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Have you ever had one of those days, those weeks, or even those months where you have had the rug pulled out from under you so many times that lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling seems like a natural position. You see, when you have an expectation of how things should flow, and others decide that there needs to be more to it than that, well, things must change. It seems that fully relying on others to help in the successful completion of an activity was rather naive of me. Now, don’t get me wrong, most of the time this is not the case but, let’s be honest, we can default to the negative when it comes right down to it and some things can overshadow the goodness that is around us all the time.   Let me try this illustration as an explanation. I remember a couple years ago I was given some gourmet jelly beans.  I was intrigued by all the wonderful colors, but I realized I have come to expect a certain taste to accompany the visual queue. For me, a deep vibrant red and orange jellybean builds up an expectation of a taste explosion of possibly orange and grapefruit but instead it was a hot cinnamon. The next one was a nice bright green which would make you expect a lime but alas it was green apple. Disappoint me once, shame on you, disappoint me twice, shame on me. The jellybeans went into the garbage. My expectation was that the jellybeans would be a wonderful treat, and yet it turned into a negative memory.   There are those out there who will not lift a hand to help others up from the dumps, there are also those who will throw roadblocks to trip you up and will stand by to see just how you handle the trial. I have seen so many people who have such kind and caring hearts, who would drop everything to lift a friend up, get so downtrodden that eventually their “give a care” runs out or is busted. Truth be told, we are all human and are fallible. We will fall short, at some time, and cause others some disappointment but we should always try to err on the side of compassion when we can. I know this can be rather difficult to maintain but think about this;   It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man Ps 118:8 NLT   “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLT   Whenever things get me sliding into that dark place, when people laugh at my expense, when people make promises then fail to carry it out, I cry out to the Lord and ask for strength, and I will testify to this for the rest of my life, He has NEVER let me down.  This week, Pastor Todd will be on holidays but we have Eryn, our Community Minister blessings us with a message. 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   ‘Are You Open to the Holy Spirit?’ Day 1: 1 Corinthians 3:16 - “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” Day 2: John 6:63 - “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Day 3: Romans 8:13, 14 - “For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Day 4: Ezekiel 36:26, 27 - “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Day 5: Roman 8:5 - “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” Day 6: Titus 3:5 - “... he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Day 7: 2 Corinthians 3:18 - “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

This is the time of year when we take a deep dive into the past year and pull out echos of the previous year and give thanks. We gather together, share with family and friends the memories of the year past and celebrate good times and blessings. For many in our country, there is a celebration of good luck or positive karma, unless you consider the position of the turkey, and that opportunity to have that one extra day off. But I do have a question, who are you thankful to? Think about this for a moment, who, or what, exactly, are you thanking? Let me throw this out there.  “I am so thankful for my wonderful friends”.   That is a wonderful thing to be thankful for, isn't it? So, are you thanking them for being your friends? Are you thankful for karma or luck that you all met? Did they just pop into your life courtesy of cosmic forces? When I think of being thankful for wonderful friends, I thank my Heavenly Father for bringing them into my life. I also give thanks to my Lord for providing for my needs and for His protection. The one thing I am most thankful for every single year, every single day, is His promise of Heaven and His forgiveness. Christ’s grace has given us all hope of a perfect life in glory, and we can get there through His sacrifice. His promise is for all, we only need to declare Jesus as Lord, leave our sins with Him and give thanks for the ultimate gift that He has provided.  I am so thankful for my friends and family; I am grateful for all that we have been provided with and I am filled with gratitude for all He has done for each and every one of us.   I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Ps 9:1-2 NLT   Give thanks with a grateful heart and praise Him for all He has done for you, for us all.  This week is a bit of a change as we will be not only gathering to celebrate but also to share the wonders He has provided for us throughout the year. 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   ‘Hope in God’ Day 1: Psalm 147:11 - “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Day 2: Isaiah 40:30, 31 - “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Day 3: Psalm 16:5-8 - “Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Day 4: Jeremiah 17:7, 8 - “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Day 5: Roman 12:11, 12 - “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Day 6: Titus 2:11-13 - “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” Day 7: Romans 15:13 - “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘God’s Love Affirmed…’ Day 1: John 3:16 - I am deeply loved by God - “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Day 2: Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is compassionate - “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Day 3: Romans 8:35 - No separation from His love - “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” Day 4: Jeremiah 31:3 - Everlasting love - “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.’” Day 5: Lamentations 3:22, 23 - God’s love is constant - “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Day 6: 1 John 3:1 - I am God’s beloved - “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” Day 7: Romans 5:8 - God’s love demonstrated - “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

I want to start this article with a reference from scripture: Psalms 37:7-9 NLT  Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.   The other day, I watched as road rage took hold of a person who did not feel it necessary to stop at one of the two stop signs on Main Avenue in our fair town. When the person following honked the horn at the next intersection, the person got out of the vehicle, went back to the honking vehicle and proceeded to yell and beat on the window. I was outside the church watching this all unfold and, truth be told, I was getting a bit of a chuckle, but I could see this escalating to the next level. As I started to move towards the intersection to intercede, a big semi loaded with wood chip laid on the air horn and the skirmish quickly ended. The second vehicle decided to avoid further issue by turning right and head out in another direction.   There are times in life when time is not on our side, and we start to bend the rules to suit our personal needs. A full stop at a stop sign becomes a rolling stop which then becomes a modified yield and then a full-on disregard to the rule or law. When traffic does not flow to meet my demands, do I disregard the rules to accommodate my needs, or do I remember this for next time and leave a bit earlier? This has been a tough lesson for myself over the years, but I am getting better at practicing patience. Six hundred years before the birth of the Messiah, Isaiah told the nation of Israel the King of kings was going to come and free mankind from oppression. The nation went through many situations where they needed the Messiah to come and save them but what they did not realize was that He was coming to save mankind from themselves. He came to save us all from our sins.  Back in the day, the Israelites were oppressed by the Ammonites, the Amalekites, the Canaanites, Greeks, Romans, Persians and the list grows even today. The names change and the reasons change but what does not change is the evil that is through the devil and the sins of mankind. Did you know that Jesus came to change all that? Did you know that He will not abandon us, nor will He forsake us? The selfish desires of the world will always be with us but when we wait patiently upon the Lord and pray for His guidance and strength, there is no power that will conquer the Lord. This is His promise to all of us.  This week, Pastor Todd will be continuing a mini series on “Did You Know Part 3”, a look at little known facts in the Scriptures and how they still relate to our lives today. 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   ‘Building His Church’ Day 1: 1 Peter 2:4, 5 - “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” Day 2: Galatians 5:22, 23 - “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Day 3: Ephesians 4:12 - “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Day 4: Acts 2:42-47 - “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. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Day 5: 1 Corinthians 3:9 - “For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” Day 6: Ephesians 2:19-22 - “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” Day 7: Hebrews 10:24, 25 - “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.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Over the past few weeks, I have been having a ton of fun with this series. You see, last week, I gave the congregation a small glimpse into the way my brain works when it comes to prepping for a sermon. For example, in 25 years of preaching, I have never used the same sermon twice and, in each case, I have wandered down so many rabbit holes that I have a wealth of useless trivia that would rival even that of the almighty Cliff Claven. Now, I will admit, I come from it honestly because my Dad could rattle off all sorts of trivia for just about every occasion. Not all the trivia is useful, such as “what is the boiling point of mercury at sea level?” (347 degrees Celsius). Here, however, is a very interesting thing about rabbit trails when it comes to rabbit trails, at times, it does add a better understanding to Scripture when one reads in context and applies the wisdom with that in mind. I was once told that Eugene Peterson spent years honing his skills as a scholar and pastor, reading and researching all he could before he carefully and thoughtfully translated the Holy Scriptures into conversational English so that even more would be able to appreciate and read God’s Word. He did not pursue this to rebel against those translations that were widely accepted as proper, in fact he invited biblical scholars to read through his translations and asked them for their input and approval. I met Mr. Peterson a couple decades ago and listened as he not only opened up about his adventure in researching and writing the Message but was also fascinated to listen as he wandered through the rabbit trails that helped him better understand the Word.  With all that said, this week I will continue to work through the book of Judges and the story of Gideon. Did you know that Gideon was chosen to not only free the people of Israel from their oppressors but also to condemn their idolatry? Here is a guy with next to nothing for an army, a man who was witness to the absolute power of the Lord while leading a very small force and who turned down the kingship. Did you know that his actions afterwards the battle led to the Israelites once again worship false gods after he used the spoils of war to create an ephod? Did you know that we, too, face these issues still? Jeremiah 10:1-16 is very clear about idol worship and the power that false idols have upon the world and I will touch on this Sunday but let me throw this out there as an appetiser:  Say this to those who worship other gods: “Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.” Jer 10:11   Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.   But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jer 10:15-16   Why is this so important when studying Gideon? What does this have to do with today? Tune in Sunday to find out.  This week, Pastor Todd will be continuing a mini series on “Did You Know”, a look at little known facts in the Scriptures and how they still relate to our lives today. 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 Says You Are’ Day 1: Hebrews 8:12 - Forgiven - “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Day 2: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - A New Creation – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Day 3: Psalm 111:9 - Redeemed – “He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!” Day 4: Galatians 5:1 - Free – “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Day 5: Ephesians 2:10 - A Masterpiece – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Day 6: 2 Corinthians 5:20, 21 - His Ambassador – “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” Day 7: Romans 5:8 - Loved - “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

I have questions, as many others do, about things in the Bible and about faith. Did you know that life was very different back when Christ was alive? Even back in the days of Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) there were things considered very commonplace that we do not recommend today. Consider this: After Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran Gen 11:26 NLT Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’” Gen 20:11-13 NLT Now, in no way do I want anyone to think that I am condoning or supporting anyone marrying their sibling but, in those days, it was not out of the ordinary. Science has proven that relationships with those way too close in the family lineage can cause health issues, back then, there was no such proof. As time went along, this practice was discarded and today, the law in Canada states that “A person may not marry their grandparent, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling (brother or sister).” Do you like bacon? Did you know that eating pork in days gone by was forbidden? Eating bacon and eggs with a couple pieces of toast, hash browns and a slice of orange on the side is one of my favorite ways to break the evening fast and start off the day right but in Leviticus 11 there is a list of things you cannot eat. The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you. Lev 11:7-8 NLT Why? What is the reasoning behind this? Well, in those days they did not have refrigeration, and they probably did not prepare pork properly to destroy the parasite that causes trichinosis, so it was declared unclean. There were also many other animals that were declared unclean in that chapter because of a variety of reasons (bottom feeders, garbage guts, carrion eaters, etc.) About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Acts 10:9-15 NLT There are so many preferences that have infiltrated the church and have become “Law” but if you take a close look at the Truth, take the time to research the reasons for the rules and even attempt to understand them in context, you may be amazed at some of the wonderful messages and truths that are revealed. Did you know Jesus loves you? The bible tells you so. This week, Pastor Todd is back and will be starting a mini series on “Did You Know”, a look at little known facts in the Scriptures and how they still relate to our lives today. 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   ‘With God You Are Never Alone’ Day 1: Deuteronomy 31:8 - “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Day 2: Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Day 3: 1 Chronicles 28:20 – “Then David continued, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.’” Day 4: Psalm 94:14 – “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.” Day 5: Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Day 6: Psalm 27:10 – “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” Day 7: Deuteronomy 31:6 - “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

I am going to say something here that many denominationalists could find blasphemous, but it will be backed up with logic and scripture. Over the years, we have all seen or been involved in situations where people are arguing over who is right. There was one person years ago who suggested that my denomination was not a recognized denomination by their organization and, while I am not one to start an argument over which Christian church should designated as a “properly recognized” church, I am guessing the look on my face prompted the person to proceed to tell me why we were not a true denomination/church. Here comes some of the logic; was it not the Pharisee and the Sadducee who were denying the deity of the Christ? Were they not looking for ways to discredit Him, attack Him and get the nation to turn away from Jesus and only follow the true faith? Did they not realize that when they called Him a heretic, calling for His demise, they were attacking the very God they served? This is my thought; if a faith gathering, a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, a Koinonia, meet each other in His presence, then we come together in His name, not the name of the denomination.  “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matt 18:19-20 NLT   This passage is a red-letter passage, Jesus Christ spoke these words and nowhere does it say a denomination. The message plainly says, “where two or three gather together as My followers”, followers of Christ, Christians. He says nothing about being followers of this sect or that group, Jesus says “as My followers”. I spoke at a faith gathering in Nova Scotia not long ago and in that hall, they were not a mixture of Nazarenes, Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelical, Full Gospel, etc., but rather a collection of Spirit-filled followers of Christ who were on fire for the Lord and declared through songs of worship and a time of fellowship their love for Him and for each other. Some do not recognize this beautiful gathering, this blessed koinonia, as a “proper church”, but I would argue that this group is doing the will of God for the Kingdom, and I will defend them to the end of time.   Those churches that met in the homes of the faithful, met, at times, in secrecy for fear of death by the religious, all came together to praise the King of all kings. The disciple Peter denied Christ three times because he did not want to be found out yet when Christ went forth into Glory to be with the Father, Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly stood up in front of thousands and declared the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ and thousands were saved. Paul, filled with the Spirit, declared Christ as the Son of God and preached the Good News for all to hear in Damascus ( Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” Acts 9:19-20 NLT ) and fearlessly spoke of the Son of God throughout the land. So, here is my question for all not only individually but also as a faith family: who do you say you are? This week, our Minister of Community, Eryn, will dig into how we, as a faith gathering, see ourselves as not only a koinonia but also as a community resource. If you are joining us online, please feel free to converse with us/me in the chat on Facebook as your input is very valuable to us all, remember, you are a part of this family. 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