What you believe will determine your future. Many of us simply go through life without giving much thought to what we actually believe. Chancy at best. One’s success or failure (in varying degrees) is directly related to what belief system we function under. The reason we go to the car, put the key in the ignition, and turn the key is the belief that the car will start. We don’t think about it, we don’t challenge our belief, we just act on it without thought or process.

But should it happen as it did to Doreen and I; we turned the key and this time nothing happened, faith took a new turn. To make things even more exciting, we were the first car on the ferry with a full row of cars behind us.

Now those cars all had faith that the first car (us) would be able to start said car and drive off at the appropriate time. So with faith they parked behind us. This too they probably did without processing. They just responded to the situation with the belief that it will work out, just like it had many times before. Only this time it didn’t. No familiar purr of an engine ready to go. My anxiety level shot up. Ferry docked, cars waited, and Doreen and I prayed. Still the car did not start. We were rescued by a friendly Ferry Attendant with a battery pack and we were on our way. Now I had new faith that the car would NOT start again if the key was turned as it had a thousand times before. My belief system had us drive straight to Civic Auto, my favourite mechanic shop, and there we purchased a top of the line battery. Now my belief has shifted again. I believe the car will start yet again with just the turn of the key.

The point to this story is twofold:

1. My faith determined my actions.

2. My actions were determined by truth and not wishful thinking, false realities, or fake news.

The latter point must not be trivialized as it is the key to a successful and prosperous life.

Why not take a moment and consider how your belief system has either furthered or hindered your career, marriage, or even your personal development.  I would love to hear from you.

In the next number of weeks I will be writing and speaking on this important subject. We are going to dedicate 10 weeks to a series I am calling “Living Faith.” The reason I am calling it “Living Faith” is because faith is very much alive and active in our lives.  At the end of it you will be able to determine the difference between wishful thinking and positive affirmations that result in successes. You will be able to grow your faith, do amazing things, and live a very extraordinary life even if your life is very ordinary.

Each week a set of study questions will be available for those attending our Sunday morning celebrations to assist us in going deeper. Living Faith Series will form the basis for our discussion at our Growth Groups. Get ready for your most exciting winter season yet.

Looking forward to your thoughts on Faith and how it has worked in your life.

For the Young Ones

Bright Lights for Kids K to Grade 4 returns this coming Tuesday, January 9^th at KCF, 3:30 – 5pm Tuesdays.

Junior Youth returns Friday, January 12^th for ages 11 – 15.  Fridays, 4pm – 5:30pm at KCF. 

Share Housing Initiative – Call for Members

We need to hear from you this week. The stronger our membership is the stronger our position is when seeking government funding. Membership is free, and requires as little as attending the AGM, or as active as your time allows.

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. 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.

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

Look 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