Hi there!

“The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Today North Americans and people abroad are commemorating the 9/11 tragedy and the over 3000 that lost their lives. It is hard to believe that it occurred ten years ago. Can you remember where you were and what you were doing? The aftermath has been incredible with unbelievable retold stories; security has been heightened everywhere. This was the worst military defeat for the US in one attack that particularly affected civilian lives. I just learned that 500,000 people were rescued by boats in 9 hours when the Twin Towers fell and escapers had nowhere to go but to the water. Two weeks after that grave event Rudy Giuliani encouraged everyone in a memorable address to try and get back to their routines and normal living. There was a lot of fear and despair to get over which many have still not dealt with to this day along with all the changes that have taken place since then. Our world continues to cope with tragedies – 30,000 children die each day due to malnutrition and disease. Sara Burton and her friend Gayle Newton wrote a song at that time called Whom Shall I Fear?

God is my light, my salvation.
Whom shall I fear? I will fear Him.

God is the stronghold of my life.
Whom shall I fear? I will fear Him alone.

Though an army besiege me
My heart will not fear.
Though war break out against me
I’ll be confident in Him alone.

I will not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day.
Though I walk through death’s valley
I will be confident in Him alone.

Fear the Lord your God; serve Him only.
Listen and learn to fear the Lord; walk in all His ways.

Our son, Rob, is leaving Moosonee by train tomorrow at supper, staying overnight in Timmins, flying to Toronto the next day and then onward to Turkey for two weeks and Kyrgystan for two weeks thereafter. Please pray for safety on this mission trip – presenting the Gospel in Islam countries is always risky. Donations are coming in and will be receipted through our charity, Kainos International Ministries. You can mail money to our address below or send me an e-mail money transfer to wendy.carter@kainos.org.

Please pray for Richard and Hannah in Myanmar. Their baby son Gideon needs an operation on his “boy parts” sooner than later. Please remember the Christian family in BC whose 3-year old son was probably abducted last week (now returned home safely). They attend Sparwood Fellowship Baptist Church – a member church in our Fellowship denomination. Also Chris & Ron Burton’s step-dad, Art Cotton, is having an operation on his arm tomorrow.

Home Group happens this Thursday at the Burtons at 7:00 p.m. We are almost finished the Don Carson video series we have been watching.

Have a good 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.

Wake Yourself Up Spiritually by Gary Carter: Wendy didn’t sleep very well last night due to a sore thumb from too much weeding and painting. You never realize how much you use your thumb when it “sticks out like a sore thumb” and doesn’t work properly. (Rob agrees with that because of his middle unbendable guitar-playing finger!) Lack of sleep may be caused by various reasons.

The Bible relates good sleep to reliance on God. A farmer can get a good night’s sleep when he knows his crop is in the field, he’s done all he can do with it and he believes in a Sovereign God Who will take care of the rest. Mark 4:26-27 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.” In speaking of bad sleep Paul exhorted in Ephesian 5:14, “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Good sleep allows you to be more aware. Are you spiritually asleep? If you are spiritually alive you have the ability to understand. Christ’s light will shine on you.

Conversations with Jesus - What do you think Jesus meant? by Debbie Macdonald: Authority is defined as the power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge. It is the right or power to command, govern, or enforce obedience. In Mark Jesus had a number of conversations which were classified as authoritative. We can read about His authority over the wind and waves in Mark 4:39 when He told them to be calm and they obeyed. We see Jesus tell a fig tree to never bear fruit again in 11:14 and it obeys. In 1:24-25; 5:7-18; 8:33 and 9:21-25 Jesus speaks directly to demons, spirits, or Satan and they obey because He has the authority to enforce laws of nature, exact obedience and to command everything. In Mark 1:17, 19-20 and 2:14, Jesus called people to follow Him - Simon (Peter), Andrew, John, James and Levi (Matthew). We have Peter and his brother busy at work making a living with bills to pay and mouths to feed. He calls and they follow. John and James walk away from dad and the family business - no questions asked. Levi folds up a good money making business and follows. Maybe there were unrecorded conversations between Peter and his wife or John and his dad, but they still followed Jesus. They left everything they had - all the comforts of home, the salary, the pension plan, the life they were comfortable with - and stepped out of the boat. They made mistakes along the way, but they listened to the lessons and learned; they listened and they followed. They became the fishers Jesus called them to be. Check out Mark 12:3-31 and Colossians 3:12. What do you think Jesus wants you to do? Love God every day by praying, reading the Bible, finding fellowship with others, spreading the news about Jesus to neighbours, co-workers, family members, to everyone. We must love Him with all our hearts, not just on Sunday, not only when life is good, not after the Biggest Loser, not when it is convenient, but with and in everything we do. We are called to be fishers of men like Simon, Andrew, John, James and Levi (Matthew). We must follow, listen, learn from Him, and learn from our mistakes. We must be obedient to His calling and not let the world obstruct our view.

The Places/People by Steve Macdonald: Pual’s second missionary journey started at Jerusalem and took him to Antioch, Tarsus, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Troas, Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Cenchrea, Ephesus, and Caesarea. Many of these places he had travelled to on his first journey.
Many of the people were the same players. In Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-23) his companions were Barnabas, Silas (Silvanus), Judas (Barsabbas - brother of Joseph? Acts 1:23), Peter, John, James, Titus (* = assumed – Galatians 2:1), Nicodemus*, and Joseph of Arimathea*. In Antioch (Acts 15:37) there were Mark and Barnabas along with the people in the church (Acts 13:1) - Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene*, Manaen*, (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), Rufus* (Acts 11:20 - + Alexander, Mom*), Silas and Judas. Silas is assumed to be with him in the rest of the cities. It is interesting that no one else was with Paul in his home town of Tarsus (Luke 4:24 - “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “prophets are not accepted in their hometowns.”). Gaius (Acts 20:4) was in Derbe. He met Lois, Eunice and Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5) in Lystra. Tertius (Romans 16:22 – second bishop)* might have been in Iconium as well as Timothy and possibly Gaius*. Carpus* might have been in Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) with Luke (Acts 16:10 - “we”), Timothy, and Gaius*. Patrobas* was probably in Neapolis (became the bishop of Neapolis) with Luke, Timothy and Gaius*. There were a lot in Philippi – Luke, Timothy, Lydia & household (Acts 16:14-15), slave girl (Acts 16:16-19). jailer & family (Acts 16:32-34), Gaius*, Epaphroditus* (Philippians 2:25), Euodia* (Philippians 4:2), Hermas* (Bishop of Philippi - Romans 16:14). There was no one in Amphipolis or Apollonia with him. Aristarchus, Secundus (Acts 20:4), Demas (2 Timothy 4:10), Jason (Acts 17:7), and Gaius* were in Thessalonica. He probably met Sopater* (Sosipater, son of Pyrrhus - Acts 20:4), Timothy, Gaius*, and Aristarchus* in Berea. Silas and Timothy were not in Athens – only Dionysius (Acts 17:34) and Damaris. There were many in Corinth - Priscilla & Aquila (Acts 18:2), Silas and Timothy (Acts18:5), Titius Justus (Acts 18:7), Crispus (Acts 18:8) and Phoebe* (Romans 16-1:2). If Paul wrote Romans 16:22-24 where they people in town - Tertius, Epenetus, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Gaius, Erastus, Quartus? In Ephesus we have Sceva & sons (Acts 19:14), Erastus (Acts 19-22), Timothy, Aristarchus (Acts 19:29), Gaius, and Onesiphorus* (2 Timothy 1:16 & 4:19). Whew! Lots to figure out!

Conversations with Jesus – Raising the Dead & Healing the Sick (Luke 8:40-56) by Chris Burton: Jesus crossed back over the lake after casting out “Legion.” Crowds are waiting or expecting Him. Jairus, a synagogue leader comes and falls at Jesus’ feet - his 12-year old daughter is dying. Was he a convert prior to this or was he humbling himself and reaching for what he felt was his last hope to save his daughter? Jesus pushes on through the crowd on His way to Jairus’ home.
In the crowd is a woman that has been “subject to bleeding” for 12 years. Nobody has been able to cure or heal her. Was this like haemophilia? Who knows, but for 12 years she has remained unclean by Jewish Law so she either did her best to conceal this fact or she was likely left alone as an outcast begging for food and help. She works her way through the crowd, comes up behind Jesus, touches the edge of his cloak and is immediately healed. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.” Looking at each other they question and respond, “Did you?…Not me!” “Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’” And the translation could have been, “Jesus, many people have - you’re in a crowd (Duh!) Why do you ask now? This isn’t your first crowd. But Jesus said (verse 45), “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” The woman, realizing she could not go unnoticed, came trembling to Jesus’ feet, tells her story and says she’s been healed. “Then he said to her (verse 46), ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’”
They continue on the way to the Jairus’ home but they are intercepted by somebody telling them they are too late. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Thought: How often do you pause and not talk with Jesus because you don’t want to bother the Teacher? Remember: Jairus was walking with Jesus when the woman was healed. If he didn’t fully believe in the power of Jesus or understand what kind of faith Jesus was looking for, the woman gave him the ultimate example. Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” They arrive at the house (many people still following) but only Jairus is allowed in. Inside there are those that would have been at the side of the dying girl – her mom, doctors, other leaders from the synagogue. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laugh at Jesus - from wailing (were they really sincere?) to laughing. Imagine: Other synagogue leaders were laughing, “Oh Jairus, you fool! What have you done? We told you He was a fraud. Now your daughter is dead and your reputation is shot!” “But he took her by the hand and said (verse 54), ‘My child, get up!’” And up she came! Parents were stunned as no doubt were the others. If Jairus had not believed, would his daughter have been raised from the dead? Yet again, Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. We have no follow up information. The end! Nothing else! No “I told you so” from Jairus! Just on to the next town!

Obstructed View – Why Can’t They See? by Gary Carter: People cannot see what matters for a variety of reasons e.g. they say they have faith but it is not placed in Jesus; their heritage prevents them from seeing. They don’t recognize how amazing humans are with several endowments and responsibilities.
Spiritual Endowment (John 4:20-24): Even the ill-reputed woman at the well was privileged to speak with Jesus and was ready for a theological discussion. She had the capacity to respond spiritually.
Mental Endowment (Genesis 2:15): God placed man in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it.” Gary was given the sweetest honey the other day from his farmer neighbour who several years ago figured out how to keep bees and gather their honey. Can your dog figure out how to clean up his poop after himself?
Emotional Endowment (I John 4:10-16): These verses remind us that God loved us first and thus we can love Him and others. In our world we see little of this love around us.
Moral Endowment (Genesis 3:7): Sin arrived in the Garden of Eden; Adam and Eve were embarrassed about their nakedness. Some believe that since they are sinful how can they talk; they are guilty and incomplete. John Newton, a sinful slave trader (shipped 20,000 Negros from Africa to America) was converted and said that he was not what he once was even though he was not yet perfect.
Social Endowment (Genesis 2:18): Man was built to live with people. He needs a family and helpers.
People are responsible.
People are placed here to take care of creation (Genesis 1:25-28).
People are placed here to build better societies (Psalm 72:1-4). Canada is marked as #12 in the world. We can make a difference if we honour God. Many Christians enter politics to change society.
People are placed here to communicate with God (John 17:3) Who says, “You can send the memo straight to Me!” Regular, constant contact is our ultimate expression.It is our place to use time wisely to read the Bible and pray.
People are placed here to glorify God (I Corinthians 6:19-20; 3:10-23). Are people overwhelmed with your servant nature? Do you sacrifice? In everything we do – eat, sleep, play – we are God’s temple to glorify Him.

Pun with Book Titles by Steve Macdonald:
I Win! By U. Lose
Coin Tossing by Taylor Hedd
Avoid that Pedestrian! By Vera Way
Woman in Danger! By Warner Quick
Do It Yourself by Tyrone Shoelaces
The Best of Elmer Fudd by Y. U. Wabbit
Really Bad Cow Jokes by Terry Bull
I’m Always Hungry by O. B. City
Didn’t Make It to the Hospital by D. O. Way