International Issue Monday June 28 2010

Hi everyone!

• Just 48 hours until free book giveaway …. Click here http://www.brockvillefirst.com/ and scroll down to bottom of page for details. So far most of the entries for the draw have come from India and the USA. C’mon Brockville.

• Hope you had a great weekend! Ours was absolutely terrific. On Saturday we held a daylong event with Patrick Voo, PCC Minister from Barrie, as speaker, and Bob Cates as entertainer (see http://www.comedyinmotion.com/ ). They brought excellence to an A+ amazing seminar titled “U R the Message”, a theme based on The Message translation of 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message!

The Howard family youth praise band was exceptional as well. Kathleen Howard led a great mass choir. (And the MC was pretty good too. :-) )

• Yesterday we were blessed to celebrate a “Children’s Sunday” in our worship. The children led us in prayer, Scripture reading, Bible stories and assisted with Communion. It was so cool to have them participate, feel at home, show their love for the Lord – and then we crossed the road to the Court house Green for a picnic and games. Sunday was terrific!

did you feel the mtns tremble?

International Edition Thursday June 24 2010



So we get a real earthquake yesterday afternoon and I feel nothing; I must be absolutely alert-challenged, insensitive, and totally unaware. Hmm - probably not the first time some of you will say. My loving daughter Amanda responded to this reflection by saying “Is this a "no comment" moment???? LOL. Sorry u missed it!”

I thought immediately of the song going through my head ever since we started a Monday small group on “The power, people and practice of prayer”. Part of the study is to view George Otis Jr.’s ‘Transformations’: accounts of city transformation because churches prayed together in unity. Quite powerful. I love this song! Here are the lyrics:

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice

Did you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokeness

And here we see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord




Today I want to give you some ‘bite-sized’ pieces of wisdom, reflection. Might be something here that resonates with you. If not, just press delete. I won’t tell the authors.


What's the difference between someone who thinks money grows on trees & someone who thinks the universe created itself? - Jim Gustafson


Some people are naturally bent towards stealing your joy. Don't base your life or ministry around those people. Don't do it! - Ron Edmondson


The important thing is this: To be able to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. - Charles DuBois


“How can you worship a homeless Man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday?” ... Sign outside St. Edward's Cathedral Philadelphia
- @Liturgy


Hope you are having a great day!

Doug

people of prayer

International Edition Wednesday June 23 2010

Are there some people in your life who inspire you to pray? Or perhaps you are that inspirational person of prayer for someone else. The Bible has so many examples of people dedicated to prayer. The skeptic asks "why pray?" I think, among other things, that prayer is a reflection of our respect for, our dedication to, and our dependence on, the Lord. What do you think?

Take 60 seconds to read about three brief examples by clicking here.

got the power?

International Edition for Saturday June 19 2010


Prayer Power –
A friend who pastors in Delhi reminded me just this week that their church survives only by prayer. As I listen to him speak of desperate challenges, of people who are beaten and abused for attending church, of people oppressed by disease, poverty and evil spirits, I can only shake my head in shame for the North American church. My problems are trivial besides life and death struggles there. And they turn to prayer time and time again. At General Assembly I heard a pastor from North India speak. A few years ago he and many Christians were falsely accused by extremists and held in jail for numerous months. They prayed. Canadian Presbyterians prayed. God's power was made evident. Hmm.

How do you respond to this title to one of Philip Yancey's books? Prayer: does it make any difference? (Zondervan, 2006) Yancey says "I have learned that Christians who have no access to earthly power truly believe prayer gives them access to a greater power. They see prayer as our strongest weapon against invisible forces." (see Ephesians 6:10-20) He quotes Karl Barth: "to clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." In this book there are accounts from history showing how prayer played a significant role in the removal of oppressive regimes in Romania and Poland, and that oppressive image, the Berlin wall.

Take a moment to see the same power of prayer at work in the early church. Peter in prison - and then the church prayed on his behalf (Acts 12); Paul and Silas praying in a Philippian jail (Acts 16). Tremendous results! Let's turn the power on shall we?

inspired

International Edition Friday June 18 2010

It was my honour to be asked by the Presbytery of Seaway-Glengarry to be one of six commissioners (3 clergy, 3 elders) to the 2010 General Assembly. This year the Assembly met in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Cape Breton has some incredible scenery and wonderful hospitality, so it was not difficult at all for me to accept this denominational duty with joy. And I was so pleased that my wife Yvonne could clear her work schedule and accompany me. We met up with colleagues and friends from our past, and were delighted to hear their stories of God’s blessings through the years. We also listened to accounts of how other churches are responding to the challenges of doing faithful ministry in a diverse and secular culture.

General Assembly is the highest decision making body in our denomination, and meets annually. One-sixth of a Presbytery’s clergy and lay elders are sent each June. The week is filled with worship, discussion, debate, guest speakers and social events. Some of the business before this year’s assembly:
• Should lay pastors be allowed to administer communion?
• How can the PCC better encourage the planting of new and innovative churches?
• A decision to approve 3 terms to describe the PCC’s view on Scriptural authority: necessary, sufficient, reliable
• A decision to approve the 3 PCC seminaries offer a special program for parish nurses
• Passionate discussion over a lack of funding to support Synod/Regional resource workers
• Passionate discussion on how much extra coursework should be required of ministerial candidates applying from non PCC schools or other denominations
• Passionate discussion on how best to encourage Palestinian Christians caught up in the middle of conflict with Israel
• A decision to continue the practice of holding annual General Assemblies
• An evening devoted to Truth & Reconciliation with First Nations people, with particular focus on the PCC history with native residential schools



The theme for the week:

The Moderator, The Rev. Dr. Herb Gale, declared the focus for his year of service: generosity “I invite you all to make this the Year of Living Generously” he said. “I invite you to sail into the future on the ship called Generosity”.

For more detailed information you can begin by going to this site: http://www.presbyterian.ca/

Personal reflection:
Through my 31 years of ordained ministry I have been to 7 Assemblies (two in Hamilton, as well as one in Ottawa, Cornwall, & St. Catherines ) … the people of Cape Breton went all out to create an incredibly hospitable environment. They planned some wonderful excursions for the free afternoon/evening on Wednesday; the Monday night banquet was amazing with lobster dinner, down-east fiddle music and a special performance by the world famous Men of the Deeps; the daily worship was varied in liturgy and musical styles, and inspirational. Yvonne and I connected with so many people and we left quite encouraged and renewed. Thanks to all the congregations that cover the tasks of ongoing ministry back home so that their elders and ministers can periodically contribute to the life and mission of our denomination in this manner.

We chose the excursion to Baddeck and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. So much more than the telephone! He and his wife were so creative! He partnered with others keen on adventure and new discovery. I was inspired to take more risks and be open to the seemingly impossible.

When assembly ended we travelled to Fortress Louisburg on an absolutely gorgeous day to be by the ocean. In Sydney one night we also got to see 65 foot sailing yachts arrive in harbor from the second to last leg of an ‘around the world race’. Incredible dedication and courage shown by these crews. How can we not be amazed at what teamwork can accomplish?

We drove through New Brunswick and were graciously received by friends from one of our former churches: Mike & Deb Flewelling near Woodstock and Margie & Jack Rogers near Moncton. It was a real joy to also spend much of the week with John & Shari Green from Vancouver Island, a contact that goes way back to our Timberline Ranch days!

Rejoice with us as we say “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God”.

Blessings,

Doug

but following God seems difficult

Thursday June 3, 2010

Character is never developed, strength is never built, maturity never attained without resistance. I am guilty of wanting the easy way, way too often. To be a leader is particularly risky. The public can complain. The team can betray. The friends can disappear. Moses, Jesus and so many others have the scars and stories to back this up.

Following God is Hard Because…

Following God is hard because… He will call you to do something that will stretch you faith.

Ezekial had it tough. Not only did God call him to warn his people about their impending judgment (never a fun topic), but God also told him that they are a rebellious and stubborn people. What a bummer. Can you see him getting ready for this speech? Talk about a hostile audience.
Here is what God tells Ezekiel:

4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” (Ez. 2:4-8 NIV)

What a poor pep talk. God doesn’t even try to sugar coat things for Ezekiel. He says, “Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions.” Briers, thorns, and scorpions – way to freak a guy out!

Whenever we decide to follow God, we must be prepared to have our faith stretched. God understood that this was not an easy challenge for Ezekiel. This was not going to be a popularity speech by any stretch.

God also knows that when He calls you and I to a task, it is going to stretch us as well. That’s the point.

What is God calling you to do? Take courage from Ezekiel’s story. Read verse seven and apply that to your situation. Yes, it is going to be tough. Yes, people may not what to hear what you have to say, but God is saying, “You must speak my words to them.” God has called you for a purpose. Now pursue it!

Following God is hard because He will call you to do something that will stretch you faith.

This devotional comes from http://dustinbates.org/

running on empty?

Tuesday June 01 2010

I found the devotional thought below on jonathanpearson.net. I think it is worth sharing here. Hope it ‘speaks’ to you.

I think these thoughts based on Matthew 14:13-21 (read it here) have implications for anyone concerned about their church:

1. churches that seem to be running close to empty on the resources gauge
2. churches that seem reluctant to try new things
3. churches that think the challenge is too large
4. churches that are not used to a ‘desperate trust’ kind of faith
5. churches wanting to experience excess but are unwilling to access what they already have

Please remember these principles next time you are in a church meeting.

Have a great day,

Doug


1. People should never leave our church/our lives hungry for the Gospel.
It’s our job to be sure that they have what they need when they leave.
We can’t send people away wanting truth when they’ve just sat through our service or witnessed our life.

2. Commit what you do to Christ and you’ll never run out.
No matter what you’ve got, or what you’re doing, commit it to Christ and He will use it.
You won’t run short.
You won’t have to scrum to find more.
Christ always takes what we sacrificially give and makes it more than enough.

3. Reaching people requires action, hard work, and taking risk.
The disciples really had no clue how much food they had when they started giving it out.
The disciples did, however, obey Christ with action in faith that there would be enough food to go around.
No matter what your calling is, you must act in order for it to be accomplished.
Never use prayer as an excuse for inactivity.

4. Do your part in faith and leave the results up to God.
Ultimately, you can’t work hard enough to make something successful.
No matter how hard you try, you’ll never accomplish anything if you depend exclusively on yourself.
There comes a time in everything when you just have to simply trust God.