Updates.

We have a NEW PICKUP location besides our existing 2 locations. 1) the PetroCan at Philip and Columbia at 9:40 a.m. and 2) the Burger King at Philip and University at 9:45 a.m.NEW: CLV Community Center @9:55a.m. If you require a pick up outside of those two locations, please contact us and we will make sure you get a ride. If you drive, parking is free at the Gold Lot.

Weekly grocery runs are also being offered. Please contact us for more info.

Sunday School classes are finished until Jan. 8, 2012.

Upcoming Events:

Dec. 18th - 2nd Anniversary Celebration & Luncheon

Christmas Hiatus - We will be taking a brief holiday from Dec. 23rd, 2011 - Jan. 2nd, 2012. We will return to our normal schedule Jan. 8, 2012.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Plugged In

Yes I know an update to my blog is long overdue. My apologies to all. Not that I lack a plethora of ideas/topics to write about (probably some that should be censored) but rather, unfortunately (as someone pointed out to me), I tend to craft my blog with more care than I would a Sunday sermon.

Ironically, as I looked down at my power bar, I was reminded that although I have all these communication tools yet I am very poor at communication. I have a charger for my Win7 phone, Android phone/tablet, landline cordless phone, Blackberry playbook, HP Touchpad, and laptop all plugged into my charging station. All these devices are useless without their daily dose of power to replenish them after their productivity has been exhausted. It's a reminder to me that I need to be plugged in daily as well. Yes, sleep and good nutrition are necessary, but more importantly the need to be plugged into God daily to restore and renew me in order to face the challenges of each day. So just as you plug in your BB, iPhone, Android remember to plug yourself into God as well.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, the will walk and not be faint." (Isa. 40:28ff)

Progressive ... ?

Someone said to me that people don't change. That change is bad. That we should stick to the tried and true. Don't change horses in mid-stream. Well perhaps when it comes to the selection or choice of some things we are creatures of habit. Consider the following. What we have here in the above photograph is the progression of my glasses over the last 3 decades. Can you see a common theme? Apparently my style of glasses is making a styling comeback. I am actually leading the eye-wear fashion parade. Can you guess the style of my next pair of glasses? If you said, "Exactly the same" then you are correct... kinda. The hidden change is that I have made the transition into progressive lenses. "Progressive" - not bi-focal, not old-fogies glasses, not tri-focal.... they are "progressive". Perhaps it is just a marketing terminology to make the transition into old age more palatable. But after getting a refresher course in the physics of lens making, progressive is a very appropriate terminology for the complex shape of the lens.

That being said, though I may not have changed my style of glasses over,... well let's be honest here and say my lifetime, I do believe that people can and do change. Actually I am in the business of people-change. God is in the business of people-change. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2Co.5:17) I can understand the skeptics who have tried to implement self-change and have failed. The reality is that true change can only come about through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Christians, we are in the business of change - personally, corporately, socially, and globally. If we cannot see change happening within ourselves from our past life before Christ, to our current life in Christ, then something is wrong. Unlike getting progressive lenses to correct our vision, our lives require a more radical measure to make a change. It isn't just a matter of a change in perspective but a matter of change in personhood.

As we have been investigating the life of Abram and his journey of faith, we have seen quite a bit of change in the person of Abram. From his initial calling to learning obedience to having faith in nothing else but God, Abram slowly and progressively is changed into the man that God was able to credited to him righteousness and honored in the Bible as a man of great faith. His journey of faith has been... well... progressive. In our instantaneous society, sometimes it is hard to understand and accept progressive. As the old saying goes, "Slow and steady wins the race". How is your race going? Have you left the gate? Are you out of steam? Or has it been ... progressive?

Easter vs. Christmas

When Christmas rolls around, the Bluevale house is full of activities - mass cleaning, decorations, baking, calendar adjustments to accommodate all the get togethers, gift wrapping and church events - but when Easter rolls around, there isn't so much preparation going out around the house.

If we were to do a comparison, which event is more significant? The birth of Jesus or the death and resurrection of Jesus? Certainly in terms of a worldly perspective, there is much more hype for the Christmas season than Lent, Passover and Easter weekend. Can we truly compare the wonders of the incarnation with the power of the atonement? The manger to the cross? Is it really like comparing apples to oranges? Hummmm something to ponder about.

We have been preaching through a series of sermons on "Reflections of the Cross" - a selection of some of my most favorite passages about the cross of Christ. We have looked at the "Foolishness of the Cross" and the "Fragrance of the Cross". Last week we encountered "The Formidable Cross". And as we end our series on Easter Sunday we directly encounter the "Cross - Friend or Fraud".

If you want to see a portion of the sermon on "The Fragrance of the Cross", click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwoGqXCqzIU&feature=share

Have a blessed Easter Season.

PT

It’s Good To See You Again My Walking Shoes

I dusted off my summer walking shoes this morning and put them on my feet. Ahhhh. The re-emergence of the walking shoes signifies the end of the dreary winter months and the insurgence of spring. With an anticipated high of 12C today, and many hours of waiting in the hospital, I thought it would be best that I don’t cook my feet with my winter boots today.

There is something comforting about slipping back into my summer shoes. A certain familiarity and liberation that comes in comparison to the waterproof, weatherproof, insulating winter boots that have protected me during these past 4 months. I think the same feeling comes over us when we reunite with friends of old.

This past weekend there was somewhat of a reunion of my old church friends from my youth. Though the circumstances were not for the most part a joyous occasion (my condolences and prayers to the Au Yeung Family), the sight, hugs, and sounds of the voices and faces from my youth certainly brought back many memories and a certain comforting familiarity when I was surrounded by the “uncles and aunties”, “brothers and sisters”, and the “young ones”. The older generation still called me by my nickname, and then apologizes and addressed me as “Mook Si”… which was often followed by a laugh or giggle. There were still a lot of “Tim Gor gor” and “Uncle Tim”, though in reality we are now all peers – equals before the eyes of our God – brother and sisters in Christ. The one thing that binds us all, now that most of us are separated by miles, oceans, and even continents, is that which brought us all together in the first place. Montreal Chinese Alliance Church was more than just a building. It was, for most of us, the origin and motivator for who we’ve become today. It was a place where the gospel message was boldly proclaimed; where the love of God was demonstrated to all ; and a place where worship and service to our living God was practiced.

Of course, shoes become worn. And as much as I love my summer walking shoes, I know that I will need to replace them soon. Many of us have moved away from our MCAC shoes and put on new shoes – shoes that have brought us to many new and great adventures for our God. Simpychurch is my new shoes. I hope that it will be yours as well.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News”

Walking in His Steps,

PT

Oreo's Social Network

My cat has always been an indoor cat, though Oreo has on the odd occasion escaped the confines of the house and ventured out into the wild. I suppose we do this for her own good. No fear of a car running her over. No fear of some other wild animals attacking her (since she is de-clawed and hence at a disadvantage in a fight). No fear of some person snatching her and imprisoning her for themselves (though I suppose we are just as guilt in terms of keeping her as an indoor cat). What is her motivation for wanting to leave the house? Why can't she just be satisfied with everything she has here with us? Is the proverbial catnip really greener on the other side of the door?

We hope that we have provided the best environment possible to meet her every need, to show her all the love we can, and to be her friend and relational support. But obviously this is not enough. Since her fore ray into the outside world has been trumped, she has decided that the cyber world will become her outlet. Her new facebook page has become her social medium allowing her to leave the confines of Bluevale to open a whole new world for her to explore. (Oreo Wai on FB)

I suppose that Naomi had similar hopes when she left her homeland and ventured into the forbidden land - an adventure that would result in her becoming "Mara" and turning that bitterness against God. But in fact, she had become her own worst enemy.

If you want to know more about this story, come visit simplychurch for the next few weeks as Pastor Lew preaches through the book of Ruth.

Until next time,

Meow.

Resolved

From JAARS' website (www.jaars.org)

" In the early 1950s, the Waorani were called “Auca,” meaning “naked savage,” by the surrounding Indian groups. Even the nearby oil companies and the Ecuadorian government referred to them by this name.

The Aucas were feared because they speared all cowodi (foreigners) who came into their territory. More than 60% of the tribe died by homicide, due to revenge killings within their own group. They were slowly annihilating themselves.

On January 6, 1956, the five missionaries landed their plane. For two days they established friendly contact with the Indians on a sand bar nick-named “Palm Beach” by Nate Saint. Many were praying for the success of this venture. But then, on the third day, a lie and a culture of violence turned what had been a growing friendship with the cowodi into martyrdom.

The shock from this event permeated the mission community worldwide.

Miraculously, within several years after the martyrdom of the five, violence within the Waoranis (the name they had always called themselves) dropped 90%! Why? The fact that the young missionaries had not defended themselves with guns, but had willingly laid down their lives, spoke volumes to this tribe.

Also, within two years, Dayuma, a Waorani who had left the group, along with a wife and sister of one of the five, returned in the spirit of love and forgiveness. They brought with them Wangongi’s carvings—God’s Word—a powerful witness.

Gikita, the leader of the spearing party, put it this way: “My heart was black with sin! But Jesus’ blood dripped and dripped and washed my heart clean.”

And Mincaye, another on Palm Beach in 1956, declared, “We lived badly, badly until they brought us God’s carvings. Now, walking His trail, we live happily and in peace.”

Later, as Mincaye grew in his faith, he added, “God does not see it well that we should walk His trail alone. Going first, we must speak God’s name well wherever we go. Then, going to God’s place we will take many others following after us.”

In the fall of 1955, when Nate Saint circled overhead and exchanged gifts with the Auca Indians, neither he nor the world knew the impact that contact would make on the Waoranis—or on the use of airplanes in reaching isolated people groups of the world—or on the thousands of young people who would be challenged to joined the mission endeavor in the 20th century.

On January 8, 2006, at the very spot where they were murdered in Ecuador exactly 50 years prior, a memorial service for Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully and Jim Elliot was held.

The Waorani Indian church leaders planned and led a three-day conferencia that culminated with baptisms and a communion service. Among those leading were two of the men who had participated in the spearing of the five missionaries."

And now you know the rest of the story. Jim Elliot's journal entry for October 28, 1949, expresses his belief that missions work was more important than his life. His famous quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." has often been the motivational battle cry for many Christians.

But I wonder if those 5 men, if they had known what fate awaited them when they landed on that “Palm Beach” in 1952, would have still made that fateful missionary trip? What about you? What if God called you to a future that was filled with possible pain and suffering, hardship, loneliness, poverty, persecution, and even possibly death? Would you still step out and fulfill God’s call?

In my last post we were in Acts 19-21 where Paul takes a radical new direction and begins a trek back to Jerusalem. First we established the sequence of events that transpired. Then we looked at the possibility that Paul perhaps had made an error in judgment out of arrogance and self-interest. What if I have been wrong in my assessment of Paul? What if the evidence truly reveals Paul as a faithful follower of the will of God, resolved to go to Jerusalem in spite of the hardships, pain and suffering, and ultimately imprisonment that awaits him?

Is the Christian life wide and easy or is it narrow and hard? Or does it have to be such a dichotomy? Listen to my defense of the Resolute Paul.

Announcements:

1. Charity tax receipts are ready for pick up. Those who are not in the Waterloo area, the receipts will be mailed out to you.

2. Next Sunday: (March 6) We will be meeting downstairs in the Chapel instead of MacKirdy Hall.

3. Rev. Lew Worrad will begin a preaching series on the book of Ruth starting this Sunday for 4 weeks. "Being Your Own Worst Enemy". Don't miss it!

Blessings,

PT

Free Skate Cancelled

Due to a booking error on UW's part, tmr's free skate has been cancelled. We will update you when another suitable time is found.

Nobody's Perfect

I will be the first to admit that I am certainly not perfect.... BUT... I have an insatiable need to be right. Can you relate? Certainly as Christians we have accepted and professed an underlying principle that we are all sinners and yet, having to admit that we are wrong certainly contravenes certain fabric of our being. Nobody likes being told that they are wrong, especially when it comes to matters of personal choice. So we call upon logic, reason, and/or a higher authority to set up our defenses. Naturally, what greater defense can you have than that of God! So you pull out the "God-card" and lay it down. Then they lay down their "God-card" and then you are at a standstill and all everyone can do is say, "The Lord's will be done!" (Acts 21:12-14).

Certainly the Apostle Paul has become one of the most endeared early disciples of the New Testament. We recognize his passion, the strength of his character, his love and compassion, spiritual maturity and wisdom, and the zeal of his spirit. And certainly to attribute any fault to Paul is almost sacrilegious. To accuse Paul that he deliberately disobeyed the Holy Spirit seems to be an impossibility but yet, a close examination of Acts 19-21, with some insight from Romans 9 and 11, seems to point to the possibility that Paul might not have necessarily gone to Rome in chains. (You can listen to my sermon defending this view on Dropbox)

But not so fast. Maybe there is another side to this story. Perhaps Paul was in the right and everyone else was in the wrong. If you want to hear the argument of this view you will have to come this Sunday to SimplyChurch.

Announcements:

1. Exciting event this coming Sunday Jan. 30th. Free skate at CIF 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Bring your skates along for a time of fun, fellowship and falling!

2. Do you have a heart to serve and yet you don't know where you can fit in at SC? Please speak to Pastor Tim. There are many serving opportunities available.

3. We have 2 fixed pick up locations for Sunday Service - the PetroCan at Philip and Columbia at 9:40 a.m. and the Burger King at Philip and University at 9:45 a.m. If you require a pick up outside of those two locations, please contact us and we will make sure you get a ride.

Blessings,

PT

The Spirit Made Me Do It!

I believe that most of us have come to (or most certainly will) a crossroad in our life where we must make some radical decision - a decision that would put us in direct contradiction to conventional wisdom, social norms, familial expectations, and just good old fashioned logic. Some of us would say it is a gut-feeling (like Leroy Jethro Gibbs) or it is a certain restlessness that needs to be resolved ("Run Forrest run!... right across the country ... and back). For others it is a disillusionment and they need release from that which binds their spirit from pure freedom (btw that is what 6/49 tries to sell you with their "Imagine the freedom" slogan). Often we, as friends, try to help these confused sojourners with sound advice, life testimonies and experiences, logical arguments, and sometimes just putting the fear of God into them. But what do you say to someone who tells you that it is a call from God? How do you argue that one? This was the case with one notable and popular Christian pastor in the USA. Francis Chan left his thriving church and ministry, sold his house and other earthly belongings, packed up his family and moved to Asia in response to a call God put in his life. There was no specifics as to the call. "I started to just feel too much like this earth was my home in some ways – you know you just get your roots in and get comfortable. And then I started feeling this call and there's all sorts of fears," he said. "It's just a really crazy time in my life right now."

Certainly there was much criticism and some backlash from his decision from various sources - including other renown and popular pastors (see : http://www.theresurgence.com/driscoll_chan_harris_roundtable).

Francis Chan is not the first nor the last person who has received such a radical calling in his life. The apostle Paul went through a similar incident during his 3rd missionary journey. He was resolved to go to Jerusalem at the Spirit's beckoning despite warnings from caring brothers in the Spirit and a prophet of God. And I am certain we have all faced (or will face) such a similar dilemma. As we study through Acts 19-21:16 over the next 2 weeks, we will examine the two sides of this proverbial coin problem.

Other exciting news at SimplyChurch this week:

1. Car repair workshop - If you are interested in learning some basic automotive skills, we will be running some car repair and maintenance workshops over the next few months. First one is scheduled for Monday January 17th at 7:30 p.m. 427 Albert St. at Meetz Small Engine.

2. Pick up for Sunday services are available at two fixed locations: Petrocan gas station on Philip and Columbia at 9:40 a.m. and the new Burger King on Philip and University Ave. at 9:45 a.m. If you require a pick up outside of these two locations, please contact pastortim@gmail.com for a CTO pick up location and time.

3. We are looking for people to help with set up and tear down. Please contact Joseph Wong (jyfwong@alumni.uwaterloo.ca).

4. Worship teams - if you have an urge to serve in our music ministry, we have a need for AV personnel, musicians, and singers. Please contact pastortim@gmail.com.

5. Free skate - January 30th from 1-2 p.m. at Columbia Ice Fields. Bring your skates and have a time of fun and fellowship.

6. Sunday School - BBS (Basic Bible Study) We are starting a new series on basic Bible study. Bring your laptop, Bibles and whatever resources you may possess and be prepared to be amazed, astonished and challenged.

Well that is all for this week. May you have a blessed week.

PT

P H L U E

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Nietzsche.

No one likes to get sick. (Except when your mother is trying to set you up with a childhood friend on a date and you remember that she was pretty ugly back then and horrible towards you, but then you think that possibly she was that ugly duckling who has now transformed into a beautiful swan, but then again, this is reality and life isn't a fairy tale so you really don't want to take that chance and go about trying to catch the flu... but that's a whole other story for another time...)

Well I am certain that I will live and conquer this flu but the inconveniences of being sick has cause a ripple effect in the normal routines here at SimplyChurch. Just to be sure that all will go smoothly on Sunday, I have the opportune privilege of acquiring the services of one of our former student to come preach on Sunday.

Mr. Yu-Ling Lee is a UW graduate, with a MDiv degree from Tyndale Seminar, and currently PhD candidate at Regent College. He was also on staff with Ambassadors for Christ in Canada, overseeing several CCF in the Toronto area.

I look forward to having him share the Word of God this Sunday and I am certain that you would benefit from hearing him as well. We welcome you to come join us and see how God has led this young man's life from his years here in Waterloo to where he is today.

January Twenty Eleven

Welcome back! After a 2 week hiatus for the Christmas holiday, I look forward with eager anticipation in joining everyone in worship together at SimplyChurch this coming Sunday, January 9th, 2011. The Christmas holiday season is often spent with family and friends, many of whom we don't necessarily see as often as we should or want to. Hence, what a privilege it is to see all of you on a regular weekly basis - to worship, fellowship, share some food, pray, laugh, hug, and even cry a little. Certainly we often don't appreciate what we have until we don't have it anymore. While I certainly enjoyed having some time off over the Christmas season, but I think I would gladly trade in that time off with time spent with you.

SimplyChurch... meeting Sunday mornings at 10:05 a.m. at St. Paul's University College in McKirdy Hall. If you need transportation, pick up from the new Burger King on University Ave. and Phillip Street at 9:45 a.m. If that is not a convenient location, please contact me at pastortim@gmail.com and we will arrange for a ride for you.

See you there!