Ruth and I are committed to going to the Ukraine this fall.
The dates are somewhere between the middle of august to the middle of
september, for a 2 week period.

You need to pay ( or privately fund raise ) your way which is 4,000 all inclusive from
vancouver back to vancouver, which is tax deductable to the individual going.
Ruth wants to visit the widows and I want to do manual labour/construction.

Currently there are a group from Greendale Mennonite church going ( 4 to 7 )
and we would join them with Chad & Mary Martz leading the trip. (HFL staff )

MORE THAN GOLD

spending a day on my knees will be very exciting.

looking forward to a great day.

so do not bother to call or write. The phone and e-mails will take a rest for one day as well.

Venite

I have been spending the week fine tuning a pack of mediations for the Lent period which begin in the middle of February .

I was reading the passage about the feeding the of the birds, and how this is the responsiblity of our heavenly FATHER Mt 6: 26 ...yet YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them.

A small tap on my conscience, and I remembered I have a bundle of bread in the cupboard which I have not eaten this week, and Ruth being in Manitoba would have put it in the freezer, which I should feed the birds.

Every new year's the preparation is the same! LORD how can I be of use to you this year, where I know there will be sadness and rejoicing?

Charles Stanley, in this month's "In Touch Magazine" states there are 13 barometers to measure your spiritual growth.
1. a hunger to know GOD more
2. a desire to know the truth of the WORD.
3. an increasing awareness of our sinfulness
4. a quick response to sin, involving genuine repentance
5. joy in the midst of intense spiritual battle
6. understanding trials and temptations as opportunities for growth

transfixed in worship: it happened after cookies and carols!

we were packing everything into Andy's van and our car. First all the boxes from the kitchen and the sanctuary are placed at the entrance, and then after all are accounted for, the cars are then loaded for the home trip.

I was coming from the kitchen when I saw young SAM grab a nativity ornament, that was in the foyer.
My heart dropped. these are not ours.
what if he breaks it. ....but someone held me back.

then SAM cradled the carving of a shepherd in his hands and began to sing.

yesterday, at the "deeper life session" , Andy again lead us into the scriptures. Acts 13. Where the Holy spirit is at work, bringing JOY to those who came to faith. JOY and PEACE are the first things we get when we centre ourselves in CHRIST, THE RISEN AND CRUCIFIED LORD.( To bad I can't write this in bold red letters )

Thanks Andy for all the homework, and the intensity with which you want to share the truth of the gospel with us.

Looking forward to next thursday.

venite

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

Venite: Oh, come let us worship and bow down
let us kneel before the LORD, our MAKER!
For HE is our GOD,
and we are the people of HIS PASTURE,
and the sheep of HIS HAND.

Psalm 95: 6

no wonder our calendars daily state the key date: CHRIST WAS BORN! ,,,,,,over 2000 years ago, GOD so loved the world that HE sent HIS ONLY SON, for us, WOW!

THANK-YOU LORD FOR ETERNAL LIFE!
THANK-YOU LORD FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO US!
THANK-YOU LORD FOR YOU GENEROSITY!
THANK-YOU LORD, FOR A CHURCH FAMILY!

Psalm 145: I will extol you MY GOD, O KING!
AND I WILL BLESS YOUR NAME FOREVER AND EVER.

The opening line of the psalm reminds us of the words of Thomas.

v18....The LORD is near to all those who call upon HIM
all who call upon HIM in truth!

My mouth shall speak of the praise of the LORD,
and all flesh shall bless HIS HOLY NAME.
forever and forever.

song: Nearer MY GOD to THEE, Nearer to THEE,
even though it be a cross that raiseth THEE,
still my song shall be,
Nearer MY GOD to THEE!

venite

in jewish tradition, only non-leavened bread is served at passover.

why is it striped and full of holes you ask: tradition
why are there 3 pieces of bread placed within a linen pocket: tradition
why is the middle bread broken in half: tradition
why is the middle broken half hidden: tradition

if you ever have a chance to partake of a passover service in the jewish tradition your eyes will be opened,
in that tradition speaks of JESUS.

Question: IF....one prophecy written down over 400 years ago were fulfilled in JESUS, would you believe?

the beginning of the best "GOOD FRIDAY"
AND IT COULD NOT BE ANY GOODER! (better)
as a human being, nothing could be better than eternal life, away from all this earthly sin and shame.
the focus is on the PRAISE OF OUR SAVIOUR, AND HIS EXTREME KINDNESS TO US.

Q: IF... I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of CHRIST. Gal 1: 10

Paul uses the term "Bond Servant", one who has chosen to serve JESUS CHRIST.
100% SOLD OUT
110% effort
leaving no stone unturned to serve,
leaving all sins that so easily ensnare, behInd
walking IN THE LIGHT!
with thanksgiving on every breath,