The One That Got Away

Let me tell you about the one that got away. I was fishing in the Puntledge River with my son and landed my first ever prize Coho salmon. I was pretty excited about the whole thing. Did what every fisherman does, knocked it on the head, gutted and cleaned the fish right on the side of the river. It was what happened next that I am almost embarrased to tell you. I layed the fish beside another fish we had caught earlier and with only a few minutes left before we had to head home, went back to fishing. A guy who had observed the whole thing wandered over to where we were, wanting to see the fish. My son said the fish was lying over by the rock next to another fish. The guy said...."There is only one fish." When we walked over to have a look, my heart sank with shock and disbelief. I couldn't believe it. What happened, even though we thought the fish was dead, there was still enough life in it's nervous system that caused it to flip a few times and with enough momentum it slid down the bank and back into the river. I can't tell you how terribly disappointed I was.

I thought there has to be a lesson in all of this. Well I came up with a few. One is just how easy it is for our old sinful nature to rise up within us from time to time. Just when we think we have died to sin and temptation is under control we find ourselves falling back into old habits and ways of thinking we thought we had left behind. It's like there is an attraction to get back into that old river again. How many of you can relate?

I am reminded of the words of Paul when he said: 'I die daily.' 1 Corinthians 15:31

Paul himself described his struggle with the sinful nature in Romans 7. .......But he also understood the grace of God at work in his life. He knew that his only hope was to continue to die daily, to crucify the old nature and allow the power of Christ to live and reign in his life. We can draw strength from his words when he said......Vs 24,25...... 'What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!' .......Who also gives us the victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57

I was also reminded how I need to help keep others from falling. The harvest needs to be protected.

I will be more careful next time I catch that Coho.

Happy Fishing
Dave

Getting Up When You Fall

This past week I was inspired by the story of Nick Vujicic, a young man that God is using to inspire others to not let their circumstances keep them from rising to their God given potential.

What makes his story unique is the fact that Nick was born with no limbs. It was at a point of great hopelessness and dispair even to the point when he considered suicide, that God encouraged him to focus on what he had not on what he did not have.

I want to encourage you to not let anything keep you down. Whether it's fear, discouragement, past defeats, addictions, disappointments, circumstances, entangling sins, wrong relationships, bitterness....the list is long.

All of these and more can cause you to stumble and fall, but with Christ you can overcome. Your steps can be firm. You can rise to your potential. You can be everything God intended you to be.

Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'



'The lord delights in the way of the man whose steps he has made firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.' Psalm 37:23,24

Encourage someone this week.

Blessings
Pastor Dave

A Great Message

This past Sunday Pastor Mike Bidell shared a great message on what it means to minister to God through worship.

As believers we are part of Gods 'Royal Priesthood' with a responsbility to be worshippers.

If you get a chance to listen to the message not only will it bless you but it will encourage you in your priesthood ministry. Check out the link from our website.

http://app.razorplanet.com/acct/40500-0597/tmpl/index.php?nid=15956&s=gl&media_id=401648&showMedia=a&preview=true

Trust you are enjoying our great Vancouver Island summer.

Blessings
Pastor Dave

You Are Amazing

As we come to the end of another school year, and with summer finally here (I think, I hope), I have found myself thinking alot this week about all the people here at CPC who willingly and faithfully serve the Lord in our various ministries.

Every week CPC people are picking up serving towels and in a Christ honouring way are giving their time, using their gifts and talents to bless our church and community. I was blessed even this morning by the comment of one of our small group leaders who expressed their thanks for the opportunity given to them to be used of God in their small group. It really is a joy to serve the Lord, and the benefits for oneself and others is so great.

The following are a few examples of those we are appreciating today:
* Children's Ministry / Kids Church & Nursery workers
* Ushers & Greeters / Communion Team
* Worship Leaders & Musicians / Sound & Projection People
* Caretaking Team / Grounds Care People / Maintenance People

* Landscape / New Sign Design Team
* Offering Counting Team / Debit Hosts
* Missions Committee / Foreign Aid Packing Team
* Youth Ministry / Leaders & Helpers

* Vibe Pre-Teen Parents & Leaders
* Life Group / Small Group Leaders & Hosts
* Moms & Tots Leaders / Child Care Providers
* Coffee Coordinators / Hospitality People
* Food Preparation & Kitchen Crews
* CPC Food Bank Coordinators
* Young Adult Volunteers / Alpha Team
* Congregational Care, Visitation & Compassion People
* Website Volunteers / CPC Board / Prayer Teams
* Gap Fillers - Everyone else who just pitch in where needed, often on short notice.

You are all truly an AMAZING group of people we are so grateful for. With out you we could never do the things we do.

I like the way the Apostle Paul expressed his thanks for the Thessalonian church. We as pastors and leaders here at CPC feel the same way about you.

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:2,3)

While summer is upon us, the needs and ministry continues. Let us believe God for a fruitful and blessed summer together. As Pastor Mike Bidell has often said: "It's fun serving and making merry together."

We love you and appreciate you.
Pastor Dave, Pastor Mike B, Pastor Mike P, Pastor Jabin