Visit our new web page @ www.mainavefellowship.ca

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Lock The Preacher In The Pulpit


I came upon an article from Chad Bird called “Locking Preachers in the Pulpit” that got me to thinking about those who accept the call to ministry.

“The Spirit did not plant preachers in the pulpit to be pontificating moralists or political hacks or spiritualizing psychologists or wannabe Moseses or motivational speakers.”
Preachers are, like John the Baptist, “a voice.” A voice to proclaim Christ and him crucified and risen for us. Yes, they diagnose evil. Expose wrongs. Call to repentance. Instruct, admonish, and warn. They must do that, by divine imperative. But most vitally, they preach the Gospel.

I would like to add a couple thoughts to this line of thinking. Those who call a preacher to come into their faith gathering to be the spiritual leader for their congregation should not only demand the preacher be that voice of proclamation, to instruct and to teach the wonders of a loving and gracious Saviour, they should also be ready and willing to be locked into that same pulpit themselves. Allow me to explain. The call to minister is not only one of teaching but also enabling. What good is it to teach others the skills they need and then let those talents deteriorate through neglect? We can teach a person to cook and then find out they eat out every day because it is easier. Too often we leave the responsibility of communicating the good news to others because we “lack the knowledge to do it as good as someone else”.

Preachers; speak the truth and teach those around you not only how to become more confident in the power of Holy Spirit but also empower and challenge them to become all God has gifted them to be. Liberate the congregation to speak the salvation message, the Good News. Unlock the door and encourage them to share with the enthusiasm they had when they first understood the fullness of God’s love and grace for us all. Preach with enthusiasm the perfect message of the Gospels, live life fully in the joy of the Lord and dance like no one is watching and then help others join in.

This Sunday, we celebrate our faith with Rev Glenn Reeder.  We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or watch live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/ ) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca). I have also included the link to the article below should you wish to read it through .

Blessings
Pastor Todd


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Join Us For Fun and Food



We think everyone should enjoy how beautiful Camp Harmattan is in the winter. You are invited to a snow party at Camp Harmattan on Saturday, February 29 from 10 am – 2 pm! Frost Fest is Camp Harmattan’s annual winter event. It is a fun time of sledding, skating, lunch, a bonfire, craft and a chance to reconnect with friends. There is no cost for this event, but registration is required. 

Please visit the Camp Harmattan Facebook page for the link to register or call the camp office at 403-556-2854.

The Camp Harmattan Team

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Want New?’
Day 1: Lamentations 3:22-24 – “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’”
Day 2: 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 – “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are 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!”
Day 3: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Day 4: Isaiah 43:18, 19 – “But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Day 5: Ezekiel 11:19 – “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.”
Day 6: Ephesians 4:22-24 – “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.”
Day 7: Revelations 21:5 – “And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Monday, January 27, 2020

It’s Just A Conversation


No doubt there are some of you reading this that can relate to what’s about to follow which is based on my experience as a young Christian “growing up in the church” (the denomination is not important). What is important is the final outcome of many years of personal and spiritual reflection and biblical study on how to be a verbal witness to people about Jesus and a personal relationship with God our Father without any pressure or fear.

Before going to heaven, the command of Jesus is very clear about telling people about Him. Mk. 16:15 NLT. And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone”.

For many people this is intimidating and not easy to do. We’re not all evangelists and we don’t have to go out making cold calls or knocking on doors to spread the gospel. Those who are gifted in this have no issue. When a person makes to decision to follow Jesus they are given gifts by God’s Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:11 NLT. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

We don’t have to have any degrees in biblical studies, a title or even have all the answers. Certainly formal teaching is good yet our own individual study of God’s word is also vital and as we absorb that word it becomes a part of our essence. That is what proceeds out of us as we engage in conversation with people.

So here we are at the crux of all this. I recently had a random conversation with a man at the grocery store that started as we met at an aisle and I let him go ahead of me. I commented on the price of certain foods as he was staring at the shelves. From there, to my surprise, within just a few minutes we had exchanged personal family information and here we are, total strangers; no thought on my part of being ridiculed or told to mind my own business. It just seemed to happen naturally. We spoke for only that few moments and moved on. Afterward I really understood what my wife has said many times that most people are quite comfortable talking to me and how easy it was to walk through that open door of opportunity with no fear. It was as natural as breathing.

John Spicer
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Thank You to This Wonderful Group !!




The ladies bible study decided to have a baby shower for baby Jesus and then give the collection to the Pregnancy Care Centre in Olds. They were grateful for the items and gave us a tour and an explanation of all they offer to anyone dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Let’s Jury Rig This


When we lived on the farm, we got very good at taking items that were often discarded and using them for repairs on other items. I watch a show called Alaska, the Last Frontier and the Kiltcher clan uses whatever they can to make something work. The other day they were in need of a bar bender and made one out of three old alternators. They have hordes of junk that becomes a shopping center when they are in need of an item or two that will help them make something of use for the farm. Now this is a great message in itself considering that the world is so focused on reuse, recycle and renew and the message is important for us all to take to heart. It takes a special talent to look at something, manipulate it for a certain purpose and then make it work for your intended purpose. The things I have made with baler twine and duct tape have, on more than one occasion, surprised even me.

While this is a great message for making old things new, I want to focus on something a friend of mine and I discussed today. There are times when manipulating things for personal comfort is not always the best thing. Rob and I were talking about the manipulation of scripture for the personal needs of the individual. There are things in the Holy Word that make us uncomfortable and would have us reflect on our own lifestyle, examine self and modify our lives to meet the expectations of our Father in Heaven. Here is where the message falls short for so many. So many will seek out passages in the Bible, take some out of context and manipulate the meaning of the Message to justify personal preferences and lifestyles. It is time to take the scriptures to heart and then study the heart. The scriptures, God’s Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, are our guide for us to reference and not a lifeless book used to work for our selfish purpose. Two weeks ago, a friend of mine who is a pastor had someone manipulate a passage to prove their perspective. My friend simply suggested they read the passage again with an open heart and let God be their guide. Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say, the pastor was obstinate and closed minded and they informed numerous others they were leaving for a church that understood them. Study the Word, meditate on it and let God be your guide. The time has come to be open to His directives and be obedient. Baler twine and duct tape will not fix the problem of sin in life, only Jesus can do that.

Last week, Rev. Reeder blessed us with a wonderful message from Esther and we will look forward to more in a couple weeks’ time. This Sunday, we will continue to examine 1 Peter and pray that God will open our heart’s to His leading and message. We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or watch live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/ ) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd


Savour Every Moment


This week will mark twenty six years since my father passed away. For a long time I was unable to crawl out from under the grief stone that weighed me down. Watching him slowly fade away, helpless to stop the inevitable was a pain I can’t even put words to. It wasn’t until a particular church service that I was given release. It was the service, but God’s almighty presence and power of healing that allowed me to let go. He chose the time to reveal that yes, He was listening to the cries of a child’s heart. That day, I knew that dad was in the presence of greatness, God Himself.
     
This past week I read at least six obituaries of people that I knew. Some were older, and some younger than me. I saw, through the words printed, the love of family and friends and the impact they made on a little part of the world around them. In that, I saw celebration of a life well lived, yet the mourning of a loved one who had to leave. I also had a long-time friend have to endure the passing of a brother. She watched for many months, as he slowly slipped away into the heavens. I had never met him, yet somehow got to know him through her. The same helplessness and grief that I knew, is now within the households of his family. Time, will bring healing, and God will be there every step of the way. It may not seem like it now, but a revelation day will come and they will get an understanding of some of the purpose that their loved ones had. There will be an encouragement for the family to move forward.
  
I thought of these people while reading Genesis 49, where Jacob called all his sons to his side to tell them what God had shared about their future. He shared good and bad things that were to come, yet I’m sure his sons savoured every moment of their father’s wisdom and teachings. My encouragement is for all of us to do the same. Share your love with each other daily. Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you. Be with them in grief, and in glory. Share a laugh and a cry, a meal and a coffee. Listen to God when He speaks to your heart, and don’t cast Him aside when tough days come knocking. The life banquet we have been given is to be enjoyed. Savour every moment, until we meet each other again, upstairs.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Give It A Rest!


I have heard it all and cannot believe my ears or eyes. The community of people are so predictable when it comes to politics, political leaders and the circumstances they have to deal with on a daily basis. I am not going to delve into the particulars of the different parties, their stances and the division that can come of it but I do want to address the how we treat our leaders. David, before he became king, honoured King Saul and respected the fact he was anointed by God to lead the people. The people were not satisfied with the way the leadership of the nation was being handled and they demanded a king just like all the other nations. What they did not realize was the perfect leader was with them all the time, God, but they grumbled and complained for more. David fully respected the position of the chosen king and supported him even though the king wanted David dead. From David, there was no protests and no plotting.

Let’s look at today. Nations divided because the one they voted for was not chosen. If we can’t have the one we want, we shout, scream and try to find a way to have them removed. Those who got the leader they voted for will shout down the opposition at the same time the opponents are putting all their effort into bringing down the duly elected leadership. So, the question is this; why does a nation continue to push water uphill rather than find ways to work with the leadership to make things work effectively for everyone. Here is where the wisdom of the Scriptures should be learned and leaned upon.

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. 1 Peter 2:13-17 Msg

The world is a tough enough place to live. Why spend our days seeking out ways to make it more difficult. I was taught that if you see an issue, don’t shy away from speaking up but come with a set of possible solutions or concessions that will benefit not only the whole but also the peace of the community. We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or watch live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/ ) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd



Sunday, January 12, 2020

Ask Your Father


I’m sure that most of us growing up were told just wait till your father gets home. When we misbehaved, that was the ultimate weapon of choice by our mothers to scare us into line. For the most part it worked. As we got older and requests got a bit more complicated, we would often hear ”ask your father”. Now this was either a way to say no or share the responsibility of a household decision. It could be a daughter asking to go on a date, or a son asking for a few dollars. Ultimately there were times when we had to go dad. Depending on the father of the house, this was either easy and comfortable, or intimidating and fearful.

As I began reading the bible through this month, beginning with the Old Testament, I am already seeing where God has had to bring serious correction to His children who disobeyed Him. Many of the scriptures portray God as a father to be feared, always. As I read, I can understand the mindset, as I poured through Genesis 6-7 about Noah and the great flood. Those times were tumultuous to say the least. It wasn’t until the New Testament and the new covenant with Jesus that we see that our Father is a loving God. Don’t get me wrong, He’ll bring swift correction just like our earthy fathers, but for the most part we can ask Him for anything.

It is our invitation to have a relationship with Him that makes it so easy to come to the Father with every need and want, without fear. God showed us how much He loved us by sacrificing His son, Jesus so we may be free. I feel just as comfortable going to Him as I did to my earth father for anything. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t ask for or speak about with my dad, and there isn’t anything I can’t ask for or speak to about with my Heavenly Father. I encourage everyone, that if you’re beginning this new year with wants, needs, troubles, questions, then just go ask your Father. Speak to Him as you would your own dad, or our pastor. He’s left us an instruction manual to use as a study guide. He’s put people in our life who are willing to teach us where to find answers. He’s also given us His toll free number to call whenever we want or need to. So, if you are in need of something today, go ask your Father.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

You Must Come Clean


I was watching a cop show the other day and the investigator kept on with the same question repeatedly; “do you want to do the honourable thing and confess?” It got me to thinking about the way the questioning was going. He was trying to get the perpetrator to understand that he knew how the crime had played out and wanted to give him every chance to do the right thing. The inspector gave him some more clues and the perpetrator continued to deny. As new information came to the forefront, the perpetrator continued to dig in his heals and deny even more vehemently. Three times the inspector gave him the opportunity and three times he denied. Just when I thought the inspector was going to introduce the coups de gras, the killer grabbed the golf club and hit the inspector across the midsection and took off but, as it is in all things, the perpetrator did not get far and he was captured.

There are many out there who feel that their crimes are just way too atrocious to be forgiven and they shoes to run from them rather than address them and deal with them. I was once that lost and scared runner until I was ready to accept the promise of the Son of God. He came and died for us, He came to wash us clean of our sins and says we must come clean, not through our own doing but rather through what God has already done. God does not expect us to be pure as the driven snow when we walk through the doors of His house but we must come clean to ourselves about our iniquities and give them over to Him and cloth ourselves in His love and care.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23

When we realize the joy there is in His love, we can then pass this forward, loving all those around us with the love and gentleness of Christ and truly make a difference in our community and our world. Let the joy of the Lord shine out and brighten the lives of all you meet. This Sunday we delve into 1 Peter and look at the joy that is available to us all. We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or watch live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/ ) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd