Calling all men – God has a plan for your life and we want to help you fulfill it.

Every other Saturday morning we get together at Paradise Valley Golf Course Club House at 8:00 a.m. to gather around the table and share some good food, fellowship, and discussion in God’s Word.

Upcoming Men Of Destiny breakfasts will be on Saturday, May 12th and May 26th.

Please be sure to let Roger at 548-6965, know you are coming so we get enough seats around the table.

Me: Who are you?

Matthew: Matthew Mason

Me: Who is Mathew Mason?

Matthew: Your son

Me: Do I love you?

Matthew: Yes

Me: Why?

Matthew: Because you’re my son, no wait, I said that wrong.  Because I’m your son.

After we laughed about it for a minute, I spent some time thinking about the power of this simple conversation.  All too often in the body of Christ we spend way too much time trying to live up to what we think we are supposed to do in order to be accepted and loved by God.  The truth is that we don’t have to live up to a certain standard to be accepted.  We already are accepted. The book of Romans chapter 8 and verse 15 reads, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.”

We have already been accepted by the Father and are now His children.

Like my son Matthew we need to learn that God’s love for us is out of relationship, as His children, and not based on our performance.  Your heavenly Father loves us unconditionally.  No matter what our performance He loves us.  Stop trying to perform to become a child of God and start living like a son of God because you are a son of God.

We are all quick to recognize the consumerism that has permeated the Christmas season. We live in a land of such abundance. Yet we are told we need more stuff. My parents lived through the great depression and WWII. Their Christmas presents were fruit – because they didn’t get it during the year. When I was a kid, I got one toy and a basic necessity, such as a pair of pants. It seems that, since the 80′s, people already have what they need and get what they want – mostly. Then there’s the point at which we have all we want and people have to brainstorm ideas for a gift because there is nothing evident to get us. Wow, how far we have come (or gone)!

On to the multilingual piece. There is a great book entitled The Five Love Languages that presents and explains the ways in which we express and receive love. There are five basic ways we do that. Each of us has a one or two that are dominant in our lives. Here’s the list:

• Physical touch
• Words of affirmation
• Quality time
• Acts of service
• Gifts

We all express and receive love in a couple of these unique languages. Think about which of these ‘fills your tank’. Think about how you most often express love. It gets interesting between couples when they speak difference love languages. They need to learn to become ‘bilingual’.

Society has made Christmas primarily about the love language of gifts – tangible stuff we give and receive. That’s great for those with that love language but what about all the others. The overemphasis of gifts can result in the neglect of the other expressions of love that should be just as much a part of Christmas.

Hugs, affirmation, time, serving one another – these are all expressions of the love God has put in our hearts and should not be neglected for the sake of gifts.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, keep in mind all the ways you can express love. Think of how what love language your family and friends speak and give them more than just gifts – give them love in their language.

Have a multilingual Christmas!

Marc Brule is pastor of WellSpring Community Church in Welland, Ontario and a CFCM National Director

My father was in a conversation one day with someone who had called another Christian a fanatic.  In response he made a statement that I have never forgot.  He said, “you have to be careful what you say, often a fanatic is just someone who loves Jesus more than you”.

Ever since that day I have thought that to be called a fanatic for Christ was a compliment and something to strive for.  I believe that we are living in a day when the church needs those who will out of a great passion and love for Christ spend their lives on the Kingdom of God.

With Christ as our standard and the apostles and others in scripture as examples it seems that a consecrated, dedicated, passionate life laid down for God is the only fitting response to God’s great love for us.  The early church had many martyrs who gave their lives for the message and I would guess that in their day they were called fanatics.  The question perhaps is are we willing to live our lives for the message of the Kingdom even if we are considered fanatics?

If it means that I am known for a love of Christ and His Kingdom that goes above normal, count me in.  It would be an honor.

We are continually adding to the Study Centre with new articles and things to help you in your journey as you discover life in God.

Come back and check it out again and again.