Detoured in Life!

If you live in Winnipeg, you are very familiar with the term "detour!" They are everywhere as the street repair crews do their thing before the snow flys. Orange signs direct you where you didn't really want to go but have to because of circumstances.
I took time the other day to read the daily devotional from "My Utmost for His Highest", dated September 21. It was challenging as usual, but it was the last phrase that caught my attention....all it said was..."Beware lest you forget God’s purpose for your life." I thought that was a great reminder for me and now for all of us to do a bit of a spiritual map check.
Where are you? Spiritually speaking? Are you caught in some detour away from God's will and purpose? Have you driven off the original road and changed directions away from God's course? I have recently talked with several people who claim to be "Christians" who have somehow allowed themselves to get detoured from God's design of "being like Jesus!" They are choosing to disobey His Word, His Commands, His Rules of Life.
Call me old fashioned, old school, or maybe just old...but I think a person who calls themself a Christian needs to be acutely aware of God's purpose for their life. No detours, no diversions, no wandering away. Get back on course! Remember God's Purpose for your life! The entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
It's called OBEDIENCE! Let me say it again....Get back on course! Stay on course! Remember God's purpose for your life.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Happy are the Sad!

Matthew chapter 5 verse 4 tells us that if we mourn, we will be blessed! Really? What was Jesus talking about when he sat and spoke with his disciples? He was describing a life that is lived out as the Holy Spirit transforms them from the inside out. They are not commands or required standards as if to gain God's approval, but they are like guidelines for the kind of life God desire within those who claim him as their God. Now back to the "Happy are the Sad!"
The poor in Spirit are those who realize that they desperately need God's help. The don't have the resources to make it on their own. Physical poverty is not a good thing but poverty of spirit can lead a person to seek God. When we're at the end of our rope we're more open to God. In contrast, when we are "rich" and in lack of nothing, we can be come overly content and satisfied with our own progress.Those who mourn understand that there are many things in life that can break our heart and cause us to grieve. Yet, in the kingdom, Jesus promises us comfort and joy, even in the middle of difficult circumstances. We do not mourn like those with no hope. The spiritual, emotional, or financial loss resulting from sin should lead to mourning and a longing for God's forgiveness and healing.
As you seek to live your life today, consider what it is that you are in mourning for? Is it something that is keeping you from a closer relationship with God..or is it something that is driving you to seek Him? Determine what it is and make a wise choice! Make Jesus happy with your desire to be blessed by Him.
This is Saturday evening and I know if you are reading this....God is nudging you to attend a place tomorrow where people worship Him. Whether it's McDermot or not....choose a place and use your life's challenges to motivate you to praise Him.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Here we Go!!

This Sunday marks the beginning of our Ministry Year. Life Groups for all ages begin at 9:30am and our Morning Worship Celebration begins at 11am. As always, our focus is on connecting with God and connecting with others in order to properly serve the world. Like these rugby players, we are much stronger when we link arms together to accomplish some adventure. We believe that "We're better together" and this applies definitely to our spiritual walk and our journey. One day, Jesus sat down and taught his disciples about the life he brought to them...and even today those words are powerful and relevant to your life. We'll be looking at Matthew 5 for the next several weeks and hearing what Jesus said on topics like, justice, compassion, mercy, and many others. You will enjoy our study as we begin a new year of adventure in discovering God's life for you. This year we are offering the added benefit of message notes and then what we call "Expedition Notes" for you to continue your study throughout the week.
Blessings,
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian

New Time This Sunday!

I really don't like being late, but sometimes I find myself walking into a meeting, or an appointment a few minutes late. To avoid the looks of friends wondering why we are late, I want to give you a heads up this Sunday. All summer we have been starting our worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:30am......but this Sunday....we are starting at 10am.....so you'll have to arrive at the church at 9:45 so you can find a place to park, walk in, connect with a few people, find your place, and be ready to participate in our Worship time.
So....I'll be looking for you at 9:45am on Sunday to begin the Great Adventure together.
Blessings today on this rainy day in Winnipeg. Remember..."Today is the Day the Lord has Made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!"
Pastor Brian

Welcome Back To Church Sunday!

This Sunday we are welcoming everyone "Back to Church"! Some have been on holidays....some at the lake most weekends....and some have just not been to church in a while. Everyone is invited back to church this Sunday. Some people would come to church if they were invited...some would come if they had food....some would come if the people were friendly....some would come if the music was interesting! Church has changed some these past few years...since you were there....but some things haven't! The truth hasn't changed, God's love hasn't changed, Jesus being the only way to have your sins forgiven and a relationship with God the Father hasn't changed, but the dress code has! Come as you are and connect with God and others who have a great desire to live an Adventure......a Great Adventure.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue!

Summer has come and is almost gone and during these past few weeks, many have taken the walk down the aisle and have pledged themselves to God and each other. I was thinking about the transitions that take place during this time and remembered that familiar saying that has become our title for today. Something Old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. As we enter into September of 2010 it might be helpful for us to apply some of that same thinking.
Something Old is meant to represent the link with the bride's own family and the past particularly mother or grandmother or even most distant relations. Something old is symbolic of continuity.
This week we will continue on with life as students return to school, as mothers and fathers return to work, as all of us return to the flow of life. I encourage you to continue on with the walk of faith and the pursuit of the things of God.
Something New represents good luck and success and the brides hopes for a bright future in her new married life.
These next few weeks will be filled with New. New clothes, new books, new things for school and work. New schedules, new responsibilities, new expenses. As we begin another school and ministry year, we all hope for something better. It's not that the past was bad, we just hope that the future will be better....it's what we do...hope for something better. As you walk with God, understand that God's better is rooted in relationship with Him and not in things. People is what God is focused on.
Something Borrowed is to represent to the bride that friends and family will be there for her on the special day and in the future when help is needed. We all "need a little help from our friends" and this is a great reminder that we are in this life together and we are not alone. God has planned for us to be connected with others in community and through the Church has provided for that to be a part of our life. So....go back to church, or find a church you can attend and become a part of that community life. We all need family and friends to help....today...and in the future.
Something Blue in ancient times is the symbol of faithfulness, purity and loyalty. Where would we be without a reminder of these three? As we move forward in life, in September, let's make wise choices regarding how we are going to live. You and I have the choice to live a life of purity, a life of faith, a life of loyalty.
So as we enter a new phase of our lives and of this year, I want to encourage you today to connect with Jesus Christ and partner with him in your walk of life and faith.
Looking forward to the great adventure ahead.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian

Lifting a Burden!

Close to our church there is a major project taking place where they are adding another level to a parking structure. The reason it caught my attention is because of the size of the crane that is being used to lift the pieces into place. As soon as I saw the size of this massive crane and the weight that it effortlessly carried, I thought about my own burdens. Like you, I have burdens that I try to carry that weight me down and some days I would like to have a spiritual crane like this one to lift my burdens. However, I also know that there is no crane large enough or delicate enough to take care of my issues. They are Heart issues that come up from time to time and weigh me down. Sometimes it's my behaviour or my language or my thoughts or even my actions, and they don't line up with God's best for me so they become burdensome. I have tried in the past to take care of this myself, but it have been far less than successful. What I needed was someone to life the burden who knows me and knows how best to lift the weight and give me freedom. The apostle Paul spoke a lot about freedom in his letter to the Galatians and he says that it can and should be a part of our everyday Christian life.....and there is a solution. You have heard it said before but I'm going to say it again...."No one cares for you like Jesus!" His love is so great and his mercy is so endless that no matter what your burden....he is able to lift it and provide you with spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional freedom. Whatever weight there is that is keeping you pinned down today, take it to Jesus and ask Him to rule your life! As owner of your life....He then has the right and authority to provide the very best for your life in Him. Trust Him, ask Him, allow Him to remove the difficult weight that is holding you back from His very best.
Looking skyward to see your burden lifted.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian