| When Discouragement Hits Home | |
| What do you do when all seems lost? When you discover as the song goes “Well, I guess my best wasn’t good enough”. When the harder you try to put your life in order or to pick up the pieces; it seems that things never measure up to where you would like them to be. Reality is harsh! Well meaning people can be harsher! A good deal of discouragement in life comes from two areas: 1) From people who themselves are experiencing difficulties beyond what they can deal with and so they download on you and 2) Unrealistic expectations that are a part of you (assimilated over the years through exposure to outside sources). Discouragement is often a feeling of failing; futility (circumstances beyond your ability to change) and feeling that no one understands or cares. When discouragement deepens it can lead to depression and a feeling that there is no way out of your predicament. In God’s Word – The Bible- discouragement and depression are addressed and replaced with hope, understanding and peace. However, even Christians can feel discouraged from time to time and do not want to hear platitudes or clichés about life. It is at times like these that we need to look at the people in the Bible. These are real people with all the failings that you and I have. When I feel that I have been wronged, I like to think about three individuals in the Old Testament in particular – Elijah; Job and Jeremiah. All three were doing what was right but all three seemed to experience discouragement as a result of the actions of others. Elijah (1 Kings 18 & 19) – Elijah stands up to the enemies of God; has the greatest victory; within a brief time Queen Jezebel wife of King Ahab put out an order for his death and Elijah becomes discouraged even to despair. Job (The book of Job) – Job is a very good God-fearing man. Satan decides to show God that Job only serves God because of the blessings that Job has received from God. Satan begins to destroy all Job holds deal. Even Job’s closest friends cause great pain through their counsel. Yet in the midst of his pain, Job seeks to understand it all and hold to his faith in God. Jeremiah (The Book of Jeremiah) – Often referred to as “The Weeping Prophet”. His call is to help Judah to return to God. For his efforts, he is thrown into an old well and abused by his enemies a number of times. He is doing what is right but the others do not want to listen to him. Life is never easy and discouragement is waiting at the door for each of us. However, we need to remember that God’s gives living examples and not platitudes in His Word. Man’s philosophies and advice is based upon man’s observations of life; while the Bible is based upon the knowledge of the Giver and Sustainer of all life. When Discouragement Hits Home- Who Will You Turn To For Help? | |
| Brian Gilroy - 1/6/2012 | |
| Christmas Day Service | |
| You are invited to come and celebrate Christmas Day with us. Yes! We will have a special Christmas Day service at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School, 90 Bur Oak Ave., Markham (on Kennedy Road between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive). We would be honoured to share the morning with you. Our service begins at 10:00am. Come and experience a church that desires to have an impact on the community by allowing the Spirit of God to impact each one of us. | |
| Brian Gilroy - 12/22/2011 | |
| Hope In The Midst of Darkness | |
| This year, 2010, been a difficult year for some. Christmas with all its glitter and joy has somehow lost its appeal. In the midst of all the family, fun and festivities lies many a heart that is heavy with grief – feeling lonely, alone or abandoned. Too many families have experienced a significant loss over the past year through accident, age, divorce or death. The pain of not having that special friend or family member around runs deep – deeper than you can describe. It is difficult to be cheerful when you are in so much pain. The lights just do not seem as bright or the energy levels so high. Life, as you see it, has been unfair. Christmas layoff notices as you prepare to buy presents for children who do not understand what the layoff will mean. Traditions of exchanging gifts at a financially challenging time; saving face at family gatherings while siblings spent with reckless abandon. The pressure that builds and builds sucking the life out of you as you desperately try to hold on. The “George Bailey”’s of this world who have never met a “Clarence Oddbody” and realized “What a Wonderful Life” God has given each one of us. There is hope in the midst of darkness. The Bible says that the birth of Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate and from whose birth we derive the name “Christmas” is God’s gift to a hurting, helpless and hopeless humanity. It says in Isaiah 9:1,2 (N.I.V. Bible) “1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. The shepherds watching their fields at night experienced it (Luke 2:8-20) and you can too. This Christmas day doesn’t have to be about the temporary things of life – gift cards, sale items, family dinners or gift exchanges; I invite you to receive the ultimate gift of God by embracing Jesus Christ. You will be welcomed warmly at all our services especially at the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Services. Come join a family who has found out that it is in receiving the Love of God that you can give your love to God! | |
| Brian Gilroy - 12/22/2011 | |
| Christmas Day Service | |
| You are invited to come and celebrate Christmas Day with us. Yes! We will have a special Christmas Day service at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School, 90 Bur Oak Ave., Markham (on Kennedy Road between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive). We would be honoured to share the morning with you. Our service begins at 10:00am. Come and experience a church that desires to have an impact on the community by allowing the Spirit of God to impact each one of us. | |
| Brian Gilroy - 12/22/2011 | |
| INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY | |
| INVEST IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP!! Stocks; RRSP’s; Real Estate and other monetary investments come and go however; nothing affects society like strong relationships and strong families. How much are you will to invest in your current relationship? At Unionville Oasis Church, we believe that strong relationships lead to strong families and strong families lead to strong communities. Here is your opportunity to come together with others of who desire to build stronger relationships. WHAT; INFORMATION SESSION & REGISTRATION WHEN; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM WHERE: ACEM OFFICE 2750 14TH AVE. SUITE G-05 MARKHAM, ONTARIO L3R 0B6 (WOODBINE AVE. & 14TH AVE. Enter by side door beside Bakery Groups formally begin in January 2012. Two relationship enrichment programs to choose from “Fireproofing Your Marriage” and “The Art of Marriage”. Two options available: 6 week course or 2 day course. Come with all your questions. Cost will depend upon option and material chosen. For more information or to register: bgilroy@uoasis.ca or 905-415-2747 | |
| Brian Gilroy - 11/29/2011 | |