Integrity! Do we have it? It has been said, “Integrity is being the same person in private as public; we are inwardly what we are outwardly.” Of course, integrity isn’t just about having morals. Integrity has the idea that there are no cracks in one’s character. For inanimate objects, integrity means having no cracks in the materials that comprise the object. Those cracks will be exposed under intense pressure or heat. Job was under intense pressure. He was suffering a lot. And as we find out in Job 27 this Sunday, Job resolved to have integrity during that intense pressure. It reminds me of a favourite quote my dad would use of Bob Jones Sr., “A crisis does not make a man; it reveals a man.” What is pressure revealing about you? If there are some cracks, Jesus knows how to fill them!

Pastor Kyle will be speaking on God's Power and Grace from Job 25:1-26:14.

Remember the Silent Sufferers. This Mother's Day we take a look at Job to learn about the Silent Sufferers.

I bet that if you asked many of your neighbours, co-workers, and classmates if they believed that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people, they would agree. 

If people add a belief of God into the equation, then you can see why many people hold to the concept of the divine retribution principle - God blesses the righteous and afflicts the unrighteous. We reinforce this concept to our kids when we teach that there are rewards for good behaviour and discipline for bad behaviour. And reality is that there are natural consequences for bad behaviour. Like the time I almost burned down the house by playing with fire after being taught that fire was not to be played with. A hint for all you kids out there reading this... Moms notice when you cut out the carpet because a portion of it was burned. 

We know bad things happen when we are bad. But how do we explain when bad things happen to good people? This was the question of Rabbi Harold Kushner. His conclusion was that God is good, but not all-powerful enough to stop evil. 

How would you answer the question if asked, why do bad things happen to good people? This is part of the dialogue between Job and his counsellor Zophar in Job 20-21. May you find answers in both your suffering and witnessing.

Did you know that at one time students in Ontario would recite the Lord’s Pray to begin each day at school? I told my kids this and they had a hard time imagining this happening in their schools today. The Lord’s Prayer may not be recited in school, but how often do we recite it in church? I feel convicted by this neglect. Of all the things that Jesus’ disciples wanted Jesus to teach them, prayer was foremost. They observed Jesus’ prayer life and concluded it was the key to His ministry. Jesus stayed constantly connected to the Father and they wanted that connection for themselves. Do we?

HAPPY EASTER! HE IS RISEN!!!  He is risen indeed.

Responding to Discouragers

What did the cross cancel?

Join us as we take a look at Colossians 2:13-15.

Heart of Worship - Romans 12:1

Have you ever felt somebody try to shame you? It is like putting an unwelcome weighted blanket on you. They heap shame upon shame, guilt upon guilt. The worst shaming is probably religious shaming because it makes you question your relationship with God. Trying to give you a guilt complex is not helpful and is ultimately not motivating to bring lasting change. This is why this Sunday we are going to learn from the Book of Job 11-14 how to respond to those who try to shame you.