Celebration Lutheran Church

YC 2012
By: Matt | Date: March 06, 2012
Just a reminder that your YC2012 deposits are due by March 16th, 2012. Please get them in ASAP so that we can begin to prepare for an awesome trip to YC!

If you are wondering which bands are coming to YC, please check out yc.extremedream.ca

Its going to be an awesome trip everyone!

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God don't make no junk
By: Kristen | Date: November 25, 2011
"Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son."
- Ephesians 1:4-6

Today, I am just so thankful to be called a child of God! I know the Lord loves me..and I need to know that in my heart daily!
Do you know that you are a child of God?

If you believed that you were a child of God every day, every moment, every second, would you act a little bit differently?
Instead of worrying that you won't have enough money, you'd cast your worries on the Lord and abide in His peace.
Instead of complaining and becoming quick to anger, you would be slow to speak and quick to listen.
Instead of feeling like you are worthless, you would realize the grace and love God has given you and believe that this GREAT AMAZING God does not make junk.

Last night I went to Soul's Harbour, and the wonderful cook came out to pray for the meal. BEfore he prayed he told everyone this, "God don't make no junk."

Haha I love it! God doesn't make junk! You are not junk. The sin inside of you is junky...but you are a child of God. There is an inheritance given to you. Salvation is at hand.
Today, when the world wants to measure you up on how much quality you actually are...let them know you've already taken the quality test and since you are created by God...you are priceless.

Blessings on your day!

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Stick to the TRUTH
By: Kristen | Date: October 06, 2011
[Jesus said,] "Therefore, anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who build his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash!" - Matthew 7:24-27

Simply this, TRUST IN JESUS! Believe what the Bible Says! Do not allow the devil to twist the truth. Do not believe everything you hear in this world. Line it up with the Word of God. Line your mind up with the scripture of our Lord and Savior.

Stay close to Jesus. Abide in His shelter. Do not allow the world to corrupt your mind. Just because it may seem wise to the world, doesn't mean that it is what God wants for you. Seek Him first. Always.

Jesus was always doing the opposite of what people expected of Him. Sometimes, I do what I know will please people just to make them happy or to avoid conflict. But Jesus is the only person I should be pleasing. The world is filled with conflict. Even in the spiritual realm! Jesus dealt with it on Earth and still does! Let Him teach you how to face conflict, to face your enemies and to defeat the Enemy with the Sword (the Word of God) and by doing good to defeat evil (Romans 12:21).

Be blessed today! Sink into the Word of God. Seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance.
He is good and His plans for you are always the best for you.

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Healthy doesn't mean without Trouble
By: Kristen | Date: August 18, 2011
Hey Everyone. I was just listening to the song Take Heart by Hillsong United and I just had to write about it.

You see, I am having one of those days where you are stuck in the cycle of BLAH. That's my biggest downfall. On days like this, everything from the past seems to pile up and the problem appears to be bigger than it really is. ANNOYING! I know.
So I've finally come to Jesus and told him what's been happening...even though He already knows. And you know what? He is just sooooo good!

I had a vision of Jesus' eys looking at me. Not with condemnation but with understanding and love. As if he was just waiting for me to come to Him because He just knew I needed Him.

You see, we tend to think that if we could just "do that thing" or "accomplish this" or go one day "without this", we would be perfect and God would love us.

But you see there is a reason why Jesus said, "In this world there will be many troubles, but TAKE HEART for I have OVERCOME the world."

He didn't say it was going to be peachy all of the time. In fact, He warned us. But it is our job to come to Jesus so He can lift us back on our feet (daily) and spread his glorious light where ever we go. As carriers of Jesus, it is not our job to tell people that once they find Jesus, there will be no more problems. No, we must be honest and tell people that Jesus came to overcome our troubles. Troubles are there as long as we are on this earth. But we have a GOOD God who will help us through them and even change the situation around if we would only go to Him.

I hear all the time about people wanting a HEALTHY church. I agree, we need to be healthy so we can win the small battles. So we can defeat evil by doing good and spread the LOVE of Jesus around the world.

But you see, being healthy doesn't mean being without troubles. Healthy means that when troubles arise, we do what JEsus would do. We go to Him and seek His advice. Troubles will always be there...but God is constantly good and constantly dependable.

So church, young and old, let's not try to be perfect so that Jesus will "accept" us. Let's pursue a perfect heart that responds with love when troubles come our way. Let's be the church that relies on Jesus. Let's be the church that isn't afraid of conflict...that won't walk away from conflict. Let's be the church that embraces the brokenhearted and sets captives free! Let's be the church that makes imperfect people feel LOVED and CHERISHED.

That's what Jesus would do I would imagine.

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Randy
By: Kristen | Date: June 28, 2011
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." - Romans 8:1-2

Oh when I read this verse I just get all bubbly inside! Jesus loves us so much. He conquered death and sin. Whenever I am feeling down and I can feel the oppression of life's struggles or just plain old Satan trying to wear me down, I do what Jesus did when he was tempted in the wilderness and I pull out this scripture.
TAKE THAT EVIL! THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS FREED ME FROM THE POWER OF SIN! BACK AWAY, FIND SOMEONE NEW TO TORMENT!

The other day I was walking downtown with my husband. We were cranky because we didn't know why we decided to go downtown. We didn't want to shop, we didn't want to wander. So on our way back to the car we saw a man curled up in the corner asking politely for some spare change. He looked so sad and lonely and full of fear. He had a tattoo of a tear on his right eye that seemed to represent the way he felt inside. (I think this is part of a gang membership but he definitely didn't look like a gang member to me).
We approached him via the Holy Spirit and found we had no cash to give (we rarely carry cash) but we decided to pray for him. The presence of God was so strong as we prayed for him and could tell that Jesus was touching his heart and filling him with love. We then decided to help him out so I ran to the coffee shop on Scarth Street and got him a coffee and some food. He almost cried when we gave it to him and then handed him help to find a place to stay. All he wanted was a shower! His name is Randy. He was so precious and sweet. The age of around 50. He knows Jesus. He says that he looks forward to the hope he has in Jesus! He told me that there is ALWAYS HOPE! He said Jesus takes care of him every day and he seemed to be confident in knowing that Jesus loved him.

Why have I told you this story? I told you this story because God is showing me new things everyday about His Kingdom and I wanted to share that with you. This is not for my glory, this is for Jesus' glory. He is the one that has taught me to have compassion, even when I don't feel like it! God can use ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. The question is, are you willing to be used?

God is showing me that the ones who will see the Kingdom of Heaven on earth are those who are poor enough to recognize their need for him (Matthew 5:3) That doesn't just mean the poor (although sometimes it is easier for them), but the wealthy as well.

Are you hungry for Jesus? Are you desperate for Him?
Will you suffer for Him?
Will you be persecuted for Him?
Will you lay down your life for Him?

As I get to know Jesus more, I fit less and less into the criteria of this world. I feel like an alien. I'm starting to care less and less about myself and having comfortable pleasures (although I definitely am still learning and definitely still am selfish and tempted to be a part of the status quo...I'll get there).

The truth is this. God is moving. He is moving in Regina, SK. He is desperate for his loved ones to reach out their hands to the poor and brokenhearted. He wants to SET PEOPLE FREE! He wants people to know the love of Him. He wants us to be his hands and feet.
Are you able to be that for Him?

As we were praying for Randy, people walked by and one guy threw his cigaratte at us. Haha we laughed and thought, "that's nothing compared to what Jesus went through."
Are you willing to be ridiculed for Jesus?

A week and a half ago, Matt and I were able to pray for two guys who just got out of jail. They were very DESPERATE for the Truth. As we prayed for them, the Spirit of Jesus was so heavy and strong over them that they were in tears. God gave us a Word of Knowledge and Jesus was glorified through these two fresh out of jail guys, Trevor & Brian.

You see, Jesus is into calling the lost. He loves the lost so much that he will leave the 99 to look for the 1 lost sheep.

You see, Jesus loves His children. He's not concerned with how you dress or how well you can speak to a crowd. He's not concerned with how pretty your worship is. He's concerned about your heart.

Our heart not only needs blood pumping to live, but it needs the love of Jesus. The blood of Jesus needs to be pumping in your heart for it covers all of our sins.

Take some time today to love Jesus. Let His love invade your heart. Bust open those dams that you have put up to keep him out. BUST THEM OPEN IN JESUS NAME! Let His will be done in you.

For there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

I know there are many other stories that are being written about Jesus' followers in Regina. I'm friends with lots of them! Make sure you write them down so you can look back and glorify God again for what He has done!

Peace out R-town.