In what ways do you notice the culture around you feeding discontentment and greed in you?
If you were to measure your level of contentment on a scale of 1 to 10—where 1 is feeling the anxiety of greed and a desire for more, and 10 is feeling satisfied with what you have—where would you plot yourself right now?
Which of the three symptoms of greed (I deserve it; it’s all for me; I’m better off with more) is the most persistent in your life?
What do you think it looks like to be “rich toward God”?
How is Jesus inviting you to push back against greed in your life this week? Is there a specific practice—gratitude, sharing, simplifying—that you will try?

Bonus: Did you have a chance to practice last week’s challenge to give away some money to bless someone? If you’re willing, share about that experience.

Generous: Living Open-Handed | What Does Jesus Say About Money?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:14:25 GMT

For three weeks, we’re going to explore what Jesus has to say about money. This week, we’re overhearing a conversation that a late-in-life Paul had with one of his churches. His last message to them was about money. He reminded them of the power of contentment, hard work and sharing with the weak.

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Acts 20:32-38

Questions:

Was there a time in your life when money was in short supply? If so, what was that like?
What principles and practices around money did you learn from your family?
Is it easy or hard for you to be content? Why is that the case?
What has it looked like for you to share with the weak?
What’s the most important piece of financial advice you’d like to share with your group?
Pray together about the “give away challenge”. Ask God to open your eyes and your heart this week.

Advent 2025: Go | Joseph & Mary Go To The Temple

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:26:09 GMT

This week, we continue our Advent series, Go, by reflecting on Luke 2:22–40 and the quiet faithfulness of Joseph and Mary as they bring Jesus to the temple. In this moment of ordinary obedience, God meets them with extraordinary hope through Simeon and Anna.

As many of our Small Groups are taking a break this week, sermon discussion questions will pause and will resume on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

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Mark 3:31-35

As you reflect on your life and relationships, who has been or could be a soul friend to you on this spiritual formation journey?
Which of ‘depth, vulnerability or commitment to transform’ is most challenging for you? What could be a next step for you?
Jesus’ words must have stung for Mary and his brothers. Eventually, they followed him, but in the moment, they might have been offended. Who, close to you, could be offended if you pour yourself into Jesus and his Community? How will you navigate that?
What needs to change in you for SPL to become more of a family to you than it currently is?
What has Jesus done in your life over the last 8 sessions, during our time together?

This Week's Practice: Life in Community

Last Week's Practice: Rule of Life

Practicing The Way How Fruit Grows

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:10:10 GMT

Jesus describes himself as the vine whose source and power produce fruit in the branches. When we remain in Jesus the way a branch does in a vine, he grows the fruit of true life in us.

A Rule of Life is a set of practices that help us remain in Jesus. These practices include prayer, solitude, Scripture, sabbath, community, fasting, service, witness, and generosity.

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Questions:

John 15:5-17

What are some of the “false vines” - things that we turn to for meaning, identity, and power - most visible in our culture today? What kind of fruit do these vines produce in our lives?
What kind of fruit does Jesus produce in our lives? Can you tell a story of someone who has been an example of that for you?
What practices have you tried? How have you experienced them creating space for you to be with Jesus?
What ones are unfamiliar to you? How might they help you remain in Jesus?
What practices would you like to include in your Rule of Life? (It may help to look at an example of a Rule of Life or look at the Rule of Life Builder at www.practicingtheway.org/ruleoflifebuilder.)
Who would you like to involve in the process of designing your Rule of Life?

This Week's Practice: Rule of Life

Last Week's Practice: Confession

Practicing The Way | Disordered Love

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:11:40 GMT

Jesus came to call sinners. Sinners, those who miss the mark, are on God’s invite list! Jesus also adds that he didn’t come to call the righteous, so everyone who believes, or at least wants others to believe, that they’ve got it all together, need not apply. There’s a fundamental self-awareness required to follow Jesus.

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Questions:

Mark 2:17

Share with the group, if you’re willing, one thing you’ve done that you’re not proud of.
Growing up, what was your understanding of sin and God’s response to it?
When you sin, what do you normally do?
As you think about your sin patterns, what attachments or idols are you clinging to in your pursuit of happiness?
In light of this teaching, what steps may God be inviting you to take toward healing?

This Week's Practice: Confession

Last Week's Practice: Noticing & Naming Emotions

Practicing The Way | Move Nearer When You Hurt

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:27:38 GMT

A number of the Christian practices that Jesus gave us (like solitude, Sabbath, prayer and Scripture reading) turn down the noise of the world so we can turn up the volume of His voice. Other voices surface as well! Buried emotions and wounding memories can also rise to the surface. This is one of God’s ways of telling us it's time to enter those harder bits of our lives with him and learn how to name them, express them and regulate them as followers of Jesus.

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Questions:

Matthew 26:36-39

How were emotions treated/valued in the family in which you grew up? Tell a story if that helps illustrate your experience.
What are the most common feelings you experience? How does it feel to bring those openly before God?
Contrast the processing of emotions as experienced by Jesus and Peter from the passage. What pieces of each of their approaches resonated with you?
If you have had the time to try the Practice of Noticing, Naming, Feeling and Offering your feelings to God, describe what that was like.
Where did you experience God’s nearness in the practice?

This Week's Practice: Noticing & Naming Emotions
Last Week's Practice: Sabbath

Practicing The Way | God's Rhythm

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:16:52 GMT

One of the many remarkable things about Jesus’ life is his restraint and rhythm. Knowing he had only three years in ministry might have made him frantic and sleepless, but it wasn’t the case. Thankfully, he gave us practices so that our own lives can also be marked by restraint and rhythm.

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Questions:

Mark 1:35

What’s your experience with spiritual disciplines? What practices have you engaged with in your spiritual journey?
If the practices are the means, what do you understand the ‘end’ of the spiritual life to be?
Who has most reflected God’s love to you? Where did you see the life of Jesus at work in them?
Do you practice any kind of Sabbath or day of rest? If not, where could you start?
What gives you the most hope about entering these spiritual practices? Does any part of this make you nervous?

Mark 1:16-18

1. As you look back on your life, who or what has had the greatest impact on your spiritual journey so far?

2. What do you think is the driving aim of your life? What are your top goals and priorities?

3. What specifically is included when Jesus says, “Come, follow me?”

4. Peter and Andrew left their nets to follow him. What do you need to leave behind to follow Jesus this week?

Recall a recent experience of hardship. What was it like? How did you navigate that experience—emotionally, relationally, or prayerfully?
Israel experienced God’s intervention—His “cutting loose the cords”—many times. Recall some of those stories together. Have you experienced God setting you free from something—an addiction, a negative attitude, or a toxic relationship? Share your story.
“May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” This Psalm records lots of honest and strong emotions! How do you deal with your strong emotions? Do you blurt them out, bury them, or process them in another way?
Jesus had some clear teachings about how to treat our enemies. How are you practically living that out with the difficult people in your life right now?

Psalms of Ascent

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:39:58 GMT

Finding Contentment

The Psalms of Ascent have it all: anguish, anger, encouragement, and wild joy.

Psalm 131 is all about contentment. Where does contentment come from? What ruins it? What does it feel like? How can I be content in an age where marketing, social media and mirrors breed discontent?

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Questions:

Psalm 131

When was the last time you were content? Tell that story.
“My heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty, I do not worry myself with great matters.” What gets in the way of humans being content?
“I have calmed and quietened my soul like a weaned child.” Have you learned to calm and quiet your soul? How were you raised to deal with your emotions? Are you comfortable in your own body?
“Israel, put your hope in the LORD.” How does a Christian ‘put their hope in the LORD’? What has that looked like in your life?
“Both now and forevermore.’ Do you think there’s power for contentment when Christians can talk confidently about life now and ‘forevermore’? How does your hope for eternity spill into your contentment?

Psalms of Ascent

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:57:13 GMT

Unity That Feels Good To God

The Psalms of Ascent were songs for the journey—worshippers sang them as they traveled together toward Jerusalem and the Temple. These Psalms give voice to the sorts of things that go through worshippers' hearts as they prepare to worship. Today’s Psalm (133) is about relationships, people getting along and how God blesses us as we choose to live in harmony.

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Questions:

Psalm 133

Tell the story of an experience you had when, even in hard circumstances, people got along and lived in unity.
From your experience, what are the main causes of disunity in relationships?
Describe how ‘precious oil on the head’ and the ‘dew of Hermon’ capture the satisfaction of living in harmony.
How might Jesus’ love transform a relationship?
Is there a breakdown in a relationship that you need to revisit? Without throwing someone under the bus, discuss this with your small group.

Psalms of Ascent

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:32:31 GMT

Wonder At God's Creation

Psalm 104 is a song of praise that marvels at the beauty and order of God’s creation. From mountains to seas, seasons to creatures great and small, it reveals a world sustained by His power and care. This psalm invites us to stand in awe, give thanks, and consider our role as stewards of His handiwork. As we reflect, we’ll explore how creation points us to God’s character, draws us closer to Him, and shapes the way we live in His world.

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Questions:

Psalm 104

Which of your senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing) are you most grateful for, and how does it help you experience and draw closer to God?
What is something in God’s creation you’ve recently noticed or admired? How can you respond in praise or gratitude for it?
What part of God’s creation has He entrusted to your care? How can you participate in His work of restoring and renewing it?
Have you ever struggled with the idea of God as both Creator and Sustainer? Share your experience. How does it affect you to know that the Creator of the universe also knows you personally and loves you unconditionally?
Jesus came into our world (fully God and fully human); the Creator became part of His creation. Why do you think He did this, why is it so significant, and what does it reveal about God’s character?

Psalms of Ascent

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:03:54 GMT

Where Does Your Help Come From?

We humans need help! The question is, where will we turn for it? Psalm 121 invites us to look to God for true help.

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Questions:

Psalm 121

What do people in our culture tend to rely on to get security and significance? (What cultural idols do we have?)
What are you most tempted to turn to for security and help apart from God?
What promises do you notice in Psalm 121? Which one(s) most encourage you today?
How does Psalm 121 point to Jesus?
How would you explain Psalm 121 to a spiritually curious friend?

Psalms of Ascent

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:03:49 GMT

When God Builds The House

Psalm 127 reminds us that unless the Lord builds the house, our efforts are in vain. It's a call to trust—learning to rest in God's provision while recognizing that every good gift, including our work, our homes, and our children, ultimately rests in His hands.

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Questions:

Psalm 127

Read Psalm 127 v1 talks about houses we build and cities we protect. What are some things that our culture encourages us to build and/or protect?
What does it mean to let the Lord build the house or protect the city of our lives? How easy is it for you to trust God with these important things?
What helps you keep God at the center of your plans and work?
“Anxious toil” is contrasted with God’s rest in v2. How do you balance rest and work in your life? Are there any changes you may need to more closely align with God’s desire for rest for you?
How do you interpret v3, which describes children as a heritage from the Lord? What has it looked like for you to trust God with your family?

James: Get 'Er Done

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 01:55:00 GMT

Prayer That God Hears

A life of faith is a life of prayer. It’s also a life lived with others. When we follow Jesus, we belong to Him and to one another as brothers and sisters. As a family, we care for one another in weakness, confess our sins to each other, and gently confront one another.

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Questions:

James 5:13-20

What are some of the gifts and challenges of being in a family? How have you experienced similar gifts and challenges in our church family?
What has been your experience with praying for healing, either for yourself or for others? Have you experienced both disappointments and celebrations?
What is it like for you to confess your sins to another person? What kind of person do you look for when you confess?
When has someone gently confronted you with an area of your life that was off-track, and what was the outcome? What makes for a healthy “confrontation”?
How can this group care for you by praying with you this week?

James: Get 'Er Done

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 14:55:38 GMT

What Does Grace Do In A Believer?

James knows that the heart of the Christian message is grace. God gives us good that we couldn’t ever deserve. The truth is that we earn and deserve justice and punishment. Thankfully, Jesus took both of those for us and gave us the good he deserved. As powerful as grace is, there is one thing that can resist it. Listen in to find the one thing that repels grace.

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Questions:

James 4:6-10

Share a story about a time you experienced grace.
Grace is often better understood through stories than through definition, but if you had to explain grace to a person who has yet to believe, how would you explain it?
James says that God ‘graces’ the humble and opposes the proud. Explain how pride repels grade.
Unpack these three instructions: (1) Submit yourselves to God. (2) Resist the devil (3) Draw near to God. What have those looked like in your life?

James: Get 'Er Done

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 16:20:19 GMT

All Kinds Of Chaos

James is at it again! He has a real concern for the words that Christians use on themselves, with each other and with the world. Our tongues (James' favourite image for our words) can cause such destruction, and they are nearly impossible to control. What’s the solution? Fortunately, Jesus gets to the root of the problem and to the fix that works.

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Questions:

James 3:1-18

1. How do James’ words make you reflect on what you have said to others (or yourself) in the last few days?

2. Has the Holy Spirit brought to mind a recent (or years ago) incident, in which your words caused hurt, for which you need to repent and seek forgiveness? How will you approach that today?

3. What do your words reveal about your heart?

4. What part of ‘wisdom from heaven’ is most attractive to you this day?

Where or how in our culture do you see examples of people trying to earn belonging, love, or approval?
Who in your life has spoken good words of affirmation and love to you? How have their words impacted you?
The enemy’s lies usually are some version of “you don’t belong; you are unlovable; you’re a disappointment.” How have you encountered one of those lies in your life?
How easy is it for you to believe that, because we are “in” Christ, what is true for Jesus is true for you?
Which part of the Father’s blessing (“you are my child; I love you; I’m proud of you”) do you most need to absorb right now? Is there a next step for you in that?

Baptism

Sun, 25 May 2025 11:28:30 GMT

Repentance

This Sunday, we start a short3-week message series on baptism.

The first mention of baptism in the Bible begins with John. John was the cousin of Jesus and also His opening act. John called the people of his day to "Get Ready." The public sign of a life getting ready for God was, and still is, baptism. Get washed so God can do what God wants to do.

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Questions

Luke 3:1-20

Have you been baptized? Tell that story. In your opinion, what is the purpose of baptism?
What is required or involved in repentance? Be sure to consult verse 4.
John gave his listeners specific directions about what repentance would look like in their lives. Examine those closely. How might the Holy Spirit speak to you about how to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance"?
John knows that Jesus is the Main Act. What might it mean (see v. 16) to have Jesus baptize us in “the Holy Spirit and fire”?
John spoke out against Herod for stealing and then marrying his brother’s wife. Should Christians speak up about the sin in other people’s lives, or keep quiet about it?

The Story | How Does It All End? | Chapter 31

Sun, 18 May 2025 22:22:43 GMT

The Life Of Jesus

Jesus wins; Jesus has already won; stay faithful to Jesus! This is the message of John’s sometimes confusing book of Revelation. It is full of encouragement and hope for disciples. Jesus, the Lamb, is on the throne. And he is preparing a future for us that includes heaven and so much more!

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Questions

Revelation 21:1-8

What is your reaction to the book of Revelation? Why do you experience it the way that you do?*
How have you envisioned the end of the age (or the end of the world)? How does your picture of the end of the story match John’s revelation? How is it different?
Of all of the symbols and images in this passage, which one most powerfully communicates hope to you? Why?
Why is it important for us to have a clear vision of the future? How can it make a difference in our discipleship today?
v8 is a sober warning. How would you explain the warning to someone curious about faith?
We’re at the end of the story! How would you summarize (in 1-2 minutes) the whole story for someone who has never encountered the Bible before?

What is one dream you have for your life?
The Jewish leaders had waited for hundreds of years for the Messiah to show up. Why were they so angry with Jesus?
What was Jesus claiming when he said “Before Abraham was, I am”? Do you have trouble understanding Jesus to be the God of the Old Testament? How do you make sense of that?
Do you feel that God has ever let you down? If so, what expectation did you have that God didn’t live up to? In what way(s) has your faith had to adjust to who Jesus really is?
They tried to stone him (for blasphemy) but Jesus escaped, only to lay his life down for their sin a short time later. What difference does it make in your life that Jesus chose to die in your place?

The Story | Who Is Lost? | Chapter 24

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 14:16:54 GMT

The Life Of Jesus

Jesus tells a story about a father with two lost sons. The rule-breaking younger son was lost in self-indulgence, and the rule-keeping older son was lost in self-righteousness. The father loved both generously and even recklessly. Both needed to be found. Were they?

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Chapter 24: Luke 15:11-32

There were two groups of people in Jesus’ audience: “sinners and tax collectors” (rule-breakers) and “Pharisees and scribes” (rule-keepers). Where have you seen those groups in today’s society?
Which son do you most identify with? Why?
How does the father’s love for his sons surprise or challenge you?
Is there a person or type of person you might be prone to judge or resent? What would it look like for you to be reconciled to them?
Who in your life is far from God? How can you cultivate a compassionate heart like the father’s toward them? How can we do this as a church?

The Story | How Far Is Too Far For God? | Chapter 23

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 01:43:27 GMT

The Life Of Jesus

Jesus announced that the Kingdom of God had arrived and everyone wondered what that would look like. Would it mean swords and fighting or a political takeover? John records a couple of one-on-one conversations that Jesus had. What an interesting Kingdom! It turns out that  each person matters in the Kingdom of God, each woman and each man matter eternally.

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Chapter 23: John 4:4-26

The woman at the well qualified as an outcast. She was an outcast of outcasts! Who, in your opinion, might be in that category in our day?
Explain how radical it was that Jesus spoke with her and revealed first to her that he is the Messiah?
What kind of healing did He bring to the woman at the well? How does that shape our understanding of what it means for Jesus to heal us?
Explore what it means to worship the Father in spirit and in truth?
If you’re comfortable sharing, what is one area in which you need healing? How could you make a first move towards Jesus for healing?

The Story | Why Was The World Made? | Chapter 22

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 11:36:42 GMT

The Life Of Jesus

The story of the Bible is the Story of Jesus, God’s plan all along was to come as one of us to rescue us from sin and death and to reset us to live radically different lives. Today’s passage offers a different (still true!) beginning to the story of Jesus' life on earth.

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Chapter 22: John 1:1-14a

If you could ask Jesus one question, what would it be? Why?
In your own words, explain, “the Word was with God and the Word was God.” What difference does it make that Jesus is God and not some messenger boy?
“The Light shines in the darkness but the darkness cannot overcome it.” What are some ways you see darkness at work in the world today? When was the last time you felt like your faith was at risk of being ‘overcome’? How did you navigate that?
Explain the power of ‘becoming a child of God’ (John 1:12). Include in your discussion how 1st century believers would have heard this. How is being a “child” of God different from being a follower or a member of a church?
Some people in Jesus’ time—and today—don’t recognize or receive Him. What’s your approach to those close to you who don’t believe in Jesus? How might Jesus be prompting you in those conversations and friendships?

The Story | Where Are You? | Chapter 20

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 01:32:19 GMT

Hope: The Return of the Exiles

The story of Esther is surprising—not once is God mentioned. Yet God’s silence is not the same as his absence. He works for good, even through ordinary events and with flawed people.

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Chapter 20: Esther 4:10-17

How would you compare the Persian culture to our culture today? Why do you think some Jews chose to stay there instead of returning to Israel?
Esther hid her identity when she entered Xerxes’ harem. When have you witnessed someone make moral compromises to blend in? Has that ever been a temptation for you?
When in your life have you wondered where God is? How does Esther's story speak to that experience?
How have you seen God working in the ordinary events of your life to bring good?
Esther and Mordecai were imperfect, maybe even disobedient. God still used them. How do you feel about that? Is it the same for us today?

The Story | Could God Still Love Me? | Chapter 19

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 14:40:41 GMT

Hope: The Return of the Exiles

The book of Ezra tells the story of the return of God’s people from exile. The account details the extra care that was taken by the returnees in doing their best to reproduce what they once had. Very quickly they got the old altar operational and began to rebuild the temple. Our story is about what they chose to do on the day the foundation of the new temple was in place. There was a party that didn’t feel like a party for everyone and that’s just honest!

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Chapter 19: Ezra 3:10-13

Share one picture on your phone and tell the story behind it.
The people of God were already offering sacrifices, why did the Temple matter so much to them?
Their song of choice was “God is good, his love endures forever.” Explain that. What might your life’s theme song be? Explain your choice.
The story records that on that day some shouted for joy and others wept loudly. God welcomes both. How comfortable are you with your emotions? How comfortable are you when other people express their emotions?
What do you think the greatest challenge is for St. Paul’s Leaskale right now?

The Story | Can Your God Rescue You? | Chapter 18

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:10:38 GMT

Hope: The Return of the Exiles

The book of Daniel is all about the Sovereignty of God. The God of Israel proves himself sovereign even in faraway Babylon: boys receive foreign favour and are released from having to eat rich and potentially unkosher food. Young men are saved from a fiery furnace, and old man Daniel doesn’t get eaten by a den of hungry lions. God proves he’s not limited by international borders, arrogant kings or wild beasts. All of this points forward to Jesus, who demonstrated his sovereignty (he is God, after all!) in different ways.

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Chapter 18: Daniel 6:1-24

1. Have you ever had a life experience where you felt you were in a ‘lion’s den’ sure to be eaten alive? Maybe an addiction, a manipulative relationship, or a medical diagnosis. Were you aware of God being with you? Share that story.

2. Darius listened to the wrong voices, likely because he enjoyed their (false) affirmation. Identify the voices you are listening to these days. How do you know if they are voices of truth or subtle lies?

3. Daniel had a practice of praying 3 times a day. That practice kept him rooted in his relationship with God. What Christian practice(s) do you have in your life? What practice would you like to develop?

4. God could have rescued Daniel before the lion's den, but he allowed Daniel to go through it instead. Why does God allow us to go through difficult experiences when he could intervene and help us avoid hard times?

When The King Comes | Does My Life Have Meaning?

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:10:30 GMT

Advent 2024

Luke 1:26-38

Mary was approached by the angel Gabriel and told she was the one to carry the “Son of the Most High”. She was curious and submissive, but she didn’t ‘feel the love’ until she walked 150 km to visit her relative Elizabeth. Together, they processed what was going on in their lives. That was the beginning of Christianity! Two believers getting honest and committing themselves to God and each other, no matter what.

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Luke 1:26-38

Describe a friendship that has been life-giving to you and your faith in Jesus.
Would you say that, like Mary, you are highly favoured by God? Why or why not?
Look at the descriptions of v. 32-33. What does each phrase mean? Why does each one matter so much?
Do you have an Elizabeth (or Mary) in your life who can help you identify and enter into all of what God is doing in your life? If so, what’s that like? If not, how might you position yourself for that?

When The King Comes | Where Can I Find Joy In Life?

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 13:01:37 GMT

Advent 2024

Micah 5:1-5a

When the Wisemen arrived in Jerusalem looking for the ‘King of the Jews’, the scholars read our Micah passage and told them to go to Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the place of the king's birth. That prophecy had been given 700 years before Mary and Joseph trundled into sleepy Bethlehem. All of this: Micah’s prophecy, the difficulty of his time in history, translates into joy for us and potential joy for all the generations of the earth.

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Micah 5:1-5a

Look over your life; when did you feel the most joy? Tell that story to your group.
How would you explain joy to your friends asking you about the Christian faith?
Have you ever felt ‘under siege’ or that you’d been struck in the face emotionally? How did you respond? Do you think Jesus cares about your hard times? Explain.
How do you explain “one whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”? Is this a legitimate claim to Jesus being God, or does it mean something else?
What is gained in Jesus being our shepherd? Does that term deliver hope and joy, or does it feel underwhelming to you?

When The King Comes | How Do I Find Peace?

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 17:32:47 GMT

Advent 2024

1 Samuel 8:4-22

The Israelites want peace without God as king. They have their own solution for national success: a new system of government. But there’s a flaw in their solution that will ultimately see them trapped by it … until the true king comes to rescue them.

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1 Samuel 8:4-22

In the Bible, the word shalom (peace) means more than just the absence of conflict. It means everything is restored, completed, integrated, and flourishing. What image comes to mind when you think of this kind of peace?
Can you describe a time when you experienced broken peace? How about a time when you experienced restored peace?
What are some of the ways, or solutions, people use to find peace and happiness without God? Can you spot the flaws in some of these solutions?
What does it look like for someone to live with Jesus as their true king?
How would you explain to a spiritually curious friend Jesus’ promise that he gives us real peace?
What habits help you be with Jesus in your everyday life?

When The King Comes | Is Life Supposed To Be Like This?

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:41:17 GMT

Advent 2024

Genesis 1:31-2:3

This is the beginning of the Beginning! The Creation story lays out many bedrock truths, including our purpose and God's purpose. The 7th day of Creation reveals that God is the rightful King and we are part of a good Kingdom. These two truths alone are the foundation for life-giving hope.

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Genesis 1:31-2:3

How would you define ‘hope’? Recall a time when you had hope (confidence!) for something that had yet to arrive.
In what ways could you use or draw upon the truths of the Creation Story to encourage a friend who was feeling hopeless?
Does the picture of Creation (Earth and the far-flung stars) as God’s Temple resonate for you? In what ways does the visible creation move you to worship?
God is the King of the Universe. With your small group, track through the Scriptures and remind each other how ‘kingship’ plays out through Israel’s history, through Jesus’ birth and death and into the promise of the life to come.
Pray together for the person you named on the Christmas ornament you hung this past Sunday.

The Story | What Is The Worst Sin? | Chapter 12

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 16:25:19 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

“David and Bathsheba” is synonymous with leadership failure. It’s heartbreaking to hear of a person who walks with God, “a man after God’s heart,” ruining lives through an impulsive act. The passage is clear that “God was not pleased with what David had done” and, amazingly, God didn’t throw the towel in on David. Even at his worst, perhaps especially at his worst, David experienced God’s redemption.

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Chapter 12: 2 Samuel 11:1-18

What’s your response when you hear that a Christian leader has failed? How do you process that?
Scroll through the passage and note the various opportunities David had to change course. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit trying to stop you when you’re accelerating headlong into sin?
Sin is ugly and it hurts people. What offense(s) do you find most difficult to forgive?
Explain how Jesus’ death on the cross can mean forgiveness for us.
Rate yourself 0-10 on being able to forgive deeply from your heart. Rate yourself 0-10 on your willingness to repent when you’re wrong.
Have you ever been part of a community that did grace and reconciliation really well? Tell that story.

The Story | How Can I Find Courage? | Chapter 11

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:46:13 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

The Israelites were afraid of the Philistine champion, Goliath. They needed a champion to rescue them, and at just the right time, God sent them a shepherd king who risked his life to defeat the enemy. The God who sent David to rescue the Israelites is the same God who came to us as the humble shepherd-king Jesus and gave his life to save us all.

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Chapter 11: 1 Samuel 17:32-50

Do you have a favourite story/book/movie about someone facing their fear or anxiety head-on? Share that story.
On what does Goliath base his courage? Where have you seen examples of Goliath’s kind of courage?
Why does Saul’s courage fail him? Where have you witnessed failed courage like Saul’s?
How does David as Israel’s champion point to Jesus?
What makes you anxious or afraid? How could you tackle that fear differently, trusting Jesus as your champion who has already won the victory?
How would you explain Jesus’ rescue of us to an unchurched friend?

The Story | Has Your Leader Failed? | Chapter 10

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 21:23:59 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

The first human king of Israel was a flop. Saul had loads of promise, but he never learned to keep his eyes on God. God was a duty to Saul, not a friend, which meant Saul was always thinking of himself, what people thought of him, and what he needed to look good.

Expert fire inspectors can tell what started a fire even after it has been put out. They do the forensic work to prevent future fires. As we sort through the ashes of Saul’s life, stay alert to God’s cautions about your life and leadership.

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Chapter 10: 1 Samuel 13:5-15

Who would be three leaders that you admire most? Explain your choices.
Why would God revoke the kingdom from Saul just for offering some sacrifices?
Why is being afraid of what other people think so crippling for humans and so dangerous for Christians?
Is there an area in your life—such as forgiveness, money, or relationships—where you may not be fully obeying God and feel you’re exempt from obeying Him?
What does your ‘kingdom’ feel like these days? Ask those closest to you about the qualities they see at the core of how you live and lead.
Jesus came announcing the Kingdom of God. Describe the Kingdom of God that Jesus brings. What matters most in that Kingdom? What matters least? Does this align with your life?

The Story | What is Real Friendship Like? | Chapter 9

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 13:51:53 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

The tiny book of Ruth in your Bible is all about friendship. The name Ruth actually means friendship. Two women lash themselves to each other, wondering what God might do for them during a bleak time in their lives. It’s the story of hard work, courage, and God coordinating the needed pieces behind the scenes.

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Chapter 9: Ruth 1:1-22

What’s the best friendship you’ve ever had or have in your life? What has made it so life-giving for you?
Reflect on a time you experienced an unhealthy friendship (without naming names!). What attitudes or behaviors have you noticed that can undermine or damage friendships?
What stands out for you in Ruth’s vows to Naomi? Is making such vows even wise? Explain.
Can you describe the covenant that Jesus has made with believers? What promises has he made? Is this a covenant that you have entered?
How might the story of Ruth help you share the hope you have in Jesus with a friend who doesn’t yet believe?

The Story | Why Is The World A Mess? | Chapter 8

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:52:21 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

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Chapter 8: Judges 21:15-25

Do the gruesome task of familiarizing yourselves with the full story of ch.19-21. What stands out to you?
How do you explain the presence of evil on Earth?
How does the Bible account for the existence of evil in a world created and sustained by God?
Unpack the phrase, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” What is the impact of not having a king, and how does it affect a society where everyone does what seems right in their own eyes?
Does the term "orphan spirit" resonate with you? Why or why not?
How does someone come to believe that their Heavenly Father truly loves them? What has helped you personally?

The Story | Am I Good Enough For God? | Chapter 7

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:20:21 GMT

Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.

A Canaanite sex worker, Rahab seemed as far from God as a person could be. But Rahab trusted that God would save her, and he did. God rescued Rahab from shame and into a whole new life with a whole new family. That’s what he does for us, too.

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Chapter 7: Joshua 2:8-21

As you look at our world today, what “Jerichos” do you see—those places where people get stuck in abuse and shame?
Read Hebrews 11:31. Why is it significant that Rahab’s name appears in this list of Israel’s heroes of the faith?
What do we learn about God from Rahab’s story?
Rahab’s story can be told in three words: shame; trust; rescue. What three words would you use to tell your story?
Who are you praying will trust Jesus to rescue them, like Rahab did? Is there an opportunity for you to listen to them, eat a meal (or grab a coffee!) with them, serve them, or share your faith with them?

How does viewing evangelism as a formula or task differ from seeing it as an invitation to follow Jesus?
How can you grow in "delighting in the fear of God" mentioned in Isaiah 11:3a?
The phrase "Desire motivates, not duty" can apply to sharing your faith. How can you pray about this idea to help you when witnessing to others?
Isaiah 11:3b says, "He (Jesus) will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears.” Are there any people you need God to help you see differently?
Read Isaiah 11:10. Which nations do you feel Jesus is asking you to pray for?

Temptation Pt. 3 | Matt. 4:1-11

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 15:09:42 GMT

What’s Wrong with Shortcuts?

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness happened at the hands of an enemy who wanted to derail him … and who now wants to destroy us. We need to be aware of this enemy’s presence, stay alert to his methods, and learn how to avoid them.

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Matthew 4:1-11

In what ways does our culture minimize or make light of the devil and his strategies?
What is your view of the devil? Skeptical? Curious? Avoidant? Fearful? Why?
The devil offered an easy way to the kingdom Jesus had come for. Explain the problem with the devil’s shortcut. Where do you see people taking those kinds of shortcuts today?
The tempter came to Jesus when he was isolated in the wilderness. When are you most vulnerable to temptation?
What is the enemy whispering most often to you these days? What Scripture would help you turn to Jesus in those moments?

Temptation Pt. 2 | Matt. 4:1-11

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 14:59:44 GMT

Is God Testing Me?

We’re halfway through our study of Jesus’ three temptations. One aspect that often goes unnoticed about this event is His incredible restraint. Such humility! In a situation that might suggest a dramatic "clash of the Titans" with lightning bolts and grandiose speeches, Jesus' response to Satan’s second temptation is remarkably succinct—just one line. Talk about understated! How might humility influence the way you resist temptation?

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Matthew 4:1-11

Recall a time when you felt like God failed you. Share that story.
On a scale of 1-10, how important is it to you that people respect you? How do you handle disrespect from others?
Satan quotes the Bible! What steps can Christians take to ensure they don’t misuse the truths of the Bible?
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6, which references a story in Exodus 17. Find that story. Explain how God experienced that as a test of His goodness and why that was a problem.
Are you testing God in your life with conditional statements like, “God, if you do this, then I’ll do that”? What might be a better approach to the difficult situations you face?

Temptation | Matt. 4:1-11

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 14:05:27 GMT

How Do I Combat The Devil?

Temptation is unavoidable. To be human is to be tempted. Jesus was tempted, which is reassuring. For the next three weeks, we’re looking at the story of Jesus's temptation. It is always interesting to notice which temptations the devil uses to try to hook different people. This Sunday, we look at the devil’s attempt to get Jesus to turn stones into bread.

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Matthew 4:1-11

What is a common temptation you face? Is there something underneath it (a lie) that the devil is trying to use against you
Describe the words spoken over Jesus at His baptism (passage before ours). How does each of the Father’s three phrases resonate with you?
Explain how the Spirit of God would lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.
What’s so wrong with turning stones into bread, especially when Jesus was hungry?
Explain the difference between Jesus being our Example and being our Substitute. Which is better and why?

Bring Your Best | Rev. 5:1-14

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 17:49:30 GMT

What is Heaven Like?

Worship means more than singing but never less. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, reveals scenes in heaven filled with lots of singing! While Revelation isn’t all about singing and dancing, the creatures of heaven and earth sing because Jesus is King, and everything will be made well. It's clear that we are meant to worship and sing even when life is tough.

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Revelation 5:1-14

What are your favourite songs to sing in worship? Why do they resonate with you?
Revelation 5 shows us how special Jesus is. What stands out to you about who he is and what he has done? Consider imagery like the horns, eyes, and the lamb that was slain.
How easy is it for you to worship? Are there any obstacles that make it difficult for you?
Can you share a story of a difficult time in your life when you chose to worship and trust Jesus, even though you didn’t know the outcome?

Bring Your Best | Acts 2:36-47

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 19:39:40 GMT

What Is Church Supposed To Be Like?

Acts 2 reminds us that while we can and do worship alone, the best worship happens when we’re together! The Bible offers no picture of the day when heaven comes to earth when we’ll be off on our own as individuals! We’ll stand, kneel, and bow with the millions who have called Jesus LORD. The church got off to such a start; 3,000 people were stirred to trust Jesus, worship together, and then opened their homes to each other! Watch what God does when people worship!

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Acts 2:36-47

Tell the story of a concert, sporting event, or another large gathering that made an impression on you.
Define repentance (v. 37) and say, if at all, what it has looked like in your life.
Discuss what each of the following includes for a church: (1) devotion to the apostles' teaching, (2) fellowship, (3) the breaking of bread, and (4) prayer. Then, discuss what they might look like for your group.
Tell of a time you experienced generosity (v. 45) within the church.
Do you think God still performs miracles (v. 43)? If your answer is ‘yes,’ do you have any thoughts about why they seem so infrequent?

Bring Your Best | 2 Samuel 6:11-23

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 14:52:21 GMT

When God Shows Up

The Bible is often the story of how humans get things wrong. Thankfully, there are exceptions! David dancing before the ark of God is the story of the day—humans (mostly) got it right. This is a bright picture of worship. Worship is when God is honoured, and people come alive.

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2 Samuel 6:11-23

What pictures and stories come to mind when you think of worship?
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your preparedness for worship? What specific actions could you take to prepare yourself for worship?
What are you deeply passionate about? How can you channel this passion into your worship of the Living God? Share specific examples of how you could do this.
In what ways and why did Michal miss out on worship? Explain how this story serves as a caution against carelessness or neglect in worship.
Take time this week to worship outside of Sunday morning. Read Psalm 100, 46, 63, 65, or 66. Turn on some worship music and sing. Find a way to engage your body—dance, draw, paint, doodle, or lie outside on a cloudless night and count the stars.

Bring Your Best | Exodus 15:18-21

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 04:30:40 GMT

Can Christians Dance?

The world misses out on so much worship! God does amazing things daily, yet we often shrug our shoulders, thank our ‘lucky stars,’ and keep our foot on the pedal. Not Miriam! Miriam understands that worship happens when people notice what God has done, find words (and tambourines), and get up and dance in celebration of God’s good gifts.

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Exodus 15:18-21

Recall the last time you danced for joy. What did that look like? Share your story.
Do you feel that God has rescued your life? Share the details of that rescue.
On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at giving God thanks for His good gifts? Rate your church as well. How can we improve our gratitude?
What do you seek from worship? What do you expect from a Sunday morning service?
How should less demonstrative Christians (not inclined to dance or lift their hands) express their gratitude? Should they join the dance or find another way to express their thanks? Explain your answer.

Bring Your Best

Sun, 26 May 2024 14:23:34 GMT

Why Does Worship Matter?

Is worship an optional activity for religious people? Why does worship matter? The truth is that we all worship—it’s just a question of who or what we worship. The story of Cain and Abel shows us that who we worship forms our hearts, guides our actions, and determines our lives. Worship really matters!

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Gen. 4:1-16

Who or what do you see our culture worshipping?
When have you seen someone’s worship—what is most important to them—influence their emotions, actions, or life trajectory?
Abel offered God the “fat portions of the firstborn.” He gave the best of the best. What would Abel’s kind of worship look like today?
What does your budget say about who or what you are worshipping? How about your calendar?
Cain’s worship of himself leaked out in anger and resentment. Is there something that can trigger anger and resentment for you? Could it be related to something you are worshipping?

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sun, 19 May 2024 15:27:10 GMT

Transformed By Grace

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church reminds them of how we are made alive in Christ, transformed by His grace into a new creation. We are able to live life with a new purpose and identity as a masterpiece of God's design.

Outdoor Christian Educator and guest speaker Ryan Lamoureux will use the monarch butterfly from God's creation to illustrate this transformational process.

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Ephesians 2:1-10

What aspect of God's creation piques your curiosity or fascinates you?
Have you ever found yourself more focused on rules and performance than on God's grace and mercy? Share your experience.
What challenges do you encounter in embracing your identity as a new creation, particularly when standing out from the prevailing culture?
Where do you currently see Jesus actively working in your life? What recent lesson has He taught you?
How can you acknowledge God's role in your life amidst the world's brokenness, giving Him glory for His creation?

Included | Romans 16:1-16

Sun, 12 May 2024 15:32:30 GMT

The List

Paul finishes his letter to the church in Rome with a list, not exactly best-seller material. His aim wasn't literary acclaim, although his work became influential; instead, he was interested in fostering and fortifying connections.

Reflecting on Paul's list may have you thinking about your own list: the people God has used in your life to bring you closer to Him.

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Romans 16:1-16

Review the list you composed in response to the message and share some of the highlights/memories you have there.
Describe the kinds of people God has used in your life. Are there any similarities?
Describe the kind of friend you are; what do you bring to a friendship?
Take time to pray for each person in your small group and discuss strategies for fostering stronger bonds within this close-knit community as you journey together.

Included | Romans 15:1-13

Sun, 05 May 2024 20:37:39 GMT

Unlikely Friends

Paul never recovered from God's invitation to the Gentiles.

Like some of us, perhaps, he felt that some people should be excluded because of where they were born or how badly they had behaved.

More than included, Paul instructs that former ‘outsiders’ should be treated as precious insiders - even better than we would treat ourselves. What would it look like if love came to town?

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Romans 15:1-13

Do you have a friend you never thought would be your friend? Tell that story.
How could a strong Christian ‘bear with the failings’ of a weak Christian? Give an example.
The Scriptures often teach us about endurance and provide us with encouragement. What passages have recently inspired you in your faith journey?
Hope features loudly in this passage. How do you explain your hope to someone who doesn’t yet believe?
As you look at our world, who would be the least likely to become friends with each other? Take time to pray for that impossible friendship.

Included | Romans 14:7-13

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 19:56:18 GMT

Cheering For Each Other

Human beings need reminders about how to get along, and Christians are no exception. We especially need reminders about how to love each other while we disagree.

Paul draws the believers' hearts and minds back to what Jesus has done, and that paves the way for loving each other well through conflict.

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Romans 14:7-13

Reflect on the issues that often spark discussions and disagreements in your relationships. What are they, and how do they affect your interactions?
Explain how “we belong to the LORD” provides perspective to any disagreement between Christians.
What is the root of contempt? What does that grow out of in our lives?
Verse 12 states that 'each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.' How does this truth resonate with you? How does it make you feel in your ‘tummy’? And what are your hopes for that day?
What would it look like for you to ‘make someone’s life easier’ after a disagreement with them?

Included | Romans 13:8-14

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:17:24 GMT

Love Others; Reject Darkness

How do we live with Jesus in a society that opposes him? Paul tells us to wake up to our resurrection hope. When we do that, loving others and rejecting sin in our own lives makes sense.

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Romans 13:8-14

When have you seen someone love their neighbours well without compromising their commitment to Jesus?
What would it look like to live as if you were in the future kingdom of light while still in our current time of darkness?
How does love “fulfill the law?”
How can you show love to a neighbour this week? And: how can your small group show love to your community?
Is there an area of darkness in your life that needs to be rejected? What next step can you take to do that?

Included | Romans 12

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:36:49 GMT

His Body, Our Body

Romans 12 is the description of what happens when God’s mercy overflows in a church’s life. Lifelong attitudes change, love becomes genuine, mocking enemies are not met with equal and opposite force but, quite the opposite, with peace and gentleness. Be praying even now for how God will speak uniquely to your small group.

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Romans 12

Was there an event in your life in which someone showed you mercy? What difference, if any, did that make in your life since then?
How might a Christian in 2024 offer their body as a ‘living sacrifice’?
Describe a specific way in which God has 'renewed your mind', maybe changed your thinking or interests or attitudes.
How has God gifted you to serve? How are you doing at using that gift for the good of others?
In what specific way is God calling you to ‘active love’. What need(s) are you aware of and how are you moving towards that need?
Is there a difficult person or situation in your life right now? What would it look like to retaliate in your response to that? And what would it look like to respond "in view of God’s mercy”?

Included | Romans 11:25-36

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:08:21 GMT

Israel And Us

All along, we’ve been saying that God’s heart is to see us INCLUDED. That’s why Jesus came, and that’s the subject of Paul’s letter to the Romans. At times, Christians forget God’s radical inclusion of them and go back to the old patterns of competing and comparing. Sadly, that was happening in the Roman Church. Paul has one powerful dose for that sickness.

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Romans 11:25-36

When did you last encounter a division within a social group, workplace, school, or even at church? How did you navigate the situation?
Through Jesus, God brought together Jews and Gentiles in a partnership that no one could have imagined. Have you ever witnessed or experienced an ‘impossible’ reconciliation? Tell that story.
Conceit causes division. Describe the ways that conceit raises its head on both the offending and offended side of a division.
Use words and even stories to define God’s mercy. What does God’s mercy look like in your life? Do your best to avoid churchy language when telling your story.
Paul marvels that mercy, not meanness or might, is at the core of God’s wisdom and knowledge. End your time as a group in prayer grateful for God’s mercy to all - especially those who call on his name.

Easter | Matthew 28:1-10

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 21:56:02 GMT

Do Not Be Afraid

The resurrection changed everything! The story includes an invitation, a blessing, and a commission for the first witnesses … and for us today.

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Matthew 28:1-10

How do people today read the resurrection story? Is it largely inspirational fiction, a historical event, or something else? Explain.
What doubts or questions have you had about the resurrection? How do you handle those?
Where do you see fear at work in the lives of people around you or in your own life? How can Jesus’ resurrection speak to that fear?
How would you explain Jesus’ resurrection and its significance to someone who hasn’t heard about it?
What might it look like for you to “go and tell” others about Jesus this week?

Included | Romans 10:8-15

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:28:02 GMT

Included Together

I love it when people have the gift of communicating clearly. Paul, following Moses in the second half of Deuteronomy 30, does exactly that: communicates clearly. Here’s what it means to become and be a Christian: it means believing the Resurrection and not keeping that good news to yourself! Clear, but not easy! This is something you’ll do for the rest of your life!

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Romans 10:8-15

How was Christianity first explained to you? How do you understand Christianity now—the same or differently?
What does it mean to "believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead?"
“Jesus is LORD” was the most counter cultural statement a person could make in Paul’s day. Is it still counter-cultural today? Explain your answer.
Verses 10, 11, 13 use the word ’saved’. What does ’saved’ mean?
Talk about your "feet": those things in your life that you’re not proud of. Is there a chance that God wants to use those feet to be beautiful messengers to someone He has put in your life?

Included | Romans 9

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 22:49:54 GMT

By God's Choice

The word “predestination” tends to get the hair on the back of people’s necks standing on end! Nobody likes the idea of God choosing who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’. Paul doesn’t really mean to tackle that question in this passage but he does intend to talk about what God’s plan is for humanity and how we are included in carrying that plan.

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Romans 9

Paul is brokenhearted about Israel missing out on Jesus. What grabs your heart these days?
Isaac was chosen not Ishmael. To explain this, Paul talks about ‘children of the promise’. How do promises work and why is that important for Christians?
Explain verse 18.
In what way is v. 25 good news?
v. 33 Did you ever ‘stumble’ on Jesus? How did you find your footing?

Included | Romans 8:18-39

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:12:58 GMT

Included in Suffering

The world is broken and in pain, and so are we. All of us suffer, including (maybe especially) followers of Jesus. But Jesus gives us resources for walking through suffering: a perspective shaped by hope, prayer to process pain and grief, and the promise of his forever, unlimited love.

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Romans 8:18-39

What does our culture tell us about suffering and how to handle it? What has the church told you about this?
Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. How do Paul’s sufferings affect how you read Romans 8:18-39?
Read this translation of Romans 8:28: “We know that God co-works all things for good with those who love God.” What does this mean to you? How does it compare to your perspective on suffering?
Read Psalm 44:22-26, a lament that Paul quotes in this passage. Share a situation where you have prayed like that or where you need to pray like that.
How real is God’s promise of love for you? What habits or practices can you use to remind you of his love?

Bonus:

What do you know about your ancestors (good and bad!). Share a story with your group.
Have you ever considered that, as a Christian, the ancient nation of Israel is also part of your ancestry? Explain why that is good news.
Do you relate to the sentence: “I do what I don’t want to do and don’t do what I want to do?” Explain.
Can your group come up with an explanation for how, exactly, Jesus “rescues us from this body of death?”
Do you find this passage fundamentally discouraging or encouraging? Explain

Included | Romans 6:1-14

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 21:59:08 GMT

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” In our service today, we heard testimonies from those being baptised and becoming a member at St. Paul's Leaskdale.

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Romans 6:1-14

What is your story so far with God? Share that with the group. Give us the 120 second version.
Part of becoming a member in a Christian church is renouncing (means saying “No more”) the devil, the flesh and the world. What do each of those mean?
Christians declare: “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour”! What did he save you from and what is he Lord of in your life?
Christians have always additionally vowed to ‘plug into the church’: continue to mature, give financially, serve significantly, join Jesus’ mission to the world. Which do you find easiest? Which is hardest for you?

Included | Romans 5:1-11

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:02:36 GMT

Poured His Love

One of the modern struggles for those who trust Jesus is what to do with suffering. How can a loving God allow suffering? That question did not trouble Paul in the least.He knew that suffering, at least for now, is a universal human experience. The real question for Paul was: How does the cross of Christ redeem suffering? He dives into that and, not surprisingly, it gives him one more reason to talk about the fantastic love of God expressed in the death of Jesus.

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Romans 5:1-11

What has your experience of suffering been? How did you navigate your soul through that?
Paul details that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Has that been your experience?
The passage talks about boasting 3 times (in v.3 “glory” should be translated “boast”). What does Paul mean by boasting? Could ‘boasting’ change your life for good?
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Explain why this is the most amazing, dizzying claim a human has ever made: Almighty God dies for ungrateful humans. Has this truth settled into your soul?
God’s enemies have become God’s friends (v10). Does your life represent that? Who in your life is an enemy of God’s? Take time to pray for that person

Included | Romans 4:18-25

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 22:39:36 GMT

Against All Hope

What does it mean, and what does it look like to ’trust God’? It’s one thing to talk about theories or doctrine; it’s another to actually do it! Enter Abraham and Sarah, two people staring down the barrel of a hopeless situation. Faith may not look like what you think.

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Romans 4:18-25

Recall a situation in your life that felt hopeless. How did that turn out? Tell that story.
Verse 19 claims that Abraham faced his hopeless situation “without weakening in his faith”? If you’ve read the account in Genesis, you might not evaluate Abraham that way. How do you reconcile those two versions of the same story?
The upshot of Abraham’s story is that God credited righteousness to him. What does that mean? What did it mean for Abraham? What does it mean for you?
God requires faith from you, except for you - it's faith about God raising Jesus from the dead. Why must Christians believe that?
Is there a hopeless situation in your life right now? Share that and pray with each other over those issues.

Included | Romans 3:21-31

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 15:45:18 GMT

Included By Faith

We have a problem: sin. It has us trapped. But God has an amazing solution! By grace he justifies us, giving us what we could never earn. The good news of Jesus is that by faith we are included in God’s rescue.

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Romans 3:21-31

Romans 3:23 says that we “all fall short of the glory of God.” What’s your reaction to the idea that we are all included as sinners?
What are some ways that you see people trying to “justify” their worth or significance? How does that play out?
What does it mean to have “faith in Jesus Christ” (v 22, 26)? What does that look like in your life?
V 24 says that we are “justified freely by his grace through Christ Jesus.” How would you explain this sentence to someone who is asking questions about faith?
Paul says that we “uphold the law” (v 31). What does that mean? How has your relationship with Jesus changed your attitudes and actions?

Included | Romans 1:18-2:1

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 18:12:37 GMT

Dark Minds, Dark Lives

Paul wrote to the small church in Rome even though he’d never met them. They were one church he hadn’t planted. In some ways the letter is him making friends. Good friends make us feel included; they let us know that we belong. It wasn’t something that Paul did that included the believers in Rome; it was what Jesus had done and was doing in them through his Spirit that allowed them to belong. The letter begins with Paul telling them just how ‘included’ they were!

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Romans 1:18-32

Sermon Questions:

Tell the story of when you saw something in creation and were overwhelmed with its beauty and majesty.
v. 21 says that even though people know God, they neither “glorify him” nor “give thanks to him.” Explain what kind of glory and gratitude humans rightly owe to God. What has that looked like in your life recently?
Sex is often a favourite target for Satan; why do you think that’s the case?
“God gave them over” appears 3x in the passage. What exactly does that include? Was there a time when God gave you over to some sin? How did that play out?
There’s a possibility of reading a passage like this and only feeling rotten about yourself. How might you see yourself and the Lord Jesus differently than that? Could this passage be an example of Proverbs 27:6?

Included | Romans 1:1-17

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 20:41:00 GMT

Included

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Romans 1:1-17

Remember a friend from childhood that made you feel included. Tell that story.
How do you explain the ‘Good News’ or gospel? Give us your 30-second version.
Take time with each of Paul’s “I am” statements: “I am a debtor.” “I am so eager.” “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” In what way does one, or all, of these apply to your life right now?
Explain the phrase, “The righteous will live by faith.” What are the other options people try to live by?
In what ways can you or your group be more inviting or more careful with others so that they know they are also included in God’s Good News?

Guess Who's Coming to Christmas | Matthew 2:13-28

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:22:14 GMT

Herod

The Christmas Story ends with a downer. Dead babies. Few of us know the story, and fewer of us talk about Herod’s killing of the innocents. The message is clear, though: Jesus is on a mission in a world that really knows how to hurt each other. There’s no candy-coated church person experience; we face all the same rotten stuff along with the world. Anyone who tells you differently hasn’t read their Bible. But there is hope. This Baby has something up his sleeve.

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Matthew 2:13-18

Has anyone ever done or said something to you that was helpful when you were going through a rough patch?
What strong emotions would a Bethlehem father or mother feel who lost their little boy? What strong emotions have you had recently? What is behind those emotions?
Joseph got up in the middle of the night to obey God. When was the last time you obeyed God directly on something (ie, speaking to someone, forgiving someone, being generous)?
How do you explain a loving God and a world of suffering? Those two things seem at odds with each other. Is there a rational explanation?
Who needs you to pray for them this week? Is there a gesture of support that you could extend to someone who is suffering?

Guess Who's Coming to Christmas | Luke 2:1-18

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 20:38:05 GMT

Shepherds

The staggering Christian claim is that God became one of us, stooping so low as to be born and, more, born to a poor young woman. It all seems so “un-glorious”. How else could he fully enter our troubles and struggles? He gets us; better than that, he came to set everything right. Merry Christmas, indeed.

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Luke 2:1-18

What would you include if you had 60 seconds to explain what Christmas is about and what it means?
“Do not be afraid” is the first part of the good news. On what basis can the angel so confidently say that? Where do you need to hear that in your life right now?
Unpack “Glory to God in the highest” and “On earth peace.” These are the meanings of Christmas, but what do they mean?
How might God be trying to “untidy” your Christmas this year? Will you fight it or welcome it?

Guess Who's Coming to Christmas | Matthew 2:1-12

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:06:04 GMT

Magi

Magi, or "the Wisemen” as they’ve come to be known, were invited to the first Christmas. They didn’t get an angel invitation like Mary and Joseph. They were studying and thinking and God was stirring their hearts as they studied. Scholars from far away sounds very mystical to us but the people of Israel weren’t that excited about ‘people from far away’. Foreigners were just more Gentiles. Amazing! Even at his birth God was showing his cards, showing us that the whole world was going to be invited into the Kingdom where Jesus is King.

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Matthew 2:1-12

1. Tell of a time you engaged with people from a different ethnic background. How did that go?

2. Herod and all of Jerusalem were “disturbed” by the Magi and about the news of a ‘king of the Jews’ who’d just been born. Why were they disturbed?

3. The Magi, on the other hand, were overjoyed! They worshipped him. What does worship look like in your life? What would ‘full on worship’ look like in your life?

4. What’s the dividing line between those ‘upset by Jesus’ and those who “bow down and bring gifts”? What changes in a person to move from one group to the other?

Good News | Acts 8:26-40

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 16:13:44 GMT

Wherever He Leads

Wrongly, some people believe that sharing your faith (evangelism) is what only gifted (or interested) Christians do. Not true. It’s basic to being a Christian. Along with ‘loving one another’, ‘go and make disciples’ is a one-two punch of being a Christian. We’re all still learning how to share our faith. Today, we start a series that tells stories about the time in the Church’s history when everyone was just learning to tell the world about Jesus.

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Read: Acts 8:26-40

Sermon Questions

Remember the last time you tried to share your faith. How did that go?
Why are some Christians hesitant to share their faith? Are you hesitant for any reason?
What are the details in the story show that God had gone ahead of Philip in preparing the eunuch’s heart?
Notice how Philip approached this man; what did Philip do that could help us as we prepare to share our faith?
Verse 35 includes: “and told him the good news about Jesus.” What would you say if you had 60 seconds to explain the good news?

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John 15:9-17

You can find a copy of The Father’s Blessing here.

Loved | John 14:1-14

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:27:00 GMT

IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT

Sometimes life feels like it’s falling apart. What do you do when you’re in that place? The disciples were there and Jesus watched as their pupils dilated and their palms began to moisten. He began: “No matter what, remember these things…”. It’s good to have a plan when the world is falling apart. It’s good to have a plan before the world starts to fall apart. Thankfully, we have God who loves us and gave us exactly that plan!

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John 14:1-14

Loved | John 13:33-38

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:49:00 GMT

EVEN WHEN YOU DENY HIM

The first Christians knew that Jesus loved them. Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and the disciples all knew he loved them. They felt it. That was the basis for the way they did life together: rooted in his love, reminding each other of his love by the way they talked and treated each other. Many things have changed in 2000 years, but loving each other like he loves us has not changed. Never will.

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John 13:33-38

Women’s Study ‘ABIDE’

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:56:00 GMT

This group for women will meet weekly, Wednesdays at 9:30-11:00 am at SPL. This book study, ABIDE by Jen Wilkin starts March 29th. In this 10-session study of 1, 2, and 3 John, Jen Wilkin will help us Abide in the truth of Jesus and to live like we believe it. All are welcome!

Participants can order the book here if they wish. Questions and/or if you do not have access to an Amazon Prime account. Contact the leaders.

Join Us

Global Teen Discipleship

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

We’re launching Global Teen Discipleship (GTD): an 8-month discipleship intensive for high school students (Gr. 10-12) that serves in a vacation bible school in Hainamosa, Dominican Republic in the first week of January 2024.

Membership/Baptism Class Sign up

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:12:00 GMT

We’re glad you’re interested in participating in our Membership & Baptism sessions. These will be facilitated by Andrew Allison in the evenings of May 3, 10, and 17 @ 7 pm. To register or get more information, please use the form below.

2023 SPL Congregation Survey

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:58:00 GMT

Please help us better understand who we are as a church by completing this anonymous survey.

Youth Retreat

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:51:00 GMT

May 5-7, 2023

Youth, Grades 9-12, are invited to a youth retreat May 5-7, 2023 at Mill Stream Camp in Omemee.

Women On The Way (WOW)

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 19:36:00 GMT

This group is for women who attend church solo. They meet monthly and serve dinner at 6:30 pm, followed by a chat in the fireside room. All are welcome !

Questions? Please contact Amy Hoover. Please RSVP prior to each event so that dinner can be prepared accordingly.

Loved | John 10:11-18

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:28:00 GMT

WHEN EVERYONE ELSE RUNS AWAY

Our world has certain strategies when it comes to dealing with threats: flight, fight, or freeze are the usual options. Our world views intimacy largely as a sexual thing and most often operates on the principle of “birds of a feather flock together.” Fascinatingly, Jesus has a completely different view on all three of these important matters: how to respond to intimidation, how to be intimate, and how to be inclusive. He laid down his life for the sheep to save us and show us his heart and his plan.

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John 10:11-18

Loved | John 9

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:20:00 GMT

WHEN YOU’RE AN OUTCAST

What’s it like to be loved by Jesus and to love him back? Or put another way, what’s it like to believe Jesus? John tells the story of the blind man healed by Jesus to help us imagine this. He wants this story to be our story: one where in love Jesus transforms us, sends us, and includes us.

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John 9

Bonus: Through this story, the man’s vision of Jesus progressively improves. He “sees” more and more. There’s another progression that’s happening, of the Pharisees’ blindness. How do they refuse the light?

Loved | John 8:2-11

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:55:00 GMT

The Gospel of John was written by an author who only ever self-identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Such was John’s experience, he knew and felt what it is to be loved by Jesus. Many of the stories in his biography of Jesus are accounts of people who experienced the very same thing: what it means, even what it feels like, to be loved by Jesus.

We are going to enter their stories.

When we human beings are at our best, we’re curious, and asking questions. God made us this way. Nicodemus showed up on Jesus’ doorstep with lots of questions, and Jesus was able to bring out of him the best questions: ones whose answers challenged the reaches of Nicodemus’ mind and peered into the depths of his heart. What are you curious about these days?

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John 3:1-21

Volunteer Appreciation

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:53:00 GMT

St. Paul’s Leaskdale would like to say thank you to our volunteers! Join us for an evening of desserts and appreciation for all you do!

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 7- 8:30 PM at St. Paul’s Leaskdale

Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 24th using the form below so that we can plan well.

Loved | John 2:1-11

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:02:00 GMT

A YOUNG COUPLE’S EMBARRASSMENT

We are going to enter their stories.

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John 2:1-11

Group | Newcomers

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:21:00 GMT

A group for people who are checking out SPL or have joined us within the past couple of years

Join the Paisleys in their home on Thursdays at 6:00 pm. You’ll enjoy a potluck meal together, a Bible study, and discuss the best timing for this group.

Questions? Contact Dick and Jan at 905-852-4825 or use the form below to email them.

Join Us

Believe | Love

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 01:07:00 GMT

We all know the excitement of having house guests. We fluff the pillows, put on clean sheets, vacuum the hard-to-reach places and dispose of the clutter. We get ready! Advent is us getting ready. It turns out that the One who came that first Christmas, who is coming again, is the House owner. Welcome home!

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John 1:1-14

Message Questions:

Uxbridge Community Soup Lunch

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:05:00 GMT

This local community outreach happens every Wednesday 12-1 pm, at St Andrew’s Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Uxbridge (40 B Toronto Street South, Uxbridge). Hot soup, conversation, and community are served!

John 1:1-14

Message Questions:

Church 101 | Together Fully Alive

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 19:15:00 GMT

The church at Corinth gives us a glimpse into how the Kingdom landed and found shape in a rather typical First Century Roman city. There was nothing exceptional about the Corinthian church: just believers trying to learn how to walk out of familiar kingdoms of darkness and walk into the Kingdom of Light.

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1 Corinthians 16

Message Questions:

Christmas 2022 Project

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 23:18:00 GMT

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Message Questions:

Church 101 | Come Holy Spirit: The Heart of God

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 19:47:00 GMT

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Come out on Oct 17th at 7 pm for a session that deals with these questions.

Questions? Please contact Karen Rennie . Register below.

Church 101 | Come Holy Spirit: One Spirit

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:31:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Message Questions:

Church 101 | Come Holy Spirit: Jesus is LORD

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 17:31:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 12:1-3

Message Questions:

SPL Youth Small Group

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 12:18:00 GMT

Learn More / Join In

Group | Women in Leadership

Sat, 10 Sep 2022 12:28:00 GMT

A book study of ‘Try Softer’ for Women in Leadership.

A group for women in leadership reading through a book, ‘Try Softer’ by Aundi Kolber.

Join Us

What is happening for kids and youth at SPL?

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Nursery & KidZone (K to Gr. 5):

KidZone and Nursery care are available every Sunday at 10:00 am! Each family will be required to fill in a registration form for the year and each child will be checked in and out each Sunday.

KidZone is for ages 3 to Grade 5.

Grade 6 students join the Grade 7/8 Class.

If you have questions about the Nursery or KidZone, or would like to volunteer, don’t hesitate to contact Grace Rumble.

Junior High (Gr. 6-8) :

Every other Sunday morning: Meet at 10 am in the Fireside Room (first room off the foyer). Meets next on Sunday, May 21.

Youth (Gr. 9-12):

Every other Sunday morning: Meet at 10 am at the church for Youth Alpha with Malcolm and Miriam.

Mondays 7 – 8:30 pm: Meet at the Allisons (13 Harrison Rd., Leaskdale). Among other things, we’ll discuss questions raised in Rebecca McLaughlin’s 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity.

If you have any questions, we’d love to chat with you! Please email us at reception@saintpauls.ca.

Global Teen Discipleship

We’re launching Global Teen Discipleship (GTD): an 8-month discipleship intensive for high school students (Gr. 10-12) that will serve in a vacation bible school in Hainamosa, Dominican Republic in the first week of January 2024.

Kids to Camp

Supporting SPL kids’ discipleship at summer camps

We will subsidize each camper $500 for one full week of camp. This will be paid directly to the camp. Learn more and register.

Church 101 | Shared Leadership, Shared Meals

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 17:50:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 11

Message Questions:

Group | Experiencing God

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:28:00 GMT

A group study of Experiencing God meeting in Uxbridge and Sunderland

Join us every other Friday evening. We’ll start by sharing a meal together and then we’ll explore the topic of learning and doing God’s will using Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God . Each participant will need to purchase an Experiencing God workbook .

Join Us

Church 101 | Real Freedom

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:29:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 10

Message Questions:

Group | West End

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 20:41:00 GMT

A group for people living west of Leaskdale (Bradford, Newmarket, Mt Albert, Keswick)

This group is now full for the season. You can look for another or contact our office for help in finding one.

Group | North Brock

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:47:00 GMT

A group for people in Beaverton, Sunderland, Port Bolster

We share leadership of this group as each person takes a turn facilitating the discussion for a week.

Join Us

Group | Woodville

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:25:00 GMT

A group for adults in Woodville and surrounding areas

Join us as we grow together using the weekly sermons as our guide. Questions? Contact Ryan Lamoureux .

Join Us

Group | Leaskdale Multi-generational

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:05:00 GMT

A group for singles, couples, and parents of all ages. Reading ‘ Live No Lies ‘.

This group has reached its capacity right now. You can try another or reach out to the office for help finding a small group.

Group | Port Perry Area

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:50:00 GMT

A group in the Port Perry area

Questions about this group? Contact Jay & Loni.

Join Us

Church 101 | Stand up for your rights or for your relationships?

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 17:27:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 9

Message Questions:

Group | SPL Virtual

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:38:00 GMT

A virtual small group tracking with SPL’s sermon series

Join us online to learn, pray, and grow together. We’ll base our discussions on the previous week’s sermon and related questions.

Join Us

This group has reached its capacity. You can search for another or reach out to our office for help finding one.

Church 101 | Differences in Opinion

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 17:08:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 8

Message Questions:

Bonus

Look up Acts 15:28-29, the decision of the Jerusalem Council. Why wouldn’t Paul just point the Corinthians to that rule instead of the principles he gives them in 1 Corinthians 8?

Group | 24/7 Prayer

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 01:39:00 GMT

Join us to walk through the 24/7 Prayer course.

This group has reached its capacity right now. We suggest you try another or reach out to our office if you need help finding a group.

Group | Mental Health Peer Support

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 23:46:00 GMT

A peer support group for those who have mental illnesses & their loved ones.

Fresh Hope is a peer-to-peer mental health support group for adults struggling with their mental health, or for loved ones supporting those with mental health struggles. We connect faith and recovery principles to empower and encourage individuals to live full and rich lives in spite of their struggles or diagnosis. This group meets at St. Paul’s Leaskdale starting Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 7 pm and meets every second week. Join in at any time . Registration is required so that we can send out advance information.

Group | Young Families

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 23:07:00 GMT

A small group for young families (married, single, with or without kids, ages 25-40).

Enjoy a potluck meal with participants and hosts each time we meet. Questions? Contact Kelly Meek or Ray Heppner .

Join Us

This group has reached its capacity right now. We suggest you look for another or reach out to our office for help finding one.

Discipleship | Apprentice

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:42:00 GMT

Continuing our Apprentice journey.

1 Corinthians 5

Message Questions:

Bonus Question:

Read 1 Corinthians 4:5 and/or Matthew 7:1-5. How do we reconcile what we read there about judging others with what Paul is teaching in this week’s passage (see v 12)?

Group | Men’s Book Study

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 14:53:00 GMT

A monthly Saturday morning book discussion for men.

This group plans to read and discuss Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard.

We meet early Saturday morning once a month. Meetings are usually at the church, but depending on the size of the group we may gather at a local diner or coffee shop.

This group has already launched for the 2022-2023 year.

Group | Thrive

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 01:53:00 GMT

A virtual group for 30-somethings (mid-20s to early 40s)

This is a discipleship group for women and men (single, couples, and parents) in the earlier part of career and/or family life.

We’ll work through one book in the fall and another in the spring. We all aim to read the chapter before we gather to discuss it, but that’s less important than showing up regularly. (Potential books: The Gift of Being Yourself ; Beautiful Resistance; or Having the Mind of Christ .)

Apart from our regular Zoom meetings, we’ll plan to get together in person a couple of times in the year.

Join Us

Church 101 | Leadership Signals

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 01:18:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 4

Message Questions:

Bonus Question:
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (v 20). How would you explain that statement?

Church 101 | Leadership 1.0

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 17:43:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 3

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, All his angels;
Praise him all his heavenly hosts…

For at his command they were created,
And he established them forever and ever –
A decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth…

For his name alone is exalted;
His splendour is above the earth and heavens.

The Psalms end in a flourish of praise and worship. The last five Psalms have as their first word Hallelujah ! Prayer doesn’t always start with praise and worship, but it should generally find its way there.

Hallelujah is the only Hebrew word I know. “Jah” is short for “Yahweh” and “Hallelu” simply means “praise.” Praise Yahweh! Praise God! It isn’t exactly a praise to God—it’s a call for everything in all of creation to express its gratitude and adoration.

Psalm 148 tells all of creation to Hallelujah and then gives two reasons why this is the right thing for the created order to do. The first reason to Hallelujah is God’s creative brilliance, including our own inclusion in that creative genius. The second reason is His worthiness. There’s just no one and nothing that compares to the person of the Living God.

What a great place for our praying to begin this day! Two things to ponder as you enter prayer are (1) your place in the cosmos; and (2) the person of the God we know in Jesus. These things alone will put your prayers in perspective and give you the confidence to bring God-sized prayers.

He has raised up for his people a horn,
The praise of all his faithful servants,
Of Israel, the people close to his heart.

There’s a third thing to ponder as you pray this day. God says you’re close to his heart. That helps me.

Hallelujah!

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

These Wednesday prayer emails were launched as a tool to help us pray together at a time when we were physically separated from each other. While the call to prayer is still before us as much as ever, these weekly emails have served their purpose and this is the last installment. Thank you for rising into praying together during a pandemic, and all praise to God for his kindness throughout.

Church 101 | Life In The Spirit of Jesus

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 19:06:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 2:3-16

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT

I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy
I pour out my complaint;
Before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,
It is you who watch over my way…

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
No one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
No one cares for my life.

I cry to you LORD;
I say, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.”

David wrote these words from a cave, so clearly, he wasn’t in a place he wanted to be. He was on the run from the most powerful man in his nation, a man he once served, a man who he adored. The cave was the safest place he could find but it was far from home, far from where he wanted to be.

It’s awful the way that relationships can turn on us; friends who were once lovely and supportive now have nothing good to say about us. We’re left with the feeling that “no one cares for my life, no one is concerned for me”.

Such is life. Believers’ lives are not spared these difficult experiences. And so we do as David did: “I cry out to the LORD.” God says he cares. God says he’s concerned. If you’re struggling to believe that God cares then ponder the cross for 10 minutes.

And if you’re in a particularly heavy place today let me also say “Reach out” to each other. Let’s do this journey together. The cave isn’t so bad with someone who can remind you how much Jesus loves you and the good things that he has in store for those who trust him.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Church 101 | Christ Crucified

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 01:43:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
To him alone who does great wonders
His love endures forever…

Only this Psalm was written so that every second line is the same: “His love endures forever.” The writer talks of God’s character, talks of God’s brilliant Creation, talks of God’s rescue, the plagues of Egypt, God’s care for the lowly, and after every line this declaration: “His love endures forever.”

Many people live without an overarching story for their lives, or live without real meaning or purpose. Not us. The overarching narrative for us is: “His love endures forever.”

Would you consider writing your prayer today? Think back to the beginning of time, the events through history, through to your own life and its own up and down events; write them out, and after each line stamp this declaration: “His love endures forever.”

It’s true, in the end, even the very worst things of your life will one day be undone by His love and all things will be made new.

His love endures forever!

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Church 101 | Quarrels

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:01:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Message Questions:

Church 101 | Grace and Peace

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:29:00 GMT

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1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Message Questions:

Syrian Refugee Family Project

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:41:00 GMT

As a church family, we are hoping to raise $20,000 to support a Syrian refugee family that will soon be arriving in Canada. You can donate online or bring your donation to the church on June 12, 2022.

Team Rubicon Support

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 01:00:00 GMT

Learn more about Team Rubicon and their response in Uxbridge .

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:41:00 GMT

If the LORD had not been on our side – let Israel say –
If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,
When their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
the raging waters would have swept us away.

Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler’s snare;
The snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

The Psalmist, David in this case, has a flair for the dramatic. He’s in trouble, granted, but he feels it like a raging battle, like a natural disaster, like a near-death experience: flaring anger, swallowed alive, a flood engulfing, a river that sweeps away, a bird fluttering madly to escape its snare.

Actually, that feels about right for those of us who are overwhelmed these days by circumstances, handling crushing responsibilities, battling irrational anxiety or depression. It feels inescapable.

And yet … “we have escaped.”

God did not allow evil to have its way in our lives. We are still here. Through the cross, Jesus made sure that no anger or trap and evil intention against us can prevail. Even in death we are loved and provided for.

We have escaped!

Let’s begin our day of prayer together in gratitude! Our help is in the name of the LORD.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Two Different Builders

Sun, 29 May 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , has taken us through the Sermon on The Mount.

A conspiracy involves a secret power at work behind the scenes, undermining those that currently hold sway. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is God’s invitation to participate in his great conspiracy by apprenticing to Jesus.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:24-29

Message Questions:

Summer 2022 Small Group

Wed, 25 May 2022 18:14:00 GMT

Starting June 29, meet at the church at 7 pm Wednesdays to talk about the Sunday sermon. Andrew & Colleen Allison and Brad & Lynnita Weber will be your hosts.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:35:00 GMT

Your statutes are wonderful;
Therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant
Longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
As you always do those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
Let no sin rule over me.

Discernment is a regular prayer request in my life.
Which way God?
How do I handle this situation?
What does this person most need?
I am often out of my area of competence. I need Jesus!

I love that the psalmist prayed, “Direct my footsteps… according to your word! ” That’s a clue right there, isn’t it? God does speak to us, nudge us, and prod us. Maybe he uses a dream or a conversation, but the major way that God dispenses his discernment is through his Word. That’s why it is so good to daily be in the Book—reading, listening, practicing.

Each of us faces issues this very day that require discernment and direction. You know what to do. Before you race madly off in all directions, get yourself quiet before the One who knows.

Praying and listening with you.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Two Different Disciples

Tue, 24 May 2022 15:17:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:21-23

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 18 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
You are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His love endures forever .

What if it’s true?

What if God really loves you? What if He actually is especially fond of you? What if God’s love for you endures? What if His love is more persistent than the sun’s rays or gravity’s relentless draw? What if this is your ‘winning ticket’ for eternity? What if you banked on His love every morning you wake up and every night you tuck yourself in bed?

What if His love actually endures forever?

Would the truth of His love change the way you pray today? I think so. I think we’d be more confident and less frantic. I think we’d speak freely about the contents of our hearts and minds and say less of the things we think we’re supposed to say. I think we’d start to sound and live like the daughters and sons that Jesus purchased with his blood.

I know, we still have nagging questions: “But what about that person who died young, or that person who has cancer, or that kid who didn’t do anything to deserve being in that wheelchair?” Yes, there are hard questions; you would have to resolve that God’s enduring love will even transform those stories in the fullness of time. You will have to settle on the truth that God’s enduring love is the bigger story, The Biggest Story, the Grand Narrative.

Give thanks to the LORD for He is good;
His love endures forever.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Two Different Prophets

Mon, 16 May 2022 00:29:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:15-20

Message Questions:

Practice:
Galatians 5:22-24 lists the fruit of the Spirit. Take some time to meditate on this verse. You could try reading it in The Message. Try sitting in silence and seeing what God might be saying to you.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 11 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Even in darkness light dawns
For the upright,
For those who are gracious and
Compassionate and righteous.

Good will come to those who are
Generous and lend freely,
Who conduct their affairs with justice.

Surely the righteous will never be shaken
They will be remembered forever.
They have no fear of bad news;
Their hearts are steadfast,
Trusting in the LORD.

It is possible even for Christians to get discouraged. We might ask ourselves, “Is this making any difference?”, or “Does it seem like life is just getting harder and harder?”, or “Does this heaviness ever lift?”

You might feel discouraged as you enter into praying today.

The people recorded in the Bible were no strangers to the grind of life. The early people of God knew little about easy living or comfortable times. Slavery, near-endless wandering, corrupt priests, lousy kings—just about every page describes tough times.

Where’s the hope?

Even in the darkness light dawns on the upright. Jesus promises light into whatever you face this day. It’s pretty much guaranteed that something isn’t quite right in your world today; It could even feel quite dark.

Jesus said he is the Light of the World. Invite him into your current darkness. Wait for His brilliance.

Jesus also said that you are the light of the world. During your praying this day, listen to hear if He isn’t inviting you to shine into someone else’s life. This is the way His Kingdom works.

Praying (and shining?) with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Choose Life

Sun, 08 May 2022 23:53:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:13-14

Message Questions:

Practice:

Read and meditate on Psalm 1 this week, reflecting on its two ways.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 04 May 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Many times he delivered them,
But they were bent on rebellion
And they wasted away in their sin.

Yet he took note of their distress
When he heard their cry;
For their sake, he remembered his covenant
And out of his great love, he relented.
He caused all who held them captive
To show them mercy.

When you start reading the Bible one of the things that is shocking is how poorly people behave including (if not especially!) the ‘saints’. Noah got drunk, Abraham lied, Jacob cheated, Israel complained, and David murdered the husband of a woman he essentially raped. Horrendous stuff!

And yet when the people of God cry out (read “pray”) He listens. Almost always they have to live out the natural consequences of their rebellion but he does show mercy. He didn’t allow his children to be completely wiped off the map.

The reason for this mercy isn’t that “they deserved a break” or that, by any accounting, they had paid in full for their sins. The one and only (and best) reason for merciful treatment is “his great love”.

You are loved, even when you sin, even while you’re grinding through the natural consequences of your rebellion. His love is great.

You’ve got some praying to do today! Perhaps it’s prayers of repentance for your rebellion. Perhaps you’re praying for someone else who is living like they’re not loved. Hold on to this: “His great love”. Pray from that certainty today. His love is great. Appeal to who He is, His character. He showed it to us on the cross. It’s the only leg we have to stand on.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | How to Grow Community

Mon, 02 May 2022 00:09:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:7-12

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
Come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Shouting for joy! Have you ever tried it? Perhaps you think, “I’m way too Presbyterian to do something so unruly!” This might be your day!

The Hebrew people knew a thing or two about shouting for joy to the LORD. One of the first things they did when they entered the Promised Land was shout. They were trying to conquer the first of many walled Canaanite cities. They silently marched around Jericho for six days and on the seventh day marched around it 7 times. Then they shouted! And God brought about a great victory.

God once described the scene at creation: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation… while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” With that, God kicked off a Great Adventure.

We’re told that there’s a shout at the New Creation too: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Hmmm, could be something to this shouting piece. Sometimes I shout on my prayer walks or in the sanctuary (when no one but God and the powers are listening!). Maybe this day of prayer could include a shout from you?

My favourite shout is “Jesus is LORD!” “His love endures forever” also works, as does “Christ is Risen.” You choose—just do it with joy.

Praying (and shouting!) with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | How to Ruin Community

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 18:22:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 7:1-6

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who fashioned the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches humankind lack knowledge?
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows they are futile.

Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD,
The one you teach from your law.

I would say I was disciplined regularly as a child and deserved every bit of it (and probably more). At no point in my parent’s discipline did I ever think to myself, “I am blessed!” It was more like, “How can I get out of this or make it hurt less?” I remember once being sent to my room and putting on several additional pairs of undies in anticipation of a spanking.

It would take a very mature person to face discipline and feel blessed.

What if we went into prayer today asking,
“LORD if I need to change something,
if I need to repent of something,
if you need to say something to me today, even if it’s painful,
I ask you to put your finger on that place?”

It’s far better to be corrected than to go on doing the same unconscious silliness. God disciplines in kindness because he’s forming us into the shape of the Lord Jesus.

Will you pray that with me today? “Lord Jesus, who sees and hears all, would you bless me today through your discipline?”

Amen.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Hide and Seek

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 20:28:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Matthew 6:25-34

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 10:56:00 GMT

You have put me in the lowest pit,
In the darkest depths.
Your wrath lies heavily upon me;
You have overwhelmed me
With all your waves.

You have taken from me my closest friends
And have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
My eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, O LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.

God-worshipers, at some point, need to make their peace with suffering. It’s hard to make sense of a God of love and the horrific suffering some humans experience. It may be something you only process in your mind; more likely a day will come when you’ll have to sort it through with a broken heart. Suffering, loss, and grief take away our breath and threaten to take away our faith.

Christians are in the wrong when they give simple solutions to those who suffer. Jesus didn’t swat away suffering or sufferers like yellow jackets at a picnic. He entered our suffering. The God we know in Jesus submitted to the realities of a planet that we infected with sin. He played by the same rules. You can rage at God for your hardship, but you can’t say he doesn’t know what you’re going through.

It’s probably good that you do rage at God for your hardship, that you continue to lay it out before our LORD. Find words for your heartache, whether you’re praying for yourself or your friend, or our world. Speak your words aloud, perhaps even through tears.

This is sometimes what prayer looks like.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Good Friday & Easter Sunday

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:47:00 GMT

Celebrate Easter with us this weekend!

Good Friday

We’ll gather outdoors around the cross in the parking lot at 10:00 am. We’ll also have a chance to celebrate communion together.

Easter Sunday

Join us at 6:30 am for an outdoor sunrise service. (Dress warmly!) We’ll meet at the cross in the parking lot. There will be a bonfire to help keep us warm!

Join us at 10 am for an Easter service, both online and in person. No registration is needed. There will be a KidZone program available for Kids (K to Gr. 6) at 10:00 am.

The Conspiracy of God | What’s in Your Wallet?

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:12:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 6:19-24

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:00:00 GMT

How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
Uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
The ‘gods’ know nothing,
They understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

The Psalmist has some choice words for leaders who serve themselves and ignore the hardship of the poor. These leaders fancy themselves ‘gods’, sovereign over the rest of us. They compete with each other and treat human lives like a devalued currency. The foundations of the earth are shaken.

God is not impressed. God has always used his position for the good of those beneath him, not to lord it over us. He expects the same from the women and men he places in positions of authority and leadership.

Let’s pray today for small group leaders, for youth leaders, and church staff by name. Pray for your teacher, boss, or employer. Bless those who lead you. Call out to our Lord on their behalf.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Secret Fasting

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 20:26:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 6:16-18

Message Questions:

Fasting may be new for you. Check out a video by Andrew Allison and Lynnita Weber as they talk about fasting: Habits for Life – Fasting

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

The valiant lie plundered,
They sleep their last sleep;
Not one of the warriors
Can lift his hands.
At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
Both horse and chariot lie still.

It is you alone who are to be feared
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
From heaven you pronounced judgment,
And the land feared and was quiet –
When you, God rose up to judge,
To save all the afflicted of the land .

Most of us struggle with the concept of ‘fearing the LORD’. We know that Jesus tore down the barrier that had us fearful and apart from God. But Jesus also talked about the need for fear: “Fear him who after your body has been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell.” A Christian no longer has the need to fear but we’re best to never lose a healthy dose of respect.

Our God is against war and the greed and selfishness that fuels it. Our God is for the afflicted. He is for those who are put at risk and displaced by the arrogance and greed of others.

A day will come when all wars will cease and that will be a good day. A day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ and he will reign forever and ever.

Until then, we pray. End war and may the tools of war lie still.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Secret Praying

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 21:29:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 6:5-14

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:16:00 GMT

May all who seek you rejoice
And be glad in you;
May those who long for your
Saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
Come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
LORD, do not delay.

We know all the right answers:

All right answers and true, yet sometimes things feel different:

That’s also true and honest.

You may be out in front of the marching band these days—it’s all sunshine and blue skies in your part of the world. Or you may be a bit beat up, or even desperate.

The LORD of all heaven and earth is our help and our deliverer. “Call to me in the day of trouble,” He says (Ps. 50). He is never far from the wounded and brokenhearted.

LORD do not delay!

Leaning into His arms with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Secret Giving

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 21:14:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 6:1-4

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 10:30:00 GMT

They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised the perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows;
They will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them
And bring them to ruin;
All who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

All people will fear;
They will proclaim the works of God
And ponder what he has done.

The righteous will rejoice in the LORD
And take refuge in him;
All the upright in heart will glory in him!

These Wednesday prayers and psalms seem like a wild contrast to our Sunday morning texts from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount!

On Sunday we heard: “love your enemies” and today we read, “God will shoot them with his arrows.” Some might see complete disagreement between these two statements but I don’t. I see them as “my job” and “God’s job” in my mind. I’m to pray for and love my enemies and God is the one who hears those prayers and even loves those people more than I do. In addition, God will bring righteousness to rule on planet earth. He will thwart the purposes of evil and selfishness and any persons who want to stay aligned to those evil purposes will find themselves trying to dodge the arrows of God.

The whole reason we can pray with clarity is because God has shown me that there is right and there is wrong. He also assures me that prayers for good and right things are in line with His heart and will. They will be answered. And, in the end, He will undo every wrong and make all things right.

Join me in praying with this confidence today.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | A Plan For Enemies

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 20:23:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:43-48

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
No, in your heart you devise injustice,
And your hands mete out violence on the earth.

Even from birth the wicked go astray;
From the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
Like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
That will not heed the tune of the charmer,
However skillful the enchanter may be.

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!

“Break the teeth in their mouths” is a different tune than we heard on Sunday when we heard “turn the other cheek.” We are called to “turn the other cheek” AND we are able to speak to our Lord in the most honest terms. Feelings are a gift from God and can be expressed to Him without having to manage our image with him. When the people in charge are actually only taking care of themselves, then it needs to be called out. We want things to be better. That is, in part, why we pray.

Let’s pray for leaders today. Pray for Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pray for Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden and for Europe’s leaders. When righteousness prevails God is honoured and when wickedness extends we pray directly into the mess. Strap on the full armour of God and pray!

We are a people of hope. Every day we are a people of hope.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | A Plan For Mistreatment

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 21:59:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:38-42

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

You love evil rather than good,
Falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
He will uproot you from the land of the living.

Doeg the Edomite was a bad dude. He was an informant to King Saul. (Think Prince John from Robin Hood!) Doeg was like the Sheriff of Nottingham. He ratted out David and killed the entire town of Nob, slaughtering its 85 priests and all of its men and women and children and infants and even livestock. All that bloodshed because one priest gave David a sword and some bread. (I Samuel 21-22 tells the story).

You can see why David was heated.

And so we begin Lent together in prayer! We begin with the awkwardness of David’s rage in prayer.

It’s perfect actually. This is a reminder of what the world would look like without Jesus: the wicked destroying the righteous and the righteous firing curses and judgment right back.

This day and during this season of Lent let’s stay (or get) emotionally aware. Let’s acknowledge what lurks inside us, the good and the bad. And let’s together lay these pieces out before our Lord Jesus in prayer. There’s no sense in praying if you’re not going to be honest. Jesus will help you sort through the strong emotions, but you have to bring them into the light.

Praying with you for the Doegs of this world. They are (as are we) best placed in the hands of Jesus.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Less Words, More Meaning

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 20:47:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

Listen to an audio version of the message

Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:33-37

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:01:00 GMT

Come and see what the LORD has done;
The desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
He burns the shields in the fire.

He says, “Be still and know that I am God;
Will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The world is a troubling place these days. It’s never been easy on our blue and green planet, but these days seem especially uncertain. The earth seems to be “giving way,” mountains tumble, waters roar and foam, and there are threats of war.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” That’s God’s plan. His is a two-fold plan:

#1 Be still. Stop moving. Stop your Google research. Stop recycling your anxiety, stop checking your newsfeeds. Be still. The Hebrew word, Rapha means to be weak, to let go, to release. Put a halt to your plan. How has that been going for you anyway?

#2 Know that He is God. God says that He makes wars cease. God says he is present in the middle of trouble. God says we have no reason to fear. He is God, sovereign overall. He will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted in the earth.

Today you have two options. You can live anxiously as though the world’s weight is on your shoulders. Or you can be still, know God present, pray, and move through your day with the confidence that Bigger Hands hold this planet.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Does God Hate Divorced People?

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 20:51:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:31-32

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 09:03:00 GMT

I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit
Out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
And gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
A hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
And put their trust in him.

Waiting isn’t a strong suit for many of us. Waiting patiently is even rarer. Waiting patiently while you’re in a slimy pit seems impossible and ridiculous!

God seems comfortable with our waiting. He even seems to be okay with us waiting in uncomfortable situations and difficulties. Something important goes on in slimy pits. Or at least something important and life-changing can go on in slimy pits if we don’t lose our mind and flail and have a tantrum.

We learn trust. We learn He is good. We might even sing.

One of the crazy things that happen when Christians trust their Lord through awful situations is that those who don’t believe can find themselves drawn in. “Many will… put their trust in him.” Sometimes your struggle, your slimy pit, gives our Lord a chance to move in your life and through your life for the good of others.

LORD, use our lives to bring many to trust you.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | The Story of Your Lust

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 19:40:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:27-30

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 13:00:00 GMT

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around
Those who fear him,
And he delivers them.

For real? Is this accurate? We are about to bury a guy who was the prince of his community. The only thing he did wrong was try to keep a snowmobile from hitting a tree. “The LORD saved him out of all his troubles?”

This has to be like Jesus saying: “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm, you will gain life” (Luke 21). The person was put to death! How does it work that not a hair on their head will perish?

Can you believe that nothing, not a thing, can happen to you—not even the very worst thing—that our Lord won’t turn to ultimate good? Will you see it at the time? No. Will you cry? Yes. Will you doubt? I do.

Will all of this one day make sense? Even better than just making sense, we will rise up with one voice and say “God, you are good!”

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him.

Pray with me from that place today.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | The Story of Your Anger

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 21:59:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Matthew 5:21-26

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

To you I call, O LORD my Rock;
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy
As I call to you for help,
As I lift up my hands
Toward your Most Holy Place.

This writer (David) was clearly in tough! What was it that had his trajectory traveling towards “the pit?” An enemy army? Pagan Philistines plotting his demise? A famine? Plague?

“… those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbours but harbour malice in their hearts.”

The problem is Tony (or Tina) Two-face—nasty neighbours who smile to your face but are stirring up trouble for you in their hearts. David was the target of misinformation and ill will.

It’s one thing to have someone who doesn’t know you malign you, but to have someone who lives beside you or has worked with you run down your character—it cuts deep. We are (I am!) tempted to strike back. Instead of using his hands to gesture or fight or type and email (or Tweet) in response to their betrayal, David lifts his hands to God. Hands lifted up (along with standing) is the standard Jewish posture for prayer. I’m not sure how that developed. It seems to be a gesture that says “See, I have nothing to help fix this. I can’t change this situation or the malice in my neighbour’s heart but I can turn to you, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and you can fix this. My hope is in you.”

I’m not sure what hardship you may face this day, but I know that you have options about how to respond. How about praying instead of whatever else it is that you’re thinking of? You could counter-attack—surely a warrior like David could have—but he realized “this kind can only come out with prayer.”

Praying with you this day!

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Finally It All Makes Sense

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 19:40:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:17-20

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 02:17:00 GMT

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Most of us learn the appropriate limits to healthy conversation. We can tell when things just stepped “out of bounds.” Calling someone a name, giving them a demeaning look, or questioning their mother’s virtue–these are all “out of bounds.”

We also have to learn where the “out of bounds” markers are with God. Questioning Him, or insinuating that he’s “ghosting us,” or accusing him of abandoning us—these all seem to be “in bounds!” I’m not saying that God welcomes disrespect. But he does welcome honest conversation and he doesn’t seem threatened by our strong emotions, even if we’ve allowed those emotions to lead us to wrong conclusions.

“Why have you forsaken me God?” is a strong charge to lay. In a few verses, David is also going to say: “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation, I will praise you.” So he knows he’s overstating it. But at this moment, when the dogs are circling, when the doctor has just given her diagnosis, when the kids have broken your heart again, it wells up in us: “Why have you forsaken me, God?”

I think the beauty of this psalm and the other psalms is that the speaker keeps talking. That’s the stuff of real conversation, that’s the substance of a genuine friendship. Keep talking. Talk through the hard stuff. Stay gentle and stay humble—like David, you’re probably wrong, so choose words thoughtfully, but keep talking. Keep praying.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | You Were Designed to Stick Out

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 21:07:00 GMT

Our message series, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 5:13-16

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 11:00:00 GMT

I saw the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and
my tongue rejoices;
My body also will rest secure,
Because you will not abandon me to the grave,
Nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me
The path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
With eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Peter quoted this passage in his famous Pentecost Day sermon. David was long dead and buried, so these claims weren’t about David but about Jesus. Amazing: Psalm 16 is all about Jesus.

And because about Jesus, it’s also about us. Many of us have regular reminders of our mortality: thinning hair, wrinkles, smaller bladder, longer naps. It could be discouraging but I find myself using my “mirror disappointment” as a reminder of how great it is that aging isn’t the main script for us. Not even close. Resurrection is our future. Eternal pleasures are God’s promise. He will not abandon us.

My friends say that John Ortberg has a book titled Eternity is Now in Session . I haven’t read it but I think I can get the gist of it from the title. Eternity has already started for those who believe in Jesus. That’s why what this world calls “dying” Jesus calls “falling asleep.” You simply wake to more life—way more life!

Pray from this confidence today, that the One who loves you will not abandon you to the grave. We have been given eternal and abundant life. It’s already started.

Praying (and rejoicing!) with you today.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God | Beatitudes

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 23:57:00 GMT

Our first sermon series of 2022, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Matthew 5:1-12

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
You consider it and take it in hand.
The victim commits him(her)self to you;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
Call him to account for his wickedness
That would not be found out.

Psalm 10 is a full-out “God get the bad guys!” prayer. The world is not right, people are taken advantage of, and people act selfishly. Some get away with crimes and injustice that leave the powerless even more destitute.

“You consider it and take it in hand.”

I love that phrase! You know when you find something on the beach—a rock or shell or something that glitters—and you place it in the palm of your hand to take a look at it? You turn it over and over, looking at it from various angles, and decide whether you’ll toss it back in the sea or put it in your pocket as a precious new treasure.

God takes the trouble and grief of our lives and places them in his hand. In fact, Isaiah 49 tells us, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” We’re there for good. He’s not tossing us back or even putting us in his pocket. We’re carved in his palms. He never forgets us. This is all the more powerful and true since the crucifixion when Jesus’ hands were pierced by the nails that hung him on the cross. He kept those scars.

You are not forgotten! Never.

Our Lord has you in his eyes continuously and, as you pray, in his ears too.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God: Counting The Cost

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 23:05:00 GMT

Our first sermon series of 2022, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Songs for this week: Spotify

Matthew 13:44-46

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant
For himself;
The LORD hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin;
When you are on your beds,
Search your hearts and be silent.

As a rule, I’d encourage you to pray first thing in the morning. If I don’t do it then, it’s pretty much a lost cause for the day.

The “on your beds” instruction in this psalm actually encourages “end of the day” praying. A chance to bring the stuff of your day before your Father who loves you.

Have you seen the Examen half-sheet from our One Month Challenge? It’s a neat tool for “Evening Reflective Prayer.” You could even do this “on your bed.” It has to do with turning the events of the day into prayers: prayers of gratitude, repentance, and surrender.

Can you imagine that you have a Heavenly Father who delights to hear about your day? I’m learning to believe that and enter into His joy.

Praying with you today!

Andrew

The Conspiracy of God: The Cost of Discipleship

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 19:20:00 GMT

Our first sermon series of 2022, The Conspiracy of God , will take us through the Sermon on The Mount.

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Genesis 25:27-34 and Matthew 19:16-22

Message Questions:

Body Language | The After Party

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 18:11:00 GMT

The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.

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Luke 2:21-35

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT

God is our refuge and strength
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Though the earth give way
And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea
Though its waters foam
And the mountains quake
With their surging.

We will not fear. It isn’t that we don’t fear because “there is nothing to fear but fear itself.” That’s not accurate. We could fear for our lives, we could fear for our children, we could fear cancer or financial ruin, the list goes on of the troubles we could and do face. Fear would be more than a reasonable response to these troubles, except for those whose lives are lashed to the Living God who is our refuge and strength.

Again, it isn’t that bad or even terrible things won’t happen to us, (they do!) it’s just that He is with us and that renders all troubles temporary and futile to destroy us.

God is with us. Immanuel.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me.” (Psalm 23)

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Jesus)

Are fears nipping at your heels on this day which you’ve committed to prayer? (Sure sounds like something Satan would like to do to you.)

God has the silencer for fear, it’s called the Truth.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Body Language: Baby of Love

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:12:00 GMT

The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.

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1 Samuel 1:1-20

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:00:00 GMT

I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
For you are the one who has done this.
Remove your scourge from me,
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
You consume them like a moth-
Surely everyone is but a breath…
Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
Before I depart and am no more.

There are 150 Psalms and almost every one of them finishes hopeful or at least hints at a silver lining. Not this one.

This guy is salty! “I tried to watch my ways;” “I put a muzzle on my mouth;” “While I mediated the fire burned.” He’s not happy. He feels like a pawn in God’s chess game. “The span of my years is as nothing before you.”

He’s ticked, he does not like the way God seems to be doing things and so he…prays.

It may not be today but at some point, you will find yourself where this believer was, angry, bitter, and resentful towards God.

“I deserve better!”
“Have you been watching my life, God?”
“Is this the way you reward your friends?

Whatever it sounds like in your head, say it! Pray it! God has broad shoulders. Stay in the relationship. Keep talking. The worst thing—the WORST thing—in any relationship is silence when one partner goes mute.

Whatever it feels like right now, God does love you and you two will get through even this.

Praying with you today.

Andrew

Body Language: Baby of Joy

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:22:00 GMT

The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.

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Ruth 4:13-22

Message Questions:

If you’re meeting as a group: read Ruth 4:13-22.
If you’re using these questions solo or with a partner: read the whole book of Ruth.*

*If you do read the book of Ruth, please let me know. I’m curious to know if anyone does this!

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT

When I kept silent my bones wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand
Was heavy on me;
My strength was sapped
As in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
And did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”

And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Covering things up never works.

My dad told us of the time he stole a comic book from a convenience store, only, as he was leaving, it fell out the bottom of his pant leg. The store owner phoned my grandmother. When she arrived my father told her he had no idea how the comic book ended up in his pants and she believed him! (He was an only child and without a dad at the time – and she was especially gullible!). When he became a Christian at 16 he had to tell her the truth and go back to the store owner and tell him the truth too.

That’s the way to deal with sin. Admit it, confess it, make amends where you can.

Here’s something you can do in prayer today. After you’ve spent some time in gratitude and praise invite the Holy Spirit to bring to mind any sin in your life that remains unconfessed. He will speak to you. Play that memory through in your mind: What needs to be confessed? Who deserves an apology? What, if any, amends need to be made? (If you’re not sure if something is a sin or just a situation that didn’t go as well as you hoped, you could ask a trusted friend for discernment.)

Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them
And in whose spirit is no deceit.

Praying and confessing with you this day.

Andrew

Body Language: Baby of Peace

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 20:25:00 GMT

The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.

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1 Samuel 4

Message Questions:

Take the time to read the passage with your group. I know it’s long. Pretend it’s a bedtime story (just don’t fall asleep!)

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:00:00 GMT

In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
Do not let me be put to shame,
Nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
Will ever be put to shame,
But shame will come to those who
Are treacherous without cause

Guilt is when you feel bad about something you’ve done. If you’re found guilty in a court of law, you’re going to jail. Commit the crime, you do the time!

Though Christians still face the consequences of their actions, they do believe that Jesus has swallowed their guilt. “He was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities…”

Shame is a different creature. Guilt leaves you feeling lousy about what you did, but shame makes you feel lousy about who you are. Shame tells you you’re inadequate, or you’re dumber than everyone else, or you’ll never beat that old familiar temptation.

Put your trust in God. Pray about these things. He will show you his ways, he will teach you His paths. He forgives sins. Better still, when you believe, he comes and lives inside you. It’s no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you.

“My eyes are ever on the LORD,
For only he will release my feet from the snare.”

Praying shamelessly with you today!

Andrew

Body Language: Baby of Hope

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 22:02:00 GMT

The Christian hope jumps into history in the most unlikely and improbable way: a baby. Incarnation. God with us. Immanuel. And no one saw it coming.

Listen to an audio version of the message

Songs for this week: Spotify

Genesis 12:1-7

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:00:00 GMT

I love you, LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn
Of my salvation, my stronghold.

Someone recently said in my hearing something like, “I believe in the power of prayer.” I didn’t say anything, but in my spirit I said, “I don’t.”

Yep, you read that right, I don’t believe in the power of prayer. I do, however, believe in the power of the One who answers prayer.

Prayer can be a religious activity. I’m assuming most if not all religions consider prayer to be essential to a meaningful life but there isn’t inherent value in praying. Prayer can be misguided and lead to all sorts of sorrow. The prophets of Baal who locked horns with the Living God on Mount Carmel soon learned how harmful misguided prayer is.

Prayer isn’t a religious practice that earns you points with God. Prayer is simply speaking to the God who revealed himself in Jesus. We say it as honestly and as awkwardly as those who came to him during his time on earth: “Master please come….” “Teacher help.…” “Lord, I want to see.”

What is on your heart these days? What joy are you experiencing? What sadness? What longing? Anyone else aching for the nations to live at peace?

Say it, pray it, and trust the power of the One who hears … and answers.

“He reached down from on high and
took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy….
He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because
He delighted in me.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: In This Together

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 22:05:00 GMT

Philippians is Paul’s most joyful letter even though he’s in jail, he’s old, people are behaving poorly, and it’s not clear if things will get any better. Can there be real joy when circumstances are awful?

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Philippians 4:14-23

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:01:00 GMT

Gracious Lord, help us see and understand—with the eyes of faith and the mind you have given us—your magnificent, glorious, self-sufficient being, and the greatness of your Kingdom into which we are invited. May we grasp the deep significance of the words, “in Him we live and move and have our being,” and know that in that safest of places—in you—there simply is no lack.

Open our eyes to the high privilege of being created in your image. Convince us that nothing makes you happier than seeing those redeemed by your grace devoting their days to the good of other people and your creation. Win over our timid and doubting hearts with the conviction that we are your greatest treasure in all creation.

Give us sober yet fearless awareness of Satan’s ploys and deceits. Strengthen our hearts in the knowledge that we have nothing to fear, for you have defeated him. We are so glad to know that greater are you who are in us than he that is in the world. May our hearts carry that message as we contemplate the awesome reality of the spiritual battle around us.

Tender Father you have taught us so clearly that faith—trust—is essential to a life without lack. We confess that while we believe in you, we need to believe more fully, more deeply, more constantly. In his life, death, and resurrection Jesus showed us that you are completely and utterly trustworthy, and even in the shadow of death, there is nothing to fear, for you are with us.

Bring us to the place of peace where we no longer feel a need to defend ourselves, or to worry about who’s going to take care of us, or to be recognized, or to get our way, or to make sure things turn out right. Lord, free us through the knowledge that because you are with us, working in our lives, we have everything we need.

And now, with the truth of who you are deeply engraved in our hearts, give us the confidence and power to love all who are in our lives just as we are being loved by you—freely, fully, joyfully. Let your Spirit move in our minds and hearts so we believe ever more fully that because you are our all-sufficient Shepherd, we shall never want.

We ask all this because we would have it no other way.

Amen

From Life Without Lack , by Dallas Willard

Jailhouse Joy: Content Whatever The Circumstances

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:19:00 GMT

Philippians is Paul’s most joyful letter even though he’s in jail, he’s old, people are behaving poorly and it’s not clear if things will get any better. Can there be real joy when circumstances are awful?

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Philippians 4:10-13

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Answer me when I call you,
My righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
Have mercy on me and
Hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn
My glory into shame?
How long will you love
Delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant
For himself;
The LORD hears when I call to him.

How honest is this prayer! We see here three parts to honest prayer: the cry to God, the response to detractors, and the reminder to self.

We pray often because we’re in distress! “LORD we need relief.” “Deliver us!” “God please…” That’s good and normal praying.

But then we hear the voices of others around us trying to embarrass us or shame us into not being so pathetic and needy and asking God to help us: “You don’t still believe that old stuff do you?” “Are you still in the dark ages?” How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

We hear that voice. Sometimes it’s our own self-talk and we need to remind ourselves: God has called me, set me apart, and he does hear when I call to him.

I’m not sure what conversations happen when you move to pray but be reminded of Him who is truer than any of the thoughts that float about in your head.

Many, LORD, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Think About Such Things

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 17:23:00 GMT

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Philippians 4:8-9

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:00:00 GMT

The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
And calls them each by name. Great is our LORD and mighty in power;
His understanding has no limit.

I regularly forget who I’m talking to, not in my human conversations, but in prayer. It comes out with language like “If You could just..” or “If you would only…”. It’s like I’m talking to a friend with limited resources, even a parent or spouse who loves me but only has so much money or time or resources.

Our LORD has many things that are unlimited including his understanding. That’s reassuring! So many people these days sound like they know so much! It may be a legend but I heard of a time that Einstein drew a big circle on a chalkboard and then put a tiny dot in the middle of it. He pointed to the big circle and said “This is the knowledge available to human beings” and then he pointed to the tiny dot and said, “And this is how much of that I know.” That was honest.

So this day we come with our limited-understanding prayers and we bring them to the One who has all understanding. We ask and we seek and we happily leave the results in his hands.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
Nor is his delight in the legs of the warrior;
The LORD delights in those who fear him,
Who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Stand Firm

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 18:36:00 GMT

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Philippians 4:1-7

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:40:00 GMT

Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Protect me from the violent,
Who devise ways to trip my feet.
The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
They have spread out the cords of their net
And have set traps for me along my path.
I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
You shield my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD;
Do not let their plans succeed.

David faced real threats as a young man and when he was king. His times included literal backstabbing, the slaughter of families, the burning of villages, and kidnapping of the vulnerable. Not safe at all!

In those times David was even more aware that the LORD was his Strong Deliverer. Hard times would come—David couldn’t avoid those and neither can we—but God was close in the hard times.

Christians understand that our battle is not against “flesh and blood.” People are for loving, not for hurting. We don’t pray for the demise of people, but we do pray for the demolishing of strongholds. There is a sinister force at work in our world who has, as a main objective, the harassing, harming, distracting, and discouraging of God’s people.

This day, pray for protection. Pray against the strategies of the evil one in your life and in our life together. “You shield my head in the day of battle.” Pray that God will not only protect your body but your mind also. Often our minds are the soil where the battle is either won or lost.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: I Press On

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 15:48:00 GMT

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Philippia ns 3:12-21

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people
Live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head
Running down on Aaron’s beard
Down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
Were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
Even life forevermore.

It’s still amazing to me that the King of the Universe wants a dynamic relationship with us! How is that even possible? He is so great and we are dust creatures.

It’s equally amazing that the King of the Universe is keen that we get along with each other. Our friendships matter to Him.

I’m guessing that the images in the Scripture above may not sound as pleasing in your ears as they would have to ancient worshippers! The one sounds like a laundry nightmare—oil on your clothes(!). And the other makes no sense unless you realize Mount Hermon was teeming with life like a rainforest and Mount Zion was a bald rock. They are both pictures of “best day ever” images.

When Christians get along it’s like God’s “best day ever.” Let’s spend the day praying for unity within our church, the Church in our area, and the Church worldwide. We are polarized on several matters these days but we shouldn’t be polarized about whether or not to love each other. You may find yourself praying for those whose relationship with you is ruptured. Those people and those relationships matter deeply to our Jesus who himself prayed that “we would be one.”

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Spring 2022 Apprentice III

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 13:00:00 GMT

For those of you who have walked through Apprentice I & II, sign up for Apprentice III with the form below. You may want to check out the timeline for spring 2022 and order your book .

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Restore our fortunes, LORD,
Like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
Will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping
Carrying seed to sow,
Will return with songs of joy,
Carrying sheaves with them.

The Autumn that Colleen’s mom died, her father had to harvest his potatoes and he didn’t have it in him. He was gutted. If her sister Marion and her husband Wille hadn’t showed up and coaxed him onto that tractor and worked steadily alongside him for the 2 or 3 weeks, those potatoes would have stayed in the ground. I’ve often thought of him in these verses. He wasn’t sowing in tears, he was harvesting in tears and it was going against every natural inclination of his being. He knew God was good but he didn’t feel it. He only wanted to curl up in a ball and let the world go without him.

Prayer can be like that too. It’s often an act of hope against all the felt emotions, against all the difficult circumstances, against every natural impulse. And still, we pray.

Here’s the sure hope: Our LORD is at work. Our LORD will not let this go on endlessly. There will be a harvest. There will be!

So for now, sow seeds, throw seeds, speak prayers, shout them if need be, but pray even if you do so with tears in your eyes. Pray for loved ones who refuse to come to Him. Pray for Canada as we confront our past and plan to move forward together. Pray for the nations who are at odds with each other during a pandemic, in an energy crunch, trying to make our way through climate change and the mental health crisis our planet is experiencing.

Our Lord Jesus is King…even in our tears.

Praying and sowing with you today.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Whatever Was To My Profit

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:41:00 GMT

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Philippians 3:1-11

Message Questions:

Jailhouse Joy: Partners In The Gospel

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:40:00 GMT

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Philippians 2:19-30

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
Deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
For you teach me your statutes,
My tongue will sing of your word,
For all your commandments are right.

The absolute best tool for me in my praying is the Bible. That’s where I get my words from, that’s where my thoughts are shaped, that’s where I learn the heart of God.

How about using your Bible today in your prayers today? You could read a Psalm out loud several times. You could pray one of the other prayers in the Bible—like Mary’s prayer or Zechariah’s or Daniel’s or Hagar’s. Turn to Paul in Ephesians and pray one of his prayers printed there.

You could also make your way to Philippians, the book we’re studying on Sunday morning, and pray passages that we’ve studied. You could pray through the passage we’ll study this Sunday (2:19-30). Pray for the preacher! It’s old-school wording but I recall someone saying, “When there’s prayer in the pew there’s power in the pulpit!” Bring it!

Give me understanding according to your word!
Deliver me according to your word.
My tongue will sing of your word.

Praying the Word with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Be Glad & Rejoice With Me

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:59:00 GMT

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Philippians 2:12-18

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
Extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
And the faithfulness of the LORD
Endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

I recall reading of an astronaut who had been to the moon who, at one point, looked back on the earth. When he moved his thumb between his eye and the earth, our planet vanished from view—there was nothing but inky blackness. It was a somber moment for the astronaut as he was reminded how fragile our planet is.

Praise the LORD, all you nations!

This is the picture of the nations at their best. Not scheming military strategy, no sleight-of-hand political maneuvering, but rather praise. The nations in song, adoring the God of all creation for 2 things: (1) his great love toward us; and (2) his faithfulness that endures forever.

If I get quiet on these truths for a few moments, on his affection and his never-give-up loyalty, my breath settles and my chest begins to fill with the assurance that belongs to a well-loved child. Makes me want to whistle or hum or sing.

And “extol?” It means “praise enthusiastically.” Turn up the volume! Let’s put a little extol into this day.

Praying and extolling with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Every Knee Will Bow

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 22:54:00 GMT

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Philippians 2:1-11

Message Questions:

Bonus

Pray aloud Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17:20-23.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:03:00 GMT

The LORD said to my Lord;
“Sit at my right hand
Until I make your enemies
A footstool for your feet.”

Jesus quoted the verse directly to his enemies.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that he didn’t subjugate his enemies. He didn’t put them in a headlock. No humiliation or condemnation. He did as he told us to do and loved his enemies. He made it as possible for them as for us to be saved, to be right with God, to enter an entirely new life.

Today is a good day to pray for our enemies, for people who have hurt us or have it out for us. Here’s a chance for you to turn the tables and pray our Lord’s blessing on those who don’t like you very much (or perhaps, you don’t like so much!).

It’s okay to pray for things you don’t actually want (if we’re honest!) because you know God’s heart is to save that person. “Bless those who persecute you.”

Praying with you today, asking for our Lord’s best for friends and enemies.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Contending As One

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 21:52:00 GMT

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Philippians 1:27-29

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 10:00:00 GMT

I love that the Psalm writer connects compassion with a dad. It seems most times that quality is attached to moms. The world is a far better place when men and even dads are compassionate.

Last Sunday I led a celebration of life for one of our men. He was hard working and successful and gentle and generous. His son-in-law talked about how he, an aspiring young farmer, would often get his tractor stuck and this man would come and pull him out, day or night. One of his kids had a little girl out of wedlock and this man and his wife raised the child when the mom and dad weren’t able to parent her. That little one was so vulnerable. The little girl, now a woman and mother, stood before the crowd and spoke of him as her hero.

Compassion literally means shared suffering. God enters our suffering with us because he knows it’s too much for us to bear alone. Sounds like Jesus!

This day, as we pray, nestle into this great truth: the One who made us from dust entered our world as one of us to share our suffering to win us for Himself.

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Continuing To Rejoice

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 19:57:00 GMT

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Philippians 1:12-26

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:16:00 GMT

Let the heavens rejoice,
Let the earth be glad;
Let the sea resound,
And all that is in it;
Let the fields be jubilant,
And everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest
Will sing for joy;
They will sing before the LORD
For he comes,
He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in his truth.

I love the picture of the creation shouting out God’s praise! Whales, dolphins, and sharks from the sea, and field mice, bumblebees, and grasshoppers from the meadow—all cooing and clicking and crunching their praise.

I love the talking beasts from Narnia, where animals are given human language so we can remember that their words and praise matters too.

Their joy and ours comes from the great promise that one day our LORD will judge the earth with righteousness. “Judge” mostly means “lead” or “govern.” To judge “in righteousness” means it’s done right or fairly. No more corruption. No more saying one thing and doing another. No backroom deals.

That’s a great starting point for us in our praying today. Not only will Jesus one day return to govern rightly, but he’s already King and we’re part of his Kingdom. He left us to get a jump on Kingdom life here, now, and today.

This day when we pray and where God opens a door, we jumpstart the Kingdom!

Praying and praising with you (and the trees and the field mice and finches) this day.

Andrew

Jailhouse Joy: Carry It On To Completion

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 20:15:00 GMT

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Philippians 1:1-11

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Jailhouse Joy: Be Glad & Rejoice With Me

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:08:00 GMT

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Luke 20:9-19

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 11:00:00 GMT

You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

But you have rejected, you have spurned,
you have been very angry with your anointed one.
You have renounced the covenant with your servant
and have defiled his crown in the dust.

It seems that the biggest part of prayer is trying to make sense of what God has said when it doesn’t line up with everything we see around us.

“How is this going to work, LORD?”
“This is not going the way I imagined!”
“But I thought you said…?”

Our LORD doesn’t seem threatened by such conversations. In fact, it seems that He is honoured by them and delights to show us His better way.

Of course, believers struggled to believe when the throne in Jerusalem was carted off to Babylon as a war trophy along with their blinded and traumatized king. Of course, they scratched their heads when no ‘son of David’ rose up to rule for hundreds of years. Had God forgotten? Had they believed a lie? Had they been played?

At just the right time Jesus came as the right King, the true King of Israel, the King of Israel before Israel had earthly kings. How the lights came on for those early Christians as they realized what God had done ‘just as he said’.

Where are you trying to make sense of what God has said? Go after him about it! Hold up the broken pieces and cry out. And then trust. Prepare to be amazed.

Praying and wondering with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Grace Wins

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 20:03:00 GMT

Stories that change the World and your heart.

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Luke 20:9-19

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Prayer Wednesday: The Weak

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 11:00:00 GMT

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Haiti is front and centre in the news these days devastated (again) by a powerful earthquake. Afghanistan is also in our minds as we piece together images and stories of a sinister force until recently kept at bay but now rapidly re-establishing itself in that country. Only weeks before those tragedies, we were numb and heart-broken (again) with the atrocities of Residential Schools.

“Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
For all the nations are your inheritance.”

Our LORD loves this world, he loves all these people. As you pray this day and bring these hotspots before our Heavenly Father keep your ears open to listen for ways that you and perhaps we might join our Father and rise up to ‘rescue the weak and needy.’

Praying, and listening, with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Making The Most of What You’ve Got

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 22:09:00 GMT

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Luke 19:11-27

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Fall 2021 Kids’ Programming

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:39:00 GMT

Prayer Wednesday: Horns

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:33:00 GMT

We praise you, God
We praise you for your Name is near;
People tell of your wonderful deeds.
You say, “I choose the appointed time;
It is I who judge with equity.
When the earth and all its people quake,
It is I who hold its pillars firm.
To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more.’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
Do not lift your horns against heaven;
Do not speak so defiantly.’”

Horns were an ancient image of strength. When an ox raised its head it was an image of power and maybe that things were about to get ugly. I’m not sure if the ancient Middle East had any familiarity with the rhinoceros or elephant, but it’s the same picture: to raise your horn was to declare supremacy.

We know that no one from east or west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges. He brings down one and exalts another.

This day, let’s pray for leaders. For nations who might want to exalt themselves over “lesser” nations; for leaders who can swallow the temptation of superiority.

Let’s pray together that Jesus, who is the hope of the nations and the Light of the world, shines into each of the nations (don’t be afraid to name some of them by name). Let’s pray that we all find ourselves properly valuing Him and each other and ourselves.

Heal the nations, LORD, and lead our leaders!

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Change: The Difference Between You and Me

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 20:21:00 GMT

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Luke 18:9-14

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Prayer Wednesday: Women

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:00:00 GMT

The LORD announces the word
And the women who proclaim it
Are a mighty throng.

It isn’t always clear in the earlier Scriptures but Jesus made it super clear: God is a big fan of women.

Jesus went over the top to make sure people understand that women are equal players in His Kingdom. Jesus often told older stories where he switched the hero of the story from a man to a woman. Women were last at the cross and first at the empty grave. Women featured significantly in the churches Paul planted.

Today would be a good day to focus our prayers of thanks and prayers for blessing on the women in our lives. Little ones, young women, those who have children, those who want kids but don’t currently have them, sisters, moms, wives, grandmothers, widows, friends, the lonely.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
Extol him who rides on the clouds
Rejoice before him – his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless
A defender of widows
Is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families.

Praying prayers of gratitude and blessing with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Washing Dishes

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 13:44:00 GMT

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Luke 17:7-10

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Prayer Wednesday: The Rock

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Hear my cry, O God;
Listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
Lead me to the rock
That is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
A strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever and
Take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

We have just returned from hiking the Bruce Trail around Tobermory. It’s a cliff’s edge. One of the days as we hiked in a monsoon, the waves crashed into the escarpment, pounding away at the ancient cliffs. Low ground was perilous. It was much safer on higher ground, especially that day.

This prayer-writer (David) was having a monsoon day. He felt like he was far away from everything familiar (“from the ends of the earth”) and he was up against opposition (“the foe”). He chose not to pull the covers over his head or lash out in angry self-defence; rather he chose to pray.

He poured out his heart. LORD I want to be near You. To “dwell in your tent” and nestle in under your wings.

This is beautiful. This is the heart of God and the heart of prayer. We don’t ask that our lives be easy and problem-free. We do ask for the power of the Living God in us and with us as we tackle the stuff of today.

There is a Rock that is higher than us.

Praying (even in the monsoon!) with you today.

Andrew

Change: Rich Man; Poor Soul

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 19:14:00 GMT

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Luke 16:19-32

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Save me, O God, by your name;
Vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
Listen to the words of my mouth.
Arrogant foes are attacking me;
Ruthless people trying to kill me-
People without regard for God.
Surely God is my help;
The LORD is the one who sustains me.

We’re not very comfortable with prayers like this.

For the most part we don’t feel threatened like this. No one is trying to kill us and it seems odd for us to pray such prayers.

But we know that there are places in the world where Christians are under threat of death. Over 100, maybe as many as 164 students were kidnapped from a Christian school in Nigeria on July 5, 2021. (Check out Voice of the Martyrs for this and other accounts.)

Many others have been kidnapped and most have not been heard of since. We ache over these stories. We ache over every story of suffering where one group of people brings evil on any group of precious human beings.

What can they do? What can we do?

We pray. We cry out to the LORD who hears us, the One who can and will bring his justice into even the worst of situations. “O LORD save, by your great name.”

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Grace That Heals Families

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 17:03:00 GMT

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Luke 15:11-32

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 11:47:00 GMT

“Clap your hands all you nations;
Shout to God with cries of joy.
For the LORD Most High is awesome,
The great King over all the earth.”

The heart of God is for everyone. All the nations are his and they are all on his ‘Invite List.’ God so loves the world.

I read of an extra brutal winter in Mongolia recently that wiped out herds. Herding families lost everything. Amazingly, in one location, officials went to the Christians for help. The Christians were able to provide food and to fund the purchase of new animals so that families could get back on their feet. A year after the relief project finished it was learned that some locals called their new herds ‘Jesus animals’ and the families were referred to as ‘Jesus families.’

It is amazing when Christians start to love the world like Jesus loves the world.

God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble
As the people of the God of Abraham,
For the kings of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted!

Praying (and clapping) with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Quick On Your Feet

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 16:45:00 GMT

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Luke 16:1-8

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 12:00:00 GMT

“Blessed is the one
Who trusts in the LORD,
Who does not look to the proud,
To those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, LORD my God,
Are the wonders you have done,
The things you have planned for us.
None can compare with you;
Were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
They would be too many to declare.”

Our world demands that we compare Jesus with other religious leaders and conclude he’s no more special than Buddha, Moses or Mohammed. It seems arrogant to claim special status. So let’s compare. No one else taught with the direct clarity that Jesus teaches. Read the Quran, read the Bhagavad Gita, compare. No one else performed the life-restoring miracles that Jesus performed. No one else arrived on the scene and fulfilled hundreds of prophecies made about him hundreds of years earlier. No other religious leader claimed to be God, none were even close to making such a claim. And no other leader laid down his life that our lives would be redeemed.

None can compare with you.

Christians can’t get up on a high horse about themselves. We’ve made a mess of things too often. Christianity has many dark days and seasons in its history. But Jesus? He is the one worth trusting. He is the one who lifts us from slimy pits, out of the mud and mire. He will set all the world right. He is incomparable!

Praying (and speaking of His deeds) this day with you.

Andrew

Change: Can’t Get There From Here

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 19:01:00 GMT

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Luke 14:25-33

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 11:06:00 GMT

“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
It is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
Play skillfully, and shout for joy.”

For some time now I’ve been taking Wednesday mornings to actually pray. Sadly it is possible to write Prayer Emails and then be too busy to actually pray yourself. I’ve taken to grabbing my guitar, my Bible and a journal and finding a far-off room in the church, away from my phone and laptop, to take some time to pray. Part of my praying is singing. Worship in song brings my heart and head where they need to be before our LORD.

Is there a way for you to bring your worship into song this day? I find it hard to get distracted when I’m singing, it’s like when I dance, it takes all my attention and focus! Perhaps that’s in part why God commands singing and shouting and not just thinking or quiet reflection.

We wait and hope for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
For we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD
Even as we put our hope in you.

Praying and singing (shouting!) with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Excuses

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 16:18:00 GMT

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Luke 14:15-24

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:00:00 GMT

“Vindicate me, O LORD,
For I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
Without wavering.
Test me, O LORD, and try me,
Examine my heart and my mind;
For your love is ever before me,
And I walk continually in your truth.”

David says he’s “unwavering,” and perhaps it’s true. His prayer (Psalm 26) sounds like one of my prayers where I’m trying to make sense of my life in the chaos that is our world. Somedays I feel like I’m sifting through the rubble after a tornado. That’s how this Psalm prays for me.

What can I hold on to when everything is swirling? When a family member isn’t well; or when it comes out that Christians have behaved deplorably; or when wrong is called right and right is called wrong?

David knows what to hang on to: “For your love is ever before me.”

God’s love is the one unwavering certainty in life. My emotions, my reactions, the events of my life are all over the map. God’s love is bedrock firm. Unwavering.

As we pray together this day let’s hold fast to the One who is not only steadfast in character but also unwavering in his love toward us.

Praying (and holding on for dear life) with you this day!

Andrew

Change: When The World Is Going The Other Direction

Sun, 27 Jun 2021 16:09:00 GMT

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Luke 13:22-30

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SPL Family Conversation

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 17:08:00 GMT

If you would like to have a conversation with leaders about the SPL Leadership’s statement about the PCC’s denominational shift around same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ+ community members, please register for a Zoom meeting on Thursday, August 5 @ 7:00 pm. Space will be limited to 8 participants. If there is interest, more of these conversation opportunities will be opened up.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 11:00:00 GMT

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
Night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
No sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.”

When we pray, we join a conversation—we don’t start one. Social etiquette and common sense tell us to enter a conversation quietly, with an ear to listen before any eagerness to speak. There are voices that have been speaking truth and wisdom for a long time, long before we’ve been speaking, long before humans formed languages.

The stars speak. We have only begun to understand the stunning magnitude of our universe. Dizzying dimensions that are beyond comprehension surely speak of the greatness of our God. The stars, which are big “gas balls” that hold together, emit light, radiate heat—including our star that perfectly lights and warms our planet—are added testimony of His glory.

Ps. 19 tells us that these “heavenly hosts” are reminders of the “Law of the LORD,” the design of the Almighty, which also brings light and warmth to planet earth and human creatures.

It’s into this conversation that we listen and speak this day.

Don’t think that this means you need to stay silent. That would be a mistake. Our LORD invites and expects your prayers. Speak as one who was anticipated. You are one who is known and loved, one whom our Lord Jesus came to bring to life.

“ May the words of my mouth and this mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. ”

Praying, listening, and meditating with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Good Things Come in Small Packages

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 19:14:00 GMT

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Luke 13:18-21

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

“Because the poor are plundered
And the needy groan,
I will now arise,”
Says the LORD.
“I will protect them from
Those who malign them”.

This is why we pray: for the time when our LORD finally says, “ I will now arise .”

I know that prayer is good for our souls. There is a corrective that happens when we slow down long enough to pray. There’s also a deepening of intimacy in our relationship with Jesus that occurs in prayer.

But the big deal about praying is that the Living God actually answers! Our LORD will arise and will make right those things that have gone terribly wrong. “ I will now arise ” is good news for those who are losing hope, those who feel “ no one is faithful anymore ,” those who grieve how “ the wicked strut about when what is vile is honoured by the human race .”

Don’t lose hope! Jesus has already done it once; he’s going to do it again!

“ I will now arise .” Maranatha!

Praying and longing with you this day.

Andrew

Change: One More Year and Then …

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:22:00 GMT

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Luke 13:6-9

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:00:00 GMT

In the morning LORD,
You hear my voice;
In the morning I lay my
requests before you
And wait expectantly.

I once heard pastor and author Tony Campolo ask, “What’s the sense in tuning your instrument after the concert?” He was making a case for Christians beginning their day in prayer instead of trying to pray at night. That makes sense to me because I fall asleep trying to pray at night. But you may be wired differently. Jesus prayed through the night so score a point for the night pray-ers!

Whenever you pray our Lord seems honoured by our expectancy—by you assuming he’s listening and answering those prayers. You have no expectations of a stranger, but you do expect a response from a friend. It may be true that the degree of expectancy in your prayers is a direct indicator of your friendship with our Lord Jesus.

Hmm, that might create pressure or guilt. Those aren’t good fuel for praying.

This is:

But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
In reverence I bow down
Toward your holy temple.

Let’s get to praying this day and let’s do so expectantly.

Praying and expecting with you.

Andrew

Change: Ready Or Not

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 18:31:00 GMT

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Luke 12:35-40

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
Praise him all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
Praise him, all your shining stars.
Praise him you highest heavens
And you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For at his command they were created.

It’s kind of hard to miss what is uppermost in this writer’s mind. It’s worship! It’s praise. It’s saying, singing, shouting to God: “You are so good!” “You are so brilliant!” “You are so beautiful!”

Having commanded praise from every living creature he can think of “kings and princes,” “wild animals and cattle,” “lightning and hail,” the writer gives three reasons for praising the Living God:

We are to praise because of who He is, Creator and Sovereign, but also because of this curious piece: He has chosen to love us. His love for us is so undeserved! His love stands beside these other two unshakeable truths: God created. God has no equal. And, just as certain, God has chosen to love us.

Let’s pray (and praise) this day as the loved daughters and sons He has made us to be.

Praying and praising with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Just One More

Sun, 30 May 2021 19:08:00 GMT

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Luke 12:13-21

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 26 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT

May my prayer be set before you
Like incense;
May the lifting up of my hands
Be like the evening sacrifice.

Someone has pointed out that this particular psalm of David (141) makes mention of body parts (hands, mouth, heart, head, bones, and eyes). It’s a great affirmation for ‘body engagement in praying’. For those of us who most often choose to be motionless and silent in prayer, this is an invitation to utilize your body. Go for a walk. Speak your prayers aloud. Raise your hands. Get on your knees. Get outside this night so the glory of the night sky filled with stars can spark your praise.

I’ve found something nearly undistractable (is that a word?) when involving my body in praying. Perhaps this is part of what was intended when we are commanded to ‘love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, STRENGTH and mind.

But my eyes are fixed on you,
O Sovereign LORD;
In you I take refuge-
Do not give me over to death.

Engaging and praying with you this day.

Andrew

Change: More To The Story

Sun, 23 May 2021 18:51:00 GMT

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Luke 11:14-26

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 19 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Praise the LORD
All you servants of the LORD
Who minister by night
In the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
And praise the LORD.
May the LORD bless you from Zion,
He who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

This psalm was written to the people who had the night shift. “ Who minister by night in the house of the LORD ”. Everyone else had gone home—the priests, the worshippers—and in came the night shift. Washing down the altars, carrying out the trash, reloading the firewood, all the while walking around the sacred spaces of worship to the Living God. I guess it could become “same old, same old.” Mundane.

These workers were reminded to “ lift their hands in the sanctuary .” Don’t ever think that your work isn’t worship. Even when no one else is around or watching. God didn’t go home. He is present with you in whatever “mundane” work you find yourself doing. Clearly, He doesn’t see it as mundane, but as worship to Him.

If you find yourself up in the night, consider lifting your hands and speaking your praise. You could let loose a little; no one is watching. For that matter, you could do that at midday too!

Praying with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Neighbours

Sun, 16 May 2021 20:55:00 GMT

Stories that change the World and your heart.

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Luke 10:30-37

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 12 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Unless the LORD builds the house,
The builders labour in vain
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
The guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
And stay up late,
Toiling for food to eat—
For he grants sleep to those he loves.

“ In vain ” you try to do things by yourself. “Shua” is the word in Hebrew. It could also be translated as “futility.”

In a society that wants to be rid of God, wants to go about its house-building, city-watching, food-collecting all on its own, Christians say, “we need God.” Not only do we need God in the middle of the task with us, but we also recognize that without Him, we’ll just be making sandcastles and the next wave will wipe it all away.

God is with us in our work. Jesus invited us into the job he was and is doing. So we work and we rest in the confidence that larger hands than ours are at work with us.

AND he grants sleep to those he loves . The Hebrew word could be translated as “the darling of Him.” That’s pretty sweet! God doesn’t see you as a production unit but as His delight, His darling who co-labours with Him. That puts praying into a different light, doesn’t it?

Working and praying with you this day!

Andrew

Change: Light It Up

Sun, 09 May 2021 21:38:00 GMT

Stories that change the World and your heart.

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Luke 8:16-18

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 05 May 2021 10:03:00 GMT

I call on the LORD in my distress
And he answers me.

The original writer of this had several sources for his distress. “Lying lips” and “deceitful tongues” were part of the problem. Another part of the problem was that everyone around him was spoiling for a fight. Everyone was on edge:

“I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”

It’s no fun when people aren’t telling the truth; when you don’t know who to trust or how much to trust them. At some point, you feel like you’re getting played for being trusting. It’s no fun when people around you are walking around with a chip on their shoulder.

The solution in distress? Pray. I call to the LORD in my distress and he answers me. And he answers me with truth.

It’s not much more profound than this: Are you in distress? Let’s pray. And maybe as well, let’s lean into each other. For this we have Jesus and he’s the one that gave us each other.

Praying and leaning with you this day.

Andrew

Change: Getting Unstuck

Sun, 02 May 2021 18:28:00 GMT

Stories that change the World and your heart.

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Luke 8:4-15

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Give thanks to the LORD
For he is good
His love endures forever.

Forever is a long time! Can you believe that you are loved by God … forever? I remember someone once teaching that our first experiences of love shape the way we then interpret and experience love for the rest of our lives. The way our mom loved us or our dad loved us sets a “cast” or mold for every future relationship. I think he had a point.

And yet, our LORD would like to prewrite or overwrite his love on our hearts so we’re not limited by our mom or dad or whoever else writes in our “book of Love.” Our Lord wants us to know that while we sleep when we wake, and through the day, we are swimming in the sea of His love. In our fear, when we’re surrounded, and even in the face of death, we are loved.

You are loved.

This day as you pray, don’t voice the prayers of one who sees herself as an orphan or himself as a groveling slave, but rather as one of those whom the LORD loves … forever!

Praying and being loved with you today.

Andrew

SPL Subsidy Form

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 23:09:00 GMT

To request a subsidy for an SPL event (ie. retreat, book day) this form must be submitted to the office at least two weeks prior to the event. All requests are based on the need and availability of funds. Special requests must be made in writing to the church office. Subsidy requests are confirmed within […]

Change: Going All In

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 21:11:00 GMT

Stories that change the World and your heart.

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Luke 5:33-39

Message Questions:

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:28:00 GMT

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
All who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise!

I feel a little short in the wisdom department these days. Just when a plan starts coming together a new wrinkle gets thrown our way.

I love that wisdom finds its place in—indeed, grows out of—a proper positioning before God. It’s good to remember that God was not overwhelmed with Pharaoh’s power, he was not intimidated by Babylon’s glory, God never trembled before Rome’s brute strength.

He’s not surprised by a pandemic. Throughout it all, and more, our God has been steady and true. AND he has made a way for his people to be wise and have good understanding throughout.

It all starts with “ fear of the LORD .” Forgive me for the lengthy quote:

From Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places by Eugene Peterson

Becoming silent and still with you this day so we might be wise and know the fear of the LORD in our very midst.

Andrew

Unfinished Business: Luke 24:26-49

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:26:00 GMT

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Message Questions: Luke 24:26-49

Parent & Guardian Survey

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:43:00 GMT

We would love to hear some feedback from parents or guardians about how we can support discipleship for kids. Please take a moment to fill out some questions to help us better understand.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 10:55:00 GMT

All creatures look to you
To give their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them,
They gather it up;
When you open your hand,
They are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face,
They are terrified;
When you take away their breath,
They die and return to the dust.

There’s something exquisite about food. It looks good, it tastes good, it’s good for our bodies—what exquisite design!

Food also reminds us that, like all creatures, we’re dependent. We need food. We have full confidence in fridges and farmers, but if that supply were ever cut off we’d be in trouble in a couple of weeks.

And that also seems like the design of God. We don’t have humps like a camel to store fat that allows us to go weeks and weeks without eating. It’s all quite humbling. We’re never that far from death.

I think that’s why Jesus taught us to fast. Fasting is going without food purposefully. (In our day people do media/chocolate/coffee fasts, but the ancients experienced fasting as going without all food.) Part of what happens when we fast is that we’re reminded of our dependency. We feel in our tummies how much we need our LORD and, thankfully, how much he loves us and provides for us.

This praying day, if you choose to eat or if you choose to fast, be reminded of the One who “ opens his hand so you can be satisfied with good things .”

Praying and grateful for food with you this day.

Andrew

Unfinished Business: Luke 24:13-35

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 22:28:00 GMT

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Message Questions: Luke 24:13-35

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 11:02:00 GMT

The LORD reigns let the earth be glad;
Let distant shores rejoice!

When I hear the word “rejoicing” I associate it with things like my team winning, or a long weekend, or some problem (like a pandemic) coming to its end.

This psalm writer was on a different page. He or she rejoiced that “ clouds and thick darkness surround ” God, that “ fire goes before him ,” and even that “ His lightning lights up the world .”

This writer (let’s call her “she”) hasn’t just heard the Bible stories or simply read them as part of her synagogue’s “Read the Bible in a Year” program. She’s there! She’s part of the action! She looks back on the God at Mount Sinai event and she feels the ground shake and she sees the fire break out and she braces at each thunderclap and each bolt of lightning (see Exodus 19:16-18). And she is in awe. She’s activated her imagination.

As we pray this day, make space for awe. Read Exodus 19 and 20, or Exodus 14, or 1 Samuel 17, or Isaiah 6, or Daniel 3, or better yet, Luke 24.

Let’s not just read with our eyes but know in our minds and feel in our hearts that the Living God we know—Jesus—is Awesome.

In awe and in prayer with you this day,

Andrew

Unfinished Business: Luke 24:1-12

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 11:15:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: Luke 24:1-12

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:15:00 GMT

You sweep people away in the sleep of death
– they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
But by evening it is dry and withered.

It’s Holy Week. All four biographies of Jesus—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—slow down for Holy Week. Given that Jesus’ life was likely 33 years in length, it’s amazing that each of the writers use about one-third of their books to talk about the last week of his life. John uses almost half of his book for Holy week.

Holy Week is a good time for Jesus’ people to slow down and ponder … and pray.

Psalm 90 reminds us how fragile and fleeting we are. Even if we make it to 70 or 80, it’s just a drop in the bucket of the God who is from everlasting to everlasting. That’s worth pondering. We’re just grass, bright and green first thing in the morning, wilted by dinner.

Is there anything You will do about this, our God?

Satisfy us in the morning
with your unfailing love,
That we may sing for joy and
Be glad all our days.

I love that Jesus’ resurrection was discovered in the morning! Moses, the author of Psalm 90 had no knowledge of that 1300 years earlier, but there Jesus is, first thing in the morning, our answer to death.

Thanks be to God.

Pondering, praying, and watching for morning with you!

Andrew

Unfinished Business: Luke 22:47-53

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: Luke 22:47-53

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:27:00 GMT

“Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
Like chaff before the wind.
As fire consumes the forest
Or the flame sets the mountains ablaze
So pursue them with your tempest
And terrify them with your storm.”

They say that revenge is a dish best served cold. Nobody told that to Asaph, the writer of Psalm 83. There isn’t anything cold about his prayer! There’s nothing sweet and cuddly in this conversation with God. He’s feeling threatened, his people are threatened, and he wants God to fly into action on his behalf.

A forest fire is terrifying! Nothing is left standing. All life is threatened. There’s no controlling that kind of devastation. Just black, scorched earth left behind. “That sounds about right,” says old Asaph.

Prayer, honest prayer, is the right way to deal with longing for revenge. God makes it clear several times in the Bible that revenge is His job, not ours. That doesn’t mean we don’t want it and even cry out for it, but exacting a pound of flesh (or some other suitable retribution) is not our job. We best leave that to the One who knows best.

Today you may need to pray about a relationship in your life in which you harbour bitterness, resentment, or rage. You may want full-out revenge. Read Psalm 83 out loud—that may help you articulate your own feelings.

Asaph does include a line that may also be a help to you. (It’s still brutal but I think he’s starting to see the Bigger picture.)

Cover their faces with shame, LORD
So that they will seek your name.

Praying my longings for revenge alongside you this day.

Peace,

Andrew

Together Fully Alive In Jesus

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 5:6-14

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMT

You are radiant with light,
More majestic than mountains rich with game.

“Our LORD is magnificent!” the Psalm writers often remind us. Usually, they’re remembering some epic rescue—like an escape from Egypt, or the gift of the Law, or the Promised Land. Sometimes the reminder comes when they give attention to nature—the beauty of light, the richness of forests teeming with creatures. Oh the wonder of our God!

Psalm 76 starts out that way, but then we see a new reason for awe and wonder: our God is the One who judges fairly. He isn’t impressed with military might or success.

Even death reminds us Who is in charge.

“The valiant lie plundered,
They sleep their last sleep;
Not one of the warriors
Can lift his hands.
At your rebuke, God of Jacob
Both horse and chariot lie still.”

It’s a sobering picture of how the strongest of us, in short order, is no longer a tower of strength but a breathless, still corpse.

The wonder for Christians is that we have One who has entered death and defeated it on our behalf. Even this last great enemy is no match for our Jesus.

He is wonderful.

Don’t run away from a time today to consider your own life and death. Great clarity and focus can come from such pondering. And also stand in wonder of this One who loved you so much as to give you life after this life—life everlasting!

Praying and wondering with you this day.

Andrew

Leaders & Young Guns Growing Together.

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 5:1-5

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

“The poor will see and be glad-
You who seek God—may your hearts live!
The LORD hears the needy
And does not despise his captive people.”

“May your hearts live!” This is certainly a single-phrase summary of the heart of God.

“May your hearts live!” All of you, together! Come alive!

From the very beginning, when God speaks over creation, “Let there be … light, sky, land, stars, birds, fish, animals – LIFE!”

God’s heart is that we would be alive. Fully alive.

He says it to captive Israel in chains in Egypt.
He says it to the little girl who had died: “Little girl, get up!”
He says it to his “sleeping” friend Lazarus: “Come forth!”
He says it to Nicodemus, religious and confused: “Believe and have eternal life!”
He says it to you.

This day pray with the confidence that our LORD wants you and your neighbours (and your enemies) to come alive. Don’t ask for small things. Ask for His life in you for His glory and for the good of the world.

Praying and coming alive with you.
Andrew

Suffering Together.

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 11:34:00 GMT

My soul finds rest in God alone
My salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

The word translated “rest” here could also be translated more literally as “silently wait.”

COVID has brought us back to the ancient experience of waiting. Everything had become so “instant.” Deposit a cheque by taking a picture of it. PVR or just binge-watch your favourite shows. High-speed internet. (Anyone miss dial-up?) Waiting was like afros and bellbottoms, from an earlier era.

But we’re waiting now! For 12 months we’ve waited and we’ll be waiting for a few months yet.

Waiting has almost always been the believer’s experience in prayer. We ask and we wait.

The question has been whether we wait anxiously or in a spirit of restful confidence. Either you believe our LORD will answer your prayer at just the right time, or you move on from prayer to try to control the outcome of your problem in another way. Wait or worry, those are our choices.

Salvation comes from him!

Waiting and praying with you,

Andrew

Live Stream Trial

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 17:21:00 GMT

Are you willing to join us for a trial live stream service and send us feedback on your experience? If so, please use the form below to let us know. And thanks in advance!

Love Will Keep Us Together.

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 10:28:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

“If an enemy were insulting me,
I could endure it;
If a foe were rising against me,
I could hide.
But it is you, a person like myself,
My companion, my close friend,
With whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
At the house of God…”

Dante’s Inferno spoke of seven levels of hell, assigning increasingly awful levels of hell for increasingly awful sins. (There’s no Biblical support for this; he was just processing life.) The worst sin? Betrayal.

Betrayal doesn’t just ruin the moment: it ruins the past (what was real?) and even threatens to ruin the future (who can I trust?).

David experienced betrayal, and maybe you have too. I know that when I bubble up into resentment and imagine revenge scenarios that I’m reliving some experience of being betrayed.

David didn’t lash out at innocent bystanders and often didn’t have the opportunity to confront his betrayer, but he did lay it all out before God. He didn’t pretty up his emotions. (Check out Ps 55:15!) He prayed it out and left it with the One who, if need be, will bring about justice.

Do you need to pray something like this today?

“Cast your cares on the LORD
And he will sustain you;
He will never let
The righteous be shaken.”
(Ps. 55:22)

Praying with you today!

Andrew

Fearless Together.

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

I recently read about the people of Israel wandering in the desert and saying, “ we loathe this worthless food! ” Every morning was a miracle for them. Every morning God would blanket the desert floor with a fresh batch of Frosted Flakes—enough to eat for the day. And He did it each day for 40 years.

I guess someone could complain, “Frosted Flakes would get rather repetitive….” They forgot it was a miracle! They took for granted an everyday reminder of the LORD who provides.

We’re in danger of the same. In our tiredness, in the repetition of what can feel like the same day played over and over again (thanks Bill Murray and Groundhog Day!), we too can become complaining people. I know I can.

The only antidote I know for a complaining spirit is gratitude. It’s a swift cure. Maybe it takes special eyes to see the goodness of God in these days, but His goodness may be in plain view: like a cloudless day, or a fresh blanket of snow, or having options for what you’ll eat for dinner (even better than Frosted Flakes in the desert!).

Join me today in looking for things to be grateful about, and let’s turn our sightings into prayers of gratitude.

On the lookout and praying with you this day.

Andrew

Blessing The World Together

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

“Oh my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

I just got off the phone with two moms who have both outlived one of their children. Some of the worst grief I’ve witnessed is a parent for their child.

I notice a couple of things here in David’s grieving. He says his son’s name over and over. Grief isn’t a vague category like “income” or “political leanings.” It’s not something you can control by organizing it into five stages. Grief is always unique and personal. Most often it has a name attached to it. Absalom. Cindy. Cassandra. Morley. Sue. Rod. River. Jean. Andy. Anne …

The other thing I notice here is David’s heartache, his love for his boy so profound that he wishes his own life be substituted for his boy. “Take me instead of him.” If only such things were in our power.

Such things are in God’s power and, of all things, he did it. He pulled off the substitute death. He died so we could live. What love! What sacrifice.

As you sit with your grief and pray today, hear Jesus’ voice over your life. “The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.” My daughter, my son, I did this for you.

His life for ours. Thanks be to God.

Grieving and praying with you this day.

Andrew

Marriage as God’s Picture of Together

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 10:15:00 GMT

“We wait in hope for the LORD
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
For we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
Even as we put our hope in you.”

It comes down to this.
Either there is a God who will help us or there isn’t.
Either there is a God who will shield us from evil or there isn’t.
Either there is a God who is holy and righteous over all the cosmos or there isn’t.
Either there is a who God loves us with an unfailing love or there isn’t.
Either we have a sure hope or we don’t.

Isn’t this always the question when we move to pray? Isn’t this the one thing that keeps us from praying ‘unceasingly’? Can we be sure there is Someone ‘out there’ and that Someone cares and is listening?

The only answer I have for all of this is Jesus. Jesus who prayed. Jesus who said “When you pray…” Jesus who said, “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Jesus who showed us what unfailing love looks like.

Your hope and my hope rests completely on Jesus this day and every day.

Thanks be to God.

Hoping and praying with you this day.

Andrew

Free Together.

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Message Questions: 1 Peter 2:11-25

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 11:00:00 GMT

“When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
In God I trust; I will not be afraid.”

I’m glad the writer admits to being afraid. He could have said, “I’m never afraid! I never struggle! I never doubt!” Instead, he admitted to being afraid. Like us, he (David the mighty warrior) got scared. He could see how things could go poorly. He could see how a situation might lead to his death. He could imagine the worst.

And he chose to trust . Trust is only possible when things are out of your control. There’s no need to trust anything or anyone as long as you are self-sufficient and self-assured. But when situations slip beyond your control, trust becomes an option. Your other options are fear, worry, rage, or burying your head in the sand.

Trust God.

“I trust you,” are powerful words to hear. “You have my confidence.” God loves to hear those words from us.

As you turn to pray this day, be as honest as you can before God and recognize those situations that are beyond you and where you are becoming afraid. Consider your options (worry, terror, rage …) and choose trust. Pray your trust out loud! You’ll probably have to do it several times today:

“ J esus, in this situation, I choose to trust You. You are good. You’ve always been good. You will be good in this for me. ”

Praying and trusting with you today

Andrew

Built Together.

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Message Questions: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Behind The Seen: That’s A Wrap

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT

For to us a child is born
To us a son is given
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
And over his kingdom
Establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

My hero growing up was Robin Hood. I watched the animated version of the story and was hooked! I bought a bow and arrow and imagined myself the protector of the weak and the enemy of corrupt leadership.

The Jews had a hero; they just didn’t have a name. They knew that David was going to have a descendant at some point, who would be the Forever King of a Kingdom of Justice, Righteousness, and Peace.

We know his name—it’s Jesus.

As we pray together today, let’s praise our Lord Jesus, who is God come to rescue us, which is good news for all the world.

Praying and Praising with you this day.

Andrew

Behind The Seen: An Old Man’s Song

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 1:57-79

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

I’m reminded that we’re a ‘Great Joy’ people. We don’t have little joy; we have great joy. And all our joy is rooted in the truth that God loved us enough to come, at great risk, to win us back to Himself.

This day, let the truth of God’s love—and then the joy that always comes with being loved—settle into your chest cavity. It settled into the shepherds, and they had to get closer. That’s the thing with Love and Joy: they move us towards each other, towards our neighbours, even towards our enemies. True joy spills onto ‘all the people’. Everyone stands to benefit when Christians are joyful.

May His Joy fuel your praying and our praying today.

Today in the town David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Joyful with you,

Andrew

Christmas Eve Offering

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 15:45:00 GMT

Christmas Eve offering has been a tradition for SPL. 100% of the funds donated go outside of the church to our community. This year, our Christmas Eve offering will help support the six different food banks in our area during the upcoming winter months.

All of us have been impacted in different ways by the challenges of this COVID season, but a special thank you to our local food banks. These organizations & their volunteers are part of our “frontline support network” providing our community with the “essential service” of access to food.

You can help families in our communities going through tough times right now. How?

Thank you for your generosity towards families who need a helping hand this season.

Behind The Seen: Elizabeth

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 1:39-45

Jessica Taylor, Young Life, North Durham

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 12:54:00 GMT

Summer Camp:

From August 25th-28th high school teens from all over Ontario came together in their local Young Life areas for our camp alternative called YL’d Nights. In North Durham we had 28 teens and leaders join us for the week and we had an amazing time together! Activities included: Lawn Games, Skate Park, Real Life Fruit Ninja, Lake Nights, Photo Scavenger Hunts, Water Fights, Frisbee Golf, Bonfires, Games, Mini-Golf, lots of snacks, and even late-night snacks catered by Roosters Fries! From August 31st-September 3rd, grades 6-8 kids in Ontario came together in their local WyldLife areas for our camp alternative called WyldNights. In North Durham we had 16 kids and leaders join us for the week and it was so much fun! Activities included: Crafts, Lawn Games, Real Life Fruit Ninja, Hiking, Geocaching (and even planting our OWN caches!), Water Fights, Bonfires, lots of snacks, Lake Nights, Mini-Putt, and an Amazing Race all around Uxbridge! Camp is something that everyone in Young Life looks forward to in the summer. On the surface, our camps like Saranac and Timber Wolf just look like really fun places. The Parasail, the Zip Lines, the Water Sports, the beaches, the fancy boats, and so many more exciting events that teens & leaders don’t experience at home. But every year we learn over and over that it’s deeper than that. On the bus ride home, we always ask teens what their favourite part of the week was. A couple of them will mention the Parasail, tubing with their friends, etc, but the majority of them jump to something much deeper. No matter what their beliefs are, they’ll mention the loving and accepting environment at camp. They’ll mention the time they got to spend getting to make new friends, the time they had away from their cellphones (shocking, I know!). They’ll say that they have never felt accepted and loved like that no matter how they act or who they know. They’ll say that they loved learning about God and processing His love with their leaders. These are the experiences that cannot be contained to a camp property, and these are the things that made these last couple “camp” weeks amazing, even from our own backyards. Every day during YL’d Nights & WyldNights we got to have a fun group activity, but we also got to listen to a club talk and process God’s amazing love together during Cabin Time. We still got to point our teenage friends to Jesus, have great conversations about life and faith, and see our unshakeable God work in the lives and hearts of people we care so much about. So yes, camp may have looked different this year… but at the core of it, it was the same!

What does YL look like now?

In March when the pandemic hit, we immediately switched to hosting YL on Zoom and finished off the school year like that. Each week we still got to share how our weeks went, we still got to play some fun games, and we still got to share the gospel with teens. Then we would go into breakout rooms and talk about how we’re doing mentally with the pandemic and what we learned from the Bible story that day. This was our favourite part, as many of our teens have not met Jesus and it’s such a privilege to process that with them. Since August, we’ve been following that same format, but in person! It has been such a blessing to be back together, obviously outdoors and following all the government guidelines. COVID-19 stopped a lot of things, but it didn’t stop the need for community, relationship, and a safe place. It also didn’t stop our leaders from being determined to find new, creative, and safe ways to reach teens at a time in life where they need it the most.

Fundraising:

Back in May when we had to cancel our annual fundraising Gala due to COVID-19, meeting our year-end financial goals seemed impossible. We crunched the numbers and realized we would need $20,000 to complete our budget by September 30th, our fiscal year-end. So as a committee, we agreed to redirect all our Gala time & energy into our Ontario Fondo, a bike/walk-a-thon that took place in September. Our team of 18 bikers/walkers in North Durham has worked really hard and by the end of it raised over $17,000! Between the Fondo and a couple of other generous donations, we were able to make it to year-end with a tiny bit of a surplus! Only God could have done that!

What can you be praying for?

Thank you so much to our friends at St. Paul’s Leaskdale for your continued support both financially and in prayer! We really appreciate what you do!

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 12:50:00 GMT

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
I will build you up again…
They will come with weeping;

They will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
On a level path where they will not stumble,
Because I am Israel’s father
And Ephraim is my first born son.

When we settle down into this place of praying and returning love to our LORD, we find that if we look around even a little, we have companions for the journey. Our Lord has been loving people for a long time! His everlasting love was uniquely demonstrated to Abraham and to Israel. Then through Jesus, He demonstrated his love to the whole world—to anyone from anywhere who would believe.

It was from love that Jesus came and for love that he submitted to the womb. “Ain’t no mountain high enough…to keep me from getting to you.” The womb to the manger to the cross to the empty grave—it’s a love story.

More than ever our planet, our leaders, our communities, and our homes are hungry for love—our Lord’s love. Let’s pray the truth and power and experience of our Lord’s everlasting love into our world this day.

Praying and loving with you.

Andrew

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Behind The Seen: Mary

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 12:36:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 1:26-38

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT

“Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The LORD is with you.”

The angel Gabriel was sent with a message of an assignment for a teenaged Jewish woman. He began his message with the same assurance that we begin with each Sunday: “The LORD is with you.” As you set your heart and your prayers towards peace, God-sized peace for our world, sit with this unshakable truth for a few minutes: “The LORD is with me!”.

“Do not be afraid.”

It looks like Gabriel needed a second serve; his first approach left Mary uneasy. The second serve began with “Do not be afraid.” For those of you who need to hear these words today (I do!), sit with the phrase “Do not be afraid.” Chew and swallow it! It isn’t that there aren’t reasonable things all around us to be afraid of (there are!). Our peace comes because the One who says “Do not be afraid” is stronger than all that seeks to terrify us.

Pray bold prayers today. Don’t waste your praying. Pray big prayers of gratitude for the God-sized kindnesses you have experienced. And pray God-sized requests for our world, for your community, and for your family. Let’s be accused of asking too much of our LORD, rather than too little.

“For no word from God will ever fail.”

Praying for peace with you this day.

Andrew

Hainamosa COVID Relief Project

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:15:00 GMT

Our sister church in Hainamosa, Dominican Republic, has been assisting 20 local families most impacted by COVID-19. The cost to help one of these families is $225. Join us as we partner with this church to care for the vulnerable families by donating to Hainamosa COVID Relief Project. Listen in as Pastor Jose Lopez shares […]

Behind the Seen: Zechariah

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 1:5-25

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Hope is the first word of Advent. (Advent is the season right before Christmas.) It’s never seemed more appropriate than in 2020.

Hope, for Christians, means that God isn’t done here yet. There is more to come.

More to the point, there is One to come. When Israel had lost hope in Egypt, God was raising up Moses. When Israel had lost hope in Babylon, God was raising up Nehemiah and Ezra. And when Israel had lost hope under years of Roman occupation, God was…well, God was preparing to come Himself!

From beginning to end (and all the parts in-between), hope for Christians is always with Jesus.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Lord, this day we pray for the leaders of the nations.

We bring to You our own elected leaders: our Prime Minister, our Premier, and our various Mayors.

You say that leadership matters. You told us to submit ourselves to governing authorities – because there is no authority except that which You have established. “The authorities that exist have been established by You.”

We thank You for the women and men who help lead our country. We thank You for their lives. We ask Your blessing on them. We ask that they lead with wisdom and humility. We ask that You use them to bring Your Kingdom here and now.

We also pray for our neighours to the south. We pray for unity for them. We ask that You settle them into the truth of Your love. We ask that the U.S.A. would be a force of peace and kindness to the nations. Bless and keep whichever candidate wins the election. And may Your Kingdom come.

Praying with you today.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: Jerusalem

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 13:31-35

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:05:00 GMT

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
We were like people who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter
Our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us,
And we are filled with joy.

Israel was carried away from everything they knew and loved and taken to a place where they didn’t belong and didn’t like. And they were there for a long time. They were there long enough that they doubted they would ever return.

Then it started. Whispers. Rumours. Hope. “We might be going home.” In time, the whispers became reality. It happened. Captives returned home. There was laughter and great joy.

In the middle of calamity, it’s hard to believe that things will ever get better. Sometimes believers doubt whether our LORD hears or even cares. Captive Israel felt like that. And then our LORD acted.

He never abandons us.

You can pray with confidence for yourself and for us this day. You can also pray for the 80 million women and men who this day are away from their homes (Internationally Displaced Persons―IDPs), forced to leave with no certainty of return. Let’s pray for those whose situations are doubly complicated now because of COVID.

Thankfully, our LORD loves the whole world!

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Believing and praying with you.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: Mary and Martha

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 10:38-42

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:00:00 GMT

“He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
It flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
They sing among the branches.”

The Bible often invites us to ‘open our eyes’ and look at what is around us. See the order. See the beauty. See the balance of what our God has made. Sometimes just watching nature is a reminder of the greatness of our God.

Consider walking and praying today. Watch for birds, for streams, and for squirrels gathering nuts. Thank God for the place that each of them has in His Creation.

Thank our LORD for your place in Creation, too. There is no one just like you. He’s so brilliant, He didn’t have to make duplicates. Maybe you’re wondering about ‘your place’. You can pray about that, too. He will show you.

You can be sure that the One who made the oak trees一knowing there would be furry forest rodents called ’squirrels’一the One who made the ocean一knowing there would creatures called ‘dolphins’一is the same One who made planet earth一 knowing there would be a creature, who is you, whom He has always loved.

Finding my place and praying with you.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: The Woman Who Reached

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 10:02:00 GMT

Lynnita Weber – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 8:40-56

Christmas Gifts for First Nations Families

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 13:45:00 GMT

In previous years, our church family has participated in the Servant Sock Project , where we fill and send Christmas stockings to children in remote First Nations communities. This year looks a little different : you can donate items to assemble into “family bundles” or your small group can sponsor an entire family bundle. These bundles will be given to families in First Nations communities who are experiencing grief or stress.

How can I help?

Frequently Asked Questions

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 12:00:00 GMT

“I remain confident of this;
I will see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and take heart
And wait for the LORD. ”

Psalm 27:13-14

This is a day of waiting.

We wait in line, confident that, in time, we’ll be allowed into the store or theatre.
We wait for an appointment, confident that the doctor will show, and we’ll be able to explain our concern.
We wait for the day we can hug again, confident that, in time, our LORD will lift the hardship.

Praying is the experience of laying out the things of our hearts before the LORD and then waiting for Him to respond at just the right time.

What are you waiting for?
Do you have a list?
Why not write them out today?
Keep the list in your Bible or on your fridge or on your home screen.

And then be strong and take heart; our God is good.

The only thing that makes waiting any easier is when others are waiting with you.

I’m waiting with you this day. I’m glad you’re with me in this.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: The Woman With A Past

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 7:36-50

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 10:00:00 GMT

“The LORD confides in those who fear Him;
He makes His covenant known to them.”
Psalm 25:14

Praying and listening with you today.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: John The Baptist

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 11:56:00 GMT

Brad Weber – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 7:18-30

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT

“Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hand for war,
My fingers for battle.”

David wrote those words 3,000 years ago. David’s life depended on being skilled in battle. His life was never more at risk than when he was at war. David understood that the LORD Himself was preparing him for warfare, training him in the skills that would win the battle.

Ever since Jesus told us to “ love our enemies,” Christians have been uncomfortable with military battle—but that doesn’t mean we aren’t at war. We are in an epic battle. A battle “not against flesh and blood, but against rulers and authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil.”

And that battle, we’re told in the same passage, is fought in prayer. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all of God’s people .” There’s no magic in this; just pray! Go for a walk around your neighbourhood and pray (out loud!). Go to a quiet room in your house and get on your knees. Walk the rows of your classroom and pray. Pray!

One last thing. We are being trained. Our LORD is training us. Training always means stretching and doing new exercises to keep you agile and alert. Being trained in prayer is no different. There’s a discipline to praying. Don’t wait to ‘feel’ like praying; you never will! Just do it! If it’s not awkward (or audacious), it’s probably not praying.

Get on your training gear and let’s do this!

Praying (training) with you this day!

Andrew

P.S. I don’t know if any of you are still fasting, but if you are, let me encourage you to keep it up. “Your Father in heaven sees what is done in secret and will reward you.”

Thanksgiving Sunday Service

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:09:00 GMT

This is an in-person Sunday morning service at St. Paul’s Leaskdale. Due to COVID protocols, we are only able to accommodate 75 people. Please register in advance of the service to reserve your spot. Masks will be required and COVID protocols are in place.

Date & Time

October 11, 2020 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Contact Tracing: Levi

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 5:27-32

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT

I received an email this week from a guy at SPL who wants to connect with his buddies and invite them into a 40-day ‘build our marriages stronger’ opportunity.

And he’s going to do it with his work buddies, NOT his church buddies! He wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, so he emailed to ask what I thought. I think it’s the best idea I’ve heard all year. This is EXACTLY what a ‘roof-ripping’ friend looks like. I was jealous I hadn’t thought of it.

Psalm 90 is a humble prayer that acknowledges how quickly life passes, how soon our run through this life is over, and how eternal our LORD is. Psalm 90 finishes with these words of prayer:

“May the favour of the LORD our God rest up on us;
establish the work of our hands for us
yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Amen!

Let’s pray today for creative, bold, and risky opportunities to invite people into the hope Jesus has given us!

Praying with you.

Andrew

Contact Tracing: The Paralyzed Man

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 5:17-26

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:01:00 GMT

“In my distress I called to the LORD
And He answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead
I called for help,
And You listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths,
Into the very heart of the seas
And the currents swirled about me;
All Your waves and breakers swept over me.

I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight’
The engulfing waters threatened me
The deep surrounded me;
Seaweed was wrapped around my head…

But you, LORD my God,
Brought my life up from the pit.”

So says Jonah from the belly of the fish.

It’s quite a story. An unwilling, cantankerous prophet, running from God, who has himself thrown overboard and then blames God for his predicament! We can certainly learn much from early believers. The whole of their lives was a great drama lived out between God and themselves. God was not on the sidelines of their lives.

Our Lord Jesus is not on the sidelines of your life either. You know, ‘Jesus the Fan’, only cheering, hoping you’ll do better, clapping when you get it right, head in his hands when you blow it again. Not that. He’s right in the game with you, inside you, energizing you to pray and live like you never could on your own. Wherever you are–on the run from God, in the belly of the fish, or on the road to Nineveh–know this: He hears your cry and He’s closer than you can imagine.

As you pray today, include Pastor José López in your praying. Many of us have been guests in José and Gloria’s house in the Dominican Republic. Today, José has hernia surgery. Ask our LORD to grant skill to the surgeon’s hand and a full recovery for our brother.

Praying with you,

Andrew

Contact Tracing: The Leper

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 10:15:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 5:12-16

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT

“I put my hope in the LORD;
He inclined toward me,
And heeded my cry.
He lifted me out of the miry pit,

The slimy clay,
And set my feet on a rock,
Steadied my legs.
He put a new song into my mouth,
A hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and stand in awe,
And trust in the LORD.”

A miry pit is a mud pit. It’s no place to be stuck. Slimy clay must be great for doing pottery, but it’s not a place to be waist-deep. We get in those places, don’t we? Usually, it’s things we do to ourselves or things that get done to us. Either way, we’re stuck. Maybe our lives just feel ‘stuck’. Spinning our tires, summer tires in an ice-storm, going nowhere, trapped. That’s a good time to pray! Our LORD says he hears prayers from the pit. He will lift you out. He will give you a place to stand.

And he does more! He then puts a song on your lips. It’s not enough to be rescued; you’re going to want to rejoice. God has acted on your behalf. You are loved. You are noticed. Your song matters to Him. He waits to hear it.

Let’s find a way to be honest about places in our lives where we’re trapped. This day, let’s call out together. This day, find a way to sing your praise back to our Rescuer. And let’s be praying that many more will see Jesus and stand in awe and place their trust in Him.

Praying with you,

Andrew

Contact Tracing: Simon

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Luke 5:1-11

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 11:00:00 GMT

“In the morning LORD, you hear my voice;
In the morning I lay my requests before you and
Wait expectantly.”

I read today that the 7 best times to pray are:

Not sure where you land on this list today, but this is the Christian’s crazy hope: He hears! The world may laugh at your praying, but He promises to listen. So pray boldly.

William Temple once said to his critics who said his ‘answers to prayer’ were just coincidences, “Well, when I pray coincidences happen; when I don’t pray, they don’t happen.”

But let all who take refuge in You be glad;
Spread your protection over them,
That those who love your name may rejoice in You.

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous
You surround them with your favour
As with a shield.

Praying with you this day!

Andrew

P.S. Add Sue Carmichael to your prayers this day as it looks like she’s in the last weeks of this life. Our prayer is for the full kindness of Jesus for both her and Phil. (Psalm 116:15)

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Jesus told us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

This time of physical distancing has been very difficult, but also very rich. As much as COVID-19 has been devastating, it has highlighted for us our Lord’s command to love our neighbour. I have witnessed many of us choosing to get out of our comfort zone to come alongside and care for others. Picking up groceries, planting flowers, making phone calls, working on the frontlines … thank you.

Jesus said that we cannot separate loving our neighbour from loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind. The two go hand-in-hand. Our acts of love grow out of our abiding intimacy with Jesus. Many of us have also found that the forced change of pace has created an unexpected opportunity to deepen our relationship with him.

As the province opens up more in the weeks ahead and our schedules start to fill up again, how can we continue to practice what we have been learning through the pandemic? How will we continue to make space for God and others?

It starts with prayer and abiding in Jesus. In prayer this week, let’s ask God to help us be increasingly rooted and grounded in his love and to tangibly share it with others. Ask him for the name of someone specific who may need to be cared for at this time. It could be groceries, a hot meal, help with a task, prayer, or a timely word; regardless, it will require intentionality to show love.

Let’s continue to remain in his love and to love each other,

Karen Rennie

Honest With God: Talking With God When You’re Lost

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 121

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems everything goes wrong? Or even a week where it feels like you’re in a game of “whack-a-mole” and you’re not sure which side of the “whacker” you’re on?

We’ve all been there.

But what about when a day becomes a season? What about when your heart is broken, you can barely swallow, let alone speak, and you aren’t sure how you’ll make it through the next 24 hours? THESE are the times when the best we can do is exhale the words, “Help, Lord”.

Romans 8: 26-27 (the Passion Translation)

²⁶ …the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.

²⁷ God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.

The Apostle Paul gives us great encouragement here. The Holy Spirit intercedes when our voice is weak or empty, and He makes our needs known to the Father. And the Holy Spirit works within our Christian community to lead and encourage us to pray for each other.

Is there someone you know who is going through a really hard time? Do they come to your mind at random times? While we don’t always know how to support someone who is going through a tough time, we can always lay their name before God in prayer. The Holy Spirit will join with us and “super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.”

No matter your circumstances, be encouraged that your prayers and longings are heard by our loving Father. So really, we can’t do it wrong. Let’s keep praying for one another!

Praying with you,

Lynn Swanson

Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles. Galatians 6:2

NOTE : In our SPL family, we have a team dedicated to praying for those of us going through a tough time. If you would like some extra prayer support, you can submit a request through our website.

Honest With God:Talking With God When You Don’t Know What’s Coming Next

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 20:07:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 150

Honest with God: Psalm 51 Talking with God When You’re Bad

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 51

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

“I have no need of a bull from your stall
Or of goats from your pens,
For every animal of the forest is mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains,
And the insects in the field are mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you,
For the world is mine, and all that is in it.”

So, what DO you want LORD?

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God
Fulfill your vows to the Most High
And call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honour me.”

As we move into a day of praying together three pieces are clear from Psalm 50:

And as I’m praying with you, I’m deeply grateful for each of you and the fact that we’re able to go through this together. I’m grateful that together we pray for the world our Lord loves.

Peace,
Andrew

Honest with God: Psalm 27 Talking with God When You’re Afraid

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 27

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

It has taken me 47 years to fully realize that without Jesus at the centre of my life, I am completely lost. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. With a bit of effort, I am able to present well enough on the outside, but my heart quickly hardens and my soul starts to wither when I turn away from Jesus and seek life in other places.

In Jesus we have hope. In Jesus we are reconciled and reunited with God, the one who created us and breathed life into us. In Jesus we are healed. In Jesus we are offered forgiveness and new life… eternal life.

I trust Jesus with my life and long for closer intimacy with Him, yet every day is a battle. A battle to say no to distractions and temptations and yes to a wholehearted relationship with Jesus.

Many years ago I came across a prayer written by St. Patrick, the 5th-century missionary and Patron Saint of Ireland. Below are a few lines from that prayer:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.

I love praying these lines. I change them up and add my own words depending on the day, depending on the situation. This helps me stay focused and centred on Jesus.

Stay close to Jesus today. Invite Him into every part of your life – your grief and your loneliness, your fears and your anxieties, your shame and your guilt, your sickness and your fatigue, your joys, and your successes. Jesus is waiting for you and loves you more than you can imagine.

In this together, Duncan Hunter

Honest With God: Psalm 90 Talking To God When You’re Numbering Your Days

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 09:00:00 GMT

Brad Weber – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 90

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Uncertainty around big issues like health, economy, employment, justice and social connections is creating quite a ripple effect in all of our lives.

For some, the effect might be more like a wave pool where it’s hard to keep our heads above the water and we feel really out of sync––where one more wave has us gasping for breath. We wonder, when will this stop?

This summer I’ve been meditating on Psalm 37. The title in the ESV translation is He Will Not Forsake His Saints. I love this reminder: regardless of what’s going on in the world or in my life, God is on his throne; he is our salvation and our stronghold in times of trouble (Ps. 37:39).

Two themes in this Psalm are helping me to stay focused in this season: 1) do not fret yourself; and 2) attach yourself to God (abiding in Jesus).

Appearing three times in the first eight verses, “fret not yourself” is in the context of not worrying about evildoers or evil (people and things that aren’t good). The dictionary describes fretting as eating or gnawing away at us, consuming our thoughts, bringing emotional strain and anxiety, and becoming frazzled––a state of extreme physical or nervous fatigue. The only thing fretting will do, according to scripture, is lead to even more evil (8)––causing harm to ourselves and others; bringing sorrow, distress and calamity. Fretting is not a good seed to sow. What are you fretting about?

The antidote to fretting is attaching ourselves to God: to trust in him (3); delight in him (4); commit our ways to him (5); be still in him (7); and to turn away from evil and do good (27). These choices produce much different fruit in our lives––calm, quiet, settled, refreshed, revitalized––and lead to well-being for ourselves and others, even in the midst of uncertainty.

Whatever is troubling you, bring it to Jesus. Talk with him about it. Scripture says that as you commit your way to the LORD and trust in him, he will act (5). He loves justice (28), knows what you need, and delights to be your Helper (40).

On the journey with you,

Sharon Simmonds

Honest With God: Psalm 46 Talking With God When It’s Bad

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 46

Life Together @ SPL

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:46:00 GMT

July 23, 2020

WHERE WE’VE BEEN

Our immediate response to the COVID pandemic was to help where it was most needed:

We sought to serve because that’s who Jesus is : “He came not to be served but to serve and lay his life down.”

WHERE WE ARE

During all this time, Sunday morning worship has moved off-site into your homes. We’ve all been longing to get back together again, but announcing a date isn’t something we can do. We don’t know.

We have taken the approach that we’re not going to meet if it means putting anyone at unnecessary risk. When we can meet without masks, when we can sing, when we can welcome people the way we want to welcome them, we’ll return to Sunday morning worship at the site in Leaskdale. Until then, it’s at your house.

STAYING TOGETHER

There are two major pieces to this:
1. How we care for each other.
2. How we care for our communities and world.

Caring for each other happens best when you’re actively involved in a home church. We used to call them small groups, but “home church” better communicates what we need and what we’re experiencing. Never before have we realized how important these gatherings are for our own souls, for each other, and for the purposes of our Lord Jesus. Please get into one. These are critical to the Kingdom.

How we care about the communities where we live matters just as much. We aren’t going to program this or coordinate this. This is going to be a ‘Holy Spirit and you’ moment. What does your community need? Who is in greatest need? What might our LORD be calling you to do? If there’s something to be learned about this from the Early Church it would be to begin by praying.

TOGETHER AGAIN

I miss all of you. I don’t want to delay our return back together for one more week than is necessary. But we are going to be as wise as we know how for our own people and for the people they will be in contact with after we’ve gathered together. We make these commitments to you, not based on fear or pressure, but out of love.

This much we know, Jesus loves the world. He didn’t put the world at risk. Instead he set aside His immediate comfort so that he could get what he really wanted, which was you and me and the world made right.

Thanks for being in this with me. Mostly thanks for loving Jesus through this. I love the stories I hear about you caring for each other and thinking of each other and going deeper in your faith.

Jesus does win in this.

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

He says,
“Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

Mindfulness might be all the rage right now. So much noise, so much busyness, so much confusion. “Get quiet. Get alone. Empty your mind. Tune into your inner person. Feel your own heartbeat.”

The Bible sees it a little differently. Being still is an opportunity to tune into the biggest stories, the things that God is doing. Your story matters, but only as an understory of what God is doing.

You can’t find your way if you are your own North Pole; you are lost if the compass only points to you. Instead, believers are directed to get quiet and be still and think about (know!) what is most true: God will be exalted among the nations. God will be exalted in the earth. The day is coming when He will be seen and will be known by all. He will make all things right. There will be a Resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. There is a plan and the plan is His plan. This brings hope and peace and joy.

However you find yourself praying this day and whatever you find yourself praying about, take time with me to be still and remember the One who formed the earth, called the nations into being, and will be known by all at just the right time.

Still with you,

Andrew

Honest With God: Psalm 12 Talking With God When You’re Sad

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 12

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

“My strength was sapped in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32). When I read that I could relate!There are certain points during these scorching hot days when just the thought of walking into the heat makes me want to take a nap!

But David wasn’t talking about 30 degrees plus temperatures. What was he talking about?

Sin.
Or, more accurately, unconfessed sin:

Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning, all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found…”

We don’t talk much (enough!) about confessing our sin! Sin erodes and rots and makes us less human and creates distance between us and the One who loves us most. This day, as you pray, take time to sit before the Lord Jesus and ask Him, “Is there unconfessed sin in my life?” Not someone else’s sin; sin in your life. And if He reveals something, confess it, run to His grace, receive full forgiveness, and figure out how to slam the door on that particular sin going forward.

Do all this–praying, confessing and running from sinful patterns–confident that you are loved far more than you’ll ever understand.
Abundant Peace,

Andrew

Honest With God: Psalm 16 Talking With God When You’re Afraid

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Lynnita Weber – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 16

Bonus question: Is there a passage of scripture that you would like to memorize? Who can you invite to do that with you?

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer and my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
(Desert Song, Hillsong Worship)

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

( Brooke Ligertwood. Desert Song. 2008 Hillsong Music.)

A couple of weeks ago, our Sunday morning small group sang this song. When I read the words, it made me think of what so many of us have been going through the last few months. Some of us are wondering if God is hearing us while we pray in the middle of a desert or in the middle of a raging fire. We are mourning the loss of a loved one, have lost our job, or just can’t stay isolated from everyone any longer. The list goes on.

Around the same time, I came upon this quote from The Good and Beautiful God. (It’s the book that some of us are reading from this summer’s SPL program, “Apprentice.”)

Those words are now etched in my heart and my hope is that it triggers in you a feeling of trust in the God who loves us all. We don’t have to say “all is well” when deep down inside, we know we are not, but we can put our trust in the God we know to be good. He will walk through the desert or the fire with us.

Please Pray: Heavenly Father, even though sometimes we wonder if you are hearing our prayer while we are in the desert, we put our trust in you, our Good, Good Father. For yours is the Glory through the difficult times and through the good times. Amen.

Praying with you all,

Phil Carmichael

PS. I was asked to submit my prayer for Prayer Wednesday several weeks ago. When I looked at the date I was scheduled for, I knew it was meant to be. Today, July 8th, is my wife’s birthday. So, I can now wish her a Happy Birthday in front of the whole church. Happy Birthday Sue !

SPL Update July 6

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:19:00 GMT

Young adults ages 18-25, join us for the final module of DISCIPLE, whether or not you were with us for the other modules. Sign up online .

Honest With God: Psalm 100 Talking With God When You’re Glad

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 09:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 100

Honest With God: Psalm 88 Talking To God When You’re Sad

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 88

Prayer Wednesday

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 23:23:00 GMT

We’ve been working through the book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” with a group of young adults. The book is based on a collection of Psalms that ancient believers sang, first to themselves, and then with each other as they made their way from their various villages to Jerusalem for the great festivals.

Journey Psalms. Road trip tunes. They’ve been called ‘Psalms of Ascent’ because, regardless of where you start in Israel, you always travel up to get to Jerusalem.

I quote from the chapter titled ‘Providence’,
“Faith is not a precarious affair of chance escape from satanic assaults. It is the solid, massive, secure, experience of God who keeps all evil from getting inside us, who guards our life, who guards us when we leave and when we return, who guards us now, who guards us always.”

Praying with you this day, with confidence, from the bedrock of His goodness.
Peace,
Andrew

SPL Update June 22

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Please let us know what you think about gathering in-person before the survey closes this week. Many of you have used this opportunity to send messages of encouragement and remind us that you are praying with and for us. Thank you.

We are working behind the scenes to upgrade our systems. You may be asked to confirm the information that we have for you at some point this summer. If you suddenly stop hearing from SPL altogether, then just email us to let us know and we’ll make sure you’re connected in.

Summer communications will have a different cadence over the summer as staff take vacation time. We will send out fewer weekly video messages, but you can still expect to receive sermons, email updates, and invitations to prayer each week.

Honest With God: Psalm 23 Talking With God Through Your Whole Life

Sat, 20 Jun 2020 18:20:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 23

FOR KEENERS ONLY! Bonus question. Check out John 10:1-21, especially verses 14-18. Explain the force in Jesus’ day and ours for Him to say these things.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 10:34:00 GMT

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

Awaken your might; come and save us.

Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:1-3

If you read/pray more of Psalm 80 you’ll discover that this is no happy psalm: “You’ve fed us the bread of tears, you’ve made us drink tears by the bowlful.” No happy psalm at all.

It’s interesting that the Psalmist calls the nation of Israel “Joseph.” Joseph was the favoured child of the favoured wife of the man first called Israel (Jacob). In fact, all the names mentioned—Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh—were favourites or sons of a favourite. We’re not much for having favourites in our day (rightly so) but for the Psalmist to speak to God this way is to say, “Remember your favourites? We’re the apple of Your eye. You said so. And WE ARE IN TROUBLE!”

You can pray like this. You too are His favourite. Truly you are. What is true of Jesus is now true of you. Like the Psalmist, you may not be feeling like a favourite today but you are His and He has not forgotten you (Isaiah 49.15-16).

Please pray for our brother Andy Atkins who has contracted a serious infection (not COVID) and is fighting for his life in ICU. Pray for Judy and their family. Please also pray for Sue Carmichael, Cindy Ott, Susan Windsor, Aleta Voss and any of His other favourites this day.

With you,
Andrew

Weekly Update June 16

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:02:00 GMT

Restrictions in Ontario are changing and church buildings can open for in-person gatherings again. The SPL Session (elders) have reviewed the guidelines that are coming out and have determined that we will continue to connect online for the remainder of the summer.

Session will re-evaluate this at the end of July, and would value your input into this. Please take a few moments to complete this survey about in-person gatherings on Sundays.

And if you’re thinking of meeting in person with your small group or home church, please check out these guidelines as you make your decision.

Honest With God: Psalm 2 When God Talks With You Part 2

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 10:42:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 2

Prayer Wednesday

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 18:56:00 GMT

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the mountains
fall into the heart of the sea… Psalm 46

Mountains are considered immovable. The sea is the place of chaos, fear, and unpredictability. In this Psalm, the immovable falls prey to the chaos. The unthinkable happens: majestic, immovable mountains crumble. Chaos overwhelms the secure. Except that even at the worst of times, God remains stronger and a great place to find refuge. He holds both the mountains and the seas in the palm of His hand.

What we face in these days are major issues for us, yes, but not for Him. We rest in Him. We grieve, we plan, we take precautions and speak out, but ultimately we rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Please remember Aleta Voss and her family as they grieve the earthly loss of Rod—husband, dad and gramps. Pray for others who remain ill through this time. Lift up our local long term care facilities where this virus has done its worst damage. Pray for doctors and nurses and first responders. Pray for leaders, local and worldwide, for wisdom and humility. We are fragile dust creatures loved dizzyingly by the Lord Jesus.

Praying with you this day.
Andrew

Weekly Update June 8

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Young adults ages 18-25, next week (June 15) we start a second module of DISCIPLE, this one focusing on life in the kingdom. You can join either the Tuesday/Friday morning or the Friday evening group. You can join whether or not you were with us for the first module. Sign up online.

The past ten days have been particularly heavy for us globally as, in the midst of coronavirus, we’ve witnessed the slow killing of an African-American man begging for breath, and seen grief and anger unleash more violence. It’s a situation so fraught with emotion and despair that it’s hard to find words to speak about it. But it matters that we as a church do speak about it, and it matters how we speak about it.

Listen in as Lynnita talks about the costly love that is needed now more than ever.

Honest With God: Psalm 1 When God Talks With You Part 1

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Psalm 1

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:00:00 GMT

If you’ve ever traveled in the Middle East, you’ve heard the call to prayer. I have very little experience of this but we heard it when we traveled in Egypt and then again in Jordan.

Five times a day, every day, Muslims are called to stop what they’re doing to pray. The call comes over loudspeakers from towers positioned throughout the cities and towns and villages. Nobody misses the call to pray.

This is your weekly call to prayer!

Christians don’t pray out of fear that, if they don’t pray, God will make something go bad in their lives. Christians don’t pray to get stuff from God, pressuring Him with our many words. Rather we pray to our Heavenly Father who delights to hear from us, who knows the concerns of our hearts and who enjoys giving good and needed things to us in His perfect time. He also has the whole world on His heart and moves us to pray for the good of the world too!

This Sunday we begin to study the Psalms. Psalm 1 is lined up for this Sunday (pray for me!). In Psalm 1 our Lord lays out the two options in life: a blessed life, tuned into God and His purposes; or a wicked life, disinterested in both the Design and the Designer of life.

This day let’s be prayerful on these matters:

Into God’s Kingdom, by God’s power, and for His glory we pray.

Andrew

Weekly Update June 1

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 11:00:00 GMT

We’re starting our summer series based on the book of Psalms. Download the reading plan and track along.

Apprentice starts this Wednesday, June 3. If you are a member of the cohort and haven’t been receiving emails and Sharon, check your junk mail first; if nothing is there, contact Lynnita so that you can start receiving cohort messages. Applications for the summer cohort are closed, but we are starting a waiting list for a potential fall cohort. Let us know if you’re interested.

Young adults (18-25 years old), the next module of DISCIPLE starts mid-June. If you are not already part of DISCIPLE and would like to join us for the second 4-week module (Life in the Kingdom), then apply online now .

Teach Us To Pray: Yours Is The Kingdom

Thu, 28 May 2020 14:56:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 27 May 2020 11:15:00 GMT

This week Colleen walked out of her office (a reclaimed bedroom) and past my office (the kitchen table) and said, “You should look at Psalm 42—there’s some good stuff in there.”

“What good stuff are you looking at?” I asked.

“Just take a look!”.

She was right.

“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.”

These guys (not David) knew what it was to sing their lungs out, to be in the crowd of worshipers, to be all together … but not at this moment. When they wrote this, the doors to the house of God were locked or smashed and the crowds were a long way from home. Something was going on in their day that had everyone hiding and alone. Sounds familiar.

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.

These worshipers knew God was present when the band was loud and the crowd was spilling into the foyer. They also knew the love of God when the crowd had whittled down to one—him, her—at home, alone.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in the God, for I will yet praise Him, My Saviour and my God.

Our Saviour and our God!

I’m praying that you would hear His song whatever head-space or heart-space you are in. I’m praying that you would “see the future” and the promise of His Goodness would sustain you and lift your spirits.

You should know that I am praying we don’t go back to the way we were, because that would be a miss. I’m praying, right now, in our pseudo-separation, that our Lord is singing new songs into us, deepening our understanding of His love for us, and growing our love for each other and for the world. I’m praying that we would walk away from the useless things we are wrongly invested in and that we would lay them aside to become the ‘light of the world and the salt of the earth’ (Matthew 5) that he’s called us to be.

Praying with you today.

Andrew

Weekly Update May 25

Mon, 25 May 2020 12:36:00 GMT

Parents and guardians, we would like to hear from you! Use this form to let us know if you can join a virtual conversation and/or provide your feedback directly. You can also email Lynnita to join the conversation.

Our Acts reading plan is ending; watch for a new one to be released online this week. We’ll start on Monday, June 1.

Parent / Guardian Feedback

Sun, 24 May 2020 13:45:00 GMT

Parents and guardians, we would love to hear from you to understand how we can best support you in this time. Use the form below to tell us about your availability to be a part of a virtual conversation (June 1 @ 3:00 pm), and/or to provide your feedback directly.

Teach Us To Pray: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Sun, 24 May 2020 11:43:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 20 May 2020 03:36:00 GMT

Good morning friends, Eugene Peterson has a great angle on the story of David and Goliath (found in 1 Samuel 17). In the story, David was going to fight the giant, and king Saul tried to dress David in his kingly armor.

The armor didn’t fit: David was a slingshot guy. More than that, he was a God guy. In a throwaway line between the story of Saul’s armor and David running into position opposite the giant, Peterson includes:

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and… approached the Philistine.”

Peterson imagines David, choosing stream stones, on his knees, in prayer. He’s not only handling stones for weight and aerodynamics, he’s also praying, “Lord, be my skill and strength in this moment.”

I like that. I invite you to your knees this day. I’m not sure what giant you’re facing today—it may be one more day in isolation or it may be another large matter—but this much we know for sure: we need Him. “Be our strength and skill in this moment!” We’re not asking for a place to hide; we’re asking for skill for the battle.

For those of you who were able to participate in last week’s 24 hours of prayer, I just want to say, “Good on you.” Being prayerful is an SPL core value, and last Wednesday was a great step in the direction of deepening intimacy with Jesus. I am grateful to be a part of you, your church, us. We continue to practice this matter of prayer, being confident in this, that He who began this good work in us is bringing it to maturity—to fulfillment and perfection.

Praying with you today.

Andrew

Weekly Update May 18

Sun, 17 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Young adults (18-25): DISCIPLE begins this week. Apply by the end of the day on Monday, May 18 to be a part of the first module. You can join the group that meets twice a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) or the one that meets once a week (Friday evenings).

Apprentice, a discipleship experience for adults, begins Wednesday, June 3. Apply by May 20 if you would like to be a part of this.

As Ontario begins to relax some restriction s , we are all wondering when we might be able to gather in person in smaller groups or even as a larger congregation. In Ontario, public gatherings of more than five are restricted and we are encouraged to work from home wherever possible. When we see restrictions change so that groups of ten or more can gather, we will share with our small group leaders some guidelines around when and how it may be possible for you to safely gather in person.

We don’t know when larger groups will be able to gather or even under what conditions they’ll be able to gather, but we will continue to monitor and communicate with you about this.

Teach Us To Pray: Forgive Us Our Sins As…

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Sermon Questions: Matthew 6:9-15

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 13 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Good morning (and good early morning to some of you!), This day, midnight to midnight, we have committed ourselves to the normal Christian behaviour of praying deep gratitude to our Lord and asking for new boldness during these times of uncertainty. Thanks for stepping up and praying together.

Two months ago, March 13, SPL officially pressed “pause” on all on-site activities, including gathered worship on Sunday mornings. It’s now May 13. None of us knew what was coming. Early on I was shown a best case scenario of 30% of the population contracting COVID-19, worst case 70%. In a township of 10,000 the numbers would have been 3,000 to 7,000 cases. Currently Uxbridge has 39 cases, Scugog 11, and Brock 2. Praise God! This is WAY below what was initially projected. Thanks to those who sounded the warning and got social distancing in place but no less thanks to our Lord Jesus.

Let’s be clear: we are not waiting around for this to clear so we can get back to “normal.” It’s natural to want things the way we remember them, but the Church of Jesus has never sat on its hands waiting for the comfortable to return. Christians have always understood God to be at work during war, plague, famine, or recession, and they wanted to be active with Him wherever He was leading. So here we are, SPL 2020. Pray this day for new boldness: for open conversations with neighbours, friends and strangers, and for the world to be open to Him.

Last word. The evil one will not be happy. I don’t like to give him much ink but you should know, as you pray, before you pray, there will be all manner of interference. Old temptations, old lies, old guilt or shame. Resentments towards people, unforgiveness, forgotten offenses will flare up. Notice the fingerprints. The Bible says simply: ‘Resist him’ so this isn’t something that needs to bring you fear. My resistance is pretty simple: I use the Bible out loud. You could even read 1 Peter 5:9-11 out loud before you begin to pray.

Thanks to those who signed up for a ½ hour of sustained prayer. Do everything you need to do to stay alert during your slot, get out of bed(!), go for a walk, make a list and pray the list. It’s like running or working out: just stick with it. For those who are still fasting Wednesday night I’ve reserved a ½ hour slot for “fasters” from 6:30 to 7. If you want to pray with me via Zoom, send me an email directly and I will send you an invite.

Our Lord Jesus is good all the time, and certainly, this day.

Andrew

Weekly Update May 11

Mon, 11 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Join us in praying this Wednesday, May 13. If you missed signing up but are joining anyway, we’d love to hear from you. Email Lynnita to let us know you’re with us in this.

Thanks to all of you who are participating in the Care Network. Karen’s story today is an encouraging one for us all. If you would like to know more about the Care Network, contact your provider or email Karen .

Teach Us To Pray: Give Us This Day…

Sun, 10 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Sermon Questions Luke 11:1-13

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 06 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Good Morning Wednesday Pray-ers! I am grateful to commit this day to praying with you. I’m struck by the “secret life” that Jesus invites us into.

Christians have secrets about (1) giving to the poor; (2) praying; and (3) fasting (check out Matthew 6:1-18). Something about these practices, done secretly before our Father in Heaven, grows intimacy with Him. These Wednesdays together have been “shared secrets!”

We’ve been practicing social distancing since March 13 (Friday March 13th to be exact!). The 13th was the day we announced we wouldn’t be gathering in our sanctuary for shared worship that Sunday.

Next Wednesday is May 13th. That will mark two full months apart.

What if we spend next Wednesday differently? Let’s pray for every minute of the day! I’m inviting you to sign up for a 1/2 hour slot from next Tuesday at midnight to next Wednesday at midnight. You can sign up online . You can choose to put your name on the list and also indicate a Scripture passage that will direct your prayers for that 1/2 hour. (If you need help, reach out!).

Two natural tendencies during this time would be to complain and be fearful. Because we’re Christians, and part of the Upside Right Kingdom, the two themes we’d invite you into in your praying would be (1) gratitude and (2) boldness. Make a list of the things for which you are grateful. Turn those into prayers of thanks (Ps. 136:1-3). Secondly, in Acts 4, the church was told to be quiet and “dial it down,” but instead they believed their Lord was telling them to be BOLDER (Acts 4:29). Pray and ask our Lord what greater boldness would look like in your life and in our life together.

We can do this. More accurately, the Holy Spirit prays through us! Believers have often found themselves awake at night and have prayed. We have on record a couple of times when Jesus prayed through the night himself. This is familiar territory for the Church, even if it is new ground for us this time. I hope you’ll sign up!

Thanks for praying this day too!

Peace,

Andrew

Weekly Update May 4

Mon, 04 May 2020 12:27:00 GMT

Anxiety is a common experience in uncertain times. Check out these rhythms for life that can help position us for a life of trust and rest, not anxiety and worry, in the middle of hard situations.

In June we plan to launch Apprentice, a three-month discipleship intensive for those who want to pursue life-changing intimacy with Jesus. Learn more and apply online . Questions? Use the form below to contact Lynnita.

Teach Us To Pray: Your Kingdom Come

Fri, 01 May 2020 18:52:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Sermon Questions Matthew 6:7-13

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Prayer Wednesday

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 17:38:00 GMT

Happy Praying Wednesday! Elie Wiesel retold this story from Jewish folklore: A traveler loses his way in the forest. It is dark and he is afraid. Danger lurks behind every tree. A thunderclap shatters the silence. The fool looks at the lightning, the wise man looks at the road that lies—illuminated—before him.

It seems to me that we are in this same story. We can either stare at the COVID-19 statistics, feeling better or worse, growing anxious or angry, based on the daily numbers. OR we can see the opportunity that we have right now to hear in this storm that same voice of Jesus who spoke to other believers some years back, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them”.

Prayer is opening the door. Prayer is a shared meal with the One who loves you most. I find myself wanting to pour rocket fuel on the spark in you that longs to pray better and draw nearer to Him.

Know that our LORD longs to be nearer to you even more than you long to be nearer to Him. I prayed for you this morning—for all of us—during my pre-dawn walk, that He would get our best energy, that we would apply our God-given wills to pursuing intimacy with Him, and that this world would be better for it.

Praying with you and for you!

Grace and Peace,

Andrew

P.S. The Elie Wiesel story comes from Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction in the chapter on Psalm 120.

Weekly Update April 27

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 15:44:00 GMT

Looking to join one of our virtual groups? Follow the links below to sign up.

If you are part of a virtual small group / home church that is able to include others, we’d love to be able to direct people your way. Please email Lynnita .

Teach Us To Pray: Hallowed Be Your Name

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 14:20:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Sermon Questions Matthew 6:9-13

Songs for this week: Spotify or YouTube

Prayer Wednesday

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 13:32:00 GMT

Good morning, Loved Church! Together, let’s take some time today to pray, using Psalm 19 as a starting point. You could read this psalm before breakfast, lunch and supper. (If you’re fasting, you could read the psalm as each of your meals!) Speak it out loud (that is praying!).

In addition to other ways you might pray this day, consider doing one or more of the following:

Get outside with an ear to hear and eyes to see “the heavens” (v. 1-4). Go out in midday and feel the sun’s warmth. Or after the sun goes down, strap on a warm coat (it’ll be cold) and go for a walk, taking time to look at the stars and wonder at the One who made them.

Read a chapter(s) of your Bible. Start into Acts with us. Ask Jesus for one truth to nourish your soul (v. 7-11). Share that “honey” (v.10) with someone today.

Go to your knees and ask the Lord Jesus to show you any place(s) in your life where you need to ask for forgiveness (v. 12,13). Listen. Repent. Receive full forgiveness. Forgive others.

Thanks for becoming a people of prayer. I love that we’re doing this together and that we are never alone.

Peace,
Andrew

P.S. To my fasting friends: It’s amazing how fast the week flies by! Doesn’t it feel like we just fasted two days ago? I wonder sometimes if our Lord encourages us to fast in part so we see how quickly life moves. Take the day to move slower, not faster. I find it helpful to read on fast days and not kill time watching movies or YouTube. You’ll find your way. Thanks for stepping into this additional wisdom piece.

Weekly Update April 20

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:38:00 GMT

Sermon Conversations : Mondays at 7:00 pm. Register to join .

Acts Conversations : Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Download the reading plan and register to join the conversations .

Youth Gr. 9-12 Group : Wednesdays at 2:00 with Colleen Allison. Contact us if you would like to join.

University-aged Group : Wednesdays at 8:00 pm with Jacqueline Smith. Contact us if you would like to join.

Rhythms for Life : Check out these ideas of weekly practices to help you stay healthy physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Care Givers : Watch for an email invitation to a meeting with Andrew, Karen, and Lynnita on one of three dates and let us know which one you’ll be able to attend.

Teach Us To Pray: Our Father in Heaven

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 11:48:00 GMT

Andrew Allison – Listen

Sermon Questions Matthew 6:9-13

1. When you pray, how do you imagine God?

2. What was your experience with your father?

3. What is the effect of calling God “Our Father”?

4. Tell the story of praying with others that was powerful for you.

5. Share with someone else your current prayer pattern (or not). How can intimacy with Jesus increase for you in this time

SPL Leader Feedback

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 19:58:00 GMT

Thanks for providing care and leadership at SPL. We would love to hear about your experience and how we can better serve and support you in this.

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Good morning to those whom the Father loves! Today is a special day of praying and, perhaps, fasting together. From all corners of North Durham and beyond, our hearts are fixed on Jesus who is Light of the World and Hope of the Nations.

This Sunday, and for the next seven weeks, SPL Church turns its minds and hearts toward the prayer Jesus taught his disciples (us!):

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.

One way Christians have prayed this prayer over the centuries is slowly, phrase by phrase. Try that today—it may take 10 minutes or even half an hour.

For example, “Our Father,” might make you think about how incredible it is to approach the Living God as you would a parent who loves you. You might dwell for a minute on what it means that The Almighty calls you His daughter or son. You might even get stuck on the first word “Our” and find yourself grateful to be praying this alongside saints around the world and through all time, past, present and future.

Praying with you! Best of all, He listens and leans in.

Peace,
Andrew

Weekly Update April 14

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Revelation: Jesus Makes all Things New and True

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation SPL Book Summary

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Good Friday: Jesus is the Love of God

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 11:54:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions Luke 23:44-46

Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 18:04:00 GMT

Every day is a good day to pray!
We’ve set aside Wednesdays to collectively give ourselves to speaking with and listening to our Heavenly Father. Some religious or spiritual teachers instruct their followers to “empty their minds” when it comes to prayer.

Jesus doesn’t. He says things like: “think about these things,” “fill your mind,” and “ponder.”

Start this Easter prayer day by reading Isaiah 53. Say it out loud. You might even do it a couple of times. And then think about how our Lord loves you, us, and the world.

Meditate on this for 5 minutes . When I meditate, I think about how awesome God is to have Isaiah write these words 700 years before it happened. I think about how amazing Jesus is to not use his power to beat evil down, but rather to take its blows and swallow it whole. I think about verse 11 and the promise of resurrection. Give it a try. “Think on these things.”

Then, as matters come to your mind, pray. Pray prayers of thanks and praise. Pray prayers of confession and repentance. Pray prayers for our world, its leaders, its medical personnel, the sick, the vulnerable, and the poor.

At the end of the day, pray/read Isaiah 54 . That’s another incredible message from Him who loves you most.

If you’re able to fast this week , continue to pay attention to your body’s desire for food. Use it as a reminder of your desire to see Him face to face. It’s unlikely that our Lord will take away your desire for food. That’s natural and good. But there is a place for Him to put that desire in its rightful spot in your life.

I love that we’re doing this together!
Peace,
Andrew

Here’s a copy of our prayer and fasting resource and our SPL Rhythms for Life to help you in this journey.

Jude: Jesus is Able

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions Jude 20-25

1. In what ways are you building yourself up in your ‘most holy faith’?

2. Where are you ‘at’ in your praying? (a) in the game wrestling it out (b) on the sidelines intrigued but not really engaged (c) in the bleachers, far from the action? Explain why you are where you are.

3. What does it look like in your life to ‘keep yourself in God’s love as you wait”?

4. Remember the last time you were merciful to someone. Tell that story.

5. Do you believe that you will be presented to the Only God of glory and that your presentation to God will bring great joy? If not, what would it take for you to believe it?

Jude SPL Book Summary

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Prayer Wednesday

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 13:42:00 GMT

Last week we invited you into praying with us on Wednesdays, especially during this season of social distancing. Here we are, our first Wednesday of praying together!

Prayer is talking to God. Most of us feel like we’re not very good at praying. Even though we’re designed for it, many of us are out of practice. So be gentle on yourself.

If this is new, aim to pray for ten minutes . If you’ve never prayed before, ten minutes is going to seem like an eternity. Just keep at it.

Start by reading a psalm out loud . That’s praying. (In the prayer and fasting resource we shared last week, we suggested Psalm 118.)
Look for something in the psalm that makes you think about:

Speak to our Lord about these things.

And if you are fasting with us this day, let us know how it is going. Even if it doesn’t happen right away, fasting helps sharpen your focus and trim your heart. Maybe you didn’t imagine fasting to be part of being “ Together fully alive in Jesus, ” but it most surely is.

You can also check out SPL Rhythms for Life . Consider putting it into action. Let’s do this together.

Rhythms for Life

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:50:00 GMT

[ available as a print-friendly PDF ]

Grow Deep: Pursuing Life-changing intimacy with Jesus

Early Christians found themselves looking for ‘shape’ for the lives that showed (and felt) the incredible hope that they’d been given from the Resurrection of Jesus. At points, they gathered in communities to live out this shape together. Whether they were in the same room or apart, they remembered and acted out this shape, all of it pointing to Jesus.

Before the cross became the symbol of Christian faith in 300 A.D., the official symbol was the octagon: eight sides because in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had given eight Beatitudes (or eight “Blessed are…” statements).

Here are eight SPL rhythms to try in this season:

While we are family apart, please remember how great the Father’s love is for you, for us, for the world. At the end of all this, through all of it, Jesus is LORD. His Kingdom is fixed and firm and He will bring about the healing of the nations.

Weekly Update March 30

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:19:00 GMT

Hello SPL family,
As we practice social distancing and even isolation, we are learning new ways of using technology to communicate with our church family. The SPL leadership is looking at how to help shape our days and weeks in this time of uncertainty.
Watch the short video to learn more about new rhythms at SPL: when to expect sermons, updates, and news. You’ll learn about ways to give to SPL as well as ways to give back to our community .

1,2,3 John: Jesus is Our Perfect Love

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions 1 John 4:13-21

1. Tell of a time in your life when you knew you were loved, no doubt about it.

2. How is it going for you “knowing and relying on the love God has for us” (v. 16) in these days?

3. Has fear camped out close to your house? Explain.

4. How are you going to bring in “perfect love” to drive fear off the property?

5. Is there a chance that you harbour hate towards someone? (v.20) How can you turn the corner on that today?

1-3 John SPL Book Summary

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Call to Prayer

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 13:02:00 GMT

Through the ages, people of faith have fasted and prayed, and especially so in times of great need. This is one of those times.

We invite those of you who are able to join the SPL leadership in fasting and praying on Wednesdays, and especially on the Wednesday of Holy Week (April 8). Attached is a resource to guide you in fasting; we’ve included in it a Psalm to help guide your prayer.

We’re also inviting you to participate in the National Day of Prayer this Saturday, March 28 and the Global Day of Prayer this Sunday, March 29.

Fasting Outline

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Latest Update

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 16:01:00 GMT

SPL Family,

Thank you for responding with grace and hope to the changing events around us. We have appreciated the many calls letting us know that you’re available to help anyone in isolation.

Here’s the plan moving forward: We’ll share a video message at 8:00 am each Sunday morning (viewable anytime), along with a set of worship songs and discussion questions.

With increasing calls for greater social distancing measures, all mid-week activities at the church are paused. Church staff will be working remotely, checking phone messages daily and available by email, or through the contact form on our website.

If you are in need of extra support (seniors, medically vulnerable, anyone in self-isolation), please let us know using the check-in form on our website. Someone in your area will be in touch shortly.

In these challenging times, we at SPL are working on ways to mobilize and to develop a network of care in our communities. While there is a need for social distancing, we invite you to creatively stay connected and to be a people of prayer.
Please watch the short video below, as Andrew Allison and Lynnita Weber give an update.

Grace and peace,

The SPL Staff

1 Peter: Jesus is the Shepherd of Our Souls

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:45:00 GMT

Andrew Allison Listen

Listen to our Worship Playlist for today.

Discussion Questions 1 Peter 1:1-6

Christians are no strangers to suffering. Suffering means loss, loss means grieving. The other side of suffering for Christians is an unsinkable joy. Listen in.

1. What have you lost already because of Covid-19?

2. What are you afraid to lose?

3. Have you ever written a ‘lament’ before? Its where a person pours out their hurt and loss to God. Give it a try. Use Psalm 86 as a guide.

4. Explain any joy that you might have, even in the face of this current difficulty.

1-2 Peter SPL Book Summary

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James: Jesus Is Our Healer

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Andrew Allison Listen

SPL’s Sunday services are on pause, but we hope you are continuing to gather together in smaller groups to care for and encourage one another.

Worship Playlist

Discussion Questions James 5:13-19

In this season where routine activities are disrupted, what might God be inviting you into?

What does it look like to you to be called a friend of God?

As you look around you, what opportunities do you see to be people of hope in these uncertain times?

What things might prevent you from engaging with hope in our communities? What might support you?

James SPL Book Study

Download

Services Paused

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:50:00 GMT

After prayerful discussion and consultation with health professionals, the elders of St. Paul’s Leaskdale have decided to postpone Sunday services until further notice.

This decision has not been made lightly. It comes not out of fear, but out of a desire to care for the most vulnerable among us and to work with our community to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

We are people of hope. We invite you to continue to gather together in smaller groups and to be alert to the needs of your neighbours. Let’s continue to pray for one another, for our communities, and for our world.

Here’s the plan moving forward: We’ll share a video message (similar to Andrew’s message last week), at 8:00 am each Sunday morning (viewable anytime), along with a set of worship songs and discussion questions. We encourage you to meet in small groups (10 or fewer) if you are comfortable, or to connect online.

This is a challenging time for us all. We eagerly anticipate the day when we can be reunited in person. Until then, we look with hope to Jesus.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us .

With hope,

Andrew & the SPL Session

Hebrews: Jesus is the Same Yesterday, Today & Forever

Sun, 08 Mar 2020 17:27:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions Hebrews 13:1-8

1. Tell of a time when a Christian brother or sister showed you love.

2. We’re told to show hospitality, even if we’re not good at it. What does hospitality look like in your life these days?

3. Marriage and Money, which is easier for you, honoring marriage or avoiding the love of money? Explain.

4. Tell the story of a Christian leader who deeply influenced your life.

5. What does v. 8 mean to you?

Hebrews SPL Book Summary

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Philemon: Jesus is our Emancipation Proclamation

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 18:07:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions Philemon

1. Do you currently have a relationship which is strained? Without using names tell that story.

2. What would it take, in your mind, to mend that relationship?

3. Looks like Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, robbed him and ran away. He ran into Paul and became a Christian. What is Paul now inviting Philemon to do? On what grounds?

4. Looks like Philemon was going to be less one slave and eat the loss of the stolen goods, how is that fair?

5. Return to the story of your strained relationship, could our Lord be asking something revolutionary of you?

Philemon SPL Book Summary

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Psalms for Lent

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 19:20:00 GMT

1. Have you ever lost something that held great value to you? Describe your pursuit to find it.

2. Think of the relationship in your life means the most to you? How has that person affected your thinking, your values and your pursuits?

3. If you had 60 seconds to explain ‘who Jesus is’ to a questioning friend, what would your explanation be?

4. As you read Colossians 1:15-20 what phrase sticks out most to you today and why?

5. How might your life look different today just simply knowing that you were made ‘for Jesus’?

Colossians SPL Book Study

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Philippians: Jesus is our Mindset

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 19:33:00 GMT

Sharon Simmonds · Listen

Sermon Questions Philippians 2:1-11

1. What do you think it means for Christians to be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind (2:2)?

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 20:41:00 GMT

Form your response in a prayer, song, or other creative expression.

1. What trouble are you experiencing?

2. What are your concerns for the future?

3. Make a list with all the words that describe what you think and feel about your trouble and concerns (I think…I feel…). What do you notice?

1. Describe a time when you were under a fantastic leader. What did that feel like for you and what made her or him such a great leader?

2. Recall a time when you’ve been under poor or even selfish leadership. How did that work out?

3. God promised to raise a ‘righteous Branch’ from David. God didn’t give up on David’s line, how might that bring hope to you?

4. Good leadership usually means people aren’t afraid or terrified or missing (v. 4) , it often means people are fruitful and increase in number (v. 3). Does one of those qualities resonate with you today?

Jeremiah SPL Book Summary

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Isaiah: Jesus Suffered in Our Place

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 18:39:00 GMT

Grant Vissers · Listen

Sermon Questions – Esther 4

1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you were “called out” for something? How did the person call you out? How did it make you feel?

2. In what ways can it be helpful or unhelpful to call someone out on an issue?

3. What made it okay for Nathan to confront David on this issue?

4. How does the Holy Spirit convict us today?

5. Spend some time in prayer asking Jesus to reveal to you anything that is holding you back spiritually. What comes to mind?

6. If you need to seek forgiveness from anyone this week, don’t hold back.

2 Samuel SPL Book Summary

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1 Samuel: Jesus Is Our Giant Slayer

Sun, 03 Mar 2019 20:02:00 GMT

Andrew Allison · Listen

Sermon Questions 1 Samuel 4

1. Goliath represents an overwhelming enemy. Do you have someone or something in that category these days?

2. Explain David’s confidence, where is that coming from?

3. Why doesn’t Saul’s armour work for David? Is there a chance you’re trying to be like someone else instead of who God made you to be?

4. “David killed Goliath with a sling and a stone!” that’s the way its remembered. Read v.47, how did David understand what happened?

5. What enemy is God calling you to confront today? What is your plan for “‘running toward the battle line”?

6. If you need to seek forgiveness from anyone this week, don’t hold back.

1 Samuel SPL Book Summary

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Ruth: Jesus Is Our Kinsman Redeemer

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 20:26:00 GMT

Angelica Atkins · Listen

1. Why did God need to move Abraham in order to bless him?

2. What does ‘being blessed by God’ involve?

3. Is God’s blessing available to you today? Does Abraham’s blessing actually extend to you?

4. Reconsider your life through the eyes of being ‘blessed by God’, what might that change in your life?

5. What might it look like for the peoples of the earth to be blessed through SPL?

Genesis SPL Book Summary

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St. Pauls Leaskdale

Holy Spirit Come | Where Did Jesus' Power Come From?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Holy Spirit Come | Are We Missing Something?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

The King Is In The Room - What's The Deal With Easter?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

The King Is In The Room - Why Did Jesus Come?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

The King Is In The Room - Who Is Jesus?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works -How Close Is God?

Songs for this week: Spotify

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Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - A Heart-to-Heart With God

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - What Do Christians Do?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - When Is Enough Enough?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - Why Does God Take So Long?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - Blood On The Door

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots | How Salvation Works - Burning The Bridge With God

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Roots: How Salvation Works - Why Is Life So Hard?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Generous: Living Open-Handed | How Much Can You Take With You?

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Generous: Living Open-Handed | The Grip of Greed

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Generous: Living Open-Handed | What Does Jesus Say About Money?

Songs for this week: Spotify

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Questions:

Advent 2025: Go | Joseph & Mary Go To The Temple

Songs for this week: Spotify

Luke 2:22-40 ﻿

Advent 2025: Go | Joseph Goes With The Plan to Marry

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Advent 2025: Go | Mary Goes To Elizabeth

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Advent 2025: Go | Gabriel Goes To Mary

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Advent 2025: Go | John Goes Before Jesus

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

Practicing The Way | True Family

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

This Week's Practice: Life in Community

Last Week's Practice: Rule of Life

Practicing The Way How Fruit Grows

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

This Week's Practice: Rule of Life

Last Week's Practice: Confession

Practicing The Way | Disordered Love

Songs for this week: Spotify

Questions:

This Week's Practice: Confession

Luke 2:22-40

This Week's Practice: Noticing & Naming Emotions
Last Week's Practice: Sabbath