PASTOR'S CORNER

After church this morning I began to think about what Christmas really means to me. Its not about how busy malls get, grocery stores, streets and highways, the stress of family, and bitterness because you didn't get that parking spot at the store, its not even about giving and receiving gifts. Its all about Him and His wonderful story of redemption . Born in a filthy barn, born into poverty, wrapped in burial clothes, mocked and put on a tree and shed His blood for my sin your sin. I may sound naive but shouldn't this make us sing for joy? Shouldn't this make us praise Him every minute of every day? Shouldn't His desires be our desires? He came and died so that I could live again. We should screaming from the tops of our lungs in praise and thanksgiving. Here are 10 things I'm truly thankful for this Christmas Season its not an exhausted list, its my list. 1. I'm thankful for the Lord of all creation (Psalms 145) 2. I'm thankful for Lord Jesus Christ (I...

What is the Perfect Gift for this Christmas Season? The Answer is simple the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus said (John 3:16-18) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God . Jesus also said (John 14:6) “... I'AM the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” His love for mankind is so great, He said (John 15:13) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. When you celebrate Christmas in a couple of weeks understand one thing. The person JESUS CHRIST came in the fullness of time to lay down His life for s...

Rick Warren a man who claims to be a pastor. Rick Warren a man who claims to be a pastor with the opportunity to proclaim the wonderful gospel of our Lord and Savior. I don't want to wreck it for you, but he fails once again to proclaim the Biblical Jesus. I'm starting to think like my pastor friend Trevor Peck, that Rick Warren doesn't really know what the gospel is. Have I said that he claims to be a pastor! Please pray for Rick because the real reason for Christimas is found in Isaiah 53. He came to die because somebody had to pay our penalty . Its called SIN . He is not our buddy He is not our cosmic bunny He is not a genie in a bottle He is not a get out of jail free card He is not to be returned in 60 days day He did not come so I could open Him up on Christmas morning He is not to be sold back because you don't like Him as a gift He came to please and to do His Fathers will, and to bring Him GLORY And most of all He came to bare the wrath of the Father for ...

A friend of mine gave this to me one day at work. I thought I would share it with you, because I love cell phones. NOT!.. This unknown writer asks a series of question about what would happen if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phones? 1. What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? 2. What if we flipped through it several times a day? 3. What if we used it to receive messages from the text? 4. What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? 5. What if we gave it to others as a gift? 6. What if we used it when we travelled? 7. What if we used it in case of emergency? He finishes it off by saying "unlike our cell phones, we don;t have to worry about our Bibles being disconnected because Jesus has already paid the bill, and there is no dropped calls." If we examined our cell phone use to those questions by that unknown writer. We would probably feel shameful to our wasted time. We as Christians need to set our priorities and what do we hold as...

We MUST Go. God commands us to! What is Evangelism? lit., "a messenger of good" (comes from the Greek word “angelos”, "a angel or messenger"), denotes a preacher of the Gospel," (1 Cor 1:17) We are to be Witnesses. This comes from the Greek word “martur”. This is a person who is a witness in life, and by death. From which we get the English word “martyr”. A witness is one who has heard, seen, experienced, and knows the truth of a person or event. (example I John 1:1-5). Why do we evangelize? Here are 10 reasons why we must evangelize this lost and broken World 1. The Bible clearly teaches it. (Mark 16:15-17) 2. God clearly practiced it. (Matt 28:18-20) 3. Jesus clearly practiced it. (John 3 & John 4) 4. The Holy Spirit clearly gives us the ability to proclaim it. (1 Cor 2:1-8); (John 14:26) 5. The Gospel clearly calls for it. (Gal 1:1-11); (1 Cor 1:13-17) 6. The apostles clearly lived it. (Gal 2:20); (Acts 2:14:24); (Phil 4:9) 7. The world clearly needs...

How much emphasis do you put on Prayer? Is it your desire to pray to a holy God? Or do you say 'I don't really know and don't really see the importance of it". My brothers and sisters prayer is our every day breath. This is how we communicate to our sovereign God. We must stop holding our breath when it comes to the matter of Prayer. Ask yourself : How long can you hold your breath? 5 seconds, 30 seconds, maybe 2 minutes. The Bible says we must continue, never ceasing, always praying. Prayer is of the utmost importance. If you are not praying, you are not living. John Piper says " if you do not love to pray, you do not love God". Our souls and the souls of others depend on this one privilege that the Lord has given through His Son's finishing work on the Cross. The veil is torn we must enter in . Here are 5 Truths to Help Us when it comes to the Matter of Prayer . Before we begin listen to what John Bunyan wrote about the significance of prayer for the b...

I heard Todd Friel on the way home reading this and I thought to myself. Thanks alot John for showing how rotten I really am. Read this and ask yourself. IS this you? because if it isn't, your lying to yourself. IT'S reallyYOU and ME. How I Approach God When Feeling Rotten November 17, 2008 By: John Piper Category: Commentary A vague bad feeling that you are a crummy person is not the same as conviction for sin. Feeling rotten is not the same as repentance. This morning I began to pray, and felt unworthy to be talking to the Creator of the universe. It was a vague sense of unworthiness. So I told him so. Now what? Nothing changed until I began to get specific about my sins. Crummy feelings can be useful if they lead to conviction for sins. Vague feelings of being a bad person are not very helpful. The fog of unworthiness needs to take shape into clear dark pillars of disobedience. Then you can point to them and repent and ask for forgiveness and take aim to blow them up. So...

In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

".... Abba Father" I sometimes wonder, and ponder the thought if people realize how important the Spirit of God is to the Believers conversion and life. Do we down play the importance of the Spirit? Do we belittle the Sovererign power of the third person of the Trinity? Do we forget the Spirit lives within us? Do we forget the love the Spirit had to draw us to the Father? Do we forget that the Spirit protects us from the evil that lurks around us? Paul said toTitus in his letter 3:4-7 " But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Paul also said in Rom 8:9-18 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit , ...

(Gen 3:1-15) I want to tell you about my Jesus? The Jesus who is the love of my life. But I can not tell you about Him until I tell you why I love Him so much. We need to go back in time and look at a certain man, a certain place in history were things were beautiful and innocent. I want to tell you about a place that at one time was the most beautiful place to the LORD God than anything He created 1. It was a place of special interest 2. It was a place of extra care and concern 3. It was a place of the bird’s singing and praising Him 4. It was a place were animals roamed around together 5. It was a place of peace and harmony 6. It was a place full of beautiful trees, and plant life 7. It was a place that flowed out 4 rivers 8. It was a place were God poured super abundantly in a special way 9. It was a place where 2 important and special trees were located 10. It was the place were man was created It’s a place called Eden, known as "the Garden of Eden". The LORD God plante...

Do you ever read the scriptures, and find when you get done reading the passage you just read that it hits you right between the eyes? That happened to me last night. I've been reading through the book of Matthew, and I came to chapter 20 where Jesus speaks of a man who hires labourers to tend to his vineyard. He hired some first thing in the morning, and more throughout the day. At the end of the day, Jesus says, the man paid everyone according to his (the landowner's) goodness. This is the part of the parable that hit me in the face, because the men that were hired in the morning agreed to work for a denarius (a days wage) and the others agreed to whatever the owner wanted to give them at the end of the day. Which, if you continue to read, we see that the owner gives them ALL a days wage. "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' And when those cam...

When the Christian seeks his or her own interest, their is one question they needed to ask themselves. Do I really understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The Bible says " Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross " (Phil 2:4-8). If our Lord Jesus humbled Himself to become sin for us, and bare the wrath of the Father. Shouldn't we be seeking the interest of others for the Kingdom of God? Do we care about those who are perishing into a Christ-less eternity. Isn't it our duty and previlege to taking up our cross, because "... for me to die is gain...

What a wondeful time at camp in Nova Scotia. Please pray for these young ones as they go back to their homes. My family and I were blessed last week to be a part of these young ones lives. Camp taught me many life lessons about myself and the importance of teaching children holy living. I was absolutely amazed that these young kids paid close attention twice a day for 6 days, even when they were over tired or had plans after chapel time. ITS ONLY by His grace that the soul knows very well, its only by the power of the Word, as the Hebrew writer says (Heb 4:12-16). All glory belongs to God for His mighty power through His Word. This is something that school can never prepare you for, because this is real life where real people have real needs and concerns, I will never forget this special time in my life that I spent with my family as I continue to wait and prepare for full time ministry.

Walking, Not Just Talking (By John MacArthur) If we really believe the objective, rationally-understood truth of Scripture is both authoritative and incompatible with error — since the Bible is the singular Word of the living God — we must not only study and teach it; we must live it, too. It is not enough to give lip service. If we genuinely believe the Bible is divine truth, we must allow it to permeate our life and ministry. To live otherwise is tantamount to denying the truth. People who think otherwise may “profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). Ezra, the high priest in Nehemiah’s time, is the prototype of what every godly minister ought to be. “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10, emphasis added). I learned this lesson from my father, who as a lifelong pastor has been my model of integrity, as w...

Their are 6 vital items the believer MUST put on every single minute of every single day. We need these items so that we can face the days trials and temptations. You can find these items in Ephesians chapter 6. 1. The Belt 2. The Breastplate 3. The shoes 4. The Shield 5. The Helmet 6. The Sword My question to you is this: Have you put on the whole armor of God today? The Bible says our duty as Soldiers of the Cross of Christ is to: Endure, Persevere, Fight the good fight, Standing firm in the word of Truth. (2Tim 2:3-4) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier . These are 6 items that we are not to leave home without. The Bible says we are REQUIRED to put on the proper equipment in order to live the Christian life to its fullest, so that we can be ready for battle. Our battle is not among fellow Christian's, or with wha...

Zachariah's first taste of strawberries. I be thinking that Zack likes them alot, he must get this from his mother the strawberry addict! lol. Yes this is a whole strawberry. That's my boy!

Our God is So Glorious by Mike Andrews How big is our God? Can you fit God in your pocket? Can you put God into a box? We His created children cannot contain the glories of the Lord. Even the Heaven’s cannot contain the glories of the Lord. A God who is glorious, a God who is infinite, a God who is all wise and all powerful, a God who is patient and merciful, a God who is just God who is love. I want to ask you a question. Do you have a high view of God? or Do you have a low view of God? A high view of God Is your view of God more glorious then anything you can think of? Is He your greatest treasure above all things over your friends, over your stuff e.g.: (mp3, computers, clothing, music, movies). a. Job had a high view of God (Job 42) b. Moses had a high view of God (Exodus 3) c. David had a high view of God (Psalm 145) d. The apostle Paul had a high view of God Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffe...

Cliff Fletcher, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent goaltender Curtis Joseph on a one year contract.“Curtis will provide outstanding support to Vesa Toskala this season,” said Fletcher. “He had tremendous success playing in Toronto in years past and we expect him to be a stabilizing influence for our team, both on and off the ice. We are really excited to have him back in our team’s colours.” Joseph, 41, appeared in nine games for the Calgary Flames last season and posted a record of 3-2-0 with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.55. He played in two playoff games in April versus the San Jose Sharks and registered one win and a 0.76 GAA. Joseph signed as a free agent with the Maple Leafs on July 15, 1998. In his four seasons with the blue and white, the team played 60 postseason games on their way to two Eastern Conference Finals (1999, 2002) and the second round of the playoffs in each post...

A evening at the Hartland Public Pool. A great place to be on a hot Canada Day. Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy to sinners like us.

Happy Birthday Zachariah! Born June 21, 2007 at 10:53 pm Ps 139:13-15 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth ." The gift of life is precious may we treat it with great joy and patience. He is the future! Please pray as I pray that the Lord will us our son for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. May he be a light of hope to a fallen generation one day as he gets older. To Him be the glory for His wonderful saving grace. Thank you Lord Jesus for this wonderful gift of life a year ago today. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD (a blessing from the LORD) , the fruit of the womb is a reward . (Psalm 127:3)

They grow up so fast. It only seems like yesterday we were at the Woodstock Hospital in New Brunswick. They are a gift from God and a blessing to us . May we nurture and raise them up in a way that they should go, by the sound words of Scripture " the whole Bible ".

"The chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying him forever." John Piper . What a wonderful statement John makes about the Christian life. The Lord Jesus Christ must receive the glory in everything from the best of times to the worst of times. As the apostle Paul said to the people at Philippi "according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better . Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (Phil 1:20-24) Whether you live. Our whether you die. GLORIFY the Lord in your body. How do we do that? By what John says "enjoying Him forever" in ...

The short answer is, "Yes." Have you ever noticed how nobody says, “Oh, my Buddha?” Or how names like “Mohammed” or “Joseph Smith” never get used as bywords? But the name of God, and the name of Jesus in particular, are used as cuss words in almost every culture and language. Is it just antiquated manners that makes us stop saying this around our grandmother? Or is that pang of conscience rooted in the Truth? Old Matthew Henry had this to say about Exodus 20:5 “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. It is supposed that, having taken Jehovah for their God, they would make mention of his name (for thus all people will walk every one in the name of his god); this command gives a needful caution not to mention it in vain, and it is still as needful as ever. We take God's name in vain, [1.] By hypocrisy, making a profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. Those that name the name of Christ, but do not depart from iniquity, as that na...

A day in the park at Fredricton Botanital Gardens on Victoria's birthday. What a wonderful day that was, as a family taking in the wonders of His beautiful creation. As the prophet Isaiah said (Isa 43:7-12) Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, "It is truth." "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god ...

Thank You for Taking the Time By Mike Andrews Do you have a Paul? Do you have someone who cares about your life? Spiritually! One day at church I was introduced to a person who, I didn’t realize at the time, would play a big part in my life and growth as a Christian. It all began with my heart being drawn into some kind of full time ministry. I was a new believer and my heart was leaning towards the pastorate. That's when I was introduced to an older gentleman of the church by the name of John Mank. John is a middle-aged man who is educated, well mannered and very tailored in appearance. He had learned about my desire for ministry and began to show a great interest in my endeavor. He introduced himself one day after church and asked "Who is discipling you?". I said, "No one.". As soon as I finished that statement, he jumped at the opportunity by saying, "I would like to disciple you.". From that point on, we spent every Saturday together for about two,...

The contemporary moral climate does not favor a faith as tough and fibrous as that taught by our Lord and His apostles. The delicate, brittle saints being produced in our religious hothouses today are hardly to be compared with the committed, expendable believers who once gave their witness among men. And the fault lies with our leaders. They are too timid to tell the people all the truth. They are now asking men to give to God that which costs them nothing. Our churches these days are filled (or one-quarter filled) with a soft breed of Christian that must be fed on a diet of harmless fun to keep them interested. About theology they know little. Scarcely any of them have read even one of the great Christian classics, but most of them are familiar with religious fiction and spinetingling films. No wonder their moral and spiritual constitution is so frail. Such can only be called weak adherents of a faith they never really understood. “Lord, send the Holy Spirit to renew within us a dept...

The Little Book that Says so Much By Mike Andrews When it comes to the small epistle of Ephesians, there is much to learn. We find here many of the doctrines that Paul is teaching the church of Ephesus. We find many practical and helpful ways to conduct our Christian life. There are many theological themes in this epistle which could be discussed, however, we will only cover the three topics of Redemption, Salvation, and Grace. Redemption: In this book, Paul gives us a great understanding of what it means to be redeemed. Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; God has shown His grace by giving us redemption by the blood of His Son. This redemption consists of forgiving and delivering us from our sins; so then Christ’s blood was the redemption price paid down for our salvation. This was according to the riches of His grace. As His grace is rich and abundant in kindness, so it was given in a gift to mankind in t...