We invite you to check out our new web page.
We will transition to this page over the next few months and move away from this blogspot.
The blog page will be used for storage of our past articles as it is a huge effort to bring hindreds of articles forward to the new site.
Let us know what you think by emailing us at mainavfellowship@gmail,com
Blessings
Pastor Todd
Special thanks to Jaime at www.marrvelloussolutions.com for all you did to make this site a reality!!
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Rock Solid’
Day 1: 1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no one can
lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Day 2: Isaiah 33:6 – “He will be the sure foundation for
your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the
Lord is the key to this treasure.”
Day 3: 1 Peter 2:6 – “For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay
a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in
him will never be put to shame.’”
Day 4: Isaiah 28:16 – “So this is what the Sovereign Lord
says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a
sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.’”
Day 5: Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock, his works are
perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright
and just is he.”
Day 6: Psalm 62:2 – “Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Day 7: 2 Samuel 22:47 – “The Lord lives! Praise be to my
Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!”.
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
There are days when things are just sort of, how do I put this; Meh. You know those days, right? It’s one of those days where emails from the head office don’t really rate a reply because, it’s all just – meh. Most days are full of hope and joy where you look forward to the next meeting with anticipation, the sun looks just a bit brighter and even the clouds glisten with a silver lining. There are also the days where nothing is going right, the sunshine gives you a headache and the clouds only signal rain and cold. Then there is Meh. These are the days where nothing really matters too much but there is a chance that if one shoe drops, the day is going to head south in a real hurry. Then again, there is also a chance that one act of kindness could totally brighten up the day. Today is that day for me. Now before people start sending in notes of concern and such, this is a “meh” day and as I write this, I am taking note of how wonderful God is in the toughest of times and in the meh times.
I remember years ago when we used to see how deep we could
dive before we had to surface. We had an idea of how deep we could go and there
is that point where you could either go a bit further or turn back. I do recall
getting to that point this one time and thinking I could try just a couple feet
deeper. Turned out that was the wrong call. I had gone past the “meh” point and
set myself up for the rest of the journey. As I turned to go back to the
surface, I realized how deep I had sunk and it was going to be close getting to
the surface. I raced to the surface, using up the oxygen in the lungs at a
greater rate and, with lungs burning, I realized I wasn’t going to make it. The
air escaped my lips in a scream and the void was replaced with water but, at
the last moment, a hand grabbed mine and, in the next moment, I was on the
surface coughing and sputtering. What a blessing and a miracle in that one
precious moment.
We have the opportunity each and every day to grasp that
hand of blessing. Remember, when the day is going south, call upon the Holy
Spirit for strength and guidance to help you get to the surface. Those times
when the world is that little bit brighter, call out to the Holy Spirit in
praise for what the Lord has provided. On those “meh” days, take time out in
prayer and meditation, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your eyes to
the blessings around you and bask in the light of the Lord.
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on
all his creation. Ps 145:9
This
weekend, we begin a new series on the Holy Spirit leading up to Pentecost. We
would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM
MST.
Facebook Live - Main Ave
Fellowship
YouTube Live – You Tube
We look forward to seeing you this
Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Examination Timer’
Day 1: Psalm 139:24 – “See if there is any
offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Day 2: Psalm 26:2, 3 – “Test me, Lord, and try
me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your
unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”
Day 3: Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful
above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Day 4: Psalm 4:4 – “Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
Day 5: Job 13:23 – “How many wrongs and sins
have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.”
Day 6: Galatians 6:1 – “Brothers and sisters,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that
person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
Day 7: Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us examine our
ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
You want to know the absolute truth? This is very tough to say but I do not know it all. Really, I don’t. In fact, I truly admire it when others admit they do not have the answer but can out me in touch with someone who does. For example, about three years ago I was having a tough time with constant pain in my joints but I got to thinking that maybe I could diagnose the situation and apply a remedy on my own. So, I called Dr. Google and got to work. So many suggestions but nothing that really worked. One night, the pain was so intense, I asked Natalie to drive me to the hospital but I had to go to the bathroom first. No matter how hard I tried, I could not close my fingers on the drawstring of my pants and I had to get Natalie to pull up my pants and knot the draw sting. That was a tough one to take. Sitting on the edge of the bed in the hospital, I began to realize that I may not have the answers. This was truly humbling. The Doctor came in and started asking a bunch of questions including some about my grandparents. At the end of the discussion, the Doctor suggested it may be Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis. Never heard of it. Neither had I. The Doctor was able to narrow down the possibilities but she suggested I consult a specialist. Long story short, the Emergency Doctor referred me to a specialist who took care of the situation and my personal Doctor works with him to help me get better.
This is a
tough thing to admit but we are not perfect at all things but we can ask others
who are specialists or more knowledgeable to give us a hand. And it all works
hand in hand. There will be times where we will be asked to share our talents
or expertise to help others. Let’s consider this:
The human body has many parts,
but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some
of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But
we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the
same Spirit.
Yes, the body has many
different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of
the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the
body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an
eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body
were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would
you smell anything?
But our bodies have many
parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a
body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only
one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head
can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 Cor 12:12-21 NLT
We are all
gifted in some way and by sharing our gifts and talents with others, we can
make a difference in people’s lives and in our overall health of our society. We
all need to take a look at the world around us and find a way to contribute
wherever we can rather than seek out ways to separate from the whole and take the
ball and go home. Life is much more than being the lone wolf.
This
weekend, we welcome Singer/Songwriter Trevor Baker who will be bringing the
Message of God in word and song. We would love for you to join us either
in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.
Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship
YouTube Live – You
Tube
We look forward to seeing you this
Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
Over the years, I have had discussions with peers across numerous denominational lines and, while most of the time, these conversations have led to a common consensus; our foundational beliefs are very similar. If you compare our statements of faith, they are very close and the differences are not worth fighting over. Let me be so bold as to say this, so many arguments that happen within our own Christian faith family are because of the interpretations of theologians who had a viewpoint and people followed the teachings of a man rather than embracing the Truth of God. I know I will get a bit of a backlash but I can tell you this for certain, there is not a special place in Heaven for the Calvinists, the Wesleyans or the Lutherans just to name a few. We are all of the same Creator and it is time we embrace that truth. If you think I am way off base, please feel free to email me or even call me because I love to read the Scriptures and they are very clear. Let me reference 1 Corinthians 12 starting at verse 12:
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole
body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are
Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been
baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the
foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not
make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part
of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the
body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole
body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
Keep reading on further and you can see where the message is
this; we all need each other. There is no need to argue how to interpret
“kurios” but rather embrace the message, meditate on His Holy Word and let it
nestle itself into your heart. Once you capture the joy and love of His Word,
spread the joy and peace of the message in word and in deed throughout the
land.
Many years ago, I remember a marketing campaign for Coca
Cola that was a modification of a song by the New Seekers called “I’d Like To
Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony)”. Once I put down the lyrics, it
will be an earworm for many of you.
“I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company.
I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace throughout the land”
We need to present the Gospel in perfect harmony with all
the different denominations but we need to do so in such a way as to honour the
Body as a whole. This is not the time to declare the righteousness of the
denomination but rather proclaim the perfection of a loving and gracious God.
Truth be told, I am not the only one to think this way. United for God, one
voice for Christ.
This Sunday, we celebrate in songs of worship and do a lil’
business (our Annual General Meeting). This is a time of praising Him and
thanking our Lord for an amazing year. We would love for you to join us either
in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST.
Facebook Live - Main Ave
Fellowship
YouTube Live – You Tube
We look forward to seeing you this
Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com
I have been playing guitar and singing for about fifty years now. As a young lad growing up my favorite entertainers were Johnny Cash, Elvis, and The Beatles. Pretty much anyone my age would play guitar because of these three and a few more. We enjoy the music of our youth, and we learn to play because of the songs and the way they make us feel or think. I even had aspirations of being an entertainer, and actually co-fronted a local band for about twenty years. Then a change came about when I had my own epiphany almost twenty years ago.
I was introduced to something called worship music.
Something grabbed me by the soul one Sunday morning at a chance attendance at a
church service. There was a feel, a vibe, a washing, or something stronger than
I had felt in a long time just come over me. Songs about God were presented in
a way I had never experienced, and I was immediately hooked. Eventually I found
myself discovering songs I never knew could make grown men weak, and everyone
else raise their hands without hesitation. I was suddenly soaking up lyrics,
and melodies that took me to a place I didn’t know existed. A place of total
peace was given to me when I needed it the most.
I never knew so many songs were written about one man,
Jesus. Each one unique, yet familiar, calming, yet fresh. I am the worship
leader for Master’s Hand Ministry, and I never tire of presenting songs about
our Lord. Like many people, I have certain songs that get me to the core, where
I weep inside. I’m sure we all have those. Maybe it’s the melody, and maybe
it’s the lyrics, or both. The point is they touch us. Dr. Spencer Barclay, who
is with our worship group, is quite knowledgeable regarding the origin and
background of many songs. When he brings the details out in his “something to
think about” segments, we all leave with a greater appreciation for what we
sing than when we started. Many songs like Amazing Grace, I Can Only Imagine,
and Lord Of The Dance are deeper than most people realize. We just need to pay
attention to the messages to be amazed at what we can learn. For example, Lord
Of The Dance, a Maritime favorite by John Allan Cameron, has been around
forever, and regardless of the venue, he would have everyone clapping and
singing along. I wonder just how many knew it was about Jesus’ birth, death,
and resurrection? I could go on and on, but perhaps the reader could look into
a few of their own favorites and maybe they will discover why they are touched
the way they are.
Currently, we are not able to gather in person, but our
service messages are on-line. For now, myself, my wife, son, our pastor and her
husband sit around our kitchen table each week, singing to stay plugged in.
We’re preparing for the day when we will be able to safely gather and share
with our friends in service. We are all still amazed how sitting around with a
guitar and a coffee and a few songs of praise, can elevate our day and our
mood. This in not by chance, but by design. Only God could inspire so many songwriters
and musicians to keep His name and message alive and relevant. He never goes
out of style, and His Word is never dated. He knew what our world would be
going though these past couple of years, and He also knows what He has planned
for us Jeremiah 29:11. He knew when to grab me, and He knows what He is doing
to keep us plugged in and connected to each other, and Him. He is using this
wonderful tool known as music and song to carry us. So what’s in a song? It
could very well be the gateway to breaking a chain that’s been hold you down.
If it’s the melody, fine, and if it’s the words, even better. Either way the
rest of your life will be better by having a listen, or singing along. After
all, He loves it when we sing.
Mike Shindruk,
Master’s Hand Ministry
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Our Words Have Power’
Day 1: Proverbs 15:23 – “A person finds joy in
giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!”
Day 2: Proverbs 18:20 – “From the fruit of
their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they
are satisfied.”
Day 3: Proverbs 12:18 – “The words of the
reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Day 4: Proverbs 15:4 – “The soothing tongue is
a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Day 5: Proverbs 10:21 – “The lips of the
righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”
Day 6: Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a
honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Day 7: Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my
mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
"Perhaps you will forget the kind words you say
today, but the recipient may cherish them for a lifetime.” ~ Dale Carnegie
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘When Life Goes Sideways’
Day 1: Psalm 102:17 - PRAY – “He will respond
to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.”
Day 2: 1 John 5:14 - EXPECT – “This is the
confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his
will, he hears us.”
Day 3: Mark 11:24 - BELIEVE – “Therefore I
tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours.”
Day 4: Proverbs 3:5, 6 - 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.”
Day 5: Psalm 40:1-3 - WAIT – “I waited
patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of
the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a
firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our
God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Day 6: Hebrews 12:28 - WORSHIP – “Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and
so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…”
Day 7: Psalm 100:1-5 - REJOICE – “Shout for
joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him
with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are
his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his
name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness
continues through all generations.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
Rob and Cindy North
Rob and Cindy serve at Africa Nazarene
University (ANU), in Nairobi, Kenya – Cindy as Director of Spiritual
Development(Chaplain) and Rob as Director of University Advancement where he
has the privilege to work with volunteers, Work and Witness teams, visiting
professors and professionals coming to lend a hand at ANU. Since Oct of 2014
they have served as International Staff for ANU and have transitioned back to
missionary service through the Church of the Nazarene on 1 March 2021.
6 PM – Doors open – Coffee/dessert fellowship time. People are asked to bring cookies and squares.
6:30 PM – Missionary presentation.
The time has come for the faithful to rise up and declare their faith once again. There have been those who have denied their faith and others who followed other paths only to realize they were wrong and must now choose to, once again, make a choice. The choice is not as easy at it seems as there are many different options available. Do you choose the odds-on favourite, the road well worn, or do you jump on board with a new plan that may or may not have been your go to in the past? For some, the ever faithful, there is that thought that no matter what, I will stay the course and not deny my choice. There are also those who have jumped on and off the bandwagon so many times, you can almost predict at what point they will return. Others still, who have turned their back and will never return. No matter what you do or say, they will never change their allegiance, nor will they even listen to any reasonable argument. Tonight, the NHL playoffs started and Leaf Nation’s ranks will swell. Not what you were expecting, right?
Cheering on your favourite team is much like faith in a
religion. There are numerous religions out there and all considered, by the
faithful, to be the only one. Wars are fought over who is right, families are
split when someone “changes teams” and relationships are damaged when people
argue over silly things like which translation is correct. Here are a few tips
when it comes to choices. Respect other’s positions. You don’t have to like their
team, but you can respect their right to choose. Your team may not be the
favourite of everyone else, but you can represent with joy and humility. And
finally, when someone jumps on board, welcome them with open arms and
celebrate. There is a time when the world will all come to know what the Christian
faith family know and that is Jesus is the way, and the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6
ESV. There is, in my mind, no reason to argue or fight over differences of opinion
because one day we shall all call upon the name of the Lord.
14 When
I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the
Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I
pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner
strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will
make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down
into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you
have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long,
how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you
experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then
you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes
from God. Eph 3:14-19 Msg
In my house, we celebrate the Leafs, the Habs, the Flames
and the other Canadian teams on the road to the cup. But when it comes to faith,
I ask you to consider this.
…if serving the Lord seems
undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
This Sunday, we celebrate the message of our living Saviour.
We invite you to join us either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM. You are
invited to wear your favourite team’s paraphernalia to the service.
Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship
YouTube Live – You Tube
We look forward to seeing you this
Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com
