Praying For Pastors

Here is a great blog from Perry Noble

http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/11/30/pray-for-your-pastor/

Talk It Over - Carbon Copy - Week 2

We encourage you to take time each week to talk over what you heard this past Sunday at Church at the Falls. So go ahead, Talk It Over.

Free To Serve Him

As I age I embrace a simpler life. A life not dominated by Christian rules, but rather a life lived for Him. God only had one rule in the beginning, don't eat from the tree. One rule that was it, now many Christians find themselves motivated by guilt, standards and rules rather than by the amazing grace and mercy of God. We all ought to want to live a life pleasing to God, but that desire flows out of a relationship with Him. Not because anyone or anything makes us feel obligated.

More and more I embrace the simplicity of the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The importance of my time spent with my Heavenly Father. The call to love and lead my family. The opportunity to share Christ from a life that overflows with the power of the Holy Spirit.

The more I receive His grace in my life the more I am able to show His grace to others. Our freedom was purchased at a great cost, the life of Christ was given for us. Let's not slip back into bondage or place bondage on others, live free in Him.

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Living A Life That Reflects Christ

What if we make living a Christ-like life harder than it is? We look for complex answers rather than a simple pattern. This past Sunday we heard Chris Beall challenge us to live like Jesus. Here's a quote from Craig Groeschel, "It is the things no one sees that results in what everyone wants." Living for Christ publicly starts with living like Him privately. Living for Christ is not about keeping rules or saying the right words. Living like Christ starts when we connect with our Father in private. A Christ-like life flows from our time spent with Him. When we follow Christ's "pattern" of getting away and spending time with our Father then our lives will begin to look more like Him.

I couldn't help but wonder if our friends and family would have more interest in Christ if we lived in private what we proclaim in public. I couldn't help but wonder if the next generation would have more interest in Christ is our lives were spilling over with Him. There are no guarantees our children will follow Christ or that our best friend will come to faith in Christ, but I think we have a far better chance at seeing them embrace Christ when we walk close to Him in our private world.

This week, take time early in the day to spend with Him, Read scripture and make a few notes when He speaks through His Word. Pray, this means talking and listening to Him. Be still, find a quite place. Slow down, start your day in relationship with Him. Not some forced Bible reading and the standard prayer. Engage with the heart of your Father. Start today.

Here's the link to watch Carbon Copy -Week 1

Sunday Evening Thoughts

• Amazed at the high level of commitment by so many at CATF. Thanks everyone!
• Great response to the James Morden School food drive. Thanks CATF!
• Yesterdays Repair and Care home invasion was a hug success. People getting to know one another. Believers working along side those who are not yet believers. Neighbours seeing God's love in action. People feeling part of something bigger than themselves. People realizing that when you give you actually receive a whole lot more. The recipient of the repairs was encourage and blessed. Oh and by the way, a bunch of needed repairs were made to this home.
• This mornings talk by Chris Beall really helped me realize the importance of my private world and the need to prioritize my time with God. I know that many others had a similar response
  
• Great to see two young people raise their hand this morning to accept Christ. I am glad that at CATF we challenge people to commit their lives to Christ.
• Don't forget to Talk It Over
  

Talk It Over - Carbon Copy #1

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Shout It Out

Today our Care and Repair team will invade a home and make an impact.

• They will make needed repairs.
• They will show the love of Christ.
• Each person that helps will walk away blessed, because they acted like Christ.
• Peoples lives will be transformed.
• Jesus will be lifted up.
• People will come to faith in Christ because they see the love of Christ in action.

Love it when the church is in the world. Keep it up everyone. Live for Christ 24/7. Thanks to Simon Grant for leading this ministry. We must do things that no one is doing in order to reach people that no one is reaching.

Power of the Spirit

Living by the Spirit's

Galatians 5
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow your own desires:
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
When you allow the Holy Spirit to lead ever part of your life:
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

In you area of struggle? Ask the Holy Spirit to take total control of that area. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and to empower you to new life. Ask the Holy Spirit what steps you need to take?

Hannah House Christmas Tour

Hannah House is a Christian maternity home, here in Niagara Falls, caring for the needs of young mothers.

Hannah House will host an open house on December 12 from 7-9 pm. Not only will you be able to peek into the world of a maternity home, you will be guided by a Hannah House staff member who will share information about Hannah House and who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Christmas goodies and hot drinks will be provided. For more information, please visit http://hannahhouse.ca

Attempt Great Things

To succeed means you will fail at times. What are you attempting knowing there's a risk. Don't be afraid to succeed. Don't be afraid to fail.

To Be Or Not To Be

To be or not to be filled with the Holy Spirit is a question we must ask our ourselves. Craig shared clearly from the Bible, this past Sunday, that it's not about displaying certain spiritual gifts as defined by others. It's about a life that exemplifies the fruit of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Yes the gifts are from Him, but the evidence of a life lived for Him should be clear.

This week would you prayerfully give up your life to the Spirits control. This is an on going life transforming yielding to God. Right now, stop and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your life. As you yield to the Spirits in filling, the evidence will spill over in your life. Let the Spirit take control in every area rather than you or a substance. Craig mentioned one substance this past Sunday, alcohol, and how easy it is for someone to become under the influence of alcohol rather than under His influence. Let me further explain, alcohol in moderation is not sinful, but drunkenness is. Be careful that what you use in moderation does not become something that you abuse and something that fills your life. We could add food, drugs, other coping mechanisms to the list. Let the Spirit lead in your life, don't use empty substitutes. Be filled with the Spirit every hour of the day.

A few short side notes:

• If you haven't watched this short video, http://churchatthefalls.blogspot.com/2009/11/jesus-wants-rose.html you need to.

• We still have a couple tickets left for the Dec 10 concert, why not bring a friend or couple along with you? Email me and I will hold the tickets.
• Pray for good weather this Friday and Saturday as our Care and Repair Team invades a local home.
• Don't forget to bring your food donations for the James Morden School food drive.
• Pass along those Carbon Copy invite cards to friends, neighbours and enemies. Carbon Copy starts this Sunday!
  

This makes me laugh...

This Sunday at CATF

Jesus Wants The Rose

Talk It Over - The Ghost Week 4

What's Happening

• This Sunday we wrap up our series, The Ghost. Craig will answer the question, What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
• Get together with someone this week and Talk It Over, review what you learned on Sunday. Enjoy a coffee and build a relationship.
  
• Let's help James Morden School with their food drive. Grab a bag on Sunday and return it the following Sunday.
• Get involved with our Repair and Care Home Invasion. November 20 and 21. See Simon Grant or email questions@churchatthefalls.com for info.
  
• Christmas Concert with recording artist Kevin Pauls, Dec 10. Tickets on sale this Sunday.
• New series begins November 22, Carbon Copy.

Helping James Morden School

Today I met with the principal of James Morden School, the school we have helped on several occasions. Today they asked if we could help with their food drive. I committed to take 25 bags to be filled by people at CATF. Would you consider taking one of these empty bags this Sunday and asking co-workers, friends or family to help you fill the bag. Then simply return the bag next Sunday.

If one person or two people would help out by collecting these bags on Sunday, Nov 22 when people bring them back to the theatre and then deliver them to James Morden on Monday, that would be a huge help. Just email me if you want to do this. Wheels and strong back are necessary.

This is a God given opportunity, as we approach Christmas, to bless this school and bless those that are needy. Let's do it!

Spiritual Gifts

Here's the link to the Spiritual Gifts assessment that Craig mentioned on Sunday.
http://www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php

Talk It Over - The Ghost Part 3

Take the time and Talk It Over this week.

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Talk It Over - The Ghost Part 2

Micro- Mission

I heard a great story this morning about a Micro-Mission and wanted to share it. (A Micro-Mission is taking the love the Christ to our local community in practical ways)

A group of people from CATF learned of need in the community. A family member of this group had a pretty severe medical problem and needed help splitting wood for a wood burning stove. This stove was the source of heat for their home. The group got together, rented a log splitter and showed God's love. Simple act of love.

That's how a Micro-Mission can make a difference. Simply sowing seeds of God's love into a person's life. The compound expression of God's love and speaking about Him to our world has incredible power. Our job is to follow God's leading, then leave the life transformation up to Him.