God has only children, not grandchildren...

"Every generation needs to discover God/faith afresh for themselves"

This was a statement I heard today. It was said in the context of what was happening to a vibrant revival movement (Pietism) with its second generation. The movement that had begun with a discovery and emphasis of the inner work of God's Spirit was becoming more a new form of religion with legalism as the second generation grew in its influence. But they realized that it is not possible to live out a pious life without the dynamic work of the Spirit inside. That is why the second generation could not just inherit the movement from their forefathers. They needed the reality of the Spirit in them also!

I wonder how it is with us?
Specially when we grow up in Christian households. Many times we kinda grow into a form of Christianity without its power inside of us. This is sad, because Christianity is all about life in the Spirit and not outward religion. That is why every generation - you and I - need to experience God for ourselves to have the life and not just an outward form of religion...

Let's take hold of God for ourselves and seek to be Spirit filled people so that our generation would not end up like this:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2Tim 3:1-5)
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Coming Up:

Friday MISSIONFEST! (NO youth evening at church)
We meet 6.30pm at the Waterfront Skytrain station
(near the escalators that take to the Canada Place)
You can make your own plans to meet at a starting point first...
Cost for the evening is skytrain fare + 7 $ (admission fee)+ what you want for some snack etc.

Sunday English Service 11-1pm
Communion meal...
You don't want to miss this:)
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Contending for a move of God in our generation,
Samuel

Sold out for Jesus

This time my entry is going to be short and sweet. (just came back from school after a 14 hour day). I am in the thick of studying the book of Revelation and the life of Jesus in the Gospels. There more I dig deeper the more beautiful and inspiring the vision of Jesus and His Kingdom becomes. It is totally something worth living and dying for. I hope to help you see it too!
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Friday Youth Evening at Kotikirkko 7.30-10pm
(we can then decide together if we change the start time to 7)
Worship with songs
Make Youth Ministry plans together (mission trip, fund-raisers, activities etc.)
Start Bible study of 1 Peter

Sunday English Service 11am
Worship
Word
Response
Sign-up for February Communion meal!
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Totally sold,
Samuel

Developing Devotion

Thank you everyone for a great time in Whistler!
It was great to hang out together, have fun and also deepen our devotion to God together. Hopefully you, who had to stay back this time, had a blessed weekend too. And don't worry, we'll pick up the direction we started at Whistler now together this Friday...

here is a little taste of what we looked at from Daniel's life:

8-10 But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king's food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet. The head of the palace staff, by God's grace, liked Daniel, but he warned him, "I'm afraid of what my master the king will do. He is the one who assigned this diet and if he sees that you are not as healthy as the rest, he'll have my head!"

11-13 But Daniel appealed to a steward who had been assigned by the head of the palace staff to be in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: "Try us out for ten days on a simple diet of vegetables and water. Then compare us with the young men who eat from the royal menu. Make your decision on the basis of what you see."

14-16 The steward agreed to do it and fed them vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked better and more robust than all the others who had been eating from the royal menu. So the steward continued to exempt them from the royal menu of food and drink and served them only vegetables.

17-19 God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams. At the end of the time set by the king for their training, the head of the royal staff brought them in to Nebuchadnezzar. When the king interviewed them, he found them far superior to all the other young men. None were a match for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Sometimes we wonder: is it worth devoting my life to God?
Will I miss out on something fun others do?

Daniel faced many challenges to his devotion, but he remained faithful, humble and loving God. And he experienced God's faithfulness and presence in amazing ways.
He testifies to us that it's totally worth devoting our lives completely to God!

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Friday Youth Evening 7.30-10pm at Kotikirkko
Pizza Party (we had frozen pizza left over from whistler)
Sharing
Developing Devotion

Sunday English service 10am
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Samuel

Mountain experience

It is interesting how many times people in the Bible had significant encounters with God on mountains. Abraham with Isac, Moses receiving the law, Elijah, three disciples with Jesus etc.

It is not that God dwells in a special way in the mountains, but something seems to happen to us as we climb up. Life gets a new perspective and we become more sensitive to the reality of God.

So maybe, this weekend can be a special time for us as we drive up to Whistler. May it be a time of meeting with God and develop a deeper devotion to Him.

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Whistler Ski-Retreat Friday 1/9 - Sunday 1/11

Friday 5.30pm meet at Church parking lot
6pm drive up to Whistler
Settle in, evening snack
Evening devotions

Saturday
7am Breakfast & to the slopes
Lunch on the go
Dinner together at the lodgings 5pm
relax, games etc
evening snack
Evening devotions

Sunday
breakfast
morning devotions/service
pack-up & clean-up
1pm leave back home
++++++++++++++++++++
IMPORTANT:
I need your final sign-up by Thursday!
EVERYONE COMING NEEDS TO LET ME KNOW YOU ARE COMING!!!
(otherwise planning rides and food becomes impossible)

Cost:
thanks to Natalie's parents generosity we won't be charged for lodging.
Have some money for gasoline and lunch and snacks on the slopes...
Whistler pass/ticket is for everyone to purchase (seveneleven might have tickets cheaper than at whistler...)

What to bring:
Youth under 18 need to complete a waiver form for whistler (download from their website and complete it and bring it with you!!!)
sleeping bag & pillow
mattress (air or foam)
skiing/snowboarding equipment
warm clothes
chains for the cars
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Welcome to share this mountain experience!
Samuel
tedder.samuel@gmail.com
778-689-8100

change

TODAY Friday Youth evening location is changed to Ahlgren's house (sam & Marissa) due to challenging weather conditions.
We aim to start latest 8 but try to get there around 7.30...

Hope to see you there!
samuel
778-689-8100

Update

Blessings for year 2009!

Friday Youth Evening at church 8-10pm
plans:
Worship
Jesse bible Study
Sharing (highlights from 2008 and hopes for 2009)
Praying and blessing each other

We will also make plans and preparations for our Whistler time!!!
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Sunday joint communion service is at 10am !!!

See y'all at church,
Samuel