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October 17 Times of Refreshment for the SoulAs I sit in my room at the Villa St. Joseph's Retreat Centre, my window view is like a postcard view of Lake Ontario, neatly bordered by tall oaks and maples in their most splendid and colorful fall garments. I am currently sitting at my computer (I have to book well in advance to reserve this particular room as it is the only one with internet access) eating a large bowl of warm, freshly made apple sauce, and enjoying a time of conversation and solitude with my heavenly Father. It never ceases to amaze me, how straightforward and practical God's Word is. As I studied and pondered the passages dealing with my sermon theme this weekend I am awestruck by the profound depth and simplicity of God's teaching on forgiveness. Apart from all the practical applications, the message for this Sunday can be summarized in one verse. Bear with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Col. 3:13,14 How cool is that? Profound, deep and simple enough for anyone to understand, yet so tragic, devastating, and debilitating for people who do not apply this simple verse. Why do we complicate or lives so needlessly? The worship leaders have prepared an amazing series of hymns and choruses, the creative arts team is putting together a very thought provoking drama, and I get to share this simple biblical truth and invite people forward for prayer. But the coolest part of the entire service is not our part at all! We get to pave the way for the greatest part of the service, when the Holy Spirit does His part. When God speaks to the heart of His people and motivates, inspires, instructs, convicts, and convinces people that the better way to live is always His way. Sometimes He does this during the drama, or praise, or worship, or message, or prayer, or benediction, or on the way home, but to everyone who comes to Him with an expectant heart and open mind, none will leave unchanged in some way. How can any of us encounter God and experience His presence and transformational truth, and not be blessed! Although people can also be blessed apart from coming to Church, or particularly when God's people bring Christ "to the people" through words, prayers and acts of service. Yet there is something profoundly humbling and exciting when people sense their own need and pro actively choose to seek out God at the local church. I know the greeters, ushers, sound, multimedia, drama, and worship people will all be there Sunday. We will all do our parts, but I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do. Please join me in praying for open minds, hearts and souls. And rejoice for all those that God will truly bless. Just four more days till Sunday. Perhaps there is someone you need to invite? See you Sunday! D :) TrackbacksThe trackback URL for this entry is: http://davidasmith57.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!7BC87137A7B5BDCE!762.trak Weblogs that reference this entry
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