October 27, 2016

This is Halloween weekend. Halloween is a big weekend for the retailers and the kids.  In the United States it is estimated that 7.4 billion dollars will be shelled out to celebrate Halloween.  Just to put that into perspective of American spending, 8.7 billion will be spent during the Super Bowl.  Okay, I don’t get that.  One thing is for sure, Americans spend money on their big events.  Halloween for some is a big deal.  It was for me growing up.  I loved trick or treating.  And then we didn’t have to check the candy, have adult supervision while we went out, or worry about the house we were entering.  As we got older, we did more “tricking” than treating.  I still inwardly cringe at the trouble I caused my neighbors with my foolish pranks I played on them.

Thankfully the noxious “tricking” part has gone out of favor for the most part.  However, in some places it has been replaced with some scary horror stories of candy laced with harmful additives to children.  As a child I learned about ghosts, goblins and the boogyman, but as an adult, I can tell you that these things don’t exist except in the imagination of the movie makers and ill-advised humans. 

What does exist is the Holy Spirit, an Unholy Spirit and a Saviour Man.  Holy Spirit is real and brings love, peace and joy. The Evil spirit is real and brings fear, hatred, and rejection. The Saviour Man is here to rescue us from our life of fear and enslavement to our habits, addictions, and fetishes.  For the most part, Halloween is just a time to dress up, have some fun and eat lots of sugar.  But for me it reminds me that there is a spirit realm. I want to focus in on the spirit world that gives me love, peace and joy which is wholesome and is based on truth.

More and more people are accepting the idea that ghosts exist.  It is purported that our own Hume Hotel in Nelson has a resident ghost.  Steve Shepherd from TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF HALLOWEEN writes: “One writer asks, “Why are people so gullible?  One reason is modern man’s loss of religious faith. That loss creates a vacuum ready to suck in some new form of belief. The eminent British broadcaster Malcolm Muggeridge (1903 ~ 1990) had this to say on the subject, ‘One of the peculiar sins of the twentieth century which we’ve developed to a very high level is the sin of credulity (or being open to anything).  It has been said that when human beings stop believing in God they believe in nothing. The truth is much worse: they believe in anything.’”

“Why are we so gullible?  Another reason is we can’t face the truth.  We’re willing to sacrifice the truth whenever it makes us feel uncomfortable.  But, as Plato taught, ‘We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.’”

My encouragement to all is to come to the light.  Speaking of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, John 14:26-27 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This coming Sunday, I will be speaking about the promise Jesus gave to us “Peace I leave with you.”  In his peace there is no fear, but blessing, prosperity and joy.  His peace will change your difficult situation and make it good, give you all you need, bring miracles in your life, heal your body mind and spirt, and bring us all to a place of well-being. Better than candy any day.

See you this Sunday. 

Spaghetti Dinner and Auction

The Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser for Haiti was a huge success.  It was a sold out event and lots of fun was had.  We are excited to announce that approximately $9000 has been donated for Haiti with money still flowing in!   We extend thanks to all the volunteers, donors, and those that attended!  It could not have happened without you all.

A New Phone Number!

Kootenay Christian Fellowship and Our Daily Bread has a new phone number.  Please update your records.  Our new number is (250) 352-1722.  The old 1-888 number is discontinued. 

S.H.A.R.E Nelson IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

The S.H.A.R.E. Nelson move is complete!  They are open for business.  Come and see our new location and what the new store looks like. Please use bottom level doors. There is no access from the KCF entrance.

If you can help at the store to organize and set up, please call the store at (250) 352-1222. 

We will be celebrating with the OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING on Saturday, November 19^th.  Come on down to S.H.A.R.E.  and check it out!

Bright Lights – A Club for Kids

This “extraordinary” club for kids is being offered again this year for Kindergarten to Grade 4 is underway every Saturday from 1:00 – 3:15 pm at KCF. This club is not exclusive and any child can come! There will be games, music, crafts, movies, character building, and snacks!  Registration and Orientation is on October 15 and is $30 per child, $50 per family, or $5 drop-in fee. Contact Doreen to Register 250-354-2077.

Reading the Bible

If you follow the monthly reading program, you can successfully read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice this year.  I have attached this month’s prescribed reading to this newsletter. Start something new and watch God's word make a difference in your life. 

Calendar of Events

• Community Connect Day, Central School Gym, Nov 19
• Grand Opening of S.H.A.R.E. Nelson, Saturday, Nov 19

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Pastor Jim