For Those With Ears - Entries written by Roger Freeman

The usual suspects!  That’s the line I used to hear when someone wondered who did the latest petty crime in my small town.  They were the “bad actors,” or “rotten apples,” or “wayward young-uns.”  The police usually started with them because it saved them lots of time.  “Where should we start?” The usual suspects!

That is often how I feel when it comes to evaluating myself.  What’s going on in my heart?  That’s right - the usual suspects!

How are they affecting  . . .

            my walk, my talk,

            my attitude, my gratitude?  (Or my lack of it!) 

What are my thoughts, that led to my actions; that led to my habits; that formed my character? 

Yup – the usual suspects!

I read a couple of things recently:

If someone else talked to us the way we talked to ourselves, we would call them abusive!

We should talk to ourselves more and listen to ourselves less.  (Think about that one!)

We should memorize more Scripture because we counsel ourselves more than anyone else ever will!

It can be a pretty big challenge to change our self-talk.  The voices in our head can shout pretty loud.  Those voices are really just myself, mouthing old lies and accusations that are sunk deep in the mire of my heart.  Sending me back into old pathways of . . .

            action and reaction,

            strike and counter-strike,

            misstep, attempt to recover and . . . cover-up.

It seems every time I find myself on the wrong side of right I can trace it back to a heart deceived by wrong thoughts.  As I take a good look at them I realize, they are indeed, the usual suspects!

Will I ever collar these hooligans?  Yes, I will!  In 2 Corinthians 10:5 Paul says we win the battle over the flesh by bringing every thought captive to obey Christ.  We destroy arguments and lofty opinions that are raised against the knowledge of God.  We do need to counsel ourselves with the truth of Scripture! 

What are my “usual suspects”?  (Some of them are so familiar to me I thought they were family!)

What truths of Scripture do I need to replace them with?  (Just sayin' – it will be a battle!)

What is a specific truth I need to memorize?  (Recognize, Replace, Reinforce!)

Where do I get the motivation when I don’t have the motivation?  This is a question we ask when we are staring temptation in the face.  I don’t know what your thing might be, but whatever it is, at the moment of weakness it can seem like, “Resistance is futile!”  So here is the thing.  Why are we waiting to fight until we are about to be overcome?  Okay, maybe we aren’t waiting that long but if we are going to get some traction in fighting against sin we better recognize where the battle begins!

The real issue in temptation and falling into sin is the condition of my heart.  Where is my heart in the middle of this?  Why does this particular thing have such a hold on me?  What is this path I have worn that continues to lead me here? The following points don’t substitute for relying on God in faith, but the way to do battle has some practical steps we can all take.  The answers to these questions may be different for each of us, and we must start when we are strong and then build on it to become stronger. 

Here are some battle strategies:

Rigorously capture my thoughts!

This is a wide net!  How radical do you need to be?  Do you need to give up your smart phone?  Do you need to stop watching TV?  Get rid of cable?  Stop reading fluff? 

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

Create patterns of purity in every area!

This includes the Where, When, Who and What of my daily life.  This is an open lifestyle of transparency before others.  There are no secrets here.  If you have a secret, you don’t have this!

Romans 6:12, 13 – “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

Push the positive to fill the vacuum!

Nature abhors a vacuum!  At least my stomach does.  I know I better put the good stuff in or I’ll be making room for the bad stuff and if it's available, I’ll be grabbing it!  Aren’t you like that?  There are just very few people in the world with incredible self-discipline and they don’t have it in every area. 

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Practice!

Of course you have to practice the right things.  It’s no good practicing bad passes or flubbing free throws.  Do “good” until responding with righteousness and generosity is second nature. 

Philippians 4:9 – “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Romans 8:4 – “In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Ask for help!

We really do need each other and we can do better together.  So take advantage of the goodwill of brothers and sisters in Christ, and throw your support behind them also.

Hebrews 3:12-14 – “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”

Drag it into the light!

There is a reality to exposing our sin that takes the power out of it.  This cuts to the heart of our pride and is a test of true repentance.  No wonder!

James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Spend your energy in the right place!

It is amazing how much time and energy and money is stolen from us by sin!  Don’t let that keep on.  We used to say, “The devil has work for idle hands.”  If we are simply doing what we ought to be doing we will be spared from a lot of anguish.  If we are fulfilling our obligations to those we are committed to, then we won’t have time or energy for things we should have nothing to do with.  This applies to our marriages for sure!

Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Proverbs 5:15, 16 – “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?”

Live in the full sight of God!

Of course we do this!  We tend to forget it, downplay it, or think God waives the result since He is all-knowing.   But we live in the sight of angels!  Nothing is hidden from Him!  We need to get a grip on that!

Proverbs 5:21 – “For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths."

Hebrews 4:12,13 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

There are no instant answers or victories.  But we can build strength into our lives and pass the tests one at a time, more and more often.  It starts with surrender.  Wave the white flag and yield to God!

One of the most daunting challenges anyone can take on is . . . Parenting!  Being raised with eight siblings and numerous foster children, I guess I thought I had an inside track on it.  I never thought much about what I was getting into!  However, because I am so blessed with a clear-thinking, forward-looking wife, we avoided some of the nastier mistakes parents tend to make.  At least, it looks like it from this side.  We are so thankful for how God has pursued our children and protected them.

We know it is on the hearts of so many to steward their family well.  We want to get you help!  So note this information from Harvest Oakville’s web site:

• Parenting is more than using your power to get children to behave in certain ways. Parenting is all about the exposure and change of the child’s heart.

• When the heart of a child changes, the behavioral change that is needed will last. Learn how to be an instrument of heart changing grace in the little moments of life that God will give you with your children. Paul Tripp will begin with giving you a picture for God’s design for the family. Because if you don’t understand the family; you will never understand parenting.

• Paul will help you to understand the life transforming and agenda setting things that the Bible says about the heart. Then, he will apply the principles about the family and the heart to the three primary stages of parenting.

• In each stage Paul will give you the key issue of focus and practical steps for achieving what is important, at that particular stage of the child's growth and spiritual development. Paul will also help you to identify those places where you are in the way of what God is calling you to do rather than being part of it by helping you to locate your own heart issues. This is a great conference for parents raising children from age toddler through teen.

Friday, March 1 from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Cost: $20 per ticket.

For more information on child care at the conference or to register go here.

We live in a community of communities.  They are rich and diverse and complex.  We all belong to many of them.  We usually think of community in terms of place.  We live in this community or that one.  But we also have communities of people.  One might belong to the Italian community or on a larger scale, the African community, and of course there is the international community – whoever they are!  Then we have communities built around passion.  We might belong to the sports community or the business community.  We even have communities of participation.  I can join a reading club or an Internet community that is nothing more than a sharing of anonymous, frequently rabid opinions!

Community is vital for human beings.  We need to build them and participate in them and improve them wherever we can.  But as amazing as all of that richness and diversity is, all of that is still, really, just common community.  As we look at the house we are building called Harvest Bible Chapel, the roof over it all is what we are calling uncommon community!  All that we do, takes place in the context of community.  When we are all together on a Sunday, in our small groups, in friendships and in our families, we are in community and we want it to be this uncommon community!

What is uncommon community?  What makes it uncommon?  What does it look like and what are the ramifications of it – for me?  We’ll get some of those questions answered Sunday from Philippians 2:1-18.  It wouldn’t take long so why not spend some time reading through all of Philippians?  Get ready by listening to the songs we will be singing together, checking the bulletin to keep up with what's going on, praying through Weekend Warriors prayer requests and spending some time preparing to take communion together.  Spoiler alert!  As you meditate on the deep meaning of communion you will be getting warmer concerning what makes community uncommon! 

And anything that gets us warmer this week is a good thing!

See you Sunday!

I am excited about how Soul Care is developing!  Here are a couple of reasons why:

The Biblical Counseling Coalition is an organization seeking to bring together some of the different strands of biblical counseling and forge ties that will strengthen each one.  They recently did a series of interviews with various people from Canada about the state of biblical counseling here.  Right now there is lots going on but it is pretty fragmented. 

Further, at a counseling convention I attended last week, many of the organizations are promoting biblical counseling within the framework of the local church.  However, not many of them are actually embedding it in the fabric of the body of believers like Biblical Soul Care does! 

Harvest Bible Fellowship churches are working together to implement Soul Care among our churches by integrating it into the life of our churches!

Through a generous gift, we have been able to bring Angelo Papania onto our staff team to further strengthen our own effort to integrate Biblical Soul Care into the life of our church here at Harvest Barrie. This was not something we anticipated happening, but we are grateful to God for his provision. 

Angelo will continue to help deliver training in Intentional Soul Care to our body until we reach our goal of having every member trained.  Together we are bringing Directive Soul Care training to our leaders through a curriculum entitled “Uncommon Community” to enhance practical, hands-on skills.  He is also pursuing certification to help us with pastoral counsel at the Corrective Soul Care level.

Continue to pray for Angelo and for fruitfulness in the ministry of Biblical Soul Care.

Roger 

Loyalty isn’t a word we use much these days except in commercial terms.  We look for “customer loyalty” or “brand loyalty.”  The concept should be much deeper in our thoughts.  Philosopher Josiah Royce considered loyalty the primary virtue and defined it as “the willing and practical and thoroughgoing devotion of a person to a cause.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty

Loyalty is freely given by a person after personal reflection and results in action being taken.  I’m not sure what that means for our concept of dogs being loyal.  I’m not sure how much they think about it before they choose! Loyalty is akin to the biblical concept of faithfulness.  We look for faithfulness in those to whom we give responsibility.  We could ask the question, “To what or to whom should I be loyal or faithful?”  The main answer is obvious, but can I be loyal to more than one person or thing at a time?  Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).  Is it only money he is talking about?  Can I have divided loyalties without being conflicted?  Perhaps there are some things to which loyalty is assigned in ascending order but other things to which loyalty must be mutually exclusive.  I hope this provokes you to think about it.  Why not share some thoughts with us?

I think Jonathan provides some answers to these questions that I will share on Sunday as we consider more leadership lessons for non-leaders.  The message, “Leading from behind” is all about loyalty and how we express it.  I am praying for you as we all till the soil of our hearts for God’s Word to be planted in them.  Others are praying also!  You can join them by signing up for the Weekend Warriors prayer bulletin here, and checking out our set list of songs here.

See you Sunday!

Roger

You can start off by reviewing the set list here.  Then, you can read Psalm 32.

While relaxing this summer may get us thinking about the good life the world is offering, Psalm 32 has some rock solid truth about how we should think right. We need to get our eyes on the right things so we don’t end up getting burned by the world or overwhelmed by the waves of life.

Pastor Scott has a dynamite message to share with us! While we should pay close attention to the first few verses in preparation for Communion, don’t get stuck there. We are going to be soaking in some great teaching from the whole song. We’ll be taking our HOPE offering also. 

We all long to make a difference!  Sometimes we think, “If only I were that person, or had that position, or were over there, I could really make a difference!”  It is hard to believe I am making a difference when I’m stuck in a lowly place, grinding out a daily routine with the same people, over and over.  What is often surprising is how many of us all feel that way.

But wait!  That isn’t how we should look at things at all. 

God has placed us in the body just as he wants us. 

Further, we all have been gifted for serving him and each other. 

Even more, we have a mandate to fulfill. 

We need to line those truths up in our lives.

This Sunday, Ian Hales is going to help us do just that as we consider how we can each make a difference right where we are.  Read over Matthew 5:13-16 and listen to the worship set here. 

Ian is the senior pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel – Durham Region.  We are excited to have him bring the Word to us.  Ian’s greatest desire is to see God glorified.  His prayer is “ . . . to see lost people saved and saved people matured as his Word goes forth.”  Ian and his wife Sarah have been married for seven years and are parents to Karis and Joshua. 

Have you ever been moved to tears?  Maybe it was a scene in a movie.  Probably not “The Avengers,” but maybe some other touching kind of moment, in some other kind of movie, that someone might watch, sometime.  Are you ever moved to tears during worship?  Perhaps during one of our “Storylines” videos? (You can see them here.)

Sometimes I am moved to tears as I read people’s stories before baptisms.  The way God moves in lives and brings people to himself fills me with wonder and amazement and joy!  Paul knew all about this for himself and for others.  He speaks of it in 1 Timothy 1:12-17.  Is this a description of what God has done in your life?

“… the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Paul notes that God’s grace overcame whatever he had filled his life with.  God’s mercy overcomes our sin!  But it doesn’t end there.  God has a purpose every time he saves someone.  It is so he can show, just like with Paul, “…his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”  Your story is an example of God’s grace!  It is a template, a pattern for someone else to follow.

Maybe you never thought of your life as something that brings honour and glory to the immortal, invisible God.  But God thinks it does.  It might not move someone to tears, but it might move them to God! 

Here is a great idea.  Write out your story in a way you can share with someone else over a coffee – maybe in five minutes.  Write it in a way you can share on an elevator ride – maybe in one minute or less.  Finally, write out or record a storyline of God’s work in your life, that someone could read or listen to in twenty minutes to half an hour.    A friend just shared one he made of his life story with me.  Yup – tears!

Of course, the end point is to share your story.  For God’s glory!  For someone’s salvation!  Why not post your one-minute version here?  Go ahead – make me cry!

Roger

Let’s play some word association.  I give a word and you say the first word that comes to mind. 

Salt and ___________
Bread and _________
Samson and ___________  (hair – apparently!)
Holiness and ______________

What you put in that last blank tells a lot about what kind of teaching you have had and the attitudes you have picked up.  Why is it so many of us think of prunes?  (And why do we think of prunes that way too?!)  I have no experience with prunes!  But somehow it brings to mind a picture of an angry pinch-faced person with a hate on for fun. 

I think the most gripping concept of this message was that, “we are not designed for sin.”  Wow!  That explains why we should say no to some stuff.  It is sin and will poison and kill us!  In that analogy, holiness is like water.  It’s life.  It’s good for us, and we need it, and when we are parched and dry it is refreshing and life-giving.  Holiness is not “anti-fun”, it’s “anti-poison!”  Holy people are happy people, and peaceful people, and purposeful people. 

So as promised by Pastor Todd, here’s why that is true:

Ten good things that come as a result of our holiness:

1.     Holiness is what gives us our identity in God’s family. Eph. 1:4

2.     Holiness erases the shame of the past and keeps us from having to look over our shoulders because we have a new self. Eph. 4:24

3.     Holiness means we have solid relationships with one another, treating each other as we ought to, with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Col. 3:12

4.     Holiness keeps us from falling back into destructive sin. 1Thess. 4:4-7

5.     Holiness means we will be used of God for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21

6.     Holiness means we get to see God. Heb. 12:14

7.     Holiness lifts our prayers to the throne of God. James 5:16

8.     Holiness means better marriages, filled with intimacy and oneness. 1 Pet. 3:1-7

9.     Holiness means an anointing by a holy God to have knowledge we could not otherwise have. 1Jn. 2:20

10.   Holiness gives us hope for eternity with our God. Rev. 20:6

That’s way better than anything I had before Christ. Way better than anything the world or sin offers me. And those who are Christ’s will want all of these good things. God disciplines us for our good.

Take some time to read the Scriptures, think about the benefit and picture how it would look being worked out in your relationships.

Blessings,

Roger

The goal: To pray for every household and business in Barrie.

The Method:  Having believers prayer walk the streets of Barrie.

The Day:  This Saturday, May 12

We are actually kicking off our prayer walk this year tonight!  Our youth are prayer walking the downtown core.  These prayer walks in downtown Barrie have been incredible and our youth will be meeting to lift up the needs of our city in prayer.  They’ll walk around in their small groups with their leaders and pray, then meet up for coffee after. And it's not just for the youth. If you would like to join in, you are very welcome. Details here.

This Saturday is the day followers of Jesus from all over the city will be walking the streets of Barrie, individually or in small groups, praying for the people in the homes, apartments and businesses they pass.  It happens at various times throughout the day.  Last year we were able to cover approximately 60% of the streets in Barrie with some wards fully covered. This year our goal is 100% in all wards.

In addition, there is a celebration worship service at Unity Christian High School, 25 Burton Avenue, at 2 p.m. on May 12. The vision is to provide an opportunity for those who prayed to come together and encourage one another by lifting their voices in praise.

How can I get involved?  Start by registering on line.  Here is the link. Select the streets you will commit to prayer walking.  Check out the guidelines suggested on the web site.  Then pray!

We most often think of our immediate family when we think of passing on a blessing.  As a matter of fact, we probably only think of our children – and maybe only until they become teenagers.  I want to make some suggestions on how you can extend the scope of the blessing!

One way is by remembering that your adult children still need and want your blessing.  They need to hear from you!  Never underestimate your continuing influence. 

Would you consider a ”reverse blessing?”  Give the blessing back to your parents or grandparents, or to a significant person who influenced you.  For some reason I can see it being a pretty powerful boost for an older person to be told God still has a great plan and future in store.  

When I sent out this week's curriculum I suggested to the small group leaders that there might be someone in their small group that never received the blessing.  I suggested it could be a powerful time of affirmation if the small group gathered around and pronounced the blessing over a member. 

One of our men is working hard to set up mentoring relationships between men and fatherless boys.  This isn’t just “Big Brothers” and I intend no offense to that group.  But this is discipleship!  It's modeling Jesus!  And it needs to include the blessing.   What children are in your sphere of influence that you could bless?

As a matter of fact, what person is in your sphere of influence that you could bless?  How about the one closest to you?  Are you daily blessing your spouse?  Here is a simple daily way to create a culture of blessing at the centre of your home.  Pray!  Pray daily with your spouse.  Pray daily with your children.  Make it the last thing you do before sleep.   Bring the one who blesses front and centre in your home.

Who do you intend to bless?

Roger

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” 3 John vs. 4. 

You can imagine how joy-filled Margaret and I were Sunday!  We are excited about what God is doing in Chad and it really seems like a natural, next step for him.  That may sound strange but when God is leading there is often a settled sense of peace about things, even though there may complicating factors.

One thing Todd mentioned on Sunday was that we have to be secure in God’s blessing on our own lives to pass on the blessing to our children.  I remember a conversation with Chad after we arrived here.  I told him Margaret and I had no doubt this is what God had for us, but, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were really here in Barrie because of what God was going to do in him?”  We believe that for the others also.

I want to be so careful not to boast because God’s grace and leading and blessing are all over our being here.  His faithfulness and mercy are foremost in this story.  The prayers of both sets of grandparents and both sets of our parents and their evident faith in God as a heritage are not inconsequential!  We have indeed received the blessing and are committed to passing it on.

I’m thinking right now of several questions you may be asking.  “I have a godly heritage and I’m living it out, so why aren’t my kids on fire for God?’  Or, “I never had a godly heritage; I’m first in line, so is there hope for my kids?”  I think Todd answered those questions.  Our eyes have to be on Christ, I have to leave behind the ups and downs of the past and I have to seek the blessing from God.  I do so through experiencing salvation and exercising faith today.  There is a reality that every one of our children must make their own decisions about living for God.  The key thing I am responsible for is to give them no excuse for not doing so by living a life of faith.

Tomorrow I want to share some practical and formal ways to pass on the blessing if yours is “that kind of family!”   What I am trying to underline today is that there has to be a context for that, a context of faithful living for the unseen.  What are some solid ways you are living “by faith” in front of your family?

What an incredible effect praying together has!  I know it transforms couples, and families – and churches.  I know saying “grace” before the meal can turn into a little ritual devoid of true meaning.  But it doesn’t have to!  And it does have an effect on the conversation and attitudes around the table.  Praying together as the last thing before falling asleep changes the focus from “me and you” to “us before God.”  Over time, that does make a difference.  And finally, to borrow a book title off my shelf, “Something happens when churches pray!”

So when we pray together as a church we are changed.  We - are - changed!  So lets get at it this Tuesday at Timothy Christian School at 7 p.m.  Our youth will join us and we can expect more of this:

"All I can say is, the prayer time on Sunday night was amazing.  The prayers in our group were passionate prayers for our pastors, elders, staff and for our church, the prayers for the lost were spoken with tears being shed as we lifted each name up to the Lord.  Each time we do this it seems they get better and better - this one, without a doubt, was the best.  To God be the glory!"

"I REALLY enjoyed it and was blessed by how the night went. I wouldn't change a thing!! Seriously it was perfect. The Holy Spirit was in the house. I look forward to the next one and left feeling pumped and very encouraged to go out and live my life with complete boldness in front of my unsaved family and friends! Still working on it big time, I need lots of help Lord."

"It was an amazing night for me! I could really feel God working in me, and his presence around me.  My prayer life before had been lacking, and I wasn't feeling much change in my life lately.  I had been praying for God to soften my heart and I really felt that tonight. I think that I had never really realized power of prayer before tonight, and I feel drawn closer to the Lord."

"I was so blessed by all that God did tonight!!  I wasn't sure what to expect and I actually didn't really want to go. The whole idea of having to "pray around a circle" with a group of 8-10 strangers, ... seemed really intimidating. It shocked me when someone said that prayer meetings only happen four times a year. Whatever!  We should do it every Sunday!  So glad we didn't have to pray around the circle!  Was really blessed by the prayers at the end … such great testimonies to the work of God.  So very glad and thankful to be part of Harvest and even more glad to know such a great Saviour!"

So here is a great idea:

"I loved having my whole small group there too and how we met up before hand at Williams!"

The best is to hear things like this:  

·     "I personally have issues with praying out loud and in groups but I was able to overcome that fear and to exercise my faith!!"

·     "Seriously, I have never been to a prayer night before, but that was what I always envisioned one to be like."

·      "I can't wait for the next one!!!! It was so wonderful to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ and have a focused prayer time. Prayer is so powerful!!! Praise God."

·     "Last night had me in tears almost the whole night ( and I RARELY EVER cry so that was a miracle in itself.)"

·     "God's presence was truly there."

When it’s over, it’s over.  Whether it’s the big game, the big production, the big event, or the big sale, when the adrenaline stops pulsing through our veins, there is a let-down.  It came into sharp focus for me on Monday morning because it’s garbage day at my house!  Man, that is a reality check the very next morning after Christmas.  It’s like having an autopsy of your celebration at the curb by 7 a.m.

All the remains laid out in order – what we ate in the composter, what we drank in the blue bin, all the pretty paper mixed in with the last-minute advertising in the grey bin, and “we don’t want to know” in the ominous black bag.  Pretty little bits of paper reminding me of gifts wrapped with care that are already kind of used and old.  Oh, to be sure there are still levels of anticipation about using a tool I got or playing with my ’71 Mustang Boss 351, (not full scale), but the let-down is kicking in like a head-ache.

I guess that is one reason we need to be reminded pretty constantly to look for the blessings and good things.  It is really easy to fall into the negative and focus on the disappointments that inevitably come.  I wonder if that is how the shepherds felt after their big event?  We talked about these guys a week ago Sunday and at our Christmas Eve worship services.  They didn’t have a warm and rosy, picture-book idea about “the nativity.”  They saw it in real smell and time.  When they left, it was still with only promises about the Messiah this baby was proclaimed to be.  If they hadn’t been told by angels they might not have believed it, considering his circumstances.   They were going back to ordinary lives that none of us have experienced or would want.   Yet, “when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.”

I wonder if the older ones had a 30-year perspective coming from their gritty view of life? 

“It’s the Messiah!  When he grows up, then it will get good.  Those Romans will pay one day!  Till then, lets go find them sheep.”

Back to the ordinary, that is no longer ordinary.   Back to work, back to school, back to parenting, back to collecting next week’s garbage.   Back to proclaiming that everything has changed.  The cure for the let-down is realizing the celebration is just part of a bigger picture.  What is important is that God has entered our world – my world – and it is time to make it known.  How are you going to do that in the coming days?

Surprisingly enough I am finding out that I actually have lots of desires for things both tangible and intangible.  I don’t really expect them for Christmas but I do have some kind of expectation that eventually they will show up. 

Not surprisingly, I find those desires showing up in, of all places, my prayers.  I want . . .   I need . . .   Please bring . . .  Of course, many of these things are good things, not really even selfish or for myself.  Maybe even things like peace, or salvation for someone, or – okay, this is a little selfish – for God to work in that person’s heart so they’ll stop bugging me so much!

What I am finding is that I actually have desires masquerading as prayers.  I need to ask myself:  “Where does this desire come from?”  Sometimes it comes from the wrong place.  Instead of rising out of my identity in Christ as a desire for his will, they rise out of my flesh and a desire to achieve some spiritual standing or posture.  (Okay, sometimes they are just nothing more than rank selfishness.  James 4:3)  Temptation’s hook is so set in my flesh that I am asking God to meet my expectations instead of seeking his will.  Just a while ago I read a tweet quoting a man named Thrasher that said, “God’s will is exactly what you would desire if you knew all the facts.” 

Is God’s will what I desire?  Even without all the facts, God’s will is what I will choose if I understand my identity in Christ.  Desire for relationship with him and opportunities to love and serve him will be my requests.  The cool thing is that God has already met that desire with the first Christmas gift.  Immanuel – God with us.  He really is what I need this Christmas.  Maybe instead of reducing my expectations, I need to raise them.  Its not like he isn’t sufficient!

Roger

How do I become “skilled in the word of righteousness”?  I don’t want to be that guy in the diaper needing a shave!  Pastor Todd shared four ways to ramp this up.  Over the next three days we want to share some help in those areas.  The first way is to READ it.

I’ll be the first to admit that some parts of the Bible are easier to read than others.  A reading program helps.  There are lots available.  I have used one for the last four years with four different readings for each day that would take you through the whole Bible in one year.  I have followed one column per year taking me through the whole Bible over the last four years.  Here is an online version of it you can even listen to!  Perhaps it's time to change it up!  There are one year or two year plans.  There are One Year Bibles that have a reading from different parts of the Bible each day that take you through the whole Bible in the year.

You will quickly find that there are many translations available.  Reading in different ones is helpful but it is important to know what kind of translation you are reading.  They range from quite literal like the New American Standard Version, which I use in my personal reading, (large print edition), to ones which use a “thought for thought” approach by translating ideas more than each word like the New Living Translation or the better known and more literal New International Version.  Some are simply paraphrased editions like The Living Bible or The Message.   We prefer to recommend the English Standard Version, (and make it available in the bookstore), because it is a high quality, essentially literal translation that is very readable and more precise when translating the original language.  You can check it out here:  web, app

Nothing substitutes for reading the Word itself!  There are however, supplements that can help focus your thoughts and help with application.  The Life Application Bible does this and is available in a number of translations.  There are devotionals like the “Our Journey” available in the bookstore.  There are many e-devotionals on line.  I get one from Daniel Henderson, though it isn’t a daily one.  Some others that are available are Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening”, or Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest” and Pastor Todd has been quoting from the “Valley of Vision.”  And there are lots here.

Reading the Bible is the place to start.  But what do I do with it?  How do I chew on it to get the most out of it?  I want to do more than just snack.  Tomorrow Todd will go a little deeper into “How To Study the Bible.”

Stay tuned,

Roger

One of the great things about the season is that there are all kinds of opportunities to do good things for others.  Peter said of Jesus that, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.  He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”  (Acts 10:38).  Lots of the good we do is certainly not on this scale, (though we are seeking to redeem some of the elements of the cultural rhythms of this season for God).  We want, however, to “do good” where we can.  With that in mind, here are some opportunities:

Working backwards from “the day” (and by the way, you can plan to spend Christmas Day with your family - no Sunday services on December 25), we are having two identical Christmas Eve services on December 23 and 24.  They are both at 7 p.m. and are definitely something to invite your family, neighbours and friends to participate in!  As noted in the papyrus communication tool that we hand out each Sunday, we will need extra volunteers those nights in Welcome! Ministries if you are available to help.

Another way to “do good” is by participating in “If They Were Mine." We're joining up with CHIPROM in Nigeria and Freedom House in Haiti to provide Christmas gifts for children in these orphanages. Our Harvest young adults are leading the charge so you can stop by to see them at the booth in the lobby with your donation, ($40/basket), to bless these children this Christmas.  All your donations will be used to purchase gifts in country and take care of practical needs for those less fortunate. Rally around this campaign and show the love of Christ!

A cool thing would be to support our Awana clubs with their “Baskets of Joy” silent auction, (also raising money for the Children of Promise orphanage in Nigeria and the Freedom House orphanages in Haiti), on Wednesday December 14 at TCS from 6:30-8 p.m.  Bid for amazing baskets assembled by our kids and families.  Winners will be announced at 8 p.m. and will go home with their basket – which you could also use to bless others!!

There will also be refreshments available in the foyer to enjoy during the bidding wars!  (Please RSVP to Amy at if you’re planning to attend the silent auction).

Maybe you are part of our ministry through small groups helping out some of our own families, along with our HOPE fund.  Some small groups join together in other initiatives also and I know there are lots more opportunities besides.   This season, let’s do good where we can, as God leads each of us.  Let’s also remember the other part of what Peter said, “And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”  (Acts 10:42-43).   Now that’s a gift!

American culture is probably the hardest place in the world to learn to pray. We are so busy that when we slow down to pray, we find it uncomfortable. We prize accomplishments, production. But prayer is nothing but talking to God. It feels useless, as if we are wasting time. Every bone in our bodies screams, 'Get to work.'                                                                                            

When we aren’t working, we are used to being entertained.  Television, the Internet, video games, and cell phones make free time as busy as work. When we do slow down, we slip into a stupor. Exhausted by the pace of life, we veg. out in front of a screen or with earplugs. If we try to be quiet, we are assaulted by what C. S. Lewis called the 'Kingdom of Noise.' Everywhere we go we hear background noise. If the noise isn’t provided for us, we can bring our own via iPod. Even our church services can have the same restless energy. There is little space to be still before God.

• to give grocery or gas certificates to meet an immediate need
• to help pay a bill that has gotten away
• to help pay for someone to participate in a conference or Bible study
• to help pay for a car repair
• to help a small group with child care
• to help someone with moving expenses
• to pay for parking at the hospital
• to pay for a hotel room during an emergency trip
• to bless someone with a dinner or date-night out
• to replace or repair a home appliance
• to provide a bus pass
• to get someone resources from the bookstore
• to help one of our members bless someone else evangelistically

unapologetic preaching
unashamed adoration
unceasing prayer
unwavering witness
uncommon community

• A clear testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ
• Baptism as a believer (we have a baptism service coming up on April 3 - please let me know if you're interested!)
• Completion of Peak Performance (our next scheduled class is two sessions - Wednesday, March 23 and 30 from 6:15-8:15 p.m. at TCS during Awana)
• Submit a Harvest membership application (available here)
• Interview with Pastor Roger
• Name to appear in the bulletin for three weeks

But that is not what excites me most!  I think the greatest thing about this building is that it will be a training centre for Romania and beyond.  Already, this church is visited weekly by believers from all over Eastern Europe and up to 53 different countries. These guests come to observe and learn from the staff and volunteers at the Metanoia church.  Already, they are putting on seminars about high impact worship, solid preaching of the Word, the role of prayer and small groups.  (They include evangelism even though that is something these believers seem to have a handle on!)  As we have seen in previous posts here, God is moving internationally through the Harvest Bible Fellowship.

We can partner with Christian Barbosu and the Metanoia churches to equip leaders to impact Romania and beyond.  This is the same challenge we face in Haiti.  By equipping the pastors and helping them to train new leaders we will impact Haiti with sustainable and long-term change.  Change that begins in the heart and makes a difference in lives.  The kind of change we’re going for here in our own lives.  Planting local churches that embrace the four pillars and emphasize worshipping, walking and working for Christ reproduces the biblical model we have been following.    

Would you consider a gift to the church in Romania?  Would you consider doubling your money?  More importantly, would you become part of a modern move of God in an area of the world starving for the gospel?  You can give online or with your regular Sunday giving.

There is always an expectation that we will get a return on our investment. No one wants to be like the guy who made a million dollars – out of two million!  Most of the time we do get a return, in line with the saying, “You only get out of something, what you put into it.”  That is for sure true in a marriage.

Many people go into marriage 50/50.  I put in my half and she puts in her half and together we make a whole out of it.  It doesn’t work that way! Marriage is for two adults who each bring their healthy whole and God puts their 100/100 together to make one new whole.  The math doesn’t add up but that is how it works in God’s kingdom.

Margaret and I regularly invest into our marriage.  Recently we went to “A Weekend To Remember” marriage conference sponsored by Family Life Canada.  We have been asked, “Do you really need that after almost 30 years together?”  Here is what we get from our investment:

1.    Remember the basics!  You don’t get to finesse the puck into the net if you can’t get to the net with the puck!  (That’s a hint for all you sports minded dudes.)  It is amazing how we can forget the basic elements that make a relationship work well.  We need reminders about time and communication and our differences.

2.    Get a handle on it!  We often come away with a new way to verbalize issues.  We have words to put to things we are dealing with, for ourselves and for others we talk to.  We have a handle to put on a problem.

3.    Resources!  There are some great books out there that are standards, and there are new ones that bring perspective and insight.  I picked up one on “Coffee dates for couples.”  Time with my friend and coffee – now that’s a win/win!!

4.    Away with reason!  No, I don’t mean get rid of “reason,” I mean get away with purpose. It’s good to go away, not just for time as a couple, but to take time to think and talk about us as a couple.  “How are we doing?” is a great question to ask regularly, even when the answer means we have some work to do. 

Even after 30 years we have more to learn and apply.  We have more to learn to help others.  It is worth the investment!  Want to invest a little yourself?  There is another “Weekend To Remember” in Niagara Falls in February.  That sounds like another win/win!  Now is the time to plan! For more information go to www.powertochange.com

Glenn Van Zeumuren, a parent of students in OACS Christian schools and the coach of the TDChristian Cross country team, has been in the hospital for four weeks and has been diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder. He now needs a stem cell/bone marrow transplant.  A transplant can only occur if a match for his marrow is found. The best chance of a match is from people with a similar ethnic background as he is European.  Please go to www.blood.ca and register to be a potential donor, for him or someone else. Registering to be a donor takes five minutes and all that is involved is a cheek swab to see if you are eligible. This is a worldwide registry so it doesn’t matter where you live.

To the elders of Harvest Bible Chapel in Brampton, Cambridge, London, Muskoka, Oakville, and York Region:

Dear Brothers:

The familiar words of James 1:2-4 have particular meaning for us now: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

We have experienced God’s perfecting love over these past few years. As we walked that path of trial and discipline, the loving response of our sister churches in Canada and of the leadership at the Harvest Bible Fellowship reflects God's continued mercy and goodness to us in Barrie. We now have several challenging years behind us. We look back with gratitude to God for his perfecting work in us, and we thank you for standing with us through the darkest of those days. Your encouragement and prayers have been used by God to lift up our failing hands.

As we move through the remainder of this calendar year and into a new budget year in January, we can assure you that we are using these gifts prayerfully and with discernment as good stewards before the Lord. We are committed to adjusting our expenses while still exercising faith for the work that remains to be done. We are content to wait upon the Lord, for he alone gives us strength for the work ahead.

On Sunday, September 19 we brought before our people an acknowledgment of your gifts in order to allow our people to gain the perspective we have had of how you have stood with us in prayer, in wisdom and in sharing financially in our burden. We believe this glorifies God and further strengthens the faith of our people. If you believe it will likewise strengthen your people, we encourage you share with them that we are, together, engaged in a work that includes "keeping our brothers."

For those of us who have served in other churches and denominations, the reality of how you have surrounded us is unique to our movement and reflects the generosity we have been taught by, and have seen in, the elders in Rolling Meadows. We are grateful for their example. The verse we have heard often quoted rings true here, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” Proverbs 11:24-25. May God cause you to grow richer in all things, to be enriched and abundantly watered and to produce much fruit to his glory.

Beyond the financial stewardship, in the early part of 2010 we received a comprehensive list of recommendations from the Harvest Bible Fellowship with regard to sharpening our focus and defining our values. This fall we will complete the changes recommended to us. We are already seeing the fruit of that exercise with increased passion for small groups, better communication and a solid assimilation process, to mention only three. As elders and staff we will continue to reflect on what we have learned personally and corporately through this time. As God gives us opportunity, we will share what we have learned for our mutual benefit, and declare openly and boldly that we are more committed than ever to the fellowship God has given us as local churches. This, above all, is a gift from God to be cherished and celebrated.

Pray for us as we pray for you.

On behalf of the elders and people of Harvest Bible Chapel Barrie and by his grace alone,

Terry Codling
Elder Chair