Hello!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

“Don’t shoot me!” were Ghadafi’s last words upon his capture this week. What a sad demise to watch this very stubborn man who was found in a mere culvert. His accumulated wealth did not help him in his last days. He was never willing to try and see that the Lord is good. The other day I suggested Gary try some white tuna on crackers. Throughout our 43 years if marriage he has never liked eating tuna but when he tried this almost chicken-like fish he smirked and said, “Can I have some more?” He was willing to try. What can I say?

We are excited. This past week at our Credit Valley Pastors Association we learned that Pastor Jake Stewart from Streetsville Baptist is travelling to Yangon, Myanmar in November to visit his friend William for a week. We must consider what we can send with Jake e.g. letters, Christmas cards, birthday card (his b-day is Nov. 6/86), money, over the counter medicines, etc.

Steve and Hayley Macdonald and Cassidy and Kaiya Burton climbed the CN Tower this morning. This annual event they have been involved in raising money for The United Way. Way to go, you guys!

Please pray for Howie Johnson as he searches for new employment. He has several interviews over this next week. Pray for Steve Macdonald with added managerial pressures at the TTC. Pray for the Burton family as they consider selling their home and buying another that would be more suitable for their family in this area.

Home Group happens this Thursday at the Burtons’ home at 7:00 p.m. with prayer and watching a video series on Islam called Truth Unlocked – Keys to Reaching Your Muslim Neighbour. Did you know that Islam people do not touch alcohol or eat pork?

Mark on your calendar Tuesday, November 8 for a conference sponsored by Compass Coaching International – see the website www.standbymeconference.info. Dr. Swenson is a medical doctor, world-renowned speaker and futurist.

Take care!

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.

Remembering the Ice Truck of Old by Gary Carter: Years ago Gary’s uncle worked for the Belle Ewart Ice Company. Wendy pulled out a calendar the other day from this company dated 1931. The taglines were, “Save with Ice” and “Those Who Really Know Prefer Ice.” Two or three times a week the ice truck would travel down your street to deliver a block of ice for your ice box. Gary loved eating the chips of ice. The block of ice fit to size would be placed in the upper compartment and melted water would accumulate in a tray at the bottom that was also said to catch impurities from the food. It sounds like people were prone to resisting progress then just as they are today. But, oh my, times have changed since. Steve Jobs died recently leaving a great legacy for us all; however he did encounter failures along the way (e.g. Apple 3 and his NeXT company both failed). Many strive to move forward; others seek ease of life. The best way is to follow Jesus and seek what He wants us to be; for He said simply, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) You will find life with a capital L and contentment.

Conversations with Jesus – The Transfiguration (Luke 9: 28-36) by Chris Burton: As we saw last week a conversation takes place regarding the identity of Jesus. Answers were varied (a John the Baptist like character, a prophet like character, a prophet reborn) but not definitive. Jesus was held in high esteem by the crowds. He was a man that spoke with authority and could do miraculous things, but they were not yet proclaiming him as the “Messiah.” The Jewish leaders held no punches; to them He was a servant of Satan. Peter stepped up and declared Him God’s Messiah. Jesus supports Peter’s conclusion but for the time being it must be kept a secret. Jesus starts the first of many conversations about His death. There is one more “Voice” to be heard from to bring it all together.

Eight days later Jesus took Peter, John and James up to a mountain to pray (Matthew 16:17-20). The outward appearance of Jesus changes. Having come to earth in the form of a man His heavenly appearance had been veiled until this moment (Isaiah 53:2B). What does ”Lord God” have to say on the topic? Moses and Elijah appear beside Jesus – a bringing together of the past, present and future that is to come. The disciples, as they wake from their sleep, miss the significance. Peter offers to pitch tents for all three as if they are equals - another blunder on Peter’s part. A cloud covers them and God speaks to bring the conversation to an end, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

So what is the significance of this conversation? What is the point of the transfiguration?
It is the culmination or validation of Jesus’ human life - the Son of God in all his perfect Glory brought to earth; while at the same moment a prelude to His death. From this point forward we will see Jesus speak more of the coming of the end of His life and ministry - but not as defeat but as Glory through His suffering. In times to come it would serve as a strong reminder of who Jesus was and is. The disciples told nobody at that time but since Luke writes of it, they likely shared it during times of struggle when they decided the time was right and the pilot light kicks on for good.

Obstructed View – Why Can’t They See? by Gary Carter: Gary remembers his telephone number from his youth – Hargrave (HA) 7704. Wendy’s was Baldwin (BA) 8122. The letters became numbers and then an area code was added in front. Our world is getting more and more complex and even though there is some attempt to simplify it, we are still confused, too distracted or obstructed in our view. Have you sat behind a huge person (like Shaquille O’Neil) at a ball game, a large tree at an outside university graduation or have you had difficulty seeing the band at a rock concert because of the crowd and lights?

After living a lot of his life without Jesus, the apostle Paul’s conclusion is found in Romans 1:16-17. It is all about faith in the correct object - not faith in faith. World Series fans these days are extremely tense as they place their faith and hope in their favourite baseball players. God cares deeply for our messy world (John 3:16). It is so sad to watch famous people who believe the world should play by their rules. Man wants to cover or justify his evil (John 3:19-20). He relies on the wrong authority. God says, “This is my Son, listen to Him!”

The subject that Jesus spoke of more than anything is money. His background premise is found in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” So it’s all about heaven - not here. It’s not about a new set of rules. Matthew 6:19-21 records, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus says, “Do not…”. This is not a suggestion or a compromise. He is not looking for applicants but commitment. “Treasures on earth” are insecure because of moths (in Bible times there were no mothballs), vermin (that make a mess) or thieves (often people become less secure the bigger the pile of money they have). Your money storage places can be your net worth (what you own minus what you owe; assets minus liabilities) or your objective to “get ahead” in life which is really sin. There are several false beliefs around –
False Belief #1: You Don’t “Own” Anything (everything is signed over to Jesus)
False Belief #2: It’s Nobody Else’s Business (your money is Jesus’ business)
False Belief #3: Ownership Gets You Somewhere or Something (it gets you nowhere)
1 Timothy 6:6-10 teaches, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Our church TV screen 5 years ago cost $2500. It is now on its last legs. Cassidy & Kaiya’s bookshelf is filled with baseball medals from the last few years. What are they worth now? Your net worth in the hearse will be zero. Where is your heart? You can measure where your treasure is. What are you eyeing? You can live in the dark or the light. What are you mad about? You can know if you have a problem if a “Jesus” concept makes you squirm. Richard and Brenda Fleming, missionaries to the Congo, recently traveled for a month in their jeep on the back roads to reach and teach poor Christian leaders. Many times their lives were on the live especially when their jeep quit. They are a tremendous example to others.

Punny is as Punny Does! by Steve Macdonald:
Teenagers of the 50’s by Bobbie Sox
Smash His Lobster! by Buster Crabbe
Keep Out! by Barb Dwyer
Uninteresting Road Signs by Bill Bored
Mineralogy for Giants by Chris Tall
Housework by Dustin Cook
Come On Mom, Pleeease? by G. Y. Nott
Rapunzel, Rapunzel! by Harris Long
Look Ma, No Thumbs! By Justice Fingers