February 2, 2017

I was supposed to be in Haiti writing my weekly blog. Instead, I am in my home office typing, feeling the warmth of my fireplace, listening to Christian music, and smelling the sweet aroma of dinner being crafted upstairs by Doreen. I almost got there. To Haiti I mean.  My team and I were in Fort Lauderdale ready to catch the next morning flight to Port au Prince when the call came that I was needed at home. My good friend was in trouble and the situation affected Doreen to the point of tears. I had to make a choice; go to Haiti with my friends where it is warm, where I will have honor, (almost like celebrity status), and a good time; or go back to cold, hard work and potential pain and suffering.

Love compelled me to make a quick choice. I decided to come home. It was expensive to change my plans. It was inconvenient, difficult, and challenging to my team members, but my first responsibility is to my wife, friends, and then to church and ministry.  This is easy to say in times of ease, but much harder to walk out in times of testing and stress.

I can’t help but question a few things. Did I miss God? Did I make a mistake when I made the decision to go to Haiti this year?  Was God trying to tell me to stay home, but I wasn’t listening? Or is there a bigger plan and I just don’t know it yet?

What I do know is this. I will not always get it right. Doing the right thing is often not easy. But what I want to do is be responsive to love and to the relationships God has put into my life. If I let love and commitment to the people God has put into my life be my guide, the rest will fall into place. I do not want money to guide me, or my circumstances, or even my feelings, but God’s principles. God is committed to us. He said, he will never leave us or forsake us. He makes a commitment to his children to love us, to forgive us, to stick with us, no matter what we have done. And he teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In other words, the way he treats us, yes even the way we want to be treated, is the way we ought to treat each other. Often this is not what we do. We are quick to throw away relationships when they are not convenient any more. We are quick to disregard our promises to others when they are in conflict with our personal goals.  We are quick to blow off the people who we started with, when they no longer can advance my own agenda. This is not godly or His will.  God is looking for a people that will live by the principle of love. What a powerful example of counter culture we would be if we loved like God does.

We know that the Super Bowl is on this Sunday, but don’t worry.  There is plenty of time after our celebration to get your snacks and settle in at Pastor Jim’s house to cheer for your favourite team and watch the Super Bowl commercials.  Yes, this may be just the reason I had to miss my Haiti trip. God knows that the tradition must continue. SUPER BOWL at the Reimers. Kick- off is at 3:30 pm.

A Weekend Away!

Part of the Alpha course includes a weekend away at Dutch Harbour with teachings on the Holy Spirit.  If you want to come to camp but are not registered in Alpha there will be a $25 registration fee which includes meals during your stay. We will be travelling to Dutch Harbour Camp and enjoying a stay at the Lodge on Friday March 3 and returning home the afternoon of Saturday, March 4^th.  Registration in advance is required. Last day to register is February 26^th as space in the lodge is limited.

Growth Groups

The start date for Growth Groups is drawing closer.  On March 2^nd we will have our first gathering.  This is our opportunity to meet together in small groups.

• Grow in God
• Grow in Relationships
• Sermon-based
• 90 minutes/week
• Home setting

Interested in knowing more or signing up?  Contact the KCF Office 250.352.1722 or office@kcfoffice.com or sign up on Sunday at the Guest Table.

International Tasting Faire

KCF is partnering with Rotary to host the International Tasting Faire. This will be a wonderful time of enjoying fellowship and delicious food together. Tickets are available at KCF at $50/person (you will receive a $20 tax receipt).  The money raised for this event will go towards our teacher in Haiti and towards food security in Nelson, namely Our Daily Bread.  

Calendar of Events

• Jr. Teens are meeting Fridays, 4 to 5:30pm at KCF.  Ages 11 – 14
• Bright Lights, Club for Kids meet Saturdays, 1 - 3:15pm at KCF.  Kindergarten to Grade 4.
• Ladies Sleepover, Friday Feb 3 at the Reimer Home
• Praise Moves, Christ centred exercise, Saturdays, 10 – 11am at KCF. Begins Feb 4.
• International Tasting Faire, Thursday, February 9.  Tickets at KCF Office.
• Coldest Night of the Year walk on Saturday, February 25^th.  Visit cnoy.org for details.
• Holy Spirit Weekend at Dutch Harbour, March 3-4.  Registration required.

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

Pastor Jim