Do you remember your first __________? Maybe first date, first kiss, first day of school, first time waterskiing, first time you drove a car?
Well today, will be a first, because at 6:30pm (PST) Gateway Community Church will be hosting an incredible team of 60 people from Mountainview Church, from Fresno California. This group has come to share their joy in an amazing God that loves everybody. The team is made up people of all ages and they are really excited to come and serve the people of Port Alberni.
The June 26-July 5 will consist of amazing times of worshipping & praying together, to doing acts of service (such as painting signs, doing yardwork for neighbors, cleaning up the Log train Trail & joining in the Canada Day Parade), and running a 2 day kids sports camp for all kids at Blair Park.
I enter this week with much anticipation and faith that God will do miracles in many people's lives. I'm reminded of the verse in Hebrews 11 - "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
*You will want to be part of this exciting week....stop by for a Sunday service at 10:30am (July 5 - we'll be outside in the parking lot at 8th & Roger St.).
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
slowing down
Ever feel like you are stuck on the freeway of life and you can't pull over to a rest stop? Now in Port Alberni we don't have a freeway, but this past week, I have felt like I am on this speedway, as life flies by me. What do I mean?
Overprogrammed, overscheduled, and worry and deadlines looming.
What does God offer amidst this hectic schedule I have built for myself?
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
What an alternative! To slow down and rest...in God. That when we realize there needs to be downtime, slowtime, resting time (for our brains too), that we will meet God in that time and space.
This thinking goes against what the world is trying to get us to buy into -do more, buy more, schedule more, make more money and then you will become God (you become so big, so important, so affirmed), but God says....
"Be still and know that I am God." It's time to stop, rest and take a break to realize God is waiting for us to sit with him.
Overprogrammed, overscheduled, and worry and deadlines looming.
What does God offer amidst this hectic schedule I have built for myself?
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
What an alternative! To slow down and rest...in God. That when we realize there needs to be downtime, slowtime, resting time (for our brains too), that we will meet God in that time and space.
This thinking goes against what the world is trying to get us to buy into -do more, buy more, schedule more, make more money and then you will become God (you become so big, so important, so affirmed), but God says....
"Be still and know that I am God." It's time to stop, rest and take a break to realize God is waiting for us to sit with him.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Expectations
What are your expectations? Of who? Let me explain...
Yesterday during our message (you can listen to it here http://www.gatewaychurchpa.ca/sermons.htm), I was sharing about how we, as the church have God's Spirit living in us (from 1 Cor. 3:16). And because we have God's Spirit in us - we represent God when we come to worship together. We don't just represent ourselves, or our family, or the issues that we have struggled with all week, now we represent God.
So, what are your expectations of yourself when you join the church? Do you expect much of yourself because God is moving and acting in you? Do you expect much of yourself because God is stirring in you an ability to serve and love those around you? Can you imagine how your experience in a church service would change as you would expect more of yourself rather than others. Suddenly we become the vessels and servants of God, rather than hoping someone will meet my needs. All of a sudden we come asking and looking for ways to help and pray and encourage those around us.
What are your expectations of God? Are they high enough when you enter on a Sunday? Do we think God is like some guy who's always there (perhaps like a dentist or mechanic) and really we're not that thrilled to see him? No, we are moved to see God in his fullness as he gives the church everything it needs. God says to Solomon, "My eyes are on it and my heart is in it." Imagine if we came each Sunday, so ready and eager to hear and experience what God was going to do around us and what God wanted to do in us! We are coming to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Strap on your seatbelts folks, we are in for an incredible ride, as God wants to build our faith!
May God fill you with his faith and joy this week!
PW
Yesterday during our message (you can listen to it here http://www.gatewaychurchpa.ca/sermons.htm), I was sharing about how we, as the church have God's Spirit living in us (from 1 Cor. 3:16). And because we have God's Spirit in us - we represent God when we come to worship together. We don't just represent ourselves, or our family, or the issues that we have struggled with all week, now we represent God.
So, what are your expectations of yourself when you join the church? Do you expect much of yourself because God is moving and acting in you? Do you expect much of yourself because God is stirring in you an ability to serve and love those around you? Can you imagine how your experience in a church service would change as you would expect more of yourself rather than others. Suddenly we become the vessels and servants of God, rather than hoping someone will meet my needs. All of a sudden we come asking and looking for ways to help and pray and encourage those around us.
What are your expectations of God? Are they high enough when you enter on a Sunday? Do we think God is like some guy who's always there (perhaps like a dentist or mechanic) and really we're not that thrilled to see him? No, we are moved to see God in his fullness as he gives the church everything it needs. God says to Solomon, "My eyes are on it and my heart is in it." Imagine if we came each Sunday, so ready and eager to hear and experience what God was going to do around us and what God wanted to do in us! We are coming to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Strap on your seatbelts folks, we are in for an incredible ride, as God wants to build our faith!
May God fill you with his faith and joy this week!
PW
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