Merry Christmas at the Whites

Christmas eve at the White's house. There are our very good friends Doug & Wendy White from Texas. We first met them on the missionfield in Guatemala in 1996. They are Wycliffe missionaries. So it's been a fantastic MK (missionary kid) reunion for Jeremy and Rachel with Jeffrey and Lyndsie.

More later....

Anual Flyers go out...

Here are Jim and David, ready to hit the streets around Northside. A team of about 12 helped to distribute hundreds of Christmas flyers up and down the streets of the east end of Barrie, Ontario. Northside is planning a Christmas program for Sunday, December 18 and the flyers are given each year to invite everyone to attend. We look forward to a great time of fellowship and fun as we celebrate this wonderful event...

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
(Luk 2:11)

Stranded on a Desert Island (written and directed by Marlise)

The JVs were part of the Northside Awana Christmas program and did a great job with their skit! There were upwards of 150 in attendance. The young people shined as well with their music abilities and just being terrific and friendly. Thanks JVs for a great show and keep up the good work, leaders!

Oh, yeah. The shot (by Rob) of the kids on the bench are really passengers on a plane that is about to crash on a desert island. Each tries to devise his/her plan to get off the island but all die in the process. Various futile attempts are made: some are burned, others eaten by sharks etc. Afterward, it was discovered that there was a Coast Guard ready and able to help, but no one took notice or availed themselves of his help. Thus the lesson... so many have their own plan of how to get to heaven and ignore Jesus - who is the only Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

Candy Cane

The Message of Christmas in the Candy Cane

Tonight I am going to share the story of the Candy Cane at the Awana parents night. The next time you see a Candy Cane think on these things...

The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. About 1900 the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. According to legend, a candy maker in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas.

1. It is shaped like Shepherd’s Crook, The Good Shepherd
The candy cane reminds us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20).

2. It is a “J” for the name JESUS
Mary’s firstborn child was given the name Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). His name is often used in vain. His name is the only name under heaven (Acts 4:12)
His name is above every other name (Phil 2:9-11)

3. It has a White stripe
Reminding us of His purity and sinlessness (1 Peter 2:22)

4. It has a Red stripe
Reminding us of the blood that He shed to save us from our sins (1 John 1:7)
The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers' stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50).

5. It has a Green Stripe
Reminding us of His resurrection and the new life he gives (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

6. It is made with Hard candy
The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is The Rock of our salvation. “The LORD is my rock…” (Psalm 18:2).

7. It is made with Peppermint
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Peppermint reminds us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6).

8. Candy cane to be broken
When we break the candy cane it reminds us that His body was broken for us (1 Corinthinas 11:24).

9. Candy canes are sweet
The sweetness of the candy reminds us that Christ is sweet to our taste, not bitter like the world (1 Peter 2:3)

10. Candy canes are to be shared
When we have Christ as our Savior and receive His gift of salvation we want to “pass it on” to others so that they might know the joy and peace He gives. (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:8-15).

The Blood of Jesus

Hi,
Today I'd like to post a few thoughts from Sunday's message: The Blood Of Jesus.

Knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:
(1Pe 1:18-19 ASV)

Twin thoughts emerge from Peter's text:

1. The Blood of Christ is PRECIOUS
2. The Blood of Christ is POWERFUL


Thousands of years before science discovered how precious and necessary blood really is, the Word of God contained this amazing truth...

For the life of the flesh is in the blood(Lev 17:11a ASV)

Consider the ancient ignorance of blood – Prior to William Harvey’s discovery of the circulation of the blood in 1628, little had been known about the value of the blood. In fact, blood was thought to be the source of disease rather than life and it’s defense; so sick men were bled to get rid of the disease. George Washington’s death is said to have been hastened by “bloodletting.”


Now, blood is so precious there are banks where you can make a doposit!
Some years ago the American Associates of blood banks honored a man name d Joe Kerkofsky as America’s blood donor champion. Because he had lost an arm in an accident when he was six Kerkofsky was rejected for military service in WWII. Since that time he had donated 31 gallons of blood. That is 20 times the amount of blood in a human body (10 – 12 pints). He had donated blood 250 times! Of his record Kerkofsky said, “Money can’t buy the joy of giving blood to someone in need. It is contributing life itself.”

Think of it: just as your blood is vital to your physical life, so the blood of Jesus is vital for your spiritiual life. Consider how precious and powerful His blood really is:

I. Power to cleanse – Sin makes us dirty and only the blood of Christ can make us clean (1 John 1:7) Isa 1:18; Psa 51:7; 2 Cor 5:20

Christ not only bore the penalty of my sin but was “made sin”
This is why he sweats drops of blood in Gethsemane, as He contemplated being defiled with my sin and separated from His Father.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me. (Charles Wesley)

II. Power to Justify – Sin makes us guilty and only the blood of Christ can give us pardon (Romans 3:23-25)

III. Power to Reconcile – Sin makes us enemies of God and separates us from God and only the blood of Christ and make peace and bring us back to God (Colossians 1:20)

IV. Power to Redeem – Sin makes us slaves and only the blood of Christ and break the power of sin and make us free. (1 Peter 1:18,19; Ephesians 1:7)

"There is power, power, wonder working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb."

John 3:16 (Part II)

Hi,
Thanks for coming back! Look again at John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 ASV)

That's right! 25 Words!
1st 12 words - What God has done
Last 12 words - Our response
The Middle Word - "SON"

The Son is at the centre of John 3:16 and the centre of the plan of Salvation and all of God's purposes. The wonderful thing about this verse is that it shows us how God loved us before we ever thought about Him. When Jesus died the veil of the Temple ripped in two from top to bottom, showing, not only that the Lord Jesus had opened a way for us to come to God, but also showing that it was God reaching down to man, not man working his way to God. John would later write, We love Him, because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:19 ASV) This is the difference between Christianity and all other religions. All other religions are man's attempt to work and gain favor with God, whereas Christianity is the good news that God loved us through Christ and that He finished the work of salvation on the cross. Eternal life is a gift of God's grace. Have you accepted that gift? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus to be your own personal Savior? If not do so today and become God's next missionary!

Thanks for reading,
Sean

John 3:16

Today I'm posting one of the best missionary verses in the Bible: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Probably the most well known verse worldwide. I even heard an inmate quote it word-perfect from memory in prison! (I was a volunteer with New Life Prison Ministries, not a fellow inmate!) It summarizes the good news which we need to spread to every person in the world. Until next time I want to ask you,
1. First, have you believed "in Him" and therefore have everlasting life as a present possession?
2. How many words are in John 3:16?
3. And, what is the middle word in John 3:16?"

Googling Tapachula

Here is a view of Guatemala with the southern-most (and poorest)Mexican State of Chiapas in the foreground. You can see the town of Tapachula close to the Guatemala Border.

Thanks Google Earth!

Stan in Tapachula, Mexico

Earlier we posted some photos sent to us from our friend in Guatemala. Above is a shot of Tapachula, Mexico where Hurricane Stan really hit hard. We used to visit this area and the saints there. Through contact with the Falconers in New Zealand (Missionaries to Guatemala that we worked with) we are making arrangements for channeling relief funds to these dear Christians. We don't know of any assemblies in Guatemala that were directly affected by the flooding yet, but the assemblies in Guatemala have a history of fellowship and ministry with the saints fo Tapachula. Here is some info about how they have been affected...

"Access to this area is very difficult, since roads are destroyed. The Category One hurricane is estimated to have destroyed the homes of up to 150,000 people, many more than can be housed in government shelters. More than 85% of the region’s cattle and farms are destroyed in this region where most people are dependent on what they raise to feed their families." (from the World Wide Web)

So, you can see just how much of a challenge these people face. We stand with them in prayer and in whatever other ways we can help.

Sean

Books I'm Reading

Earlier we reported on the 17th annual Ottawa Valley Missionary Conference and Fred's keynote address. Here is a shot of his book, "Letters Missionaries Never Write". A summary of what the book is about in his own words from his website (www.frednjenny.com)...

"Our ministry to missionaries over many years has given us considerable insight into their lives, emotions, and burdens. Letters Missionaries Never Write is a collection of fictional letters we believe reflects the challenges, feelings, and temptations of missionaries. These letters, often thought, but seldom if ever written, will give you a glimpse into the lives of missionaries who, just like us, are ordinary people. This book will guide you in praying for missionaries. 155 pages."

I'm just starting the book, but I find myself indentifying very much with some of these letters. Some of the titles include...

A Missionary Candidate
A Short-Term Missionary
A New Missionary
A Missionary on furlough
"Shipwrecked" Missionaries
A Failed Missionary
A Missionary Widow

Reading this book will invigorate your prayer life. I think you could find a copy through their website.

Praying for you!
Sean

Shalom!

Hi,
On a recent visit to West 5th Bible Chapel in Hamilton I was made aware of this website: www.templeinstitute.org. We are living in amazing times! Above you are looking at the recently completed garments of the high priest. Here are the goals of the institute as stated by the organization:

"Shalom and welcome to the official website of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the concept of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual wellbeing of both Israel and all the nations of the world. The Institute's work touches upon the history of the Holy Temple's past, an understanding of the present day, and the Divine promise of Israel's future. The scope of these activities includes education, research, and development. The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, in accord with the Biblical commandments."

Hey,

I'm just taking Jeremy to Youth Group, but I just had to remind you about the Voices for Christ website. If you haven't visited it, you need to. The VFC site offers over 20,000 messages in MP3 format. All the messages are well organized and searchable. Just click and listen! The speakers are assembly men from mostly all over the States and Canada, but also includes excellent conference ministry from across the pond and spanning decades of preaching. I should mention there are messages by ladies too. You can listen to Corrie Ten Boom for example. Just take a browse, I think you'll be blessed! You can find the link over there to the right ----->

Of one accord with one accordian

Hi,
I finally found the photo I wanted to post. This is Herbert Cain from Belize City. He is an elder at Grace Chapel. He is one of the warmest, most encouraging Christians I have ever met and has been associated with the assembly work in Belize for many years. The reason why I am posting this photo is becuase we are looking for a new accordian for him. Mr. Cain plays almost every hymn, old and new, under the sun with his accordian and is often the only musical accompanyment at meetings. If you know where we could find one, or if you happened to have one that you would like to donate, please let us know. He has been playing this one for something like 26 years and it is tired.

Thank you and Happy Remembrance Day!

Sean

The Pineapple Story

Kids + Basketball = Fun
Kids + Fun + Bible = AWANA! ...that's A-approved W-workmen A-are N-not A-ashamed

This is the JV (Jr Varsity) group at the Northside Awana program. You can see Rob helping some with their memory verses and others working on their jump shots during a lively basketball game. On this night we shared The Pineapple Story. It's an account of a missionary who tries to plant a garden of pineapples but they keep getting stolen. He has a problem with anger until he learns to give his pinapples to God. Then, when the natives find out they are stealing God's pineapples they are alarmed and stop so the missionary is able to enjoy his garden and ministry. What are the pinepples in your life that you need to give to God? Maybe your job or money? Family? Time? Friends? Health? All that we have is from God and belongs to Him.

Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
(Rev 4:11 ASV)

As the Father has sent me, even so, send I you..."

Thanks Adam for sending me the photo! Here are the missionaries that took part in the Ottawa Missions Conference. The guy in the back row with the dark blue shirt is Garnet Cooney, my spiritual father. He and Gwen serve the Lord in Ireland. It was amazing to hear the various reports. The lady behind me on the right is Marjorie Beckwith, missionary to Angola. She reported that Angola enjoys peace right now after many years of war. She shared the great need for workers there, especially teachers. She has been serving Angola for over 50 years!
The Keynote speaker was Fred Kosin; here is a summary of his excellent message...

John 17:18, 20:19-21 "As the Father has sent me, even so send I you". We are all called to go...across the street or across the country. Jesus was sent to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10)
He was sent
1. To the Poor (2 Corinthians 8:9)
2. To the Paralyzed (John 5)
3. To the Prisoner (Luke 4)
4. To the Prostitute (Luke 7)
5. To the Politicians (Pilate, Herod etc.)
6. To the Prosperous (Luke 19)

Goooooooogle Earth!

Well, there is Belize City. As you can see it is completed surrounded by the Sea. I just got connected to Google Earth....Wow! I went to Guatemala City and saw our old house, then flew to Timmins and then jumped over to Jerusalem.... Incredible, mindboggling!!

This program can be downloaded at Google.com

17th Annual Conf. and West 5th...

Hi,
Many thanks to the saints at West 5th in Hamilton for the opportunity to share with you yesterday and for your hospitality. My daughter Rachel accompanied me as we stayed at the St Onges from Northern Ontario. The 17th Annual Ottawa Misssionary Conference was a success and was really well attended. We hope to get a photo to post and a more detailed report. At the conference and at West 5h we shared a Microsoft Movie of our 2005 short-term mission to Bolivia. The short movie highlights the new camp under construction. The photo above shows the multi-purpose building that was started in January.

Blessed Assurance

Hi,
Nice to be back after being on the road..... was at Hopedale in Oakville reporting on Bolivia and Belize and then had to take a funeral of a dear sister in Northern Ontario. She was a believer in the Lord Jesus so having that "Blessed Assurance" in God's Word was a blessing (John 14, I Thessalonians 4, 2 Corinthian 5 etc.).

I am looking for a photo to post but can't find it just now. In the meantime here are a couple of girls from Grace Primary in Belize City. This school is an outreach of Grace Chapel where many Christians teach boys and girls about the Lord and His Word.

Will try and bring you those details on the Ottawa Valley Missionary Conference coming up this weekend.

Warmly in Christ,
Sean

Just a little nut!

They say that every Oak Tree is "just a little nut that held its ground". Well, I don't know about that but you can sure see how my son has grown. This is us by a massive Oak tree in a park near our house in Barrie. Psalm 1 says that the blessed man "shall be like a tree planted..." That makes us think of permanence, stability and growth. That's my prayer; that as God has planted us here in Barrie, He would help us grow and bear fruit for Him. Tonight we will begin helping with AWANA, introducing boys and girls to the Savior through a Scripture memorization program.

Yours by God's grace,
Sean

MSC Website

Today I would like to refer you to the Missionary Service Committee website at www.msc.on.ca If you have never visited them, please do as they provide a valuable service to missionaries and missionary enterprises. Thier mandate, as posted on their site is as follows...

MSC Canada is a service organization which exists to support Canadian assemblies of the Lord's people and the workers commended by them. Through this WWW site MSC seeks to provide up to date information regarding assembly missionary work within Canada and elsewhere.

You will find valuable links to prayer items, workers, reports and don't miss the short-term opportunities link where you will find information about upcoming Canadian teams serving this winter.

Keep posted for details of an upcoming missions conference....

Your servants for Jesus' sake,

Sean

Beyond Repair

I don't know what kind of a building it was in the background but it seems to be beyond repair. I hope we can mobilize teams to Guatemala sometime in the future. In the meantime hurricane "Wilma" gains strength at sea.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Another photo captures the look on poeple's faces as they recieve aid. Have we thanked God today for health and strength and daily food?

Bridge over troubled waters

Since our last post my friend in Guatemala sent some more photos. Our details of the Belize project will wait while we post a few of these astounding pictures of people strugling to survive the aftermath of Stan. The people pictured here are cut off from the rest of the country and the remains of this railway bridge is their only option.

Belize report at Grace Bible Chapel in Timmins

Thanks Horacio for those amazing photos of hurricane Stan's damage in Guatemala! Know that our prayers are with you. We will try and pass along any more info on developments there. In the meantime we want to update our visitors of plans for thier neighbour, Belize. This past weekend Jeremy and I made a trip home to Northern Ontario. J visited his friends in Matheson and I was with the saints at Grace Bible Chapel in Timmins. The Christians at Grace have been a great encouragement for missions. Many have gone on short-term teams, including our trip to Bolivia. This time several expressed a desire to join our mission to Belize. As I write the team is almost full. Navigate back soon to see details of the project.

May the Lord richly bless you today!

Sincerly,
Sean & family

Scramble for aid...

Here is another shot sent by Horacio Martinez from Guatemala City. Horacio is a brother in the Lord and a great photographer. In this shot he captures the panic as people scramble to get their hands on aid. He tells of much damage to communities, including places we used to visit regularily to minister. At the time of this report some Christians were still missing relatives. Please remember Guatemala in your prayers, especially the Lord's people serving there.

Devastating Mudslides

Hurricane Stan in Guatemala

These are some pictures sent by a friend of ours in Guatemala. He says there are countless communities totally cut off from the rest of the country. We believe this shot is of the Pan American highway near Camp Caleb.

Vera and me at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, one of the areas hit hardest by hurricane Stan. We are getting some pictures in from friends in Guatemala which we will try and post.

God bless,
Sean

1st Blog blogged down!

Hi,
We've created this new blog space because our first one had a space limit. Hopefully we can blog away without restrictions here.....we'll see.
Thanks for clicking here and come again. Adios!

Yours by God's grace,
Sean