Friday the 27 of Nov.

I am now reading the  Prayer Life by Andrew Murray - I read it back in 1994, then in 2004 and now again.
This  week , I attended another funeral of a family friend in Ingomire N.S. I have not been in that church in perhaps 26 years what a flood of memories, seeing friends from long ago, I traveled there along with a gentleman from our church, which was great!
This funeral lasted an hour and ten minutes ! Wow !! have funerals changed in my ministry, I believe 30 min. is enough , but now  people wanna get up and speak , who can't speak publicly, and now funerals include a power point presentation movie .And readings that are suppose to sound spiritual and comforting yet have no scriptural presadent in what is said to comfort ( in my opinion far to wordy  ) Which I'm not sure they do.
This week our county has had a prayer encounter conference which sadly I only attended one seminar - hence my reading a Murray Book, This will I hope lead to great changes in our county as people pray more.
And finally this week  along with another church person went and served communion to our shut-inns. What a joy this was !
So now its off to advent and preaching from Jer. 33:14-16 which has been so far a challenge to work through in a sermon. But its coming a verse a ta time .

Later

now reading

the Gospel according to Jesus by John MacArthur.
So Far it's very impressive. I wonder if Jesus as He portrays is one that the church  wants, I say this only again to learn by accident a couple have  left our church three weeks after the fact - (HOW) it was  Friday night I saw them at a restaurant and after  saying we missed  I herd the words we are going church in town.
There went my appetite so the next day  I followed through on the why and learned In my sermon on the bible doctrine of the Holy Spirit when comparing  this Doctrine to the J.W's and others by this  I judged other religions and so they left. I did apologize in that it was not meant to offend but not for the truth, so they are gone for now.
Apparently now this is the 3rd time in 10 years I have said something of or Judged other religions interesting I can't remember what I preached last year ...
Its no wonder people are leaving the ministry with this kind off stuff happening.

And the bottom line I come back to again and again with now at last count  8 people leaving the church in about a year and a half , is it my turn to go ? Before  there are none left ?

Later

Nov 11

One day last week I picked up the 1961 used copy of Martin Luther by John Dillenberger for under a Tonnie  and thus my new read, but what I noticed is for a pocket book of 526 pages the  price on the cover is $1.95 ! Oh to have those prices again!

Church life these days is taking us down the carpentry trail as we are installing 7 New Windows in our church thanks to a gift . The  lead  Carpenter is 86 and our helper is 70ish and me 40 something. What a learning experience, these Men are using tools their fathers and grandfathers had, hope my Canadian tire stuff last that long.

Personally I am trying to get back on the healthy food track - for myself and family,  I'm down to only my breakfast coffee  and then green tea the rest of the day plus a green and orange vegetable for supper and healthy eating in between, plus exercising !
I've never been a athletic person so then here is a big challenge but I have a goal to be in some shape so I can join my wife who works out daily at the gym, and not be winded at the 5lb weights lol.

So its November 11 and Remembrance Day , or the day after my brothers 50 birthday.
its off to the remembrance  gathering  lay a wreath and home. for more painting and sermon prep.

Later

Words from Spurgeon

A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God's work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When God's warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts, "I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory," defeat is not far distant. God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength. He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for "it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace. Those who serve God must serve him in his own way, and in his strength, or he will never accept their service. That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own. The mere fruits of the earth he casteth away; he will only reap that corn, the seed of which was sown from heaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun of divine love. God will empty out all that thou hast before he will put his own into thee; he will first clean out thy granaries before he will fill them with the finest of the wheat. The river of God is full of water; but not one drop of it flows from earthly springs. God will have no strength used in his battles but the strength which he himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.

"When I am weak then am I strong,
Grace is my shield and Christ my song."

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."

-      Frank A. Clark

Now Reading

The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter

todays quote..

In my ongoing preparation  for Sunday's sermon I read chapter 2 of Knowing God by J.I. Packer and read these wise words....
"..when a man knows God, losses and 'crosses' cease to matter to him; what he has gained ( knowledge of God)  banishes these things from his mind."p.23
This is one of those quotes that  makes me think hard.
Today I was at our local christian  bookstore and asked him if my mystery men had been in  to which he said no, oh well , while there I picked up the Life Application N.T. Commentary hoping it was money well spent :)
Later

update on visitors

Wednesday came and again our two men were with us.
But this time I asked them were they Mormon or JW to which they said no,
but to get info from them wasn't easy so I asked about their home meetings, their structure, to which they repied they have a hymn, share and pray under the leadership of a elder. So for Sundays they do the same as a house bible study, their answers made me more curious , especially since they made eye contact with each other before the younger of the two talked. Their motto is out by two' as in acts, and they grow by gospel meetings, Yet they told me that they only follow the bible, no particular doctrine or creed just the bible.
Their simple poster says Come learn the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in a home bible study.
They told me they had no literature to give me, so I could read about them, and checking their poster it gives no web address a phone number but so secretive.
And they may come back again one said.
Their presence made many uncomfortable, why they have picked us I don't know, but they have come.
Another chapter to the story of my life perhaps.
they kinda of remind of that movie Men in Black ....

Later

Church Killings - washingtonpost.com

Church Killings - washingtonpost.com

Shared via AddThis

The Gospel Coalition - Preaching Through Bible Books

The Gospel Coalition - Preaching Through Bible Books

Shared via AddThis

I couldn't believe my ears...

I attended a meeting Today of ministers with their wives and there was a discussion on negative expectations by church people , what a opening topic .
Some one complained that they always have to say grace - which others added their complaints of having to pray publicly...
O.K. enough is enough !!
So I blurted out " aren't we a room full of ministers and your complaing of praying " It got quite quick !
Give me a break , they also fussed over having to turn on lights, turn up a furnace, shovel snow.
Because it interfered with their time. boohoo and humbug to them.
Its a part of the JOB !
Serve the Lord with Gladness and p.s guys its a sin to complain!

Later

what a week

What a week -- starting Sunday by doing a nursing home service I forgot about.
Then Sunday night taking my son to pick up hockey - where he got a puck to the throat while on the bench so off to the hospital and off to the iwk he went via a helicopter - with his mother of course to watch him and his throat after he had a breathing tube inserted and all kinds of pins and needles to him and in him.
And waiting for phone calls on his recovery and getting folks to pray and off Monday to the iwk in Halifax to be with him and his mother and thank the Lord he was released Monday and what had happened he fractured the bone that holds the muscle to the voice box.Serious yes but could of been a lot more. the doctors advice " wear all your equipment"
So now its wed. night our mid week night and in walk two men with identical coats shirts ,pants and bible cases to our bible study they said nothing, took lots of notes and i asked one what church he went to and he said home bible studies where they go around teaching people the bible - but they couldn't find Malachi .
So who were they ????
Will they return ????
What was their purpose ?
They said they'll be in the area for 8 weeks ??
Should I be concerned ???
so many should s ....

Well I see while I'm trying to figure things out here I see on twitter my kids are at MacDoanlds... the joy of twittering
my final thoughts for to night - I finish James this week having preached trough it for September and its been great I love preaching expository though the Lectionary passages.
so off to new episodes of favorite shows I Hope....
Later

Currently Reading

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs.

wed. Night

I can't believe a week ago that my 2 teens were getting ready for their first day of school.
Since that  day my family and I spent  the weekend tenting by a lake and it was fabulous !
watching the moon rise over the lake and its reflection on the water can not be described  well enough - But I know who gets the glory and it is God for such beauty.

Our mid week group has been  going through the bible and tonight we did the book of Haggai and what a challenge Haggai gives us for priority setting, in our lives  So  I tried to help them see that  Sunday morning is not the only priority in life and  that we have daily ones to attend, and most of all we can't judge others by our own priorities.
It was interesting to me when I asked them what they had for their life priority's that the  seniors went silent, could it be that  by having no defined ones in their lives they are open to worry and faithlessness and ,and.....this needs more thinking time.

This week my sermon is coming from James 3:1-12
Hope to put an outline up when finished.
Later

Sept.3

The first day of school !
I realized  yesterday that my kids are really teenagers  when I offered them a afternoon of fishing and they opted for a trip to town even the mall.
So They start off  a new year and new adventures.
And its in God's hands I must trust them into daily that He will care and protect them.

This week I am reading " so you don't want to go to church anymore "
I am not a fan of fiction but this is one of those occasions that I do read one but to keep in the balance I also have on the Go this book ON KEEPING THE HEART by John Flavel

Later

Just finished reading...

The book I just finished is by Erwin W. Lutzer
Oprah Miracles and the New Earth.

Great book - well researched !

later

Now Reading

I am now reading : The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit by James Buchanan.

These next two Sundays I have a retired pastor booked to speak in our church as I am supposed to be on vacation but I had booked a wedding a year ago and so here I sit while my family is in Hamilton, but while I'm home we have a carpenter that might show up any day to finish his work so I need to be  ready - and today I made some calls on seniors so am i really on vacation ????
Being attached to the church here in the parsonage I'm still thinking church.
which is no vacation in my mind.

So if the weather man could give us sun I  hope to take the dog and go fishing even tent over night with him.

later

Sundays Outline

Text: Eph. 4:25- 5:2
Title: the old and new
Introduction....
Looking at V's 17 -20 which sets up the text.

1. v 25 The old man was a liar the new man speaks truth.
2. v.26 The old man was use to anger the new man knows this offends God.
3. v.27 The old man was driven by the devil the new man gives him no opportunity.
4. v.29 The old man was foul mouthed the new man is grace spoken.
5. v.30 The old man isn't sealed while the new man is sealed by the spirit.
6. v.31,32 The old man isn't forgiven the new man forgives as he is forgiven
7. 5:1 the old man goes his own way the new man follows God.
8. 5:2 the place to examine ourselves.

Sunday Sermon outline.

text: 2 Sam 11:26-12:14

Introduction...

point one : David shows us we should never think we can't sin v.7-8

point two : we live in God's sight v.9

point three: God disciplines His own v.1-12

point four: The secrets out v.12

point five : God forgives. v.13

Whats new

Its July 29 and soon July will be history so this month I have gone fishing 2 times and have watched the fog a lot . July means Beulah Camp! Which is now over, and thinking about being there seems like a blimp on the calendar, and as I think on it Beulah was good, yet not life changing.

Returning home meant starting to tear out the parsonage bathroom and re-build it with a carpenter. So it's interesting but when the toilet is in all will be much more happier.

Now I am reading " countdown to Sunday by Chris Erdman " which is really good as he writes on preaching through the Lectionary weekly as now I use the Lectionary scriptures to choose a text from and preach on.

Off to help in the Bathroom....

Later

Now Reading

the  All-Sufficient God
by
D.MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

My first John Wesley Sunday is now Over

June 28 we had for the first time a John Wesley Sunday marking his birthday !
My pianist was willing,so we sang all Wesley ( his brother Charles) hymns, the bulletin was dedicated to him and I preached on Psalm 130 which greatly effected His life along with a introduction to his life.
And I think the people enjoyed the service. So here is looking to next year and reminding the church of our roots.

Later

june 18 quote

How careful should we be to keep clean the house that is the dwelling of the King of Glory.




R. C. Chapman

june 15 Quote

If men are prepared to die they are ready for anything.




J. A. Alexander

From Spurgeons morning devotion today

une 9

"The Lord hath done
great things for us, whereof we are glad." – Psalm 126:3

Some Christians are
sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more
upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them.
Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe
their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad
adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any
allusion to the mercy and help which God has vouchsafed them. But a
Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously,
and say, "I will speak, not about myself, but to the honour of my God.
He hath brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and he hath put
a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord hath done
great things for me, whereof I am glad." Such an abstract of experience
as this is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true
that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out
of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we
know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient
Saviour, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their
dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been
in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of
Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been
through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks
to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us "out into a
wealthy place." The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God,
who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs
cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part
of our life’s song, "He hath done great things for us, whereof we are
glad."

Spurgeon Quote

Backsliders begin with dusty Bibles and end with filthy garments.




C. H. Spurgeon

Now Redaing

I am now reading Jerry Bridges book....
the Gospel for real life.

Today's Eagle's Wings: Friday, May 08, 200

9

A Light for Dark Days

Who is among you that feareth the Lord, . . . that walketh in darkness? . . . Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
ISAIAH 50:10

Somehow the notion has spread abroad that true Christians should never endure periods of darkness, trial, or trouble. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trials will come to every Christian. Satan will attack every Christian. When these things occur, we can become very confused and distressed. It appears that the Lord has forsaken us. Is that your experience today? Are you an heir of heaven walking in darkness? Todays text has a word for you.

Dark days are not necessarily a judgment on sin. Isaiah addresses those who fear the Lord. They obey the voice of His servant. This is a description of a believer walking according to the Word of God. Yet he walks in darkness. He is fighting a spiritual battle that depresses his soul. He reads his Bible but receives no light. He prays but obtains no relief. The devil tells him that all this is Gods judgment on him and that He has forsaken him. Our text brands that as a lie.

Faithful Christians face dark days. So what is the answer? Will the Lord leave a believer in such a condition indefinitely? No, but He may allow the darkness to continue until the necessary lesson of faith has been learned. What is that lesson? It is that we are not to base our assurance on good feelings or prosperous circumstances, but on the character and Word of our God. If you are compassed about by doubt or darkness, stay, or lean, upon the Lord. Trust Him. He will not fail you or forsake you. Stand upon His promises, and light will arise in the darkness.

Today's Eagle's Wings: Wednesday, May 06, 2009

The Reign of Grace

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
ROMANS 6:6

The Church of Rome has always hated the doctrine of justification by grace alone. Since the days of the Reformation, she has asserted that such preaching will lead to licentious living. Of course, this is not a new charge against the gospel, for Paul had to face the same accusations in his day. Now it seems that todays popular carnal Christian theory is giving credence to Romes allegation. In our day a person can make a decision for Christ without being made a disciple of Christ. He can be saved from his present troubles (or so he hopes!) or saved from hell, but never need to be saved from his sinful vices. Paul addresses both of these fallacies in the sixth chapter of Romans by proving that justifying grace will reign in the life of the true child of God.

By our union with Christ in His death, our old man is crucified with him (v. 6). As Christ died to sins guilt, sins condemnation, and sins reign, so did we! That is, by bearing our sin on the cross, He destroyed all that sin could do to us. Not that our sinful nature was eradicated, but it lost its power to dominate us, for he that is dead is freed from sin (v. 7). Can it be any plainer than Pauls declaration in verse 14, For sin shall not have dominion over you?

What does this say to those who claim that this doctrine of free justification leads to immorality? And what does it do to the theory of the carnal Christian, which says a man can be saved and never leave his sinful habits and wicked living? Most certainly, these notions are left high and dry. Thank God for the sanctifying power of the truth of justification! For how shall we who have been freed from the horrors of sin by the awful death of our Redeemer live any longer in sin? Let us therefore yield ourselves as servants of God unto holy living.

April 30

Hold Your Tongue!

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
PROVERBS 21:23

There are many interesting entries in John Wesleys journal. On June 9th, 1742, he writes of attending an unusual court case. The magistrate was a man of candour and understanding. He was to hear the complaints of some angry citizens who had brought to him a whole wagon load of these new heretics. The magistrate enquired what they had done. One of the accusers answered, Why, they pretended to be better than other people; and besides, they prayed from morning to night. But have they done nothing else? Yes, sir, replied an old man. They have converted my wife. Till she went among them, she had such a tongue! And now she is as quiet as a lamb. Carry them back, carry them back, cried the justice, and let them convert all the scolds in the town.

We may well smile at this story; yet the Word of God declares, If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this mans religion is vain (James 1:26). How deadly is the power of that little member! As the Puritan Thomas Watson put it, The sword doth not make so deep a wound as the tongue. The hasty, hurtful word we immediately regret, but cannot recall. It is well said that a word spoken is physically transient, but morally permanent. Christian, there is a time to be silent. Learn to hold thy tongue. Five words cost Zacharias forty weeks silence (Thomas Fuller). Be slow to speak. He that refraineth his lips is wiseÊ(Prov. 10:19). It has been well said, If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. Pray the psalmists prayer today: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips (Psa. 141:3).

Read this today

This Morning's Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

---

"Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope."—Psalm 119:49.

HATEVER your especial need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise—"He giveth power to the faint." When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser, and ask Him to fulfil His own word. Are you seeking after Christ, and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you—"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this—"Lord, Thou hast said it, do as Thou hast said." Are you distressed because of sin, and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words—"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will no more remember thy sins." You have no merit of your own to plead why He should pardon you, but plead His written engagements and He will perform them. Are you afraid lest you should not be able to hold on to the end, lest, after having thought yourself a child of God, you should prove a castaway? If that is your state, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: "The mountains may depart, and the hills may be removed, but the covenant of My love shall not depart from thee." If you have lost the sweet sense of the Saviour's presence, and are seeking Him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: "Return unto Me, and I will return unto you;" "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee." Banquet your faith upon God's own word, and whatever your fears or wants, repair to the Bank of Faith with your Father's note of hand, saying, "Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope."

Now Reading

Here I Stand
A life of Martin Luther
by Roland h Bainton

Quote

Some people are critical of everything; some embrace anything.
The wise weigh all things by the word.
H. T. Mahan

Quote

God assures us of a future that is better than all our past.
J. C. Stern

My paly off prediction

NY Rangers at Vancouver

Sermon out line for April 19

text: Acts 4: 32-37 Key verses 32,33

taking a lesson from the early church.

Point oNe: They had unity - resulting from the inner working of the Holy Spirit.

Point tWo: They - were convicted that God was more important that their belongings.

Point tHree: They spoke of the resurrection because they knew the Gospel.

Point fOur: They had God's grace upon them

Go Rangers !

Go Rangers

now reading

THE CROSS OF CHRIST
BY JOHN R.W. STOTT

Todays quote

It is and should be the care of a Christian not to suffer for sin, nor sin in suffering.
Vavasor Powell

This weeks sermon outline...

title: The Language that says we love God.
text: Psalm 147:1

Point One: Praise Him in our words
Point Two: Praise can be more than a song
Point Three: Praise can be our life.

The theme for the month is Love , where it is February !

Later

todays quote

He that demands mercy, and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself is to pass.




Thomas Adams

no outline this week

This week Rev. D. Leroy is speaking in our church so it's like a Sunday off :)

Later

Sermon outline for Jan 18

Title: How do you Believe ?
text: John 1:43-51

Introduction....
Philip Follows
Philip Finds Nathanael
Nathanael works through his unbelief

Point One: We must know that God sees what we believe
Psalm 139:1

Point two: God sees if we believe what we see
1 sam 3: 1-20

Point three: God's purpose in what we believe
1 Cor 6:20

Conclusion..................

quote

No man can be a Christian who is unconcerned for the salvation of others.




Richard Haldane

what do you think ?

The Pastors Who Will Do Anything

sermon out line for jan 11

Thought I would start posting an outline of my sermons for the week -

So here it is for this Sunday

Jesus Baptism
Text: Mark 1:1-11

introduction....
Point one : The Big Deal
its in the bible
doctrinal
Point two: The Big decoration
- the divine
- the existence
- the plan
Point three: the big dissemination v.1
the gospel - God's word
- Good word
- is of Jesus
Point 4: the big dip v.4-5
- the place
- the significance
- the outcome

Conclusion

Now Reading

Its the new Year - and already we are stormed in enough to cancel not only our church new years party, but now the first mid week/ bible study / prayer meeting canceled due yet another storm
So its winter !!

So tonight I'm reading a book I picked up this week at Frenchy's titled:
A Gospel for the World by David Blast.

Later

Happy New Years !!

May all have a great  year  in 2009 !

another quote

There is no hope for true prayer and intercession for revival unless we realise that there is a need.




D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

todays quote

"Think enthusiastically about everything; but especially about your
job.  If you do so, you’ll put a touch of glory in your life.  If you
love your job with enthusiasm, you’ll shake it to pieces."

-     Norman Vincent Peale

todays quote

God wants us to be victors, not victims; to grow, not grovel; to soar, not sink; to overcome, not to be overwhelmed.




W. A. Ward

Discernment
is not a matter of simply telling the difference between what is
right and wrong; rather, it is the difference between right and
almost right.



Charles Spurgeon

Now Reading

I am now reading ....
The Apocalypse of Ahmadinejad  by Mark Hitchock
So far I like how he uses other sources and and notes them as he writes.
Also I  find him very clear in the message he is sending in  his book  the end times are near.

Today my son told me of a kid in his school whose mom was hit  and killed the night before. Sad in deed but its his story ( or his version) that gets my attention as he told me he only liked his Mon, and i asked about the dad oh he didn't like him he said.
Where does that leave a kid with a mother gone and  father ' he doesn't like' now I didn't turn this into a sermon on loving and obeying your parents, because as quickly as he told me he moved on to something else  the new hockey cards he got.
But  this reminds me all the more  how christian kids need prayer in public school , for  they are completely surrounded by kids with unchristian world views.

This is NAAW - National Addiction Awareness Week.
I asked my bible study group if addictions were health problems or spiritual. It lead into a interesting discussion and look to the bible.
I tried to make the point that because of addictions in our neighborhood we need all the more to pray that these are broken by God's power and people come to faith in God.

I think next year if I remember this week  what a great sermon it would make for . What are you addicted to?

Later

Back

Today I have been playing around with my blog after a long absence,
and was I ever glad I could add my favorite game !!

Here are some of the books I have read of late...
Strong Faith By Spurgeon
Wordliness by C.J.Mahaney
Preaching the Cross
The doctrine of predestination
Backsliding ( Disease or Cure)
True Repentance
Whats so great about the doctrine of Grace
The invisible war
The Five dilemmas of Calvinism

Besides Reading I have picked up the new ESV Study Bible and I love it !

Today the wind is out of the north making it cold here with snow flurries in my part of n.s. Besides the wind blowing things around I have been throwing some thoughts around , wondering if and when the church I am Pastoring will see a move of God in our midst, Sunday I preached on 2 chronicles If my people ...humble...pray ....seek....forsake ....Then.
As it now seems like a month since Sunday I've had a burden to restore what was once some fellowship between our church - and the then two charge baptist church that split apart.
Which we are smooched between !
When we first came all three of us had combined services at least twice a year , but not since the split, but now with a new pastor and fellow Bethany Bible College pal , Perhaps its time to humble our selves and extend an invitation to them * which I have * as Long as functions are in our church they are invited.

But can God move when people can find any reason for leaving church ? I hope to Find out!

Later

Carelessness about the friendship of Christ is the crying sin of the church.




R. C. Chapman

Todays quote

We cannot rely on God's promises without obeying His commandments.

John Calvin

Just Read

I have just finished reading the book titled
What's so Great about the doctrines of Grace? by Richard d Phillips.
This was a great read...
Why would I read a book like this as a Wesleyan pastor, from my view there is a lot of predigest
so I am trying to understand , somethings so that I can make accurate conclusions instead of making uninformed statements that show a lack of knowledge.

Later

now reading

True Repentance by John Colquhoun

Just finished this book

I have just finished reading and really enjoyed the book titled
Because we Love Him by Clyde Cranford.

I've gotta get some of this....

Prophetic Awareness Soap

This
is a great way to start your day and bring you the confidence you need
to stand before those whom you need to face. Walk in the confidence
that has been given to you by God Almighty as you bathe with this soap,
know that you are becoming more aware and spiritually guarded, so that
you can meet life's challenges. This is a soap that helps bring
protection and give you a greater ability to function with greater
intuition and insight. Remember, according to your faith, so be it done
unto you.

Saponified Oils of Palm, Coconut, Olive, Lemongrass Essential Oil and Rosemary Extract.

check it out at http://zoeministries.com/public/products/?productid=24

Maybe I should be handing this kinda stuff out instead of God's word.
( Still preaching through the sermon on the mount)

Maybe we should fill up little baskets and give out new people and those that leave, and put one beside each Hymn book.

The ways to minister with this soap are almost endless.

But back to the real world - or my world , today I am going to buy a second vehicle for our family (or me) its a truck, its not that we want a second vehicle its as need , in our home these days it seems we are all heading in different directions...

Yesterday I visited with a group of ministers that meet monthly to discuss the word, through devotional and book snip its. It was really enjoyable, and personally needed, its great to fellowship with like minded people.As pastors, once the Sunday service is over and we lock the doors it can be lonely by times,and that was followed by a coffee with another great pastor friend.

well its off for todays adventures...

Later

Everything in Scripture has in view the promotion of holiness.

A. W. Pink

Here's a thought!

Make sure the thing you are living for is worth dying for.




C. Mayes

Aug 4 wow !

It's a Foggy Monday, and we are waiting to see when we can return to our campsite since we were rained out over night.
It was to be a cool evening and day as our son invited his friend to join us (since his sister is at camp for the week) over night. So he picked his friend from Egypt, whom has never camped out in his life, he tells me theres no where to camp in Egypt ??
So now in the quiet of this morning were waiting to head out again and have a fun day.
So how does a kid from Egypt end up in Yarmouth his Dad's a Doctor.
I like this kid he refers to me as Mr. Robertson and is complete with manners, compared to my boy who looks like that Bart kid ( well not that bad) but you get the idea.

I had my daughter with me shopping to go camping which seems endless, and tried to get her excited about the back to school stuff out now, to which she though was weird on my part and stupid on the stores part. But its a sign life goes on and school is on the horizon.

Having maybe too much time to think , I look at my kids, church and life and wonder what's on my horizon as well, I'm glad that the bible displays for me to see That God is in control , I Just need to trust Him, more and more...

Later

Reading at the Beach

Back from Beulah

I am now back home with Beulah Family Camp Over, and looking at the next big event 'Christmas'
and stuff in between now and then.
If your reading this wondering what is Beulah Camp ??
Its our denominational camp that includes people that attend Wesleyan Church's in Maine,
N.B. , N.F.L.D, N.S. P.E.I. or Atlantic Canada plus one state.
The camp runs from Friday till the following Sunday.
Every day has two services and stuff planned besides .
Every Pastor on our District is assigned a job for this week of camp (it's no vacation)
Mine is in the kitchen .
So between working two meals a day and a cottage full of people, I made the time to read two books....
The divine Defense by Robert Jeffress (I was very impressed with his book)
Watch Your walk by Richard Baxter ( He is always good)
My reflection on camp is - I'm glad I had my books.
The preaching was Good - but as a preacher it's hard to hear another,
I can't comment on the music because I skipped that part of the service understand the music is current and rocking there, but personally for what they sing I can hear on christian radio and done by its composer, I'm not against it , now I am realizing more and more Hymns are still Good and for the age dynamics of the camp probably more appreciated.

This Sunday marks the beginning of 10 years of ministry Here !
I am not sure how I am swallowing This, I left for camp, on an exit from church by a fishing buddy ( treasurer, soundboard etc, etc)
People have come and gone but this one hurts, But as my wife says " do I believe what I preach" than I must leave this with God and run the race.
[ Her mini sermons hurt more than a month of mine lol ]

So moving on we hope to have our own church camp in August, for a weekend on a camping lot by a lake.
And I have also challenged people to read Unlimiting God by R. Blacaby then we'll meet over coffee and discuss the book- I think it's going to be called Pastor Dale's book club !!!
If you have read it leave a comment !

Later

welcome from Beulah

Here I am on the final Saturday of Beulah Camp.
This has got to be one of the fastest week of the year !
Looking back on the week it's been good.
Later

Happy Canada Day

"In everyone?s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then
burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should
all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

- Albert Schweitzer

Here is a sobering article

Suspicious Behavior Could Indicate Terror Plotting

by Anthony L. Kimery

Monday, 23 June 2008

' ... being able to distinguish the ordinary from the extraordinary' Coinciding with concerns among some intelligence services that suspected Hezbollah "sleeper cells" in Canada have been activated, Canadian law enforcement authorities increasingly are training for spotting potentially suspicious activity and behavior that may indicate terrorists are conducting surveillance or other goings-on in preparation for targeting a specific structure or location for attack. Several years ago, Robert David Steele, an outspoken veteran intelligence officer, told HSToday.us that “50 percent of the ‘dots’ that prevent the next 9/11 will come from bottom-up [local] level observation” and unconventional intelligence from “private sector parties.” Since 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and law enforcement in the Washington, DC capital region have actively urged citizens to report “suspicious activity.” Mobile electronic signs urging people to report suspicious activity are routinely placed at strategic locations throughout the metro area for periods of time. The last one of these portable warnings I saw was at the convergence of Key Bridge and George Washington Memorial Parkway on the Virginia-side of the Potomac River just across from Georgetown. Lynda Howes, a civilian member of the emergency event and management unit of the Calgary (Canada) Police Service, told attendees of the “Tri-lateral Security Conference” in Calgary last week that law enforcement must learn how terrorists operating in order to prevent attacks. She said counterterrorism is only manageable if it is tackled at the grass roots level. She explained that it’s vital that everyone - including the public, the police, government and private industry – recognizes the potential indicators of terrorism and what actions to take if, and when, they are encountered. Howes said terrorists must recruit members, research their targets, procure resources, receive, transfer and conceal money, and provide transportation and communication. And "each one of those phases represents an activity” that can be identified if a person is trained to know what to be on the look-out for. “Those activities are associated with a behavior. Once we have that behavior, those are things you and I will be witnessing every single day and are things we can pick up on as potential indicators.” In late 2002, The Air Force's Office of Special Investigations launched “Eagle Eyes,” a program to "deter terrorism by recognizing and reporting pre-attack activities," according an OSI memo. "Every terrorist act is preceded by observable planning activities," according to the OSI memo. "When troops and citizens know what to look for and how to report suspicious activity, terrorist acts can be prevented." Department of Defense personnel have routinely been advised to report suspicious reconnoitering of military facilities, people asking detailed information about specific sites, and any other activity which could indicate a "dry run” attack. DHS says “knowing what to look for and being able to distinguish the ordinary from the extraordinary are the key elements to successful surveillance detection.” “A persistent stream of reported suspicious incidents requires an understanding of the purpose of terrorist surveillance, to know what terrorists look for, and how they conduct surveillance operations,” DHS’s advice states. DHS states “terrorists conduct surveillance to determine a target's suitability for attack by assessing the capabilities of existing security and discerning weaknesses in the facility. After identifying weaknesses, they plan their attack at the point of greatest vulnerability.” “Because terrorists must conduct surveillance-often over a period of weeks, months, or years-detection of their activities is possible,” DHS continued, noting, “regardless of their level of expertise, terrorists invariably make mistakes. The emphasis of surveillance detection is to key in on indicators of terrorist surveillance activities." DHS states “successful surveillance detection efforts require immediate reporting of incidents similar to the following: Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle, or activity, separated by time, distance, or direction; Individuals who stay at bus or train stops for extended periods while buses and trains come and go; Individuals who carry on long conversations on pay or cellular telephones; Individuals who order food at a restaurant and leave before the food arrives or who order without eating; Joggers who stand and stretch for an inordinate amount of time; Individuals sitting in a parked car for an extended period of time; Individuals who don't fit into the surrounding environment because they are wearing improper attire for the location or season; Individuals drawing pictures or taking notes in an area not normally of interest to a tourist or showing unusual interest in or photographing security cameras, guard locations, or watching security reaction drills and procedures; and Individuals who exhibit suspicious behavior, such as staring or quickly looking away from individuals or vehicles as they enter or leave facilities or parking areas Other activity which should cause a heightened sense of suspicion include: Suspicious or unusual interest; Surveillance (suspicious in nature); Inappropriate photographs or videos; Note-taking; Drawing of diagrams; Annotating maps; and Using binoculars or night vision devices “Terrorists may also employ aggressive surveillance techniques, such as making false phone threats, approaching security checkpoints to ask for directions, or ‘innocently’ attempting to smuggle nonlethal contraband through checkpoints,” DHS’s advice states. “The terrorists intend to determine firsthand the effectiveness of search procedures and to gauge the alertness and reaction of security personnel.” Karen Morley, senior director of TerraGo Technologies, Atlanta, Ga., who began her career in the geospatial industry in the US Air Force as a target intelligence specialist, told HSToday.us that terrorists need to conduct careful surveillance of a potential target in order to be confident that they can pull off a successful attack. In 2004, RAND developed the book, “Mapping the Risks: Assessing Homeland Security Implications of Publicly Available Geospatial Information,” for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, determined that “potential attackers, such as terrorist groups or hostile governments, are more likely to [utilize] reliable and timely information … such as through direct access or observation. In addition, many types of attacks, such as those by ground parties, are likely to require detailed information for attack planning purposes (depending on the target type and mode of attack). This type of information, which mostly comes from such nongeospatial sources as engineering textbooks or human expertise on the operations of a particular type of industrial complex, is essential for attackers to have a high confidence in their plan.” But according to John Bumgarner, an 18-year veteran of special operations who has worked with most of the three-letter intelligence agencies at one time or another and is now research director for security technology at the US Cyber Consequences Unit, a non-profit research institute, because of training like that promoted by Howes it has become more and more difficult for terrorists to physically recon targets, especially in the US. “To actually start planning very detailed reconnaissance of a building, and all the streets that go into it, and all the alleyways and everything else, that could require a lot of physical reconnaissance on the ground - it’s not something that you can actually just easily do anymore,” Bumgarner stressed, especially in the post-9/11 environment where conspicuous photographing, videoing and other apparent physical surveillance can, and has - repeatedly across the nation - caused people to be detained and questioned about their activities. “In other words,” said Bumgarner, “it’s gotten a whole lot harder for a terrorist to conduct the kind of conspicuous physical surveillance of a target that’s necessary for conducting a large-scale or mass casualty attack.” Consequently, more sophisticated terrorists are utilizing easily accessible geospatial information, which was examined in the April HSToday cover report, “Every Eye a Spy.”

a great thought

"God is not running an antique shop! He is making all things new!"

-Vance Havner

Life Update

It seems no matter how I really want to keep my blog updated, it never gets done.
But here is what I have been doing in the last few days.
I have been busy attending the Greater Yarmouth Prayer Encounter
with Rev. Gerhard duToit.
It's been great to listening to a man whom truly walks with God so Humbly and as He talks to us about prayer and the bible he radiates the presence of God.
It's truly a blessing when I think we can meet such a person this side of heaven.

But this is not my only blessing, this past Sunday morning (Fathers Day) I had the morning off as my vice chairwoman and my Wife took the service.
And they did a great Job ! To which I am very grateful for them doing it.

Then we went out for a seafood plater for lunch, was it Good.

Another blessing this week occurred when a Retired Minister I greatly respect lent me a book on the life of a Baptist Preacher named Harry Hutchinson born back in 1890 the book is called One Moore Mile that's done by a local author, It is worth getting .

Romans 8:1
Later

Couple Discovered Having Sex In Confessional While Church Service Going On

Wednesday June 11, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

It's church doctrine to forgive and forget.

It's very likely the local bishop of a cathedral in Cesena, Italy will do the former but never quite be able to achieve the latter after he discovered what has to be one of the ultimate no-no's - a couple having an untamed romp in the hay in his church.

In a confessional.

During a morning mass.

The amorous duo, in their early 30s, admitted they'd had a bit too much to drink the night before and in their alcohol-induced fog decided the cramped chamber would make a perfect spot for something sinful.

Police were called and the duo was cautioned for obscene acts in public and a charge you may have never heard of - disturbing a religious function.

The contrite and now sober pair have since repented for their outrageous act of desecration and received forgiveness from the local bishop. He celebrated a "Mass of reparation" inside the tiny area to make up for the sacrilege.

It's not clear if the man and woman involved in this escapade actually attend that church, but if they do, you can be sure their next appearance inside that confessional will leave them with a long list of sins to admit to.

Reading this week (or month)

Future Grace
by John Piper

Now Reading

He'll forgive me anyway
'the devastating life of marshmallow grace
by
Steve HalliDay

This past week

This past week I read two things a book and article that I thought were very encouraging , the first was a book titled: Experiencing Prayer with Jesus by
henry & Norman Blackaby.
this was a quick read book, and very insightful on prayer, especially as I am getting to Chapter of 6 of Matthew in my ongoing sermon serious from the sermon on the mount.
The second thing I read this week that gave me hope as a rural pastor was an article I herd mentioned on the way of the master radio station- from USA Today

Dissatisfaction, yearning make churchgoers switch

By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY

The faithful are restless, a new study of Protestant churchgoers suggests.

They're
switching from church to church, powered by a mix of dissatisfaction
and yearning, according to the study by LifeWay Research. The
organization is part of the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist
Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Most
of the switchers who changed their house of worship without making a
residential move (58%) say their old church failed to engage their
faith, or put their talents to work, or it seemed hypocritical or
judgmental.

But 42% of the people say they
switched because another church offered more appealing doctrines and
preaching or the preacher and church members' faith seemed more
"authentic."

"We
may believe in the same doctrine, the same God and study the same
Bible, but we are also imperfect human beings who mess up, who are not
always living out those beliefs," says Scott McConnell, associate
director of LifeWay Research. He adds in the rise of "consumerism and
narcissism" — when people expect to customize every experience to
personal taste.

More than half (54%) of
switchers changed denominations as well. Fewer than half (44%) said
denomination was an important factor in choosing a new church.

The
study, conducted in December, surveyed 632 Protestant adults who said
they switched churches. For findings on the 415 people who had not made
a residential move, the margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage
points.

The study follows LifeWay's 2006 research on 469 "formerly churched" Protestants who quit church altogether.

Of the switchers, 76% call themselves "devout Christians." Only 19% of the quitters said the same.

The nation's largest denomination, the Roman Catholic Church, sees similar trends.

"The
boundaries that once kept people in one faith, one church, have become
more permeable," says Mary Gautier of the Center for Applied Research
in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

The
number of new converts to Catholicism leveled off at about 150,000 a
year for the past decade, while immigration from Catholic countries in
Latin America, Asia and Africa has pushed the tally of U.S. Roman
Catholics to 64 million. But the church has no mechanism for tracking
who washes out of the pews unless they've died, been excommunicated or
publicly renounced their faith.

"Catholics are very sticky. They may not go to church but they still stick to that identification," Gautier says.

Although
the LifeWay research finds most switchers move to larger churches,
don't blame megachurches for poaching the sheep, says Scott Thumma of
Hartford Theological Seminary, author of an upcoming book, Beyond Megachurch Myths, based on several studies of churches.

"The
1,200 or so megachurches (defined as churches where 2,000 or more
people attend weekend worship) are only one-half of 1% of all U.S.
churches and account for only 5% of all weekend worship attenders,"
Thumma says.

"And my sense, after years of
examining megachurches, is that 80% of the people who join, including
those who go through new member classes, are gone within the first two
years."

Says Brad Waggoner, LifeWay's vice
president of research and ministry development: "There's no simple
answer why people are so restless."

Decades
ago, American culture supported church loyalty out of respect for the
church, obligation to family, or social expectations. Now, he says,
that culture has shifted.

Waggoner also sees
other factors at work, such as increased skepticism or cynicism in the
wake of clergy sexual abuse or financial scandals. And some are turned
off by divisiveness in denominations over doctrine and practice, he
says.

The Southern Baptist Convention, he
says, still feels the effect of a revolution in leadership in the 1980s
that restored theological conservatives to power. The Episcopal Church
is struggling now with dissention over views of the Bible and the role
of gay clergy.

Though individual churches and
pastors can't erase those overarching concerns, the survey suggests
there is a great deal they can change or do to stem the restless tide
of switchers and dropouts, Waggoner says.

"We have a biblical responsibility to care for every person in our flock."

Another Pastor and discussed this article with great hope in that - perhaps if USA Today is right then our better days are around the corner !

********
Not only Have I read this week, but it started off to a great week on the past Sunday night when with two other church's we shared a combined service , where us Three pastors spoke for 10 min. on the Trinity, being Trinity sunday
Bill who retires in less than a month Spoke on the Father, I had the Son and Reg took the Holy Spirit.
It was a great time that was served up by really good food!
But what amazed me was the Aged saint who said she never herd of the Trinity preached on Before. Assumed but never Preached on, how can we leave out such important Doctrinal Truths especially as it makes number one as what we believe in the discipline.
What have we preached - if not doctrines such as the Trinity?
I have a sneaky idea that over time we have only concentrated on specific Wesleyan doctrines to sadly leave our people mel-nourished as to the Whole Counsel of God. Yes ! and even in my church, if I mention one specific word - there are alarming sounds of Amen, but to every thing else ( as we preach through the sermon on the mount covering so many issues of godly living) there is silence.
What's wrong with this ?

Later

Now Reading

the Holiness of God
by RC Sproul

Now Reading

Church on the Rise why I am not a "purpose-driven" Pastor by Larry DeBruyn

My New Favorite Food !!!

This is what we call in Yarmouth a Lobster Poutine. And it's My new favorite !

NOW READING....

I have two books on the go, these days.

The first is by Jerry Bridges " The practice of Godliness"

The second one I know will take longer to read is the
Institutes of the Christian Religion volume 1 by Calvin.

A few thoughts ..

I have been reading through the bible faithfully every day and today I started 2 Kings, the plan I have is book by book, which I enjoy and using a prayer book from the Anglican church given to me by a friend i have been using its morning and evening readings in the Psalms which again I enjoy!
But as I Ipod daily a preacher who is working through the book of Ephesians, I have felt hungry for Paul's words , so this week I Have started just reading through Ephesians , in its entirety, and as I am reading through My ESV Bible I have noticed over the years that I have repeatedly KEPT the same habit, of underlining all the sin passages and the what not to due passages.
And as I think about this Now I have missed for too long , what God has provided and what He wants me to do . In other words I am finding grace.

Later

Saw this Today....

The Christian who is not committed to a group of other believers for praying, sharing, and serving, so that he is known, as he knows others, is not an obedient Christian. He is not in the will of God. However vocal he may be in his theology, he is not obeying the Lord. ~ Ray Ortland

Now Reading..

Putting a Face on Grace



by: Richard Blackaby

My Neighbor

My Neighbor is burning grass as I blog. It amazes me that while we have no snow there are others who have Mountains of snow. I guess its perspective on how you see it all. But on this side I think I like it this way a lot better.

Today I tried to chase down a lady at the hospital for a pastoral call, but here name wasn't on the clergy list, the information ladies list nor on the admitting person's list.
So I called a friend and found out it was on the undertakers list. I have never meet the lady but she has been regularly requested for prayer. And here lies one off the (for Me) downers of ministry being too late. But probably to late eternally which was more important and heart breaking.

I was able to once again this year take our mid week group deeper into the profound debts of this week . We studied Palm Sunday , and again I am amazed at how little we all really know about the important facts of our spiritual life. We are so superficial just knowing enough to sound religious but not enough to defend our faith.

Now The reason the word superficial is on my mind , is that in our monthly ministers meeting( zone)
we were asked if the church has become to superficial in our world. (Good question) Well I am not sure what some were thinking in their answers , but they kinda of proved the point. They could only make presumptions and a lot of 'you knows' and 'they's' I think had the apostles preached a 'you know' and a 'they' along with a host of other hunch statements who would of listened ?
So I am reminded that I myself need to make sure I am not a superficial husband,dad,pastor, son,brother, and friend.

later


I am now reading ...

Basic Christianity by John r.w. Stott
I know its not new, and while I hadn't read it, there are two reasons for reading it.
The price was right a quarter, and its a apologetic book.

Now raeding

I try to keep two books on the go... one fiction and one nonfiction.

The fiction book I just picked up Monday at used book store and started today is....

The Scorpion's Gate by Richard A. Clarke.

Later

Farewell to Mr. Rockwood

Perry F. Rockwood, radio pastor and founder of Peoples Gospel Hour, dead at 90
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Published Monday March 10th, 2008

HALIFAX - Perry F. Rockwood, a pastor whose weekly radio sermon, the Peoples Gospel Hour, has been heard around the world has died in Halifax at the age of 90.

Rockwood, who was born in New Glasgow, N.S., died Friday in hospital after a brief illness, about two weeks shy of his 91st birthday.

Ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1943, Rockwood suffered a bitter break from the church a few years later after charging the faith's leaders with apostasy during a four-sermon series.

The split made front-page news across Canada.

The fundamentalist preacher soon founded a radio program called the Peoples Gospel Hour, which first aired Sept. 5, 1947, on CKCL Radio based in Truro, N.S.

Aside from that program, which airs Sundays, Rockwood's project has grown to include Monday through Friday radio broadcasts and the publication of religious booklets.

His radio programs have been heard on stations in Canada, the United States and throughout the world, including Africa, Asia and Europe.

Rockwood also founded and served as the pastor of the Missionary Bible Church in Halifax.

During the Pope's visit to the region in 1984, Rockwood joined some 50 other people in a small parking lot behind the church to speak out against the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church and the sacraments.

Rockwood was to be buried Tuesday in Halifax following a funeral service.

Now reading

I am now reading a book titled:
The Cross he Bore by Frederick S Leahy.

I picked up this jem from a baptist church in the area that has a book store in it. Not much but the books they carry are treasures most are reform in their theology. and it was here I picked up this book, so as I started reading it last night I googled the authors name and found he passed away January 4 , 2006. His Obituary is amazing he was born in 1922.
He pastored only three congregations till he retired in 1988. He was noted as an avid reader and an author himself.

To me it's godly men like this, that inspire me. Not the Televangelist who occupy TV with their foolishness and softened gospel, but Men who preached the word in season and out of season .
Men with depth to their message for they knew whom they spoke off.
Men who could write more in a three page chapter, than those who write a 300 page book and say nothing.

Later

Reading this week

A price for a people:

The meaning of Christ's Death

By Tom Wells

I dream

The words I dream was the beginning statement for a bunch of poems I read today at a local elementary school while waiting for my daughter.
Whatever grade these poems/stories came from were interesting while I can't remember them all I do remember a few.
* I dream off a world with no beer, so people won't drive drunk.
* I dream off a world with no animal cruelty (this was repeated a lot in the posters)
* I dream off ....

I am glad to see the kids have dreams, I think I'll give this as home work for my mid week group.
to see how they fare as mostly seniors.

Well Sunday is past and i am glad for I have been preaching through the sermon on the mount and this week we came to Divorce, so as I am working through this passage in small bits the idea came to me, I'll give some George Barna quotes and show how sadly the church has become victims of this sin, then to keep things moving i read the Wesleyan church position on it from our articles of religion then moved on to the section on oaths.
Where I wanted the people to see the value of their words and that we are constantly under the listening ear of God, hopefully we are working on it.

And Yesterday (Monday) I got my mid week lesson prepared, and decided for March to switch from the sermon on the mount and prepare for another mount - Calvary.
So using a book(used) I picked up a month ago LENTEN-EASTER SOURCE -BOOK from their list of 100 topics and text for lent choose mine for the week, " If Jesus had not come" John 15:22
the challenge comes now to take this title and give it a body. Which I enjoy.

Later

Farewell for now to a Great Christian Rocker

Larry Norman

4/8/47 - 2/24/08

Hockey People

This weekend will end our complimentary tickets for the Maritime Mariners in the MJAHL hockey league, its been great to have the tickets, till the previous owner (who gave us the tickets) was forced to sell the team and give up his team that he planned to develop, so goes business some win and some get burned.
Well for the season we have sat by the same people every game.
Which is cool! Seeing how people react week after week. [ kinda like church lol ]
The man on my left never talks the whole game you would never know he was there. ( the kind of guy I like sitting by) then there is the two older ladies to my right who have the two isle seats, which once they park , they don't like to move - even stand so you can get by.
And when they do stand up to let us pass by, they always make their thoughts known as we go by getting to our seats, but it's worse when our kids go back and forth they are nasty in their comments.
When you take the end seat be prepared to move.
It's funny though that between the second and third period my wife and I move quickly because that's when they leave their seats so really for the season we have been held hostage.
Then there's the family that sits in front of us -parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts nice people, sons and daughter in laws. They are polite and make conversation , and even take pic's and put them on face book for us to see.
Then the people behind us who are involved with the team as investors, event coordinators, billets for the team players and great hockey fans.
And there's the seat spotters , who move closer and closer to the game by sitting in un occupied seats, And man can that guy yell, I'm sure he is heard in New Found land at every game, he's loud, rude and knows it all about hockey, when the music plays he sings with it . I know he is enjoying the game in his own unique way, but man it hurts the old ears ( a sign of my turning old:( )
Then there was the guy who I say was a senior that was at the Second hockey game of his life , and in good fun he cheered for the opposing team when they scored. To this he was booed by " loyal fans of Yarmouth"
I liked that Guy he had a great spirit.

So now that our tickets have run out , our family will have to find a new way filling up the weekends , so we can have fun.

But while my season tickets are gone I still have my son's team to watch and cheer for , and just yesterday i learned my daughter is on the school basketball team so it will be off to watch her play.

The joys of kids these days,

Later

Todays sunrise

Ps. 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon,

will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Today's quote

Preaching
is effective as long as the preacher expects something to happen—not
because of the sermon, not even because of the preacher, but because of
God.

— John E. Hines

Tuesday

Here it is just about mid Feb.and the winter is going and fishing season is coming up quick, so to help me pass the time I am reading this week ...
Pursuit of the Holy by Corey Russel
and The Last days by Joel C. Rosenberg.

While trying to blog more I am looking for events interesting enough to write about, I am keeping my eyes open to life.

so here is an interesting thing that happened two Sundays ago a 'goth' gentleman game into church , i'm 6'oneish and I had to look up to him to talk. He had the black look right down to his fingernails. I have seen him around town for he stands out and asked my son of grade 8 if he knew him, to which he thought his nick name was Jesus. So he sat in the Back pew - while the pew was waiting for its regular occupants who sat in the choir to come down and take their usual place except for mid Nov. till Jan. because of Christmas objections.
So he sat and at times looked as board as my son. I was glad to see people talk to him, and made a effort to befriend him. Later i learned he had been invited to church that Sunday but invited to go to the baptist Church, not ours. He didn't come back this week. But unfortunately we are more inviting to the 50 and older crowd who like hymns.
I wish we could attract more , But I must work with what we have.
And I do appreciate our church and our worship.
We don't have a worship team ( which I don't like anyways, ) and were open to more musicians but we do our best!

Later

Great things to wak up with.

This morning I woke up to see another great sun rise over a layer of fresh snow.

While My wife woke up this morning to see Her ( actually my son's) Science Fair Project Done and ready to take to school, after what seemed like an eternity of work getting it done.

I hope he realizes what a great mom he has to help him through grade 8 .

Either I can't remember well or life has changed a lot but I don't remember grade 8 as hard as he has it.

It's Friday my sermons done, Bullitines are done, song service picked out, and a plans for a senior home service are under way , I can say this is a great day followed by a great week.

Later

Today

Today the radio announced that schools were cancelled due to the snow storm !

So here are some picures showing the results of todays storm in Yarmouth N.S. and note the grass .

After Living in Bristol N.B. and really seeing snow this is a funny.

Today was a full day off- yesterday school was cancelled early due to forcasted freezing rain.

So the kids have had mini break !

Today I have started a new book titled....

John Calvin (His Life, HIs Teaching , and Influence)

Later

This week

As a Pastor at times I get to hear people whine about life ... and usually its not as interesting to hear it as the whiner thinks. But for the last two sundays I have been glad to hear a guy whine that he gave up tickets to Ozzy Osbourne in Halifax. And I keep telling him his mother and wife are really glad he gave them up.
Maybe I'll lend him the copy of the stryper concert dvd I picked up this week when I was shopping with out my wife. Or I'll watch it and see how my pre-teens re-act to Stryper and try to tell them how it's superior to what they hear now.

Another Pastors story! Two sundays ago I watched as my other music leader lead the service with singing. While leading it he used 'overheads' and one was the hymn COME, THOU FONT OF EVERY BLESSING, a great hymn , but when he made the over head he used a Baptist Hymnal instead of our Wesleyan Hymnal ( the one we use) . This is not an issue with me,
In fact there isn't much of a difference till the last verse, and the gap opens wide between positions. And as I'm singing and watching our people in worship, I noticed some folks frantically getting their hymn books out and turning to the right page and singing from our hymn book instead of the over head. Thankfully no new people were sitting by them.
But would they have been contaminatted by singing the words ?
Words from a free will Baptist Hymn Book
"O to grace how great a debt Daily I'm constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to Leave The God I love; Here's my heart, o take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above."

Here are our words
" O to grace how great a debt -or daily I'm constrained to be! Let that grace, now like a fetter, Bind my yielded heart to thee. Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; Guide me by thy mighy hand Till, transformed, in Thine own image, Im Thy presence I shall stand."

I wonder what will be the heavenly version will be we sing ?

Thats it for Pastor story's .

This week I'm reading No Holiness No Heaven by Richard Alderson.

Later