Davao

Well my long day from Sunday am to Tuesday 11 pm is finally over. I'm back at Don and Ru's beautiful apartment, had my fruit and tea and am ready for bed

What a delightful service we had tonight. We had 31 of the 146 nations that have Foursquare churches represented among the 600 delegates. The service began with worship led by an awesome Thai band and then young people marched in with all the representative national flags. It was very moving

On the flight from Manila I just happened to sit by a lady Foursquare pastor from Davao. I had changed some money into Thai bills and felt led to give her a signifigant amount. A man from our church had given me several hundred dollars to give away as I felt led. After receiving the money the pastora said to me that she'd come with no money for registration, hotel, taxi or food. God had told her to trust him and He would supply her need. Both she and I (and my generous friend) were all pleased that we had heard from God. A good day was had by all

Bangkok

Its now Tuesday 10:20 am and I am leaving Manila, still in transit to Bangkok. I've had a good 5 hour visit with many of the 60 Philippino delegates who are also enroute to the Conference. Thankfully I've made many friends over the last 8 years of visiting the churches across this beautiful nation. My good friends Don and Ru Schellenberg will be waiting for me to arrive. Then I'll have the honor of staying at their home.

Tonight is the first service. If I'm able to keep my eyes open, it will be inspiring. There will be 600 delegates representing 30 nations

Here I am in the Vancouver airport, just having left Susan. Very sad! My Philippine airline plane departs at 10:40 pm Sunday night and I arrive in Bangkok about 2pm Tuesday (they're 15 hours ahead of Vancouver. On Tuesday evening is the 1st service-I'm already excited to hear what's happening with our Foursquare family in Asia. I'll keep you posted from day to day. Blessings

Happy Birthday Pastor Terry

It's been about 20 years since Terry and Ingrid Janzen first walked into our church, when we were still meeting in Lincoln Elementary School. They'd only been married for a short time, and Terry actually limped in because of a large cast which was wrapped around a serious knee operation. Very shortly after their arrival, Susan and I discovered what a treasure we had received from God. Ingrid was one of the most gifted pianists that I'd ever heard and Terry was a world travelled drummer, as well as having an obvious relational gift.

It was around the same time that we were building our new facility on Coast Meridian and Lougheed Hwy--after we moved in ( February 1987), our church went through a real spike in growth. Terry very quickly began shaping our needed Youth Group. Actually only Susan's and my daughters, and 1 or 2 others were potential participants, but Terry had great vision for a healthy bunch of teens.

Within a year or so, numbers had swelled significantly and we were able to hire Terry at a very modest salary. In faith he left his other job, even though Ingrid was expecting their first son, and stepped into uncharted waters as my Associate Pastor as well as Youth Pastor. It's hard to describe what a strength Terry has been to me over these past 20 years. I cannot imagine not having him standing close beside me. (All of Terry's gifting and skills have been amplified by his multi-talented and loving wife, Ingrid.)

Terry's godly attitudes of honor and loyalty have been a huge strength to his ministry--even though he has had many attractive opportunities to be Lead Pastor elsewhere, he has remained faithful to this call. So often I've said to Terry, "Sure Terry, you would make a great Pastor. I want you to go wherever God leads you." But secretly, I'm praying, "Please Lord, don't call him away!" Thankfully God has continued to answer my pleas. Today with one of the most significant bunch of young people in our Tri-cities, as well as scores of well discipled young adults to his credit, he serves the church as Executive Pastor, beside Gord Demchuk and me.

I snagged this picture of Terry from many years ago and in comparison to the handsome rogue he is today, you can see how God can change any geek into a man of God. It gives us hope, doesn't it!

Thank-you Terry for your friendship and love. You are a priceless gift to me and our church. I love you and pray that you have a happy birthday on November 16!

My Friend Mary

Today we formally said "See you later" to a dear friend, Mary Goddard.
I remember well the day I was first introduced to Mary by a mutual friend. It was May 6, 1980. She was kind of a superstar in Charismatic circles at the time, having travelled around the world as a teacher on Spiritual gifts, her own TV program which reached millions, a personal biography called Queen of Hearts, and recognition in some of the largest churches in North America.

It wasn't too many years later (about 1987) that Mary surprised me by showing up at our church one Sunday morning. A friend said to me "That's Mary Goddard coming in the door!" It was like the queen coming to visit. I'm not sure why, but Mary chose to make our church her home base over the last 20 years. It has been my pleasure to be a very personal friend to her over the past 2 decades. In 1996 she was licensed as one of our Foursquare pastors ministering as an extension teacher from Northside church.

A week ago the sparkle faded from Mary's eyes after a stroke, and she died a few days later. I have a beautiful Maple tree in my back yard which Mary gave to me as a young sapling, and it will be a yearly reminder of her vibrant joy and enthusiasm. I will always value our friendship. God bless her family-- as for Mary, God has already welcomed her with a "Well done good and faithful servant!"

The Buzza Family

I received a very interesting email from a distant relative, whom I've never met, last week. There are a limited number of Buzzas in our world, and all of us seem to come from a beautiful southern part of England near Cornwall, so I wasn't suprised that Richard from Pennislvania harkened from the same roots. What was delightful to read was a letter that he emailed, which was written by his great grandfather who was born in 1857. This elder, Richard Buzza wrote in his brief autobiography about his family's move to America when he was young, working in the mines when he was only 9 years old for 25 cents a day and cutting natural slate by hand before machines were used.

I forwarded the email to my cousin Bob who has served our family as the unofficial historian of our clan. Bob's family has traced our Buzza name back to the mid 1500's, when we were called by the name Bussow or Bussa Church records revealed that our ancestors made and sold the oak pews in the local church there in the truro area. That was interesting to me and my siblings who were brought up in the lumber business by our dad. We've heard that our name might mean " Lobster pot "(a very prestigious beginning). Bob and I agreed to update the family records soon for the new generation, who are growing quickly.

International Prayer Meeting

There's some mystically powerful when tens of thousands of like-minded believers pray in unison and harmony. Jesus said that "when 2 or 3 of us get together and pray, He is there in His dynamic power". That's what happened on Sunday evening when 350 Foursquare churches across America, as well as here in Canada, and around the world, were linked together by video.

We met at our Surrey Church and prayed under the leadership of President Jack Hayford in Los Angeles and Glenn Burris in Washington DC. We live in an amazing world of technology, but as good as it was to be joined with our Foursquare family thousands of miles away, God is not limited by time and space. We can pray for brothers and sisters in Asia right from our living room-- our prayers will bridge heaven and earth in a nano second, and our prayers can be answered as quickly as we mouth the words. How awesome is that!

Commissioning Service of PLBC

After an hour of prayer, we walked a couple of hundred yards to the new campus of Pacific Life Bible School for a short Commissioning Service. Although I am privileged to see the beautiful facility weekly, some of our church who were there, got to see it for the first time. They were thrilled to see what our Canadian church has sacrificially given to, this last year. It was a great night of celebration!

Prayer Breakfast

Today, our Tri-City Ministerial celebrated by praying for our Civic Leaders. A good group of pastors, Mayors, Councillors, Fire and Police Officials, MLA's and School Board Members enjoyed the comraderie. What a privilege it was to bow before God and ask His blessing on our Leaders. As He has told us to, we lifted them up to God and showered them with appropriate honor. Everyone who attended enjoyed the nourishment in body, soul and spirit. God bless our Governing Leaders, who daily sacrifice personal comfort to serve our cities. May you continue to live in God's peace, power and prosperity!

Pastor Ted Hagaard

I've included a letter from Pastor Jack Hayford, that he wrote in response to the accusations that have been hurled against his friend, Pastor Ted Hagaard. I heartily agree with Pastor Jack, and encourage us believers not to jump on the band-wagon of gossip and inuendos when we really have not heard the whole story. My prayer is that God will shine his light of truth on the situation, and vindicate the innocent. I also pray that He will continue to give His Shalom to Pastor Ted and his family, as well as to his church and ministry to the Evangelicals of the U.S. Church. Here's the letter:

November 3, 2006 Dear Ones-
Fellow-servants and Shepherds of Jesus' Flock:
Perhaps nothing has caused more dismay and compassionate concern than the recent announcements regarding Pastor Ted Haggard and allegations of inappropriate sexual involvement. Our brother has (1) transferred his senior pastoral role at New Life Church in Colorado Springs to his executive associate, (2) submitted himself to the governance of a strong body of spiritual leaders who will administrate matters of discipline, extended recovery, and eventual restorations, and (3) resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
As a member of the executive committee of N.A.E., of which the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel is a member denomination, I have participated with the committee in responding to Pastor Haggard's resignation. Accompanying this communiqué is the statement N.A.E. is releasing in this regard.
I haven't words to adequately express my grief over this circumstance. Foremost, I ask every leader in our movement to unite in prayer as the Holy Spirit stirs us to stand with the Haggard family, the New Life Church, and every individual or group affected by this disclosure. It is encouraging that Pastor Haggard has manifested a deep contrition and repentance, and has completely yielded himself to the wise correction, counsel, and care of brethren who will deal both righteously and redemptively.
The counsel of Galatians 6:1-5 calls us all to this moment in appropriate Christian support, and also provides a fresh call and reminder of our own vulnerability and accountability before God. Let us review these words perhaps, most wisely, upon our knees in a time of prayer at this crisis moment: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load."
As we move toward our National Church Family Prayer Meeting this Sunday evening, our souls are all the more being alerted to the demands of intercessory prayer in an era of seemingly relentless onslaughts and extraordinarily demanding times.
May God bless you all-and may we all guard our hearts with great discernment and humility before our Savior as we serve together.
Your brother and fellow laborer,
Pastor Jack Hayford

Gardening with God

I snapped this picture last week of my poor little Willow tree in our front yard. This tree is the great grand-daughter of the one I wrote about in my Life Journey book about 7 years ago. I purchased the dying Willow for only $5.00 at the nursery, took it home and tried to nurse it back to health. It's a long story, but the result was that when my Willow died that same year, it gave birth, at the same time, to 7 beautiful baby saplings. When we moved away from that home 14 years ago, I brought one branch with me to transplant in our new yard. From the tiny new tree, many others have grown, including the one here.

While pruning my Willow, I noticed these hundreds of little bugs crawling all over the trunk. Of course they made me reflect on the bugs that haunt our human souls. I don't know where they come from, but if we don't deal with them early, they will surely multiply and eventually destroy us. That's why Susan and I headed down to Rona and purchased some good insecticide. I applied the chemicals right away and will do it again in the spring before new growth appears. We have to do the same things with those little vermin who try to undermine our spiritual health

Halloween

Susan and I had a fun time at our daughter's home on Halloween. Here's a picture of our 6 grandkids getting ready to go out and do their Trick or Treating. (Fortunately they got lots of treats and didn't encounter any tricks-except from Papa) It was freezing cold, but a gloriously beautiful evening, as our grandchildren cruised the neighbourhood with their dads. Grandma and I held the fort at one house and Susan gave out treats at Kelly and Tom's home. The best part came when the kiddies returned and shared their many goodies with Nana and Papa.

I've included the article that I wrote for the Tri-city News about Halloween. I was suprised by the very positive response from several readers, and not one negative. I know that many Christians have a problem with the celebration, but we've always taught our children to keep looking for the good in things rather than the evil.

Halloween
October 29, 2006

A couple of days ago I was asking a young child what she was going to dress up as on Halloween. Her mother interrupted our conversation, saying “We don’t celebrate Halloween—it’s an evil day.”

I wasn’t surprised by her reaction and I certainly respected her opinion, but I myself have some very positive memories of Halloween. I’ll tell you why I like it, but keep in mind that we each are entitled to our own thoughts. I am not ignorant of some of the dark history behind some of our Halloween customs.

During my growing up years; in the years our own children were being reared and with our grandchildren, we’ve celebrated the fun of Halloween evening. As a young parent, as well as a young pastor, I used to take our girls along with a half a dozen other dads and their kids, door to door for the traditional handout of treats.

In truth Halloween was the best time of bonding that I ever enjoyed with our neighbours. We’d laugh together, enjoy the fantasy costumes (we always avoided dressing as demons, monsters and spooks—princesses, cartoon animals were our costumes of choice) set off colourful fireworks as families, and then go home and divvy up the candy and apples among the four of us.

Later, most of those same neighbours eventually became part of our church family. Our friendships were strengthened partly in the Halloween season.

But what about the pagan roots of Halloween? Doesn’t it go back to the time of the Druids, where they celebrated death, demons and the like?

I really don’t know. I’ve read at least six or seven differing accounts of the roots of Halloween—some very dark and others as innocent as the celebration of a new year. We do know that the Roman Catholic Church “sprinkled holy water on” (or Christianized) many of the pagan festivals from pre-Christian times. Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter are all holidays that began as Christianized pagan celebrations.

When Emperor Constantine took power as the leader of the European world in the fourth century, he knew that he could not stop people from celebrating, so he laid out Christian events and values and substituted them for the high festivals that preceded then. Sanhain (Celtic New Year) became Halloween, the evening before All Saints Day when we honour those who died for their faith. Lupercalia became St. Valentine’s Day, a time to spread love and joy to those we value most. Eostre (worship of the goddess of fertility) became Easter, a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. And the Winter Solistice pagan festival of lights with its drunken parties, became the holy day of Christmas when we would celebrate the birth of God’s Son, Jesus.

As for Halloween, besides being a great time to say thank you for those who’ve laid down their lives for us and given us freedom to worship, it is also a good time to practice Christian hospitality. An ancient homeowner would never consider not giving generously to anyone who knocked on his door—why should we?

And what child doesn’t love using his imagination and playing dress up? I don’t know any.

Lock your doors and turn off your lights if you choose, but as for us, we will focus on the light, rather than the darkness. Have fun, enjoy your neighbourhood children, and be safe this Halloween.

Foursquare Pastors' Conference

Susan and I spent this week up at beautiful Canmore Alberta at our annual Foursquare Gospel Church pastors' conference. This year the theme was "Dreamworks and Teamwork". Every other year, we hold a National convention or a Pastors' Conference--this year was just for the Pastors.

Because we all stay in one hotel, meet in the conference rooms, and usually eat our meals together, the heart of our time is spent in building strong friendships with each other. I love spending time across a table of good food, listening and talking with friends from Vancouver Island, across to Nova Scotia and up to Whitehorse. Everyone has their own story to tell about life and ministry in the various cultures where they live.

The meetings were very interactive with awesome times of worship, strong teaching from different ones of our own pastors and discussion. Often we bring in a plenary speaker from the States, but this time was just us, and that was a healthy change. We also spent Thursday evening honoring (along with roasting) our President Tim and Laurene Peterson. ( I have not laughed so hard in a long time.). Tim and Laurene are retiring this coming year, so our Denomination is in a significant time of transition

On Wednesday several of us drove to both, Lake Louise and shopped a bit around Banff for the afternoon. What a gorgeous country we are privileged to live in. The Rockie Mountains are wonder-full picture of the grandeur and power of God. But of course, it's always good to get home again!

Robert and Mary's Wedding

On Saturday, I was delighted to officiate at Robert and Mary's wedding. And I mean delighted! I haven't known this couple for a long time. They both came through our recovery ministry called Higher Ground. Robert and Mary have known each other and have been seriously considering marriage for several months, but he had not actually popped the big Question until a week ago. Circumstances were right for them to get married soon and so I suggested to him that we have an intimate ceremony in my office. Costs were a factor so that seemed good to both of them.

When he did take Mary out on a special date to ask for her hand and give her the ring, she was overjoyed. But she was caught off guard when he said "Let's do it on Saturday!"

Their friends wanted to do something to make the day very memorable, so several of them planned a wonderful wedding in the few days they had! This is one of many things I love about the Church. On Saturday there were about 50 guests, a stunning wedding dress , beautiful music, gorgeous flowers and all the appropriate decorations. The wedding went off without a hitch and afterward the guests enjoyed a delicious meal all provided by their friends! What a fitting tribute from their loved ones! Thankyou church for your love and generosity! One of the leaders in putting the party together remarked on how much fun it was and how smoothly everything came together. They'd just spent a whole year planning their daughter's wedding this summer, and this one came together in a few days! Congratulations Robert and Mary!

The Secret of Happiness

When I told my kids story, The Secret of Happiness, to the church last Spring, I was so delighted when Jenny Kirby came up to me the following week to talk. I hardly knew Jenny, except she is the daughter of a pastor friend of ours. She showed me a couple of sketches that she'd been inspired to do right after hearing my little story. I was bowled over by her talent as well as her willingness to illustrate the story for print.

This week Jenny and I met again to think about our joint project. Hopefully we'll be able to publish this lesson on generosity by the end of the year. I'm continually amazed by the gifting, talent and good attitudes of people in our church. Jenny is only one of hundreds who are willing to generously give away what God has given to them! You'll want to check out her web page @ http://www.jennykirbyart.com Jenny is a seriously talented artist. Here's the cover of The Secret of Happiness.

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend Susan and I had the privilege of caring for Jeremy's and Kristy's kids. We share them over this week with their other grandparents while our kids are on a business trip in San Diego. So Sunday after church and our Newcomers lunch, we headed off to the Pumpkin Patch in Maple Ridge. For the total price of $10 we came home happy and ready for a peaceful nights sleep with 4 prizes, a daddy, a mommy and 3 little children pumpkins.

On Monday after Jacob and Madeline were home from school, we carved them up and roasted the pumpkin seeds. A good weekend was enjoyed by all. We had to pass the baton on Monday evening, because on Tuesday were leaving for Canmore for our Foursquare Pastors' Conference.

And he can Sing too!

Actually I'm not sure if Jordan can sing or not, at least in front of people! We had Jeremy's and Kristy's kids for the week-end and Jordy was very excited and quite ready to "ding his dong" as he calls it, on Sunday morning 10 am service. I rushed from the 9 am service to see him and arrived just on time. Here's a picture of him "not singing" along with about 50 other preschoolers. What great entertainment as well as positive training for the children!

Children's Gifts

I'm especially cognisant right now, while I'm teaching my "Finding your Life Purpose" series, of the various gifts that have been wired into us, even before we are born. The wise king said, that "If we train up a child in the way that he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it." What he was referring to was our children's basic motivational gifts. These gifts will point toward our life purpose.

I encourage young parents to be very aware of what gifts their children hint at even as young as 2 years old. Last week I was cleaning out the last of our summer annuals, while caring for Jordan, who will be 3 in January. I love to teach the children as I work along side of them, and so that's what I was doing with Jordy.

While busy with another project I was watching Jordan. He was still working with the flowers, and while he was doing what I had taught him, he was talking steadily. Listening more closely, I heard him repeating phrase by phrase what he had heard from his papa. Not only did he fully understand, but he was able to articulate it to anyone who happened to be listening. I perceived that my grandson is going to be a gifted teacher. And of course that makes me very proud. (in a godly sort of way.)

God-casting

Did you know that all of my Sunday sermons are now available through my webpage www.barrybuzza.com ?

When you get there click on AUDIO PROGRAMS, then click on DOWNLOAD MP3 and you can either download onto your MP3 player or simply play it through your computer speaker. The notes for each Sunday's message are always available to read or print from our northsidechurch.ca web page.

I'd love to hear your comments through this blogspot, or if you have any things you don't understand or questions that come to mind, just jot me a note here or on my personal email bbuzza@northsidechurch.ca. As another alternative, all our sermons are available from our church. Just call (604)942-7711 or email Linda Kennedy @ lkennedy@northsidechurch.ca. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

The Century Plant

In the Southwest USA mountainous deserts, lives a large tree-like flower called a Century Plant. It actually does not take a hundred years to grow, but it does grow very slowly. After the Century plant reaches a height of about 6 feet and a width of 12 feet, it stops growing for approximately 25 years. There it stays until one day 20 or 30 years later, inexplicably the plant starts to grow again.

As if beckoned by an inaudible voice, a trunk-like asparagus shaped stem shoots out of the waiting plant. From that stem, at a rate of about 6 or 7 inches a day, the Century plant shoots up to an amazing height of 30 to 40 feet over the following 2 months. Then it produces a beautiful yellow floral crown on top that lasts for 3 weeks. Amazing!

The Century plant is a good picture of the way we as Christians mature. Sometimes we think that we should just keep moving forward without interruption from the day we receive Jesus' gift of life on. But not so. There are often times when the Holy Spirit says to us "OK stop here for an undisclosed season, deepen your roots, and wait! I'll tell you when to go forward and it will likely come when you least expect it!" Isaiah said it well, "They that wait upon the Lord will rise up like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary. They shall walk and not faint." Maybe this is one of those times for you. God is teaching you one of the most difficult lessons in the Christian life-- to wait.

Church as a shopping Mall

Several years ago, when I was writing my thesis for my Master of Ministry degree, the subject that I chose was The Church is like a Shopping Mall. The idea was that I was trying to find a suitable metaphor to describe the North American church. Every time I go to visit Asia, I see again how different we are from the Eastern way of thinking. I guess there is both good and bad in our differences--kind of like our divergent family cultures.

One of those differences is The Eastern view of life as being group (family, tribe, or neighbourhood) orientated compared to our Western value of individualisation and independance. It affects our marriages, our families, churches and communities. The Shopping Mall concept is a picture of a family going to the Mall. They arrive at 10 AM, discuss their plans at the door and then divide up. Mom goes to the Department store to fill her list of to dos, daughter heads to the GAP to look at jeans, son hits the Video arcade and dad looks for the electronics store ;;;;; (actually I usually head for the food fair to find a quiet spot to read and drink a coffee)

On Thursday evening I was at the Church and remembered my paper that I'd written. I was there to teach my life Purpose class with an alert group of young adults, Our Computer Team were strategizing how to improve communications in another spot, the Grief group were in the Prayer room working through their challenges; there was a group meeting in the sanctuary learning some concepts of prayer as well as practising what they were teaching, the 12 step recovery groups were meeting downstairs and the Marriage course was going on in the other campus. It seems like every evening there is a full parking lot as different needs are being met in different ways. I'm not sure that I like this individuality as much as the more Jewish concept of family, but we have to meet our society where we are. That's the approach that Jesus took.