Falls Fanatics

This week the award for Falls Fanatic - goes out to the Wright Family - yes they are the right family for the job. This morning Mark was at the front doors greeting, Amber was at the theatre handing out programs and Debbie was singing in the band. Thanks Wrights for your commitment and enthusiasm with which you volunteer at CATF. You are appreciated!

Thoughts from Sunday

• Great group of people out today.
• Band sounded excellent.
• Loved seeing Terry wearing shorts - he's crazy. Little too cool yet for me.
• We blew 3 breakers today - hard part was finding the corresponding panels to reset them. Thankfully it happened during setup.
• Had several people comment that the talk was helpful - glad for that.
• I am always tired after Sunday morning - very reflective - somewhat hard on myself about what I should have done better - thankful for the great people at CATF - already pondering next week.
• Debbie our Lil' K leader (infant through age 5) - made all the difference in a new families life today by simply talking to them about the care we offer for children. It's not how many people we have at CATF on a given Sunday, but rather it's how we connect with them that counts.
• Can't wait till next week.

Saturday 8:42 pm

• I'm ready for tomorrow.
• Excited about what the Bible has to say about the storms of life. Don't miss it.
• Glad there is no sign of snow in the forecast. For one Sunday we can get our trailer out without the burden of snow.
• Didn't sleep well last night.
• Just ate too many malted milk balls.
• Still working out, but not today. Sunday afternoon is the greatest work out of the week, time for me to digest the day and all the God did.
• Can't wait to hang out with the gang at CATF...greatest bunch of people around.
• Really need a good night sleep tonight.
• Sunday, April 6 is the one year anniversary of CATF - that is wild.
• See ya!

Ever Wonder What Runs Through My Head

On a typical day...

• How will I connect with the people this Sunday?
• I wonder if what I have to say will be helpful.
• I wonder if what I said last week helped.
• What will our next series of talks be....and the one after that?
• How will we connect with our community?
• I wonder how our church finances will be in the next few months.
• I think about the many faces that pass me in our community.
• I think about the marriages in our church - are they healthy. 50% fail...I don't want them to fail.
• I think about my own kids and the many kids in our church - will they make good choices.
• I worry about my own family - do I really show them Jesus.
• I think about the many hurting people in the church.
• I think about the many people that are doing well and hope they keep moving forward.
• I think about some of my friends that seem indifferent to God.
• I think about people that don't know Jesus yet and hope they don't leave things go too long.
• I regularly realize I am way out of my league and I need God so much, because the above are just a few of the thoughts that pass my mind on any given day.
• When all of this weight comes upon me, I remember that God is doing some great things through the people that make up CATF. Don't miss read this - this is not a complaint list. It's a reality list.

Great Week

Here's why...

• Still excited about Easter.
• Got to talk to someone about their commitment to Christ this week - this happened as a result of our Easter gathering.
• I am pumped up after to talking to many people from CATF this week and hearing what God is doing in their life.
• Was part of one of our first Life Groups last night - awesome that's all I can say.
• My family always makes each week a highlight - both the challenges and fun things we face together. As much as I hate the challenges, I am glad God has allowed me to be a dad and husband to the family I have. I love the fun times because they really do out number the challenges.
• Got to eat out at Wendy's with my wife last night - not exactly five star - but the conversation time we had over dinner and after was absolutely five star.
• I didn't know how much I loved chocolate - Easter chocolate is great, especially from Chocolates Etc.
• Spent several hours working at Williams Coffee Pub this week - great place to hang out in Niagara Falls. free internet, killer banana muffins and a bunch of other good food. Working in the community really helps me keep focused on the people we want to connect with. Of course I also speak highly of our Tim Horton's that supplies us coffee each Sunday and does the little extras for us - like roll up cups, doubling the coffee order for free and giving us the best coffee around. If I hung out at that Tim's my seat would be too valuable - it's likely the busiest Tim Horton's in the Niagara Region.
• This past week I got further connected with some old school friends and we have a dinner lined up in a week. Looking forward to this.
• This Sunday will be a great day - don't miss it. Wow - I get to do what I love most one more time.

What's Important To You?

What's Important To You? Ever think about this? Most often our immediate answer will be family, God (if you are a follower of Christ), friends. I think we answer this way because we truly want this to be the case and I think most of us try to make these things first. The sad truth is that we seldom take a real inventory of how we are doing. We often make choices that pull us away from what we call important. Again, I don't think it is because we consciously want to, but rather we don't plan for what is first.

How do I put God first? Spend time each morning reading the Bible - a few verses - reflect on those verses. Pray each day - have a prayer list. Talk to God through out the day. Attend church on a regular basis. For the most part there is nothing more important than spending that 1 hour each week at church. There are times for vacation or when you are sick - this is totally understandable. You will grow in you faith so much when you hang out with the church. Make it an appointment each week and be with the church.

How can my family be first? Plan time for them. Plan to take time off work to spend with them. Realize the extra dollar earned is not worth the time away from your family. Stay away from your favourite TV show or shut your computer down - you will be amazed at what you learn about your family when not distracted. Plan special days as a family.

How can my friends be an important part of my life? Start by talking with them - to be a friend try being friendly. We have so many ways to connect today - email, Myspace, Facebook, cell phone, text message, phone or even a letter(what a novel idea). Have a regular time to get together with a friend each week. Go help a friend move, paint or whatever. Get in contact with old friends - see what is happening in their life.

What can you do in order to fulfill what is important in your life?

Ice Dogs

I went to a Niagara Ice Dogs game last night. They are in the playoffs and now up 3 games to zip. It was a great game, Canadians really get pumped up about hockey. The goalie for the Ice Dogs is really really good. His last name is Dahm - pronounced dam. Some crazy fan had these two banners that he holds up around the arena, one says DAHM and the other GOOD. I have to say, I found it very amusing to see him getting the crowd cheering by holding up one banner and then the next - you can figure out what banner went up first. At one point in my life I would have been too stiff to join in the cheering, but not anymore. We have to be careful as followers of Christ not to become like those that are not following God, but even more careful not to turn people off my being a prude. I had a blast at the game and yelled out Dahm Good - after all - he is a really good goalie - I mean really good. If you live in the area, pick up some tickets for a game. Some of the best hockey you will see.

The Storms of Life

This Sunday we will talk about the storms of life - why, what, how do I get through them...don't miss it. I think you will come away with a very different perspective. Jesus really does want to do a miracle in your life.

Falls Fanatics

Thanks to Lynn, Chris and Kaileigh for the great spread of food before our Easter gathering. I love it when volunteers get what we are all about and just get involved in what is happening. The Grahams have done that from day one and have made a difference in peoples lives.

Thanks to the Martins for being at the theatre bright and early at 8:00 am. Your family has continued to support and work to make CATF a great place.

Thanks to the many many others that worked so hard yesterday. I am so thankful for each of you.

Thanks to our band. I have rarely observed the great team work I see in our band. There is a giving attitude among this team of people. I don't see people wanting the lime light, but rather I see servants.

Thanks to Joe for offering to pray for any prayer requests I am able to pass his way. Thanks also for getting up early on Sunday and praying for our Easter gathering.

Thanks to Terry for coming out on Saturday night at 10 pm to get the pick up truck. I got so busy during the day and early evening preparing for Sunday I forgot to deliver the truck to him.

I'm sure there are others I could mention, but my feeble mind is now empty:-)

Is there any wonder why this church is moving forward? It is refreshing to have a group of people that are focused on the vision God has given us and who at times lay aside their own preferences for the sake of others. You all fire me up.

Great Day!

• Highest attendance ever
• Great Food - thanks to Lynn, Chris and Kaileigh
• Great Music - our band rocked
• Lots of kids running around - that's great
• Loved telling the Resurrection story
• God answered all our prayers - no real tech gliches, great unity of team, great weather, highest attendance yet, everything was right on
• I am truly thankful
• Jesus is alive and lives are changed.
• We have a family dinner at 5 - what a great way to top of the celebration.
• Thanks Jesus for allowing me to be part of all this.

The Tomb Is Empty

Enough said!

Some things are just funny

A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask a question and tapped the driver on the shoulder.The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb scattering pedestrians in every direction, and stopped just inches from a huge plate glass window.
For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still shaking driver said, "I'm sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me."The frightened passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much.
The driver replied, "No, no, I'm sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years."

The Big One

Easter is the Big One - without Easter there would be no Christianity. So it's the Big One. We are going to have a great Sunday. I assure you - you will leave with a new appreciation for Easter.

With that said we have an enemy that hates Easter. Satan loves to meddle in our affairs - after all that is all he can do - meddle. Jesus Christ conquered death and defeated sin. So Satan tries to distract, discourage and disillusion both followers of Christ and yet to be followers.

Please pray for our band as they prepare. Pray for a team effort, for good health and for God to work through them.

Pray for all the volunteers that serve each week at CATF. Pray for strength, encouragement, safety and peace in their families.

Pray for all of our equipment to work properly - sound, video, lighting and our truck that pulls the trailer. Pray that our trailer isn't blocked in or any weird thing like that (it has happened before), no flat tires or mechanical issues.

Pray for me as I prepare. If Satan could knock me off path then he can accomplish a lot. Pray that I stay healthy. Pray for God's direction over my preparation and delivery of my talk. Pray for protection over myself and my family. Pray for my family to follow after God's way in all areas (distraction in this area could easily get me off track).

Pray for the many people that have been invited, who have seen advertising or have heard about CATF some how. Pray for lots of people and for open minds as they hear about Jesus.

Pray for the theatre - manager on time, facilities all in working order, no distractions.

Pray for yourself and your family - that God would surround you and give you a great Easter.

I'm sure there is more that I have forgot - pray for anything that comes to mind.

Simple and Profound

A simple illustration about a profound relationship...

The Value of Vacation

Last week I had the opportunity to spend the week away with my family. Here is what I learned.

• The Bible speaks about the importance of rest. There is a reason why, we all need it. I totally loved the time away and it helped me refocus on the priorities of life.
• Warm weather does a world of good for me. We were in Myrtle Beach and most days it was near 20 C or 70 F.
• Walking on the beach is really great. There is something about sand between your toes.
• Throwing a football on the beach with my kids was a blast.
• Taking my son golfing was really good.
• Eating at my favourite Mexican restaurant, twice, was a treat.
• Going to the book store with my daughter to buy a book for her was a good thing.
• Watching my wife find unbelievable deals on clothing, really is a lot of fun. It's fun for me because she loves to shop.
• The sound of waves rolling on to the beach is amazing.
• Watching dolphin swim within 20 feet of two children was a incredible.
• Taking time to survey my own life is something that vacation allows.
• Loving my family and doing specials things with them is a gift from God.
• Coming home is a good thing - it gives me a little bit of a taste of what it will be like when I get to my heavenly home after this life journey. Until then, there is plenty to see and do in this life. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

Looking for a miracle?

Our new series of talks start this week:

Easter

Easter is a comin (I spent the last week in the south - their talk rubs off).

Remember I challenged each of you to invite 3 people to church on Easter. Okay...so this week is the final opportunity to do that. Maybe it's the person who makes your coffee at Tims, or the teller (do they still use that word) at the bank, your friend you eat lunch with, your mom, sister or brother, maybe it's a neighbour or someone you know through the community. Who do you need to invite to CATF this Easter? Now with all that said, you may take me as a salesman or promoter - call me what you want - I am simply directing you to people who need Jesus.

The tomb is empty and that's something more people need to hear about - invite people with no shame.

Who will hear about the risen Saviour because you asked them to come along? It will be a great Sunday - don't miss it!

Easter

Easter is just a little over one week away and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on that special day. Right now the weather is looking a little grim, so we need to turn up the celebration. I can think of no better way than bringing along a bunch of friends. So often we think we are being pushy by asking someone to come to church. The reality is, people look for a place to go to church on Easter. Please don't forget or neglect to invite someone along. You can email them, send a message by Facebook, call them on the phone, write it in the sky or do it the old fashioned way, face to face. Don't miss this day, we begin out new series of talks, Miracles. What you hear that day will blow you away and change the way you see Easter. Don't miss it. I think this can be our best day yet.

Oprah's Misdirection

This is what Chuck Norris has to say about Oprah's latest spiritual misdirection:


Oprah's new Easter

50 cm of snow

I am always very concerned about canceling church, but today I checked the snow fall totals and found out that St. Catharines/Niagara got 50 cm or 20 inches of snow in a 36 hour period. That's alot of snow!

Spring is coming...honest!

Don't miss next week. It will be great!

I am away for a little R&R with my family for the week. Take care.

SNOWED OUT - Church at Home

Here's a great worship song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4


Here's a great talk that connects with what will share at CATF on March 16th:

http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player_old.jsp?occurrenceID=134

Stay Warm:-)

I'm away this coming week, so talk to you all when I get back.

Leadership

Leadership is taking people where they need to go. Not where they want to go - taking them where they want to go is simply being a sightseeing guide. In life you will find that you are called to lead at home, work, in the community and at church.

For myself I am committed to hearing from God and taking our church where it needs to go. That my be hard, draining and tough at times but what other options are there. I guess I could just bend to every whim and go in a million directions...na...I don't think that's what Jesus would do. He lead his disciples to greater heights. He boldly pointed people to where they needed to be.

Like I said, leadership can be tough. There are some times where others want to take over the lead, influence the leader or side track those following. There are times it seems easier to take the wide road rather than the narrow road. There are times when leaders need to make unpopular decision that others will not understand. There are times people will step out from under a leader for no good reason - and it hurts. There are times that we just can't see the next step and just bow to God seeking his continued direction.

Remember all through life you will be called to lead in different areas - will you step up and be counted. Leaders are a needed. People need someone to take them where they need to go.

Let it SNOW

We are bringing in the big guns to make sure we get through the snow. We have Simon's four wheel drive on stand by - here it is....minus the pig and the chicken. Bet you never knew we had rednecks in the church. Just kidding....couldn't resist using this picture I found:-) Simon you can kill me after you tow the trailer.

Snow - Snow - Snow

It's coming again - like a bad dream. SNOW! Guess we will be getting the trailer out of the yard today in light of the 30 plus cm of snow fall they are forecasting over the next 24 to 36 hours. The adventures of a portable church continue...I can't wait till spring. By that way...shoot the groundhog! In all seriousness, it is worth every ounce of struggle to get ready for Sunday. We will remember our first winter for a long time to come.

The forces of mediocrity

Seth Godin had this to say on his blog....and it's very worth the read.

There's a myth that all you need to do is outline your vision and prove it's right—then, quite suddenly, people will line up and support you.
In fact, the opposite is true. Remarkable visions and genuine insight are always met with resistance. And when you start to make progress, your efforts are met with even more resistance. Products, services, career paths... whatever it is, the forces for mediocrity will align to stop you, forgiving no errors and never backing down until it's over.
If it were any other way, it would be easy. And if it were any other way, everyone would do it and your work would ultimately be devalued. The yin and yang are clear: without people pushing against your quest to do something worth talking about, it's unlikely it would be worth the journey. Persist.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

When To Pray For Your Pastor

Perry Noble really hit it right on with this post on his blog.

When To Pray For Your Pastor

Volunteers

Project Share is looking for volunteers. If you can help contact Jo Low at Project Share, 905-357-5121 or jo.l@projectshare.ca. Please see the specific request below.

Do you have any volunteers who would like to help set up for a meeting? The meeting is for families living below the poverty line and will be held at the International Worship Centre at the corner of Dorchester and Frederica. Volunteers are needed on Monday, March 10th 5:00 to 7:00pm to set up tables and chairs, sort raffle prizes and set up coffee.

I guess it snowed a little over night...

I know it's only March 5th and snow is still very normal for this time of year. But hear this, I have had enough! I love the first snow fall of the year and I can even deal with a really big snow storm that closes everything down (except on a Sunday morning). The rest of the snow falls I can do without. Of course that leads me to this truth. This ain't heaven and life will have it's challenges. So how do we deal with the things we don't like in life?

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. Hebrews 12:2 The Message

Snow is hardly a big deal in the scope of many of the challenges of life, but it can get some of us down and discouraged as we wait for the invigoration of spring time. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus. Stay focused on him as we face what ever is in our lives today. One day all followers of Christ will spend eternity in a perfect place...heaven. Oh that will be a great day, but until then stay focused on that exhilarating finish. Don't lose sight of where we are headed and all that God has given each of us to do along the way. You see we get bogged down at times and miss the excitment of the journey! Focus on Jesus.

Bad News

Now that I have your attention. You will have 1 hour less sleep this weekend, but your will gain some daylight. It's a good trade off.

Don't forget to turn you clocks ahead on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 1:59:57 AM or just do it when you go to bed on Saturday night like any sane person would do. Unless you are a freak and want to set your alarm and get up at 2 am.

If you don't remember you will be late for church. Spring ahead...

Falls Fanatics

A big time Falls Fanatic shout goes out to Julie Dunseith and Wendy Pierce.

Julie works hard every week in our band, even while dealing with some health issues. Julie you are making a big difference in the lives of people at CATF. Thanks for continuing to challenge your own musical development, you are a valuable part of our band. Keep playing those keys.

Wendy is the smiling friendly face that is at our coffee table almost every Sunday. Wendy, your contagious laughter and welcoming attitude really make a difference. You truly have a caring heart. Thank you for working so hard each week and thanks for sharing Terry (your husband) with us.

We could never do it without our Falls Fanatics - you're the best.

Magic Carpet Ride

I was reminded today how much I like this song...it kinda summarizes our church plant adventure....the fun has just begun!

Sunday Highlights

• Always great to meet new people on Sunday and for that matter everyone that makes up CATF
• When our trailer crew (Terry and Charlie) arrived at the yard our trailer was blocked in by another trailer. No problem for our guys, they just hooked up the trailer that was blocking the way and moved it. It seems that we have more battles getting our trailer out. Greater is He (God) that is is in us :-)
• Finished our last talk in the DSL series. I am really glad we covered this subject. I feel like we helped a lot of people.
• Simon Grant built us a really awesome cross that we can use at the front on Sunday morning - very nice.
• Had the opportunity to talk one on one with several people today - God is doing some great stuff in peoples lives.
• We did video for our band today - it was good. Not as good as the band, but it gave the band a break.
• Encouraged everyone to invite three friends for Easter - hope we pack the place out.
• Thanks God for another amazing Sunday! We have the greatest church - lets keep rockin' on.
• Next Sunday - don't miss God's Indescribable Love.