Merry Christmas

Wow, can you believe that another year has gone by?

7 years ago, a little family was invited to come and Pastor a great church in London called Abundant Life Community Church. We were from a small town. The anticipation was large. All of didn't know what we were in for.

Yet, now 7 years later...

• we have 3 grown children with 3 wonderful spouses!
• God has blessed us with two incredibly cute grand children!
• ALCC has become a place where people can safely grow in the things of God!
• the earmark of our little church is changed lives!
• We are so thankful that God brought us to LONDON!

At times, it is overwhelming with everything that is going on, around us. But, we are so grateful, in how God has used all of us to see changes which are healthy for so many people.

This Christmas, spend a little time and thank the Lord for what He has done in your life. God is up to something for all of us as we peak around the corner into 2010!

I am convinced, that 2010, is going to be filled with more God Encounters! I hope that you are ready, I sure am.

In the meantime, from my family to yours...

Merry Christmas!

PB

Christmas is Coming!

Wow, in 28 days we will be sitting down with family and friends to celebrate one of my favorite times of the year. But I was giving some thought to this...why is this one of my favorite times of the year? Certainly we know that for some for a variety of reasons, don't particularly like Christmas...

For me...

• I loved my mom's baking...she made special cookies and treats!
• The gifts were always a hi-light, my dad worked hard to blessed his four children!
• Certainly being together was always a good thing because my dad was so busy with work, that sometimes, we didn't see much of him. Not complaining, just missed him.

Now some of you are going to wonder, what about the times with Church. Well growing up, we didn't go to church. Very few memories. But later in my teen years, I do remember going on Christmas Eve to what became my home Church. Pastor Stewart would lead in Carols, bring a strong message and it was like family. To this day, I have Christmas Eve Service because of the profound effect of Pastor Stewart. Good memory of my Pastor growing up.

So, this season, I hope that you will be blessed by all the activities that surround the season and make a new memory with God.

He loves you!

Merry Christmas everyone!

PB

Remembering...

Today my daughter asked me, if we had anyone who fought in any of the two World Wars. I was proud to say, yes, my grand father battled in the First World War. Secondly, I am very proud of my grandfather who fought in the war by farming and providing food. The story goes, as my farming Grandpa went to the recruiting centre, he was told, go home and grow food, we need you more in that field than oversees.

My dad tells me, he was saddened by the rejection but understood. His role was very important as well as my other grandpa who fought overseas.

Friends, each of them had a vital role to play. So do we, when it comes to church. When we all do our part, it is amazing how much more is accomplished for the Kingdom. But when we don't all do our part, we don't live up to the potential that God has given us.

Can I encourage you to consider your role carefully. If you doing your part, then keep going strong. If not, then consider what you think would be a good place to start. Pray and ask God, he is always looking for people that will serve him in a variety of capacities. You may be surprised at the outcome.

I Corinthians 12:18, 'But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he want them to be.'

We all have a part to play...may God continue to arrange us as He see's fit!

I hope that on this day of remembrance, you took the time to honor those in your heart that gave of themselves for our freedom...lest we forget...lest we forget!

Blessings,

PB

Great View

I read a great statement from the book, the dark side of the soul...it reads..

“It’s not about turning away from the pain but learning to rest in it."

What a great thought....how often do we find ourselves trying to resist the pain in our lives when God wants us to embrace it. I am rediscovering how God is there in the midst of our darkness. He is actually much closer then we may realize.

The psalms is a great place to read when we are in pain. David and other writers were not afraid to idenitify the pain of there own hearts. There walk with God allowed them the opportunity to be vulnerable and open about there hurts, habits and hang ups.

May we all find that place where we can rest with our pain, knowing that God is there in our darkest moments.

How freeing is that?

PB

Jesus be the Centre...

Years ago, I led worship in church. In fact, I led worship in all the churches I Pastored except for Abundant Life Community. One of my favorite songs was, Jesus be the centre...

I loved that song because it spoke volumes about the importance of keeping God in the centre of everything that we are.

Over the years, I have appreciated the opportunity to keep God first in my life and made him my priority. Last week in Punta Cana, I thought, have I reduced God to a priority? I never want to make God a priority like a to do list. My desire is to make God the centre of everything that I am.

Psalm 118:8 says, ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in man.

When I make God the centre of my life, I begin to realize how much I need him in all areas of my life. Refuge in God far outweighs any trust I put into man.

So, may you find yourself inviting God into all that you have today!

Jesus be the centre of my life today and everyday.

Blessings,

PB

October Already?

Can someone tell me where September went?

Yesterday in Church when I heard Kathy promote the Fall Tea, all I thought was, where did September go.

With thanksgiving coming up this weekend, I was thinking about a few things to thank the Lord for...

>Family of course...all my family, including Abundant Life

>Change of seasons...with all the prayer, I sense a greater anointing in our services

>All the volunteers...those people every week that offer themselves up to be used by God to build the Kingdom along side of us

>Understanding...so many people that take the time to hear my heart when I share on Sundays!

I can honestly say, I am a blessed man. God has taking care of all of us for so many years and I don't take that lightly.

Take some time this week, and ponder upon the good things God has done in your life.

There is an old hymn I use to sing call, 'Count your blessings, name them one by one.' It use to bother me a little bit, because I thought, do we limit the blessing of God to just one?

I wonder how many blessings there would be if I were to start a list...one, 100, 346,789?

Might be something to think or consider...a heart that is filled with gratitude helps us all to appreciate more those blessings God continuously sends our way.

Happy Thanksgiving! I look forward to seeing you when I get back from white sand!

Pastor Bill

Good stuff...

As I began to clean out my garage, I began to notice alot of good stuff laying around. Stuff that I forgot I had. Painter's tape, a measuring tape I thought I lost and lots of other little things.

The thought ocurred to me, I wonder if God feels that way when someone discovers the greatest treasures he has to share with us.

Over this past weekend at D.T.U. in Leamington, I was impressed upon by the Holy Spirit a great mystery that took me back. It was so strong, I had to stop teaching momentarily and listen as God shared with my heart.

Friends, take a moment and treasure those times when God shows up. It is not that he does it in a large way but sometimes just listening to that small still voice means a great deal.

I treasure those moments when God speaks to our hearts in a variety of ways, but primarily in the Word of God.

So, take some time today, be still and listen...it may be God trying to speak to you.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us of this treasure: Be Still and know that I am God!

Have a great week!

Pastor Bill

Celebrate Recovery

It is so amazing how time has a way of getting away from us. Almost 5 years ago, Marty and Blanche called me to share a video promotion on Celebrate Recovery. There was about 5-6 of us downstairs and we watched with a little reservation.

Up to this point, I was praying, 'God, we need something for people who are so filled with hurt, habits and hangups, please give us some direction'...maybe not the exact words, but close.

So, as I listened to Rick Warren sharing his heart, something ignited in my heart that said, 'YES' and before you know it, we were all off and running. God blessed us with a great opportunity to bring Celebrate Recovery into ALCC and eventually to our community beyond the doors.

Now, when I think about all the people who have been ministered to, it is wonderful to say the least. God is certainly up to something these days in Celebrate Recovery.

Tomorrow night, I am sharing what God has done in my heart through this ministry. Yes, I admit it, I am a little nervous but excited all at the same time. It could prove to be an interesting evening.

Consider coming and checking out a ministry that is self directed in the Holy Spirit.

The verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 3:5-6...Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge God and he will make your pathway straight.

Thanks Lord for bringing me to Pastor ALCC...I have not finished healing, but I am blessed to be in a safe place to heal.

Until next time...

Blessings,

PB

Circus Sunday

I have been asked, why do you want to clown around on a Sunday?

The answer is easy...God is not so up tight and so why are we. I believe that God wants his children to have a wonderful time in His presence and we should not be afraid to express the joy that lives in our hearts.

Think about this for a moment...

When they ran out of wine at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, who was the one who provided this?

If you said Pastor Bill, you are wrong! It was Jesus Christ!

Jesus loved to party and expressed it on different occasions. I think it is time for the church to shake loose it's religious bounds and start to party like Jesus intended. Too often, we think that Jesus was only serious.

I have worked with men for 14 years in PKC. Each time a group of us came together, laughter was the result. Do you think maybe the disciples joked with Jesus? Well, in my opinion, if they were normal men, I believed they did. They enjoyed each other's company and probably much more than we think.

So, come on Circus Sunday and enjoy yourself. I am looking so forward to seeing each of you on Sunday and hope that we will come celebrating the good things of God.

Have a great week!

Pastor Bill

New Season Starts...

Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer....

It is so easy to get caught up in doing things our way, rather than God's. As I read this verse last week, it made me think about my priorities and God.(but not in that order either)!

Too often in the past, I have found myself running ahead of God. Then I wonder why I got myself in so much trouble because my strength fails, or I can't seem to stay focus, or my spiritual barometer is running on empty.

Over the next season of ministry, I want to make it my goal to pray more, listen to God's heart and walk by Jesus side. Life is so much more less complex when I do this. Too often it is easy to fall into the trap of doing things my way rather than God's.

So, my encouragement to you today is simple...let's pray through everything we adventure out as a church and watch God move. Like you, I long for more of God in my life and desire nothing less than his perfect timing and will.

Who knows where we may be in another year, but if God is by our sides, I guess that is really all that matters.

Make sense?

PB

Gratitude

I am so thankful to be a part of Abundant Life. As I look around our church, I have a heart filled with a great deal of gratitude for all of those who participate to make our church the blessing it is to so many people.

It seems like only yesterday that our little family arrived in London and now my last little girl Bethany is getting married in less than 2 months, wow, where did the time go.

So, if you are having a difficult day, I want to encourage you with this scripture.

John 14:27...27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Aren't you glad to have the gift of peace that Jesus only brings? If you are struggling today, give it over the Jesus for he is the answer. He is the only one who can bring the peace that not only transforms our lives but a calmness in a topsy turvy world.

Blessings to all of you!

Pastor Bill

Love of God

Psalm 103:8 says, 'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in Love'

I thank God for his compassion and how He is abounding in love. Where would I be without the love of God. Hmmmmmm.... My security, confidence, trust and so much more needs to be based on the love of God. Too often I take for granted of all the many blessings of this love.

So my challenge today, walk in the love of God and allow him to use me from that place. It is great to care for the people in my community when I am filled up with His love.

Friends, go out there and love someone today. God loves us to go and give it away to others.

Blessings,

PB

PS Sorry it has been so long since I last entered anything here...I will try again next Friday :)