Clergy & Chemo

This is a season filled with clergy and chemo duties. Friday and Saturday were spent preparing and celebrating with Chad and Charla. Charla has been a friend of ours for a long time, she was a doula at both our kid's births (saved my bacon at Ruby's birth), and has been the best tenant one could ask for (she's put up with our kids stomping around upstairs for over five years). Watching Charla and Chad grow in their love for one another has been awesome. Officiating their wedding was quite simply a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, I officiate a funeral for Diane's mom in Chilliwack. I always find funerals difficult and inspiring. My perspective and faith is always enhanced by remembering the life of a loved one.

I was very glad last night that I listened to Angela. A couple weeks ago she saw that my calendar had a wedding, Sunday sermon, and funeral back to back. She said, "you're crazy, get someone else to do that." So, I asked Isaac to take the sermon. I experienced fruit of her wisdom last night when I laid down to sleep and realized that I had a moment to breathe. Special thanks to Isaac for serving us so well. He opened the building this morning, vacuumed the foyer, played bass, and preached!

This week is also filled with medical treatments. We go to the Vancouver Cancer Agency on Tuesday, have fluid draining at Abbotsford Hospital on Wednesday, and then chemo on Thursday at the Abbotsford Cancer Agency. We're taking out one of the three chemo drugs this round as it is the least effective and causes the most side effects. We hope this will result in less fatigue and nausea. The two remaining chemo drugs are also supposed to help slow down the fluid build-up.

We have been so blessed by everyone's love and support. Thank you for your love and prayers.

  

Calgary Bound

Things have continued at a fast pace, but there has been a peace through it all. Angela and I are gearing up for her surgery in Calgary next Thursday. We head out this Sunday afternoon.

We had a potluck dinner with our Church Elders last night. It was really nice to take a break and enjoy a meal for once. Dave shared something that was on his heart... to start asking others the question, "What can I do for you?" It's one of those questions that we like to ask, but at the same time hope others don't take us up on it. This really resonated with me not only personally, but for us as a Church. Over the next few years we will need to begin asking this question a whole lot more... I think this is what many Churches (including ours at times) have stopped asking others. Our Church needs to be known more for what we do for others than what we do for ourselves. Our Elders also prayed for Angela, our family, and our Church in earthly and heavenly languages. It was an encouraging time.

I'm looking forward to being with our Church family this Sunday. We've missed the last two gatherings and we'll be missing the next few as well. Some people find "going" to Church every week an obligation, but it is the highlight of my week. I love singing songs of praise, sharing in the Word, and knowing the testimony and beauty of God's purposes for all who gather.

I will be away for most of October so Pastor Dave will be our interim pastor for the month. He and our Elders will be available to bring pastoral care and leadership to our Church.  They already provide the majority of care to our Church family, so I don't think it will feel any different.

In other news, I have been eating healthy for five weeks (except a Triple O burger last Friday and our Elders dinner last night). I have lost 23 pounds and have appreciated an increase in health (no heartburn and more energy) and greater maturity in learning better self-discipline. In the months to come I will continue to eat healthy and add more exercise.

Last weekend, Angela and I went up to Rockridge Canyon for PLBC's annual Fall Retreat (see above photo). It was a great weekend filled with praise, ministry, rest, and relationship building. We also had three Parksiders serve on our volunteer work crew: Dave, Raelyne, and Faith. They scrubbed pots, prepped meals, and cleaned up. Isaac was the Retreat's "Minister of Fun" leading great group activities to foster fun and community. All of our Parksiders served smashingly well... great attitudes, great work ethic, and great skill.

I will keep you updated through this blog while we are away in Calgary so you can be aware and know how to pray. We appreciate your prayers so much... it's the most practical thing you can do for us.

Summer is Over

Is anyone else glad that summer is over? I love the fall. I like perfect temperature days, crisp evenings, and routine. However, looking into the future, not much about this fall will be routine for us. Ruby starts kindergarten and soccer. Charlie starts "hockey" lessons. Angela's surgery in Calgary will happen most likely on October 12th. And I'm on a not-so-fun diet! All new things for us.

The summer has flown by and as always I make the mistake of setting too many goals. I was supposed to have a bathroom reno done, trim painted, and a number of work projects all wrapped up. Oh well... next summer.

I really enjoyed Isaac's message today. He challenged us by Paul's example in Acts 27 to be people who take our experience and openness to the Spirit's leading so that we might bring hope into real life situations. We also began our Acts Challenge today (www.parksidechurch.ca/acts) and hope that many of our Church family respond.

It was great having Tony back from holidays and leading us in worship. A friend of his ripped it up on bass and the drummer was particularly handsome today (you're welcome, Vince).

I read Acts 1 today and was struck by the humorous picture painted in verses 9-11. So often we spend our time calling out to God, looking to Him, wondering what He's going to do next, but God simply wants us to be obedient with what He's asked us to do right now. Let the rest happen as God determines. I think this might add to some theological truth in the expression, "so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good."  However, there is also an aspect to that expression that makes it entirely incorrect.

After our service today, we raced home and ate ants-on-a-log then drove into Surrey for some errands for the College. Costco was packed with lazy shoppers. I could write a book about the way in which people become totally detached from their surroundings when they get behind a grocery cart. I bought one of those big sirloins to cut into steaks for a student leadership dinner at the College tomorrow... I can taste it now.

This week will be crazy at the College. It's our Orientation Week which means it's simply one big event after the other. Lots of logistics and a lot of fun. On Saturday we're heading over to the Island for a short trip. My home Church, Northgate Foursquare Church in Courtenay, is having its 75th Anniversary on Sunday and I'm looking forward to being a part of the celebration. I have so many good memories from my 18 years spent growing up in that Church family. Much of who I am today and the love I have for Christ and His Church was founded and shaped in this Church family.

I hope you have a great week as you bring the hope you have in Christ into the real life situations you will face.
 

32 Years And I Still Love Church

I've been "going" to Church for 32 years and I still look forward to Sunday morning. We aren't a perfect Church. We have some things out of balance; some things are overly religious and others are underly religious.  Perhaps its because I don't "go" to Church, I am a part of the Church.  Church is my family and I am an active part of her success and failures.  There are highs and lows, but because of my love for Christ and His love for the Church, I am committed.  The act of committing to Church is very much like committing to marriage or to raising a family.  No doubt there are struggles, but because of the commitment we persevere and a bond is built.  The bond creates an environment for real love and delight unlike any other.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to find a Church close to your home that holds good doctrine (at the very least, on the essentials) and lay down roots.  Open your life and heart, serve and give, love and hope together.  There's not doubt that at some point you will get hurt (just as in marriage/family), but perhaps that's the only way you'll learn the power of Christ's forgiveness and the depth of His grace.  I don't say that to excuse people/behaviour that harm/abuse others.  I say that to give you a clear picture that it's not just in the receiving of grace that we grow in Christ, but that we usually grow more when we learn to extend it others.

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I hope all is well in your world.  We've been enjoying the nice weather and not enjoying having to say goodbye to my sister and brother-in-law (they are moving to Vegreville, AB... home of the giant Pysanka Egg).  They had a garage sale the other day and Ruby set-up a lemonade and cookie stand.  She's started to raise funds so that she can send some Operation Christmas Child boxes to kids this Christmas. Her cookies and lemonade brought in $50.

Last night I made Angela watch "The Last Air Bender" with me.  It was pretty dumb, but I liked how the story was based on a Stoic philosophy (something I have been reading about the last two weeks).  Ang fell asleep half way through and I caught myself nodding off a time or two.

As mentioned in my sermon today we starting a new plan of memorizing Scripture at the Nelson house.  We are going to memorize one verse a month as a family.  Every dinner and at bedtime (and probably at a few other times through out the day) we will read and recite together.  We start tonight with Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”


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I hope you have a great week filled with many opportunities to respond and engage the Good News of Jesus.  Thank you for being such an awesome Church family!

Monday Morning Thoughts

Had a fantastic weekend. I spent Saturday observing the honouring of a few people.  Sharon Ens (mother of Christy W.) is now with Jesus and we got to celebrate the Good News of Jesus by the reality that death is simply a promotion to an eternity with our Creator and Savior.

On Saturday night, the Lambert's celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family. What was cool about this celebration is that the celebration centered on the grace and power of Jesus in their marriage, not on their ability or self-righteousness. Their testimony of the change Jesus brought to their lives and marriage is simply awesome!

We had a great gathering on Sunday morning. The Humphrey's welcomed and served us with breakfast, Chad lead us in worship, and Dave blessed us through the Word. I got to serve our Grade 4-6 students in Sunday School and the opportunity blessed me so much.  It had been too long since I got to serve Jesus in this way. I enticed my class with a $5 reward for each one that comes to me next Sunday and recites their memory verse. They thought I was crazy, but I'd be crazy not to take the resources God has given me and invest it in them for their blessing and the blessing of others. I hope to have an empty wallet this Sunday.

Sunday afternoon we went over to the Friesen's for a bonfire. It was nice to relax around the fire, chat about various things, and watch some of the skinnier guys try to climb on Jon's stucco. The kids rode bikes and played road hockey. I hate how busyness and life circumstances sometimes creates great gaps in time between meeting up with good friends.

Towards the end of last week we got news back from Angela's last CT scan. The scan reported that there wasn't any sign of new cancerous growth. We are pretty excited about that news. Tomorrow, Angela goes in for a stomach scope, which is the most accurate test. Her stomach is 'ground zero' for the cancer and the scoping tool should be able to take a tissue sample for biopsy. The doctors consider the situation hopeless, but we are asking God to do the "impossible".

My mom sent me this verse this morning and I was encouraged by it, "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." (Psalm 112:7).  No one but God knows what this week will hold.  No one but God is worthy of my complete trust.  To Him, I give my life, my wife, my family, and this week.  Through Jesus, the best is always yet to come!

My Happiest Place on Earth

We just returned from a pretty amazing trip to Disneyland.  Angela enjoyed many special moments, our kids were in awe, and I restrained myself to only eating four churos!  We experienced some magical moments alongside some very real meltdowns (a couple by me).  All in all, it was a great trip... one for the history books.  We were spoiled like crazy with VIP status throughout our entire stay which gave us access to the front of every line and reserved seating at all the big shows.  We were met at the airport and returned promptly by the Williams', Patti, and Kelly (our new and gracious SoCal friends).  On top of that, friends and family blessed us with gifts that allowed us to do the entire trip for free.  I'm normally a scrooge, but the purse strings were open on this trip.  We stayed in the premier hotel which allowed us to simply walk right into the park and easily return for naps and breaks.  We are still a bit overwhelmed with all of the love and perks we received!

All of that being said, what I am most looking forward to is our gathering this Sunday.  Call me crazy, but the happiest place on Earth for me takes place with our Church family every Sunday morning at 10:00am.  I struggle to find words to describe the joy and hope that fills my life when we gather together.  I love seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. I love knowing what good things have happened in our lives during the week and then together raising our hands in worship and gratitude.  My faith is strengthened when I see a loved one going through a difficult time and then joining with their Church family to worship, pray, and support one another.  I love seeing the little kids running around before, after, and sometimes, during ;) our gathering.  I love that we get to sing songs of our faith, words of praise, and posture our lives with a heart of worship.  I love that we take time to catch-up, pray, cry, and laugh together.  I love the moment that we open God's Word together... this moment always humbles me as I think, "Wow! All of these people got up on a sunny Sunday morning to surrender to God through His Son, His Spirit, His Word, and His Church!  We could be sleeping in, going to the lake, cooking a big breakfast, or heading up the slopes, but God has our heart and He wants to speak to us today!"  I love the sense of family and community that is experienced.  I love the way that God works through us in the formal and informal ways of our gathering.  Sunday morning really is the highlight of my week.  I've missed the last two and I can't wait for this one!

The thing that has helped fill a bit of the void created by my absence from our Church family on Sundays has been facebook.  It sounds weird to say, but our Church facebook group has given me a connection through out the week to our Church family.  It has helped me stay up to date on the lives of our Church family, informed me of prayer requests, given me things to praise God for, strengthened my patience when Jim or Chris post six of the same things :),  and encouraged me through others sharing what God has been speaking to them.  I was really encouraged by Val's journey this week as shared in our facebook group.  I was also encouraged by a scripture that Elisa posted on her own wall.  Thank you to everyone who is a part of this group.  Thank you for patience when sometimes it feels like you're being spammed.  Thank you for supporting one another through out the week with your encouragement, input, and support.  Thank you for taking it from the virtual world and applying it in the real world through prayer, physical help, and face-to-face support (still very much needed in life).

I hope I get to see you this Sunday.  I am eagerly anticipating our gathering.

God is Stirring the Pot

I've been listening/watching to the online streaming of the US Foursquare Church Convention called Connect and have been very encouraged.  I find God's grace and providence amazing as the US Foursquare Church has been focusing on Acts since January and I wasn't even aware.  Connect has been the fruit and the discussion place for the result of pastors reading and teaching acts for the last five months.

There is something stirring in my heart that began before reading/studying/teaching Acts, but has grown during our early stages of our journey through Acts, and Connect has thrown more gas on to the fire.  I believe that over the next couple years we are going to experience a significant amount of changes/correction/calling/centering.  I don't move fast, but each step is strong and steady.

God has put us together, the ingredients (you and me [our time/talents/money/heart/experience]), and he is stirring to unite us into a recipe that can be enjoyed by our community and world... it's called the Church (the complete expression and manifestation of the wisdom of God) and by His power and presence He will build His Church and the gates of Hell will not withstand our advance.

A video that helps communicate some of the thoughts that are stirring in my heart can be seen below:

This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

Road Rally & Garage Sale

Wow! What a day.  We had a ton of stuff to sell this morning at the garage sale and then a ton of fun at the Road Rally.  The Clark's did a great job as always organizing the sale!

Nelson Nation (Me, Ruby, Silas, and Christian) came 9th (out of 10 teams).  We got bombarded twice by hooligans loaded with toilet paper, silly string, dish soap, toothpaste, and bubble gum ice cream.

Below are some photos from the day...

Friday Mashup

Funerals always get me pumped!  Yesterday, I attended Don Mundy's (Lynn Beisel's dad) memorial service.  I had never met the man, but I left inspired, challenged, humbled, and focused.  He was a great man because of the way Jesus had changed his life and the way in which he then followed Jesus into his family, friends, and community.  I heard the descriptive phrase, "He gave to a fault" four times during the service... yet, I bet if we had the chance to ask him now from his clearer view of Jesus, Don would have even given more!  It makes me ask the question, am I living with the temporary in focus or eternity?

After the funeral I returned to the Church office and saw Mr. & Mrs. Deer (see above). My first thought was, "mmmmm..... deer sausage!"

Last night I met with some of our ministry leaders and was encouraged with their updates.  Our Church is blessed to have men and women who sincerely love Jesus and then give of their talents and time to lead others back to the treasure they have found in Christ.  We spent some time debriefing on past events, planning for the Summer, and praying for one another and our Church.

Today, I'll be attending a couple meetings, studying for Sunday, praying for the Skatin team (Calvin Williams and crew are doing a weekend trip), and then preparing mentally for tomorrow's Road Rally.

Tomorrow, I'll pop by the Garage Sale to bless someone with my junk from our garage.  Then it's off to compete in the Road Rally.

This Sunday we continue in Acts... every week I get more and more pumped to study Acts and share it with our Church family.   I'm also pretty excited to see this Sunday's Newsletter... it's a good blue colour and features a picture of our latest missions team who recently returned from their ministry in the slums of BC. :)

Have a great weekend and I hope to see you Saturday and Sunday!

Monday Morning Thoughts

Happy Victoria Day!  I don't know how you'll celebrate the late Queen's birthday, but I'll be heading over to the Church to finish some of the landscaping ties at the front entrance and then over to Richmond for dinner at the in-laws.

We had a great service yesterday.  About half the Church was away on a field trip where they experienced a foretaste of the destiny of those that don't know Jesus.  On a more serious note, Tony lead worship with just an acoustic guitar and it was fantastic.  I love Tony's heart because he reflects the grace and love of Jesus.  Val and Lois gave an update on Shaela Warkentin (she goes in for surgery on Thursday at UCLA to see if they recover any amount of site in her one eye) and then we prayed for her.  To find out more about Shaela go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shaela.  We then looked at Acts 2:1-13 and saw the miracle that is the gift of the Holy Spirit... to know that God would dwell within us is an honour, blessing, and awesome responsibility.

Sunday afternoon we had the Friesen's over to watch the Canucks game.  They brought us Wendy's so it was quick and easy.  The game had a great outcome, although I wish the ref's would just let both teams play!  The last two games have been atrocious officiating (on both sides).

Last night we had our neighbours over for a wiener roast in the backyard (that's my kind of camping).  It was great to catch up with them and share life.  I then went over to their house and helped them move a couple couches.  On the way back I noticed that someone driving by our house through a large packet of mustard out their window and some of it splattered on my car.  So, out came the hose and I prayed for the punk that did it.

This week, I have a few meetings, work at the College, garage sale, and road rally!  It will be a busy and fun week.  I hope you have a good week and that you make time to be with Jesus (it's the most efficient use of our time).

  

Prayer Focus This Week

Church Family

• Shaela Warkentin (that her sight would be renewed and she would adjust well to being at home)
• Zain Krikau (improved Health)
• A friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia
• Jim Moses (recovering, but still in need of a lot of healing especially in his leg/foot, heart, and lungs.)
• Two families that have faced to loss of a loved one.

Foursquare Family

• Northgate Foursquare Church (Campbell River, BC); Campus Pastor Matt Delblanc.

Other Churches

• Mission Hills Community Church (Mission, BC)

Our Community & World

• Mayor James Atebe & Council
• Slave Lake residents and town
• Flood and tornado areas in US and Canada
• BC & Canada
• Nations of Libya, Syria, and Iran

Look Who Blew Into Town!

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 3)
Great Expectations (Acts 2:1-13)
May 22-28, 2011 

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.  

STUDY
Read Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. 

DISCUSS
What is it about the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost is encouraging to you?  Have you been amazed and perplexed lately by the power of the Spirit?  If not, why not?  How do you handle rejection by others.

LIVE
Take time this week to get together with other Christians and pray.  It could be in your family, your small group, or a group of friends.  Simply wait upon the Lord for direction by His Spirit.  If the Spirit leads you to pray for certain people or situations, do that.  If the Spirit leads you to certain actions, follow up on them.  Doing something like this may be new and scary to you, but it will result in the life you created to live.
  

Camping Hate & Friday Mashup

Love this time of year!  There's a whisper in the air that is filled great expectations of summer.  The sun is out and the temperature is perfect.  If the weather were like this all summer, my productivity would double.  Unfortunately, it will get get hot and I shut down in the heat.

Not only do I not like heat, but I don't like camping.  One of the worst feelings is waking up in a tent that is either damp or baking (if you've ever slept in a tent at Creation in George, WA you know what I mean).  Combine the humidity or heat with a horrible sleeping surface (either a little foamy, blow-up mattress [that always deflates at 4:00am], or nothing) and you've got a "great" start to the day.  To make matters worse, you not only planned for this experience, but you used up holidays/weekends, and you paid for it!

"That's why we got a travel trailer!" You reply proudly.  To which I reply, "Yeah... you paid $5,000 - $50,000 for the honour of having a depreciating trailer park in your driveway for 359 days of the year... sign me up!"

You can obviously tell that I dislike camping.  If you know me well, you also know that I hate lineups and crowds.  That's why I don't understand people that go camping on long weekends.  It's the perfect storm.  That's why this weekend you'll find me smiling from ear to ear... I'll be thinking of those poor suckers who are stuck somewhere between Hope and the Port Mann at 5:00pm this Monday evening.  I'll be thinking of those people with aches in their back.  I'll be thinking of those people who have to spend Monday evening repacking a tent, wiping out coolers, throwing loads of clothes into the washer, and putting cream on their sunburns.  The smart ones will sleep in their own beds this weekend :)

I find a lot of people that love camping, love it because they get to get away from their life... they get to escape.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to escape my life.  My life is ordered by God and I wouldn't trade it for anything... especially camping.

Anyways... today I'm working at the Church office and will mow the lawn (love it!).  Tonight is Canucks!  Tomorrow is yard work and errands!!  Sunday will be Church and puttering.  Monday will be yard work at the Church and then a family dinner.

I hope you have a great weekend.  If you are going camping, I hope you have a great time (I really do) and I admire your ability to consider it pure joy when you bring trials on yourself. :)
 

"Monday Morning" Thoughts

I survived!  Both kids are alive after a weekend alone with their dad.  Angela even came home to a clean house!  I was able to vacuum, sweep, clean-up the garage, eat through leftovers (I'm usually a leftover snob), and build a garden bed.  I honestly don't write that to brag, because I am so far from being a perfect Dad or husband.  There is nothing in and of myself that would ever do those things... it's only by the grace of God and and His grace extended through Angela.  So, I brag about the work of the cross in me, as I (slowly) transform into Christ's likeness by His power and grace.

Dairn preached a great sermon yesterday on the grace of God.  It felt like everyone released a collective sigh as Dairn explained the good of the Good News.  The sigh came when He explained that salvation isn't earned, but that it is a gift for anyone who simply dies to self.  When we lay down our life for Christ, we share in His death AND His resurrection!  Even today in our Church and culture it is easy for us to think that we have to do certain things to win God's favour, but His favour is found in and through Jesus (His work, not ours!).  When we get that, it changes how we live.  Our faith no longer becomes burdensome or filled with guilt and shame, but it comes with an amazing freedom and life.  I still don't think the majority of Christians even really believe the Good News, because our actions and attitudes usually say that we are striving to earn His favour.

Yesterday afternoon Ruby and I watched The Wiggles in "Wiggle Bay"... wow, is that ever painful.  Later, I got to go watch the game at Mission Springs with some friends... that was much better.

Sunday ended up much better than it started.  I was up between 2:00am and 4:00am with Charlie (he thought it was 9:00am).  I remember at one point in the night praying, "Lord, you shut the mouths of lions, please shut the mouth of my son."  He was crying up a storm.  At one point I brought him into my bed where he proceeded to poke my face and say, "Hi, dada!" over and over.

This week, I've got a few meetings and will be preparing Sunday's message.  If you didn't create an opportunity to wait on the Spirit this week, please make time to do so this week.  It will be the best use of your time.

Prayer Focus This Week

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (that her sight would be renewed and she would adjust well to being at home); Zain Krikau (improved Health); a friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia; Jim Moses (on life support after a major heart attack and it looks like he'll lose his leg); Mission Hills Community Church (Mission, BC); Northgate Foursquare Church (Gold River, BC).

Friday Mashup

Having the sun out is great!  It's perfect weather right now.  Although with the weather comes mowing the lawn.  It seemed like the grass grew about 6" this week.  I mowed my lawn last night and I plan to mow the Church lawn this afternoon.

You'll notice in this Sunday's Newsletter that the Mission Foursquare Lawn & Garden Society is now processing applications for new members.  New members will get to ride a lawn mower, weed whack, weed, and trim.  I know it sounds crazy, but yardwork is probably my favourite thing to do.  If you gave me the choice between a week in Hawaii and a week in my yard, I would choose the yard every time.

I haven't got a chance to build my garden boxes in my back yard, but I hope to pull it off while watching Charlie and Ruby tomorrow.  Angela is away this weekend with a bunch of ladies from our Church in Whistler.  I hope they have a fantastic time (and that they're home in time for me watch the game in peace and quiet).

I hope you have a great weekend and that I get to see you Sunday!

 

Update on Shaela Warkentin

Even though Shaela lives in California our Church has a very close connection to her.... Shaela's Grandma, Aunt and Uncle, and cousins attend our Church.  I've met Shaela a couple times on family visits to Mission and she is a great girl!

We have been praying for her constantly (and will continue to do so) since the car crash.  Her faith is inspiring as you can see in the following clip:

Monday Morning Thoughts

How was your Mother's Day?  The photo above is a picture of the moms in my life.  I always feel for Angela on these days because I am out the door early and don't get to do the traditional stuff with the family.  However, we are working towards changing the way things are done within our Church so that Sunday morning service prep doesn't land fully on my shoulders.  Having one person do the same thing over and over is not healthy or sustainable.  At our Church we don't use people to get the job done, we use the job to get the people done.

I thought yesterday's service was good.  Karin did a great job of leading us in worship.  A few of the lines from some of the songs that we sung are still rolling around in my mind... "And we can see that, God, You're moving.  A mighty river through the nations.  When young and old return to Jesus. Fling wide, you heavenly gates.  Prepare the way of the risen Lord."  I think it's reflective and prophetic of where we are and where we are going.

I thought the words I shared yesterday were a bit boring at times (in their presentation), but Angela liked it, so that's a great thing in my mind.  I've posted the message online at http://www.missionfoursquare.com/index.php/resources/sermons.html.

On Saturday I enjoyed a nice lunch with Jim & Karin Olsen.  I always find my time spent with them encouraging and inspiring.  They are a modern day Brady Brunch and their lives testify to God's faithfulness, generosity, redemption, and blessing.  We went over some details for the upcoming Road Rally and a few other events.  Our Church family is blessed to have them!

After lunch, we headed to a one year old's birthday party and it was a lot of fun (really).  The food and punch was good.  Good conversations took place and the Canucks game was on in the background.

I was a bit moody on Saturday night at the end of the Canucks game (they lost).  I don't know why, but whenever people come in the room and say, "ohhh... they're not doing very well." it irks me.  Casual fans bug me... but I'm working on learning to love even them.

After Church, I picked up Subway and brought it home and we had a relaxing afternoon.  My sister and bro-in-law came over for hamburgers.  The food was good and the company was even better.

This week, I've got a few things on the go... working at the College, building some raised garden beds for Angela and the kids to plant some vegetables, a few meetings, watching the kids while Angela's away at the women's weekend, and some gardening.

I'm looking forward to next Sunday as we have a guest speaker, Dairn Peters (Associate Pastor at Kingsway Foursquare Church in Burnaby).  I hope you have a great week being open to the Spirit's leading and empowering!

Prayer Focus This Week

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (that her sight would be renewed); Zain Krikau (improved Health); a friend of someone in our Church that is fighting leukemia; Jim Moses (on life support after a major heart attack); Mission Evangelical Free Church (Mission, BC); Sri Lankan Foursquare Christian Assembly (St. Laurent, QC).

Great Expectations

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 2)
Great Expectations (Acts 1:9-26)
May 8-14, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 1; Matthew 28:16-20.

DISCUSS
What do you do when you are waiting for the Lord for direction?  What did the early followers of Christ do?  What crosses your mind when you hear that the Church started with 120 followers?

LIVE
Take time this week to get together with other Christians and pray.  It could be in your family, your small group, or a group of friends.  Simply wait upon the Lord for direction by His Spirit.  If the Spirit leads you to pray for certain people or situations, do that.  If the Spirit leads you to certain actions, follow up on them.  Doing something like this may be new and scary to you, but it will result in the life you created to live.