Heartland News & Prayer

October 17, 2010 by Wendy Carter.

Hi there!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

So did you watch along with the whole world the amazing and emotional rescue of the Chilean minors this week?  It must have been very nerve-wracking for the first rescue worker to enter that capsule and descend through the tunnel.  But what a relief for the miners to finally get to hug another human being after such a long period of time.  It is true – you never can expect what will happen from one day to the next and today those men’s lives will never be the same.  I am very sad today as one of my Bible School roommates died last night with cancer.  What makes it worse is that it only takes a few hours after one’s death to change from “is” to “was”.  I always admired Helen’s beautiful contralto voice, her enthusiasm for life and her keen mind.  Please remember her family and friends as they begin mourning for her this week.  What will be coming around your corner in the next few days or months that you will have to face for the good or the bad?  Through it all our trust in Jesus does give comfort.

Wendy
wendy.carter@kainos.org
This blog is a summary of our Sunday morning services held at 7777 Churchville Rd., Brampton, ON L6Y 0H3, 905-230-8116.

Truth & Error by Gary Carter:  Much has been written through the years – some of it true and some not.  In New Testament times, besides the Bible, literature did get passed along that portrayed Christ’s life as rather whacky e.g. the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.  People will believe what they want to believe.  Truth and error lives in this world and we must figure out what truth really is.  Are you the kind of person whose credibility and honesty will lead others to truth?

Take a Note by Steve Macdonald:  Another person mentioned in Romans 16 was Tertius.  This Roman believer and one of the 70 apostles became Paul’s amanuensis or scribe.  Paul used him quite regularly to dictate his letters to except for a few passages when Paul specifically mentions that he was the writer (Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18) himself.  Tertius means third in Greek.  He became the second Bishop of Iconium and helped convert many pagans to Christ in his ministry.  He was martyred and is now remembered on October 30 or November 10 in many churches.

The Martyrdom of Stephen by Chris Burton: In Acts 6 & 7 we learn that Stephen, a Jew by birth, born outside of Palestine and raised as a Greek-speaking Jew, was chosen by the disciples along with six other men to oversee the welfare of widows.  He became a great teacher, preacher, and performed miracles.  Opposition arose in the Sanhedrin against him for it seemed the members could not overcome his wisdom and the work of the Holy Spirit. They stoned him thus becoming the first Christian martyr.  Paul stood watching his death and this event must have made quite an impact on his life.  Stephen later was appointed the patron saint of deacons and bricklayers and stone masons.  His life is celebrated on December 26 in western churches and on December 27 in eastern churches.  His feast day is the oldest in the calendar.

One Another – It Sets Us Apart by Gary Carter: When you admonish someone else that person may heed what you have said, may not listen, or may come back later to say that your advice was correct.  Jesus healed ten lepers; one came back to say thank you.  When that happens it is a great blessing.  Whatever the case it is our Christian responsibility to relate to others.

What do you think those who do not attend your church expect?  More often than not many probably don’t think much.  Some may feel that they will leave with less than what they came with. They may expect to meet and endure plastic people.  They may believe they will be put on the spot.  They may planned to be bored.  They may think they will be made to feel bad, not good or have their world view hassled.  If five new people came to our church what works or characteristics of “one anothering” would they see from the list below?

Mark 9:50 – Peace
John 13:14 – Wash
John 13:34 – Love
Romans 1:12 – Encourage
Romans 12:5 – Belong
Romans 12:10 – Devoted
Romans 12:16 – Harmony
Romans 13:8 – Debt
Romans 14:13 – Don’t judge
Romans 14:19 – Edify
Romans 15:5 – Unity
Romans 15:7 – Accept
Romans 16:16 – Greet
I Corinthians 7:5 – Don’t deprive
I Corinthians 11:33 – Wait
I Corinthians 12:25 - Concern
Galatians 5:13 – Serve
Galatians 6:2 - Carry
Ephesians 4:2 – Bear with
Ephesians 4:32 – Compassion
Ephesians 5:19 – Sing
Ephesians 5:21 – Submit
Philippians 2:3 – Consider
Colossians 3:9 – Don’t lie
Colossians 3:13 – Forgive
I Thessalonians 3:12 – Overflow
I Thessalonians 4:18 Encourage (with 2nd Coming hope)
I Thessalonians 5:11 – Build
I Thessalonians 5:15 – Be kind
2 Thessalonians 1:3 – Increase
Hebrews 10:25 – Encourage
James 4:11 – Don’t slander
James 5:9 – Don’t grumble
James 5:16 – Confess
I Peter 3:8 – Harmony
I Peter 4:9 – Hospitality
I Peter 5:5 – Humility
I John 1:7 – Fellowship

We have much to work on to set the standard and be an example to others.

Communion:  Observing the Lord’s Supper is a love feast that can be solemn without formality when we remember our Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. I Corinthians 11 is the only Scripture that gives instruction for this event.  Perhaps it has been elevated too much by Christendom throughout the years.  Our practice is once a month which is probably the level of attention it deserves.

Not Quite Right Headlines By Steve Macdonald:
Stiff Opposition to Casketless Funeral Plan
Drunk gest Nine Months in Violin Case
Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers should be Belted
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Stolen Painting Found by Tree
2 Sisters Reunited after 18 years in Checkout Counter
Complaints about NBA Referees Growing Ugly
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Police Begin Campaign to Run down Jaywalkers
Plane too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told

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