Happy Father’s Day, Fathers!

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.” Proverbs 21:21

From pride to disgust and embarrassment – how events can change attitudes so quickly in just a few short days. The news since Wednesday has been filled with the rampaging and chaos in Vancouver after the Canucks’ defeat by the Boston Bruins. It saddened me to learn that most of the exploiters who caused so much damage were male teenagers and young men. They were definitely not interested in “pursuing righteousness.” Have there been no honourable fathers in their families for them to follow respectfully? May God reach into each of their lives with some Christian influence that will cause them to turn around even as they face more troublesome days ahead.

William is now back in Yangon and here are some excerpts from his recent e-mails: “I finally arrived Yangon. Right now I stay with my parents because they missed me … Some of my friends and our church member were coming to meet me last night. We had a prayer meeting. They loved to hear my story in Canada … It is raining season here. It rains cats and dogs. We need to walk on the water. Thank you so much for your love and taking care of me … All the believers here are doing well. My co-workers are also excellent in their works. They are well organized. They will continue to lead the people as it is exactly the same as I was outside the country. I will only meet the 5 leaders recently. They will do the same way to the people whom they lead … We are fixing the roofs of our members houses as a volunteer workers. Some of their houses were needed to replace the whole roof. Blessings.”

We also learned from Richard that 3 of his orphans including his own daughter passed their matriculation exams on June 5. He says these exams are very important and difficult. “Nancy Zo Than Pui and Ram Nei Mawi are taking charge of ladies hostel in our orphanage home, and teaching orphanage students.” His daughter wants to continue her studies in college.

Ron Burton is celebrating his birthday this coming Tuesday. Congratulations, Ron! Hope you enjoy your visit with your folks in Sarnia this week. Please pray for Chris Burton as he leaves tomorrow on a field trip with his students to Montreal for three days.

We have copies of Life on the Zipline – From Fear to Awe available for purchase or you can order online (www.lifeonthezipline.com). This past week we enjoyed our stay at Lake Calabogie near Ottawa. In this lovely setting Gary was able to come close to finishing his next book, See You Next Week! Please pray that this book will be a great tool for many churches to improve their welcome of visitors each Sunday.

Home Group happens this Thursday at the Burton “manor” at 7:00 p.m. We are continuing to view Don Carson’s series on the Bible and praying together.

Sorry the blog was so late in getting out last week!

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.

The Glory of Fatherhood by Gary Carter: After our service Gary is heading to Logos Baptist Church (Chinese) in Mississauga where they want him to preach in the English service on The Glory of Fatherhood. What does that really mean? Some societies are patriarchal or male oriented while others are matriarchal or female oriented. Certain roles are best fitted depending on whether they be male or female. Men find it difficult to pass along spiritual or moral values to the next generation but it is much appreciated when it happens.

Deuteronomy 6:1-3 is a good passage on parenting. The Israelites were just heading into the Promised Land. Moses is telling them to observe God’s commands so that “you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live … and so that you may enjoy long life.” Often people feel cheated because of an unfair teacher, coach, or boss. They are looking in the wrong directions for life to go well. Vancouver city officials believe that they were taken by surprise by the 100 plus who have been arrested for disrespecting their city and embarrassing the nation. Did these young people want to gain notoriety or were they just in a drunken stupor? Whatever the reason have their fathers been too busy to impress on their hearts what is important from God’s viewpoint? The glory of fatherhood comes in small incremental things. It’s not what you say but who you are. An example makes a huge difference in kids. Gary chatted with a father and a young son this week by the lake. The father was taking his son out in the boat to teach him how to fish. This would be a great memory for them both but would the father be interested in talking about the God who created all the nature around them in that boat? An English lady commented on how “flat” the lake was and then grew wavy. Does she really appreciate how it got there for all of us to enjoy?

The Second Mission Begins by Steve Macdonald: Paul’s second missionary journey took place between 49 and 52 AD. He traveled through part of Asia and Europe - Jerusalem, Antioch, Tarsus, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Troas, Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Cenchrae, Ephesus, and Caesarea. The Jerusalem crew were Peter, James, John, Barnabas, Titus, possibly Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, Judas Barsabbas and Silas (Silvanus) (Galatians 2:1,9).

Judas Barsabbas was a leader in the Jerusalem church and chosen to deliver the decree to Antioch (Acts 15:30-32). There was a Joseph Barsabbas nearly chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve (Acts 1:21 -23) - also known as Justus. Are Joseph and Judas brothers and their father called Sabba (Mark 3:16-17)? Were Joseph and Judas brothers and given the name “Barsabbas” by Jesus or the apostles? Jesus often gave new names to his disciples to distinguish the people from others with the same first name (John 1:42). If Barsabbas is a new name, what does it signify? The name can be interpreted as “son of the Sabbath day”, “son of the Sabbath year” (Leviticus 25:1-13) or “son of rest.” Acts 15 can be dated to 48-50 AD and a Sabbath year occurred in this time period. Did Joseph and Judas leave their fields in accordance with the Sabbath year requirement of Leviticus 25:1-13 to follow Jesus who gave them the name “Barsabbas”? Judas would then have returned to his fields in non-Sabbath years, but, because of this Sabbath year observance, became available in a subsequent Sabbath year to travel to Antioch (Acts 15:22-33). Judas was a prophet (teacher), a leader in the Jerusalem church, faithful to his beliefs, trustworthy, and associated with the Church of Antioch (Acts 13).
There was Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. Silas, short for or derived from Silvanus meaning “woody” and derived from the Latin “silva”, was a Hellenistic Jew and a Roman citizen. He was mentioned 20 times in the New Testament (Acts 15:22, 27, 32, 40; 16:19, 22, 25, 29, 36, 38, 40-41; 17:4-5, 10, 14; 18:5; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12). He was chosen by Paul for this journey. Paul travelled to Derbe, Lystra and Iconium. In Lystra he met up with Timothy, Lois and Eunace whom he had contacted on his first mission (Acts 16:1). Gaius from Derbe also travelled with him (Acts 20:4).

Conversation with Jesus (Pt. 14) by Chris Burton: The next conversation is found in Luke 7:36-50 when Jesus was anointed by a sinful woman. Jesus was invited for dinner by Simon, one of the Pharisees. Why the invitation? Was it respect for this new teacher? Did Simon want to learn more about Jesus? You can’t count Simon as a believer; but perhaps a skeptic trying to be open-minded. In Jewish tradition, it was an honour to host a visiting teacher and his “entourage.” A basin would typically be provided so guests could wash the dust from the road off their feet. Scented olive oil was sometimes offered to anoint a guest’s hair and beloved guests would be kissed as they were greeted - none of this was done for Jesus. Jesus reclined at a very low table with other guests. This is a characteristically Eastern style of dining. He reclined on the left arm, supported by divans or cushions and the right hand was free to eat. Sandals were removed and feet would be splayed out behind.
The woman had not been invited so why was she let in? Even though she is a sinner there is still another tradition that allows for people to enter the home and listen to the words of a visiting Rabbi. It was similar to sitting in the gallery listening. She had likely heard the teachings of Jesus and wanted a closer look. Simon did not seem to care initially that she was there (avoiding a scene maybe?) as he is more focused on the meal and conversation. When she began to weep and the feet of Jesus are wet from her tears the woman bends down, dries them with her hair and anoints them with perfume.
This became too much for Simon and now feels he should speak up since he has seen enough to pass judgment. He either mumbles to himself or perhaps to a guest next to him. Jesus responds, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” The trap is sprung! Simon wanted to hear what Jesus had to say; that’s why he invited him to this meal but he is about to get an earful. Jesus reviews Simon’s lack of acts in contrast to what the woman has done. What’s Simon feeling at this point? He’s an educated man so he must know that this has all gone wrong. He has become the centre of an object lesson that he won’t soon forget. BUT does he get it? Does he repent? Does he get angry? Instead of twisting the knife deeper Jesus turns from Simon and addresses the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” It wasn’t a miracle, but Jesus still manages to stun the crowd once again. Nothing more is said about Simon and his thoughts. This would have been a perfect place for him to respond and try to get back some “credibility.” Instead there is nothing but silence from him.

Ready … Reset by Gary Carter: Abraham Lincoln said, “The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation … If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my ax.” The trials that you go through reveal what you are made of. To prepare yourself you must sharpen your ax.

The Jewish people got beat up over a long period of time and it took another long time for them to come back. Ezra became a leader in the movement to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem which had been burned by the Babylonians. He was one of the highest respected men in Jewish history. He had a yearning to see the former years restored. He was devoted to sharpening his ax and taught others whether they learned or not. In Ezra 7:25 the pagan King Artaxerxes realized that the Israelite God had something. He trusted Ezra who always did his job. In 9:3 we see that when things didn’t go well he really got upset; however he did everything he could do to make a difference. This great leader took a stand and became an example without fanfare.

Communion: This little ceremony shows a consistent pattern of doing what God has asked. It is not a glitzy event but a building block in our lives. Jesus is the centre of God’s plan of salvation. Ezra looked forward to His coming and we look back upon His death and resurrection for our sins. When you are injured in an accident you may lose enough blood to even die. The Jewish people understood the sacrificial system to cover sin. When you appreciate the depth of your selfishness or sinfulness you appreciate all the more Christ’s sacrifice.

Punny Book Titles by Steve Macdonald:
The Old Codger by A. T. Yearsold
How to Build a Robot by Anne Droid
Stop Mosquito Bites by Annette Curtain
I Want to Help by Abel N. Willin
I’m not a Mutant by Abner Mallety
Fish Recipes by Ann Chovie
New Mexico Tour Book by Al B. Kerky
Keeping Old Furniture Looking Good by Ann Teak
Guitars and other Stringed Instruments by Amanda Lin