A Bad Cup Of Coffee

Have you ever had something small lend itself to setting the mood for your day? On Monday of this past week, my morning coffee from a local drive-thru, was simply terrible because it was innocently mixed wrong, and in my haste I waited until I arrived at work to check it. Well, needless to say the first few tasks of addressing a couple of “grass fires” at work received my divided attention. I attempted to rework the mix in our lunchroom, which helped a bit, but really, the damage was done. Unfortunately, I was short and sharp with a couple of unsuspecting co-workers.

          

So after a few sips, and apologies, a co-worker and I began a conversation about how Satan tries to set our days up for failure. He shared with me that when growing up in his family home, it seemed like his father would somehow end up raising a ruckus on many Sunday mornings before church. His home was a Jesus following, God fearing place of believers, yet Satan found a way to get in early enough to disrupt the serenity of Sunday morning. The result was that the family would then attend church, and never really hear or receive God’s message. Why? Well Satan had succeeded in creating enough of a diversion that the family lost out on God’s gift that day. Once they realized this, then they were well able to deflect the attacks.

          

I realized myself that Satan tried to do the same with me. Yet, he lost. You see, he hated the fact that I was bathing in the glow of the awesome service from Sunday evening church. God had washed over our entire gathering with so much power and love, that it was still on us the next day.  God was with me on Monday and He spoke to my heart, allowing me to know that He had given me my armor for the day. He alone had kicked Satan to the curb, and showed me how something as simple as a cup of coffee could be used to make or break someone’s spirit. He taught me that perhaps the server who made that cup for me, also had Satan creep into their morning and upset their apple cart. I’m certain that God addressed that in short order.

          

Psalm 46:1 NCV tells us “God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. This is so important to remember the next time Satan tries to derail your day, with something as small as a bad cup of coffee.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

For The Record

In a time where people are gathering into their own self-specific groups and declaring persecution, can I put this forward for consideration and contemplation; at the very core of our being, we are all exactly the same and are all wonderfully made. Whether you are a person of faith, of no faith or somewhere in between, each of you is the same as the person sitting next to you on the bus or in the mall.

Consider this for a moment, the cause of every argument in the world is a difference in opinion. I can declare a certain political affiliation and someone will invariably declare “Well I’m not, I support this group and you are wrong! You can substitute anything in those two spots as long as they are a bit off and you can cause dissention and stress. I can declare I follow Christ and someone will ask which denomination. I can declare I am Canadian and someone will ask which part of Canada I am from. I can declare that I am normal and I will be asked to define my idea of normal.

When it comes right down to it, I am a person designed of flesh and blood, exchanging CO2 in my lungs with oxygen to provide my organs with the air required for life. My movement is governed by complex chemical and electrical signals controlled by my brain. Whether we are of faith or not, we laugh and cry, love and wonder just like anyone else around. We are as complex as the next person and no two are exactly alike in appearance or thought but foundationally we are all created the same and are wonderfully constructed.

In a time when so many are looking for ways to find a way to be different, why not try this; find a way to be different from the world foundationally. Love like there is no tomorrow, share kindness with a stranger, laugh from your toes, empathize from your heart and pour into the lives of others and help them to see that we are all truly special. Breath deeply of the beauty surrounding you and never forget that we are all foundationally the exact same. My God says love; there is nothing wrong with message and there is a calmness when one stops to reflect on what the world truly needs, what it truly desires.

For the record, my God came to earth to be a beacon of God’s love amongst all humanity. His message was simple and concise; love God with all you are and love those around you as yourself. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or online. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter`s Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘WAIT… on GOD??’

Day 1: Isaiah 30:15 – “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’”

Day 2: Psalm 62:1 – “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.”

Day 3: Hebrews 11:6 – “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Day 4: Isaiah 64:4 – “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”

Day 5: Hosea 12:6 – “So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.”

Day 6: Lamentations 3:25, 26 – “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

Day 7: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

You Decide

Every day, each of us make countless decisions. Some are so insignificant that we couldn’t remember them even if we tried. Others will stand in our memory forever. I remember the decision to ask my wife to marry me, yet I could not tell you perhaps what my supper was two weeks ago. I remember when I accepted Jesus into my life, on a level I never knew existed. As I, and we get older, important decisions that impact the rest of our lives, take on a much more different tone. When I was younger, my wife and I made decisions that would impact and affect our children, above our own needs. I believe that we all experience these in our own way.

This past week, I have had to contemplate, pray, sleep, discuss and lament over a couple of pending decisions that without God in the equation, I could not do. Both, not connected to each other, will not only impact me, but others around me who I care deeply for. For one, the effect will be short term, the other, will be much longer. At the end of the day, they are only in the human, and will pass, and I will be back to sleeping like a baby.

The importance of these, are pale by comparison to our decision to accept Jesus into our lives. In our current Bible study, some discussion has been around the question of Salvation, and whether or not a person can lose theirs. Once we accept Christ, and then consciously return to sinful ways, then our agreement is broken, and we can only then wait for the wrath of God’s judgement. Hebrews 10:26-27 NCV, If we decide to go on sinning after we have learned the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins. There is nothing but fear in waiting for the judgement and the terrible fire that will destroy all those who live against God.

So we can see, that even our loving and forgiving Father will judge us on our decisions. I for one will now take comfort in knowing that we can and should, all turn to God in prayer when making any decisions in the human. When it comes to our accepting Jesus as our Lord, then we must above all, take and make that decision with a lot more responsibility. Can we lose our salvation? I don’t know, and I’m not willing to take that chance. So now it’s up to you to decide. Choose your future and your eternity wisely.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Remember The Great Days

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Mat 25:21 ESV

Some of the greatest influences in my spiritual walk have shaped my idea of ministry and been a beacon for my development. I give props to God on high for my development but I also recognize He has placed some incredible mentors on my path along the way. Dr. Alden Aikens taught me to start with Scripture and build a message on biblical foundation. Dr. Glenn Follis taught me that you need balance in ministry and Mrs. Pease taught me we always have a chance to rebuild after travesty. I could go on and on but I really wanted to bring forward one more name.

I have never met the man but I always felt he was a good friend. There was never the opportunity to have a coffee with him, chat one on one or even have a deep relationship and yet he was a mentor for me. Rev. Billy Graham passed today at the age of 99. This wonderful man of faith spoke the truth of the Scriptures, helped millions come to understand just how much God loves us all and gave us all the awesome message of hope. For this, I feel I know him, trust him and look to him as a mentor. We mourn his loss and yet celebrate his passage into glory. Today he sits with the Father in Heaven; well done, good and faithful servant. His race is run and Rev. Graham is victorious! I pray that we/I can finish the race with the same comfort knowing that in everything we gave our utmost for our God. Rest well good servant, we will see you soon enough once again.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or online as we welcome Chaplain Tim Kirby as he brings a message for us. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca). This Sunday, we also share in our monthly Fellowship Feast. Stick around afterwards for a meal and some good conversation.

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘HEAVY HEART?’

Day 1: Psalm 73:26 – “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”

Day 2: Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Day 3: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a] being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

Day 4: Matthew 11:28-30 – “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”

Day 5: Psalm 22:24– “For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”

Day 6: 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Day 7: Romans 8:17, 18 – “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Prayer For The Church

One of my favourite Apostles was Paul. My life has been a rather rollercoaster with a time of great joy and happiness on the farm to a low of living off scraps and garbage in the big city and wondering if there is light at the end of the tunnel. Paul lived life to the fullest in the service of the governing religious authority and then was brought low to the point of relying on the generosity of a stranger for his needs. When he fully understood the roll in the Kingdom plan, he fully grasped the fullness of God’s being and went forward with great fervour.

Over the past nine years, I have come to better understand his ministry and the fullness of my God. It is not about building one single church but rather about building the body of faith. Build the body of faith in spiritual strength, in relational power and in unwavering love. Mankind separates the faith into denominations but Christ wants us together as a united body building each other up in love and compassion. Paul preached this, prayed for this and lived this. I admire that drive and focus and wish to emulate it in my own life.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! Eph 3:20-21 Msg

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or online. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

The Little Starling

Many of you reading this will possibly remember the old song, “God sees the little sparrow fall it meets His tender view. If God so loves the little birds I know He loves me too.” This song was no doubt based on verses found in the Bible such as Matt. 10:29-31 and Luke 11:6.

In the long and wonderful process of growing up, one of my greatest pleasures has been the wonder of nature as created by God. Out of nothing and by His spoken word He made this universe; the earth in all its natural beauty, living creatures and mankind.

Since moving into our little brick bungalow on the edge of town about five or so years ago, we’ve been seeing the deer pass through our backyard almost daily, even stopping most times to graze. What a delight to see the fawns cavorting around their mother. Sometimes we’ll even see the occasional fox or pheasant and even have a muskrat living nearby. The most pleasure we get is watching the various species of birds feeding from the feeders and on the ground underneath them; mourning doves, finches, chickadees, sparrows, pheasants, woodpeckers, blue jays, grosbeaks, juncos and most recently, starlings.

So what does all this have to do with the before mentioned song and verses? Well, I was reminded of this song as a result of watching one starling in particular that seemed to be having a difficult time walking or perching. Through the binoculars I was finally surprised and amazed to see that one of its feet was missing and it was walking on the stump but even then it was getting on just fine! Now, it seems that ‘Stumpy the Starling’ is a permanent resident at the feeders. Seeing this apparently insignificant little bird being “cared for” made me so glad for how much more God my Father cares for me and my well-being in all facets of my life as He so convincingly states in His word.

John Spicer
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘COMPLAINING’

Day 1: Philippians 2:14, 15 – “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

Day 2: James 5:9 – “Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look – the Judge is standing at the door!”

Day 3: 1 Peter 4:8, 9 – “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”

Day 4: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Day 5: Ephesians 4:29– “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Day 6: Exodus 16:8 – “Then Moses added, ‘The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.’”

Day 7: Psalm 142:2 – “I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Never Forgotten, Never Left Behind

This past week I was moved by two very moving conversations. The first was from a friend who celebrated a birthday, and he remembered not so fondly, his thirtieth. He was invited by a friend to a gathering, on the date of his birthday. He worked a long day, alone, and then waited, and waited, thinking he was to be surprised. He was alone, away from family, yet, he had friends. The evening wore on and finally, the realization that there was no celebration for him. Friends did not call, did not come, and did not acknowledge. His anticipation that someone would remember him crashed to the reality that he was forgotten and ignored.

          

The other friend of mine is venturing onto his own career in music. An opportunity is coming and his hard work for the past few years is showing signs of paying off. His dilemma is that his own success has now separated and isolated him from loyal friends who were there in the beginning. He is now lamenting over the guilt that is creeping in about those friends thinking they have been forgotten about. I know this is not the case, yet you can see how that could happen.

          

So here are two different scenarios. One friend was forgotten, the other is fearful to be the one who may forget. One is a believer and follower of Christ, and the other, I am not sure. Well, I believe that even in this, God was and is with both of them. The first, knows God’s faithfulness. He forgave, and is surrounded by a great faith family who does not forget, and does not ignore.  He is steadfast in his belief that God has placed him where he should have been in all of this.  For the friend who is moving on, he does not realize it, but God already has a plan in his heart. The fact that he is feeling separation anxiety tells me that he cares. God is within his heart, and is now mapping his future. He is being taught to care for his neighbors, his friends, his family. He is realizing that people that are put in our lives, not by chance, but by design. That design is God.

  

So to all of us, we must remember that God cares enough for His people to heal our heart hurts, and to instill His love in us, never leaving us behind.

          

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Winter Storm

Have you ever noticed that there are times when life seems like a blizzard and everywhere you look, it is a curtain of white? The swirling mass of frozen crystals are mesmerizing and have a tendency to coax a weary traveler off the path and into a mess of trouble. Drivers have told a tale of wandering off the road during a storm because they followed path of the driving snow into the ditch. Close on their heals are generally two or three more vehicles that were following the taillights or the tracks of the traveler in front right into the same predicament. The question I have is this; at what point do you pull off the road take time to relax and let the storm pass?

This morning, we woke up to a foot of snow on the ground and we began to formulate plans for the day and for the week. We had an exercise planned for the weekend, an event tonight, plans made for the day and all of these had to be rescheduled on the fly. As the thoughts and plans began to rapidly change, I took a moment to pray and ask for direction for the events to come. A thought came to mind in that moment; listen to the stillness that can only be heard in the midst of the snowfall. I could hear the odd car travelling on Main Avenue but they were a lot quieter as the snow muffled the road noise. There was a peace and calm in the quiet.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Ps 46:1-3, 8-11

When the world seems to be closing in and the path becomes a blur, take time out and reflect on Psalm 46. God is always there, be still and listen for His sweet, sweet voice. He will not lead you off the path and He will bring you peace.

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person or online. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘WISDOM, where can I find you?’

Day 1: Colossians 2:2, 3 – “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.
I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Day 2: James 3:17 – “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.
It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.
It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

Day 3: Proverbs 1:7 – “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Day 4: James 1:5 – “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 1:30– “God has united you with Christ Jesus.
For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.
Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.”

Day 6: Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Day 7: Matthew 7:24 – “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,
like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation