Back to School Bash 2010 was a huge success!

Thanks to all of our volunteers, partners, and everyone who enjoyed the two-day event.

This year Liberty decided to share the Back to School excitement with a new community (East Mall & Rutherford) at Capri Park, that we have adopted just minutes away from our new location at 96 Shorncliffe Rd. Between Capri Park residents and our relationships with the extended Liberty family in the Lakeshore community we were able to hand out over 300 back to school back packs this year.

Thanks to our friends in Goderich Ontario that provided us with over 85 back packs filled with school supplies to distribute to young children.  Going back to school presents a financial burden that not every family can afford to carry.  So each year we enjoy providing some assistance to those families in need by helping their financial burden in hopes that we would develop strong lasting relationships within our community.

This year over 30 volunteers helped pack, deliver and build some great relationships with our community members and it’s such an exciting time in our neighbourhood to be apart of this huge need!

So thanks again for making Liberty’s Back to School Bash a huge success everyone!

Dave

How does Mickey Mouse, Make Believe and Ministry relate with one another?  

First of all I’ve got to tell you that I am a huge fan of Disney World in Orlando Florida.  Now don’t get me wrong I’m not into everything Disney.  I don’t have a Mickey Mouse t-shirt or any of the millions of other possible souvenier trappings that one can purchase from your local retail Disney store.  But after my recent trip back from Disney in Florida it made me think about how I can relate this incredible Disney experience to creativity and the ministry that I am involved with.

I must say that Mickey has reminded me of a few things as I gear up for ministry.

1.  Take care of the details.

2.  Be creative.

3.  Smile & have fun.

Those are just a few things I learned.  I also learned that be prepared to spend a tonne of cash as you try to enjoy your day in the Florida heat!

But what I really enjoy about Disney is the fact that everything they do requires a focused vision and a masterful medium to communicate this vision.  Disney’s vision is “to make people happy.”  Everything they do as a company must be fit into this vision- I think they have achieved this successfully and continue to each day.

At Liberty our vision is to help people “Discover their Destiny” in Christ.  Everything we attempt to accomplish has this vision in mind.  So as I recover from my day at Disney I am reminded that the vision God has given us in HUGE and more meaningful that just putting a smile on someone’s face.  It’s about putting purpose in the hearts and minds of people who need a saviour.  Isn’t it interesting that God can use a silly mouse like Mickey to remind you of what’s really important?

What is God reminding you about today?

Have any thoughts you want to share with us, encourage us with?

Dave

Camp InnerChange 2010 - In It To Win It!

What an amazing experience we had at a camp this year… lives have been forever changed, and memories have been created that will last a lifetime.  The kids, jr. leaders, and counselors were definitely “In It to Win It” and they were not just trying to win any random prize.  No these young children and future leaders were in it to win Jesus!  For those five days last week they were on fire for Him and we just pray that each one of them have taken the experience home with them, and will continue to walk it out in their daily lives!

Each year at Camp InnerChange children get a chance to get away from the stresses of city living and enjoy a Christ filled week away from all the distractions.  The picture above was taken during one of the worship services where all the kids were encouraged to write down their dreams for the future and then lay them on the cross & this was just one of the many life-changes moments experienced at Camp InnerChange 2010!

If you missed out this year - please don’t let the experience pass you by again because we all need to be “In It to Win It!”

Blessings,

Nina

Here’s a new and powerful song by Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman “Our God is Greater”.  I hope this song will encourage you how AWESOME God is!

The 90-Day Tithing Challenge is coming to an end at the end of July ‘10.  The 90-Day Tithing Challenge was meant to encourage those who are not consistently giving one tenth of their income to Christ to test it out over a 90 day period and see what would happen.

If you’re life isn’t significantly improved financially over the 90 Days of tithing to the church you will receive our money back guarantee!  Not something you hear from a church every day but we thought why not?  Give it a try and see how God will bless your faithfulness.

So if you haven’t participated in the 90-Day Challenge it’s not too late, start today!

We want to remind of you that this ministry is supported through the generous donations of people like yourself that catch the vision and take on the financial challenge.

There are many ways to donate to Liberty International Church:

1.  Follow the link to begin your online donation today!  DONATE NOW.

2. Cash or Cheque written to: Liberty International Church

3.  Soon we will be providing another great option pre-authorized monthly payment, which will make it much easier for you to automatically give.

4.  Personal tithing envelopes (box set of 52 weeks)- make sure you visit the resource centre and ask for your personal I.D. #.

Take a few minutes to watch this funny video, it’s a great way to remind yourself of your responsibility.

Thank you for support in making a difference in the lives of the families in the city of Toronto.

Be Blessed,

Dave

It has been a great start to the summer so far, and we’ve been enjoying some really wonderful weather.  But I must admit having three children out of school for two months can be quite stressful as I’ve come to realize this year.  This is the first summer vacation that my children are not in daycare and I now recognize the challenge that many parents face each summer — the kids are off but the parents are not!  So now what do we do???  That has been my question since the beginning of June when I realized I have to somehow find a way to keep my children (aged: 13, 9, & 7) busy while my husband and I both work…. believe me there is no easy solution, we’re still struggling to work out childcare arrangements for each week & we’re only halfway through month #1, YIKES!

Looking back now I felt confident heading into the month of July.  My son (the 13-year-old) had to attend summer school for math, which at first I thought was unfortunate because as a mom I expected more from him but thinking it over now I realize it worked out better this way.  He is occupied for the entire month of July learning, so I see this as a blessing for sure!  When I was looking for day camps  and summer programs for the girls I realized they are really expensive and not something our family budgeted for.  Luckily two churches that we’ve had great experiences with in our community offered free VBS programs suited for daughters.  Those programs took care of weeks 1 & 3 for the month of July, but this week was the one where I had no idea what to do about childcare…. I’m so thankful to have a supporting family that jumped in to help.  Thanks to my aunt, grandma, cousin, & sister - I didn’t have to worry about where the girls would be this week, and I’m hoping they will do the same for the last week of July too (just putting it out there in case they happen to come across this blog :)).

Looking ahead to August this is the first year that my youngest daughter is old enough to attend the FREE overnight camp offered by Liberty - Camp Inner-Change! She is so excited and our own camp will kick-off the childcare planning schedule for next month because I know I won’t have to worry about the kids from August 1-5 while they enjoy a week away from the city at Braeside Camp.

As for the rest of the summer….I’m believing God will work it out as long as I do my part too! Hope you all have a refreshingly blessed week!

Nina

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

To “fix our eyes on Jesus” means we are to look away from everything and look only to Jesus, the One Great One, who should be everything to us.  The challenge for us is to make sure that the distractions of life do not slow us down or knock us out of the race.  Jesus is the one who endured the cross and shed His blood for us so that our sins may be forgiven.  Jesus is the One who will make all things new.  We are to put our faith in Jesus and trust in Him only, no matter what our circumstances are.

Think about Jesus’ example… He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him.  So do not get tired and stop trying  [Heb. 12:3 (NCV)].

junn

Day 90

Scripture Reading: Revelation 20-22

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 22:20

²⁰He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

OBSERVATION - The Bible ends with Jesus’ promise that he is coming soon to which John responds, “Come, Lord Jesus”  This longing is shared by all true Christians. (1) This prayer is a confession that until he comes our redemption remains incomplete, evil and sin are not yet overthrown, and this world is not yet renewed. (2) We have every reason to believe that the day is fast approaching when he who is called “The Word of God (19:13) and “the bright Morning Star” (v.16) will come down from heaven to take his faithful away from the earth to his Father’s house, after which he will triumphantly return in glory to reign forever as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16).  This is our unfailing hope and joyful expectation.

APPLICATION - The time is getting closer, it is getting nearer to the return of our saviour so we must be ready to say as John did, “Come Lord Jesus.”  As aware we are of the attributes of God and how we are to live our lives we often disregard the imminent return of our saviour.  Let us ever be aware of this reality, this is truly the reason why we live and follow our Lord Jesus Christ.  Come Lord Jesus, we’re ready!

PRAYER - Come Lord Jesus I am ready. May my life live like this statement is true each day as I walk with you, may I share the love that you have so graciously and freely given to me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

So I hope you have enjoyed walking with us through the New Testament in 90 Days.  It has truly been an inspiring journey once again as each day brought new insights and wisdom that could only be gleaned from the Holy Spirit.  May your daily devotions continue and may you continue to grow in Wisdom and you seek the one who freely gives wisdom.

Dave

Day 89: Reading - Revelation17-19

Scripture:

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.  Revelation 17:14

Observation:

After all the happens our Lord God is still almighty and will reign over all things.  I take comfort in knowing that there is nothing of this earth that can overcome the One who created everything, and knowing that He walks with me always.  This just reminds me that there are only 2 options when it comes to God - either I am “with him” believing and following the teachings He has given me or I am NOT with him, there really is no option to waiver between the two.  This verse confirms that only “those with him are called…” & “those with him are chosen…” and “those with him are faithful”

Application:

I want to be “with” my Lord, in everyway!  To be with him I recognize that means being relationship with him more and more, depending on him, learning from him, glorifing him, and do everything that I do according to his plan for my life.  It’s not an easy feat but it is the only one worth trying to live out day-after-day.

Prayer:

Thank you God for loving me unconditionally.  I know that I don’t always get it right & Father I’m praying that when you return you will call me chosen and faithful!  Amen.

Nina

Day 88

Scripture Reading: Revelation 14-16

SCRIPTURE - Revelation 16:15

¹⁵“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

OBSERVATION - Suddenly, unexpectedly, we are to observe and be aware and ready.  The return of the saviour is soon and we are to continually watch for him to surprise us at any time.  The passage tells us to be aware not to be caught naked and not ready for the return of our Lord. Being naked means there is shame attached to this moment in time and we must always be ready for the return of Christ.

APPLICATION - Always be ready, never go out in public without your clothes on.  Seems pretty obvious to me however, there have been times when I wasn’t prepared well in advance and it seemed as though I was naked and went through an embarrassing moment that could have been avoided if I were clothed properly. Ever been there? This is something that you want to make sure you avoid at all costs, make sure you are ‘naked ready’ which means always be on your guard for the return of the Lord.

PRAYER - God may I always be on my guard.  May I live like it’s possibly the last day of my life each day.  May I make decisions and may my actions bring you glory and honour in all that I do.  In Jesus name, Amen.