Year in Review. The TV is full of this. News, Sports, Entertainment channels all are focusing on what was. I suppose some people like this or they wouldn’t do it. Or maybe, it is slow news time and they have to fill the time slots with something. Me, I don’t really enjoy it. I figure it is boring stuff. What do you think? Is this good use of “air time”? Let me know what your opinion of this is.

There is an admonition in the Bible that teaches us to “Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.” (Philippians 3:13) The Apostle Paul, who wrote this is referring to two things.

1. He is choosing to forget the bad things that happened to him. He is writing this while in prison - a lot of bad things happened to him. This is a normal phenomenon, (not being in prison) bad things happening to us. Despite our best efforts, our good intentions, and even our prayers, bad things can and will happen. But they don’t need to define us, control us, or even ruin us; but instead, the bad things can actually serve to make us better. From prison Paul is saying, I am going to forget about it, and continue on towards what I am destined to achieve.

2. Paul is willing to forget his success. Just like the bad things have potential to ruin us; so too our successes have the ability to wreak havoc in our lives. Perhaps success is even more a danger to us than the disasters in our lives. Paul is also saying that he is not going to allow any success that he has achieved in the past to get to his head. He is going to remain humble and continue to strive to do better, to go further, and keep pushing the boundaries of his abilities in order to achieve his greatest potential.

To feel within oneself that I have arrived, I am at the top of my game, I am at the pinnacle; is an extremely dangerous place. This is a perfect condition for pride to fill our hearts. Where pride lives, disaster is soon to follow.

This Sunday is the last day of the year. I am making some good choices this last weekend of the year.

1. I am going to worship the creator God, no matter whether good or bad is in my life.

2. I am going to forget the bad that has happened and move on, growing with the experience earned.

3. I am going hold lightly the successes that have come my way, realizing that God is my source and that I have still not reached my potential.

Why not consider making these affirmations in your own life as well. If you are having trouble with forgetting the things in your past, this Sunday might be the perfect antidote for you. Email me, if you would like to discuss your own challenges in forgetting what is behind.

Happy New Year to all my readers. I hope that we will be able to connect personally with each one of you in this next year.

Share Housing Initiative – Call for Members

There is a long standing need for affordable one bedroom apartments in Nelson. There has been much talk over the years of this necessity for community health and well-being. Employers have no place for their staff to live. College students camping in their cars while attending class. Individuals living in less than safe, overpriced, cramped conditions simply because there is no place for them to go.

We, at Kootenay Christian Fellowship, wanted to do something about this. We formed a new Society called SHARE Housing Initiative Society to address this most basic need in our community. 

The SHARE Housing Initiative Society is having its FIRST AGM Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. This is a KCF Initiative. We need to ensure that we have four KCF Members on the Board at all times, which we currently have. We have put a call out to the general public for members to join the society; however, as this is a KCF Initiative, it is really important that we have KCF representation in the membership. Remember, if you aren’t a member, you can’t vote on important decisions regarding this project. There is no cost (this year) to membership. Under our bylaws you have to apply for membership and be a member for 30 days to be able to vote at the AGM.  The Board must accept your application.

Accordingly, if you would like to be a member, please email office@kcfoffice.com. I will add you to the list for our January Board

Meeting and get you added as a member. We will then remind you of the meeting by sending an agenda to you.

We have accomplished a great deal so far. We expect to have even better news by February, so please take the time to get involved now.

Thank you in advance for coming on board to help create affordable low cost rental apartments in Nelson.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

International Dinner

We are partnering with Rotary to host the International Dinner (formerly International Tasting Faire) which will be held Thursday, Feb 8, 2018, 5:30pm at Mary Hall.  They money raised will go towards a teacher in Haiti and towards food security in Nelson, namely Our Daily Bread and Polio Eradication. 

Tickets are available at the KCF office.  There is a need for silent and toonie auction items for this event.  If you have a service you can provide or have a friend or favourite business you could ask to provide a gift certificate please contact anne-marie@kcfoffice.com.  There is a need for volunteers who have time during the day to collect auction items, please contact the KCF office if this is a fit for you.

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day.  Come down and support the poor.  If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Calendar of Events

• International Dinner (formerly International Tasting Faire), Thursday, Feb 8, 2018, 5:30pm at Mary Hall, Selkirk College - Tickets at KCF office.

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

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Pastor Jim