Thoughts from Pastor Bill

Train up a child...

2008-07-21T03:34:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 22:6 says, "New American Standard Bible (©1995)Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Over the past week, I have reflected upon my youngest daughter and how she has grown so much in the Lord, and in many other ways. On Wednesday, I had the joy of attending a Parent Orientation with her at the University of Western Ontario. As I looked around the room, I noticed a number of different expressions.

There was parents who were nervous about letting there child go into university. Others were anxious and wondered somewhat of the future. Still for myself, I was proud to be there because of what Bethany has accomplished.

It is so true about God's promises.

Train up your child and they will NOT depart from the Lord. I believe that Bethany will excel in school and do well as a teacher not because of her acadamics or various other reasons. It is my belief, that Bethany will do well because of her solid walk with God. It is a joy to watch and to appreciate. But also, I stand on the promise of God's word, that when a child is trained properly, they will follow the ways of the Lord, and everything else is secondary in my opinion.

So, may I encourage you to pray for your children and grandchildren daily. Encourage them in the ways of God. And finally, when it is time, let go and allow them the freedom to walk in the ways of God. By the way, if you are reading this Bethany, I am proud of you :)!

Sorry I haven't been around lately to my blog family...now I go on vacation today and hope that all is well with you and your family.

God bless

PB

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple of days, I have pondered the wonderful things God has done in ALCC in 2007. We have seen people healed(verified by doctors), others encounter Jesus Christ for the first time and most of all, people change.

Before coming to ALCC, I always thought that success in church was found in attendance, programs and lots of money in the bank. I have come to understand that success in any church community is the transformation of people, as they encounter Christ.

What does that mean?

When we encounter God, and discover a better way of living and others soon ask the question, what is different about you, we soon find out what success is all about. Success is discovering what life is all about...meeting God on his terms that leaves us different.

So, what is instore for you and God in the new year?

Pastor, can we get over Christmas first...Yes, but make Christmas a meaningful event where you find a greater depth of life that God offers...Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

It is a joy to serve all of you as Pastor and hope as we look to God into 2008, we will continue to be blessed by our Savior and King!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Bill

God in Control

2007-11-08T12:25:00.001-08:00

Over the years, I have watched, prayed and anticipated God doing new and wonderful things. But I have to admit, it has taken a great deal of patience to let go and let God control each and every area of my life.

My tendency is to think, I can do a better job than God if I stick my fingers into the mix. Then the sad depiction is, I settle for second best for my life.

Over the next season of my life, I am going to work a little harder in Letting God be in control. When I practise this a little bit, it seems to me, I have less strife in my life and more peace. However, it is hard to get use to sitting in the drivers seat.

A couple of months ago, I was attending a meeting and someone else drove me. It was strange in the beginning but after a while, I grew more accustomed. Now I find myself enjoying it more and more. Today, I like it when others drive me around, but I do like the front seat.

Friends, let God do the driving and you can share the front seat with your Pastor as we watch Him take us places we didn't think was possible!

Proverbs 3:5-6 serves us well, '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(if you give him the controls).

What a great adventure we have in God when we know, he is the God of the controls...

What do you think?

Until Next Week...

Pastor Bill

Life

2007-10-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Jarod William James Giffin, my first grandchild of many, I hope, arrived on Wednesday night a 10:59 PM... what a joy to hold him for the first time. When I first held baby Jarod, my heart was immeiately filled with love as I looked into the face of one I have been already praying for.

As I looked into his little face, I wondered if he was going to be a teacher, pastor, bricklayer, maybe pitch for the Blue Jays... but that didn't matter. I was simply in awe of how God could be so good to Kathy and I to experience great joy in this moment. Then it occured to me....

Does God have such joy when he holds me in His arms?

Yes!

Does God have such love when he holds me in His arms?

Yes!

God's heart is full of joy and love for his children...

Think of this for a moment...God doesn't have grandchildren. Each of us come to Jesus and become His children. Interesting thought... we can't have a relationship with God without knowing Christ for ourselves... so it is my prayer that at an early age, Jarod will love the Lord. He can't experience salvation through me but for himself and trust that he will.

Well, I will be praying for all of you this coming week. Kathy and I are off to Punta Cana and hope to find some rest and build towards a great Christmas season. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks for reading and God bless...

PB

Intimacy with God

2007-10-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

As I reflect upon a great Sunday morning service, I thank God for His direction on our lives. As I preached on Mary and her gifts of thanksgiving to Jesus, I was so blessed to see so many people with the same desire as there Pastor...greater intimacy with God.

A place with God where I feel safe.

A place with God where I can be who I am.

A place with God where all is at peace.

A place of refuge and strength.

I have come to understand that ALCC is more than a church or extended family. ALCC is becoming a place of intimacy where people can discover more of God. WOW, what a joy to come and experience this intimacy in Prayer & Bible Study, Youth Group, Celebrate Recovery and services like we had yesterday. The altar was rich with the loving presence of God.

As we reflect upon giving thanks this week to God for His goodness, ask God today for a greater intimacy in your life.

On a personal note... my desire is for greater intimacy in my life with God. Come and join me as we seek God in this great venture.

Over this thanksgiving, may God bless you with greater intimacy of His love and Presence.

Happy Thanksgiving!

PB

Disappointment

2007-09-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Life certainly has its ups and downs. It seems to me, that people, circumstances, and life has a way of disappointing us.

Someone mentioned to me the other day, 'if I don't have expectations, then I won't have disappointments.' This statement caught my attention.

So, if I have expectations with people and they fail, then I get disappointed. If I have expectations around a trying circumstance and it falls apart, I get disappointed. This is so true.

However, if I have only expectations in God, HE NEVER DISAPPOINTS.

What a great revelation to my heart... God never disappoints us because he always, faithfully, lives up to our expectations.

God is there to listen to our hearts. God wants to answer our prayers. God supports us in our failures. God is there in our circumstances. God longs to encourage us with the Word of God.

What a great God we serve.

On a personal note, I have struggled with disappointments lately and have learned again...

'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' and never disappoint you.

Have you been disappointed by circumstances or people... remember, God is always there to live up to our expectations, that is why He is a loving God...

Enjoy your week

PB

Welcome!

2007-09-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that you have taken the time to log in and read my blog. Each week, I am going to try and write down a few thoughts and hope this will bring you more insight into your Pastor's heart. It is my desire to be more intentional in relationships in this next season of ministry and want to blog to assist in the process. So here we go!

I have been so blessed to watch our church grow into a loving and caring family. Each Sunday that we are together is filled with love and acceptance. It is not every place that we go, that we can find a warm hug from Bessie, or a firm handshake from Paul or an open heart that truly cares. We are blessed... Today one of my collegues in the Pastorate called discouraged because in his church, they struggle simply by reaching out and loving people who visit. That troubles my heart, because the Church was designed with others in mind.

Now does that mean, we have arrived, not really. We need to be careful to reach out to others on a regular basis, sit in different spots to get to know others and maybe take someone out for a coffee and find out what makes them tick.

So, give it some thought, who you might want to get to know over this next season of ministry. You might be surprised how much you have in common...

Philippians 2:4 says, 'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.'NIV

Enjoy your week...

PB