Random Thoughts

Just a few random thoughts (some that may lack substance)

• Wow - where to 2008 go.
• 2009 will be the best year yet for CATF. Watch out, we will blow the doors off.
• A pastor from a church in Southwestern Ontario is calling me next week to talk about our journey to joining the LC Network. Glad I get to share what God is doing. That was one of my hopes and prayers - to help other Canadian churches maximize what God can do through them. I knew we would make a difference by being one of the first Canadian churches to network with LC. Come on God -- Use us big time in Niagara Falls and throughout out country. Expand our influence.
• Why did it snow again - did we not get our yearly quota yet?
• I have no idea what my wife and I will do to celebrate New Years.
• Can't wait to celebrate with our CATF volunteers in January. You all are over the top committed. Maybe we all should be committed for our commitment...you'll get my tongue and cheek eventually.
• January 18th - Sabres Alumni charity game. Get your tickets. If you can volunteer to take tickets at the door that day, please let me know.
• Baptism coming up. Let me know if you are ready to take this step of faith.
• Pray for the churches in the Niagara Region. We need to see God work in mighty ways.
• Feeling hungry...what's for lunch?
• My wife is shopping...could be dangerous. Now that I made that comment it will be dangerous.
• This Sunday we will come face to face with the amazing power of God and how he changes lives. Nothing is more important on Sunday at 10 am. See you then.
• Happy New Year

Just a little fun

This is really pretty funny, unless of course you are on Santa's naughty list. http://weswatsonblog.com/?p=273

Hero's

The Hero's of CATF will be honoured this month. If you have volunteered at CATF in 2008 you are a hero and we want you know that you are valued and important. You are making a difference as together we reach people for Jesus. Watch for details this Sunday.

I Love My Church

This Sunday you will see and hear real stories of changed lives that just might change your life. You don't want to miss this.

Christmas Thoughts

• I will be out of the office for the week. Spending time with my wife's family. I hope you will enjoy the next few days with friends and family. I trust you will see God in this Christmas and remember the reason we celebrate. Read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) and praise Jesus for his gift to us.
• Remember to check out lifechurch.tv tonight or tomorrow to watch the Christmas Eve service.
• Here's a little Christmas story that really touched my life. Last Thursday I went over to Walmart and purchased two $25 gift cards and then walked around the store asking God to direct me to two individuals that I could give these cards to. As I searched the store for 20 or 30 minutes I was afraid store security was going to pick me up for walking around and around and around the store, looking up and down aisles for the people that needed this blessing. I finally came across one family and then shorty after, one individual who I thought could use a Christmas blessing. Both had this look of stunned thankfulness as I gave them the gift card wishing them a Merry Christmas from CATF. It was a great experience simply because God made us to be givers and when we give it helps us to reflect a little bit of God into this world. I hope you are able to find creative ways to bless others this Christmas. I was blessed beyond measure because someone gave me the idea to give in this unique way.
• Thanks CATF you are the best Christmas gift a pastor could receive. You have made 2008 an incredible year and I anticipate 2009 to be the best year yet. I am more excited about the year ahead than I ever have been about CATF. It will be a great year.
• I am thankful for my family. My wife and kids have made my life so full and blessed. I could never do what I do without them.
• Merry Christmas to all the great CATF volunteers.

Merry Christmas Church at the Falls. Here's the link to the Life Church Christmas Eve Gathering. Please enjoy and pass along to your friends. See you again on January 4th.

http://www.lifechurch.tv/christmas

Global : Internet Campus
Tuesday
12/23
8:30pm
Wednesday
12/24
1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm

Did someone say snow!

Hello Church at the Falls,

Just wanted to say....see you on Sunday. We will be there come snow or more snow. Based on the number of people that will brave todays weather to go shopping, I think we will have our doors open for church. Can't think of anywhere else I would rather be.

God is going to do some amazing things in lives this Sunday. You don't want to miss it. We are going to have an awesome day.

Pray for this next snow system to miss us, slow down or get out of the way.

The Church

Is there anything more important than the Church? This is what the Bible says about the Church.

• Jesus built the church - Would Jesus invest his time building something that we should neglect or find something more important to do on Sunday morning? Matthew 16:18
• Jesus died for it - Sounds pretty important. Acts 20:28
• Jesus is the head of the Church - It's something we need to be part of. Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:28
• God communicates his wisdom through the church - God has something for you each week. Ephesians 3:10

Don't fall asleep spiritually.

Free Dance Lesson

Video Update

December 17, 2008 from Brandon Duff on Vimeo.

I Love My Church

Coming January 4, 2009 to a theatre near you.

I Love My Church

A look into the hearts and lives of those impacted by God through the Life Church Network. Will the love of God invade your life? Don't miss, I Love My Church.

Sunday Thoughts

• Today was one of those very solid days.
• One person committed their life to Christ.
• Talked with a couple people after that were blown away by hearing how much God wants be their father and fill the emptiness they may be feeling, because of not having a good relationship with their earthly father. I knew this talk would hit home with many people even those that have decent relationships with their dad. I hope you have found a heavenly father that wants to see you live your full God given potential.
• Thanks to all our hard working volunteers. You bring a big smile to my face.
• Thanks to Jack Martin who rescued my family from a flat tire.
• Thanks to those in our church that are caring for those that are needy in our church. You are the hands and feet of Jesus.
• Thanks for giving regularly. We are getting closer each week to covering our expenses. Thanks to those that are tithing each week, you are trusting God by faith and worshiping him by giving. Thanks for those that are working closer to tithing, keep giving more. For those that aren't I want to encourage you to be part of the great faith adventure. When you give, you pay the the rent, you pay the salaries, you buy the equipment, you buy the bibles, you invest in leadership training, you provide fun place for kids to learn the Bible, plus much more and by doing all this you enable CATF to impact lives.
• It was great to let everyone in on the good news - that is if you were with us today. If you weren't I forgive you. So here it is, one more time (because it's really good news). We are officially part of the Life Church Network of Churches and we are still CATF. So why bother making the commitment? Here are just a few of the benefits, more time for me to invest in our leaders, leadership development for me as pastor, more time to focus on connecting new people at CATF, the privilege of having a world class teacher like Craig on our team (like adding a staff member at no cost), the opportunity to reproduce what we are doing in other communities and the opportunity to be part of a group of churches that is and will change this world. We are ultimately doing this because, somewhere this evening there are people for whom faith is a mystery, life is overwhelming and hope is elusive. There are men and women I don’t even know, some of whom are falling apart, who will connect with CATF or one of the LC network churches / campuses in the next week, their lives will be turned right side up, they will start a life-giving relationship with Jesus and will be on the road to total recovery from the hurts of life. People without hope and without Christ will have become children of God. They will never be the same - for all eternity. That’s why I'm so excited about our new network with LC. Not only for the souls that will come to Christ, but for the followers of Christ that will grow both through what they hear and through serving in a church that is fixated with seeing people come to faith. It's all about life change. With so many churches that are inward focused, we will do whatever we can to be outward focused. Thanks LC - together we will reach 100's, 1000's and millions world wide.
• See everyone next Sunday - if you have to drag yourself out of the house you need to be with us. Let's celebrate together.

Kingdoms

I don't know about you, but I have to remind myself regularly that life is not about me. We have the tendency to set up little kingdoms in our lives, that are off limits to God. Kingdoms like money, tradition, selfishness, unforgivingness, career, possessions, relationships, attitudes, habits, time and more. We guard our personal kingdoms and keep God out, we put our kingdoms ahead of God and we miss what God wants to do in those areas of our life. Not realizing what he wants to do is far greater than what we are guarding. Not realizing that he wants to liberate that little kingdom and make it a great kingdom under his loving care. Let's all let the walls down in our personal kingdoms and give God first place. I know that we will be amazed at what he will do. It takes faith, but so does trusting in yourself. Let's trust God.

Sunday Is Coming

• I'm really excited about this Sunday's Talk. I will be bringing a real helpful talk in the series, He Will Be Called. I think it's something that will touch a lot of lives. Not going to tell you anymore, so you need to be there.
• We have done good so far with our Christmas Giving for deserving families, just shy of $800 has come in to date. I'm looking forward to how we end up after this Sunday.
• I have a great announcement this Sunday.
• It's exciting to hear the stories of life change that have come my way this week.
• Remember, invite friends.

Exciting News

Exciting news, but you'll have to wait till Sunday to hear it. Don't you hate when people do that to you.

Dog House

I have an anniversary coming and I think this video saved my bacon.

Sunday Review

• Snowy days always make for interesting days. Our team rises to the occasion and does a great job.
• Loved the first song the band did, Jay really hit some high notes.
• Enjoyed talking with many of you today. I love to hear your life stories.
• A lot of people made commitments today to seek Jesus and listen to him. The second part is where we all have the problem. Follow him and he will never misdirect you.
• More and more people are committing to tithe and trust God. Exciting to see God at work.
• Hope you read the life story in our Sunday program. It's great to hear about God at work.
• Yesterday I had someone give me tickets to a Leafs open practice, I had no idea they were in a private box. Bonus! It was nice watching my favourite team and enjoying the perks in the box. It was also nice to see the Washington Capitals practice. It was not nice that the Caps beat my Leafs latter that day.
• Looking forward to how God uses us to care for the needs of people that are deserving in our community.
• I was excited to see a local steel company using part of our theatre complex today. Always great to have others get to know where we meet.
• Love how prepared and organized our coffee and donuts are each week. Lynn and Lindsay -- Double "L" do a great job.
• Missed a few of you and hope to see you next Sunday.

Video Message For You

CATF - 12/05/08 from Brandon Duff on Vimeo.

Need A Good Counselor

This Sunday we will get some insight from the Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ. In this new series, He Will Be Called, we will look at the powerful life transformation offered by the one whose birth we celebrate this month. Don't miss it and bring someone along to fill a seat next to you. A great percentage of people are eager to be invited to a church at Christmas time. Start making plans to call a friend and invite them this Sunday. The Wonderful Counselor wants to help you with the struggles you face.