A Few Faithful Friends

Everyone needs a few good friends! Really good friends. Faithful friends. Friends you can count on. I have some people, besides my family, that I would go out and help at the drop of a hat or a text or phone call more likely. 

Peter heals a lame beggar in Acts 3

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”. So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Acts 3:1-5 ESV

Daily, not just once or twice, but every day this man counted on his friends to deliver him to the temple gate so he could beg for s few coins to help support himself. Every day they brought their friend to outside the city gate to beg. Their regular, persistent and consistent caring for this person led to a miracle for the lame man. Who can you count on? Who can count on you?

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:6-10 ESV

Peter addresses the crowd: 2 topics; who do you have faith in and what are you going to do about it? To have faith in someone they have to be able to help you and willing to help you. Otherwise our faith is for naught. Jesus is both. Are you? 

Check out Luke 5:18-20 where Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man; Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

And consider 2 Samuel 23:13-16, During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord.

World Adoption Day

Brothers Christmas 13November 9th was World Adoption Day! Check out   www.worldadoptionday.org

I was adopted at six months of age. I have had several discussions about the area of being adopted as a child. I have never met my birth parents, but I know some non-identifying information about them like height, hair colour, my birth father worked with his hands, etc. I have no medical history, which saves me a lot of time filling out forms. I’ve had identifying information for a few years now and I’m just reaching out now to see who I can discover. 

It feels like I have always known I was adopted. I grew up in a loving family with the same rights and chores as my brothers. I’ve been curious about my birth family since I was in college. Who do I look like was always a question. There is certainly no resentment on my part. I believe it was done with my best interest in mind. I used to tell my brothers that they just came along, but I was chosen!

Please understand that my parents are Dave & Joan Greenfield and my brothers are Tom, Mark & Chris. That was my family growing up. Plus grandparents Thomas Ernest & Annie Greenfield , Cyril & Viola Copeland plus aunts, uncles and many cousins! 

It is similar with God’s family once we accept Christ as Saviour and Lord and become a child of God. We become the sons and daughters of God through faith and are entitled to the full rights and benefits of sons. I believe I have a unique situation to more fully understand the inclusion we have into God’s family.

Romans 8:13-29
v.14 – sons of God
v.15 – spirit of sonship; ABBA Father – Daddy (a term of intimate endearment, not to be taken flippantly)
v.16 – God’s creation
v.17 – children = heirs; heirs of God; co-heirs with Christ – what do you think Christ’s inheritance would be? We were made spiritual billionaires.
v.21 – children of God
v.23 – first fruits of the Spirit; adoption as sons
Romans 9:4 – adoption as sons

Galatians 3:26-4:7
v.26 – sons of God through faith
v.29 – Abraham’s seed; heirs
v.5 – full rights as sons
v.6 – sons – ABBA Father
v.7 – son = heir

Ephesians 3:6 – gentiles and Jews are heirs together in the promise of Jesus Christ
Titus 3:7 – heirs having the hope of eternal life
1 Peter 3:7 – wives – heirs with you of the gracious gift of life
Hebrews 11:8-10 – Israel & Jacob heirs with Him

Full Rights & Responsibilities of a son

  • Love
  • Acceptance
  • Privileges
  • Equal footing
  • Discipline
  • Responsibilities
  • Chores
  • Inheritance
  • Equal share
  • Property
  • Possessions

INHERITANCE
An inheritance is something that a person comes into possession of because of his relationship with another. It is not something that is earned; it is a gift.

The believer’s inheritance includes life itself. By receiving Christ as Saviour, the believer inherits eternal life.

The inheritance of the believer also includes everything he needs for his life. The believer is actually a citizen of heaven who is on a pilgrim journey on earth. However, God has made all spiritual blessings available to the believer.

The moment one receives Christ as Saviour he is placed as a mature son into the family of God and becomes an heir of an inheritance that is beyond human comprehension.

We are to let Christ reign in our lives now, but our full spiritual inheritance includes being with Christ and reigning with Him throughout eternity.

“And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you” 1 Peter 1:4.

We are Jesus’ inheritance and it is glorious!! Ephesians 1:18, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints”

GOD’S FAMILY
Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. [Westminster Shorter Catechism]

Romans 8:37-39 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That’s the love of our new family!

We MUST Remember

This week we celebrate Remembrance Day to remember the men and women who served or died to buy our freedom here in Canada and those who are still serving.

Why Remember? If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada.

  • In the same way, we were bought with a price by Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:20.
  • For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
  • He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25

Our freedom is not free! Too many brave men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to earn us our freedom. Remembrance Day isn’t just about war and those we’ve lost, but about ideals and what we stand for. It’s about respecting our past and looking hopefully forward, and more than anything, thanking those who have served.

Buy a poppy an wear it proudly to remember the many men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for us!

Cool Facts about #Widji17

Despite troubling events at the start of the summer, 2017 was simply epic. Our Camp Director, Moose, went on an unplanned sick-leave, and it takes a toll on staff to not only recover from losing the direct input of such a significant leader but also to launch a summer program with many moving parts. God is gracious and amidst the storm provided some fantastic young leaders to guide the program and lead campers through 9 weeks of epic fun. Here are some cool facts about #WIDJI17

Did you know that…

  • We gave away approximately 60 Bibles
  • Widji Had 498 campers
  • Started a new SALT arts-based program
  • Welcomed DAISY back to the Widji kitchen this summer
  • Blessed almost 300 kids from at-risk communities to a week of camp
  • Had 63 individual staff work at Widji this summer, including 8 Adult volunteers (we can always use more! Applications will open soon, more info here)
  • 96.25% of campers thought their leaders were awesome
  • 76.8% learned something new about God
  • Camp had waiting lists for all of its programming except Sizzle
  • Morning Monkeys shared “words of wisdom” from Widji tower 70 times
  • Mudwrestling followed by a shower without rinsing off renders a girl’s shower into a “hot tub” experience according to one camper
  • Evening games and Swimming activities were identified as the most common memorable camper experiences

-Guest blogged by Heyoo-

Do you have anything that you learned this summer? What was your memorable experience from camp this summer or a summer past? Share in the comments below!

Things I Never Said

things-i-never-saidThings I never said, but I should have!

A good man passed away in our church, everyone said what a great guy he was. I thought so too. Eldon, I looked up to you, consider you an example, even a mentor of what it looks like in this day to be godly, but never told you, I meant to tell you, call you, write a note, but I didn’t. And I’m sorry about that. 

Nehemiah greets the incoming Brothers from Jerusalem and first asks about the people, then the place.

Jesus focused on the people around him whether it was the disciples, the woman the well, tax collectors or children. I cannot find any record of Jesus talking about the weather, controlling it yes, but not idol chatter. 

We spend too much time talking weather, sports, news, gossip, etc. And not about the people. We can do better. “How are you” needs to stop being a greeting and become a way of caring about and listening to our friends, family and even strangers. Be in the moment, talk to and listen to the people in front of you. Put your phone down. 

Kids and teens especially need our attention and to be listened too. Almost no one cares about what they think. Be that person. 

Finally, write that note to the person you need to thank or encourage. Call them, send an email, go for coffee or dinner. Don’t text, unless it’s to set up going for coffee. 

Marriage: What Does a Good One Look Like?

Marriage isn’t the paper. It’s not the rings or the ceremony either. It’s the relationship of husband and wife each giving 100% of themselves to make it the best relationship they have. It’s hard work and commitment. It’s about love, respect, trust, understanding, friendship and faith.

Tom Selleck (Blue Bloods, Magnum P.I.) says, “Jillie and I have a pretty good partnership. We don’t do anything or make any decisions without consulting each other. And if one of us makes a decision involving Hannah, the other parent completely supports that position, even if you disagree. It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who famously does not have meetings alone with women who are not his wife. Pence, by his own confession, abides by this policy because he is a Christian man who wishes to honor God, protect his marriage, and not put the women he works with in a compromising position.

The following “recipe” for a happy marriage was given to us as part of a cook book when Elaine and I got married. Thanks Anne!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of consideration
  • 2 cup of courtesy
  • 2 cups of flattery, carefully concealed
  • 2 cups milk of human kindness
  • 1 gallon of faith in God & each other
  • 2 cups of praise
  • 1 small pinch of in-laws
  • 1 reasonable budget
  • A generous dash of cooperation
  • 3 tsp. of pure extract of “I am sorry”
  • 1 cup of contentment
  • 1 cup each of contentment & encouragement
  • 2 children at least
  • 1 large or several small hobbies
  • 1 cup of blindness to each other’s faults

Directions

  • Flavour frequently with portions of recreation and a dash of happy memories.
  • Stir well and remove any specks of jealousy, temper or criticism
  • Sweeten with generous portions of love and keep warm with a steady flame of devotion
  • Never serve with a cold shoulder or hot tongue!

Thanksgiving Should Be More Than A Weekend

This past weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada. It is often about family and friends getting together. It’s the one day or weekend we pause long enough to remember all the things we are thankful for. It seems obvious that we should be thankful more than just one day a year. And we are. We give thank for meals, we thank people for holding a door, lending a hand, a nice compliment or some advice. Here are a few of mine…

  • God; for salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, for the Holy Spirit for daily guidance.  God is good: his character; that which disposes him to be kind, full of good will, benevolent, gracious, slow to anger, inclined to bestow blessings, the happiness of his people.
  • My family! My wonderful wife, Elaine, who has loved me for over 31 years in spite of and some times because of my quirks. My three girls (Nicole, Carolyn & Melissa) who are all amazing women accomplishing great things. My two sons-in-law (Tim & Ben) are great guys and are bringing up the male ratio. For Olivia and Logan, our grand kids who have made our lives so much fun. For my parents who chose to adopt me and love me. For my brothers and their families, Greenfield Christmas is coming up soon! 
  • Camp Widjiitiwin and MBC, where ministry happens that changes lives forever, where kids can hear about Jesus, make friends, try new activities, have fun, grow; where staff grow up, lead campers and each other, become leaders
  • Friends who are there for me, steady, faithful. 
  • Canada, were we are free to worship, pray, vote for our leaders, free health care! We live in a free country (earned my many lives on the battlefield) We get to vote
  • My church, where the Bible is preached faithfully, we reach out to our community, people have value, small groups for support and encouragement, prayer support, a big focus on missions, something for everyone. 
  • The beauty of creation. It is a marvel of God’s creativity. The Grand Canyon was breathtaking as we walked up to the south rim a few years ago. When I see Olivia or Logan and their smile, they rock my world. 
  • Good coffee. Preferably strong and black in a large mug. Currently enjoying my morning Folgers and of course some Green Mountain Dark Magic for later. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Moose Is Back!

After being off for the summer on sick leave, as of today, I am 73 days without dizziness. This hasn’t happened for over three years.

I am VERY excited to announce that I came back to work on Monday, October 2nd. It was great and a little strange at the same time. And, I get to go back tomorrow too.

I will be working at 60% time to start. This will be done as 4 half days and one full day a week. We will monitor things for the first few weeks and adjust as needed. My stamina and energy have been increasing over the last month and I am ready to go back to work. I am coming back into the planning season for 2018. 

Thank you to Heyoo, the Widji summer leadership team and the summer staff team for all their great work this summer to serve our many campers. 

Your continued prayer for my healing is appreciated.

Moose

Give in Secret, Pray in Secret, God will Reward

Notes from a sermon by Tim “Tetness” Beckner @ King Bible Church
Matthew 6:1-8 give in secret, pray in secret, God will reward
Discipline: taking ownership over personal regimen. Not punishment.
  1. Always results in progress
  2. Is beneficial regardless of your attitude. As long as you follow through with your plan.
Giving: vv 1-4; there is a reward, WHEN – that you give is expected; God wants our trust to be in Him, so he disrupts our money flow, when we surrender our wealth back to God, we show our trust in Him; God deserves our first dollars.
Prayer: vv 5-8; when you pray; pray in secret; it’s about time alone with God; private!
Picture this: in their (Tim & Carolyn) long distance relationship while dating, they didn’t see each other sometimes for months. If he only texted when he was waiting for class, or at the doctor’s office or walking, she would get the idea that he only had time for her between the other things of life. In the same way, God deserves our first minutes.
What if you really believed that God saw our private moments, heard our prayers, saw our generosity and rewarded us for it. How would that change what you did?
Discipline requires prior decisions. Pre-decide for a month to give God our first $ and minutes. Trust God not our time or money.
Check your agenda, calendar and alarms to see where God fits in.
Discipline becomes a habit and then a passion.
Fasting: apply previous lessons

Worship Without Wonder is a Waste

When Elaine and I first crested the hill from the parking lot and the Grand Canyon came into view we had an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. It was jaw dropping, stop you in your tracks, take our breath away amazing (you have to see it first hand, pictures do it no justice). 

Worship without wonder is a waste. I first saw this on a friend’s Facebook post and I had to think about it for a while. Shouldn’t the majesty of our God create in us the same kind of reaction? The God of the universe, who spoke and the world was created, the God who sent His son Jesus to die for our sins, the God who loves us! 

Consider some definitions of wonder: as a noun

  • a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.
  • the quality of a person or thing that causes wonder
  • a cause of astonishment or admiration
  • marvel, a miracle
  • Synonyms: awe, admiration, wonderment, fascination

As a verb

  • desire or be curious to know something
  • feel admiration and amazement; marvel
  • the quality of exciting amazed admiration
  • rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience
  • synonyms: ponder, think about, meditate on, reflect on, muse on, puzzle over, speculate about

Isn’t this the way we ought to approach God in our worship? I think it should be!