Happy Spring Week Everyone!

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

Gary and I had a great week away even though there was lots of rain, snow and more rain near Ottawa, ON. Did you hear us in the galleries at the Parliament buildings during Question Period on Tuesday afternoon? Very interesting to see first hand how our country is run. The Japanese, on the other hand, didn’t have a very good week with the unexpected enormous earthquake striking their island along with the ensuing tsunami and concerns about their nuclear plants. The ripple affect which became an incredibly huge wave rushed across the ocean to Hawaii and our western North American coastline. God’s amazing force in nature showed itself once again. We’ve got a lot of praying to do for all these miserably needy people as a result. May many Christians be there for them with all necessary resources.

William also enjoyed his visit to Ottawa where he met so many new friends for life. They have invited him back again. He quickly sold out of all the scarves and hats he took with him and they blessed him with their hard-earned money for his church planting ministry in Myanmar. This past Wednesday evening he spoke to Sara Burton’s GoodLife instructors and had the opportunity of telling them what a real good life is all about. William’s blog is growing week by week. What a great memory builder for his Canadian journey. There wasn’t enough time for him to say much in the service this morning but he did present us with a new song (www.william.heartlandfellowship.ca).

This coming Tuesday Gary and I will take William to Crawford Lake near Guelph to learn how maple syrup is made. When the sap starts running in the maple trees for new life we know that spring is on its way. Do you understand that the temperature during the daytime has to be above freezing and below freezing during the night for this process to work?

Gary, Sara and I are beginning to do some research for foundation grants so that we can find some funds for projects like Richard’s orphanage. Please pray that the owners will be open to hearing our story.

Gary was able to finish his first draft of Zipline – from Fear to Awe. This book is a compilation of writing by three of his colleagues and himself who have established Compass Coaching International (www.compasscoachinginternational.com) for training Life Coaches. This tele-course begins once again on April 4. The book will enhance the course and is a good read for anyone who wants to move forward in their life journey.

Home Group happens this Thursday at the Carters’ home at 7:00 p.m. as we view Don Carson’s video series and pray. The Burtons are visiting Dallas, Texas during spring break. Cassidy gets to play baseball on her friend’s team down there.

Enjoy these days with the new time change as we begin to detect spring in the air. The Red-Winged Blackbirds have returned!

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.

Zipline – from Fear to Awe by Gary Carter: One of the 2-page chapters in this book is entitled, Think Broader. There are three things to do to improve your life. 1. You may be able to find a better way to do something.  2. There are times when you can find a better place.  3. But there is always room for finding a better you. This book is designed to help people figure out what to do next. Gary talked with a young man this past week who has gone through some deep valleys. He is now working in  missions and is at the stage in life where he really has something to say. The world needs him to speak up and he has to get used to the fact that what he says is worthwhile. Often life faces you with the next phase. George Beverly Shea, well-known evangelism singer, at 102 received another award. There is always something more. Adapt different ways as you go along. This may mean a job change or a new city to move to. It is, however, different when living with someone else. You can’t control your mate, your children, your siblings, your parents. But you can always be a better person as you can control yourself.

Conversations with Jesus (Part 5) by Chris Burton: Luke 5:12-16 tells the story of Jesus healing the man with leprosy. There were many skin diseases in Biblical times such as festering, itches, boils, rashes, warts along with leprosy. In Leviticus 14 we learn about the 8 days of ritual offering for cleansing before the priests. It was bold of this man with leprosy to come out of seclusion and approach Jesus to be healed. The priests would see him as changed. His disease could not be just scrubbed away. Jesus was willing to make him clean and then exhorted the man to not tell what happened but just show. Earlier in this same chapter the people were astonished with the huge catch of fish that Simon and his partners landed. As a result many were saying, “I want some of that!” The crowds following Jesus got bigger and bigger.

Hello & Good-bye (Romans 16) - by Steve Macdonald: Here are a few last comments on some of the people in this chapter:
Hermes and Asyncritus likely lived in the same area of Rome and travelled in the same circles. Both were in Jerusalem around the time of the transfiguration. They likely took turns holding church services in their houses along with Hermas, Phlegon and Patrobas. Did Paul learn about this group through the Andronicus/Junia (Philippi, Pannonia) connection?
Nereus and Olympas most likely held church in their houses along with Philogus and Julia, who were associated with “my” friend, Stachys as well as”my” kinsman, Herodion. Besides being exiled to Pontina, neither have any records indicating they ever left Rome. Did Paul ever meet Nereus or Olympas? Probably not, but through a friend of a friend, he certainly heard about the passion and commitment they both had for Jesus.
Both Urbane and Narcissus are associated with the 70-72 apostles. Both only traveled to Jerusalem and resided in Rome. Did they retire to Rome after going out on their mission from Jesus or was Rome their mission field? How does Paul hear about their works? Could they have been any of Paul’s inner circle whom spoke highly and the work they were doing in the name of Jesus?
What type of labour does a woman need to perform to be recognized by someone they have never met (see Psalm 127:1)? All three ladies, Mary, Tryphena and Tryphosa, never left Rome according to any available information. Did their work come to mind when Paul was writing I Corinthians 3:8?
Aristobulus was the brother of Barnabas and cousin of Mark He travelled from Cyprus, where he was born, to Jerusalem, Rome, Spain and Briton. If he didn’t at some time travel with Paul himself, the chances are very good that his brother or cousin may have mentioned him once and the work he was undertaking.

Aristarchus by Steve Macdonald: This man is mentioned 5 times in the New Testament – Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24. His name means the “best prince.” He is identified as one of the Seventy Apostles according to Hippolytus, the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He is recorded as being the Bishop of Apamea. Other legends hold that he was beheaded with Paul under Nero’s reign. Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica. The places that he was known to have visited are: Jerusalem, Ephesus, Greece, Troas, Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Miletus, Rome, the city of Apamea (in Syria where he was the Bishop), Kios, Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Cyprus, Tyre, Ptolemais and Caesarea.
Aristarchus travelled a great deal and his “all-star traveling” team at various times included Jesus, the 12 disciples, the 69-71 apostles, Paul, Mark, Luke, Barnabas, Silas, Mary(s), Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, Tychicus, Onesimus, Justus, Epaphras, Demas, Gaius, Sopater, Secundus, Trophimus. So why associate with a known trouble maker, leave your house and get involved in riots, stonings, arrests, long journeys? Deuteronomy 10:12 commands us “to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Did he witness Paul bring back a young man from the dead in Troas (Acts 20: 7-11)?

Ready … Reset by Gary Carter: Dr. Harry Toews from Faith Baptist Church, Oakville was interviewed by Gary this past week on the Fellowship radio program (listento.fellowshipradio.ca). The program called Giant Steps is well worth the listen as the subject was on revival and taking giant steps forward. Does revival in a church come from reprogramming, more precise theology, getting back to the Word of God, good leadership, God doing His job in creating the giant step forward? Another pastor to Google is Richard Owen Roberts (a Billy Graham associate). He has some interesting things to say about moving your life forward. He doesn’t want people just to think but to act and obey even though there may be risks to take. King Asa was willing to take on those risks and the society around him took giant steps forward. Anyone can do this if they follow 2 Chronicles 7:14 – humble yourself, pray and turn. In 1971 a Pastor McLeod with the Sutera Twins in Saskatoon, SK saw a revival start in the church which had an incredible impact. Individuals became aware of their sin and changes occurred which flowed out to their community. Their testimonies spun out to the rest of Canada and perhaps 1000s came to know the Lord. Are you ready for some giant steps?

Newspapers by Steve Macdonald:
World in brief: Greenland meteorite might be from space
Spates guilty of murder - “Please find me not guilty of the crimes I have committed.”
Parents keep kids home to protest school closure.
Schools to offer Phy Ed online.
The California Primary isn’t until June, well after voters in much less important states like Iowa and Canada have already determined who the nominees will be.
Security firm loses Oakland airport.