Tag: Life

Christian Living

Don’t Let Christmas Redefine Your Joy

Chris

Christmas is the season of many things. At our church we are looking at four aspects of life that Christmas promises and guarantees for us. They are familiar words that you see all over the place at Christmas. One of those aspects of life is Joy.

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At Christmas we talk a lot about joy. Joy is in our songs and cards. We plan and attend parties for work, parties with family and parties at church. Sometimes we do it all over again a week later for New Year’s. But is this what joy is all about? Presents, twinkling lights, eggnog, cookies and taking a breather from real life? What happens when real life reappears on January 2nd?

Continue reading “Don’t Let Christmas Redefine Your Joy” →

Church Life

Which Kind of “T.P.” Describes Your Church?

Chris

Disclaimer: If you are squeamish or believe that every picture or message about God and the church must be proper and finely tuned, do NOT read this post.  Read at your own risk.

Have you ever had one of those “Eureka!” moments that you felt like you couldn’t share with anyone? That happened to me today. One crazy thought led to a series of truths that are so, well, true.

They are truths about the church. Not the “big C”, Church, the living body of Jesus Christ where He is the head and all the pieces are being brought together and shaped into a living temple of the Holy Spirit. I’m talking about the church, the local assembly of believers that joins in a building to worship, pray, serve, and preach the Gospel.

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Oh, and there’s one more thing you need to know up front. These truths are inspired by T.P. That’s code for toilet paper. Yeah, I know your mind is racing at top speed thinking about things it shouldn’t, so let’s jump to the good stuff.

Continue reading “Which Kind of “T.P.” Describes Your Church?” →

Christian Living

The God of Your Tragedy (Audio)

Chris

Our little city of Campbellton, New Brunswick, has found its way into the news. The story of two young boys’ death is known around the world. Its sorrow has touched so many. We pray that God would comfort family and friends in such a difficult time.

Times of tragedy and sadness often leave us wondering and questioning. But there is hope in the God who promises to never leave us. He welcomes us in these times and wants to impart His power into into our lives. God wants to be the God of our bad days as well as our good days. He wants to be the God of our tragedy.

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[audio http://gatewaycampbellton.com/audio/2013-0811.mp3]
Book Reviews

Book Review: “This Is Our Love” by Jody Cross

Chris

thisisourloveIf you attend church regularly, you probably take the time to sing at almost every service. Whether you use a hymnal or a projector screen, sing works by Martin Luther and John Wesley or Hillsong and Chris Tomlin, your musical expression is labeled as worship.

There is a great power in worship that we do not always consider or tap into. Worship – as a personal and corporate expression of the truths God, as well as thankfulness, adoration and praise – has the ability to change our way of life. As we confess those God truths and confess our need to align with them, we encourage ourselves to think with the mind of Christ, to see with the eyes of Heaven, and to allow our hearts to beat with Heaven’s heartbeat.

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Book Reviews

Book Review: “Revealing Jesus; A 365-Day Devotional” by Darlene Zschech

Chris

9780764211546 RevealingJesusAs a pastor I often mention that as Christians our lives should point to Jesus. Whatever we say, whatever we do, are our lives pointing to Him? At times life can seem so mundane and unspiritual. Yet we are called to shine the Light in the darkness, and that Light is Jesus.

So how do we do that? What parts of life point to Jesus? What does it look like from season to season, from good days to bad days, from solitude to spiritual community? Pastor and worship leader Darlene Zschech teaches us about these issues and more in her new devotional book, Revealing Jesus (Bethany House).

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Christian Living

Depression: It Could Happen To You

Chris

I have to confess that when I heard about the loss of Matthew Warren, the son of pastor Rick Warren, my first response was not to comment on it. So many people identified with the tragedy that social media seemed set ablaze.

depressed

Like a brush fire in the dry prairie, it spreads and affects others over time. As life has a chance to slow down and as the input continues to be received, it triggers later responses. That is what this part of what this post is for me.

At the same time I want to share with you a collection of thoughts recently posted over the Internet by some Christian names that you might be familiar with, collected by Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research.

Continue reading “Depression: It Could Happen To You” →