YAC Life

God's Blessings

2012-02-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

I consider myself to be a blessed person. I look at where I am in life, look at my job and my family and realize that I have a lot to be thankful for. I am not sure I could always say this. There have been times in my life when I have felt as though God's blessings had passed me by.

This week we are working through the beginning of the Jacob and Esau story from Genesis (ch 25-27). An amazing story of blessing and anti-blessing. I would encourage you to read this passage ahead of time from the perspective of Esau. Ever feel like him? Ever ask the same question as he did? God, is there a blessing for me out there? I think many of us feel like him. I have and, at times, still do. We have this tendency to believe that God is like Isaac. He only has one blessing to hand out.

I am really looking forward to wrestling with some deep questions this Sunday. This story of Isaac's blessing paints this beautiful picture of what God is like. It may be difficult to see how at first glance...but come Sunday the truth of the Gospel will shine through this Old Testament story.

Would you join us at 9 or 11? I'd love to see you there.

In Christ,
Dwayne

Ordinary Faith

2012-02-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

Having grown up in the church I tend to have a fairly biased view of what goes on within the context of "church". This Sunday, looking at the story of Issac and Rebekah, I want to explore the concept of "Ordinary Faith". In our culture and society we are enamored with the extraordinary and the spectacular. This is reflected in every aspect of our lives, including our faith (spiritual lives).

What is so interesting to me is that Abraham's family live lives of faith in the ordinary moments. Even when the spectacular is not happening there are these faith dynamics present in their everyday journeys. What are these faith characteristics? Are they present in our lives outside of the 52 Sundays we gather as a church family?

This story in Genesis 24 is not over the top. It seems to be rather mundane in comparison to the stories on either side of it. I have come to understand, however, that we live in this story more than in the others.

Again, God's Family shows us in 2012 what it means to live lives of faith.

I look forward to dialoguing about these truths with you on Sunday.

In Christ,
Dwayne

Audacious Faith

2012-01-31T15:46:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have posted. Much has been going on, so much in fact that I have been finding it difficult to keep up on the communication front. January has been packed with so many good things. One of the highlights for me was being able to lead worship at our annual District Retreat in Kelowna. While there we were challenged to live lives full of audacious faith. Interesting! If you look up audacious in the dictionary you will find it's definition to be "recklessly bold". I have been asking myself, "Does this describe me, my life and my ministry?" Would people describe me as living life with abandon?

As a church family we have been walking through the life of Abram and Sarai this January. What a great testimony of audacious faith. This was some couple! They were not perfect by any means but were willing to step forward, counter the cultural norms and live their lives as God called them to. I love how God dovetailed their story with my challenge from retreat!

This Sunday we begin to look at the life of Abraham and Isaac. Again, God calls Abraham to step out in faith and trust God with his only son. I am learning so much about my own journey of faith through these Old Testament characters.

I want to invite you to join us this Sunday at 9:00 or 11:00am as we continue to walk together as a family at Yarrow Alliance Church.

In Christ,
Dwayne

p.s......Go Pats!!!!

A Gift

2011-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

How quickly the time passes by. It feels as though we have just been getting underway in 2011 and 2012 is already here. So much to be thankful for. So much to ponder. Sorry I have not updated my blog in the past number of weeks but I wanted to dial in, briefly, prior to the new year.

It has been a great joy being your pastor at Yarrow Alliance this past year. We have gone through a lot as a community together. I look back and see God's hand over us. Even in the difficult waters He still is there with us. This was so evident these past months. The season of Advent causes us to look back that first Christmas when "The Word", Jesus Christ, came. As we have talked about in our past couple of Sundays, He came, to begin to set things right. He came to a world that is desperately in need of a Savior. But Advent also causes us to anticipate that day when He will come again to complete the job. When things, once and for all, will be restored. I eagerly long for that day.

May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas season.

O come let us adore Him!

In Christ,
Dwayne

What Makes A Story a Great Story?

2011-11-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that Advent begins next Sunday. Not sure where all the time has gone this fall. This Sunday brings to a conclusion our look at the life of David, "A man after God's own heart." What a crazy journey we have been on these past months. It has been really interesting for me, this week, as I have studied David's last recorded words in 2 Samuel 22 and 23. Powerful words...a testament to God's grace in his life.

My study left me asking a bunch of questions, most importantly, "What would I want my last words to be?" As you look back over your life what legacy have you left or are you leaving to those following behind? My oldest son is about to graduate from high school. These are exciting times in the Toews household yet they are also times where my wife and I are asking these very questions. I don't want to wait until it's too late to examine the story my life is portraying to those around me. As we looked at David's life, in all its chaos and dysfunction, there was always a "pointing" to God's supernatural work in his life. We see it most clearly in some of his last words:

" The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer…Praise be my Rock! Exalted be my Savior!…by Thee I can crush a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall!”

I look forward to joining with you on Sunday as we conclude this amazing look into David's life. See you then.

In Christ,

Dwayne

Disappointing...

2011-10-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend we begin to see a very different side of David. Up until this point in his life he really has had the world by the tail. Everything he has wanted to accomplish, by and large, has been accomplished. However, we knew from the very beginning, that David struggled in life as well. This week we explore David's sin struggle. I believe we will find ourselves in the middle of this story along side of him. In preparation for Sunday have a read through 2 Samuel 11 and 12 (specifically the story of David and Bathsheba).

Here is some food for thought...just to get you thinking.

a) Have you ever reached the point in your life (maybe different points) where you have cried out to God in desperation saying, "I cannot do this anymore! I need Your help, guidance and strength?"

b) What do you see as the most scandalous part of this story?

c) Where do you see yourself in this story? Do you see yourself in this story?

Keep in mind that we need to be reading Scripture, understanding that there are many faces to the diamond. What might be painfully obvious may not be the primary lesson needed to be learned.

I hope you will join me on Sunday as we work through this together.

In Christ,
Dwayne

What is a Sanctuary?

2011-10-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

We head back this week to looking into the life of David. Most of the stories we are familiar with regarding David are easy to frame up, easy to exegete and pretty simple to break down into three concise points. This weeks text breaks this mold. We are going to be working through 1 Samuel 21:1-9. I am pretty confident that most of us have not worked through this passage. It is obscure. It is not neat. It is not tidy. David is not presented as the model of integrity but rather a liar and a deceiver. What is that about? What lessons could we possible glean from these verses. I want to challenge you to think through the following questions in advance of this Sunday's services.

a) What is a sanctuary?
b) Do you identify with a local church? If so, why do you come out to Sunday services? If not, let's talk.
c) What do you hope to have happen in your life through our church community?

I hope to see you on Sunday as we journey through some of these questions together. Hope you have a great weekend.

In Christ,
Dwayne

The Journey Ahead

2011-09-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been made very aware that I am on a journey. I am cognizant that we, Yarrow Alliance Church, are on a journey. I was recently handed a document listed everyone who calls Yarrow Alliance home. This list continues to grow at a very steady pace. The responsibility is big. God calls us, as a family, to be proclaimers of the Good News. You may feel that this call is simple for me...after all "I am a Pastor, it is what I am to do." The reality is that it is all of mandate. We tend to over complicate the call to be proclaimers of this News yet the change does not diminish.

Last week I was away on Keats Island as part of my Arrow Leadership Program. One quote that was given me was this (I believe it speaks to our call as Christians)

"You'll teach what you know.

You'll preach what you have.

You'll produce what you are."

What a powerful call to examine our lives, our passions and our identity as children of God.

I look forward to the journey ahead.

In Christ,

Dwayne

Ready to Roll!

2011-09-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a long while since I wrote an update. The summer months have passed and all that fall has for us is about to unfold. My wife and I had an opportunity to get a way for a while to sunny and hot Los Cabos, Mexico. We love the heat! According to the weather channels it was in the low 40's every day. Love it!

I am really excited about the fall season of life and ministry. Everything seems ready to go. Our student ministry and children's ministry departments all planned up and (other than a few more volunteers in children's ministry) ready to go. Small groups have started, men's and women's ministries are about to get underway.

I was really excited to see all the progress made on our sanctuary renovation project. The team has done a phenomenal job. You need to come and check out the changes. If you haven't been in church for a while you might not recognize it. (as far as the look is concerned).

This Sunday is our annual kickoff party. I always feel as though it is Christmas in ministry during September. So many new faces and reconnections take place in these next few weeks. I encourage you to come out and see what God is doing in Yarrow. It really is exciting.....

Oh ya, and before I forget....there is one more Sunday or "Story Time with Uncle Dwayne" this week. I am going to be telling the story of Hosea. Don't miss it! It is an amazing gospel story. The message of God's grace comes through so clearly.

See you Sunday! (Don't forget the salmon and farmer sausage BBQ immediately following the 2nd service at 12:15)

In Christ,
Dwayne

"For Such A Time As This"

2011-08-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why am I in the circumstance or situation I find myself in?" As I worked through the Old Testament book of Esther (first 4x chapters) this week, I found myself wrestling with that very question. God what do you want me to do with the situation(s) I find myself in. Why have you brought me to this place? Why now? Esther asked the same questions. She found herself on a precipice - with everything on the line. She had to take a leap of faith.

My prayer for us, as a congregation in Yarrow, is that God would make us bold enough to step out. That He would give us enough sight to understand that, no matter what our situations and challenges are, He walks with us. The story of Esther proves this.

I am so looking forward to bringing this fantastic story to a conclusion next Sunday. I want to talk about "Great Reversals".....please join me....

You can be praying for Mike Keller, Cory Buettner and myself as we travel to Chicago this week for a leadership conference. We will have the opportunity to listen to some of the brightest minds on the continent and, again, my prayer is that God would challenge us to step out of our comfort zone and be bold for Him.

Talk to you when I return,

In Christ,
Dwayne

God Is At Work!

2011-07-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

I keep heading over into the sanctuary this week to see where things are at. If you are unaware... we have run out of room. We have opted to push our stage back approx. 10 feet to make room for 50-60 more people. It is so exciting to see God on the move. Each Sunday I am blown away by the presence of God and the fact that men, women, boys and girls are coming to believe in Jesus Christ.

I am reminded over and over again that we do not come to church to simply read an ancient creed or to simply explore a historical document. We come to meet the living Christ! I was reading G.K. Chesterton this week:

"Plato has told you a truth; but Plato is dead. Shakespeare has started you with an image; but Shakespeare will not startle you anymore. But imagine what it would be to live with such men still living, to know that Plato might break out with an original lecture tomorrow, or that at any moment Shakespeare might shatter everything with a single song. The person who lives in contact with the living God is a person who is always expecting to meet Plato or Shakespeare tomorrow at breakfast."

Those of us who know Jesus have the most amazing message to share. The most amazing message mankind could ever hear. My prayer is that we, Yarrow Alliance Church, would be a people and a place where all who seek will find belonging, acceptance and , ultimately, Jesus Christ.

I trust that this is your prayer too.

Come check us out on Sunday....

In Christ,
Dwayne

Still flying!!!

2011-07-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

I write that title both figuratively and to represent my present reality. I got back from Mexico, with my team, late Saturday night. Many of us attended church on Sunday and were moved by what God was teaching us. We are so looking forward to reporting to you in a couple days. I have put the video together and still have trouble getting through it without tears. You are also going to hear from a number of team members, sharing how God spoke to them and how He worked through them. Like I said...I am still flying...

On another note...I flew to Calgary on Wednesday night to drive to Red Deer. Each year I produce a large southern gospel concert in the Centrium Stadium. Again...absolutely amazing to see God at work, this time through the gift of music.

Appreciate your prayers!

Dwayne

Mexico-final post

2011-07-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

We did it! Mission accomplished. Yesterday at 3:30 we completed the Gracida home. We handed over the keys and had the incredible privilege of dedicating the home to them. They were absolutely blown away and many tears were shed.

A few of us, after the build, headed off to see some of our previous families we have built for. We managed to connect with Lupita and her two boys, Manuel and Javier. What an incredible joy to see them again. They send their wishes and their prayers.

We packed up in the afternoon and had dinner together at Jardines restaurant next door.

We left camp at 5:15am this morning. We had a safe trip to San Diego and are now sitting in the airport. We will be in Seattle around 7:30.

It has been an awesome privilege to minister with this team. They have been awesome! Thanks for all your prayers.

See you tonight or tomorrow.

Dwayne

Mexico-day 5

2011-07-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

Another great day has come to an end. It is starting to hit the team that tomorrow is our final day wording with the Gracida family. The sadness of this is setting in.

The day began again with the building crew leaving at 7:30am. Theresa served breakfast and lunch to the team on-site. She is an amazing cook and has been an incredible gift to our team. Much progress was made on the build. We should be able to complete the project by early afternoon tomorrow. A bunch of our team stayed back at camp to help make pisolai soup for the afternoon outreach. Matthew and Brandon did some work at the camp as well.

At 4:00 we went into the town of Papaloti to do outreach with the local church. Approximately 100 people were in attendance. We got to be a part of their service and Josh was able to share his testimony. After hanging out with the kids and participating in the service we served the pisolai. This was a great treat to them. (similar to our Christmas dinners)

After a long day we headed out to a Mexican buffet. What an amazing meal we got to share together.

Following campfire we all headed to bed early to get a jump on tomorrow.

Cole was under the weather today but other than that the entire team has remained healthy. A few of them ought to have put a bit more sunscreen on but, oh well, they will have a great farmer's tan.

Continue to pray!

Dwayne

Mexico-day 4

2011-07-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

Another great day today. Our building crew headed out to the job site at 7:30 am to get a jump on the day. The rest of the team joined us at 9:00am. Everyone is in great spirits. Unity is present and God continues to amaze us.

We took our VBS team over to Pastor Eli's again for abcouple hours. Again our youth led the kids in worsHip. This time Matthew joined in on stage as a vocalist along with Luke. It was awesome. I am so proud of our students and leaders.

We got another large lumber order at the build to enablenus to get all the rest of the project complete. This is a very large, complex project that is coming together nicely. We got the bulk of the painting done in the afternoon. We also decided to work until 7:45pm to get ahead a bit. I also am so very proud of how our building crew is networking with the family, making sure they meet their needs.

Everyone is still healthy and in good spirits. Tomorrow is going to be a powerful day as we do a very large outreach in the afternoon. Please pray for us.

Dwayne

Mexico-day 3

2011-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well...where do I begin? What an amazing day. We saw God do some absolutely incredible things. The day began, as usual, with the arrival at the Gracida home at 9:00am. It actually rained quite hard from 7-9am. Rain down here is like snow up in Canada. A few hours of rain and the job site would be impossible to get to because of the deep mud. We prayed that God would stop the rain and He did.

At 10:00 I took a team, comprised of our students and student leaders and Bonnie, to Pastor Eli's church. They ministered to over 100 kids for 4 hours. I saw a youth worship team develop consisting of Richelle on guitar, Hayden on bass, Brandon on drums and Cole and Josh leading vocals. They led the 100 kids in some worship songs. Absolutely amazing to see God working through all our students.

I took some of our ladies shopping in San Quintin for the family. Much was purchased for the Gracida's. We will still do more.

Our house build is coming together. This is the largest build that Stoney Creek Expeditions has seen done in their 20 years of ministry in the Baja. It is coming together. It is a massive job. Tim and his crew are doing an amazing job. The roof should be underway tomorrow and paint should start to go on. We also are building a chicken coop and purchasing some chickens for the family.

Everyone is healthy, although a bit tired. No one has got sick. All is well.

Continue to pray!

Dwayne

Mexico-day 2

2011-07-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

Great day today! For all the years I have been taking teams here inam notsure we have had such a hot temperature in the morning. The sun was out strong at 6:30am. Breakfast was at 8:00. Almost everyone was up early, raring to go. (Brandon and Matthew arrived with seconds to spare) Apparently the sea air and tenting agree with them and they sleep well.

We arrived at the Gracida home at 9:30 and began to strategize for the renovation and home completion. Out VBS team hung out with the 4 Gracida children for most of the day, even teaching them to play hockey. The build began slowly as there was a bunch of layout to be completed. Once we got going things began to move along. We worked until 4:15 and then headed back to camp for dinner. The local Mexican vendors were at camp ready to sell us our souvenirs, etc. Many of us also took advantage of a pool swim.

All in all the team did great. They are working really hard and no one has gotten sick. I look forward to a great campfire tonight followed by a great sleep.

Please continue to pray and I look forward to reporting back to you again tomorrow.

Dwayne

Mexico-day 1

2011-07-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

Well day one is complete. We left Seattle at 6:40am and arrived in San Quintin. This included a one hour shopping/lunch stop in Ensenada. Other than the AC not working in the bus everything went flawlessly. We even crossed into Mexico without having to unload. That was an answer to prayer in and of itself. I, once again, was reminded of the beauty of the San Quintin Valley.

After a quick supper some of the team headed to scout out the build that awaits us on Momday. We were introduced to the family and immediately felt a deep connection. They are absolutely wonderful. Their kids are a blast. We have a fairly complex build as we are going to complete a project that they started. We got out game plan in order at least.

To close off the evening we had a campfire. We sang, prayed and shared some of our fears, joys and anticipations for the week.

Tomorrow begins early. I will update you in the evening again.

Keep praying!

Dwayne

Arrived safely!

2011-07-03T17:23:00.001-07:00

Just arrived in San Quintin safely. All is good.

On our way!!

2011-07-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. We landed safely in San Diego. We have met up with our connection and are on our way to Tijuana. 6 hours to camp. Talk to you soon.

Dwayne

Bon Voyage....

2011-07-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I would blast off a quick post to everyone already. The entire team has arrived safely in Seattle. We enjoyed a meal together and have headed off to various hotels for night. Everyone is really excited and anticipating what God will do through us in the next few days.

We have to be at the airport at 4:30am in the morning so it will be an early night.

Thanks for all your prayers. I hope to keep you updated along the journey.

Talk to you soon!

Dwayne

Mexico bound...

2011-06-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

This will be the last post from Canada for a bit. Next weekend I, along with my leadership team, will be taking a team of 20 down to San Quintin, Mexico to gift a couple of families with a home and and such. I am very excited for what God has planned for us. I would ask that you be in prayer for the following:

- safety in travel, safety as we work and minister
- pray for all the little details and logistics that need to come together
- pray that God would prepare the hearts of the people in San Quintin to be receptive to the Gospel.
- pray for team unity. We minister together. It is important that we are one!

I look forward to being able to report back on Sunday, July 17th to the congregation. I will be doing my best to blog the trip from San Quintin. You can keep checking back to this site to keep updated. If nothing is being posted it is because the internet is sketchy in the rural locations we are heading to.

God Bless.

Dwayne

Faithful To Our Commitments

2011-06-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that we are here again...Father's Day. Where have the days and months gone? Father's Day is kind of a bitter/sweet day for me. On one hand it is a day where I get to hang with my family. I get to choose where we eat lunch and what we do on the weekend. That is pretty cool. That, in and of itself, is a great gift. However, this day also (especially when I am preaching) forces me to take a long hard look at my parenting, my marriage, and my primary relationships - ultimately my commitments.

I want to take some time this Sunday to talk to each and every one of us about our ability and the need to remain true to the commitments we have made. This applies to dads, moms, children, uncles, aunts....you name it. In a world which is lacking men and women of God to stand up and be counted...Father's Day provides a greats opportunity to take stock of where we are and where we are heading.

I look forward to celebrating with all of you on Sunday.

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

In Christ,
Dwayne

Community and Communion

2011-06-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted my thoughts. Life has been extremely busy yet very rewarding. Over the summer months I will be posting less frequently but I will endeavor to keep you up to speed on where I am at and where we, as a church, are going. Summer seems to be the time when many people disengage from community and focus in on their own families and plans. This is a good thing, in a sense. We do need a chance to recharge and gear up for the busy fall season. We do need those moments where we can step back and reflect on what God is doing and what He is calling us, as individual families, to be about.

However, I want to throw out the challenge to all of us....make this summer an opportunity to develop deeper relationships with those whom God puts in your path. I am reminded again that the words communion and community have the same root...to commune! To share life together. To laugh, cry and pray for one another.

Yarrow Alliance Church continues to grow. Men, women, boys and girls are coming to Christ and craving the love of an authentic community. Let's not allow June, July and August pass us by - continue to ask God to show you how to "be the hands and feet of Christ" where you live, work and play.

I am so excited to see this dynamic play out this weekend as 50 men hang out at camp. So many opportunities to share live together will be presented...and then to top it all off...we get to share communion together while the rest of our church does the same back here.

This summer let's be the church in action!

God Bless,
Dwayne

Reign in Us!

2011-05-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a difference a little sunshine makes. It's been a long week of meeting after meeting, yet a week which has cause me, once again, to have a renewed sense of passion for what God is doing in our church and our community. I was meeting with many of our Alliance pastors this week and listening to their stories of mission and community engagement. As I said last Sunday, God is one the move in our church.

We continue on in James' letter this Sunday. (Yes I know it is a long weekend but I trust that you will join me) As we work through the back half of the first chapter, there are two questions that I would like you to be working through. I will be asking these questions on Sunday but you can get a head start processing them.

1) How much control do you have over your tongue (speech)?
2) What are you doing with what you have heard (in God's Word)?

These questions will serve as a framework for our ongoing conversation.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.....enjoy the nice weather....

And don't forget "Go Canucks Go!"

In Christ,

Dwayne

Just Do It!

2011-05-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend we have arrived at, what for many, signifies a shift in the calendar year. For me it really begins to feel like summer is close (although the weather tells me something different). And before I move on let me also reminder you that this is the weekend that celebrates our Mother's. Take the time to give her a call, send her a card and simply let her know how much you care.

Next week we begin a new series. We are going to be looking, in depth, at the book of James. As I have been preparing for the past few weeks I cannot help but think of Nike's marketing slogan, "Just Do It!" It seems very appropriate for where James is about to take us. James' no nonsense approach will challenge us to the core as we live out our faith.

Take the time to read through this short letter in advance of next Sunday (May 15). It is worth the investment of time.

Dwayne

Glory!

2011-04-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

We have just come out of the Easter weekend, and I don't know if you are like me, but I really feel refreshed and ready to take on the new challenges that lay ahead. Seeing 8 people baptized was truly inspirational and helped to to understand (again) that God is on the move in our church and in our community. Strongholds are coming down and, in Christ, God is continuing to do something new.

I challenge each of us to look closely at those areas in our "world", in our work, in our lives where we see God breaking in. John describes these moments as 'Glory!" Sometimes we need to look closely. Sometimes we need to simply sit and wait for Him to reveal it...but make no mistake about it...we get to see glimpses of "Glory" all around us.

This Sunday we conclude John's gospel. It has been a lengthy journey, one which has challenged me to the core. I want to make the point, again, that if you really want to know who God is you need to look to Jesus Christ. "GLORY!"

We are going to be moving on to the book of James, starting on May 15. Should be a blast!

See you Sunday

Dwayne

What's Most Important About Us?

2011-04-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about our identity lately. This weekend we, as a church family, have a phenomenal opportunity to stand in support of Pastor Cory as he has the pronouncement of Reverend given to him. This is an exciting day for him but also for as as his friends and family. While this pronouncement of Rev. is an important part of his ministry journey I believe there is something much more important about him (and each of us) than our titles, jobs or accomplishments.

What is the greatest truth about us? Where do we find our identity and self-worth? The answer is found in Romans 8:15. We have been given a "spirit of adoption...and our spirit cry's out Abba Father". The most important part about us is that we are children of God. Regardless of how our circumstances and situations change this powerful truth remains true about each of us. How freeing!

Cling to this truth! Allow it to identify you.

See you Sunday,

Dwayne

Life In The Family

2011-04-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks away in California it is good to be back. It's great to have a break but equally great to re-connect with everything and everyone back home. Having the opportunity to step back and reflect on everything that is happening and has happened at Yarrow Alliance in the past few years is good for me. I tend to get lost in the daily and weekly details of the grind. I love the family that is Yarrow Alliance. We are growing together, learning, living laughing and crying together.

This week I am preaching through the first part of John 15. Great questions and great challenges arise out of this passage.

a) What does it mean to bear fruit in our lives?
b) What does it look like to experience pruning in our lives?
c) As a church family, what does it mean to "Love as I have loved you"?

Great questions...great opportunity for growth. Join us this Sunday 9am or 11am to discover together what God has in store for us.

In Christ,
Dwayne

Prayer for Japan

2011-03-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

I have about to head out on a 5000km trip with my family to experience the exciting world of roller coasters. I am really looking forward to being able to get away with my family for a few weeks.

As I woke up this morning I, along with most, came face to face on TV and the internet with the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We must pray. My heart breaks for those who have lost their lives, their families and their homes. I pray that God will sustain those who are in such desperate need.

I look forward to reconnecting with everyone when I return.

God Bless,
Dwayne

Past, Present and Future

2011-03-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

This past week, including last weekend, has been full of excitement, challenge and anticipation. as I got to hang out with our students last weekend I was so encouraged by their enthusiasm and their faith. God is doing amazing things in their lives. What a joy to get to see them worship and grow together.

This weekend is coming quickly. So much to do, so few hours to accomplish everything. This Sunday I am preaching from John 8:1-11. Interesting passage....in fact, I will be arguing, that this is a very dangerous story. It has huge implications in our lives. Have you ever made the statement, "If only I had not..." (you fill in the blank) Each one of us, in many different areas, come up against these statements. We are powerless to change what we have done and yet, in Christ, we have this amazing hope. I want to talk a bit about this on Sunday.

See you then!

questions worth pondering?

2011-02-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

I tend to over think things and ask questions that tend to get me a little bit sidetracked. This week has been one of those weeks where this has happened. Some many obscure situations, decisions and challenges that I was left wondering what God was up to.

Having spent a number of hours working through John 7:35-52 this week I can't help but sense some of the tensions that those who were listening to Jesus speak felt. When you/I truly come face to face with Jesus (by that I mean...understanding who He is, how much He loves us, what He said and what implications His teachings have in our lives) it really forces us to make a decision. Will we trust Him? Can we trust Him, given everything that may be going on in our lives?

These are the kinds of questions that his followers, and those listening to him teach would have been working through. You may have been in relationship with Him as long as you can remember or, possibly, you have not yet come to faith in him.....regardless... wherever you stand the question is the same....Can we trust him?

Join me in this conversation on Sunday...

Life Signs?

2011-02-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

I wrote in last week's update about a number of the questions I, personally, have been wrestling with. Questions about dreams for the future, etc....this week I have been forced to work through my own personal faith/trust issues. Can I trust God for what is in store? Can we, as a church family, trust Him for what He has in store for us? The simple answer is Yes! The difficult part is living in the space in between.

I find it almost humorous how God's timing works. This Sunday I am preaching through the first part of John 6. Two absolutely amazing stories of faith and providence. Little did I realize it at the time but this weeks passage hits me square in the eyes and in the heart.

What are those areas in your life that you struggle to see how you can pull through or "pull it off"? What are those areas in which you are "lacking" are require God to do the impossible? What are those areas in life where things seem overwhelming and you need to sense His presence?

Great questions.....This Sunday I hope to explore these with you all.

Till then!
Dwayne

Deep Conversations

2011-02-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

It's been an interesting week. People ask whether or not, at this time of year, ministry is exciting or challenging. I would say that it is a bit of both. So many conversations, so many plans and so many dreams. Yarrow Alliance Church is beginning to discover its identity.

It is my joy and pleasure to help us, the Yarrow Alliance family, journey through great questions. "God what do you have in store for us in the future?" "God...what are Your dreams for us?" "Where do You want us to step out in faith and be pushed into those uncomfortable areas?" All great questions with huge implications. Those are questions I am praying through and I know many others are as well.

It's interesting as we come back John 4 this Sunday. The conversation between this woman at a well and Jesus continues. Jesus goes deep, quickly. What are we satisfied with in life? What drives us? I make the argument (and have throughout the series) that if we truly understand who Jesus is it will revolutionize our lives. Things will never be the same. That is what Jesus was driving at with this woman. So often we say, "I would be truly satisfied if..." What does Jesus offer? Will we accept?

I also look forward to sharing communion with all of you this Sunday. Come to the table and be strengthened....

See you Sunday....God Bless.

Dwayne

Talking to Strangers

2011-01-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

For the last number of weeks we have been working through , what I like to call, "Being Sermons". Who are we, in Christ? Do we really understand how much He loves us? I think, at least this is what I have picked up, this truth is relatively simple to agree with. However, do we really get it? Like I said last Sunday, "I wonder what our world or our lives would look like if we truly believed and appropriated John 3:16." Maybe we would find ourselves in the situation Jesus found Himself in John 4. He is approached by this woman at the water well. Think of all the barriers that Jesus overcame, simply in carrying on this conversation...ethnic, gender and propriety differences. In the culture of the day, He was out of line.

- Are we willing to risk for the sake of the Gospel?
- Would we be willing to engage those outside of our comfort zone to see men, women, boys and girls come to know Christ?

It also strikes me as interesting...we, as a church, are quick to say that "We are inviting, we are welcoming!" That is a good thing. But is that really the mandate? Are we to be inviting people to enter our church buildings to encounter Christ or are we to take the Gospel to a hurting world? How many Samaritans would have accepted Jesus' invite to engage in conversation...NONE! He initiated.

Thoughts to ponder....

See you on Sunday to continue the conversation.

Dwayne

Thoughts From The Road

2011-01-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

I spent the better part of the week hanging out with fellow pastors from the Christian & Missionary Alliance (Canadian Pacific District) up in Kelowna. What a great opportunity to spend time reflecting, praying and pondering what God has in store for Yarrow Alliance in 2011. I was personally challenged to rest in God and to truly understand that God wants to use me, where I am at, just the way I am wired. What an immensely freeing reality. Coming home, as we drove through a winter wonderland, I truly began to sense the large task at hand in the community of Yarrow. He is on the move and He is using our church as a catalyst for the Kingdom....I can't think of anything better to be a part of.

This Sunday and next we arrive at John chapter 3 and 4. I am working through how deep the love of Christ is and how much He actually pursues us, in all of our weakness and struggles. I want to encourage you to read through these chapters and ask the questions :

1) What do these verses teach me about how we ought to engage others with the Gospel?
2) What do these verses teach me about how Christ engages us?

I look forward to sharing more of thoughts with you this weekend...see you at 9 or 11 on Sunday.

God Bless...
Dwayne

Rainy Day Musings...

2011-01-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

This Sunday (Jan 16) we continue to work through the book of John, specifically two amazing stories - Jesus turning the water into wine, and Jesus clearing out temple. Two very different feelings are evoked inside me as I ponder. In chapter one we talked about the reality that Jesus has "moved into our neighborhood", full of GRACE and TRUTH. Two very powerful thoughts, GRACE and TRUTH. This Sunday I want to explore these. Here are some questions that rise up in me, maybe you wish to weigh in:

a) Should our corporate worship (Sunday services) impact the way we live throughout the week or is it a "stand alone" weekly experience? Should this be the case?

b) Are there areas in our church community where Jesus would say, "Enough is enough...these things are actually hurting you and others!"

New Year's Journey

2011-01-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

If you want to know who God is....you need to understand who Jesus Christ is.

What a profound truth that John's gospel will help us to understand. I am looking forward to the journey this Spring as we, Yarrow Alliance Church, walk though this gospel together. John pulls no punches. He is very clear as to why he writes..." So that all who hear might believe in Jesus Christ". Would you join me?

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