Stories of Hope

  Kevin Makins, pastor of Eucharist Church in Hamilton, recently completed a four part series of sermons at Hope Fellowship. His final sermon left us with a challenge, one that bears repeating. Kevin challenged us to remain unified, not uniform, taking his example from the Trinity – God the Creator, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is one, and God is three. In something called the “Divine Dance” each part of God submits, serves and points to the others, in a unity that is not uniform

Love All - An Affirmation   For the past number of years the plight of Syrian refugees has been in the forefront of the news. The brutalities and horror of the conflict between various factions have taken an enormous toll with mind boggling devastation and death. Many millions have fled for their lives leaving their generational homes and communities.   Countries and communities throughout the world have responded as borders have been opened and refugees welcomed. I am thankful for the small part we as Hope Fellowship have chosen to play in responding to the great need

  Kevin Makins shared such an amazing vision to our church in his last sermon, "Trinity and the Church" and it reminded me of the speaker John C. Maxwell, who spoke at the Global Leadership Summit this past October. The main point Maxwell had stressed was adding value to people's lives.

  It was a huge treat to drive to Toronto two weeks ago with my mom to hear Canadian writer Ann Voskamp speak. After reading One Thousand Gifts and years of her blog posts, it felt like going to meet a friend

  In December of 2005 I was approached by the “Fundraising Committee” for our new building and asked if I would be willing to set up a gift card program.

  It was more than 30 years ago that Paul and I moved to Oshawa…a city where we knew no one. Moving to a strange city was very overwhelming, not to mention the stress of moving all our belongings. Maybe some of you can relate to a similar experience.   I sit here and think of the family from Syria and the move they have completed.

  When we want to go somewhere, we will go, and if it's really important to us, we will write it in our calendars and book the time off that we need. No matter how busy we are, no matter what things come up, we will make time for the people and things that we love. You wouldn't miss your own wedding day, would you? The things that are important to you, the things that you look forward to are the things that you make a priority in your life, no excuses.