a reason to live!
How do we learn and be open to love people. I shed a tear this morning, the reason, seeing how people have been stripped of their souls throughout the ages. At this moment I feel God's pain. And I believe that His pain is intensified when people don't move. Free will is given to us and He can't make us do anything. He weaves in and out of our lives trying to inspire us. The word revival, as my wife just put it is for the World, to come alive and see whats really going on and that they have to fight for their lives. Enslavement is coming on a global scale and the infrastructure is nearly inplace.
Much to think about. Unfortunately, the majority of people won't see it. I just pray for the difference. Lawrence
God can't help those that don't help themselves! So the real word that we are looking for is and always has been "Revolution". We as born again, bible believing Christ-likebeings are at war. Not necessarily with a weapon. Your Sword and Trowe limage comes to mind. We work hard and endlessly to build the church foundation, but yet we as culture have no idea how strong to build it and we don't have the "army" to protect it.
This bodes the question, how are we going to build Christ's Church strong enough to withstand the forces at work in our world?
Where are we going to find men and women with enough guts to stand and resist?
When will we actually fight for our lives and our freedoms?
What inspires people to become alive?.... a reason to live!
How do we learn and be open to love people. I shed a tear this morning, the reason, seeing how people have been stripped of their souls throughout the ages. At this moment I feel God's pain. And I believe that His pain is intensified when people don't move. Free will is given to us and He can't make us do anything. He weaves in and out of our lives trying to inspire us. The word revival, as my wife just put it is for the World, to come alive and see whats really going on and that they have to fight for their lives. Enslavement is coming on a global scale and the infrastructure is nearly inplace.
Much to think about. Unfortunately, the majority of people won't see it. I just pray for the difference. Lawrence
Managing Your Mouth
James Chapter 3
We love to talk. Nothing is opened more wrongly at the wrong time than our mouth. Our mouths get us into a lot of trouble. James in Chapter 3 says, If you can control your mouth, you're perfect…. literally "mature, healthy".
Three reasons we have to learn to manage our mouth.
MY TONGUE DIRECTS WHERE I GO: Our tongue is like a rudder that steers us. Don't like the way you're headed, change the way you talk. Some people think it may be best not to say anything. A guy joined the monastery. He was given a 3 year probation period where he was not to speak at all, at the end of each year he could say two words. At the end of the first year he said, "Bed hard." At end of the second year he said, "Food cold." At the end of the third year he says, "I quit". The head priest says, "Doesn't surprise me. All you've done is complain since you got here."
MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY WHAT I HAVE v. 5 James gives another illustration. Imagine a beautiful forest - tall beautiful trees everywhere. Now imagine it in one minute up in smoke, completely destroyed by a tiny match. A careless camper can destroy an entire forest overnight. A careless word can destroy a life overnight. Gossip like fire, spreads quickly, wrecks havoc.
Fire and words under control can give tremendous warmth and light, but fire and words out of control can be devastating. A couple comes in for marriage counseling. "I said this and then she said that, then I said this..." Then what happened? "All hell broke loose".
MY TONGUE DISPLAYS WHO I AM It reveals my real character. It tells what's really inside of me. James says, with the tongue we praise God and with the same tongue we curse men who've been made in God's likeness. From the same mouth come praise and curses. My brothers, this should not be.Cursing here means any kind of put down.
Have you heard someone say, "I don't know what got into me. It's not like me to say that. I don't know why I said that. It's totally out of character.” James would say, “No, that is exactly like you. Quit kidding yourself. What's inside is going to come out. What comes out of a well is what is inside of it.” Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Your tongue problem is more serious that you think… for it is heart related.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? Get a new heart Ezekiel 18:31 Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit! Painting the outside of the pump doesn't make any difference if there is poison in the well.
Ask God for help every day. Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips
So my tongue can direct where I go; it can destroy what I have; and most of all, it clearly displays my true character. Bottom line - don’t let your tongue lick you! See you here or at the Gathering Place next week for Part XI “How To Relate Wisely To Others”.
For complete sermon see Sword & Trowel Volume 18 Issue 11
We love to talk. Nothing is opened more wrongly at the wrong time than our mouth. Our mouths get us into a lot of trouble. James in Chapter 3 says, If you can control your mouth, you're perfect…. literally "mature, healthy".
Three reasons we have to learn to manage our mouth.
MY TONGUE DIRECTS WHERE I GO: Our tongue is like a rudder that steers us. Don't like the way you're headed, change the way you talk. Some people think it may be best not to say anything. A guy joined the monastery. He was given a 3 year probation period where he was not to speak at all, at the end of each year he could say two words. At the end of the first year he said, "Bed hard." At end of the second year he said, "Food cold." At the end of the third year he says, "I quit". The head priest says, "Doesn't surprise me. All you've done is complain since you got here."
MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY WHAT I HAVE v. 5 James gives another illustration. Imagine a beautiful forest - tall beautiful trees everywhere. Now imagine it in one minute up in smoke, completely destroyed by a tiny match. A careless camper can destroy an entire forest overnight. A careless word can destroy a life overnight. Gossip like fire, spreads quickly, wrecks havoc.
Fire and words under control can give tremendous warmth and light, but fire and words out of control can be devastating. A couple comes in for marriage counseling. "I said this and then she said that, then I said this..." Then what happened? "All hell broke loose".
MY TONGUE DISPLAYS WHO I AM It reveals my real character. It tells what's really inside of me. James says, with the tongue we praise God and with the same tongue we curse men who've been made in God's likeness. From the same mouth come praise and curses. My brothers, this should not be.Cursing here means any kind of put down.
Have you heard someone say, "I don't know what got into me. It's not like me to say that. I don't know why I said that. It's totally out of character.” James would say, “No, that is exactly like you. Quit kidding yourself. What's inside is going to come out. What comes out of a well is what is inside of it.” Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Your tongue problem is more serious that you think… for it is heart related.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? Get a new heart Ezekiel 18:31 Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit! Painting the outside of the pump doesn't make any difference if there is poison in the well.
Ask God for help every day. Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips
So my tongue can direct where I go; it can destroy what I have; and most of all, it clearly displays my true character. Bottom line - don’t let your tongue lick you! See you here or at the Gathering Place next week for Part XI “How To Relate Wisely To Others”.
For complete sermon see Sword & Trowel Volume 18 Issue 11
Saturday, April 19, 2008
THANKS!
In spite of the artic winds ripping through our clothes, our hearts were warmed by the generosity of Osoyoos' yard sale junkies. Special thanks to our servant team who worked from early dawn until noon. We brought our junk, we sold our junk, we even bought some junk... but we raised 406.02 for our El Salvador missions trip.
What a neat way to meet our community, over 100 people passed through our impromto indoor (baby its cold outside) yard sale.
With each passing day I am more impressed with our "new" church. It is inevitable, no matter the project we have come to be surrounded by an amazing group of believers! As far as our ministry is concerned... its a new day, its a new dawn, its a new life! And I'm feeling good, yes praise God Almighty, I feel so good!
What a neat way to meet our community, over 100 people passed through our impromto indoor (baby its cold outside) yard sale.
With each passing day I am more impressed with our "new" church. It is inevitable, no matter the project we have come to be surrounded by an amazing group of believers! As far as our ministry is concerned... its a new day, its a new dawn, its a new life! And I'm feeling good, yes praise God Almighty, I feel so good!
Why Raise Funds For El Salvador?
If this was your front entrance........
If this was your family bathroom
.....YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO ASK.......
Friday, April 18, 2008
One Day To ..... YARD SALE!
What a wonderful day... There were seven or eight of us busy prepping for the Yard Sale tommorrow. Judi and I are so blessed to be surrounded by such a great group of servants. We had a lot of donations for our fund raiser. It was a lot of fun pricing items - between Lynne and Beckie we had Wal Mart's Roll Back the prices beat six ways to Sunday. Ouch using the Wal Mart scenario I guess Keith and I are the Greeters - Hello Welcome - Have a nice day ....;-)
Please pray for our Yard Sale fund raiser - and our Mission Trip to El Salvador in two weeks.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Its A NEW Day!
I just watched Eli Stone (I kinda like that show) It ended with an old blues/jazz tune and I thought you'd like the lyrics .....
Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel
Reeds driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, For me, And I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea, You know how I feel, River running free, You know how I feel
Blossom in the tree, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, For me, And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world, And a bold world
For me, For me
Stars when you shine, You know how I feel, Scent of the pine, You know how I feel
Yeah freedom is mine, And I know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new life, For me... And I'm feeling good
Birds flying high, You know how I feel, Sun in the sky, You know how I feel
Reeds driftin' on by, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, For me, And I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea, You know how I feel, River running free, You know how I feel
Blossom in the tree, You know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, For me, And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world, And a bold world
For me, For me
Stars when you shine, You know how I feel, Scent of the pine, You know how I feel
Yeah freedom is mine, And I know how I feel, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new dawn, It's a new day
It's a new life, It's a new life, For me... And I'm feeling good
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Its Like A Fire!
But His word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, I am worn out trying to hold it in, I can’t do it! Jeremiah 20:9
When God does something in you - or in your life - it becomes a part of your experience! It becomes part of your testimony! I don’t know about you folk - but I just can’t keep quiet about what the Lord has done for me!
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
Psalms 113:3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
Jeremiah while trying to preach the gospel to a wicked people in Jerusalem was mocked, beaten and placed in stocks. No one would listen to him. Utterly dejected, he cried out to the Lord that he could no longer even mention God’s name. Then, he must have felt something stirring inside him for he said, “But God’s word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones…and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:7-9
My dear friends here is God’s message to everyone of you who has ever been drawn by His Spirit. He’s telling us, “Don’t let anybody break you down! There is no reason for you to despair. There’s no cause for you to be confused before men. I’ve told you I am with you. I have made a covenant with you. So, there’s no reason for burnout, nor is there any cause for you to quit.”
Folks, it doesn’t matter what hardships you face. It doesn’t matter how badly people treat or abuse you. Your family and friends may even turn against you. But know this - THEY WILL NOT PREVAIL!
God has put a high wall around you. He made His covenant with you and has promised to deliver you! Paul testified, “I know who I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day” II Timothy 1:12
You may be almost convinced there’s no spark left in you. What you need my friend is to renew your faith in God’s Word. The only thing that will bring us out of our darkness is faith. And faith comes by hearing God’s Word! The Lord has promised, “I will not let you go down. Therefore, you have no reason to despair. Rest in my Word.”
Dear saint of God, you may be in the midst of the darkest night you’ve ever known. But I do know this: God has put a fire in your bones. There may only be a tiny spark left, but He is faithful to rekindle the flame in you.
Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God.
When God does something in you - or in your life - it becomes a part of your experience! It becomes part of your testimony! I don’t know about you folk - but I just can’t keep quiet about what the Lord has done for me!
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalms 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
Psalms 113:3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
Jeremiah while trying to preach the gospel to a wicked people in Jerusalem was mocked, beaten and placed in stocks. No one would listen to him. Utterly dejected, he cried out to the Lord that he could no longer even mention God’s name. Then, he must have felt something stirring inside him for he said, “But God’s word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones…and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:7-9
My dear friends here is God’s message to everyone of you who has ever been drawn by His Spirit. He’s telling us, “Don’t let anybody break you down! There is no reason for you to despair. There’s no cause for you to be confused before men. I’ve told you I am with you. I have made a covenant with you. So, there’s no reason for burnout, nor is there any cause for you to quit.”
Folks, it doesn’t matter what hardships you face. It doesn’t matter how badly people treat or abuse you. Your family and friends may even turn against you. But know this - THEY WILL NOT PREVAIL!
God has put a high wall around you. He made His covenant with you and has promised to deliver you! Paul testified, “I know who I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day” II Timothy 1:12
You may be almost convinced there’s no spark left in you. What you need my friend is to renew your faith in God’s Word. The only thing that will bring us out of our darkness is faith. And faith comes by hearing God’s Word! The Lord has promised, “I will not let you go down. Therefore, you have no reason to despair. Rest in my Word.”
Dear saint of God, you may be in the midst of the darkest night you’ve ever known. But I do know this: God has put a fire in your bones. There may only be a tiny spark left, but He is faithful to rekindle the flame in you.
Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Had To Share This Encouraging Letter
Dear Ed and Judi
What a joy it was to meet you guys and share a meal a few times. Our hearts really went out to you when we heard of your situation concerning your son and the starting of a church anew. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay conquered Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. On a previous failed attempt to conquer Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary looked up to the mountain when going down and spoke to the mountain and said the following: “EVEREST YOU’VE GROWN ALL YOU CAN, BUT I AM STILL GROWING!!!” A year later he stood on the top victorious and a conqueror.
Carien and I see the same for you and your wife concerning your town and the past with its mountains. We see you and your wife saying prophetically: “Mountains, you’ve grown all you can, but we are still growing.” Go for it!!!!! – for YOU are more than conquerors in Christ.
We pray awesome healing and growth for both of you as you pick up the mantle from God to shepherd your town. The Word of God says: “With wisdom a house is build”. It also says: “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously.”
As you said you would like to pray for us, we truly thank you for it. Please pray toward the completion of our Transformation Centre. We have completed phase 1 which includes our children and youth department, however the conversion of our main auditorium will require a further $100 000. As you may know Africa and Canada are 2 different worlds when it comes to the finances. We truly need a miracle. Secondly, as we have already even prior to the conference began with a generational type church, please pray for our transition, that the body could move with and by no means loose people.
We will keep in touch and look forward to hearing news from you guys as to how your congregation takes awesome shape as you build according to a heavenly pattern.
Lots of love
Alan and Carien Ogilvie
KROONSTAD
South-Africa
What a joy it was to meet you guys and share a meal a few times. Our hearts really went out to you when we heard of your situation concerning your son and the starting of a church anew. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay conquered Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. On a previous failed attempt to conquer Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary looked up to the mountain when going down and spoke to the mountain and said the following: “EVEREST YOU’VE GROWN ALL YOU CAN, BUT I AM STILL GROWING!!!” A year later he stood on the top victorious and a conqueror.
Carien and I see the same for you and your wife concerning your town and the past with its mountains. We see you and your wife saying prophetically: “Mountains, you’ve grown all you can, but we are still growing.” Go for it!!!!! – for YOU are more than conquerors in Christ.
We pray awesome healing and growth for both of you as you pick up the mantle from God to shepherd your town. The Word of God says: “With wisdom a house is build”. It also says: “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously.”
As you said you would like to pray for us, we truly thank you for it. Please pray toward the completion of our Transformation Centre. We have completed phase 1 which includes our children and youth department, however the conversion of our main auditorium will require a further $100 000. As you may know Africa and Canada are 2 different worlds when it comes to the finances. We truly need a miracle. Secondly, as we have already even prior to the conference began with a generational type church, please pray for our transition, that the body could move with and by no means loose people.
We will keep in touch and look forward to hearing news from you guys as to how your congregation takes awesome shape as you build according to a heavenly pattern.
Lots of love
Alan and Carien Ogilvie
KROONSTAD
South-Africa
How Do You Leave?
We live in an hour when the foundations of civilization are crumbling, the night of apostasy is deepening, lawlessness runs wild to its awful climax, the powers of Anti-Christ increase and abound, and wars and rumors of wars belt the globe. Yet the Church of God, with the only hope and cure for mankind’s sin and misery, rests, for the most part, at ease in Zion, and we who claim that Name above every name make mud pies and daisy chains and twiddle our thumbs while a world sweeps over the brink of disaster. We preach a Gospel that is God’s dynamite and we live firecracker lives. We sing of showers of blessing and the old-time power and faith, the victory and higher ground, and then we leave it all in the hymn books and go home. We read that when our Lord held a service the congregation went home amazed and glorifying God and filled with fear and saying, “We have seen strange things today” (Luke 5:26). How many, do you think, go from our meetings today in such a frame of mind?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Spark 2008
Pastor Casey is ministering in Vancouver this week-end at SPARK. We are very proud of him and are praying for Holy Spirit empowerment. Please pray for him as he ministers there. As well we are only a few weeks away from our El Salvador mission's trip. And that means we are only weeks away from RIOT "Radical In Our Trust" youth ministries starting mid-may. May God help us reach our community with the love of Jesus. Special thanks to Lawerence and Beckie, Trevor and Kate and Pastors Keith and Lynn for looking after The Gathering Place this week-end.
.... "That" Church
May God cause us to be known as "that" church. As we go out and do good, we will be remembered by our faith and works. Matthew Barnett said that there was a 73% drop in crime around their Dream Centre church because the members were going out "doing" good.
The following are points to become "That" church:
1) Put yourself in an other man's world
2) Have the gift of "inconvience" (be willing to be inconvienced)
3) Understand the true meaning of revival
4) Earn the right to be heard
The following are points to become "That" church:
1) Put yourself in an other man's world
2) Have the gift of "inconvience" (be willing to be inconvienced)
3) Understand the true meaning of revival
4) Earn the right to be heard
Lost Dreams..
Well Day Three is history, but I pray the messages we heard wil live on for years to come. The following are statements that jumped out to me. They are not in any particular order. I challenge you to read them through and write them out in "your God order".Dream for those that have lost their dreams.
Be more consistent in doing what is right longer then that those that are doing wrong.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.
Giving is a way of life that keeps the fire burning.
Acts 10:38 = how to clearly change the atmosphere of a community.
Lose yourself to a cause
You get what you brag on.
When we are willing to do the unusual God does the supernatural.
There you have it. Judi and I wish you all a great week-end - go to celebrate Jesus - fellowship with the brethren - love on one another and remember, always remember, "the best is yet to come!"
Friday, April 11, 2008
Another Awesome Day
These days are full, full, full, but GREAT. The morning started early for us, (we are still on BC time). We met up with some great folk at the Word Of Life Centre and began our day by hearing the Top Eleven words that describe the church of the future. Pastor Mel Mullen expanded on the following points;
Vision
Relationships
Leadership
Culture
service
Growth
Influential
Transformational
Generational
Centre, and Life.
As the Word unfolded Judi and I marvelled,for there were so many points we had either just walked into or were about to do. Once again God had been graciously keeping us up to date so to speak of what He was doing in many other churches.
After a short break we heard from Brian Houston (Hillsong) - again a moving message challenging us to preach the Good News. Isaiah 52:7
If you can't proclaim something, why would you say it?
As well he said that we should refuse to listen to the "lowdown" Hey do you want to hear the lowdown about so and so? NO - Consider the bigger the opinon the smaller the character.
Phi 4:8 - meditate on these things - "Don't mess with my meditation!"
When he quoted James 1:26 I just smiled (I love James) Brian concluded with a challenge to be attractive in our conversations. Cool!
We had lunch with a couple from Olds and their friends from South Africa - and our hearts knit so tight that I feel we as a church should be praying for them. Perhaps they can even minister to Trevor's family.... the world gets smaller with each passing day.
Unfortunately I became ill after lunch and we left for a bit - We returned at 6:30 to partake of the two evening sessions. Peter Daniels spoke - whow! (He shared that the gifts the wise men gave Jesus were worth 400 million American dollars) I'll share more about that in another posting. Again after a short break the next speaker Tommy Barnet came up. Sweet Jesus, he stirred my soul. He is 70 years old and still rocking as a servant of the most high.
We came away with some awesome thoughts:
When God starts to do something great He starts with what is in the house!
Bigger things have happened with smaller groups!
Find a need and fill it!
Let your title be an adjective not a noun!
Do not seek a title!
There is no right way to do the wrong thing!
Lose yourself into a cause!
Do not quit!
We were encouraged to discover our spiritual second wind. At the close of the message all pastors were called forward and we were prayed over by Tommy. I am sure that Judi and I will look back on that as Casey would say, "God Moment."
I wish we could have taken all of you with us. Perhaps some day. Thanks for your love for us - and be sure to know that we Brouwers love each and every one of you conected to the Gathering Place ministry.
Vision
Relationships
Leadership
Culture
service
Growth
Influential
Transformational
Generational
Centre, and Life.
As the Word unfolded Judi and I marvelled,for there were so many points we had either just walked into or were about to do. Once again God had been graciously keeping us up to date so to speak of what He was doing in many other churches.
After a short break we heard from Brian Houston (Hillsong) - again a moving message challenging us to preach the Good News. Isaiah 52:7
If you can't proclaim something, why would you say it?
As well he said that we should refuse to listen to the "lowdown" Hey do you want to hear the lowdown about so and so? NO - Consider the bigger the opinon the smaller the character.
Phi 4:8 - meditate on these things - "Don't mess with my meditation!"
When he quoted James 1:26 I just smiled (I love James) Brian concluded with a challenge to be attractive in our conversations. Cool!
We had lunch with a couple from Olds and their friends from South Africa - and our hearts knit so tight that I feel we as a church should be praying for them. Perhaps they can even minister to Trevor's family.... the world gets smaller with each passing day.
Unfortunately I became ill after lunch and we left for a bit - We returned at 6:30 to partake of the two evening sessions. Peter Daniels spoke - whow! (He shared that the gifts the wise men gave Jesus were worth 400 million American dollars) I'll share more about that in another posting. Again after a short break the next speaker Tommy Barnet came up. Sweet Jesus, he stirred my soul. He is 70 years old and still rocking as a servant of the most high.
We came away with some awesome thoughts:
When God starts to do something great He starts with what is in the house!
Bigger things have happened with smaller groups!
Find a need and fill it!
Let your title be an adjective not a noun!
Do not seek a title!
There is no right way to do the wrong thing!
Lose yourself into a cause!
Do not quit!
We were encouraged to discover our spiritual second wind. At the close of the message all pastors were called forward and we were prayed over by Tommy. I am sure that Judi and I will look back on that as Casey would say, "God Moment."
I wish we could have taken all of you with us. Perhaps some day. Thanks for your love for us - and be sure to know that we Brouwers love each and every one of you conected to the Gathering Place ministry.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
First Night At Generations
Well here we are in Red Deer. Judi and I are about to start our first day at the Word Of Life Conference. Last night after ten hours on the road we worshipped with a whole bunch of "on fire" young people. Awesome, black lights, bubble gum smoke, loud guitars and drums - cool!
I leaned over to Judi at one point and said, Darrin (our son in covenant) would love this! Then as I saw hundreds of young people, swaying, dancing, jumping and shouting praise to the Lord.. I added Rebecca would love this - and Casey - man I wish he was here and Aaron and Allison... If I could of I certainly would of transported them all here. I do recognize that we, (well me for sure) are getting older, yet we are young at heart. How we long to be part of what God is doing in the lives of those who follow behind us - God have mercy if we can't see or hear what He is doing in their lives. I shudder to think that I can with little difficulty hinder a move of God in the lives of our children and thereby the lives of our grandchildren.
To my children let me warn you, you may think yourself too young to be used of God.... others may consider you too young to be given responsibilities of leadership - the danger is that within a twinkling of an eye you realize that you are too old! GO FOR IT!
Pastors Gary and Kim loved on us and introduced us to more people then I can hope to remember. Brothers and sisters from across the country. One special intro was more of a reunion - Ken Gille an old acquantance from our early Ontario days. Awesome to hear what God is doing. What a difference from our previous connections. There was a genuine sense of "family".
Brian Houston from Hillsong spoke last night. He used Psalm 51 as his platform. He zeroed in on the fact that we need to realize ... "the best is yet to come." He spoke about how we often think of times in the past where we had better relations, better finances, more joy, more passion.... and that not only should we ask God to restore - renew or as the Message Bible says, "do a Genesis week work in me". Yet not "just" as it was but bring us further into the fullness of God's best.
It was very encouraging. We are anticipating a renewed vision and passion for our church in Osoyoos. God has been affirming our recent decisions to go on with our Market Place ministry.
Judi and I love the brothers and sisters God has placed us among at the Gathering Place.
I leaned over to Judi at one point and said, Darrin (our son in covenant) would love this! Then as I saw hundreds of young people, swaying, dancing, jumping and shouting praise to the Lord.. I added Rebecca would love this - and Casey - man I wish he was here and Aaron and Allison... If I could of I certainly would of transported them all here. I do recognize that we, (well me for sure) are getting older, yet we are young at heart. How we long to be part of what God is doing in the lives of those who follow behind us - God have mercy if we can't see or hear what He is doing in their lives. I shudder to think that I can with little difficulty hinder a move of God in the lives of our children and thereby the lives of our grandchildren.
To my children let me warn you, you may think yourself too young to be used of God.... others may consider you too young to be given responsibilities of leadership - the danger is that within a twinkling of an eye you realize that you are too old! GO FOR IT!
Pastors Gary and Kim loved on us and introduced us to more people then I can hope to remember. Brothers and sisters from across the country. One special intro was more of a reunion - Ken Gille an old acquantance from our early Ontario days. Awesome to hear what God is doing. What a difference from our previous connections. There was a genuine sense of "family".
Brian Houston from Hillsong spoke last night. He used Psalm 51 as his platform. He zeroed in on the fact that we need to realize ... "the best is yet to come." He spoke about how we often think of times in the past where we had better relations, better finances, more joy, more passion.... and that not only should we ask God to restore - renew or as the Message Bible says, "do a Genesis week work in me". Yet not "just" as it was but bring us further into the fullness of God's best.
It was very encouraging. We are anticipating a renewed vision and passion for our church in Osoyoos. God has been affirming our recent decisions to go on with our Market Place ministry.
Judi and I love the brothers and sisters God has placed us among at the Gathering Place.
Monday, April 07, 2008
It Is Time To Take Action - Heed The Call To PRAY!
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’
THE REVIVAL OF 1857
On the corner of Fulton and William Street was located a Dutch Reformed Church in New York City. Things were not going well for the old church. It was located in down town New York City, and people were moving out to the suburbs and leaving the church. The neighborhood was becoming extremely blighted and poverty stricken. It was getting dangerous to go there.
A layman in the church, Jeremiah Landfear, made his rounds walking up and down the streets of the inner city of New York. As he passed businessmen on the street the marks of anxiety were written upon the faces of these businessmen. This nation was standing on the brink of economic disaster, and they knew it. A bubble of prosperity that had been building was about ready to burst. They knew it. They were frightened at the outcome.
Landfear thought it would be a good idea to give these men an opportunity to pray. He circulated very widely in hundreds of offices publicity about a prayer meeting that would take place on the first Wednesday of September at 12 o'clock on the third floor assembly room in the North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton Street. You did not have to stay the whole hour. You could come and pray and leave. You could come and stay just five minutes, but come and pray.
On that first Wednesday in September Landfear was in the room alone. He prayed for five, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, and twenty minutes alone. Would anybody come? Twenty-five minutes his butterfly was turning to buzzards. Is anybody coming?
At 12:30 he heard footsteps on the stairs. And then another, and another, and another and another. Finally, five men had joined him in prayer. The meeting was such an encouragement that they agreed to meet the next Wednesday. The next Wednesday 20 businessmen were there. It was such a heartening thing to be together in prayer that they met again. The next Wednesday thirty men were there. Then they agreed to meet everyday. On the first day 100 men were there. Many of these men were not Christians. Many of them were lost. In a matter of three months every room in that old North Dutch Reformed church were crowded out with praying men. There was no room. The auditorium, Sunday school rooms, basement, ever room and corner was filled with men praying. Men on the outside were kneeling together praying because they could not get inside the church.
They agreed to open the John's Street Methodist Church just around the corner. On the first day the John's Street Methodist Church was opened for prayer it too was filled with men praying. Again, it was so full that men simply could not get in.
Within six months there were 150 prayer meetings like this going on somewhere in New York City. Fifty thousand New Yorkers were gathered for prayer. With that kind of praying blessings began to fall on New York City in 1857. *
What God did in 1857 He can still do today. Join me in prayer and repentance asking God to do it again. The promise has not changed, and our God does not change. He desires that we have a change of heart and turn to Him.
II Chronicles 7:14, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
A layman in the church, Jeremiah Landfear, made his rounds walking up and down the streets of the inner city of New York. As he passed businessmen on the street the marks of anxiety were written upon the faces of these businessmen. This nation was standing on the brink of economic disaster, and they knew it. A bubble of prosperity that had been building was about ready to burst. They knew it. They were frightened at the outcome.
Landfear thought it would be a good idea to give these men an opportunity to pray. He circulated very widely in hundreds of offices publicity about a prayer meeting that would take place on the first Wednesday of September at 12 o'clock on the third floor assembly room in the North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton Street. You did not have to stay the whole hour. You could come and pray and leave. You could come and stay just five minutes, but come and pray.
On that first Wednesday in September Landfear was in the room alone. He prayed for five, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, and twenty minutes alone. Would anybody come? Twenty-five minutes his butterfly was turning to buzzards. Is anybody coming?
At 12:30 he heard footsteps on the stairs. And then another, and another, and another and another. Finally, five men had joined him in prayer. The meeting was such an encouragement that they agreed to meet the next Wednesday. The next Wednesday 20 businessmen were there. It was such a heartening thing to be together in prayer that they met again. The next Wednesday thirty men were there. Then they agreed to meet everyday. On the first day 100 men were there. Many of these men were not Christians. Many of them were lost. In a matter of three months every room in that old North Dutch Reformed church were crowded out with praying men. There was no room. The auditorium, Sunday school rooms, basement, ever room and corner was filled with men praying. Men on the outside were kneeling together praying because they could not get inside the church.
They agreed to open the John's Street Methodist Church just around the corner. On the first day the John's Street Methodist Church was opened for prayer it too was filled with men praying. Again, it was so full that men simply could not get in.
Within six months there were 150 prayer meetings like this going on somewhere in New York City. Fifty thousand New Yorkers were gathered for prayer. With that kind of praying blessings began to fall on New York City in 1857. *
What God did in 1857 He can still do today. Join me in prayer and repentance asking God to do it again. The promise has not changed, and our God does not change. He desires that we have a change of heart and turn to Him.
II Chronicles 7:14, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”
* Frontline Ministries
Urgent Request
Inviting the men of Osoyoos to pray.
This meeting is intended to give men (church goers and non) an opportunity to stop and call upon God, standing in the gap for our families, our businesses, our community and our country. It will continue for one hour; but it is designed for those who may find it inconvenient to remain more than five or ten minutes, as well as for those who can spare the whole hour.
Every Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:00
at THE GATHERING PLACE on Main
8145 Main Street, Osoyoos
This meeting is intended to give men (church goers and non) an opportunity to stop and call upon God, standing in the gap for our families, our businesses, our community and our country. It will continue for one hour; but it is designed for those who may find it inconvenient to remain more than five or ten minutes, as well as for those who can spare the whole hour.
Every Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:00
at THE GATHERING PLACE on Main
8145 Main Street, Osoyoos
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