Grace His
November 2019
Photo by Donna Wood
Point of Bay,
Newfoundland & Labrador
Serving from Coast to Coast
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Table of Contents His Grace Magazine
November 2019
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" John 15:23
Poetry Page.........................................................................Page 3 Publisher's Corner...............................................................Page 4, 5 CD in Review......................................................................Pages 6 Prayer Page.........................................................................Page 7 World Series........................................................................Page 8 Athletes for Christ...............................................................Page 10, 11 Walking with Jesus.............................................................Page 12, 13 Racing with Christ..............................................................Page 14 Movie in Review.................................................................Page 16 Recipe Page.........................................................................Page 17 Ted Lynch's Testimony........................................................Page 18, 19 Featured Artist.....................................................................Page 20 Book in Review...................................................................Page 21 In Concert............................................................................Page 22 Bible Study.........................................................................Page 23
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905-380-4489
or email wood.publications.2014@gmail.com
Poetry Page...
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Poppy
A common sight on the Western Front, in shell-laced soil churned into mud from blasting bombs of the Great War, the bright red native flowers grow. They flourished in the trenches of Flanders Field where our young soldiers were maimed or killed. A powerful symbol of death and remembrance; We wear a poppy to honor our veterans. For those who died to preserve our freedom, Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our hearts remain full of gratitude; You lived to die for a better world. Bless all who gave the best they had To establish protection for our land. Grace the world with Your presence, Lord And help us to live in one accord. Read: (Ephesians 4:3)
“Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.�
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His Grace Magazine
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Publisher's Corner...
Remembrance
Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood
N
November 2019
ovember is a month of reflection and remembrance. We take this time to remember our men and women who gave their all for our country and the freedom that we enjoy today. Most of us know someone who serves or has served in the Armed Forces, whether it was in World War I, World War II, Korea, Afghanistan or all the many peacekeeping missions. My dad served in Europe, as did my uncles and other family members, Family members on both my dad and mom's side served in World War II. My mother-in-law's dad served in World War I. John 15:23 says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." Before Jesus died on the cross for us, He suffered greatly with the beating he took in our stead. Everything we deserve, He took upon Himself. Jesus also suffered by being separated from God, because God had to turn His back on Him. When Jesus took all the sins of the
world upon Himself, God could no longer look upon Him. Matthew 27:46 says, 'And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lame sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"' He then rose from the grave three days later. Before Jesus was crucified on the cross, He spent the night with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed to His Father. Before that, however, He had the Passover supper with all of His disciples. Jesus sat with His disciples at the table in the upper room, broke the bread and passed it around to them. Luke 22:19 says, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying "this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Jesus then passed His cup of wine around to His disciples. Luke 22:20 says, 'Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."' Jesus called the cup of wine that they drank at the Lord's Supper the "New Covenant" of His blood. Jesus said to His disciples to observe the bread and wine of the New Covenant, not only for a memorial of His death, but also a fellowship meal of unity. It is a proclamation and a symbol
of the believer's anticipation of Jesus' return, when all of God's promises will be fulfilled. The fact is, the expression, "in remembrance" is used in a few places in the new testament to refer to God's remembrance, such as when the Angel of God told Cornelius what his vision meant. Acts 10:3-4 says, 'About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision and angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."' When the church comes together to "do this in remembrance of Me", as Jesus said, this is proclaiming Jesus' death. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." This being a memorial before God, sees this and blesses us and strengthens us with Jesus' body and blood by the Holy Spirit. When we do this, God remembers His promises to us, His people, and He sets these promises before us on the table. Jesus' body and blood was freely given to cover us and to forgive all of our sins and made us white as snow. So, as Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of Me!"
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Publisher's Corner...
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nother federal election in Canada is now in the books. Our Prime Minister stayed the same, but he has a smaller government. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, now has a minority government instead of the majority that he had back in 2015. I don't usually talk about politics in this magazine, but there is a lot of division in our country right now. I've been giving this a lot of thought from a biblical standpoint. What are our instructions as Christians regarding governments? What does God say about all of this? Romans 13:1 says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authorities except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." It's in God's sovereign design; God has given us the government that we now have in power. That doesn't mean the government will necessarily be a good or bad government. God has His own plans, for only God knows the long term outlook. But we do not know what God's plans are with this government; However, we can take comfort in knowing God is in total control. As Christians, we have a duty; Romans 13:7 says, "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."
Praying for Authority
Also, we read in 1 Timothy 1-2: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." By the scriptures, we are to be praying for our new Prime Minister, no matter who it is. There has always been a line between the kingdom of man (earth) and the kingdom of God (heaven). We should never put our hopes or faith in men, but to always put our hope and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We should always pray continually for our leaders in government and, not our will be done, but that God's will be done. It is in Jesus that Christians find their hope, joy and faith. We must always remember to pray, but also remember God is the one who we pray and answer to, just like Daniel did as he worked with the Persian king. When prayers were only allowed to the ruler of Persia and no one else could pray, Daniel opened his window that faced Jerusalem, got down on his knees and prayed to God... his God whom Daniel placed all of his hopes, joy, and faith in. Daniel 6:10 says, "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward
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Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." So relax everyone, we will not have this government for another four years, as a minority government has never gone more than two years before, and I don't think this one will either. As Christians, we are to pray to God to bless our country, Canada, but our loyalty is to God...the one that sits on the throne in His kingdom.
WOOD
Publications
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wood.publications.2014@gmail.com
Editor: Donna Wood
wood.publications.2014@gmail.com Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Publications, contact us at 905-380-4489, email wood.publications.2014@gmail.com Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement by this publication or area churches. All content is protected by copyright and may not be commercially reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Non-commercial redistribution is permitted.
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His Grace Magazine
CD in Review...
his album, with 14 songs, was put together with all their personal walks of life added to the songs. This includes all of the miracles, raging wildfires, joyous adoptions, and the everyday battles with anxiety, fear and health issues. Bethel Music members are: Josh Baldwin, Cory Asbury, Jonathan & Melissa Helser, Bethany Wohrle, Sean Feucht, Emmy Rose, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Kalley Heiligenthal, Paul & Hannah McClure and Hunter GK Thompson, They are all on the Victory album, with some of their friends,: Molly Skaggs, Daniel Bashta & Harvest. The song, "Stand In Your Love", by Josh Baldwin, was a big radio hit and it reached the top ten on the Christian Songs Chart. The song was also nominated for the 2019 K-Love Fan Awards in the "Breakout single of the Year and Worship song of the Year" category. On a personal note, the song "Raise A Hallelujah", was released out of a miracle story of Bethel Music CEO Joel Taylor's three year old son, Jaxon. They wrote "Raise A Hallelujah" in the middle of their praying for little Jaxon, because he was in the hospital fighting for his life. The doctors' reports were not good and it looked like he would not survive. Jaxon was diagnosed
Bethel Music Victory...
November 2019
Hallelujah" and Jenn Johnson's "Goodness of God"; a song from Brian and Jenn's recent adoption. The album, Victory, offers various sounds, from a rustic simple sound in "Ain't no Grave" and "Stand in Your Love", to a sound of praise in "Promises Never Fail" and "Victory is Yours". With a steady faith in the "Goodness of God", Victory invites us all into a much greater faith and brings us through any storm that the enemy puts in front of us. It helps us hear with Hemolytic - Uremic syndrome, God's promises; it helps us to which is caused by an E. coli have faith; to surrender to God to infection. This sickness shuts let Him fight our battles. down the kidneys and causes seizures, along with other life threatening problems. Prayer Victory... became their weapon and their worship to God became their warfare in the battle for Jaxon's 01 "Raise a Hallelujah" life. At that moment, the church 02 "Goodness of God" community stood up strong as an army and joined in prayer and 03 "Ain't no Grace" worship all over the world. In the 04 "Stand in Your Love" middle of the storm, they began 05 "Victory is Yours" to Raise A Hallelujah by singing it louder and louder than ever 06 "There is a Name" before. They watched a miracle 07 "Promises Never Fail" happen before their eyes. Jaxon's 08 "Praise is the Highway" little body was filled with the life from the Lord. Jaxon was healed 09 "Drenched in Love" and is healthy today. 10 "Every Crown" All 14 songs from this album are 11 "How Great a King" filled with victory and faithfulness, including Josh Baldwin's "Stand 12 "Christ Is Risen" In Your Love", Cory Ashbury's 13 "Living Hope" "Endless Alleluia", Jonathan Helser's uplifting song "Raise A 14 "Endless Alleluia"
Prayer Page...
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Remembrance Dear Lord,
I bow before You in humility and ask You to examine my heart today. Reveal any secret pride, any unconfessed sin, any rebellion or unforgiveness that may be hindering my relationship with You. I know that I am Your beloved child, having received You into my heart and life. The sacraments represent Your life that was broken for me; I remember and celebrate Your faithfulness to me and all who will receive You. Thank you that Your death gave me abundant life and eternal life forever.
We pray in Jesus' name,
Amen
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His Grace Magazine
World Series...
November 2019
Washington Nationals Their Faith in God fueled them to win... O
n October 30th, the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros in the seventh game, as they won their first ever World Series by a score of 6-2. It was a historic playoff run for Washington, their main focus being on faith and prayer for several players, including rookie Juan Soto. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, he would be seen praying by kneeling on the field with other Nationals players. When the team was inching closer to the World Series, Juan Soto and his family asked God for His help. After they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series, Juan wrote a Bible verse; James 4:10: "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." Also, Washington's third base man, Anthony Rendon, says his faith comes first and everything
a part of a good community, then God will guide him on the right path in life. Also, centre fielder, Victor Robles, is also focused on God. He was injured after missing five games with a hamstring injury, but he came back really early. The 22 year old said his faith had helped him make an amazing recovery. With an injury like this one, you can be out of the lineup for a good couple of months, but he made a comeback just after 5 games. Victor said, "I was able to come back from it in a little more than a week and a half. I had a lot of faith in God and I know that He after will fall into place. Anthony was going to heal me as quickly is still growing in his faith, but as possible." This team is so inspiring because wants to be known more as a Christian first when he plays the it shows us that if we humble game. Anthony says that if he can ourselves and put God first in stay in the word of God, surround everything we do in life, then himself with good people and be anything is possible.
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Greater love
has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:23
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His Grace Magazine
Athletes for Christ...
November 2019
Michael Clemons Gave his life to Jesus when he was nine... W
hen Michael Clemons was growing up in the projects of Dunedin, Florida, life was hard on him. Michael lived close to the railroad tracks and directly across from the sewage treatment plant. But throughout Michael's childhood, he never thought he was poor because of all the love he had at home. Michael's mother was an 18 year old teenager when she had him. He grew up without a father. His father would promise to come and visit him and bring gifts at Christmas and birthdays, but he never did show up. Michael didn't want to hurt his mother in any way, so he would always try to look happy on the outside and not show any sadness. Michael didn't want to make his mother feel inadequate. His mother supported
There is a saying in the southern United States, "You go from the hospital straight to the front of the church." When Michael went to church with his mother, he did so because he was told to. But one day in church, when he was nine years old, he gave his heart and life and accepted Jesus Christ. After that, going to church became a more personal choice for him. Michael has had some tough times. When he became older, he was often told that he wasn't smart enough to go to college. He was also told that he was way too small to play football. But he was determined, and after four years her son in all that he did in life. She and a scholarship at the College took Michael to church to help him of William and Mary, Michael build a strong faith so that when signed his first professional he left home, he had something football contract with the Toronto strong to help him grow. Argonauts.
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Athletes for Christ...
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Michael Clemons He knows God is in control...
here has been a few struggles in his life as well. Michael's great-grandmother, who he loved very much, had passed away before she saw him become successful as a football star. Michael's father-in-law was shot and killed when both Michael and his wife were attending university. His wife also lost her sister to cancer three weeks after she had discovered she was sick. Her sister left behind three young children. We all have plenty of things we can complain about in life, but that's where God uses our hard times that we go through and turns them into good for us and also makes us stronger in the process, moulding us into what He wants us to be. By God doing this, Michael used all that God had done with him and it helped him touch many people's lives. When Michael was
a young boy, he learned that God is the only true way to happiness and salvation. But when Michael gave his life to Jesus, he also learned his true reason and meaning of his life. God is in control and He always is, and this gave Michael
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peace in knowing this. Everyone in life will have trials to go through; no one is immune to this. But the difference is that we have hope in Jesus Christ to get us through, that belief in God is the only hope we have in this world. It will give us all the strength we need and Michael feels God throughout his life. Michael has been with the Toronto Argonauts Organization since 1989. He started as a player from 1989 to 2000. He then became their head coach from 2000-2001 and again from 2002-2007. He was the CEO of the Argos in 2008. Michael is now the new General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts since October 9, 2019. Michael is also a 6-time Grey Cup champion (1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2017).
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Walking With
Jesus...The Angel of His Grace Magazine
November 2019
the Lord The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ...
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s we start this month on Judges, and see all the visits from the Angel of the Lord, hundreds of years before His birth in Bethlehem. So let's take that walk with Him. The more we grow in wisdom and know that, not only is Jesus the Son of God, but He is God; God born in the flesh, the stronger we will grow in our relationship with Him. The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. Into these times was born the next judge of Israel, Samson. Samson was truly a man of his times. He was a man of great strengths and great weaknesses. He was a picture of Israel’s history during this period; a picture of great heights and deep lows. Judges 13:1 says: "Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years." Samson was also an important example of unfulfilled potential. His story is the story of a great opportunity. Though he did great things for God, it was a disastrous failure in the case of a man who might have wrought a great deliverance, but failed. It is staggering to consider what he might have done and been for God. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife. Manoah was from Zorah, which was about 14 miles west of Jerusalem. It was in the land of the tribe of Dan. This Angel that
appeared, however, was no mere angel. This was Jesus on a special mission, appearing as a man before His incarnation in Bethlehem. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, who was barren, and promised her that she would conceive and have a son. This promise came as a great blessing to this woman. The special instructions regarding the child to come described the vow of a Nazirite, which meant that, when under the vow, people regarded themselves as specially devoted to God, leaving their hair uncut, drinking no wine and eating no grape products, and avoiding any contact with anything dead. Judges 13:3 says: 'And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son."' There was nothing particularly unusual about someone taking the vow of a Nazirite for a specific period of time. What was unusual in Samson’s case was that he was to live under the vow from his birth, and that his vow was intended to be a lifetime vow. Judges 13:4 says: "For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." Next month, we will look at some more encounters of the Angel of the Lord in the Book of Judges.
Walking With Jesus... November 2019
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His Grace Magazine
The book of Mark Christ as a Servant...
s we went through the Gospel of Mark last month, we saw Jesus at the fig tree, and where the tree wasn't bearing any fruit, He commanded the fig tree to wither away. So now we will continue in Mark. It was just not only Jesus' power over nature, but Mark also focused on how Jesus had overcome the power of death by His ressurection from the tomb that He was placed in after His death. Jesus had proven to everyone that there is no power of any kind that can overcome Him. Jesus has the authority and power to forgive everyone of their sins as well. Jesus also gives people His perfect instructions on how God desires them to live. He shows them how to overcome difficult situations, and how to make the right decisions concerning their future and for entering His kingdom of heaven. Some of the scriptures tells of having strong faith. Mark 2:5 says: 'When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."' Replace all fear with trust: Mark 4:40 says: 'But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"' Believe and feel the power of God::Mark 5:36 says: "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."
Follow Jesus: Mark 8:35 says:"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." Understand God's will: Mark 9:35 says: 'And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."' Make sacrifices: Mark 10:21 says:'Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."' During Jesus ministry, He continually pointed to the ultimate way He would serve people, starting with His death on the cross, and then with His resurrection from the dead. Now it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we will be saved and have eternal salvation; a home in heaven. All of the words that are spoken and written in the Gospel of Mark should be applied in your life every day. We should strive to be more of a servant and serve; help people rather than expect people to serve us. Jesus is our representation on how we are to live our lives, by serving others like He did. As we continue our walk with Jesus next month, we will turn to the Gospel of Luke, as Luke saw Jesus as the Son of God.
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His Grace Magazine
Racing with Christ...
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November 2019
Teri MacDonald Teri asked Jesus to forgive her...
eri was born in Toronto, Ontario. Racing was in Teri's blood at a very young age. Teri's love for racing started at the age of 3 1/2 years old, when she started racing go-carts. In 1990, Teri's racing career started to take off for her, as she won "Rookie of the Year" in professional road racing. But Teri's life was out of control as well. In 1997, Teri had a racing accident, which put her in a halo-body cast with four screws in her head. Teri also broke her neck
in three places. Teri then started to examine her life. She realized racing was taking over and it had become her main focus; it had gotten all of her attention and had now become an obsession. Teri, at this point in her life, asked Jesus to forgive her and made Jesus number one in her life once again. After her neck healed, God gave her back her racing career. In 2001, Teri raced in Nascar.
The Bible says that God knows and sees everything. One of Teri's favorite scriptures is 1 Corinthians 2:9: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived the great things God has in store for us." Teri puts Jesus first in her life every day now, and she looks forward to all the great things He has waiting for her. Do you put Jesus first; do you trust and love Jesus with all of your being? Have you asked Jesus for forgiveness of all your sins?
His Grace Magazine
Grace
November 2019
His
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New stories every month! Interesting Christian topics, Great Movie, CD and Book reviews! Get your FREE copy of His Grace magazine today! Call 905-380-4489 wood.publications.2014@gmail.com or check out our magazine on-line @ www.issuu.com/His-Grace
His Grace Magazine
Movie in Review...
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November 2019
A Question of Faith “Divided by loss, united by Faith�
he movie, A Question of Faith, is about three families whose lives are all changed after a terrible accident and as a result, their faith has been challenged. Associate pastor, David Newman at the African American mega church, is preparing to assume the role of senior pastor from his father. David loves his wife, Theresa and both of his sons, but due to a big construction job he is looking after at the church, he starts neglecting the needs of his family. Meanwhile, the second family has John Danielson who owns a construction company. John is struggling in debt; what doesn't
help him at all is that John is an angry, racist man. John thinks that his last hope to get out of debt is through his teenage daughter, Michelle, who is going to sing at their church for a music producer,. But John then starts pushing his daughter really hard and asks her to practice over and over again. When the day comes for her to sing the song, his daughter collapses on the stage and has to be rushed to the hospital. After she has tests done, the doctors discover that Michelle has a serious heart defect; she will need a heart transplant. When David Newman is late to pick up his sone Eric and take him to his basketball game, Eric waits for awhile, but then decides to walk. A teenage girl named Maria Hernandez picks up her phone while she's driving and starts text messaging, just as Eric crosses the road. Maria doesn't see him while she is texting and hits him. The Newmans at the hospital are told by the doctors that Eric is brain dead and the damage is irreversible. Afterwards, the hospital asks the Newmans if they would donate Eric's organs. David feels both angry and guilty
for what happened to his son Eric, since David was supposed to pick him up at his school. Eric's heart is donated and goes to Michelle Danielson, and both families try to continue with their lives. Maria Hernandez has jail time now because of the accident that killed Eric. All of their lives are just beginning to come together. David is struggling to accept God's will in all that has happened, and John Danielson doesn't submit his anger and character to God, even after his daughter receives a new heart that saved her life. The question now is: Can these three families find peace and their faith when they feel so much pain? A Question of Faith shows a strong Christian message of holding on to your faith through all of the trials we face in life and trying to see the bigger plans God has for us all. It also tells us to repent and walk away from anger. We also see how God can turn something bad into something good. Starring: Richard T. Jones, Kim Fields, C. Thomas Howell, Renee O’Connor, Gregory Alan Williams, T.C. Stallings, Jaci Velasquez, Karen Valero Director: Kevan Otto Producers: Lisa Diane Washington, Angela White Run Time: 107 minutes A Question of Faith is available on Blue ray and DVD now.
Recipe...
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Cream of Mushroom Soup
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Prep Time10 minutes...Cook Time10 minutes...Total Time20 minutes Ingredients
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp ea. • 1 c yellow onions finely diced • 16 oz fresh, cleaned and sliced (1 454 gr "tray") • 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper • 1/2 c all-purpose flour • 6 c chicken broth • 1 c heavy whipping cream (if using a lighter cream, mix with a couple teaspoons of corn starch before adding to soup)
Instructions
1. In a large saucepan, melt 1 Tbsp. of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, thyme, salt, and pepper and the second 1 Tbsp. of butter. Cook, stirring regularly, until the mushrooms start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the last 1 Tbsp. of butter and stir to melt. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds to a minute. Add the stock and stir while returning the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. 2. Pulse a few seconds with a blender. 3. Add the cream and cook for a further minute or two to heat. Enjoy!
Psalms 104:15 “And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.”
His Grace Magazine
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Testimonial...
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Ted Lynch
November 2019
Ted found Jesus while in jail...
ed is from Miramichi, New Brunswick, is a husband of 19 years and has 3 beautiful daughters. He grew up in a home that went to church, but didn’t grow up in a Christian home. The god in their home was hockey; especially when the Leafs were playing. Even though he was a pretty smart kid in school, his parents wouldn’t allow the teachers to advance him from grade one to grade two; he felt like his parents didn’t believe in him, which left him feeling lost and as a result, he became disobedient. Ted learned how to work … he cut wood, did the hay and grew vegetable gardens. It was pretty much the only time he got to spend with his father. He played hockey and became a very good hockey player. But because his father couldn’t afford to keep him and his brothers in hockey any longer, he had to quit playing. Ted never had a good relationship with his dad; his father didn’t talk very much, so he started getting into a lot of trouble as a teenager. He wanted to grow up so that he could party like his parents did. When he was thirteen years old,
he began drinking. Because he had older brothers, alcohol was very accessible for him. His priest tried to help him and asked
him to give up alcohol for 30 days; he did, but then started doing drugs to numb his pain. And even though he was a smart
kid in school, he didn’t care what his marks were like any more. Ted’s father disciplined him very harshly; he found himself many times at the other end of the belt and his father’s knuckles. Ted felt lonely; he never remembered being hugged or encouraged. His father’s words were sharp and could cut the legs right out from in under him. He got into fist fights with his father and started to hate and resent him. Quickly, he lost respect for his father and he vowed to himself that his father would never hurt him again. Ted self-managed his hurts and all of his baggage by using drugs and alcohol. It was a time in his life when he felt like he wasn’t worth restoring. Satan came into his life full force, and teaming up with the enemy wasn’t a good thing. He left a trail of destruction behind him wherever he went. While on a three day binge, Ted broke into a college and ended up in jail. He didn’t know how to live anymore; he was full of hatred and bitterness. Realizing he was living a lifestyle that was killing him, at twenty years of age, Ted joined AA and went to detox. The specialists told him that he had an
Testimonial...
His Grace Magazine
addictive personality and that he suffered from alcoholism. But it was his way of medicating the pain he felt. He knew that he needed a transformation that only came from God. A relationship with Jesus can take the place of alcohol and drug addictions. Ted said to God, “If you can do something with nothing, here I am.” He was feeling rejected and totally worthless. The minister in jail told Ted to stop reaching out, and start reaching up to God. So he did. Ted gave up playing guitar for awhile to get away from the lifestyle he knew. But God spoke to him and told him to use his musical gifts, because everybody else will be blessed by it. God can make water flow out of rocks and make bread fall from the sky. Ted knows now that God looked at his life the same way that he looked at his Chevy truck;
it was worth fixing up. A man paid for Ted to go to Nashville and he cut a Christian country record. God restored Ted’s relationship with his dad. Ted learned that his father had to get drunk to tell his mother that he loved her. And even when he said it a second time, thinking that his mother didn’t hear him because of her age, his mother replied, “I heard you, Lawrence.” She couldn’t utter, “I love you” back to her own son. Ted realized then that all the love he was looking for from his father wasn’t given to his father. Ted’s heart changed and he started talking with his dad and told him that he loved him. They developed a great relationship together for ten years before his dad passed away. Amen, Jesus is the mighty Restorer. People go through all kinds of trials to become God’s instruments so that He can use us. God came for
November 2019
Ted Lynch
for more information, visit www.tedlynch.com
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the broken people in the alleyways and we are commissioned to go to those places as well. Now, Ted writes songs like “His Boots”, so that people can hear the message of God’s love. There is no love in this world that is as unconditional as Jesus’ love for us. He paid the penalty for our sins. We are so called to walk in our Father’s boots and let our hearts overflow as we sow His word. Ted is now a son of the Living God; adopted by the King. He has children of his own and is bringing his daughters up to have respect for authority. He never wants them to be afraid and he prays with his daughters regularly. Ted wrote a song called “Precious Seeds”, which is all about planting precious seeds of faith. He believes that good seeds can bring hope to life and bad seeds can hurt. We can stand on God’s word because His word recreates and transforms. It never comes back void.
Ted and the Harnum twins from St. John's, NL
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His Grace Magazine
Featured Artist...
November 2019
Tenth Avenue North Changing many lives with their music...
I
n the spring of 2000, the group, Tenth Avenue North, formed while members attended Palm Beach Atlantic University in Palm Beach, Florida. They felt a calling to minister through their music, so they began writing music in their college rooms and soon became known as Fraggle Rock. Just after starting out, they were asked to play at the university cafe. They agreed and the people in the cafe loved them. Many lives and souls were changed that night. Later, more shows were added, one being a student conference. After that performance, they decided to change their band name to Tenth Avenue North, taking its
name from an east-west road in Palm Beach County. Tenth Avenue North's original three band members were Mike Donehey, Jason Jamison and Bryan Homan. During the summer of 2002, they brought in their electric guitar and their second
lead vocalist, Andrew Middleton. Later that fall, the group headed out for their first tour, where they ate a ton of bologna. Tenth Avenue North won the 2009 "New Artist of the Year" award at the GMA Dove Awards in 2009, and their second single, "By Your Side", won the GMA Dove Award for "Song of the Year" in April 2010. The band's EP, The Things We've Been Aftaid to Say, which was released in 2018, speaks of topics covering casual sex, pornography, political outrage, hatred, shame, secrets, fear and sexual abuse. This year, the band released their sixth full length album, No Shame.
Book in Review...
November 2019
His Grace Magazine
Magnificent Obsession
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Who God says you are?
by: Anne Graham Lotz
Y
ou may know someone who is devoted to their church, who attends every week, but they just struggle to find the meaning and passion in their faith. They are in love with their families, they work hard at their jobs and in life, they give to their communities regularly. But they still feel lost; life feels insufficient and they are lost to the core of their being. What is actually missing from their lives? At times, their lives seem full; but the truth is, their lives are empty and hollow. They feel restless in their spirits; agonizing over the fact that there must somehow be more in life than this. Then there is the book called The Magnificent Obsession, from the talented Bible teacher, award winning author, Anne Graham Lotz ,,, the daughter of Billy Graham. She has gone through a lot of these struggles herself. Anne started going through and studying the scriptures, as she was trying to find a way out of her emptiness that she felt deep within herself. Anne began to find her answers in all the wonderful stories of Abraham from the book of Genesis. He was an ordinary man, who became an extraordinary man because of one reason: he started listening and following God in a
life strong in faith. Even with all of his struggles with compromise, fear, family arguments, his failures and disappointments, Abraham still became a man that God called His friend. Abraham didn't know where following God would take him. Anne decided to follow Abraham's lead, and she began a lifelong quest of getting to know God, as He truly is, in a wonderful, profound relationship. This was achieved through personal narrative, amazing stories, and God inspired insight. Anne invites us to begin drawing closer to God, who happens to be totally committed to us as He was to Abraham, and wants to call us His friend.
This book tells us how Abraham, through his struggles, got to really know God. It also tells how Anne did as well. Anne says, "If you and I ever truly know God, it will not be an accident. It will be because we have pursued with focused intentionality. It will happen when, like Abraham, we abandon every other goal, every other priority, and embrace the God-filled life until He becomes our magnificent obsession." It shouldn't surprise us that the way to truly knowing God is through His word; all we have to do is pick up the Bible and read His word. What a beautiful blessing, a gift from God that He gave and left with us. There is no other way; we need to read His word daily and get closer to Him through prayer. Abraham never had a Bible that he could read, but he did have God truly speak to him with verbal words; can you even imagine that? God verbally talking to us,. and God calling Abraham His friend. Isaiah 41:8 says: "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend." Begin your journey by turning your hearts from the pleasures of this world and turn them towards God as Abraham did. Read this book and have God call you His friend.
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His Grace Magazine
In Concert with...
Danny Gokey
November 2019
Upcoming Concerts...
D
aniel Jay Gokey, born on April 24, 1980 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, attended Christian Schools and sang with his family in church. Gokey rose to national fame when he placed third on the eighth season of American Idol. His wife, Sophia, had died from complications during her third
surgery to treat her congenital heart disease just four weeks prior to his audition. Danny credits Sophia for his success; she was a big fan of American Idol and encouraged him to be a contestant. Although there are no Canadian concerts, there is one close to the Canadian border: December 20: Gresham, Oregon East Hill Foursquare Church with Natalie Grant. In 2014, Danny released his second full-length album called Hope in Front of Me, which topped both the Billboard Christian Airplay chart and Mediabase Christian Adult Contemporary chart in late August of that same year. On June 5, 2016, Danny won
Male Artist of the Year and Breakout Single for "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" at the K-Love Fan Awards. In 2019, Danny won Male Artist of the Year at the K-Love Fan Awards. He is currently married to Leyicet Peralta, whom he met on the Sophia's Heart website.
November 2019
Bible Study...
I
His Grace Magazine
Isaiah 40:31
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Waiting on the Lord...
saiah 40:31 says: "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." The book of Isaiah has a lot of prophetic talk. God used Isaiah to talk about the coming of Jesus, even though Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Isaiah is talked about in the New Testament often, showing us the fulfillment of Jesus in his words. Jesus read from Isaiah when He was in His hometown at the synagogue and told them that the prophecies were fulfilled with His ministries. The concept of waiting on the Lord, as shown in Isaiah 40:31, shows us how we should be focused ... it ought to be the very mindset of every Christian. When we look at the New Testament, it often urges us Christians to be patient and to be thankful. We, as Christians, are to have a strong faith, even through troubled times. Waiting patiently as a Christian is, or should be, different than that of a non-believer. As we wait on the Lord, we know that, if it is good for us, then the Lord will deliver us in His time, not ours. If it is not good for us, then God will send us something that is
so much better and we accept it with a gracious heart. For a nonbeliever, if it takes too long in coming or if it's not what they wanted, they have a tendency of overlooking what was just given to them and they let it get away from them. What helps us to resist satan's temptations is to ask the Lord, and He will help us. Hebrews 2:18, says, "For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."
They shall mount up with wings of eagles: this part of the scriptures talks about the wings of an eagle, being strong and swift; an eagle knows when a storm is coming. The eagle will take off gliding and letting the pressure from the storm rise him up above the storm. It is an example of the motion of the eagle being heavenbound towards God and Jesus, which is the doorway of faith and hope, and trusting in the glory and happiness we will experience in heaven; the Lord
lifting us up as on the wings of eagles. Psalm 103:5 says: "Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle." They shall run, and not be weary: When we keep God's commandments, we stay true to God's word and stay in His will. When we obey, God delights in us and no matter what is going on in our lives at that time. He will give us all the strength that we need to run to the finish line and not be weary. And they shall walk, and not faint: Walk in the ways of God, lean on Him and trust in Him. When we are waiting on the Lord to help us go through the hardships of life, God becomes our strength; He walks with us; He lifts us up and even carries us through all of life's storms. With Jesus right there beside us all the way, we have nothing to worry about. If we go in our own strength, we will faint and fall, but if our hope is in heaven, we will be carried above all difficulties and will lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Deuteronomy 31:6 says: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
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His Grace Magazine
November 2019
G GOD O D IS
PLEASE SHARE GOD'S LOVE