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This article is very late in getting out, in fact I was thinking that since I am on holidays, I was going to take this week off from writing. This would have been the first time in nine and a half years with Main Avenue Fellowship that I did not write. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to chat with friends over lunch and we started talking about the future. We did reminisce about the past for a short time, it was a bit of a rough season for both our families, but the conversation quickly turned to the future. We walked around the back yard and I was taken aback at the changes there. New buildings that were, at one time, only a dream, now a reality, and there were four. There was now a garden that was much larger than the one I remember from the last visit. We walked around the property and he shared the dream of a fruit garden and some additional expansions and that would be there before we returned in a couple years. So many changes, and yet the foundation to the relationship has never changed for us. When the disciples chose to follow Jesus, they did not fully understand what was going to change for them in the future. Thinking about tomorrow meant what will we have to eat and where will we be sleeping. They did not think that the hard times were going to truly test them, but Jesus knew. When He sent them out, they were paired up so they would not be alone. There is comfort in going out into the unknown with a buddy who will support you and help you up when you fall down. Better yet, there is even more comfort in knowing that, together, friends can overcome a great many things, but with Jesus at their sides, there is an endless hope for a great tomorrow. “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33 NLT While we both have those needs that only God can address, we also have those needs that a friend, a brother or sister in Christ, can help with and I truly believe God brings people together not only for great relationships but also for support in those times of need. We may look at tomorrow with a sense of trepidation and some fear, but with good friends and a mighty Saviour, there is nothing we cannot overcome. This week, Pastor Todd and Natalie return from Nova Scotia with fresh hearts and a tan. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.    Blessings,  www.mainavefellowship.ca

I am currently in the wonderful province of Nova Scotia where the days are hot, the beach is near and the salt water is so cool and refreshing when you need to wash off the sweat. The temperature was hovering around the 30C mark when we got out to The Merb, slang for Melmerby Beach, and, for Natalie and I, beach time is relaxing time. The moment we arrive, we look up and down the beach for what would be our base camp. We have a routine, Natalie says she is headed for a walk which means she is going to hunt for shells and sea glass, while I set up the towels, move the sand around to make perfect indentations and piles so that I am comfortable. Once that is accomplished, I close my eyes, thank God for a perfect moment in time, and listen as the waves caress the shore. Most times, I tend to drift off into a light slumber until Natalie comes back to inform me as to the temperature of the water. Well, this time was rather different, thank you Lord for the inspiration on this, because there were two ladies about thirty feet away who were carrying on a conversation that was not all that quiet. The more aggravated the one lady became while recounting the events of what I can only assume are events from the past many months, the louder she became. The stories, which one could not ignore unless one chose to move out of earshot, were so negative and so caustic that it got me to thinking about life in His presence verses the lack of hope so many have these days. I was on a beach, surrounded by the beauty He has provided, smells that are so soothing and sounds that calm and yet these two were so focused on the garbage cards that someone had dealt them that they did not see the wonders around them. Big thing going through my mind on all this goes back to Genesis where we were made in the image of God and God is love. Focusing on that helps to eliminate some of the stress of the anger because we are also commanded to love as God loves and that includes our enemies. Once again, I find that forgiveness is a great stress reliever but it is also a hope for a future. Pray for your enemies, for those who vex you, just as your Father in Heaven forgives you. Another great stress reliever! Finally, seek out the joy in creation all around you and let that which He has provided for you, for us all, be the thing we look for. In the whole time they were at the beach, they missed the laugher of the two kids down the beach as they threw the football around, they missed the sound of the puppy as he chased the waves coming onto shore, and they missed the wonders God provided for them and all others who were enjoying the beach. When your hope is in the Lord, things seem just a bit brighter, life a whole lot easier and the future filled with the promise of joy and love. This Sunday, we welcome Rev Bob Hillock as he brings a message of hope to our faith community. Pastor Todd is still on the east coast but will be bringing a message to our faith family in Nova Scotia at Master’s Hand Church. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.        Blessings,         www.mainavefellowship.ca

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘God is Your Provider’ Day 1: Matthew 6:31-33 - “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Day 2: 2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” Day 3: Malachi 3:10 – “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!’” Day 4: James 1:17 – “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” Day 5: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” Day 6: 2 Peter 1:3 – “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” Day 7: Philippians 4:19 - “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘Have Confidence in God’ Day 1: Hebrews 10:35, 36 - “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Day 2: Psalm 139:13, 14 – “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Day 3: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.’” Day 4: Ephesians 3:12 – “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Day 5: Hebrews 4:16 – “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Day 6: Jeremiah 17:7 – “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” Day 7: Philippians 1:6 - “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

This article took me awhile to put to post because I had to look back on the weekend and examine my attitude. You see in Luke 9:23-25, Jesus said this:  And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?   You see, most of the time I am a rather easy-going guy who is very focused on the needs of others, but for the past few weeks I have been “off my feed”. My mood has been rather morose and, instead of taking much more time than I have with my God, I have been fighting my way out of the hole on my own by my own strength. Go ahead, ask me how that worked out. It got so bad that I split logs for over an hour using my new splitting axe and was feeling exhausted but not emotionally or spiritually renewed. Truth be told, I was feeling worse, and I had no explanation for my foul mood. Natalie asked me what was wrong, but all I could say was, “I don’t know, I’m just mad at everything and at nothing”. I had forfeited my spiritual and emotional peace for a darkness that was of the world. This was not doing anyone any good.  The next night, I opened up to Natalie about how I was feeling, and it was then that I realized my emotions were based on selfish dark thoughts. The people around me were all loving and supportive, and I am guessing that Natalie was praying for peace and contentment. As I set my head down on the pillow, I felt at ease because He was washing away the anger, and, as I took some much-needed time to converse with the Father, I gave up the stressors that had taken hold of my thoughts and came into a place of His calm. Give up the darkness to the Light and let Him take control of the future. God wants only the best for us, but we must get out of our own way to see His blessings. I am at peace today, praise the Lord, and tomorrow I start my holidays.  Pastor Todd is going to be on holidays for the next couple weeks, so we will be welcoming our own Rev. Glenn Reeder this week. The team will be working together on a series concentrating on the work of the Holy Spirit. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.       Blessings,       www.mainavefellowship.ca

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘Importance of Fellowship’ Day 1: Romans 12:4-8 - “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Day 2: Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Day 3: 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 – “Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you.’” Day 4: Acts 2:42-44 – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.” Day 5: Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Day 6: Colossians 3:12-17 – “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Day 7: Philippians 2:1-4 - “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

If you missed the service last week, you missed quite the fashion show. I was informed that my jungle camo shorts did not match up with my blue Aztec pattern shirt and my dark green camo Keen sandals. Come to think of it, they also noted it did not really match up with my position in the church on a Sunday morning. Here is the kicker though, when I changed into a head-to-toe tunic and a prayer shawl, that was also not the norm for a preacher, well not in Canada at least. Was I uncomfortable preaching the Message in either outfit? Not at all. You see it is not whether you present the Good News in a particular outfit, it is the fact that the Salvation story was presented. There are so many who feel the Gospel must be presented in the church by an ordained clergy member. Well, guess what, that is not how it works. Moses stuttered but Aaron was with him as was the Lord, Gideon was fearful, yet God provided in the victory, Peter denied yet God made him the rock upon which the church was built. So long as you have breath in your lungs and the breath of the Spirit living in you, giving you strength and wisdom, preach the Good News in shorts and a tee shirt. The world needs your voice to communicate His perfect hope Message. Pastor Todd is going to be on holidays for the next couple weeks, so we will be welcoming our Minister of Community, Eryn this week. The ream will be working together on a series concentrating on the work of the Holy Spirit. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca

Years ago, I remember a story of a woman who was of meagre means but still tithed, and then some, to the church. When the doors were open, she was there, when help was needed, she was the first to raise her hand. Her husband had passed years before and had left her enough to cover the bills for years, but she still had to pinch pennies to make sure there was enough to make her commitments when the payments came due. The only items of true wealth she had, besides the home, was a silver tea setting inherited from her mother and her wedding band, which she wore in remembrance of the love of her life. Now, the church was in rather a tough spot and was in need of some extra funds to cover a rather major expense so the preacher, at the request of the elders, went out to the congregation asking for whatever they could afford to build up the church. After some time and a couple cups of tea, the pastor walked out the door with the silver tea service, washed of course, and a wedding band. The pastor did not feel right about what he had done, but the deed was done, and the perceived crisis was averted. It was not long afterwards that she left the church, moved away to relatives and never darkened the doors of a church again. Her thought was that if one church could be so uncaring, they must all be that way. There are so many things wrong with this in my mind, the church is not the building, the fellowship is the church, and we must do everything in our power to build up the fellowship and not tear it down. Secondly, the building is only temporary, the fellowship is forever, it flourishes on earth and will become perfect in Glory. For years, I have questioned the rationale of some of the practices in religion and wonder “what would Jesus think?” The time has come to re-prioritise our faith lives. Jesus did not say “go out and make more church buildings”, He said “go out and make disciples”. We need to remember that basic fact and not adapt the Message for personal gain or for the glorification of the temporary. Our eternal reward is in Glory, and the more that show up, the merrier it will be. Pastor Todd is going to dig a bit deeper into some of personal preferences that have no Biblical foundation. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Need Answers - Ask God’ Day 1: Psalm 91:15, 16 - “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Day 2: John 15:7 – “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” Day 3: Matthew 7:7, 8 – “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Day 4: Mark 11:24, 25 – “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Day 5: John 16:24 – “You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” Day 6: Matthew 6:6 – “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Day 7: Hebrews 4:14-16 - “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God is…’ Day 1: Colossians 1:15-17 - INFINITE - Self-existing - “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Day 2: Romans 11:33 - IMMUTABLE - He has no needs – “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” Day 3: Psalm 33:6 - OMNIPOTENT - All-powerful – “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” Day 4: Isaiah 46:9, 10 - OMNISCIENT - All-knowing – “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” Day 5: Jeremiah 23:23, 24 - OMNIPRESENT - Everywhere – “‘Am I a God who is only close at hand?’ says the Lord. ‘No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?’ says the Lord.” Day 6: Deuteronomy 32:4 - GOD IS JUST - Unchangeable – “He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” Day 7: Psalm 145:8, 9 - GRACIOUS - Spares the guilty - “The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

For 34 years, I have questioned my ability to be a good father. I was talking with my son and many things he said were things that I thought of way back then. Before I found out I was going to be a father, I wondered if I was good enough to be a proper dad. Did I have the patience, the knowledge, the care to be a loving father? My memories of my father are all over the place. There were times when things were not so good and then there were times when he and I got along famously but through it all, I knew I could count on him if I was in dire need. There were times I pushed my father a bit too much and I deserved the punishment I got for some of my transgressions. I look at my role as father to my son and I will acknowledge there were times and situations I wish I could go back and do it over differently. You see, all have sinned and fallen short. Consider this passage from Luke. “So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NLT Two things spark my curiosity with regards to this passage; the father was so hurt by the son demanding his inheritance, yet he was watching for his return. Secondly, how bad did the father feel when he sent his son away rather than look for ways to keep him at home? I believe this passage helps us to understand our Heavenly Father when it comes to wayward children. The love the father had for the son was so great that not only did he wait upon the son’s return but when he returned, the father was so overjoyed, he did not care who was watching, he ran out to the filthy, stinking son and embraced him. His sense of loss was replaced with an overwhelming joy on his return. With the son’s return, the burden of separation and the guilt of thinking he was responsible for the separation was removed when the son walked through the gates. You see, there are no perfect fathers save our Father in Heaven. We all will mess up; we all beat ourselves up with that one question “could I have done something differently?” Allow me to propose this suggestion; celebrate your fathers, forgive them for their errors (they are only human), celebrate them and lift them up. Most will move heaven and earth to protect and love their children, give thanks. This Sunday, we will look at three fathers from scripture who did all they could to guide, protect, and love their children. Join us as we celebrate fathers and reflect on their influence in our lives. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘When You Fail God - Run to Him’ Day 1: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Day 2: Psalm 73:26 – “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Day 3: Proverbs 28:13  – “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Day 4: Psalm 37:23, 24 – “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Day 5: 1 Peter 5:6, 7 – “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Day 6: Psalm 34:17-19 – “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” Day 7: James 1:2-4 - “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation