Most of us know the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, when ten lepers called out to him. Jesus healed them, but only one of them came back, praising God, and thanking Jesus. Even Jesus wondered where the other nine lepers were. Weren't they healed too?
As good as it is, sometimes it seems like giving isn't enough. I've heard someone say before, that 'Vancouver has the most well-fed homeless people in Canada.' I think that in many ways, that statement is very true. I was walking out of the Main Street Skytrain Station once, and I saw a scruffy person sitting on the concrete eating a sandwich, while throwing the crusts away. I don't know if the man was homeless or not, but that image of the crusts on the ground made me think about downtown, and how the people living on the streets there may be expecting handouts, and not worried about where their next meal will come from.
Now, I could be completely wrong about all of this. However, it has led Jack and I to reevaluate what we do in our ministry. We do have our mission nights and we try to do them every month. But like I said before, maybe giving out hot-dogs isn't enough, both for them or God. We should be doing something more, something that draws the people of downtown Vancouver closer to the one true and living God, the God who created them, who loves them, who sent His only son Jesus to die for them.
On that note, I am announcing that this Friday's planned mission night will be canceled, and instead we will be hosting an acoustic worship night. If you are on the EG Youth emailing list, you would have gotten an email about this already. For those not on the list that are reading this, you are free to come out this Friday at 7:30pm in the VCPC Sanctuary and join us. We want this night to be an intimate time with God, as well as bring our church family together in fellowship by encouraging and praying for each other.
As for our mission nights, Jack and I will be taking a hard look at what we are doing now, and what we should be doing in the future. If you have any thoughts, responses or criticisms to the things that I have said in this post, please feel absolutely free to express yourself in a comment. The summer season has come; so does a season of change and renewal for our ministry.
God bless you guys.
Reubs
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Royalty
The bible says that we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). I've never considered myself a royal priest, or a royal anything for that matter. The word royal seems to have all these ideas of respect, honor, and high standings attached to it. To me, these ideas kind of go against the ways of humility that I have been taught in church. Doesn't the bible teach us to be servants?
God's view of royalty is utterly different than what the world thinks of it. Jesus addresses this misconception in Mark 10:42-44. He talks about the rulers of the world, and how they love to lord and exercise authority over the people. Jesus teaches us that it is different for the kingdom of God. Verse 43 and 44 say that, "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
To be great in this world, you need money, skills, a good reputation, and many other things that make you focus on yourself. But to be great in God's kingdom, you need to be a servant, and focus on everyone else. It's such a beautiful reversal that God places those who care for others in high places. I think that Jesus is the ultimate example of that. He gave up his godliness in heaven to became just like us, and throughout his ministry, he has shown us what it means to be a servant.
1 Peter 2:9 says, "...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God..." We are chosen by God. We are a holy nation. We belong to Him. And yes, we are a royal priesthood. God loves you, and he wants to put you in a high place. If we follow Jesus' example, we will become servants of all, and truly become great in God's kingdom.
---
Before I end off my post, a couple of announcements. Firstly, I wanted to highlight a couple of links that have been brought up in our ministries:
The Acts 2 Process
- Coming soon to the Young Adults Sunday School class!
http://discipleship.ag.org/Process/Strategies/Acts2/index.cfm
LIFTinG blog
- Blog started by LightWriter and DramaticNightz after HM:Fearless.
http://living-to-lift.blogspot.com/
And please note that THIS FRIDAY, both Just Youth and Young Adults groups will be promoting for this year's VBS. Please be at the church before 7:15pm, as we will be setting out by then to post posters along Main Street. After we finish, we will return to the church and continue with our discussion series of the Purpose-Driven Life.
That is all for today, so have a blessed week in the Lord!
Reubs
God's view of royalty is utterly different than what the world thinks of it. Jesus addresses this misconception in Mark 10:42-44. He talks about the rulers of the world, and how they love to lord and exercise authority over the people. Jesus teaches us that it is different for the kingdom of God. Verse 43 and 44 say that, "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
To be great in this world, you need money, skills, a good reputation, and many other things that make you focus on yourself. But to be great in God's kingdom, you need to be a servant, and focus on everyone else. It's such a beautiful reversal that God places those who care for others in high places. I think that Jesus is the ultimate example of that. He gave up his godliness in heaven to became just like us, and throughout his ministry, he has shown us what it means to be a servant.
1 Peter 2:9 says, "...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God..." We are chosen by God. We are a holy nation. We belong to Him. And yes, we are a royal priesthood. God loves you, and he wants to put you in a high place. If we follow Jesus' example, we will become servants of all, and truly become great in God's kingdom.
---
Before I end off my post, a couple of announcements. Firstly, I wanted to highlight a couple of links that have been brought up in our ministries:
The Acts 2 Process
- Coming soon to the Young Adults Sunday School class!
http://discipleship.ag.org/Process/Strategies/Acts2/index.cfm
LIFTinG blog
- Blog started by LightWriter and DramaticNightz after HM:Fearless.
http://living-to-lift.blogspot.com/
And please note that THIS FRIDAY, both Just Youth and Young Adults groups will be promoting for this year's VBS. Please be at the church before 7:15pm, as we will be setting out by then to post posters along Main Street. After we finish, we will return to the church and continue with our discussion series of the Purpose-Driven Life.
That is all for today, so have a blessed week in the Lord!
Reubs
Friday, June 4, 2010
Bill Strickland - HOPE
I thank him for what he had share today at the Coastal Church about the new Vancouver Cente for Arts and Technology. It was amazing and powerful. It was about HOPE, Hope is something that we all have, chinese, white, black, brown, female or male, rich or poor. We all have a hope for something better and something more wonderful. When we do have this hope, we will have a dream that come with it and a passion that follow that dream.
This man by the name of Bill Strickland. He is the CEO-PRESIDENT of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its sudsidiaries. Its a school to help the disadvantaged people to build a better future. In the focus on the arts and technology. The VANCAT goal is to bring Hope to the disadvantaged in our CITY of VANCOUVER..
To read more about his ministry.
http://www.bill-strickland.org/aboutbill.html
Something you don't want to miss out on.
It was an amazing night to see soo many passionate people who really want to see the work of god to our city. Even though we have BIG HOPE and DREAM. Its time to take ACTION into our hand and allow god to use us. MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE. IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING, JUST DO IT.
Jack
ps, I really suggest to read about who he is and what he did. VERY ENCOURAGING.
This man by the name of Bill Strickland. He is the CEO-PRESIDENT of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its sudsidiaries. Its a school to help the disadvantaged people to build a better future. In the focus on the arts and technology. The VANCAT goal is to bring Hope to the disadvantaged in our CITY of VANCOUVER..
To read more about his ministry.
http://www.bill-strickland.org/aboutbill.html
Something you don't want to miss out on.
It was an amazing night to see soo many passionate people who really want to see the work of god to our city. Even though we have BIG HOPE and DREAM. Its time to take ACTION into our hand and allow god to use us. MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE. IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING, JUST DO IT.
Jack
ps, I really suggest to read about who he is and what he did. VERY ENCOURAGING.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monthly Update - June 2010
Happy Birthday Alison!
Its the beginning of June so I thought that I would make a quick update on the exciting events happening this month! (subject to change)
June 4 - Just Jam (HM Reunion!)
June 11 - Purpose Driven Life (Chapter 2)
June 18 - EG Grad Night 2010
June 25 - Missions Night
I'm looking forward to this month, and I hope to see you all on Friday nights. Have a blessed month in the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit guide you in your everyday circumstances.
Cough.
Reubs
Its the beginning of June so I thought that I would make a quick update on the exciting events happening this month! (subject to change)
June 4 - Just Jam (HM Reunion!)
June 11 - Purpose Driven Life (Chapter 2)
June 18 - EG Grad Night 2010
June 25 - Missions Night
I'm looking forward to this month, and I hope to see you all on Friday nights. Have a blessed month in the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit guide you in your everyday circumstances.
Cough.
Reubs
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