SNOWZILLA

With all the hype of the impending blizzard event of the last few years, the Awana club at Ridgeville Bible Chapel has decided to continue to have club as usual tonite.
It seems like the snow will not arrive untill later in the evening or into the overnight hours.

Please drive cautiously if the snow does arrive before the end of club or on your drive home.

I'm keeping sane by reminding myself that golf season is only two months away........I hope.....

Can't believe it!!!!!!!

Over the Christmas break and into the new year, I was working on an assignment that was driving me nuts. It was very complicated, challenging and I thought I could never do it. At least with any success. I prayed before working on it every time. Reread my text books and class notes. I tried to understand what it was teaching and applied what I had learned. I even called my professors for help. In the end, I just asked God plainly "Could you help me with this and give me Your widsom to accomplish what I think is impossible. I know nothing with You is impossible...even something small like a Bible college assignement". When I finished, I emailed it off to be marked, expecting nothing much.

Last nite I got the results of the assignments. There were two. The first one was a perfect grade, of which I expected to do well on. It was somewhat simple.

But the second one was the one I was worried about. As I opened the email, I held my breath. I didn't see the mark immediately. I searched frantically acorss the page, finally landing my eyes on the grade. I couldn't believe what I say.....a perfect grade. I actually though for a second it was the first email which graded the other assignment. But this was the grade for the assignment in which I struggled. A smile crept across my face and I said under my breath "Thanks Lord". Then I yelled for Laura (who knew I was languishing under this task and actually said I was alot more grumpier than usual from it) and told her the mark. She said "See, it was always going to be alright". And she was right. It's always going to be alright for those who belong to God. As a matter of fact, it's going to be way more than just alright, it's going to be an incredible life for those who have Jesus, both in this life and the next.

I recalled the verse in which Paul writes God's response to his request to have a problem removed. God told him "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.

His grace and strenght was available to His people back then and is even available for a student with a tough assignment today. What is there that you're weak at? Where do you need God's strength to manifest itself today? Because God's grace and strength is sufficient for even that.

A BRAND NEW YEAR!

A new year has started and with it new hopes and aspirations (and a new calendar). And with it, the dreaded and doomed to fail new year's resolutions. It's usually not long into January that one's well intended resolutions find their way to the pile of attempted resolutions of the past that just didn't work out.
But there is one resolution that can make a world of difference in your life, that is, dedicating one's self more to the Lord Jesus., because when someone puts their faith in Him and believes on Him, the Bible tells us that they become a new creature (1 Corinthians 5:17). You see, the change that one longs for in their life (usually associated with a new years resolution) has happened, all because of Jesus.....

So we can challenge ourselves to draw nearer to the Lord and allow the Spirit of God to transform us into the image of Christ on this side of Heaven.

Now that sounds like a great new years resolution......

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas season is here. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Remember, do not allow the socially expected traditions of mankind to obscure your view of the Christ Child in the manage. It is through Him that salvation is offered, for the Jew and the Gentile. He is the long awaited Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.
He is the hope of eternal life with God and a life on earth with purpose by giving His life as a ransome for many.

Have a great Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!
See you all soon.....
Commander Bobby

"And the virgin shall give birth to a Son, and His name shall be Immanuel (which means God with us).

Isaiah 7:14

THANKS FOR A GREAT PARADE!!!

What a great time we all had at the Pelham parade on Saturday. It was something that I will always remember....
It was great to see the float in it's finished state. The kids were all smiles and we loved having them all there to represent the chapel and the Awana club. And a special thanks to the adults who gave up their time to be a part of the parade, whether it was the volunteers on the float, the ladies who made our scarves, to parents driving their kids to the parade, or videotaping or taking pictures, thanks.....
We also gave away about 230 Bibles. Thanks to God who prepared the hearts of people to recieve His Word. Now we have to pray for those who recieved them that they would see their need and come forth to Jesus, the Savior of our lives.

Again, it was an awesome experience, and one three years in the making, since the Lord first dropped the thought into my head. It's been great seeing His hand at work preparing us and brining us together to accomplish something for His Kingdom.

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11

The Parade is a GO!

Now that all the scarves are done (thanks to all the ladies who made them!), the carols are being recorded and the float is almost completed (a special shout out to Kim and Kevin for all their hard work), it's time to think about how this is all going to work.
Everyone invloved with the float will meet at Bethany Christian Reformed Church on 1086 Balfour St. at 12:15 P.M. You will have to get there from Foss Rd. because Welland Rd. will be closed for the parade.
Parents are encouraged to park near the end of the parade route near Centennial Park on Church St. after dropping your kids off. This is where the parade will end and kids can be picked up.
There are free things to do and eat after the parade, but children will be the responsbiblity of thier parents.
PLEASE DRESS WARMLY, as Commander Bobby says, "This ain't golfing weather!!!"
Wear comfortable shoes, because the thing about parades, there's alot of walking for those who are in it....
On another note, the Christmas concert rehersals are done and it looks great. I can't wait to see all the parents, clubbers and leaders at the concert. It'll be alot of fun! Plan to stay afterwards for snacks...
Finally, as the term draws to a close, the winning teams were announced, and they were the Blue and Yellow teams. They, along with their parents are invited to a nite of pizza and a movie at the chapel for 6:15 P.M. on Friday December 17th. The winning team members will be recieving phone calls to confirm.
Anyways, that's it for now, lots going on, but that's the Christmas season.

But please, don't lose sight of the Light in the dark tunnel of gift buying, meal prepreations and the attempt at having the perfect Christmas (the only perfect Christmas was about 2000 years ago). The reason for the season is Jesus Christ, God's Beloved Son, who was born to die for our sins. Even from the womb, Jesus was not far from the tomb. From the cradel to the cross, He purposed Himself to die for the sins of mankind. May this be the thought and focus of our Christmas season.

"And she will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from thier sins."
Matthew 1:21