Where Does My Hope Lie?

A hurricane stalls over Houston and millions are affected. This storm will easily cost the American people billions of dollars over the next several years. The cost of this storm will be felt throughout North America and everything from food to fuel to clothing will cost more as the effects begin to trickle outwards from Southern Texas. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this tragedy.

So many people have lost so much but as I see the reports of so much suffering, so many who are being interviewed have thanked God for miracles and blessings. A lady stuck on her rooftop was so thankful that God protected her until angels in a helicopter came to pluck her off the roof. A family, overwhelmed by the support of a stranger with a boat praised God for bringing them rescuers. A man from Austin made his way with a boat and provisions because he felt it was his duty as a Christian to reach out and help.

Where does my hope lie? My God will not leave me nor will He forsake me. This is the cry of those who place their faith in God. Disasters happen, tragedy strikes, this is the reality of our fragile existence on this planet but our faith, a faith in a loving God, gives us a hope in a time of tragedy and stress. When our lives seem caught up in a whirlwind of confusion, that is the time to rest in the arms of Jesus, to lean on His perfect peace. In Jesus we will know a perfect future that is in Glory. Where does our faith lie? It lies in the promise of a forever with our Creator in a time that will no longer know fear of suffering. That is great new, right?

This week we welcome Pastor Glenn as he brings a message of hope and faith for the future.
Sunday service streams on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158 and starts at 10:30 am MST. We invite you to interact with us as we live stream and join us as we celebrate.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
“HEAVEN, who gets to go?’
Day 1: John 14:6 – “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
Day 2: 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 3: Ephesians 2:8, 9 – “For God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Day 4: Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Day 5: John 3:36 – “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
Day 6: 1 John 5:13 – “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”
Day 7: John 1:12 – “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Jesus My Defender

          There are times when each one of us will have been made fun of, talked about, criticized, and never defended, all when we were absent and away from our tormenters. I am a Christian, involved in ministry, and I know that my wife and I have been the subject of jokes around others’ campfires, kitchen tables, and water coolers. Some of those who call themselves friends, and yes family, will find it easy to take shots at any of us who go to church. Yet, we will be the first to pray for them, forgiving their trespasses. Their crisis’, becomes our crisis, because Jesus tells us to love, unconditionally. What we have is an unbridled faith in God, and who we have is Jesus in our corner. He defends us, even to the Father, when we stumble. I can almost hear Him saying, I have faith in my children, so I will guide them in their spirit. He stands between us, the devil and the deep blue sea. He tries to prevent Satan from winning us over, and also from drowning  in our own despair. Very much like a hockey defence man  He will stand His ground to protect you from your adversaries.

          We know who speak ill of us, yet, we let it slide. We do this because words said against us, are only words. They have no value, carry no weight or credence. Romans 8:31 NIV reminds us, What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, whocan be against us? Now, I know that in the human, words can be hurtful, and they are hard to ignore. That’s why it is important to be mindful not to behave in the same manner. A true friend will defend you in your absence. A family who loves you, will do the same.

          In the same manner, we that follow Jesus, should be mindful to defend Him at every turn. Do what He would do. Do not be fooled into words that would you would not say to His face. Never criticize another’s religion, faith, or beliefs, yet never compromise your own. Love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:31. Forgive those who trespass against you. My mother always told me to never lower your standards, a life lesson that carries me daily. My encouragement and challenge is simple. Defend Jesus in your life, just as He defended you with His.

Mike Shindruk

          Master’s Hand Ministry

The Shadow We Cast

I am amazed, yet not surprised at how many people God put into my life this week to talk about Him. Lately He has allowed complete strangers to confide in me about situations, fears, and victories in their lives. A while ago I spoke with a lady who spent her working career, as a guard in several penal institutions, and was wondering if she made a difference. She was taught, and taught others to strive to leave people, better than you found them. She shared many details of her father’s positive influence on her, and many others in his life time.  As she spoke, I listened then reminded her of the shadow that she and her father had cast over others’ lives. They truly, had made a difference.

          

Just this past week, I was made aware of several people who are just now experiencing a life shock with health news they never saw coming. Through these, they all told me of their personal faith walk, and how this gift of knowing God, was given to them by people that were important in their lives. Another is taking quality time with his family to see Canada, as too many friends his age are against some serious odds. Even in this, someone has cast a positive shadow of influence in their lives.

          

God tries every day to do the same thing. He invites those of us who are strangers to Him, to confide in Him about our situations, fears, and victories. He constantly makes Himself available. His hope is that we accept Him and all He offers, so that we may be better tomorrow than we were today. He would like nothing more than for us to pay it forward in His name, to leave someone better than when we found them. He is asking that we be that person who casts a shadow of good in others’ lives, and be amazed at how far it will stretch.

          

This Sunday, we welcome Pastor Caroline Barclay as she shares a message from God’s word. Master’s Hand Singers will lead worship. We gather at H.W.Angus chapel, King St. New Glasgow, with service beginning at 6:00pm. All are welcome.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Take Care Of Your Tongue

Years ago I had a terrible temper and that could erupt over the simplest things. Temper tantrums, shouting matches, pouting, unfriending – all these plus more were utilized alone or in combination to express an opinion, my opinion, so that a personal agenda could be realized. Some call this emotional terrorism but most call it bullying.

It has taken years for me to calm the anger and subdue the impulse to resort to temper explosions. My temper was even hotter before I came to realise a new peace in Christ but I still struggle. It is so much easier to resort to anger when dealing with anger but all this does is heighten the tension and ramp up the anger. The wisdom of the Proverbs from the Old Testament have helped me to further calm both personally and situationally.

Pro 15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

Pro 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pro 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Ecc 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

When situations start to ramp up, take a personal time out. Some may think you are pouting or have ceded the argument but it takes a stronger person to hold it back, take a time out to calm and refocus and come back with a peace and comfort that can only come through prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. It has taken years to realize the strength that God provided in time of need and I can fully appreciate the need for Holy Spirit in all aspects of life. When in doubt, pray it out.

This Sunday, we welcome Natalie MacDonald who will be bringing us a message. Sunday service streams on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158 and starts at 10:30 am MST. We invite you to interact with us as we live stream and join us as we celebrate.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

“What is the Truth?’

Day 1: Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Day 2: 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Day 3: Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Day 4: John 14:6 – “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”

Day 5: Psalm 119:160 – “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”

Day 6: Ephesians 1:13, 14 – “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

Day 7: John 17:8 – “For I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Calling On All Christians

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4 (NIV)

A world in need; in need of hope, grasping anyone or anything to fulfill that need. When the promises fall short of expectations, however, those grasping are left flailing for anything else that may fill the void. It’s almost like someone reaching out and grabbing onto a rope in time of need only to find out the rope is made of ice and eventually melts away. There are so many out there promising the world so they can get what they want for themselves regardless of the fallout in the wake of their false teaching. They prey upon the hopes and needs of others by tickling their ears and promising the moon. There is no way to stop them teaching fallacies because as soon as one is proven to be a charlatan, two more come forward to replace them.

Isn’t it time to rise up and teach sound doctrine? To speak truth for all to hear and offer an alternative to the fallacies presented by false teachers will offer hope that is anchored to the Perfect Truth. This is a truth founded in love. Yes, at times the lessons are considered harsh but they serve as a guide to a righteous life, a life filled with purpose and direction. Paul said it well; Don’t waver from the Truth, hold fast and discharge all the duties of your ministry. Live the love of Christ in word and deed and do not waver from His ways.

This Sunday, we are in Coalcamp for a Camp Service. We will try our best to present the service on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158) but the cell service is rather unreliable in the back country. If we can’t stream live we will post soon after the service when we return to Sundre.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Main Avenue Fellowship Camping Trip

 All Main Avenue Fellowship folks are welcome to our camping trip this weekend, August 17-20, 2017. 

Come for all the time, for part, even just come for service on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Room for trailers and tents. 

We will be on the property Rose Vennard used to live on. 

Directions: -From Main Avenue Fellowship go west on Main Ave. for 9.2 km’s to Coalcamp Rd. (RR 63) and turn left (south). Follow this twisty turny road for 11.7 km’s to blue sign #32007 on the left. 

We will set up around the cabin etc.

A Message From Our Father

Last year, at Master’s Hand Ministry’s annual retreat at Camp Geddie, our guest speaker and friend, Buhle’Dlamini spoke about how God is in the recycling business. He spoke of how God takes all of us, who at some time, feel we are of no use, or no more use to anyone, and surprises us with how we all have a place in His kingdom. I thought of this lately as I was working on a project at out cottage at Eden Lake. While building cabinets in an outdoor kitchen for my wife, I began to fit a counter top. It was one, recycled from my mother’s home, which my dad built over thirty years ago. As I turned it over to make a cut, I was taken aback. There, in marker was my dad’s name, with the order number. Well I had an instant lump in my throat, realizing that twenty three years after his passing, my father still gave me a gift. Even in death, he was recycling something that seemingly was without value. The other amazing detail, is the name of the salesman, also in marker, is my wife’s cousin.

God, in His own way will re-purpose all of us, without warning, without fan-fair, just when we think we are of no value. He gifts us with His presence, and His constant encouragement through His word. I saw His attention and message to me through a simple building material. His gift to me was a realization that He is always with, and in me, as He is with you. James 1:17 NIV tells us, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

My encouragement is that we should always remain in the assurance that we are God’s chosen, His children, His heirs. Even on our worst days, let us not forget that He loves us more than life. Jesus’ most precious gift was to die for us, and two thousand years later, that message is still within the pages of your Bible, a personal message from our Father.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

“Is Forgiveness Important?’

Day 1: Ephesians 4:32 – “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Day 2: Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

Day 3: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Day 4: 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 5: Ephesians 1:7 – “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”

Day 6: Acts 3:19 – “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

Day 7: Acts 2:38 – “Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

True Friendship

What is true friendship? Do you have a friend that you trust implicitly, a friend that you can share anything with? Has this person ever done anything to break your trust, betray you? How did you react? How did you feel? Was there a feeling of anger, fear, betrayal or defensiveness? What was the outcome? Was there a split or separation? How long did the hard feelings or the break up last?

This may seem like a rather obvious statement but I am going to do it anyways – deep friendships that experience a breach of trust can either rebound rather quickly with very little recounting at a later date or a complete and often permanent disassociation. Profound statement and yet rarely is there an in between. In some cases, years may go by and some catalyst helps besties rekindle their friendship and in other cases some may come back together but there is an underlying stressor of doubt and the trust of the past is never the same.

My question is this; what if true friendship meant true forgiveness? True and complete forgiveness that is represented by complete trust regardless of past wrongs is truly a wonderful concept but what if this was not a concept?

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

Adam and Eve broke trust with God and yet He never left them and, throughout the ages, every single one of His children has breached that sacred trust at one time or another. We have all sinned against God but through it all He never left us, none of us is forsaken and in that there is joy. While we were still sinners, Christ gave up His mortal life so that we would know Glory. That is true friendship, true love.

When someone hurts you, someone close, are you ready to Live the Love of Christ? This Sunday, we will once again be at the Camp Harmattan service and look forward to seeing you there. For those who watch us on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158) , we will post a devotional on Sunday.

Blessings

Pastor Todd

God Listens and Delivers

Did you know that God showed up today, and yesterday, and the day before that? He shows up every day, but perhaps you were kept too busy to recognize His presence. Don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. Maybe I can jog your memory with a few examples. You woke up breathing this morning. Was it a sigh of regret, or a sigh of relief and thanks? Could you hug your wife or husband? Did your family and friends wish you a happy birthday? Did you get moved to the front of the line with a medical appointment? Did someone tell you they loved you, and did you tell them they were loved? Did you hear your kids’ or your mother’s voice? If you answered yes to any of these, know that someone prayed for you and God, as usual, listened, and delivered. Have you been stopped in your tracks by a reality check about the things we take for granted? Take time to think of the following. Your first breath and your first image of your sweetheart beside you as you open your eyes as you wake; The floor under your feet as you walk into a sunny kitchen, and your first words of love in the morning to your spouse. Have you thanked Jesus for all of this before your brain woke to face the day? Many days, I must admit, I didn’t. Life becomes such a routine that we push auto start and just go. Well, slow your pace a bit and just breathe, and give thanks to God, before your feet hit the floor.

The Lord tells us, ”I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me will find Me.” Proverbs 8:17 NIV.  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13NIV. These scriptures very clearly tell us to look for God in everything, each day. My encouragement is to try this today, then tomorrow enjoy the gift of realizing that Jesus carries you, when you can’t carry yourself. Watch how He shows up, day after day.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Family Camp

Main Avenue Fellowship will be meeting at Camp Harmattan for services from Aug 6-13 inclusive. Times and details are available at the church or by clicking on the link below. We invite you to join us and hundreds of others as we come together and share in worshiping our Lord and Creator. Looking forward to seeing you there. For those unable to attend, we hope to bring either a Live Stream or a recorded message on Aug 6 and 13th.

http://www.campharmattan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Family-Camp-Schedule.pdf

Blessings to you all,
Pastor Todd

Faithful Helper

It seems that I am constantly building something. I have been blessed with a decent set of carpentry skills, so I find this hobby quite easy. My wife and I literally built our home thirty five years ago. It is a modest wood frame bungalow, that has served us well. We absolutely drove every nail, painted every wall, raised our three children, and laughed and cried in every room. Every step of the way, my wife has been my faithful helper, never once giving into her own fatigue through the many hours of labour.

Even today, we are still building, now on our recreational property. We are both slower and weaker with our age, yet, she still manages to be my third hand, my right hand, my dead man, and my cheerleader. We are a team. She has always been my faithful helper that God gifted me with many years ago. Just like when God gave Adam, his faithful helper, Eve, so He gives all of us our very own.

The amazing unseen third party here is God himself. He is always our silent or not so silent faithful helper. We may forget this, or in my case in my past, I wasn’t paying attention. Whenever I come up with an idea, He is the one who inspires my action to make it a reality, like my family live edge slab table at the lake. If our Pastor or guest speaker must prepare a message to share, they may draw a blank, be it temporary, and behold, God will give them the words. He remains at our sides through everything from the miracle of a new baby, to the going home of a loved one. Jesus is there when we carry our babies home for the first time, and when we carry our loved ones home for the last time.

Through the noise of the world, and the silence of the lonely, He is right there with us all encouraging, and helping us get through one more day. We are only human, strong and frail at the same time. We cannot function on our own, and God knows that. So, as we remain faithful to one another, so He remains to us. If you need help with something today, whisper His name, and be assured that the most faithful helper we could ask for is already on the job.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Week at a Glance

Week At A Glance July 31 – August 6, 2017

Office Hours

Church Office Closed      - Monday

Church Office Open        - 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Tuesday

Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday

Church Office Closed      - Friday, Saturday

Church Service                - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday at Camp Harmattan

Special Events

Quad Fellowship                          - Call Pastor Todd for details

Lady’s Bible Study                      - Resuming in September

Lady’s Crafting with a Purpose   - Resuming in September

Men’s Leadership Study              - Resuming in September

Men’s Coffee Fellowship             - Resuming in September

Church Service                             - At Camp Harmattan

Care Home Services - MVSH      - Not On Schedule this week

Note: Quadding Fellowship on Monday requires participants to contact Pastor Todd to sign up, have an insured and registered quad, have a helmet and bring a lunch. This is not a ministry of Main Avenue Fellowship but rather a gathering of people who want to go out into the great outdoors and enjoy each other’s company and God’s gift of nature. MAF does not assume any liability for injuries or accidents.

BTW, if you don’t like getting dirty, Monday’s might not be your thing :D

Sunday Services can be heard on the website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca) after the service or seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/todd.macdonald.3158) at 11:00 AM Mountain Standard

The Truth in Song

Jagger and Richards wrote these immortal words and the second you read them chances are you will be singing them for a while.

You can't always get what you want, You can't always get what you want, You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need

Now this is about as Christian as betting on the horses but humor me for a moment and it will make sense.

The song is not the focus of this article but rather the message which, by the way, is taken so out of context with the song but my mind went to a place and I decided to explore this strange new thought pattern. A few months ago, a young man was discussing his finances and told me he was praying for enough money to get himself a fancy new “toy”. He was rather upset because he was praying earnestly and quoted scripture regarding Jesus prospering those who call upon His name. The words came out of my mouth before I had the chance to buffer them and I said “you know we don’t always get what we want but God will provide us with what we need.” I guess this was the wrong answer and the conversation ended rather suddenly.

There was a time that I wished for enough money to buy this thing or that but once it was acquired, there was always another want. Now let me explain, a want is something I desire but a need is something I cannot live without. It took many years to figure this little lesson out; there is a difference between want and need. I wanted a jet ski but I needed food on the table, I wanted a new truck but I needed a roof over my head, I wanted money enough to be comfortable but I needed to accept the treasures God had provided me already.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

All these things, these wants fulfilled grant temporary pleasures but if we take the time and try, sometimes you might find what you really need. The true treasures in life lie in our relationships with others and these can be eternal riches, our true need for our Glory life. Life is too short to seek after the temporary, the wants. Seek after what you truly need, a relationship with the Father and a relationship with your neighbour.

This Sunday and the continuing throughout the week, we will be at Camp Harmattan for services. We will try our best to live stream on Facebook but it may be difficult due to the lack of reliable WIFI in the valley. Check us out Sunday on either our Facebook page or at www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca for details and updates.

Shalom

Pastor Todd