Heartland News & Prayer

February 6, 2011 by Wendy Carter.

Hi there!

“…love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 19:19

Have you had enough snow yet? Our neighbour, Ferd, endeared himself to us and many other neighbours on our street this week when he plowed out our driveways. His show of care was a thoughtful gesture that he didn’t have to make. Chris Burton didn’t fair as well with his neighbour who just came to chat. During our church service this morning an ambulance came down our hill on its way to Ferd’s house. We thought help had come to take care of his elderly mother-in-law whose health is failing. Instead, Ferd, had hurt his finger tips on the snow blower and he required stitches. Could you please remember to pray for this family during this stressful time and to pray that we would take opportunities to be good neighbours ourselves in our very self-centred society?

The ladies of William’s father’s church sent about 10 scarves they had made with William when he arrived in December. The scarves were quickly sold for $20 each and we sent the money to Myanmar in January. The ladies, in turn, purchased more material and last week William received a box full of 45 scarves and hats. Now that’s the way to do business. Please let us know if you wish to buy a scarf or a hat. Don’t forget William’s blog at www.william.heartlandfellowship.ca. Last night he experienced Chinese New Year’s celebrations with Can & Mylene Nghiem and their family. His education is becoming multi-cultural. Happy New Year to you all! William’s prayer is to lead someone to the Lord before he returns to Myanmar in June.

Home Group happens this Thursday at the Burtons’ home at 7:00 p.m. We are continuing to view a video series by Canadian, Don Carson on Christianity and spending more time in prayer.

Thank you everyone for your contributions to our Farewell Potluck supper last night with Fred & Maureen Brown. A good time was had by all even with all the snow.

Please continue to pray for Debbie Macdonald and the healing of her upper arm. She needs to keep her cast on for another six weeks which is rather frustrating for her and her family.

Don’t forget to be on the look out for more information about the “Little Big Show” coming to a station near you in the weeks ahead!

Enjoy the football game!

Wendy
wendy.carter@kainos.org
This blog is a summary of our 9:00 Sunday morning services held at 7777 Churchville Rd., Brampton, ON L6Y 0H3, 905-230-8116. It can always be found at www.blog.heartlandfellowship.ca.

Special Events by Gary Carter: Special events throughout the year tend to keep you going. Yesterday the Chinese celebrated New Year’s Eve with 2011 being the Year of the Rabbit. Super Bowl 45 happens this weekend which is very big with Americans. The World Cup engages more of the world every four years. The Water Festival happens in April every year in Myanmar for a week.

With the establishment of the church in the New Testament, except for some events inherited from the Old Testament, there were no real big festivals connected to the church. There were the celebrations of baptism for the individual and participation in the Lord’s supper as churches. There were the weekly observances of Sunday (or the Sabbath), the first day of the week, when God’s people wanted to be together. What could be more important than building for eternal life during these special times? There is no comparison to a sports extravaganza or a cultural tradition. And even though things can go wrong in a church continuing to attend will get you through the valley; for if you drop out your life will become weaker and eventually the flame may go out.

Et Al - Romans 16:15 - by Steve Macdonald: Paul concludes his greetings to the Roman Christians in this verse. Again, there isn’t too much information on these individuals. Philologus’ name means a “lover of letters or of the word.” He was numbered among the 70 Apostles and Andrew consecrated him as Bishop of Sinope located on the most northern edge of the Turkish side of the Black Sea coast, in the ancient region of Paphlagonia in modern-day northern Turkey. Julia means, “downy; soft and tender hair.” She was likely the wife of Philologus by the manner in which Paul puts the two names together. Some think Julia may have been his sister; however when looking at the next couple, it is unlikely as Paul specifies a relationship of brother and sister. Her name points to a member of the imperial household as it is the feminine version of Julius. Nereus was more commonly known from Greek mythology as being a Greek sea god and the son of Pontus and Gaea. According to Catholic.net he was a soldier in the imperial Roman army and a member of the Praetorian Guard. He was converted to Christianity and baptized by Peter. He later exiled from Rome for his faith, where he was ultimately beheaded with his brother, Achilleus after suffering with Flavia Domitilla.

OR according to William Barclay, in A.D. 95, two of the most distinguished people in Rome were condemned for being Christians. Flavius Clemens, had been consul of Rome and his wife Domatilla was of royal blood, the granddaughter of Vespasian, a former Emperor, and the niece of Domitian, the reigning Emperor. Flavius was executed and Domatilla was banished to the island of Pontia. The name of the chamberlain of Flavius and Domatilla was Nereus. Is it possible that Nereus the slave had something to do with the making into Christians of Flavius Clemens the ex-consul and Domatilla? The last person mentioned is Olympas; his name means “heaven descended.”
The group greeted last week together with today’s, are likely household congregations. Not many of the Christians would have owned a house large enough to accommodate a congregation regularly so it would have been quite logical for them to have taken turns, Sunday by Sunday, worshiping in different homes of members with houses large enough or convenient enough to meet the needs. Consider that there are only four or five Sundays per month, and in both passages, Paul mentions four or five persons. In contrast, verses 3-4, where Paul greets Priscilla and Aquila, The impression is that Priscilla and Aquila were able to provide a place in their home as a regular meeting place for all the services of their group. All the Lord’s people who are with them. Paul salutes the saints who are with them in family or relations in the bond of Christian communion. Just in case anyone should find themselves upset, as if Paul had forgotten them, he concludes with the remembrance of the rest - all the unnamed brothers and saints. It is observable that in Christian congregations there are smaller societies linked together in love, taking opportunities to be together. Check out Acts 1:4; 2:44, 26; and Ephesians 2:22.

Examine your Heart by William: Psalm 26:2-3 reads, “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.” Through love we are perfect before God and there is no more shame as in the case of Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden when they discovered they were naked. Buddhists tell their people to follow their teachings. Christians are commanded to follow Jesus. This is very different. May we be like the believer, Paul, who could say, “Learn from me.” Job continued to have the love of God in him even though his possessions were all gone. Entrust this love to your children so we can have better families, churches and societies.

Conversations with Jesus in Luke 2 by Chris Burton: When Jesus was a baby he was presented in the temple, Simeon a devout and righteous Jew sees in Jesus salvation, light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to the Israel people. Even though there was no conversation Jesus’ destiny was revealed. Moving forward to when Jesus was 12, he again was found in the temple after his parents had been searching for him for three days. The conversation with his mother is recorded in verses 48-49. Verse 51 says, “…his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” She probably clicked back in her mind to when her Son was first presented in the temple which helped her realize again how unique, different, unbelievable and a blessing Jesus was. Even though still a child, Jesus revealed His identity and probably realized all the more the impact with its implications He would have on people.

Blessings & Results (Matthew 13:1-23) by Gary Carter: Paul instructed Timothy to give attention to the public reading of Scripture and so Gary read this passage of the parable of the sower from last week once again. The purpose of Jesus’ parables was not to help the listener understand better but allowed some listeners to see the truth while others did not. This passage refers to Isaiah’s message from the Old Testament (Isaiah 6:9-10). He also said that many would not see and hear. At the beginning of chapter 6, verses 1-8, Isaiah’s call is described which was at the end of a dynasty. It is hard to figure if these verses are real physically or mystically but one does grasp a little of the majesty of God. It changed Isaiah’s life for he recognized himself in contrast to the holiness of God. His life was cleansed by the touch of the “live coal.” He responds positively to the Lord’s question,”Whom shall I send?” This will only happen for you if you see God and yourself in stark contrast. Isaiah asks (verses 11-13), “How long?” He is not promised that his ministry will get great results. He had to fight through rejection and negativity of his world as we do. Most of the seed will die in the field but the failure does not belong to the sower. There will be nuggets or “the stump in the land.” The blessing is in knowing yourself and in the opportunity to share the truth with others whether or not they understand.

Interesting Headlines by Steve Macdonald:
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Sneak Attack by Soviet Bloc Not Foreseen
War Dims Hope for Peace
Blue Skies unless it’s Cloudy
Bankrupt Association Termed in Poor Shape
Food is Basic to Student Diet
Friday ONLY - White Flower Two Day Sale
Grandmother of Eight Makes Hole in One.
Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing

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