Jan 2009
Sudbury Christian Messenger, January 30, 2008
30/01/09 11:31
James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
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Sudbury Christian Messenger ….courtesy of A.C.E.S. (Active Christians Engaging Society)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
1. Choral Evensong Feb. 1 Church of the Epiphany
2. Catholic Book Club invitation Feb. 4 The Water Gate & Feb. Events
3. Ethics meeting on end of life care Feb. 4
4. New Directions Feb. 6 & 7
5. 3rd Annual Prayer Vigil for Military & Families Feb. 7
6. Benefit Concert Minga Village Feb. 7
7. Family Coalition Party Meeting Feb. 10
8. Valentine’s Day Dinner Feb. 14 Dowling
9. Testimony-Supper (in French) Feb. 15 La Porte des Eaux Bishop N. Simard
10. Love and Respect ………Marriage Feb. 16
11. Eastern Mysticism Seminar on Icon Feb. 19 St. Mary’s
12. Cleansing Stream Feb. 25-April 22
13. Awards Deadline Feb. 27
14. Writers’ Workshops Feb. 27 & 28
15. Bishop Brian Dunn Retreat La Porte des Eaux/The Water Gate Feb. 27,28,Mar.1
16. Taize Prayer Ste-Anne-des-Pins March 1
17. Family Policy Conference Ottawa March12 http://www.imfcanada.org/Default.aspx?go=article&aid=744&tid=8
18. Marriages of Integrity Conference April 3 & 4
19. Heads-Up: Real Women of Canada Lunch/Speaker Event North Bay Apr. 18
20. Heads-Up: National March for Life from Sudbury to Ottawa May 14
21. Heads-Up: Symposium on Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide May 29-30
22. Heads-Up: Celebration 2009
23. Christian Horizons in Sudbury seeking Volunteers
24. Hear local interviews on CJTK 95.5 FM and CKLU 96.7 FM
25. Reader comments on January 16, 2009 Sudbury Christian Messenger
26. Christian Books available at Walden Word of Life
27. A.C.E.S. Video Archive www.sudburychristian.ca
28. Help keep A.C.E.S. Church Directory updated
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1) Choosing abortion
2) Inauguration Benediction Rev. Lawrie
3) President Barack Obama’s Agenda
4) The Post-Neuhaus Future of Evangelicals and Catholics Together
5) Why did U.S. Catholics vote for pro-abortion Obama?
6) Pelosi – Fewer births = stronger economy
7) An atheist returns to Christ
8) Good news re: funding small international businesses
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MOVIE NEWS
“Fireproof” DVD hits shelves January 27, 2009
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YOUR DAILY CHUCKLE
1) Sunday School Laughs
2) Little Boy’s Explanation of God
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WORDS OF WISDOM
1. Political quotes
2. Story about Choices
3. A Dog’s Purpose
4. Recall Notice
5. Handbook 2009
6. Obituary of the Late Mr. Common Sense
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Local News & Events
1) Choral Evensong Church of the Epiphany Feb. 1
Sunday, February 1st at 4 p.m.
Choral Evensong
for
the feast of the
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
sung by
The Epiphany Choir
David Buley, Director of Music
choral and organ music by
Herbert Sumsion, David Buley, Stephen Hatfield and Herbert Howells
Sermon by
The Reverend Dr. Stephen Andrews
Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Algoma
Church of the Epiphany (Anglican)
85 Larch Street, Sudbury
The Venerable Tom. A. Corston, Rector
All Welcome
2) Catholic Book Club Invitation Feb. 4 The Water Gate/La Porte des Eaux
Catholic Book Club
Designated Book: 'Simple Peace ' - The Spiritual Life of St. Francis of Assisi, by Bruce Davis, Ph.D..
You will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and comments on the book.
Join us on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009,from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at La Porte des Eaux/The Water Gate. Led by Lina Madore. The book club meets every second week, next, February 18th 2009.
Everyone is welcome. There is no registration fee.
Where
La Porte des Eaux/The Water Gate, 1534 Pioneer Road, Sudbury Contact Email porte.des.eaux@sympatico.ca Contact Phone
(705) 523-1437
porte.des.eaux@sympatico.ca
February Events at La Porte des Eaux/The Water Gate
FÉVRIER
1er février - Rencontre Jeunesse Jean-Paul II
- Prières pour les évêques
4 & 18 février - Book Club
7 février - Cénacle régional
15 février - 16h30 à 18h30 - Souper
- 19h - Causerie - Mgr Noël Simard
27 & 28 février - Bishop Brian Dunn
et 1er mars Theme - St. Paul’s Life & Message
for Today’s Christian
3) Ethics Meeting on end of life care Feb. 4
Dear Friends,
In The Sudbury Star on January 24, 2009, there was the following notice of meeting:
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Ethics Meeting at Cambrian
The Sudbury-Manitoulin Community Ethics Network will be holding a roundtable discussion 7 p.m. Feb. 4 in Cambrian College’s e-Dome concerning ethical issues arising from end-of-life care.
Topics of discussion will include how do we determine what is best for the patient and who decides about treatment options when the patient is no longer able to do so?
The “Voices of Reason Round Table” is part of Bioethics Week which runs Feb. 2-6
The roundtable is open to the general public.
For more information, send an e-mail to Rebecca Vendetti at Laurentian University
ra_vendetti@laurentian.ca
4) New Direction Ministries: Sexual Identity in the Local Church Feb. 6 & 7
David Hawkins writes:
Hello Friends, I am forwarding the enclosed letter, at the request of my friend John Howard, in which he outlines a workshop that he and others will be presenting in Sudbury, on Friday February 6, 2009 and Saturday Feb. 7, 2009. This seminar will be under the auspices of New Direction Ministries of Canada, entitled "Sexual Identity in the Local Church". This event is being co-sponsored by Grace Community Church and Glad Tidings Tabernacle. I am a friend of John's and I am familiar with the work that he does through New Direction Ministries, reaching out to those within our Christian communities (and beyond) who struggle with issues of same gender attraction. In my view, John's life experience, educational training, experience as a front-line church pastor, and currently as a Christian counselor, eminently qualify him to speak in an informed and redemptive way into this subject. I am sending this to friends, who serve our community in capacities such as pastor, counselor, educator, health professional, addiction worker, self help group facilitators, lay church leaders and social workers who I believe may have a professional interest in attending this program and/or have clients/patients/parishioners/students who may find this model of Christian ministry to same gender-attracted individuals to be helpful.
You will note within John's letter, there are references to The New Direction Ministries' website, as well as contact numbers, should you have any questions. Details will be found therein as to the registration proceedures.
I hope you find this helpful. Yours very truly, Dave Hawkins (705) 522-2630
************************************************
• From: John Howard [mailto:john@newdirection.ca] Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 5:22 PM To: Dave Hawkins Subject: New Direction Ministries - SILC Seminar in Sudbury
Dear Pastor, Church or Ministry Leader, Counselor or human services personnel,
My name is John Howard. You may have met me on some occasion when I’ve been in Sudbury during the last couple of years. I live in Barrie, but after telling my story at Celebrate Recovery at Glad Tidings a couple of years ago, I was invited to come to Sudbury to be available to people who were specifically looking for a male, Christian counselor with my background and expertise. Since that time I have been coming to Sudbury on a fairly regular bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Part of my story is that as a teenager and young man, even though I’d come to Christ through a dramatic conversion experience and would become a pastor, I struggled with homosexuality and sexual addiction. Full of shame and afraid of exposure, my turmoil worsened until I was in my mid-30’s when two ladies in my church, in caring although untrained ministry, offered to help me. That was the beginning of my “recovery”. Today I praise God that I am secure in my identity as a man, in my sexual identity, in recovery from sexual addiction, and in healthy relationship with my wonderful wife. (We recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.)
In addition to being a counselor in private practice, I serve as regional coordinator and staff counselor of New Direction Ministries. New Direction is a national ministry that partners with churches to equip and resource Christ-followers for relational, respectful, relevant and redemptive engagement with those questioning, or struggling with their sexual identity. In the past, the church has not done a good job of helping people who find themselves same-gender-attracted.
Our Mission is: Creating a safe place for same-gender attracted people to journey towards wholeness in Christ.
Our Vision is: To see every gay and lesbian person in Canada encounter Christ through friendship with a Christ-follower; and for every Christian struggling with same-gender attraction to access redemptive ministry in their own region.
One of the primary resources we offer is a seminar entitled, “Sexual Identity & the Local Church: Equipping for Effective Engagement”. Based on global learning principles, this 8 hour interactive learning experience will challenge people to grapple with the development of practical action steps to help their church or agency be a safe place for adults and youth who are questioning their sexual identity or struggling with same-gender attraction. It also provides resources for their family members and friends.
On Friday, Feb. 6th and Saturday, Feb. 7th, I will be in Sudbury to offer this “Sexual Identity in the Local Church” (SILC) seminar. Grace Family Church has graciously offered to host the event in co-sponsorship with Glad Tidings. Even though you may not work in a church or out of a specifically Christian agency, I believe you would find the seminar and the issues raised to be helpful.
All the specific details of this seminar can be found on our website at: HYPERLINK "http://www.newdirection.ca/content.xjp?id=447"http://www.newdirection.ca/content.xjp?id=447. You can register on-line. You’ll notice that there is a savings for groups and even more for early-bird registration.
If you would like to learn more about New Direction - please visit one of our websites - or take a peek at our ongoing blog conversations:
www.newdirection.ca
www.reconnecting.ca
www.freetobeme.com (faith neutral youth site)
www.btgproject.blogspot.com (blog)
Yours in Christ,
John Howard
Regional Coordinator and Staff Counselor
New Direction Ministries
www.newdirection.ca
www.reconnecting.ca
www.freetobeme.com
john@newdirection.ca
705.828.0189
905.813.1245
5) 3rd Annual Prayer Vigil for the Canadian Military and their Families
Saturday Feb. 7th at 5:00 PM
The Military Christian Fellowship and the National House of Prayer invite people to gather at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, Ottawa to lift up in prayer the Military family.
We invite people to gather in homes, churches, armouries, wherever, on the same day and lift up in prayer our military and their families. Please let us know if you will meet and how many gathered by emailing at mcfprayer@mcf-canada.ca
6) Benefit Concert in support of the Sudbury Minga for Maasai Project, a Free the Children Adopt a Village Campaign
FEBRUARY 7TH 2009 is a date to circle on your calendar.
Thanks to the generous gift of their musical talents, Allison Lickley, Paul Dunn and Sarah Craig will host a benefit concert in support of the Sudbury Minga for Maasai project, a Free The Children Adopt a Village Campaign.
Please contact lori adams2@sympatico.ca to receive a poster with concert details.
St. Peter's United Church Mission & Service Committee spearheaded the grassroots beginning of this local community project. To date various partners have raised over $30,000. New partners are always welcome!
For more information about Sudbury Minga for Maasai, please visit the web site www.sudburyminga.cjb.net.
7) The Family Coalition Party (Ontario) Upcoming Meeting Feb. 10
The Family Coalition Party, Ontario’s only Pro-Life, Pro-Family Party, is holding a meeting on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm in the Marguerite Lougheed Community Centre (formerly St. Clement’s Church) located at the corner of Regent and Albert Streets in Sudbury.
Everyone from the Sudbury and Nickel Belt Ridings is welcome to attend. (Park on Albert Street; please do not obstruct the bus stop. Use the Regent Street entrance, adjacent to the garage doors. No beverages, please)
For more information, please contact Carita Murphy Marketos credocaritas@yahoo.ca
705 562 6257
8) Valentines Day Dinner Feb. 14 Dowling
You are invited to a
Valentine’s Day dinner.
Bring your spouses, sons, daughters and friends and enjoy a terrific dinner and an evening of music and entertainment featuring Teen Challenge*.
Come hear how God has worked on the relationships in their lives.
6-9:00 pm Dowling Leisure Centre
Tickets: $15.00 per person
Contact person: Sirpa
855-2851
*TEEN CHALLENGE is a faith-based one-year residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for young men and women, ages 18 and over. The program, through government research, has been proven to have a cure rate of over 70%. (www.teenchallengecanada.ca
9) Testimony-Supper with Bishop Noal Simard Feb. 15
Message: Testimony-Supper with Bishop Noël Simard, organized by La Porte des Eaux/The Water Gate, 1534 Pioneer Road, Sudbury. Sunday, February 15th, 2009, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by Bishop Noël Simard's testimony (French) at 7 p.m. For more information call 523-1437.
Menu: Soup, roast beef, mash potatoes, macaroni salad, buns, desert, tea, coffee or juice. Price for supper: adults-$10, 5-12 years old-$4 and free for 4 years and under. Price for testimony: freewill-offering.
Email: porte.des.eaux@sympatico.ca
10) Love and Respect ………..Feb. 16
"Love and Respect"
Pre-Marriage, and Marriage Workshops about "Love and Respect"
and also why couples think the way they do as seen through
Pink and Blue Sun Glasses
Starting: February 16th, 2009 @ 6:30:P.M. -9:P.M.
Running Approximately 10 weeks / Open to all who wish to work on relationships
Facilitators/ Please call to Register
Richard and Gaetane Males: 705-566-1219
Ozzie Osborne 705-670-0110
Love and Respect Text and workbook are required and can be purchased at Chapters
Host Church: Sudbury Celebrate Jesus Church
Address: Behind Montrose Mall
On Lassalle St. Sudbury
Hosting Pastor: Rev. Gerald Morin
Richard, Irvin and I would really appreciate to have the info. on the workshops we are making available Feb. 16th/09, to
enter into the Sudbury Christian Messenger for Feb. 1st./09
These are excellent video's given by Dr. Emerson Eggerich to enhance all relationships.
Please reply as soon as possible. We can send you the attachments.
Thank you
Blessings in the name of Jesus Christ
Rev's Richard and Gaetane Males and Rev. Irvin Osbourn
11) Eastern Mysticism Liturgical and Educational Seminar Feb. 19 St. Mary’s
The Meaning of Icons
Eastern Mysticism
Seminar Date: February 19
Seminar Icon: The Annunciation to Mary
We will seek to mystically encounter God as we look
at the Icons of the ● Twelve Great Feasts ●
Mother of God ● Christ and the Holy Trinity
Facilitator: Rev. Fr. Peter Bodnar
St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church
40 Notre Dame Ave. Sudbury, On., P3C 5K2
Phone: 675-8244 www.stmarysudbury.ca
Email: stmaryssudbury@yahoo.ca
Enquires: Lillian Hrytsak, Liturgical and Education Chair 523-2226 or flyingwingsoffire@gmail.com www.stmarysudbury.com
12) Cleansing Stream Seminar Valley Pentecostal Feb. 25-Apr 22
Valley Pentecostal Church presents
CLEANSING STREAM SEMINAR
each Wednesday evening @ 7pm
February 25 to April 22, 2009
Information Night: Wed. Feb. 4/09 @ 7pm
Cleansing Stream is a small group ministry that empowers, encourages
and releases believers into the fullness of their Kingdom inheritance.
If at times you doubt your salvation, question whether God really loves you,
have a hard time forgiving people or have strong fears and other issues
in your life, then Cleansing Stream is for you.
For more information and to register, contact:
Valley Pentecostal Church
231 Martha Street, Hanmer 705-969-7940
------------
Thanks so much Diane.
Esther Gudrie
VPC
13) Greater Sudbury Civic Awards Deadline Feb. 27
CITY OF GREATER SUDBURY CIVIC AWARDS
Do you know someone who should be recognized for the significant contributions they make to our community? Is there someone in your life who volunteers their time without hesitation, never seeking acknowledgement or thanks? Help to celebrate the good works of our city's unsung heroes by nominating an individual or group for the Greater Sudbury Civic Awards for Volunteerism.
The City of Greater Sudbury formally recognizes the contributions of community volunteers through civic awards. These awards are presented to individuals or groups for meritorious service, voluntary contributions, personal efforts and exemplary community development in the City of Greater Sudbury.
Nominations for a civic award, along with a list of applicable achievements, must be submitted to the City of Greater Sudbury, Leisure Services Department, 200 Brady Street, PO Box 5000, Station A, Sudbury ON, P3A 5P3,fax to (705) 671-8145 or e-mail to stacie.reinhardt@greatersudbury.ca.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:
February 27th, 2009 before 4:30 P.M.
14) Writers’ Workshop presented by A.C.E.S. Feb. 27 & 28th
You are invited to a Writers’ Workshop
These workshops will be of value to anyone who aspires to write
or edit professionally, as a ministry, or for fun.
The guest presenter will be N.J. Lindquist
N. J. Lindquist is an award-winning author and columnist, co-editor of Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart
and Warm the Soul, partner inThat’s Life! Communications, and co-founder of The Word Guild, an association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian.
Check out N.J.’s website to be inspired!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And she’s coming to Sudbury!!!!!!!
www.njlindquist.com
Fri. Feb 27, 2009, 7 - 9:30 PM
Release the Creative You Do you
feel different from other people;
have a dream you’re afraid might never come true; or long to set your imagination free?
An evening about motivation and releasing your fears
to allow your true creative self to develop and flourish
This workshop will help you:
accept the reality that God created you exactly as
you are for a purpose;
trust the dreams God has placed in your heart;
become part of a team of people who support and
encourage one another; and
become all God created you to be.
ADMISSION to Friday Evening Event:
Adult: $20 | $25 at the door
Students (ID req’d) $10 | $15 at the door
Sat. Feb 28, 2009, 8:30 - 4:30 PM
Get to Know the Writer in You
Do you have
a story you’d like to share;
experiences and insights you feel would be
helpful for others; or
people encouraging you to write a book, play,
song, sermon, newsletter etc.?
A full day workshop for aspiring writers to get
you started working with words
This workshop will help you:
identify which of your stories/ideas to begin;
imagine different ways you could use them;
acquire practical tools for marketing and
distributing your creations; and
gain knowledge about writing grant proposals.
ADMISSION to Saturday All Day Event *
Adult: $85 | $95 at the door * Note: lunch included
Students (ID req’d) $42 | $55 at the door
TICKETS AND LOCATION: Glad Tidings Auditorium, 1101 Regent St. S., Sudbury, Tel. 522-4523 and Black Cat on Durham Street downtown Sudbury
We are praying that a Sudbury Chapter of the Word Guild will be formed as an ongoing network following this Writers’ Workshop.
***Just in: N.J. Lindquist will be a guest on CJTK 95.5 FM Recovery Radio program on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Her topic will be “Admit”, one of the themes of Celebrate Recovery. N.J. has donated two of her novels to be given out to listeners during the program. Karen Marcotte
15) Bishop Brian Dunn Retreat Feb. 27, 28, March 1
On February 27th, 28th and March 1st, 2009, Bishop Brian Dunn will preach a Retreat with the theme - THE LIFE AND MESSAGE OF ST. PAUL FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN.
The Retreat is open to all and free-will donations accepted for both meals and the weekend Retreat.
Date and Time: February 27 at 6:30 p.m. to Sunday February 28th, 2009 early afternoon.
Location: La Porte Des Eaux/The Water Gate, 1534 Pioneer Road, Sudbury.
For more information you may call 523-1437 on either a Monday, a Wednesday or a Friday.
porte.des.eaux@sympatico.ca
16) Taize Prayer Events in Sudbury Sainte-Anne-des-Pins March 1
Taizé
Sudbury
Prières de Taizé à venir :
Les prochaines Soirées de prières Taizé à Sainte-Anne-des-Pins: le dimanche le 1 mars à 19h.
Bienvenue à tous!
Info : (705) 674-1947
Taizé
Sudbury
Forthcoming Taizé prayers:
Next Evenings of Taizé prayers at Ste-Anne-des-Pins Church, on Sunday March 1 at 7p.m.
Everybody is welcome!
Info : (705) 674-1947 Fr. Ron Perron
For more information : mariegabrielle.vallet@gmail.com
See you there. All are invited
17) Family Policy Conference March 12 Ottawa
The strength of the family does not merely affect the lives of its individual members; it has a vital impact on the social well-being of our nation. On March 12, internationally acclaimed speakers will gather in Ottawa to share insights and offer practical strategies on policy problems (learn more).
A discussion of Social Justice and the Family – the day’s theme – may yet be counterintuitive to some. The reality is that social welfare and family strength and the economy go hand in hand. One could go as far as to suggest that the economy won’t do well when families don’t thrive. So what helps raise families from poverty? How do we connect the dots between family strengths and welfare reduction? The day’s speakers will get us thinking and debating new ideas on social justice in Canada today.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE FAMILY
Connecting the dots between poverty, justice and strong families
Date: March 12, 2009
Time: 8:30- 4:30 pm
Place: The Sheraton, 150 Albert Street (downtown Ottawa, close to Parliament Hill)
Cost: $99.00
$99.00 Full Day session
$35.00 Morning only
$35.00 Lunch and Keynote address
$35.00 Afternoon only
For full information on the wonderful agenda, please go to:
http://www.imfcanada.org/Default.aspx?go=article&aid=744&tid=8
18) Marriages of Integrity – A Promise Keepers Conference to be held in Sudbury
Apr. 3 and Apr. 4/09
http://www.promisekeepers.ca/content/event_marriagesofintegrity
Discover how to:
Develop a greater closeness,
intimacy and oneness with God
and each other
Maintain your love and commitment
to each other through all of
life’s challenges
Provide a spiritual covering that will
help you fight the destructive forces
waging war against your marriage
Leave a legacy of faithfulness and
fidelity to your children and your
children’s children
Schedule
Friday,April 3, 2009
6:00 pm Registration
6:30 - 8:15 pm Session One
Spirit Oneness–A Celebration of
Intimacy with God
8:30 - 10:00 pm Our Story–Your Story
Saturday,April 4, 2009
8:30 am - 10:00 Session Two
Soul Oneness–A Celebration of
Intimacy with Each Other
10:15 am - 12:00 Our Story–Your Story
12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch (included)
1:00 - 2:00 pm Session Three
Body Oneness–A Celebration of
Sexual Love
2:00 - 3:00 pm Our Story
3:15 - 5:00 pm Celebration of Vows and
blessing of marriages
Early Bird Registration by Feb. 15: $129/couple
Pre-Registration by Mar. 31: $149/couple
Walk-Up after Mar. 31: $169/couple
E V E N T L O C AT I O N :
New Sudbury Pentecostal Church
264 Levesque Street
Sudbury, ON P3B 3T4
For Local Registration and Information
please contact:
ALL NATIONS CHURCH at (705) 673-6110
Or register at: 1-888-901-9700
www.promisekeepers.ca
19) R.E.A.L. Women of Canada Annual Spring Luncheon with Speaker Apr.18
Dear members and friends of REAL Women of Canada, Northern Ontario Chapter:
Just thought I would give you some early notice of our annual spring luncheon so you can mark it on you calendar. We are still working on our flier and publicity strategy, but I know that many of you look forward to this annual event so here is the information so far:
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time: 11:30-2:15 pm
Place: Best Western Conference Centre, Lakeshore Drive, North Bay
Price: To be determined ( Last year it was $20.00. Should be pretty close to that this year) Don't quote me on it yet!!!
Speaker: Kathy Shaidle, award-winning Toronto author, blogger, editor. Co-author of new book: "The Tyranny of Nice"
Topic: The Canadian Human Rights' Commission
Summary:Author Mark Steyn has called Kathy Shaidle “one of the great virtuoso polemicists of our day.” Her new book, The Tyranny of Nice, reveals how Canada’s “human rights” bureaucrats are undermining freedom of speech, and waging war on Christians and conservatives, using our tax dollars. Kathy Shaidle has ideas about how traditional Canadians can fight back. A question period will follow Kathy’s presentation.
Who can attend: Open to the public, members and non-members, men and women
If you would like more info on what REAL Women of Canada is up to, check out our national web-site: www.realwomenca.com
Because a meal is involved, tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available from members of our executive. Just send me an e-mail or call me if you would like to purchase some tickets.
Hope to see you there.
Regards,
Pauline Guzik, President
Northern Ontario Chapter
REAL Women of Canada
705-724-5964
20) Heads Up – National March for Life May 13-15 - Ottawa
Theme: “Exodus”
Editor’s Note: In the Spring of 2008, Sudbury, Sturgeon Falls and North Bay sent three buses to Ottawa. This year, we aim to double that total. Over 8 000 people gathered on Parliament Hill to hear moving speeches, and then to march around downtown blocks of Ottawa. It’s an inspiring event. Please plan ahead to join us. Let’s get a bus of students to attend!
21) Second International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide May 29-30
The theme for the Second International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide is: Never Again. The Symposium will focus on building an effective, unified and focused group of organizations and individuals to halt the march of the death lobby.
The Symposium will be May 29 - 30, 2009 at the National Conference Center in Landsdown in Landsdowne Virginia near the Washington DC - Dulles Airport. http://www.conferencecenter.com/gallery/index.cfm. A shuttle service from the Dulles Airport is available for a reasonable fee.
The Co-Sponsors of the Symposium are:
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, Physicians for Compassionate Care - USA, Care Not Killing Alliance - UK, Not Dead Yet - USA, No Less Human - UK, Vermont Alliance for Ethical Health Care - USA, Compassionate Health Care Network - Canada, Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation - USA, ALERT - UK, Institute for the Study of Disability and Bioethics - USA.
The Speakers for the Symposium include:
Rita Marker - International Task Force, Wesley Smith - International Task Force, Alex Schadenberg - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Dr. Margaret Cottle - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Dr. Bob Orr - Vermont Alliance for Ethical Health Care, Dr. William Toffler - Physicians for Compassionate Care, Dr. Mark Mostert - Institute for the Study of Disability and Bioethics, Dr. Peter Saunders - Care Not Killing Alliance, Allison Davis - No Less Human, Colin Harte - ALERT, Diane Coleman & Stephen Drake - Not Dead Yet, Bobby Schindler - Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, Randy Richardson - Life for Lauren, Lionel & Renate Roosemont - Belgium, Margaret Dore, Dr. Ian Dowbiggin, and more.
Nearly every leader who opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide will be speaking or attending this Symposium.
The cost for the Symposium will be $199 for a regular registration and $139 for a student or a person with a disability.
The room rate at the National Conference Center is $139 for a regular room, $169 for a suite (plus all applicable taxes).
The registration combined with the room rate includes the cost for all meals and refreshment breaks on both days.
Early registration can be done by contacting the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition at: info@epcc.ca
The webpage dedicated to the Symposium can be found at: www.epcc.ca
Plan to attend. Our ability to build a culture that cares and not kills depends on your attendance.
22) Heads-Up: Celebration 2009 Sunday, June 7, 2009
January 2009
Dear Christian friends,
Plans are well underway for our fifth annual “Celebration” event at the Bell Park Amphitheatre. The date for Celebration 2009 is again the first Sunday of June -- Sunday, June 7 at 6:30 pm. As you probably remember, these “celebration events” are nation-wide in scope and hundreds of other churches in dozens of other cities across Canada will be celebrating in various ways during the same time period.
We are again asking local churches to transfer their evening service (if they have one) to the amphitheatre that night. We had a good turnout last summer and our desire is to fill the amphitheatre this summer for worship, fellowship and proclamation to the glory of God in the heart of our city.
It will again be a family event with lots of good music, focused prayer, a children’s puppet feature, a drama and a message of unity and hope. The 6:30 pm start recognizes the need of families with children to be home in good time for school the next day.
We encourage local churches to support this event in the following ways:
1. in prayer -- for the preparations, spirit of unity, good turnout, good weather, effective ministry etc.
2. in promotion -- by putting C2009 inserts in your bulletins on May 31 (one week before) as well as verbal and written announcements. Let me know how many you can use and we’ll get them to you.
Thank you and may God bless you, your church family and your ministry to the Body of Christ in Sudbury!
Pastor Rob Weatherby
Chair, Celebration 2009
robw@onlink.net
866-0847
23) Heads-up: Sudbury Right to Life Dinner/Speaker Event October 24
Speaker: Fr. Tom Lynch, Priests for Life, Canada
Mark your calendars!
24) Christian Horizons in Sudbury – Employment Opportunity
Subject: Employment opportunity
Message: Looking for employment with meaning? Christian Horizons, a trans-denominational evangelical Christian organization that provides a variety of support & services for persons with developmental disabilities, is currently seeking staff to work within our residential homes in Sudbury. For more information please contact Karen Festing (Recruitment Manager) at our North District Office (705) 789-1725 x3
25) Hear interviews with local Christians:
CJTK Live
Tuesday, 9-9:30 a.m.– Recovery Radio …….recovery from suffering and pain
Thursday, 9:00-9:30 a.m. – Dr. Tony Martin answers health and wellness questions
Friday, 9-9:30 a.m. – Sonshine Stories with Gerry Lougheed Jr. & Curtis Belcher
Gerry and Mercedez Show
They feature Northern Ontario music along with tales of their travel from around the world.
Listen in on Tuesdays from 11:30 am to 1 pm 96.7 FM
26) Reader comment on January 16, 2009 Sudbury Christian Messenger
a) “great, amazing, wonderful, awesome SCM” (Karen)
b) Who is responsible for the Newsletter layout? IT'S AWESOME!!!!
It is very well laid out. ( Arlene)
c) I have sent some postings for February to your new website SCM Digest. Looks really good! Simple, easy to read and inspiring!
Thank you in advance for placing our events and may God's Grace protect you all with all that your work and participation.
Editor’s Note: We love to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!
27) Local Christian Book Seller a Great Resource
Gloria Monkhouse at Walden Word of Life on Fielding Road has a passionate heart for Christian Bibles, books and audio-visual materials for all ages.
Gloria will set up her portable book store at your church or event, upon request.
Give her a call at 705 682 0441 – you’ll find her to be full of wisdom and help
28) New A.C.E.S. Feature: Video Archive
Dan Thomson, our A.C.E.S. web designer and web master, has added a new feature to our website at www.sudburychristian.ca
Now you can meet people who populate Sudbury’s churches. As you scroll down the front page, you will see a video interview of a local Christian who is doing good works in our community. This week you can watch a profile of Sarah Craig, musician extraordinaire!
About Us on the website will take you to our Video Archive of The Church in Action. There you can watch previous video interviews, conducted by Susanne Allin with her award-winning voice: GospelFest with Amy St. Jean, The Elgin Street Mission, and Cursillo with Rev. Glenn Miller.
Please tell others about this opportunity, and , if you have a suggestion for an interview, please contact us through www.sudburychristian.ca
29) Help us update Church List on ACES site and SCM Database
If you haven’t already checked out the ACES (Active Christians Engaging Society) website, www.sudburychristian.ca , why not do it now. Once on the website, please click on 'CHURCH DIRECTORY'. This will bring you to the list of churches we are assembling, and need your help to maintain, for the Sudbury area, along with contact information for each church. If corrections or additions are needed for your church, click on 'CONTACT US', type in the changes and press send. This website is for the benefit of everyone, so please help us maintain it by sending us corrections whenever necessary. Thank you!
As well, in order to keep reaching you, when you change your e mail address, please let the Sudbury Christian Messenger Editor, Diane Ikonen, know your new address, so that our database can be maintained, and you can continue to be an important link in our Sudbury Christian network chain.
For more events that might interest Christians, please go to www.cjtk.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
International News
1) Choosing Abortion
Women hope abortion will eliminate the complexities of pregnancy, but generally don’t realize the implications of the decision.
by Rusty Wright
When I met her at a media convention, she seemed so vibrant and alive, full of zest and eager to interact, an attractive woman with a bright smile and sparkling eyes. I would not have guessed the emotional anguish and physical torment that lay in her past. Gut wrenching stuff.
As Luana Stoltenberg told me her story, I learned she’s been haunted by some choices she made earlier in life. Like many women, she had found herself with an unwanted pregnancy and confronting difficult decisions.
Luana Stoltenberg
It’s a dilemma millions of women around the globe face each year. If you’re in this situation, how will you support a baby? Will the father be responsible and help? What will your parents say? How might a child affect your career? Your social life? Your marriage plans? Ending the pregnancy might eliminate these complexities, or make them more manageable.
Luana faced that decision three times, the first at age seventeen. Each time she made the same choice, to terminate her pregnancy. She says she remembers the experiences vividly.
“I lay on the cold table with no anesthetic for the pain,” she recalls, “staring at the ceiling, wishing I were someplace else. It seemed to last forever, and the pain was unbearable. No amount of anesthetic could dull the pain in my heart and mind.”
“The types of abortions I had were the vacuum aspirator method. I could hear—by the increased labor of the suction machine—when a part or limb of my baby was being extracted. Each time I tried to look at the jar with my [baby’s] remains they would push me back down. To this day I still hear that haunting suction sound.”
“When it was finished I was sent to a waiting room with the other girls. I was given a cup of juice and told I could leave in 20 minutes if I felt alright. I told them I felt fine, when in fact I had never felt worse. I just wanted out of there. On the drive home I was in extreme pain and bleeding profusely. I called them for help, but was told it wasn’t their problem, to call my doctor.”
Luana says that later, the reality that she would never see or hold those three children weighed heavily. Anger and depression set in. Alcohol abuse and drugs led to three suicide attempts. “My life was a mess,” she admits, “and it was because of the choices I had made.”
After some years, she made a different choice that turned her life around: She discovered a forgiving God and placed her faith in Him. She married and sought to start a family, but learned the abortions had rendered her infertile. “The suction from the vacuum aspirator destroyed my tubes and ovaries.” She says the suction damage led her to have a hysterectomy.
Her belief system and its certainty of forgiveness have helped her through her nightmare. She points to a statement by an early follower of Jesus that encapsulates her life: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Today Luana has dedicated herself to helping people understand the implications of decisions like those she faced. She has a passion for offering hope to those for whom life seems hopeless.
Rusty Wright is an author and lecturer who has spoken on six continents. He holds Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from Duke and Oxford universities, respectively.
Originally published online by Power to Change (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ – Canada) on their websites WomenTodayMagazine.com and TheLife.com, January 2009. Also published by DelveIntoJesus, based in Ontario, January 2009.
Used with permission. Copyright © 2008 Christianity.ca.
C8DC17a
2) Text of Rev. Lowery's inauguration benediction
By The Associated Press – Jan. 20/09
Text of the benediction by Rev. Joseph Lowery during President Barack Obama's inauguration, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:
___
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou, who has brought us thus far along the way, thou, who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee.
Shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand true to thee, oh God, and true to our native land.
We truly give thanks for the glorious experience we've shared this day.
We pray now, oh Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States, his family and his administration.
He has come to this high office at a low moment in the national, and indeed the global, fiscal climate. But because we know you got the whole world in your hands, we pray for not only our nation, but for the community of nations.
Our faith does not shrink though pressed by the flood of mortal ills.
For we know that, Lord, you are able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds, and deliver us fromthe exploitation of the poor, of the least of these, and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these.
We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44th president, to inspire our nation to believe that yes we can work together to achieve a more perfect union.
And while we have sown the seeds of greed — the wind of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.
And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance.
And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.
Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle. Look over our little angelic Sasha and Malia.
We go now to walk together as children, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone.
With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.
3) President Barack Obama’s Agenda
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/
4) The Post-Neuhaus Future of Evangelicals and Catholics Together
Charles Colson says the convert to Catholicism helped break down the most important barrier.
Interview by Susan Wunderink | posted 1/23/2009 11:01AM
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/januaryweb-only/103-51.0.html?start=3
5) Why did U.S. Catholics vote for pro-abortion Obama?
What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate (Catholic Teaching)
U.S. President Obama “has been billed as the most extreme pro-abortion president ever. He famously said that he would not want his daughter and her husband "punished" by a baby. Yet 54 percent of Catholics voted for Obama for president. How could that be?”
Read the answer given in the New Oxford News Link below:
http://www.newoxfordreview.org/note.jsp?did=0109-notes-failure
6) Pelosi: Fewer babies = stronger economy
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stirred up a hornet's nest by promoting the idea of spending of millions of dollars on birth control and abortion as part of the economic stimulus package.
"Contraception," argued Pelosi, "will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government." Her comments came on ABC's This Week when asked by host George Stephanopoulos how expanding "family-planning services" to the tune of millions of dollars will stimulate the economy. OneNewsNow sought reaction from Susan Fani, director of communications for the Catholic League.
"It's quite shocking, actually, that the Speaker of the House -- who claims to be Catholic -- would go on national television and claim that contraception would reduce the cost to the government," exclaims Fani. "It's just beyond words, really."
To read the remainder of this 4.5/5 ranked article, please go to:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=398956
7) An atheist returns to Christ
If you've ever wondered how people make the journey from Christianity to atheism and back again, Anne Rice offers some insights based on her own experience. She also has some powerful and moving things to say about what it means to be a Christian in her most recent book, Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession (Knopf, 2008).
Probably most famous for writing about vampires, these days she is still a writer, but her subject matter has changed.
To complete this 4.5/5 ranked story, please go to:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=399994
8) GOOD NEWS IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, by Bob Dickson and Blaise Salmon.
World Microcredit Summit reaches its goal of providing small loans to 100 million very poor families. http://www.straightgoods.ca/2009/ViewFeature.cfm?Ref=51
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Movie News
“Fireproof” DVD hits shelves January 27, 2009
The most popular independent film of 2008 releases on DVD today.
Fireproof, the movie produced by Sherwood Baptist Church about a firefighter in a struggling marriage, was made for $500,000. So far, it has made more than $30 million at the box office. The film was recently honored as "Best Feature Film" at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, and was runner-up for the "Best of Festival" award.
In Fireproof, Kirk Cameron plays the role of Captain Caleb Holt, who finds himself in a rocky marriage on the verge of divorce. That is when Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment known as "The Love Dare."
To read the entire 5/5 ranked article, please go to:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=398922
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday School Laughs
LOT'S WIFE:
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted,
'My Mommy looked back once, while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'
GOOD SAMARITAN:
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the Roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?'
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?'
'No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'
HIGHER POWER:
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?'
One child blurted out, 'Aces!'
MOSES AND THE RED SEA :
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt when he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements.
They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.' 'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his mother asked.
'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD:
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'
UNANSWERED PRAYER?
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head, for a moment, before starting his sermon.
One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages,
'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't do it?' she asked.
BEING THANKFUL
A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, 'So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That's very commendable. What does she say?'
The little boy replied, 'Thank God he's in bed!'
UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER
During the minister's prayer, one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?'
Tommy answered, soberly, 'I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He just then did!'
TIME TO PRAY
A pastor asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night.
'Yes, sir,' the boy replied.
'And, do you always say them in the morning, too?' the pastor asked. 'No sir,' the boy replied. 'I ain't scared in the daytime.'
ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS?
When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past).
For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say,
'And all girls.' As this soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this at the end, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked her,
'Kelli, Why do you always add the part about all girls?'
Her response, 'Because we always finish our prayers by saying 'All Men'!'
SAY A PRAYER
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served.
When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' Said his mother
'I don't have to,' The boy replied.
'Of course, you do,' his mother insisted. 'We say a prayer before eating, at our house'
'That's our house,' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!
Little Boy’s Explanation of God
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important..'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Words of Wisdom
1) Memorable political quotes
'If you don't read the newspaper
you are uninformed, if you do
read the newspaper you are
misinformed.'
Mark Twain
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw
A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. -G. Gordon Liddy
Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
-Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
-Ronald Reagan (1986)
In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
-Voltaire (1764)
The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.
-Ronald Reagan
2)Story about choices
AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS,
THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,
WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND,
BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,
HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER
WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.
IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE
CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS
ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND
THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS
TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER
HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE..
WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE
PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE
SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ,' HE BEGAN.
'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY
ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.
THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE
FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT
KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT
INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,
MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.
THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,
'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE
MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY
WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.
HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.
THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND
HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.
THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY
THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!'
HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK
TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH
THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.
` HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP
STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT
WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.
'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD
STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT
BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO
AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED
HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. '
HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE
SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO
ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE
LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'
WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN
HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND
DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE
END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO
TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.
'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF
THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A
FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT
THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'
'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED,
GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED
HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS
AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,
I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES
ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD
TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.
YOU SEE...
I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'
3) A Dog’s Purpose
______________________________________
Subject: A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
Live simply. Love generously.... Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Remember, i f a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY! Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it…
Pee on it and walk away…
4) RECALL NOTICE
The Maker of all human beings is recalling all manufactured, regardless of
make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component
of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named:
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all
subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential
Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as, S.I.N.
as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing
factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect,
is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct
this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered
to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There are no additional fees, charges or actions required. The number to call
for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your
burden of SIN throughthe REPENTANCE procedure.
Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is,
Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions
Before Leaving Earth)
for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: continuing to operate the human being without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
Permanently impounded.
Danger: the human being units not responding to this recall action will
have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted
to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Please assist where possible by notifying others of this IMPORTANT
recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "knee-mail"
Thank you for your attention.
Love God
5) Handbook 2009
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk,
smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past.
That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to your friends
6) OBITUARY OF THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth
records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such
valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain
Why the early bird gets the worm
Life isn't always fair
Maybe it was my fault
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies:
Don't spend more than you can earn
And reliable strategies:
Adults, not children, are in charge
His health began to deteriorate when parents
attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves
had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It
declined even further when schools were required to get
parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a
band-aid to a student but could not inform parents when a
student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when it became
punishable for you to defend yourself from a burglar in
your own home but the burglar could sue you for assault.
He began to lose ground rapidly when
well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in
place. Reports of a 6 -year- old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from
school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired
for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his
condition.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live
after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of
coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was
promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents,
Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his Daughter,
Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My
Rights, Someone Else Is To blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few
realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this
on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_________________________________________________
God knows I'm not perfect, just that I Love Him.
" Good Day and God Bless "
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Sudbury Christian Messenger - Jan 15, 2009
21/01/09 13:35
Full Edition of the Sudbury Christian Messenger - Jan
15, 2009 Read
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