More Q&A

Q. We are praying about going to the mission field. Since 1996, when a prophet of God prophesied that I would go abroad one day as a missionary, that call stays in my heart. Later, I got married and for more than 6 years my husband and I pastored a church but then the call is still there. For the past year both of us prayed for a mission opportunity. Please help us to know how we can start the work of the call in our hearts. We are really determined to do the task and willing to work. God Bless you and your family.

A. Thank you for your e-mail. It’s difficult to communicate such an important subject via this public venue, but because I am often asked similar questions, I wanted to respond to this on my blog. Here are a couple of my thoughts:

1. Be careful not to run your life by a prophesy. A prophesy should encourage and confirm what you already feel God is saying to you. As long as you and your husband both feel God’s call in your own spirits, the prophecy should serve to confirm your thoughts.

2. I use Isaiah 30:15, 18-20 as a model. Your attitude must be (as in v. 15) repentance, rest, quietness and trust. Verse 20 says God is your teacher. The way life teaches us is through our experiences. We come to a fork in the road where we have a choice. Then we try something, we make a turn to the right or left. That’s when He speaks to us and says, “This is the way” or “This not the way”. We have to step out (such as applying for a visa or passport) and see what happens.

3. Look for the Peace of God. When we go down the wrong path, we do not feel God’s peace. Don’t worry about making a wrong decision—we learn best through failure. Col. 3:15 and Isaiah 48:22 tell us that we have peace when we are on the right path and no peace when we are on the wrong path.

4. Lastly, stay in harmony with your husband. You’ll need to walk out your call in agreement.

Q. Today at work, the person that was replacing me while I was off, found out that I went to Northside church. She said, "Hey that is Barry Buzza's church. I like that man. I read his column every time. He makes a lot of good sense." She told me that she was an agnostic. She then asked me several questions and told me that she was raised Catholic. I tried to explain the difference and answers her questions but it was not easy. She really enjoys reading what you write. Way to go Barry!

So my question is, can words put a curse or cause something not to happen? Can they extend the time frame of when or if a miracle is going to happen? For example, our family wants our prodigals [someone who has walked away from God] to return. We want that so badly and we want it NOW! Having a prodigal in one's life is not easy and weighs heavily on your heart. Our family tries to live and talk in a way that makes it easier to deal with. We try to see our children as if they were already serving God and we give credit to God for it. However at times, when the load we carry once again becomes too heavy to bear, positive words often change to a more negative way of speaking. For instant we might say, "It might never happen; it might not be in God's plan or in God's timing. We must learn to accept the inevitable."

When these kinds of words are spoken, I tend to get upset and say, "Don't say those words, you just put a curse on the child and God won't be able to do his miracle."

Is this way of thinking correct or am I totally out to lunch? I thought that there was something in the Bible that says that you can hinder or help God by the way you act, speak, live etc. Is this true? If so or if not, can you please explain it to me?

A. Thanks for sharing the comments from your co-worker. You’ll never know how deeply I am strengthened by positive words – I appreciate your grace and kindness.

In answer to your question, yes, I believe in the power of our words. Numbers 14 underscores the importance of using positive, godly words:

1. The people of Israel complained about God’s plans to lead them into the giant occupied areas of Canaan – they wanted to go back to Egypt (bondage) rather than follow God wholeheartedly. So the Lord said to them (v. 20), “As I live, just as you have spoken in my hearing, so I will surely do to you.” They said they wished they could die and God answered, “Ok, you’ll die!”

2. Moses prayed on behalf of his people that God would forgive them for their ignorant and selfish reprise. God reported to Moses (v. 20),“I have pardoned them according to your word.” Both Israel and Moses got what they said. If words have been spoken with heart and belief (negative or positive) they do carry the power of blessings or curses. Of course negative words can be countered by asking God’s forgiveness and changing our confession. But on the other hand, don’t worry about some things you may have said when discouraged or tired. God knows our hearts and our levels of faith. He doesn’t respond to every word we say when in a down time. He understands discouragement and sadness.

If you’ve said things that are negative, we simply have to apologize and reaffirm our love and faith to God (like we do for our spouse when we say something negative or unloving to them). The Good News is that God wants what you want. Don’t give up. Be patient, keep loving and praying and you will see the prodigals come home again.

Thanks for your questions. I'll be praying for each of you.

Barry

From Mikey's Funnies

Since I've been talking a lot lately about dying and sharing from my book, Dying Well, a friend sent me this joke from Mikey's Funnies:

A man dies. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.

St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 1000 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 1000 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."

"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"

"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."

"Terrific!" says St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point."

"One point!?!! I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.

"Two points!?!!" Exasperated, the man cries, "At this rate it'll just be by the grace of God that I ever get into heaven."

"Bingo, 1000 points! Come on in!"


Keep those jokes and comments coming . . . I'm almost caught up and I love hearing what God is doing in your life!

Barry

Happy Lunar New Year!

We have, in our church, a very large contingent of Asian members. I love the customs, traditions, festivals, costumes, languages and foods that our friends bring to our colorful international family.

One of the biggest festivals that we celebrate together is the Lunar New Year. On Saturday, February 4, 2006, we’ll be eating and partying at our Coquitlam church. I’m looking forward to a good celebration.

The Lunar New Year (more international than the Chinese New Year) has a long history. It first began as a celebratory break after the harvest and before the planting of new crops.

Like our Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years, the Lunar New Year is rich with tradition, folk lores and rituals. Preparations often begin a month before the actual holiday (like our Christmas). People buy presents, decorations, food and clothing. They also do a huge clean-up (like our spring cleaning which dates back to the Jewish Feast of unleaven bread)—they sweep away all traces of evil or bad luck from the top to the bottom of their homes.

On the Evening of the Lunar New Year, there is often a feast of seafood and dumplings. Prawns symbolize happiness and liveliness; dried oysters (hoxi) for all things good; fish dishes (Yu) for good luck and prosperity; and Fai Chai (Angel hair—an edible hairlike seaweed) for prosperity. The dumplings (Jiaozi) signify a long lasting blessing on the family.

The color red is meant to ward off evil—black and white are inappropriate as they signify mourning. At midnight a colorful fireworks display lights up the sky.

The kids love Lunar New Year because that’s when the ancient custom Hong Bao (which means-red packet) takes place. Married couples give children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes. Often families visit from house to house and bring blessings to family and friends.

If you're in the neighbourhood, why not help us celebrate the Lunar New Year?

Barry

In Memory of Randi Hoigaard

On Friday, January 27, 2006, we celebrated the life of a dear friend of our church family, Randi Hoigaard. Our church was packed. Randi, who was born in Norway in 1932, was one of those people whom everybody loved. It was very sad to say goodbye to her, but easy to say good things about her life.

She was involved in many ministries; working diligently and faithfully behind the scenes in our Father’s Table (feeding the hungry), Alpha, prayer and our clothing co-op. I loved talking to the many people whom she’d encouraged and befriended throughout her years.

It was such a privilege for me to be invited by the family to pray for them and her as she was transported form this life to the next. I’d been there when Randi first had her stroke on Thursday—I sat with her husband Iver for a few hours until their children arrived from their three outside Vancouver homes.

On Saturday, January 21, Sharon (Randi’s daughter) called me from the hospital and told me it was time. After I arrived, we had the opportunity of standing around her bedside, talking, crying, and praying. It was a holy moment. Then came the time to removed the breathing apparatus which was keeping her heart pumping. Her brain was already dead. As we stood around her, Randi slowly and peacefully slipped from our world to the presence of Jesus. It seemed far too soon for her to die, but if it was time, it could not have been a sweeter way to go.

I thought of the scripture where the Apostle Paul says goodbye (just before his execution) to his son Timothy. He wrote “The time of my departure is at hand…it was a nautical picture that he painted of a traveler setting out to a new shore by ship. He pulls his anchor, sets his sails and waves goodbye. As difficult as that is for the people left on shore, it’s an exciting journey for the traveler; and as sure as family and friends are waving “good bye,” others on the far shore are already waving and shouting “hello!”

Randi did something that I’ve recommended in my new book, Dying Well. She wrote out her own memorial service plan. I loved it! She journalled her life’s history; she said who she wanted to sing (both Jennifer Lehman and Lori Carmichael were able to do as Randi had requested), she named the hymns and said to make sure it was a time of celebration. And we did exactly as she wanted—lots of music, lots of food and lots of friends made it a memorable celebration.

Good bye my friend—we’ll see you soon on the other side!

Barry

P.S. Thanks Judith for your comment on my blog about Randi's funeral. I, too, believe the stories of Randi's faith challenged many to make a decision for Christ!

The Dedication of Babies

On Friday, I had a young couple come and see me because they wanted to baptize their baby girl. Since they don't attend our church, I explained to them the difference between baptism and dedication, which is what our church does.

The Roman Catholics, as well as many older denominations baptize or christen infants while Orthodox Jews do what Mary and Joseph did with baby Jesus—they presented him to God and had the Rabbi circumcise him on his eighth day as a sign of his consecration to God.

The Jewish ceremony goes back to God’s covenant with Israel under Abraham. To seal the covenant of blessing he Commanded Abraham that all believing Jews must be circumcised. It was a picture of cutting away the flesh on the organ which produces life. The meaning was that in order to produce spiritual life, we must die to our sinful human nature (that’s the flesh).

In the New Testament (the covenant with the church) circumcision of the male organ is no longer required. Rather we are to symbolically be circumcised in our hearts—that means our human pride has to be cut away so that we can produce life through our “circumcised” lips. Real spiritual life flows from what we say (see Romans 2: 28-29 and Colosssians 2:11).

Thus, as pure as the parents’ motives are who want their babies baptized and as good as their intent is, baptism of infants is really not required or efficacious. So, what we do is dedicate our babies to God. It’s akin to what Hannah did for her son Samuel when she gave him back to God. (I Samuel 1:28) -- although we encourage parents not to leave them at the church with the pastors, as Hannah did!

What we call dedication is more like when Jesus held and blessed the little children (Matthew 19:13-15). It has the double benefit of the parents’ desire to raise their child to love and honor God, and also God’s touch of blessing on the child and his parents.

We do not consider dedication a required ordinance, like we do baptism or communion. Thankfully, I get to do a lot of baby dedications which is one of my favourite things to do.

Barry

Happy Birthday, Jordan!

Last week, our youngest grandchild, Jordan turned two. What a delight he is. He's one of those kids who is always happy. Even when he bumps his head or when his big brother is play fighting with him, he still comes out smiling.

Our family and several friends of Kristy and Jeremy got together to celebrate Jordan's big day. There was an incredible amount of food and noise. Susan and I find it hard to believe all six grandkids are growing up so quickly — but we love every day we get to be with them.

Speaking about little Jordy. Two weeks ago his mom had a trying experience. Kristy was in her room, when Jordan and Jacob (7) got the great idea of cooking his pet monkey in their microwave. This was an expensive, talking toy monkey, so it had metal inside as well as on the outside (part of his belt). Needless to say, the monkey didn't have a chance once the microwave set it on fire.

When Kristy smelled the smoke, she rushed into the kitchen to discover the toy in flames. She snapped open the oven door, grabbed the burning animal and started to blow like crazy. Jacob was smart enough to fear his mother’s wrath, but Jordan was too stunned to understand all that was going on. He helped Kristy blow out the fire and as he did it, he sang, “Happy Birthday to you.” To him, blowing out flames is a sure sign that there’s a party going on!

I feel a little like Art Linkletter today!

Barry

Tri-City Pastors Pray Together

On Wednesday, I spent all day fasting and praying with many of our Tri City (Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody) pastors at Timberline Ranch. We do this annually in addition to our regular luncheon prayer and fellowship meetings.

I’ve been amazed over the past twenty-seven years of ministry in our community, how much love and respect that we pastors, of many denominations, have for each other. We make it a point never to get in to discussions about our small differences in doctrines or about church sizes. As far as we’re concerned, we’re all brothers in the same family.

After an individual prayer walk around the expansive ranch (it was a beautiful morning and the grounds were immaculate), and a visit with the horses, we gathered together around a campfire to pray for our cities, provinces, nation and churches. I led us in a communion service before we parted for our homes.

To be honest, I went through an internal struggle to set aside a day for prayer. I thought that I had too much to do, to sacrifice a whole day. What a stupid thought!

My spiritual conflict was really the same as the one we often have when asked to give money. “No, I need this money for myself!” Or giving forgiveness, “He doesn’t deserve my love and forgiveness!” Whenever we are challenged to give, whether resources, time or love, we enter into a spiritual struggle. The devil hates us to give because our giving opens the door to God’s blessings!

Anyway, I got past my selfish feelings and went; and as always I had a spiritually and emotionally refreshing time. When I do give of myself, the rewards always more than compensate for the seeming sacrifice.

Barry

Oh, Canada

Congratulations Prime Minister Harper!

I believe as God encourages us to, that we have a responsibility and privilege to honour, respect and pray for every power who rules. Whether we like what they stand for or not, the Bible says that God raises up and puts down political leaders at his will.

All throughout history, God has used both good and bad leaders to fulfill his purpose. We were studying last night, in our Bible Study, how God purposely raised up King Cyrus in Persia to do his bidding. One hundred and fifty years before Cyrus was even born, Isaiah prophesied what his name would be, what he would do and how he would do it. Amazing!

God has a good plan for Stephen Harper. How awesome it is to have an evangelical Christian in the highest seat of our nation. We need to pray for his wisdom and courage to be experienced daily.

Whatever Mr. Harper does, good or bad, it will disappoint some Christians, who have unrealistic and lofty expectations that he should make Canada into a Christian country. At the same time, whatever he does will bring sharp criticism from antagonists who see every action as being too Christian! God bless our Prime Minister.

I believe that having an evangelical believer in the Prime Minister’s chair will take the plug out of the free flow of God’s grace in our nation. There will be a new found freedom in the spirit realm, but also a rise of spiritual opposition from the evil one who hates righteousness and godliness.

God bless our Prime Minister and the members of his parliament!

Barry

A Little Bit About my Trip East

Two weeks ago I travelled to Moncton. This is the second time, as you may know, that I’ve visited pastors in the Atlantic in the past 3 months. Both of my stops were helpful to me, and positively memorable. There’s something very warm, wholesome and inviting about the leaders I’ve met there.

On the Friday morning I set out in my rented Dodge Magnum for the delightful little town of Alma. The weather (apparently unusual for this season) was balmy, the sky was blue and there were only remnants of snow by the side of the road.

Leaving early, I set aside time to visit the awesome sea-side tourist attraction of The Rocks. Because the gates were closed for the winter, I parked outside and hiked the ½ km or so to the edge of the Bay of Fundy Cliffs. Alone on the viewpoint, I enjoyed a refreshing visit with the Creator.

I arrived at the magnificent bed and breakfast owned by Peter and Donna Colpitts called Falcon Ridge. Peter and Donna share lay pastoring responsibilities with Forrest and Jean. I was greeted not only with hugs and smiles from the 16 pastors who were present, but also by the aroma of an awesome home cooked meal (yes, I am still struggling with my love of food!).

We ate and talked together for an hour or so before I was asked to begin my presentation for the Bible College, Building Leaders Campaign. But first, Rose Misner www.misnermusic.com, led us in an amazing time of worship. It is hard to describe the sweet spirit of worship we enjoyed together, but it was a very fitting prelude to my talk.

The theme of my presentation was not about getting churches to give their money to build a new building for PLBC, but about the principle that God wants to bless us and free us from the things that hold us back from success.

I’ve described in my book, The Secret of Happiness, the running over principle and this is what I shared with those present. My talk led to about 4 hours of healthy and fruitful discussion. As we talked about the challenges of these economically repressed Canadian provinces, my friends identified, at least three spiritual strongholds of the Atlantic region. (A stronghold is a point of enemy control, like in Iraq today. Although 95% of that country has now been freed and enjoying the benefits of their recent democratic election, about 5% of the area is controlled by terrorists. The violent insurgents literally terrorize the rest of the country.)

So it is with us. We may have subjected our souls to King Jesus, but strongholds such as fear, lust, anger, low self-esteem, insecurity, etc., keep our souls on edge. And it is the same in our churches. Strongholds can retard maturity and effectiveness – sometimes it can actually render us powerless. An example of this can be seen in the church the apostle Paul addressed in his first letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 11).

In the Atlantic provinces, the 3 areas that threaten the church, that the pastors identified, are:

1. a poverty mentality (there will never be enough money – like the farmer in Luke 12:16-19 who said, “I’ll build bigger barns and keep more for myself”) with much of this thinking being rooted in the depression years.


2. the religious spirit of the Maritimes which is like that old saying, “Grandma taught it and we bought it.” The people are not about to change their traditions, even if the new way is Biblically sound.


3. the spirit of suspicion in acts of kindness and with outsiders. In the first instance, if I do something for someone because I feel like blessing them, they often mistakenly believe that I want something from them, so consequently, they can not accept anything from me or anyone else. The latter has to do with anyone who has not lived in the small community for at least 20 years. The citizens call them “from away people” and believe they can’t be trusted.

Every community, like every person, has strongholds which they are wrestling with. I spoke about this the Sunday I returned, as well, as I approached our second week of the Twelve Steps to Higher Ground series.

I loved the time I spent with the pastors. We agreed to continue battling any spirit which stands in opposition to God’s good plans for us who are part of the family of Foursquare Churches. The testimonies of God’s faithfulness, even through financial valleys were truly inspiring.

When I left Moncton, I made a final stop in Toronto. Sixteen of us talked together about our PLBC campaign and we also had the spiritual privilege of eating lunch together around a big table. There’s something profoundly intimate about breaking bread as friends.

I was so happy that my good friend Shannon La Chance and her friend Sandrine were there, as well. They had left Montreal in the early morning hours to drive all the way to Toronto to be with us. Both Shannon and Sandrine have profound insights into the culture and spirituality of Francophone Canadians. Our mutual desire is to expand our Foursquare churches throughout the spiritually barren province of Quebec. But we do have to recognize the cultural uniqueness of our French speaking brothers and sisters!! God help us build strong bridges across the invisible, but significant border between us. Help us to see Canada as one nation with distinct flavors and colors and give us divine insight as to how we can be one in spirit.

My Ontario comrades have a strong passion to develop leaders, plant churches, see maturity develop in the believers who are already there, and nurture new believers. I was encouraged as we shared ideas how we, who are across the great divide of the Rockies can both receive benefit from and also give help to the growth of the Central Canadian Foursquare churches. My belief is that our Bible College will be a source of health, focused Christian education and leadership development for the many new churches which are now budding in the rich spiritual soil of Ontario and Quebec.

So that was my trip. It was a worthwhile four days as I touched down on 5 of our Canadian provinces from BC to New Brunswick. And even though it was a whirlwind week, I was blessed and renewed.

Barry

At Northside Fourquare Church we start training them young. This is my grandson, Jordan, and as you can see, he's read all of my books.

Reflecting (Part Three)

Many years ago (about 1983), God gave me a very clear prophetic word that there would be a wave of blessing which would flow across the nation of Canada. I saw a very dry, barren land in my vision, and then the clear, refreshing water of a giant river from BC to Newfoundland began to wash over the broad landscape.

Over the years, we have seen dribbles of blessing in various spots across Canada but I feel we’re drawing close to the fulfillment of the prophetic word that several people have seen, heard and confirmed. In no way am I saying that I or Northside Church are central to the flow of fresh water, but I do feel strongly that we will have a servant part in the coming wave.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the forthcoming national election in Canada. Will our politicians be a door or a dam in the spiritual river that is beginning to trickle across our nation?

I see Ezekiel 47:1-12 as an age old but exceedingly accurate picture of what’s about to happen:

“Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar.

He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side.

When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles.

Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins.

Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.

He said to me, 'Son of man, have you seen this?' Then he brought me back to the bank of the river.

Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

Then he said to me, ‘These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh.

It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.

And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many.

But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.

By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.’”

The overflow, fruitfulness, and healing is coming. We have to be very careful that we don’t become a swamp (v. 12). Notice that the same water flows into the swamp as through the river. The only difference is that the swamp had no outflow.

My friendship with pastors in Quebec has helped me to understand Canada’s responsibilities to reach the Quebecois with the Gospel. My perception is that the church, as a whole, has failed badly in the province where Christianity first took a foot hold under Jacque Cartier and Samuel de Champlain over 300 years ago. We not only owe the Francophones a sincere apology, but also owe them a spiritual debt. My heart is expanding to include Quebec as a part of our church vision.

As you know, I spent a great deal of time travelling last year, in particular, to our conference in Atlantic Canada. I’ve spoken with pastors, lay people, and media personnel and I’ve seen God’s hand drawing us together in unity. A feeling of excitement fills my being. I am eager to see the vision fulfilled.

Barry

Reflecting (Part Two)

A few years ago, our church was able to purchase a 10 acre site for our proposed new church building in Port Coquitlam (Poco). Land is getting scarce in the metropolitan Vancouver area and the neighbourhood of our Poco church had been one of the last areas where good parcels of property were still available. Today, because of rising land values, our 10 acres have at least doubled in value since we purchased them.

Prior to purchasing the property, I felt like we turned a corner in the expansion of our church vision. We moved from a “let’s grow strong and care for ourselves” attitude; to a vision that says, “God has placed us in these two locations (Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam) for a purpose.” So, we began to care for both neighbourhoods – specifically the poor and addicted of Poco (Pastor Carol Smith and others were the driving force of our vision to assist lower income families and those in recovery) and the ethnic community of Coquitlam (Doris Wong and Sam and Lily Ong have been effective leaders in this multicultural outreach). The Coquitlam campus, which sits predominantly on a hill (Westwood Plateau), consists of a 75% ethnic population, mostly Asian.

After beginning the growing process of reaching out to our community, we lifted our eyes to the world around us. In 1993, we began to see missionary outreach as one of our priorities. Evangelist Don Schellenberg, Karsten and Sulma Hoeg, and Randy Stark were all catalysts for us to seriously consider how we, as a church, could impact our world. In addition to International Foursqure Missions and Canadian Foursquare Missions, we began to send teams to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, India, Philippines, Thailand and many other nations. Soon small groups in the church began to knit afghans, put together Christmas boxes, give to world churches and Bible schools and sponsor orphans.

This last season of 10 years has been like a health tonic for the heart of our church. The more we’ve given of our money and ourselves, the stronger, more mature and prosperous we have become.

We press on, following the example of William Colgate who began his business with only a recipe for soap and a determination to always give God 10% of his profits – and continue on until he was giving 90% and using only 10% for himself.

In 2005, I’ve felt God’s hand pressing us to continue blessing our community and the world, but also seriously begin to consider the difference we can make in our nation of Canada.

It was significant to me that we held our first Canadian Foursquare Pastor’s Conference in the Atlantic provinces in 2005. The convention in Dartmouth in October was pivotal.

For me, to travel to Lethbridge and do my first television interview on Lifeline with Dick and Joan Dewert was a major step outside of my comfort zone. Following that show, I travelled to Winnipeg three times (as recently as last week, January 11) to tape 9 different interviews. I’ve talked about Life Journey, Life Purpose, The Red Thread and The Secret of Happiness with Willard Theissen of It’s a New Day.

The television interviews have not only stretched me far beyond where I am comfortable (God always does this very well to ensure that we don’t settle into complacency), but He’s also widened my circle of influence by about 1,000 km. I’ve been consistently surprised by the number of calls, e-mails and letters I have received from people from Vancouver Island to Halifax.

At the same time, Gary Reamer of Reimer Advertising has been encouraging me to begin a radio broad across our nation. Gary and I talked at Starbucks while I was in Winnipeg last week. I told him that I would begin to Podcast my new program, Life Pathways, in February from my website (www.barrybuzza.com). Thanks to Jessica Cornell, my co-host and David Dombrowski my engineer for their expertise and willingness to work alongside this radio novice. I hope you’ll drop by for a listen next month.

I still have more to share, so I guess there will be a Part Three. Hope you’re still with me.

Barry

Reflecting (Part One)

I suppose it’s the time of year – or the long flight I had from Winnipeg to Moncton last week – but I’ve been reflecting on the events of the last twelve months. For me, and for Northside Church, 2005 was a banner year. We’ve had other significant seasons along our 27 year journey, but this past one will continue to stand out in my memory. Over the next few posts, I’ll share some of the things that affected us.

Last year I completed the three books and Bible study in The Red Thread series; The Secret of Happiness; and the Beta manual (a follow-up course after Alpha). Little did I know what a blessing, in particular, one of these books would be.

I don’t believe even I truly understood, at the time I was writing The Secret to Happiness while on vacation in Mexico last April, what an influence the principles of this text would have on my life and to our church.

After giving the book to everyone in our church, I’ve watched in awe how God has responded. We’ve given significantly more, we’ve continued to prosper, and we’ve grown spiritually and numerically as a result of simply taking God at His Word. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38) and it’s true!

I should not have been surprised.

As I told the viewers on It’s a New Day, happiness can be defined as being full and overflowing. That’s what Jesus was talking about: “our cups will be running over” (He was referring to giving out as fast as we are receiving.)

King David said the same thing while being in a very precarious and dangerous place in the valley of the shadow of death. He wrote, “my cup is full and running over.”

I love the blessing that old Jacob gave to his son Joseph in Genesis 49:22 when he said, “You will be a fruitful bough.” That’s a full cup; fulfillment; fruitfulness; success – a wonderful provision itself. Nevertheless, it’s not the ultimate purpose of an apple tree to produce apples, but rather it’s to feed and nourish many people.

Jacob also prophesied that Joseph would be “nurtured by a spring of water.” Without his being connected to his source of refreshment and nurture, he could never be fruitful. It’s our relationship to Jesus, the water of life, that provides fulfillment and success.

It was the third promise that really gave Joseph the happiness (blessing) that God wanted him to have – “his branches would run over the wall!” That was the overflow – running over. Not only would he give of his success with these within his circle of influence, but the blessing of his overflow would run over the wall. He had blessed more people than he would ever know.

And that’s just some of what’s happening with us at Northside. The overflow increases, the fruitfulness continues only as we stay nurtured in an intimate relationship with Jesus. I pray you are experiencing the same blessing.

Stay tuned for Part Two.

Barry

Dying Well

A few weeks ago, on a Saturday evening just as Susan and I were shutting down for the night, I received a call from the local hospital. The receptionist informed me that one of the members of our church had just died, and that his wife was asking for me.

I rushed over to the emergency ward to see her and we talked for a while, before going in together to see her forty-eight year old deceased husband. Bill had been ill for a long time, but the past two and a half years had been especially difficult for the whole family. Bill had not been able to work during that time and although he’d formerly been a hulk of a construction worker, he had diminished to just over a hundred pounds.

As always, his death was difficult. I held hiw wife Susan firmly as she cried and asked the question, “Now what do I do?” We talked that evening and again on Sunday afternoon.

On Friday, December 23rd, we laid Bill’s body to rest and celebrated his good life, but the grief goes on.

I’ve faced the questions, “Now what do I do?” and “How will I ever get past this tragedy?” so many times that I’ve written two books to answer them.

Good Mourning describes the two-year process that a loved one goes through after a death takes place. I describe the stages of grief which one must go through to reach the sunrise after nighttime.

The second book is called Dying Well. Hopefully it will be out by the end of January 2006. Here’s a peek at the introduction.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:6&7

“It was a great game.” Bing Crosby, who collapsed after sinking a final putt on a golf course in Spain (1977)

“O my God! It is over. I have come to the end of it—the end, the end. To have only one life, and to have done with it! To have lived, and loved, and triumphed, and now to know it is over! One may defy everything else, but this.” Queen Elizabeth I

“My God, what’s happened?” Princess Diana Spencer in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, as recorded in the official police files in Paris.

“Now God be with you, my dear children. I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ.” Robert Bruce, King of Scotland (1274 – 1329)

Humans are unique among all of God’s created beings. We are seemingly the only ones who understand the concept of death and after-life. We therefore are the only creatures who have been given the privilege of preparing ourselves for that coming day.

The great Apostle Paul was about sixty-five years of age when he wrote his last letter. It was addressed to his young protégé Timothy. About a month before he was martyred, Paul wrote these words. “The time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight… I have finished the course.”

Three pictures defined the Apostle’s view of life. The first one was set in a nautical venue, “the time of my departure has come”. The Greek work that he chose to use for his leaving earth pictured a sailor in his ship setting out on a long voyage. It infers pulling up anchor, untying the ropes from the dock, setting his sails and catching a breeze into the open waters. Can you see the ship sailing out of sight to a far off destination?

A friend of mine used the same metaphor for her departure just a couple of months ago. Judy was an avid kayaker, so three weeks before she died of ovarian cancer, she asked her husband and daughter to help her down to the water near their home. Hardly able to walk, her family almost had to carry her to the waiting boat. After climbing in, gathering up her strength and donning her trademark smile, Judy told her husband Dave to turn on the video camera. Then she spoke of her undying love for her family and friends, and her deep faith in God. She quoted a couple of scriptures that had been a source of strength to her, pulled up anchor, waved good-bye and paddled out into the distance. The family played the video at her memorial service. I don’t need to tell you of the response from her gathered friends.

I fought the good fight

The second metaphor that the Apostle Paul used was, “I’ve fought the good fight”. A few years ago a dear friend died in her late eighties. Marie had been a sweet friend, an awesome wife, and a loving mother for most of her years. She’d given birth to ten children; lost a couple in infancy; fought through sickness, poverty and war (Maria had moved to Canada from Italy after World War II) and was spending her sunset years resting in a well deserved care home.

On the night that she died, Marie was sitting in her favourite chair reading her Bible. Around 9:30, a nurse came in and said, “Marie, it’s time to get your beauty rest.”

Her response, “No sweetie, I think I’ll just sit here and read for a while. I’m going home tonight you know.”

Of course the nurse had heard that wish from many of her patrons. They too had thought that they were going back home to being a mother and wife. But for Marie, she understood something beyond our human world. When she said, “I’m going home tonight,” she meant, “I’ve fought the fight of life well. It’s over and I’ve won. Now it’s time to receive my final trophy.” And that she did. Marie sat in her rocking chair and continued reading from her beloved Bible, until Jesus came and carried her off to her new home.

I’ve finished the course

Paul’s third metaphor was, “I’ve finished the course”. Having spent several months in Corinth, likely having watched the Ismus Games, he was alluding to the relay races. The Apostle had made reference before to stripping away any outer weights that may slow us down, keeping our eyes on the finish line, running with passion and making sure we place the baton securely into the next runner’s hands. But there he was at the end of his race, having completed the prescribed distance and reaching out to the finish line. He could almost feel the winner’s olive wreath on his head.

Blossom and I have written this book with the intent of helping our readers not only finish well, but also to die well. We want to (Blossom has already succeeded) do what we’re advocating – to transition from life on earth to life in heaven successfully.

Our prayer is that you will do likewise; that while you are healthy, maybe even young, you will begin the important process of preparing to die well.

Barry

The Family

Well, here we are!


I uploaded a couple pictures to one of my previous posts so scroll back a little to see Max at the piano and the ladybugs.

Happy New Year!

Barry

Prophetic Word Question

Dear Anonymous,

You wrote a comment regarding prophetic words to me before Christmas. I’m sorry that I haven’t responded sooner, but here are my thoughts regarding your questions.

Of course, I don’t know you or the pastor who gave you a prophetic word about your future, so it’s difficult for me to answer your questions with a “yes, this is good” or a “no, it’s way off base”, but consider these few comments. I hope they are of help to you.

1. Prophecy in the New Testament differs from the prophets of the Old Testament up to John the Baptist, in that they must be judged for accuracy. I Corinthians 14:29 “Let two or three prophets speak and let the others pass judgment” and verse 32 reads, “the spirits of the prophet are subject to the prophet.”

Because a person who prophecies is in control of what he says or does not say, he must be judged by other spiritually mature believers as to what he or she actually speaks. Again I don’t know the pastor or you, so I am not qualified to make that judgment.

2. If the prophesy was accurate and your friends did not believe it, that does not negate the power or truth of the prophecy. God’s plans do not depend on people around who believe in you. Consider Joseph’s brothers who didn’t believe him, and Jeremiah’s listeners who thought he was crazy.

3. Prophecies are for the purpose of encouraging us. They are observations from God who leads us from the future. They are not promises or commands. We are not obligated to work them out—only to walk in obedience down the path he unfolds before us each day. As we obey, God will work out his plans in our lives.

4. Here are some questions for you to ponder:

• Did you feel it was God’s words that were being spoken to you? Not just the emotion of the moment, but an inner confidence that this was God’s will for you?
• How old are you? I’ve seen people do great things for God in their 60’s or 80’s. If you still feel the same, it’s not too late. As long as you are breathing there’s still time for God to use you.
• Are you on the right path? Are you tuned into God’s voice? Is there anything you need to repent of? Start where you are today—don’t worry about where you could’ve been.
• Can you take a step toward fulfilling your part of the prophecy? A Bible School course? A Seminar? Start serving in your local church?

Finally, I’d recommend that you talk with your pastor about this issue.

Blessings to you.

Barry

Family Celebrations

December 21st was Susan’s birthday. Her complaint for birthdays as a child was that her relatives tended to buy her a gift for Christmas (in Christmas wrap) that would have to do for her birthday too. So we try to make her special day special.

We had plans to take our girls and their families up Grouse Mountain, or at least for a train ride at Standley Park, but all of our “best laid plans” got rained out. So we all went to Montana’s for ribs and whatever else we wanted. I’ve got to admire the servers there—they entertained all of us from ninety (Grandma) to two years old. We had a great ime, Moose horns and a wild rendition of Happy Birthday and all.

After dinner, we came back to our home for the bit birthday gift opening. I bought Susan an electric baby grand piano for her surprise—I love the way she responds to any good thing we do for her. She screams (happy screams) and cries and jumps up and down. Susan has never lost her youthful enthusiasm, joy and thankfulness. Here’s a picture of Max playing the new piano. It has a built in sound track and the kids love to pretend they’re playing a brilliant concerto.


We were able to put her gift to good use with another family celebration on Boxing Day when my extended Buzza family continued the tradition of spending this day together. This year we had only forty of the seventy or so who could come, but we had a great time of games, Chinese food and singing. Several of the family (not me) are musicians and so out came many other instruments and voices for an impromptu Christmas carol sing-a-long. It really was a delight to sit back and listen to my siblings, nieces and nephews sing, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World and even Jingle Bells.

It's been a busy week, but I've enjoyed our many family celebrations - both with our relatives and our church family.

Barry

Christmas Day Service

This year’s Christmas fell on a Sunday. It was the first time in many years, so we had to decide whether to have three, two or one service on Sunday morning. Many churches settled for one or more Christmas Eve services and cancelled Sunday a.m. altogether. I really feel that Sunday morning church should be a given in every family, so we planned a Christmas Eve service at each campus, plus a Christmas morning service at each campus.

I wasn’t surprised by the packed out Christmas Eve services but I was very surprised by the almost full house at both campuses on Sunday morning. We enjoyed four awesome, memorable, less than an hour long celebrations. People seem to love traditional services with carols, Christmas story and some great musicians. A highlight for me at our 6:00 p.m. service took place during my presentation of the Christmas symbols. I was happily teaching on the meaning behind Christmas trees, holly, candy canes and the like. My grandchildren, Madeline and Max, were helping me by passing me the symbol I was talking about.

Everything was going according to plan. There was a fireplace, comfy chair, candles, Christmas tree and a baby Jesus in the manger as a setting. Suddenly, little Jordan (2) quietly left his daddy’s side and came up on the platform to join his sister. He had his bottle in hand. Without hesitation Jordan went over to baby Jesus in the straw covered manger and started feeding him with his bottle. It was a Kodak moment—his generosity in sharing his bottle with Jesus was better than anything I could have done.

One of the most memorable Christmas gifts I received, since I wrote about the other ones last week, was this set of lady bugs a friend from our church had made. A friend of Irene’s and Ernie’s had painted two larger rocks to represent papa and nana (our names were written on the belly side) and six little rocks that each represent our six grandchildren. The family of lady bugs sits in my office—our grandkids loved seeing the cute little lady bugs that bore their own names. Thanks a million to Gill McCullloch for creating them and to Irene and Ernie for giving them to me.



Thanks for visiting.

Barry

Q & A

I get asked a lot of hard questions and I wanted to answer one or two on this blog.

Q. If God were real, why would He let so many bad things happen to people, eg., torture/murder, the boy that was dragged/killed?

This is a great question; one which has been asked since the beginning of time by almost everyone, including Bible characters like Job, Habakkuk, David and James. I have written articles on the subject before and I’ll include them in my answer, but I think the simplest way to understand why God would allow so many bad things to happen is to see Him as a parent.

Why would parents ever let bad things happen to their kids? If we really loved them wouldn’t we keep them locked up safe in the house, or at least follow them around everywhere fixing their problems? Of course, any child who has been brought up by an overprotective parent knows that overprotection leads to immaturity and rebellion. God really has made us to be free and make choices for ourselves—that applies to the bad people as well as the good people. We live in a world that gives evidence of the choices we as humans have made.

Q. If God instilled in us the ability to make choices (for example, not believing in Him), then even if we don’t believe in Him, why doesn’t He still send us to heaven because He is supposed to love us unconditionally?

If I offer you a present (say a new dress) for Christmas and you choose not to take it, should I make you take it, and wear it? After all, if I loved you enough and the dress would look good on you, shouldn’t I force you to wear it even if you didn’t want to? I don’t think so.

Free will is free will. We have the right not to believe in God, but there are always consequences to our choices. If I, for example, do not believe in the government’s power to make laws, I could speed down the wrong side of the freeway at 100 KPH and kill someone. Run a red light or ignore any other caution or warning signs. When apprehended by a police officer I could just say, “Oh I don’t believe in the government or their laws, so they don’t apply to me!” What do you think he would say?

God created the universe to run by certain rules. I have the right to believe in the rule maker and the validity of His rules or not, but consequences will always follow the choices I make.

God made the world to function with Him at the centre, like the axle of a wheel. I can say, “No, I want to be at the centre of my own wheel!” God, because He loves us and values our choices, will say, “Okay, you can be at the centre of your own life, but you must understand that it won’t go the way I want and know is best for you. There will be consequences to your choice.”

A parent who does not allow his or her child to bear the consequences of his own decisions, does not love his child. True love disciplines a child by teaching that both obedience and disobedience have appropriate consequences. Unconditional love, like the father had for the prodigal son, never stops loving. A parent who loves unconditionally will continue to love his child whether he is on skid row, in prison or in a coffin. I can’t imagine how grieved Father God must be when we freely choose to rebel against Him, go our own way and forfeit the good gifts of love, forgiveness and acceptance He wants us to enjoy.

With God at the centre of our lives, every day is like Christmas as He showers us with blessings and rewards us for being obedient.

Barry

Another Funny

An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing, 45 years of misery is enough.”

“Pop, what are you talking about?” the son asks.

“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the old man says. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her.”

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. “Like heck they’re getting divorced,” she shouts. “I’ll take care of this.”

She calls Phoenix immediately and screams at her father, “You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing till I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing.”

The old man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife. “Okay, he says, “They’re coming for Christmas and paying their own fares. Now what do we do next year?”

* * * * *

I hope you're spending the holidays with the people who mean the most to you -- and that you didn't have to trick them into visiting!

Barry

On the Second Day of Christmas

I've already mentioned one of my most prized gifts this year (the envelope of hand-drawn pictures) and I'd like to talk about another one:

You may recall a few posts ago when I talked about the ten most influential people in my life. Number nine was Walter Mussen.

As I was preparing my sermon that week, I had written Walter's name on a piece of paper and then left for a Tri-Cities pastor’s lunch. I love the pastors in this special group and always enjoy our time together.

That day, I happened to be sitting beside Doug Fortune's father-in-law Ed (Doug pastors Grace Christian Fellowship in Port Coquitlam) who asked me who I was and what church I pastored and I said Northside Foursquare. Ed told me he had gone to our Foursquare Bible College in Los Angeles and had later pioneered the Richmond Foursquare Church. His father had also been a Foursquare pastor.

It just so happens that Ed, who is about 70 years old, is married to the sister of my step-brother’s wife, Karen. Interesting connection there. While we were having an enjoyable conversation, I asked Ed if he knew Walter Mussen. He said of course, and told me that Walter had been a friend and that he knew him very well.

As Ed and I talked, the guy sitting on the other side of me, Kris Baker (who pastors the Coquitlam Christian Centre), joined in and asked if we were talking about Walter Mussen.

When I responded affirmatively, Kris said, “Oh, I have Walter’s library.” He told us that Walter had gone to Abbotsford Pentecostal after returning from his missionary work in his later years and because he had no children, he left his Bibles and books to this young man who was the youth pastor at the church. The Bible in the collection was actually belong to Walter's father which dates back to the mid-1800s.

Kris asked if I would like to have that Bible and without hesitation I said, "I would love to have it." So I walked out of there, after just writing his name down before going to the lunch, telling both of them how Walter had influenced by my life and now I get his bible that is well over a 100 years old.

It was a wonderful gift! Thank you Kris.

Barry

Prophetic Words

On Friday night, Susan and I invited three couples to join us at our home for dinner. We had a wonderful time of friendship and laughter, but for me it was very significant.

On my way to the church that morning God spoke to me in a very real way. (When I say God spoke, I’m not referring to audible words, but more like when Nehemiah wrote “He put it into my mind.”) My thoughts were off somewhere else, when suddenly I heard the Spirit whisper, “you know that the dinner you and Susan will be having tonight is a fulfillment of a prophecy that you heard 25 years ago.”

I hadn’t thought about that evening in 1980 for many years, but it all came back to me in a second. We’d been invited to a Full Gospel Businessmen’s Banquet out in Langley, BC, by some friends. After dinner, the speaker, Dick Mills, called out my name and asked me to stand up. There I was, a very shy young pastor with a small church, sitting at the back of the large banquet hall.

He began to tell me and Susan, in front of the crowd, what God was about to do. I’m telling this story to encourage those who’ve received prophetic messages in the past, and also to underline the fact that God clearly sees our future. He alone is able to guide us into the days ahead.

Although Dick spoke to me for several minutes and said many very surprising things (he didn’t know me) that only God would have known, there was one which the Holy Spirit reminded me of yesterday. He said that my ministry would expand beyond where I expected it to and that I would have an influence on some very powerful and successful people. When I heard theose prophetic words in 1980, although the day of their fulfillment seemed years away, I sensed they were true. When something of great significance happened to Susan and I a couple of months after that occasion, exactly as we had been told it would, I knew that we’d experienced a divine encounter.

I told our friends my little story last night of how God had not only seen my future, but theirs also and all of us saw again how awesome our God is. We had a very happy Christmas celebration together.

Just a note about prophetic words. Sometimes we hear something either from the Holy Spirit or from someone with a gift of prophecy. My recommendation is that we do two or three things:

Don’t believe everything you hear, no matter who it comes from. Ask God to reveal whether it is accurate or not. When you feel it’s time, talk to someone you trust, and ask if they would comment on the prophetic word.

Don’t let a prophetic word direct your life. Use it as an encouragement of confirmation, but ask God to speak to you about the matter directly. We serve a speaking God and He will talk to you as well as another person.

I put prophetic words in a “seed file.” Let them sit for a while and see if they take root. For example the prophecy from Dick Mills sat in my file for 25 years. Little roots began to grow shortly after I heard it, but I’ve only begun to see the fruit of it over the past 10 or 20 years.

It's an awesome experience as some of you may know. If you don't think you've ever heard God speaking to you, I encourage you to take the time to hear His voice.

Barry

Dealing with Grief

At this time of year, most of us are keenly aware of how the holidays can be anything but the wonderful memory-making experience we desire. Especially for those experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one, either through death or a divorce/separation. Sometimes we don't realize that we not only grieve the loss of a loved one, but also the loss of a job, a promotion, or our dreams.

Last week, among my various appointments, there were three, who although they differed in many ways, were all struggling with grief.

My first appointment was with a man who has separated from his wife. We talked about what caused the break up and how he might be able to reunite with his family. I spoke to him about forgiveness and working that through. That’s a very difficult process for him. The flesh, the anger, and the compound hurt on both sides. Pressing us in the right direction is the Holy Spirit, who wants us to enjoy a successful and fulfilling marriage.

A twenty-something woman came to me because she is depressed and suffering from loneliness. She's alone and wishes she was somebody else. This emotionally vulnerable Christmas season does not help her situation. I spent some time talking with her and trying to encourage her. Essentially, she is grieving over the loss of who she wanted to be and feels like she isn't.

I met with a very intelligent, wonderful woman who has just lost her job and she is going through the mourning and grief associated with such a loss. She has already read my book Good Mourning. It wasn’t her fault that she lost her job. They offered her a transfer and she couldn’t do it. She would have had to move her whole family and that wasn't possible. Even though it was her decision, she is still grieving.
One of the most difficult appointments I had was with a pastor who has left his church through difficult circumstances. For him, the grief is extremely difficult because he feels like he has just lost his whole family. He didn’t do anything wrong, and is heartbroken. I tried to help him but ultimately, it is something he will need to work through on his own.

Grief is an inner tearing of the soul that we experience in a time of great loss. The process of grief recovery and good mourning is necessary, and more often than not a solitary experience, to help us walk through a season of grief toward healing.

Through the season of death and loss, the dark lonely nights seem to last forever, but ultimately morning always follows the night. A morning sunrise breaks through bleakness and spreads rays of hope over the desperate hours of grief and sadness. God’s promise is that joy will come in the morning!

Joy is the deep settled satisfaction with life that flows out of a restored soul. When loss unsettles our life journey and grief rips through our soul, God’s intention is that joy will come in our mourning.

So whether your struggles are as a result of some great loss in your life, a goal not achieved, or simply the overwhelming holiday season, I encourage you to be anchored to our transcendent God. Then your faith will see what is invisible to human sight. It will help you look past the grey clouds and help connect your hand to the outstretched hand of your loving Father.

If you would like to order my book, Good Mourning, or would like to meet with me, please call the church at 604-942-7711 or 604-484-8907.

May your joy be full,

Barry

My Message This Morning

Today, at all three church services, I will be sharing my Christmas message. As I read the familiar story about Jesus’ birth and the wise men who came from Persia, I thought about the three different reactions of people in Jerusalem at the time.

1. The reaction of King Herod, the great builder and ruler who suffered from insecurity, fear hatred and hostility. He was so afraid of another ruler taking his place that he plotted to kill the little baby.
   
2. The scribes and Pharisees were different. Even though the scriptures that foretold the birth of the Messiah were being clearly fulfilled, they were so engrossed in their rituals and religious discussions, they missed the significance of God coming as a baby in Bethlehem.
   
3. The magi from Persia traveled a thousand miles to see the new baby. When they saw him, the important and educated men fell at His feet in worship.

Which reaction describes the way you feel about Jesus?

Barry

Top Ten Influential People

As I mentioned in the previous post, I wanted to share a portion of my sermon from December 4. I was speaking from the book of Hebrews as I am going through the Red Thread Series. There is a verse in Hebrews 13:7-8 that says:

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

So I talked about honouring and remembering those that had gone before us. That caused me to start thinking about all the people in history who have influenced my life. My top ten are:

1. The first is Jesus, of course, because He is the creator and Col 1:16-18 says He literally holds all things together. Jesus is the one who influenced me more than any other person and He has influenced the world more than any other person.
2. Abraham. He set the pace for followers of God. He is the father of our faith, he’s called “father” by Muslims. He’s the father of the Jews as well as the father of Christians, so he got my #2 vote.
3. I just watched a movie this week about Queen Esther telling the story how she literally saved the Jewish race from annihilation in 465 BC. If it weren’t for her we wouldn’t have Jesus and we wouldn’t have any Jews in our world today. We wouldn’t have any Christians either. So Esther is #3 on my list.
4. The Apostle Paul who took Christianity to the West (Europe) from Asia and opened the doors up to the gospel for my ancestors is #4.
5. Emperor Constantine. In about 312 AD Constantine Christianized Rome. He saw a vision of a cross when he was fighting a war for emperorship. In the vision the words came “in this sign you will conquer.” He went as a Christian and did conquer. He is the guy that introduced Christmas. He took the pagan holidays and changed them. Winter Solstice became Christmas. He is the one that took the worship of the god of Ishtar and changed it to Easter, a celebration of Christ's resurrection. He built churches and introduced the reading of the Bible. He had Bibles printed by hand, and sent them to 50 influencial churches. He’s also the one who introduced Sunday worship and consequently he's had a huge influence on the world.
6. Johann Gutenberg was a businessman, not a preacher or priest. First printed the Bible on his printing press in 1466 and made the Bible accessible to average people.
7. Martin Luther in 1517. He stood against the established Roman church and brought reformation. He brought salvation by faith, the priesthood of the believer and established the Scriptures as the foundation to all of life. So very important in our Protestant history.
8. Aimee Semple McPherson. She brought the Foursquare Gospel to Canada in 1928. She was an evangelist who introduced salvation, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and healing. Aimee was always interdenominational and international in who she spoke to. She was the founder of the Foursquare Gospel Church all across Canada. She established LIFE Bible College and one of the first graduates is the ninth person on my list.
9. Walter Mussen graduated from LIFE (1930). He was my family’s pastor right from the time I was born. My mom was saved in 1933 under his ministry and my father in 1943. They were married in 1943 and my whole family grew up under his ministry. He is the one who gave me a love for the Word of God and for missions. His father was a missionary in China and Walter became a missionary in Japan later in his life (1964).
10. My dad and mom. My parents nourished all of their six children to know God, to put Jesus first, to give generously, to work hard and to faithfully serve the church. So they became my top 10 people. So they were #10 of the men and women who have most influenced my life.

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

It wasn't easy to narrow down this list because a lot of people have influenced me over the years. If you have a few minutes, why not think of your own top ten. Think also about whose list you might be on. Hopefully you have had a good influence on your children, grandchildren and others who lives you have touched.

Barry

Friends Forever

Last Saturday, as I was preparing my sermon (which I'll post part of a little later), our granddaughter Victoria played beside me with her little dolls. They're not just ordinary dolls. They're princess dolls -- Belle, Snow White and Cinderella -- for our little princess.

In fact, the Saturday before (December 3) was Victoria's 3rd birthday party. She is our second youngest grandchild. There were about 10 kids at there, all sitting around the table at this beautiful Princess Party. When I saw them, I thought, "Wow, it is only a few years away before they will all be a part of our youth group."

Now, I realize these kids are currently only 2-5 years old, so I'm thinking a little ahead, but it so wonderful to know they will grow up together all their lives, they will be best friends forever and it was just a wonderful picture of these very tight friends. The moms and dads have known each other before the kids were even born so that was a really neat thing.

As I watched them, I thought of that song by Michael W. Smith entitled Friends:

"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands I know
That a lifetime's not too long... to live as friends."

And speaking of kids, after church the next day, Blossom's (my very good friend who passed away this past summer) husband Gerry came up to me and said he had a gift for me. Then handed me an envelope. When I opened it up, a whole bunch of pictures fell out. They were ten years old and from when Blossom had taught a pre-school class at our church.

The kids had drawn pictures showing how I had influenced their lives. Amazingly, those little artists are now 14-15 years old and still attend church. I was so touched by the pictures. This one is by Genaya Grasby entitled "Pastor Barry Looking at Me." I would have to say it was one of the greatest gifts I've received this year. Check out the Tri-Cities News (December 18 column) in the paper or next week on our church webpage to learn more about the gifts that meant the most to me in 2005.

Next post, I hope to talk a little about my sermon on Sunday. I want to share with you the 10 people who have influenced my life. Hope you'll drop by.

Barry

FNS Press Release #220

"STATEMENT REGARDING ROSSI MOVIE:

AIMEE SEMPLE MCPHERSON"

As a denomination, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel actively seeks to honor the memory of its founder, Aimee Semple McPherson. The Foursquare Church strives to fulfill the mission of Sister McPherson by preaching the Gospel around the world. Further, the Foursquare Church promulgates openly the facts of Sister McPherson's extraordinary life and ministry. However, though open to factual biographical representations of its founder, the Foursquare Church does not support many of the productions that are billed as historical or biographical fiction and that seek to sensationalize various aspects of her life.

The new Richard Rossi release, Aimee Semple McPherson, seems to emphasize and focus on the more controversial areas of Sister McPherson's life, to the extent that the remarkable and miraculous are overshadowed. Additionally, the film includes many of the same inaccuracies and innuendoes that have predominated writings about Sister McPherson's life both preceding and following her death. Because of those things and because the title can lead people to think that the work is truly biographical, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel is NOT endorsing the movie.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you would like to know more about the founder the Foursquare Gospel, please contact our church to order CD of a sermon I preached on this subject.

Thanks, also, to those who took the time to watch It's A New Day this week and for your feedback.

Barry

Life is like a Daffodil

Upon my return from the Philippines, I promised Susan that I would spend the day with her, fixing up things around the house. All the deciduous trees had lost their leaves and since I had been away for three weeks, there were a lot. So we blew and raked all of them. Then we planted our daffodils and tulips for the winter.

I have a friend who has a Ph.D. and teaches at a university and so I asked her why we planted daffodils and tulips in the fall. Why couldn't we just plant them in the spring? She said they have to go through 9 weeks of freezing cold, black weather because that cold, darkness and wet stimulates their growth. If they didn’t go through that winter time, then they would just be little weak flowers in the spring. So, the long stretch through that bleak season made them better.

I found that to be a wonderful lesson for me because it fits so well with Psalm 23 where David says we go into the valley of the shadow of death and that’s where we receive anointing and that’s where we receive the comfort that God wants to give us.

So I was happy to plant them in the garden to begin this process in the valley of the shadow of death that would lead them to a new springtime. As I did that, I prayed for people I know and all who read this blog that as you go through the valley and that there would be an Easter time, a time resurrection, when beautiful new life would burst forth as a testimony to God’s grace.

Now, around the daffodils and the tulips, there is a brown papery shell and very often I used to scrape that off and throw it away. When I asked my friend about it, she said, not to do this because that shell actually nourishes the plants. It is a starch that turns into sugar and gives the boost that the plants need for nourishment.

Again I could see how this fit into our lives. Sometimes the rough edges in our life that we don’t like are what really gives us the nourishment and boost to succeed. So I kept that shell on them, and I kind of rejoiced as I put the flowers in the garden knowing that they would be well nourished for a long, cold winter sleep so that they will be beautiful in the spring time. I’ll give you a full report in March when the flowers come up out of the ground.

After we did the daffodils and tulips, we put up our Christmas lights. We have a 3 storey house and the top rung of lights had become disconnected. I had put a staple right through the wire last year so the lights didn’t work. I didn’t want to go up the ladder and fix them as I don’t like heights like that. It was beautiful day and Susan encouraged me, so up I went. She stood at the bottom of the ladder and promised she would catch me if I fell (talk about faith). I rewired the broken string and got all of our lights working. Once that was done, we put more lights around the plants and the trees so it looks really nice.

As darkness settled, Susan and I sat backed and enjoyed the fruits of our labour. Later, as I worked on my sermon, I used the day's experience to share with the church. It's not easy going through the valley, but God is with you, comforting you. And I pray that soon your cup will overflow and goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life.

Barry

Something Fun

Right now it is snowing in the greater Vancouver area of Beautiful British Columbia. This is unusual for us but with global warming, depletion of the ozone layers, and other possible causes, I guess the unusual is to be expected.

Personally, I don't mind snow. It is light and fluffy here and turns our little hill above the city into a majestic wonderland, especially with the glimmering holiday lights.

So, in celebration, I'm posting an online link to make your own snowflakes. If you live in a country that never gets snow, here is your chance to create some. Grab a cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and your favourite cookies and start a snowflake making party.

This is mine. It is number 9365334 and looks better on the site. To make your own snowflake, go to:

http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/index.html?taf=receiver

You can visit the gallery first, or start designing. It's easy. Place the scissors over the edge of the paper until the red dot in the centre turns green, then start cutting. Preview your cuts to see how it looks.

If the snow is falling where you live, why not go out and have some fun with your family and friends. God wants us to not only work hard but to have one day of rest each week. And today is that day!

Barry

Psst! I've got a Secret

It is church budget time. And I want to share with you where I hope to be leading the church over the next coming year. But it's a secret. Don't tell anyone or they might worry our God isn't big enough!

Every year we have to raise our budget. This year we have to up it by about 10%. It is always a faith step and although we have always brought in enough to cover our budget – thank God for that – we still step out in faith each time. This year will really stretch our trust in God for two or three reasons.

One is that we desire to give away about 50% of all that comes in to support our outreach ministries (three areas). Right now we giving away about 40%. Learning to give is difficult because throughout all our lives, in and out of school, we’ve learned that if we have $100 and we give away $10 we have $90 left. Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He also says that if we give, it will be given unto us. I believe that and I preach sermons on that, but I have trouble integrating that into my life sometimes. I naturally tend toward the human side that says, if I give it away than I don’t have it any more. So we have this dichotomy between the kingdom world and our physical world.

This year has really been a year of working through this for me. I have always given. I have always tithed but I am learning to stretch myself beyond what I personally feel comfortable with. It is a difficult transition in my own life and we are also going through that in the church. That is part of the reason I wrote the book, The Secret to Happiness. It is my own personal journey into believing that what Jesus said (it is more blessed to give than to receive) really is true.

I met a lady in Davao whose father was a lawyer and her mom was a teacher. With four children to raise, her mom quit working. Even so, they were fairly well off until her dad left the family and went to Manila. He didn’t support them in any way so they became very poor. For several years they lived in extreme poverty.

When she was 16 she moved to live with her dad in Manila and all of a sudden she was brought into prosperity. Suddenly she had modern and stylish clothes, a car and friends that wanted things from her since her tuition was paid for and she had the funds to go to the mall and do things. She lived successfully. But she found, in her own personal life, that when she was successful she had pulled away from God. Success had moved her away from dependence on Him. It was around that time that she became an evangelical Christian becoming born again.

She married a pastor and they began pastoring a church in the mountains where they literally do not have enough money to live. They have a couple of children and they chose to live in poverty as pastors because she felt that poverty gave her the dependence on God that He wanted from her. She would get up at 4:00 in the morning and go down to the wet market where she would buy 5 kilos of fish, come back to the little town they lived in, sell the fish and make a few pesos in order to get enough food for the day. Every day, was a step of faith.

Ever since then, this woman has not only lived on the edge of poverty, never having any money, but she and her husband spend their time helping the poor. She is the one who took me to the orphanage I mentioned in an earlier blog about the two boys being brought in from the streets after sniffing glue. Another boy there, had his face hacked up by his father. She’s dedicated herself to helping those orphans.

She’s also dedicated herself to helping the poorest of the poor pastors; the pastors who literally have nothing. And they are building a pastoral centre totally by faith because they have no money. They have now put up about 8 of the concrete pillars and are just living by faith, day by day.

I have learned a lot from this woman and her husband, as well as from other pastors in the Philippines who give everything away. Whatever they have, they give away. We just have so much in America so I am really trying to sort this thing through about money and learning to be a giver as God says. And so that is kind of where we are right now as a church.

As I go down that pathway, I want to lead the church down that pathway as well so that we become known as a giving church. I want to be like the church in Philippi that Paul wrote about in II Cor. 8 and 9 that gave out of their poverty and they begged for the privilege of participating in the kingdom. That is the kind of church I want to pastor. And I am moving the church in that direction.

We are also being stretched due to our commitment to Pacific Life Bible College (between $250,000 and $500,000 over the next 3 years), the addition to our Coquitlam campus (approximately $1 million), upgrades to both campuses ($100,000) and the radio broadcasts which we hope to start next year ($300,000). We also need to start preparing for our new building which will cost about $6 million. So for us to give away money to the bible college and missions is really stretching our faith and that is a good thing for us. So this upcoming year will be a very difficult year, but a year we will be drawing very close to God.

And just so you don't think Northside will be the only church stepping out in faith, let me tell you about a meeting I attended recently.

All the lower mainland Foursquare pastors met at the Kingsway Foursquare church to discuss two major topics, one of which was the bible college. As the campaign chairperson I shared the vision and the goals and we asked the pastors to set the pace for their churches. We are asking every church to participate for a couple of reasons. One is, we really want to grow in Foursquare and we see growth as part of our mandate under God. So, if we really want to grow then we have got to prepare leaders. And if we want to prepare leaders, then we’ve got to invest in our bible college. This is the first time we, together, have been on a unified mission. Normally, we are building churches and doing our separate ministries but this time we are all working together to build the Bible College to prepare for 5 years down the road when we produce new leaders. We have a whole new crop of great leaders in our Bible College.

Secondly, besides doing that, we really believe that this giving, sacrificially to the Bible College when none of us has extra money, is going to release a flow of God’s grace in our own churches. So I have offered to give every church enough of my Secret to Happiness books to give free to everyone in their church and that is one of my contributions towards the Bible College. We are going to teach giving, not only in our own local churches, but all the Foursquare churches across Canada and pray that it releases God’s grace in the future. Our people will become a giving church. Not just Northside, but all the Foursquare churches will be known as giving churches.

Isn't that an exciting vision?

It is hard for me to share the extreme joy I feel when I visit the Philippines and I am able to give to these people who have so little. I wish everyone could experience that. For now, you will just have to trust what the Bible says. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

May you be blessed a dozen times, or more, this coming week.

Barry

Television Program

Wow. It is December already. And can you believe we have snow?

Have you finished all your Christmas shopping? Is the tree up and trimmed with twinkling lights and special ornaments?

I love this time of year and the family traditions we share. Is there something special you and your family do to help celebrate the season? If so, I'd like to hear from you. Drop me a line.

So, as you know, I tapped three segments presenting my "Life Purpose" for It's A New Day several weeks ago. They will air Monday, December 5 to Wednesday 7, 2005.

I hope you will watch the show and let me know what you think.

Barry