Coats for Christ

If you ever get a chance to read how Jesus describes the day when we all will see him in the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew, you will find that we all have opportunities to serve him daily in more ways than just believing in him. In fact there is a great passage in Hebrews 13 that says be sure to show hospitality to believers. For some have entertained angels without even knowing it!

But the interesting point about the description in Matthew 25 is that Jesus says to us.."come and inherit the kingdom because when I was hungry you fed me, thirsty you gave me something to drink, and when I needed clothes you gave me something to wear....

We ask.. how is this possible? I've never seen you on earth! And here it is...he tells us what we all ready knew. Whatsoever you've done for the least of my brothers, you've done for me!

Yes, Christ lives in each one of us as believers. And the father loves us all. He greated us all! That's why he tells us to Love each other just as we would love ourselves. I know when I'm in need, I want someone to care enough to try and help me. Don't you? If this winter season you or your children had to spend the night on the streets of your city, wouldn't you be grateful if someone gave you a warm blanket or coat to help protect you from the cold?

Well in the city of Edmonton there are over 3500 people just like you and I that will have to spend the night on the street. Over 250 of them are children! You guys, you don't have to be a follower of Christ to see that there is a need to help someone in need. You just have to have a heart!

On November 13th at 7:00pm, the Reach Missions Foundation along with several of our friends in the city of Edmonton are hosting a concert to raise awareness to the homeless issue, and encourage evryone to come out and donate a coat, blanket, sleeping bag, to gloves, whatever you can to support our homeless community. Come on out and enjoy a great concert filled with great musical talent, drama, food, and culteral diversity. Alone we can do something, but together we can make a difference in the lives of many.

Encourage through discouraging times

We had a phenominal time in Fort Mac last weekend. The people are great, the food was great, the weather was great! We are in the Park enjoying the fellowship of one another, singing songs of praise and hanging out with the ferocious mosquitos (I think that's how u spell it)! We apologize for selling out of cd's. If you pre paid, they have been sent to Fort Mcmurry Gospel assembly. You should be able to pick them up.

Thank you to all of our friends old and new for your support. We look forward to seeing you guys again in the near future. As a matter of fact, Ryan and I will be heading up there on the 26th of September to participate in the "Sounds of Victory" concert, being sponsored by our friends at Redeemed Christian Church of God. If you had a good time like we did in Fort Mac last week, please come on over.

Now back to those mosquitos. It's incredible that I didn't realize they were there until after our worship time together was over. I didn't feel them attacking me, and I didn't see anyone swatting them away until we were close to the end. But they were there. We were so busy enjoying God's presence, and each others, we barely noticed they were chewing the flesh from our bones! (maybe not..but it sounds dramatic)

But sometimes we are distracted by the little things when if we could just focus on our triumphs and the good things that go on in our lives, those discouraging situations don't seem that bad. As a matter of fact, I believe God allows us to go through discouraging times in order to remember the good times and the times he's brought us through those, what seemed to be challenges. Then, when we run into others that are discouraged, we have good news for them...You'll get through it....I did!

Nothing more encourging than to hear someone say, "if I can do it, so can you!" Pass it on guys!

It's the truth! The question is.....do you believe it?

t

I have to tell you....I was checking out a conversation between Jeremiah and God in Jeremiah 12. Jeremiah had a bit of a gripe with how things were going on around him. He asked God this simple question...Why do the wicked succeed? It was interesting because I've been asked this question before by people who have spent some time faithfully walking with God and in their opinion, not seeing the fortunes that their non-believer neighbors have seen.

Yeah......I can relate Jeremiah! in my lifetime, I've looked around at others and saw how they were achieving goals, making it happen, and even finding time to relax on a tropical island while I had to work, work, work, just to make sure all my bills were paid. Like Jeremiah, we've said to God...You know God, this really isn't fair. Some of us may have even said, "Man..it would be easier just to do what everybody else is doing instead of trying to live a life pleasing to God!" Maybe I'll get quicker results that way!

Truth is, life does seem tough sometimes. Tougher than we would like it to be as believers. But here's the thing. If we have made a commitment to walk with God, he is always preparing us for something that we cannot handle in our current period of time. We simply aren't ready for all the many things our father has in store for us. He loves us to much to advance us before we are ready because he knows we will hurt ourselves. We have to grow to the next level of maturity through test`s of patience and reliability on him before he can promote us. He wants us to move into another level of spiritual growth!

I would never give Tamera (my 9 year old) a Harley when she refuses to learn how to ride a bike without training wheels. ``No dad...I might fall``,I don`t like the breaks`` It`s to much excercise! In fact after Jeremiah finishes his questioning, God simply says to him..Listen son, if you can't run with the footman, how can you compete with the horses? The thing is we don't know what level he has planned for us so we don't know how much more tough training we have to endure. it's amazing how God keeps us in a position to exercise our faith in him! The question is, are we to tired to excercise?

Let' s keep Going! The next level is just ahead!

blessings
t

Never Alone

 Thanks for your Support and checking out the blog!

Man it's great to be alive at a time like this! Some of us probably think that's a very insensitive thing to say with the economy and employment at an all time low. The death of Michael and Farah, and let's not forget the hardship on John and Kate!

No....times are tough. But if we look back in history, God works when are crying out to him!We cry out to him when times are tough. Why is that so great? Because when big Poppa hears us, he gets going. And he's going to exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever ask or think!

Here's the tricky part. Are we ready to cast our cares on him so he can work? If we turn all our challenges over to him, believe and not worry, miracles will happen! They Will Happen! I can't wait  to see the next thing God's going to do for those who dillagently seek after him! 

We are in Calgary, ab this weekend at the "Time of refreshing" worship concert. If you're in the area, it's at 6:30 on Friday July 3rd. Mid-sun community centre 50 mid park rise. 

Patricia Shirley from Toronto and Wale Adenuga from Nigeria will be joining us in an evening of song and praise. 

Hey... if you're in the Edmonton area, we want to personally invite you to join us next Friday at the Sherwood Park Alliance church. We have partnered with International new hope Ministries. We'll be raising money to build orphanages in Brazil. Come out and hear more about this great cause! 

If you know you're not alone, let me hear you say YEAH!  

t