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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

There Is No Finish Line

A friend of mine made this statement this week. We were speaking about life in general and he said ”there is no finish line”. I know he has a spiritual belief, or faith walk as some would call it, and I saw a deeper side of his personality in this.  As I thought about it, I realized that he is right. We as Christians, followers of Jesus, firmly believe in God’s promise of life eternal, as in John3:16. Many other peoples around the world believe in an afterlife of some sort. Some believe in reincarnation and many in ancient times believed in an afterlife, so they would prepare their graves with earthly possessions so as to be equipped for their next life.

Regardless of someone’s teachings or beliefs, there has to be something more than our short time here on earth. God did not create and design our world and our bodies with such complexity just for us to be born, live and die. There is a powerful living energy in all of us, far beyond anything we truly understand. When we believe in God and His power of creation, we carry an innate gift of wonder. He has given all of us an open door to His throne room. All He asks is that we look to the heavens, and seek Him. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV says,” You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. He’s so easy to find. He’s in the smell of a fresh rain, in the silence of a summer morning, in the unabashed laughter of your children. He’s in the loving hug of your mother, and in the supporting comfort of your pastor. Folks, He is everywhere, you just have to look.

I do feel a sense of sorrow for those who deny His existence, and who expend much of their energy to try and disprove His presence. I encourage you to pray for those who refuse to believe in something, or someone, larger and more powerful than themselves. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God made mankind in His own image. That includes the current non-believers. How well we treat each other, is His image. We’re all in this life together, so why not believe in Him, and see what the eternal life will hold. After all, there really is no finish line.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca


Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Fearful???’
Day 1: Proverbs 29:25“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”
Day 2: Psalm 27:1“The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
Day 3: Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Day 4: Psalm 33:18“But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.”
Day 5: Deuteronomy 31:6“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Day 6: Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe."
Day 7: 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
** Verses taken from the NLT.


Back To School

As the summer draws to a close and the back to school sales start to really crank up, there is a new feeling in the air and it is one of conflict and confusion. The kids are getting excited by the newness of the season. New books and clothes, backpacks and runners start to appear in the home and the kids are getting into the spirit. They talk of seeing old friends, making new ones getting back in touch with their favourite teachers and, for some, it is a brand new school as they transition from primary to junior or high school. They dream of new starts and a start to new memories.

There is also conflict and confusion as the fear factor sets in for many. The fear of a new school, leaving friends they have made over the summer or the loss of friends who have moved or are going to different schools now. New teachers, new rules, new surroundings, all these things lend themselves to a fear of the unknown.

Parents are also in conflict. For some there is the joy of the kids getting back into the school routine while for others there is the anxiety of letting go of junior who is heading off to school for the first time. For others there is the realization that their child is growing up. I see this as the parents send their children off the college and university in a far away place. For many, the far away place is in the same city but they must be in residence for the first year which means living away from home, sometimes for the first time.

My son and his girlfriend live in Dublin, Ireland and while I worry about them all the time, I know they are safe and sound. We call and email, I know what they are doing and how they are but more importantly, I know that God has my kids in His protection. Sure its tough to see them go but they are growing up, actually they are grown up, and they are wonderful young adults. We love them to bits, pray for them constantly and, even though they are thousands of miles away, they are but a quick call away.

This Sunday we look at the family and the importance of the gathering.

Blessings all!

Pastor Todd 

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Shelter of His Arms

Have you ever felt like you were just stuck? For no particular reason, your interest in certain things just seems to go silent. I want to encourage you that you’re not alone. I struggle with these thoughts just like many others. We all have seasons of self-doubt about our worth, our value, our contributions to our family and friends. I don’t have many answers, yet, I know where help is available. In Christ, that’s where. It may seem unrealistic to many to expect physical answers to come from God, but they do.

He knows each of our situations, and puts our faith and blood family in our path and in our midst just when we need them the most. Our need for human touch is so great, that without it, we can and will fold. When we become overwhelmed by the demand on our time, energy and resources, we should see this as measure of our value to those around us. Our employers, our friends, our families and yes, even our church body will demand our attention. We will worry about each other, our health, finances and our future then one day something will just give out. Where are we to run to and who can we turn to? In a WORD, Jesus that’s who. Psalm 121:2 NIV tells us “My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth”. When we cry out, even in our own silence, He hears us. Psalm 116:1-2 NIV assures us. “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice, He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live”.

This is hard for many people to do. If it was easy all the time, everyone would do it. We are not meant to fix everything or solve every problem. God can and will take over, if we just let Him. I encourage you today, that if you feel like you’re stuck, call on Him, cry out to Him. He knows the voice of His sheep, and His sheep know His voice. Listen closely through the static, and you will hear His soft calming voice saying, come to me child there is peace in the shelter of My arms.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

On The Precipice

This past summer I had the great pleasure of working with some wonderful young people at the Rocky Mountain Cadet Training Centre in Waiparous, AB. These were some of the finest cadets from across Canada and I was privileged to be their Youth Advisor.

One day we had the chance to do some abseiling from the repel tower on the base and while it had been years since I dropped in from height, I eagerly looked forward to my turn. You see I have repelled from heights even greater than the 33 feet of this tower and I love the feeling. The key is to trust the harness. At the top of the platform you rope off to a biner and a figure 8 belay device that is attached to your climbing harness. With your heals just off the platform, you lean back into the harness keeping your legs straight and you slowly let the rope play through the figure eight until you are perpendicular to the wall. This takes a ton of trust in both the harness and the rope to lean back into it but once you are over the edge, the rest is a blast as you walk or bound down the wall. I have done this off a skid, repelled upside down and gone face first running down the rock wall.

While there is still that moment of trepidation at the top, I still know the rope will hold. Sometimes that is the way I feel with my faith. I am at the precipice of some daunting task in my life and I hesitate for a moment and then suddenly remember that I am not alone. My harness is very secure and the rope is perfect for what needs to be accomplished because my God is where I put my trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

When the world seems to be falling in on you and you are doubting, claim the power of Jesus and call out to Him. The power of our Living God through the Holy Spirit is where we should place our trust because His power is infinite and all that comes against us is finite. There is no greater power, no greater love that that which comes from the Father.

May God bless you all richly and see you Sunday!

Pastor Todd

Monday, August 22, 2016

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Father GOD is…’
Day 1: 1 Corinthians 1:24, 25WISDOM“But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
Day 2: Deuteronomy 7:9FAITHFUL“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands."
Day 3: Isaiah 12:2STRENGTH – “See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”
Day 4: Psalm 23:3RESTORER“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Day 5: Matthew 11:28, 29RESTING PLACE“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 6: 2 Samuel 22:2, 3REFUGE – “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. "
Day 7: 2 Corinthians 6:18ALMIGHTY – “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

When He Reigns, He Pours


After weeks of hot temperatures, and very little rain, relief finally came from the heavens this week. Our province was so tinder dry that camp fires, and traveling in our woodlands are banned. It seems as though all summer right-of-passage activities came to a screeching halt. Lawns were turning brown, the air was stagnant, water levels in lakes and streams kept falling, and a common fear of forest fires like the one in Fort McMurray was on many peoples’ minds. All of this, after only a few weeks without rain.

We are all affected the same way if we are without God’s reign. We all need a constant watering in our daily lives of Jesus, whether we know it or not.  Let’s just think about this. When we allow God into our lives, He makes His presence known to us in so many ways. Our circle of friends become larger and we are cared about. When we acknowledge Jesus in everything, we will see rewards of His grace in the way others treat us, the way we treat others, and little things that make us feel alive are more noticeable. Simply by saying grace before we eat will somehow make a meal with our family taste a bit more delicious. A hand shake or a hug at church will recharge even the most tired of souls. A smile and a kind word in a hospital elevator or waiting room may just introduce you to your next soon to be friend. You may touch someone with God’s hand that needed it the most.

Yet, when, or if, we allow God’s reign to be absent from our world, we, and everything around us dries up. Like the rain from the sky, we need His reign from the heavens. Without it, our spirit can wither like the front lawn. Our sense of worth and friendship will eventually fade like the end of season petunias and marigolds. God does reign over the world, as told in Psalm 47:8. I’m asking you now to allow Him, to reign over your world. I encourage everyone to pray for rain for the grass, but ask Jesus to reign in you, and He will pour down His spirit into your home. Then watch as they both flourish. After all when He reigns, He pours.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Go Into All Nations

Holy Spirit covers all while the action of one is limited. Okay, you may ask what I mean by this so let me explain. The good of the whole is much more important that the wants of the one. I had a conversation with a good friend about the church. We talked about those in the congregation doing church and about being the church, actually let’s put it a different way, being the gathering. There are times that we get so caught up in the politics of the church that we forget about the importance of being ecclesia or the faithful gathering. What was important when Christ was upon the earth?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:34-40 NIV

Go into all the nations and be the Word. There is no political agenda in the Word, there is no divisiveness in the Word, there are no camps there is only His command, Love God and love your neighbour. How do I love my neighbour? Feed them, cloth them, give them drink, visit them, care for them and build them up. Woe to those who seek to tear down the fellowship of God because that is not what God has intended for His nation.

This week we delve into the importance of family and being there for each other. There is more to life than personal agenda, seek out the agenda that is in the Holy Scripture and live that life to the fullest.

Blessings all,

Pastor Todd

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Peter;s Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Relationship not Religion’
Day 1: Romans 5:8“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Day 2: 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 3: 1 John 1:9 – “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
Day 4: John 15:5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Day 5: 1 John 1:3, 4“We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”
Day 6: John 1:10-13 – “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."
Day 7: John 14:23 – “Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.’”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Faith, Family and Friends

We have all visited local craft stores where a sign that reads, ”Faith Family & Friends” was available to buy. I’m sure they are hanging in many homes, cottages and gardens. I’d bet it’s even available as a tattoo, bumper sticker, or a page saver for a computer. It’s a cute catchy saying for sure, yet I wonder how many people take the time to let the importance of these three little words sink in. Do we allow a mental picture to appear in our head of someone’s face that this reminds them of? I’m sure that many of us do just that.

I have come to realize that these are very powerful gifts that God has given each of us. Faith, is the gift of accepting and believing in something or someone we cannot see, or fully understand, yet know in our hearts. Family, is a group of people in our lives, hearts, mind and soul, either by birth, or by choice and association. And finally Friends, people we come in contact during our lifetime, who are not blood, yet may as well be because of our relationship with them.

Whether we acknowledge Him or not, God has gifted us with these so we may see the proof of His existence, and realize that His presence is all around us. We have never met Him in the physical sense, yet through accepting all of these, we can and will come into a most personal intimate relationship with Him. When trials and triumphs of our lives come upon us, and we speak to Jesus, giving thanks in all of these times, we are telling God that we are relying on Him for everything. As we follow His Word and example, we are demonstrating our faith in Him as our savior and redeemer. When we face challenges to our health, finances, or spiritual wellbeing, our blood and faith family are there to care and support in any way they can. And when situations in life call for them, our friends outside of our faith circle are there doing what they do best, and that’s being loyal friends

Perhaps now when we see or hang one of these signs, we can all have a greater appreciation of what the words actually say, and for who actually gave us the gifts.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Monday, August 8, 2016

I Belong To The Master

Listening to the Booth Brothers this morning I realized how absolutely blessed I am. These past couple weeks have been tough with numerous rounds of issues coming forward requiring immediate attention and action. As the waves of concerns and disputes came upon us, there were times when the shoreline seemed so far away. Wave upon wave of distresses cycling through, many times a repeat of the problem once thought to be solved only to manifest itself in a different manner or through a different person. I am trained to deal with others issues but, like the rocks on the shoreline, the constant battering by the waves can cause them to be broken and disturbed.

As I take stock of the events and of the times where the attack seemed to be directed at me, I found myself questioning and wondering; prime breeding ground for doubt that the evil ones craves so he can drive in the wedges. Today is Monday and I am in His house after five straight fifteen hour days and I am exhausted. I felt compelled to put on the Booth Brothers while I sat and relaxed at the foot of the cross. It was Then I Met The Master. This song dug into my very soul and a flood of thoughts permeated my mind. As Jesus slept and the sea began to turn into a boiling mass, the disciples panicked and began to fear for their lives, yet Jesus slept. When Christ was called upon, He came to the rescue and calmed the sea but what I noticed about this was not so much the act of deliverance from the storm but rather the fact that Christ was there the whole time and was not worried. They missed it in the boat and I missed it when I was trying to find peace at the end of the day.

Jesus had set the group off in the boat alone for a bit. As Jesus came back to the boat walking across the water, the disciples noticed him and were amazed. As Peter stepped out to meet the Master on the water he became distracted by the events around him and began to sink but, in an instant, Christ was there. Peter met the Master and was saved from the turmoil. There are times I forget to seek the Master in those times of turmoil and last week would have been the perfect time to keep my eyes on the Master but I messed that up. I missed Him in the tears and in my worry. Yet I rejoice now for my salvation in all of this is in knowing I belong to the Master and He is never far away and He has calmed my storm. Praise my God, praise Him in the Heavens for I have met the Master and I know He loves me perfectly.

Our services are back on at the Church in Sundre and I am so looking forward to getting back with my Church Family.

Blessings

Pastor Todd

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Natal Day


This past week, we here in Nova Scotia celebrated yet another civic holiday known as Natal Day. For years I had an understanding of what this actually was but was wrong. I looked it up and it’s actually a celebration to mark and remember our province’s joining the Confederation of Canada. Natal, meaning birth, makes perfect sense so why not mark it with cake, parades, get togethers and, for many, the bonus of a paid holiday. Now, Nova Scotia was still a territory of cities, towns and villages yet by joining something bigger, like Canada, would open up many opportunities for greater things in the future. There would be security and safety under its banner.

Our relationship with Jesus is much the same. All of us coming from diverse backgrounds have a life and an existence. We grow up with friends, family, school and jobs and each of us are a territory onto ourselves, so to speak. When we, as followers and believers in Christ, Christians as we are known, use the term “born again”, we are referring to our relationship with Jesus. We enter into a covenant, or agreement, that we accept Jesus as the Son of God and accept no other gods. 2 Kings 17:37-39. He becomes our confederation, offering His guidance, protection, love and promise of a wonderful future. We set aside a previous life style of being consumed by the world for a life of knowing that Jesus is Lord. His Word in His life manual, the Bible, gives us hope for a better life with Him in it.

Many of us who accept Jesus into our lives can actually remember the day we made that choice. Personally I can’t, yet He knows the date. Perhaps the date is not as important as the fact that we remember and acknowledge our commitment to Him. We celebrate every day when we give thanks for the air in our lungs, the sight in our eyes and the blessings He shows us when we just look for them.

Here’s an important invitation that requires no paper contract and no written promise note. Ask God into your heart and accept His son Jesus as your true Lord and Saviour. Be born again and you also will have your own personal Natal Day, a good enough reason to enjoy a piece of cake.

Mike Shindruk,

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

 

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Quick Reminder

Once again we will be gathering with the other Nazarene Churches at 10:00 AM Sunday at Camp Harmattan on Sunday August 7th.

Services at Main Avenue Fellowship will resume August 14th at the usual time of 10:30 AM (10:00 for coffee time)

Blessings all!

Pastor Todd

Home Sweet Home

I have often been told that home is where the heart is and I can truly believe it. I have been away at the Cadet Army Camp for the past four weeks, have two more to go and I have not been home a lot over that time. The schedule for me is four days out and three days at home and those three days are filled to capacity. My puppy gets extra hugs, my wife gets extra time and attention, my friends are sought out and then there is my church family.

When I come home for those three days all I want to do is sleep and relax but there is so much to do and so little time but what suffers the most is my time with my Father in Heaven. I work at the camp for 12 hours a day on average and my priority is the Cadets and seeing to their emotional and, in some cases, their spiritual health. While I am there, that is where my heart is and my partner in the Youth Advisor office is also tracking with that focus as well. There is little time for reflection or meditation because it is always busy. Last week we were out doing some training with the Cadets and Tyler helped them to find a centering peace with meditation. I figured that this was the perfect time to let him guide me through the process (he has a great mediation technique) and I spent a solid five minutes or so in silence and mediation. I sought out my Lord during this time of meditation and, in that time, I was home.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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 46:7-11 NIV

The chaos that surrounds us every day can be overwhelming at times and the roar of the world can drown out the beauty of that which God has provided but I think we tend to forget that God can silence the chaos, He is there in the turmoil and can bring that peace, we need only to take time out of the day to be still, take time to be with Him and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. My God is all around me, all around us all, whether we are at home, in church or hours away from our abode. Where two or more are gathered, there our Lord will be also. Home is where the heart is and my heart is with the Lord.

Blessings all,


Pastor Todd