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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Did You Notice The Son Rise?


As I woke from sleep on the first morning of vacation, at about 6:00am, my eyes were flooded with the orange glow of yet another sunrise. Knowing I didn’t have to hurry to go to work, I set my bare feet on the hardwood floor and made my way to the kitchen, being led by our fur baby. Through the window the sun appeared to be about level with the earth, yet the orange globe made itself known through the trees and the morning fog. Ah yes, vacation had started. I took a few minutes to enjoy the quiet, the trace of dew on the lawn, and the warm summer breeze coming in the open window. No, this was not a novel of serenity in my mind, yet I saw it as a gift from God. He had given me just one more day.
    
Normally I would take a passing glance, hit the coffee button, feed the cat, shave, and be off. Today was different. He allowed me rest and reminded me to pay attention, and look for Him every day, and in every direction. He did not disappoint. God recognizes that we all take Him for granted as we carry on with life. Our daily jobs and responsibilities may keep us running, but He keeps us grounded. The few weeks each year that we have a break in our routine, should be a reminder that living to work, is not as important as working to live.
   
Without a clock to punch, we should all make more of an effort to connect, or reconnect with Christ. We may be away from our home church for service, so be reminded to take God in with every turn on your day trips. You may be on vacation, but God never takes one. Your break may just be the time where He finally gets through to you in a way to make you catch your breath. It may be a health scare, a near miss or a breakthrough in your life. Either way Jesus will find a way to rise up in your life.
  
So while you sleep into six am, allowing the sun to crack your eye lids take a moment to breathe. Kiss your spouse good morning, and don’t miss the next Son-rise in your life. Now you can go feed the cat.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Meekness; Not What You Think It Means


Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV

Samuel A. Meier states that “Meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up.” (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/meekness/)

When love and compassion are the foundation for one’s moral stance, life can, at times, seem difficult. Television is filled with violence and sexuality, videogames are graphic and tend to lead people to try imitating the actions they see in these games. Why do so many of our modern entertainment means come with so many warnings. “Warning contains violence and nudity; viewer discretion is advised”.

Weakness is denying one’s moral lifestyle in order to fit in with the world and the chaos that ensues. The meek, by ancient definition, are those who cling to the Law of the Lord, stay true to His message and defy the world by staying strong to the faith; the faith in Jesus Christ. To be strong in the faith means to defy the world and find strength in the Holy Spirit. More and more these days, we find our faith being attacked, forced to take a back seat to the desires of the world. Those who fear the message of love and peace legislate silence, demand the Christian community to keep the message of Christ inside the four walls of their own church. The meek show their strength by persevering in the face of chaos and maintaining the message, the Law of the Lord, imprinted on the hearts and minds of all mankind.

This Sunday, we start a series on the Beatitudes starting with the meek. Service starts 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
‘7 Promises from Father GOD’
Day 1: Matthew 11:28, 29 – “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.’”
Day 2: Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
Day 3: Philippians 4:19 – “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Day 4: Romans 10:9 – “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Day 5: Jeremiah 29:11 – “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”
Day 6: Psalm 89:21, 22 – “I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm I will make him strong.  His enemies will not defeat him, nor will the wicked overpower him.”
Day 7: Proverbs 3:21 – “My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

But That Is Not Fair


I have heard over and over “but what about the people that have never heard about God, is He going to send them to hell? Whose fault is it that they have never heard?” God is not as uncaring as people would have us believe. Their argument for the lack of caring of a loving God is addressed in this passage from Paul to the Romans:

When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Rom 2:14-15 Message

This passage provided an ah-ha moment years ago. What it says is the law of God is a part of the fabric of all mankind, written into our very essence of our being by a wonderful and loving God. How does this sound to you? My thought, before I was even born, God has provided a foundation to my makeup. One of the first things we crave right out of the womb is a loving touch. We reach out and seek it. It is ingrained into our makeup just like the need for nourishment and comfort. God’s love is a part of everyone’s makeup right from the start.

So, does this mean that we can do whatever we want and not have to gather together to worship our Father in Heaven? My question is this; why would you not want to gather and celebrate? Another question I have; it is harder to deny the presence of a loving God in the fabric of our makeup so why fight it? To ignore the fact that everything on this earth is the creation of God is like ignoring the air we breath. We need God in our lives as much if not more than the very air we breath. God takes care of His children; all of them. There are those out there who either deny or ignore their Heavenly Father but He does not deny or forget them. Our Father in Heaven wants the best for us, He wants to be in relationship with us; is that a bad thing?

This Sunday we explore the message for us in Romans and also in Jeremiah. This Sunday we explore the richness of God and celebrate the oneness of His creation. Service starts 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


One Prayer Leads To Another

I have learned over the last few years how one prayer leads to another. Most of the time, we will miss the subtle connections that occur, because we are too busy talking, and not listening or waiting. God revealed how He has been listening, as this past week, a critical phone call arrived for a friend in need. Their situation has been years in degrading with two organ transplants failing. The stress of the healing process and failures had taken their toll on our friends. Enter now, an army of prayer warriors. As we sat just a couple of weeks ago and listened to hearts on the verge of submission, we began to pray for God to act. My wife and I believed in strength, where our friends had weakened. We vowed to share and pray daily that this situation would improve. Then the call came this week, with all the elements in place.
  
You see, as we carried on with life, and our prayer warriors remained faithful to the Father, He seemed silent. Yet, in His silence He was preparing the way for yet another transplant attempt. Even now, we will believe and receive that this time, success is in order. Where we may lament over the time it takes, God is just preparing the way. He is now with a family somewhere who will grieve, yet celebrate that part of their loved one will be alive in someone else. That someone is now receiving a gift from God, because He has a plan for that person’s life. Jeremiah 29:11.
  
I believe that all prayer is connected, yet we may not see how until much later, if at all. The key is to never cease prayer. The bible tells us that whatever we shall ask for with a pure heart, God will give. That being said, we should not try and impose a time frame or limit on God. Even before you ask, God know your need, and has already begun to gift you, so ask. Simply clear your mind, set aside your pride, prepare your heart, and humble yourself to Him, and ask your Father for anything. Then just imagine how you will see, so clearly hoe He loves us.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘When Offences Come’
Day 1: Ecclesiastics 7:21, 22look at yourself – “Don’t eavesdrop on others – you may hear your servant curse you. For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.”
Day 2: Colossians 3:13forgive – “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Day 3: Hebrews 12:15don’t hold on to it – “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Day 4: Ephesians 4:30don’t grieve GOD – “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”
Day 5: Proverbs 19:11 – overlook – “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”
Day 6: Ephesians 4:23maintain unity – “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Day 7: 1 Peter 2:23look to GOD – “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Our Father's Face


As we, in our own way, mark Father’s Day, I encourage everyone to bear a few things in mind. Let’s agree to stop the world for a moment and just say a simple thank you. As a dad, I love when my kids tell me they love me, not just on this day, but every day. We are here because we had a father. Many, like me were blessed with a truly loving and hardworking father. He would shield our family from the world, yet allow enough of it in so we could stand strong as we grew up. As death called on him he carried the weight of his illness, as Christ carried His cross, so we wouldn’t have to. To me, that is what a father’s does.

I acknowledge that there are many out there who never knew a father’s love and that Father’s Day will be but another painful day to get through. That being said, I know that for every person who struggled through life without a dad, there was someone in their life that was a father figure and influence. It need not have to be by blood, yet by love that we made it this far. Many single moms are charged with the responsibility of also being a dad. There may have been a neighbour, uncle, or someone in church that has help to mould and shape you into who you are today.

Behind all father figures in our lives, there is one who we have never seen. We have yet to see His face, but we recognize Him in those who raise us up. We have never heard His voice, yet we hear His words in the encouragement of others in our lives. Actually, we have never met Him, yet we know Him more every day as we gather in His name. Of course I am writing about Jesus, God in flesh. How is it we can say we love a father we have never met? It is easy. Out of love, God sent His Son to be with us, to sacrifice Himself for us, and has written a book of promises that says He is coming back. While He is preparing a place for us, He shows us His love in every way imaginable, and in ways we cannot even imagine.

So close your eyes and picture in your mind all of the people who have loved, and love you now in your life. Then you will see our Father’s face. When you do, be sure to wish Him a Happy Father’s Day.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Events this Summer

Family Events

June 22 - 23 Family Fun Zone at the Sundre Rodeo - Sponsored by McDougal Chapel

VBS

July 16-20 McDougal Chapel- Go to mcygsundre.com for details

July 16-20 Main Avenue Fellowship - Go to mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca for more details

July 23 - 26 Bergen Missionary Church - Go to bergenmissionarychurch.ca for details


For further information, contact either the church or email sundreministerial@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Work & Witness Project for 2017

The Canada District Advisory Board
In concert with the District NMI
are sponsoring this year’s District W &  W project  in
Sundre, Alberta scheduled for July 13 to July 23

The Main Avenue Church of the Nazarene in Sundre has been an important part of this small central Alberta community for over 70 years and is located right on the major East/West road going through town.  The last major addition to the church was built over 35 years ago – and a number of interior renovations and upgrades have taken place since that time. 

This is the focus of our next District Work and Witness project.  There are three elements to all of these projects: 

Outreach:  Rev. Sherri-Lynn Martin along with local Sundre support from Natalie MacDonald and Dorothy Reeder is working on a summer Vacation Bible School style of outreach to the community children and youth. 

Ministry: Revs. Jonny and Jenn Blake will head up a Ministry focus for the week which will include community Prayer walks, training events on Friendship Evangelism, engagement with the Seniors’  homes in the area among other things. 

Construction:  Mr. Robert Laybourne (P.Eng) is helping to head up the construction work to be done on the church.   There are several projects to tackle:  installation of a wheel chair ramp on the outside of the building to provide easy access to the main level of the building; outside siding work; interior work: painting, flooring.  There are lots of projects for all level of experienced workers. 

Cook/Kitchen:    We will need food preparation, as well as someone to head up the kitchen team.

We would certainly welcome your involvement in our upcoming District W & W endeavor in Sundre.   We are targeting 10 days of work – come for all – or just a few days if that is all you can do.  We will using the Harmattan Camp grounds (Family Camp side) for accommodations and meal preparation. 

Our goal is to make a big difference to the Church and local community. We will need lots of volunteers to meet our objective of ministry, outreach and construction.

If you are interested in being part of a Ministry / Outreach / Construction /or Cook team contact
Marie Southward at popgram1@telus.net

EVERYONE has been blessed with a SKILL, which could be used to bless others!
Please PRAY, SUPPORT, and PARTICIPATE where you can.

What's The Difference?


Now before I get started, let me state this first. Jamaica is a wonderful place and is filled with beautiful people. With that said, there are marked differences in living conditions throughout the region. Last week I confessed I was a bit wary of a few people on the beach and avoided chatting with some them because of perceptions (see last week’s blog for explanation).

This week, I want to address something else that came to mind as we were leaving to come home. There was a definite line between the haves and the have nots who were on the other side of the wall. These have/have not lines are blurred in many parts of North America because there are so many that appear to have it all but they will be paying for it until they die. In Jamaica, the tin roof, corrugated shacks just outside the resorts are filled with families not able to afford the concrete homes. There is a definitely a line there but what I did notice was this; they were still families, many with the cross of Christ over the entrance to their home.

What is the difference between the two sides in our society? Money and means? Well, let me ask this, what is the difference between us all in God’s eyes? Absolutely nothing! He does not base our standing with Him by our money and riches.  God looks upon us all as His children. There is no separation by race, status or finances in God's eyes. His focus is on the heart.

Years ago, people could buy their seats in the church so they could be seen as holier than everyone else because of their financial status. There are still preachers out there who claim that if you believe enough, all your financial dreams will come true but the truth is, if you truly believe with all your heart and soul in the riches of God, He will provide. God provides a future filled with love and grace which is not measured in the trinkets of man but rather in the joy of our salvation through Christ.

Does God see a difference between prince of pauper? God sees the heart and not the gold. This Sunday we explore the richness of God and celebrate the oneness of His creation. Service starts 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

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘HOLY HOTLINE – OPEN 24/7’
Day 1: 1 Peter 5:7Worry – “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
Day 2: Isaiah 41:10Fear – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Day 3: 1 Corinthians 10:13Temptation – “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Day 4: Romans 10:17Doubt – “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
Day 5: Isaiah 53:5 – Sickness – “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Day 6: Psalm 34:18Depression – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Day 7: Deuteronomy 31:8Loneliness – “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Everyting Be Irie

Ask Yourself Do You Represent?

Last night, Natalie and I went for a walk on the beach at our resort in Montego Bay. It was dark but not late. On the way down the beach to the chairs we were going to sit in, we had to pass by some of the local salesmen plying their trade but I really did not feel like engaging them and I couldn't hear them anyways as the surf was rather loud. I do admit, I kept us high on the beach as they are only allowed to a certain point but when we got to where we were going to relax, I felt somewhat guilty. There was security around, we had beach distance to work with but that niggling feeling that I did not acknowledge one of God's children bothered me.

In my mind I heard “practice what you preach my son”. But Lord, they are unclean, laying on the side of the road, naked and beaten. The priests and rabbis pass them by, walking on the other side of the road so as not to risk their touch. They look the other way, live behind protective gates, fearing for their own lives and forgetting the lives of the suffering. On that beach last night, I had forgotten what it felt like to be on the other side of the beach and felt ashamed. Would Jesus have started high up the beach when I was on the public side of the beach?

On the way back, we started on the lower side. The man came up to us and said, I am Dr. Feel Good and I introduce myself as Pastor Todd. We bumped knuckles and the gentleman with him shouted, “do you remember me?” “Sure do, we met the first day here!” It was not a long interaction, but it was good. As we walked away, I heard him talking to his friend and then call out “goodnight Padre and your queen” five minutes, if that, to put a smile on a face. Share the Good News, not only in word but also in deed. Take that moment and it be irie Mon!

This Sunday, we welcome back Rev. Glenn Reeder and look forward to the message he has for us. Service starts 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

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Mountain Moving Faith’
Day 1: Hebrews 11:6 – Seek the LORD – “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 2: Mark 9:23 – Raise your expectations – “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? (Jesus asked). Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Day 3: James 1:6 – Give God opportunity to move – “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
Day 4: Mark 11:24 – In activated faith, circumstances don’t matter – “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Day 5: Romans 10:10 - Faith must be confessed openly – “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
Day 6: Hebrews 10:38 – Faith must be your lifestyle – “And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
Day 7: Romans 5:1 – Faith pleases and moves the hand of GOD – “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Thanks For Your Forgiveness

Last Sunday after leaving church, and on the way to drop something off for a friend, I rounded a corner. While chatting with my wife I approached a vehicle, and as it passed, an immediate flash of red and blue lights came on. Checking my rear view, I saw that it was turning around very quickly. After a moment or two, I noticed that I was over the speed limit, so those lights were obviously for my benefit. After pulling over, an officer approached and politely asked for the usual drivers’ license etc. He said I was going kind of fast and I agreed that yes, I noticed after he lit me up. While he was checking my documents, my mind could only race as to how I was to afford a fine for my transgression. Well, my thoughts were broken by the words, “all is good here, so just take it easy and slow down”.
     
For those few awkward silent moments I feared punishment for wandering outside the lines so to speak. Yet, fear was displaced with relief at his words of forgiveness. The officer held my forgiveness in the palm of his hand, and chose to gift me with it. His compassion was shown to me on his discretion, and I was very thankful for that. All the way home, I actually became over guarded, perhaps wanting to be extra good in my behavior. Of course my reminder was seated beside me.
   

I thought of how my thoughts of thanks became so valuable, measured perhaps by the value of the fine. I also began to think of the true value that we all should have for the forgiveness of our Father, God. He sent His son, Jesus to live and die among us, and for us. He sacrificed Himself for the forgiveness of our human sins for all time. This does not mean that we can behave however we want with a free pass. It does allow us to be the frail people we are, to fall, to fail, yet to reach up for His hand which is always reaching down. It’s as if Jesus is saying,” it’s ok my child, I know you tripped, yet I forgive you, again. Be on your way, remember Me daily, and just slow down. There will be no fine, as I have paid it in full”.
 
Today, I hope you will think of His grace, of His love, and of His daily forgiveness of perhaps speeding through your life without realizing it.
 
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca