Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Testimony or Gong/Cymbal?


So I see this image that's going around the internet apparently like wildfire right now. The image is a bill that a pastor received at a restaurant and the place automatically added a tip for him - 18%. His response? He crossed it out and said "I give God 10% Why do you get 18" and then put 0 as his tip amount, and then put his title of Pastor above his signature for good measure. Was this a justifiable response? Was it a good way to be a testimony for Jesus?

Personally? No. He should have just paid it and if he was offended by the automatic tip being added (a practice that I dislike restaurants doing personally) he should just never go back . He should never have said a thing. If he wanted to be a testimony he could have politely done so, not this. As another pastor I am appalled that he did this. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths about Pastors and Christianity. Is that what we are supposed to do? Go out of our way to insult people? No. We are to be a light in this world. He thought he was being a light, but instead he was the fulfillment of 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. So yeah, he blew it for the rest of us. Way to be a gong/cymbal...

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Hallway of Life


When in the hallways of life, we need to do our best to praise Him while waiting. This can be hard when we want our lives to get moving and yet we seem to be just wandering the hallway. People often ask the question does God really answer prayer? The answer is yes He does - either yes, no, or wait. We can handle yes, most of the time we can handle no, it's when we get wait we get frustrated. Wait? Wait for what? No one likes to be in the hallways of life waiting for a door to open, but sometimes we must wait. It can be a test to see if we'll be faithful, it can be God's way of stretching us to mature us and make us complete and not lacking anything as James 1 tells us. 

When I saw this photo, I thought: "What a great image for how it can feel when God's answers seem to be slow in coming." God answers everything in His time. We must be patient and trust that God has our best in mind no matter what the answer we get is. Sometimes the answer will be yes, but it is not the time so we wait in the hallway. Remember the Israelites? They had to wait 40 years to see the promised land. 

How do we react when in the hallway? Do we trust or do we complain? 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

My NEW BLOG page!


So this is my new BLOG page as the other one I had been using was hard for some to post replies and I wanted to be consistent with the other Life DJ's who use this service. There is a season for everything as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3b, 6b, and 7b 
There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

So yes, from now on, I will be speaking from THIS BLOG site. 
So stay tuned and God bless! :)

In the blink of an eye...

Jan 18, 2013, 9:11pm
Caution - video is a startling clip, view at own risk.


In the blink of an eye... we are absent from the body and present... where? With the Lord or in hell for all eternity? All it takes (as this video reminds us) is a moment of distraction or of poor road conditions or driving recklessly and our lives could be over. No more chances to receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. It's over. Are you prepared to meet God today? If you were to die and face Him and He asks what you did with His Son, Jesus, what would you say? Don't take chances, be sure today that you're saved!

Now just because we're saved it doesn't mean we need to try and get to heaven faster by driving recklessly, distracted, or something else. Be aware when driving, be safe.

Be aware in life, be saved! Remember, it can all end in the blink of an eye...

Phones or tablets instead of hard copy Bible?

Jan 12, 2013, 2:52pm


Is it okay for people to use their phones or tablets as bibles in church instead of using an actual bible? I know many churches ask people to turn off their phones to avoid that annoying ring in the middle of the service - especially the sermon - but what about those using it AS their Bible? Tough one isn't it? I think it's a great idea so long as they have the ringer turned off for the service. I know I have used my laptop to preach before, so using a phone or tablet? Not much different really.

I bet there was a debate about using paper originally as opposed to the traditional oral method. Times change, and having the Bible at our fingertips like that is a great thing. So I don't hold it against anyone using it like that - just please make sure the ringer is off?

Thanks!

_________________________________________________________________

Reply #1 - xfalloer - on Jan 12, 2013, 5:41pm

I don't disagree in what you say but it does distract others with them flashing and fingers moving. We could say but that's your problem if you can't focus but then where is the concern and love for our family. Secondly I have seen personaly where people start to do other things like texting, emailing and even croping pictures. We have to be very careful where we go with the use of technology.

_________________________________________________________________________________

My response Jan 18, 2013, 9:02pm 

I agree there does need to be caution in our use of technology, why are we doing it? Will it be beneficial? As long as it is used with others in mind and in using it to read the Bible during sermons and not texting or surfing the internet, then there is no harm. But if you are tempted to text or surf or more, then by all means... "If it ain't Jesus calling... shut it off!" (From The Fighting Temptations movie).

Trials and Blessings

Jan 5, 2013, 3:02pm

Let's be honest, who really loves it when we face the hard times? Anyone? Who likes losing work? Losing a loved one? Losing you own health? Etc? Not me.

The fact of life is that we will face hardships, just remember the words of James 1:2 - 4 where it says,2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It's hard to think of trials as blessings, yet they are in that they cause us to grow in our faith moving from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood. I think of poor Job in times of stress. That guy lost his wealth, health, family, and his own wife told him to curse God and die! Nice huh? His friends accused him of doing something wrong - nice... The point is, how did Job react? He accepted the good and the bad from God as part of what he should expect in his life, and his reaction and response had Scripture say he did not sin in all that he did. Di he ask God what was going on? Sure. Did he accuse God? No. That's the difference.

So when hard times come, our response is everything. Do we blow up at everyone around us because times are tough? Do we close ourselves in our rooms and not come out for days on end? Do we engage in activities that are harmful to us spiritually and physically? If so, then we have sinned. Our response needs to be that of Job, accepting the good and bad from God and considering it pure joy in that we know our faith will grow as a result of this latest issue in our life.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Update Jan 7, 2013, 9:38am

Okay, so point in case - this past weekend? Flu went right through our family, the tub in our washroom has started to leak just before I was to go and speak at Wasaga CC, my friend's father (Scott Jackson) passed away, my youngest seems to be in whine mode lately, and moey is still tight due to work situation for me. So, what do I do? Do I lash out at everyone around me because life seems to be "unfair?" Did I engage in questionable activities? I turned to the Lord with the situations with my family and I trust it to His hands
.

New Year's blessings and ideas

Dec 29, 2012, 12:09pm

Happy New Year to all! May the Lord be with you as you venture into 2013. Just some thoughts before we begin the New Year...

We all make resolutions right? I'm going to lose weight, be closer to God, be nicer, etc... We make these vows. What does the Bible say?

Matthew 5:33 - 37 says, 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g]also Numbers 30:2 says, 2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

So there you have it, don't make big vows, just let your yes be yes and your no be no. If you vow something to God - you better do it! Don't cop out! God will hold you accountable!

Now something different to think about...

We as people make vows or resolutions, but what about churches as a whole? I think churches should sit down before the New Year and decide what their resolutions should be for the upcoming year and see how they did from the previous year. A church New Year's Resolution! Something to think about!

God bless and have a great 2013 everyone! I will be back on Ask The Pastor Monday January 7th at 9 pm.

Pastor Andrew Robertson
Life On-Air Personality
Stayner EMC Youth Pastor

Christmas Blessings 2012

Dec 22, 2012, 1:34pm

Just wanted to take time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Ask The Pastor will be off for a couple of weeks, but back January 7th. I will still be doing my Saturday shift though. May the Lord be with you and keep you, may His face shine on you and your family and friends both now and always!

Luke 2:10 - 14 says, 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”


God bless everyone and have a blessed Christmas from all of us at Life 100.3, myself, my wife and family.

Pastor Andrew Robertson


Christmas myths billboards

There are two...


Christmas under attack, Christianity under attack. But is this really new? Not really. Herod tried to wipe out Christ as a baby when he ordered all children 2 and under killed when he learned of a king of the Jews being born.

The interesting facts about these billboards are that they are not from immigrants coming to the country and trying to force their religions on us, it is people born and raised here who have made it their purpose to try and wipe out all religion everywhere - Christianity, Mormonism, Islam, Judaism, etc...

The image they chose for the top one of Jesus on the cross is what we celebrate at Easter, why choose that over say a Nativity image? Harder to say no to a baby in a manger?

The point is as time goes on, we should expect this more as we see the Day approaching, the Day of the Lord. It's amazing how free will really messes things up for us isn't it? God didn't want robots, He chose to give us free will to choose Him freely.

In the end times we are told people will not love God , but 2 Timothy 3:2 tells us that and a whole list of the things people will love instead of God - and it sounds like today doesn't it?

All the darkness we see, the shooting in Connecticut, wars and rumours of wars in other places, disasters, etc... yet in the middle of the darkness there is light - JESUS.John 8:12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We need to wish people a Merry Christmas, but do it in love. I've heard of stories where Christiansbarkout, "It's NOT Happy Holidays... it's MERRY CHRISTMAS!" with a huge scowl. Yeah, that's showing the love of Christ...::)

So this Christmas, when we see people attack the real meaning like the billboards above, just remember that things like this must happen before Christ returns. In that we should actually take some comfort in seeing these... it means we're closer to home!

Just some things to think about! God bless!

See you Monday at 9 pm for the last Ask The Pastor before Christmas! It will return Monday January 9th!

Pastor Andrew

Huskie imitates baby!

I just had to comment on this! Watch this video...


Here this Huskie imitates the baby's vocalizations! I find it cute and interesting too as in Genesis 1:26 - 28 says, "26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”"

So here it seems in this video nature is following the created order of following the master's lead, even if it is a baby's voice the authority is recognized.

The question is do we recognize the authority of God in our lives in how we live? Do we hear His voice and immediately want to follow or try to run away? Something to consider. In the meantime, enjoy the video!

Pastor Andrew Robertson
Announcer at Life 100.3 and Youth Pastor at Stayner EMC

Recent attacks on Israel

Nov 17, 2012, 12:13pm

I've been watching the situation in Israel closely. Recent events remind me of the opening scenes of Left Behind where missiles were fired at Israel but were all taken down before reaching. What happens next is anyone's guess, but I am reminded of Scripture and how Jesus said there would be wars and rumours of wars, but also how that in the end times Jerusalem would be a target and one of the things to watch for - signs of the end times. Are we getting closer to the end? I don't know for sure, but whenever situations happen like this in Israel I watch closely.

I'm not someone who says "the end will be this day..." (we have enough of those types running around). But I will say that I believe we are closer than ever to the end times and Jesus' return based on world events - weather patterns and global catastrophes, wars, the situation in Israel, and more.

Revelation 22:20 b, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Hallowe'en thoughts

Original post from Nov 5, 2010, 8:32pm

Okay, so here's the deal. Every Oct 31 churches go through the debate - should we or shouldn't we participate in Hallowe'en? While I don't agree with dressing up as something like a zombie or vampire or so on, I do think we can use Hallowe'en as a time to be a witness. It's amazing that some people think it is a religious holiday. Maybe for the church of Satan and so on, but not Christians. I respect when people choose not to be part, not hand out candy, not allow their kids to go out trick or treating and so on. For them it is the right thing to do.

For us as a family, we have always tried to use this as a means to witness for God on a night when it is usually not seen as such. I will carve Christian themes into pumpkins such as the image of Christ, a cross, a crown of thorns and nails, or something like that. My boys are allowed to go out as long as they dress as something from the Bible or something Christian themed. For instance this year, my oldest went as King Josiah after we got a little king outfit for him. This is based on the fact that King Josiah was only 8 years old when he assumed the throne of Israel and he pleased the Lord all of his days. Since my boy is the same age right now, we thought this would be a cool thing for him to do - to be able to identify with a young boy who at the same age did so much for God. Our youngest went as Bibleman! I made the costume for my oldest originally like 4 years ago. We bought the mask, cape, and sword all those years ago, and then I took the time to dye some old clothes purple, and use fabric paint to paint on the Bibleman armour and symbol. It did spark a lot of responses around the neighbourhood. I was an angel using huge wings I had made years ago, and my wife was a bird - one of God's creations.

Another thing we did was to play Life 100.3 FM throughout the entire time of kids coming the door. A night when the atmosphere is usually not glorifying to God, we made a statement to praise God and be that light in the darkness with what we did. I have done this type of thing since before I got married, and my family carries on the tradition now. Just one way to bring the Light of the Gospel out on a night when it would usually be forgotten.

So whatever believers do on Hallowe'en is their choice. In doing what we've done, we have never had anyone say it was a bad idea, but rather a unique way to witness on the darkest night of the year. Whatever a believer does on this night is up to them, and we all need to respect the choices made. The only choice I would be concerned about is if the believer has a yard decorated with tomb stones, ghosts, etc... and they dressed up as some kind of night creature like a zombie, vampire, werewolf, etc... We don't need to give the enemy anymore help in that department. I hope this helps stir some talk about Hallowe'en and maybe some pauses for thought about how we can as believers turn this night into an opportunity to share the Good News of Christ.

_________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE from Oct 22, 2012, 12:43pm 

Here is a devotional I did for a youth group before about the history of Hallowe'en and what a Christian response can be to it today...

Halloween originated with the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland. The Celtic people were very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it - such as by helping their over 300 gods to defeat their enemies in battle, or by imitating the gods in showing cleverness and cunning. It was originally called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished.
"During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs"
(Celtic Mythology, p. 127).
During the Festival of Samhain, fires would be lit which would burn all through the winter and sacrifices would be offered to the gods on the fires, this would include animal and sometimes human sacrifice. Note, that sacrifices still occur on Halloween even here in North America, but by other cults and Satanic rituals now. This would happen just down the road only about 10 – 20 mintues away from the Bible college I went to in New York State for a year. We would be praying on our campus while these types of animal sacrifices would be happening not far away.
As the influence of Christianity spread into Celtic lands, in the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs, to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. In 834, Gregory III moved All Saint's Day from May 13 to Nov. 1 and for Christians, this became an opportunity for remembering before God all the saints who had died and all the dead in the Christian community. Oct. 31 thus became All Hallows' Eve ('hallow' means 'saint').
In 1517, a monk named Martin Luther honored the faithful saints of the past by choosing All Saints Day (November 1) as the day to publicly charge the Church heirarchy with abandoning biblical faith. This became known as "Reformation Day," a fitting celebration of the restoration the same biblical faith held by the saints throughout church history.
What should Christians do with Halloween?
As an alternative to the celebration of evil and death, Christians should rather do what Christians are supposed to do every day and that is shine the light of Jesus Christ. We should emphasize the Christian influences and strive to make Hallow's Eve a celebration of the acts of God through his people the saints. We should make it a day when acts of charity and a day that emphasizes the light of Christ instead of the darkness of evil. A day when people meditate on the acts of Godly people instead of ghosts and goblins.
http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html

So why have a Halloween Alternative like All Saints’ Day? To celebrate those who have gone before us that have been faithful to the Lord and have been an example to follow, to remind us to be an example to follow as we walk out our faith. The tradition of dressing up for Halloween was to try and fool spirits to think that the wearer was one of them so as to not be tricked by them or worse. So why have a dressing up contest here for us? Biblical themed costumes remind us of what God has done for us, what He is doing, and what He will do. It is not to appease some evil spirit, but more a reflection and celebration of our faith. Seeing examples of Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Samson, an apostle, even the very creation of the Lord from animals to trees to rocks tell of the Creator’s love for us and how He has been faithful, and continues to be that way to us. The tradition of carving out a pumpkin was originally to show the ancient symbols of damned souls, and to ward off demons. Today we can use the pumpkin to carve out testimonials to Christ such as the symbol of the cross, a carving of His face, the crown of thorns and the nails, other symbols of our faith to cause others to stop and think of Jesus. I once had Jesus carved out on my pumpkin on the front step and a kid at the door asked who the hippie was and his friend said, “That’s God stupid!” So pumpkin carving can be a time to share our faith through visual representations. So as we move into the activities tonight, think about these things. We are not celebrating Halloween; rather, we are celebrating God and His faithfulness to us as shown through the testimony of His saints over the years. This is why we celebrate All Saints’ Day and not Halloween. We can participate in Halloween in that we can testify about Jesus through our costumes and hand out candy with maybe tracts, play Christian music at the door like having Life 100.3 FM playing through the night instead of haunted house music, and more.
Scriptural References:
• The apostle Paul said Witchcraft is one of the acts of the sinful nature and those who practice it will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:16-21; see also Revelation 22:15).
• As believers, we are called to "Put everything to the test. Accept what is good and don't have anything to do with evil. [1 Thessalonians 5:21-22] or as other versions put it "Abstain from all appearance of evil." [1Thessalonians 5:22]
• Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Witches, monsters, ogres, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are to "Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are” [Ephesians 5:11]
• " Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? Is Christ a friend of Satan? Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't?” [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]
• " Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” Or devour as other versions put it. (1 Peter 5:8)

Ask The Pastor IS pastoral ministry!

Oct 16, 2012, 10:55pm

I have been doing Ask The Pastor on Life 100.3 FM in Barrie for 3 1/2 years now, voluntarily. I have done so because I thought it was a great opportunity to serve God in a way that reaches our generation - through radio ministry and the answers get recorded and people can listen to a Life pod cast in the week in they miss it. One thing I have encountered that has surprised me - people don't consider it pastoral ministry because it is not serving at a church somewhere.

Really? Not pastoral ministry? I have counseled people off the air staying almost an hour sometimes long after the ATP segment has been over because they needed a pastor to talk to and help them and pray for them. I have counseled through the week and prayed with people from all over the listening area - Barrie, Peterborough, Owen Sound, Huntsville, into Pickering, Newmarket, Angus, Wasaga Beach, and other places. The hour I spend per week is literally like a weekly church meeting done through the ministry of Christian radio. I have to prepare for each week like I would for a sermon. The congregation that meets Mondays at 9 pm is from all over and is in the thousands I have been told.

When I have been between churches and had interviews for church pastoral positions, I was asked where I was pastoring and because I was between churches I would gladly say, "On life 100.3 doing Ask The Pastor." To my dismay they would ask, "Yeah, yeah, but where do you pastor? What church?"

I am blessed that Life has been so supportive to me at times when I have been between church ministries. They see the programme as I do - pastoral ministry that can have reaching impact beyond a Sunday morning. I am at Stayner EMC now as Youth Pastor and the youth love the fact that their youth pastor is on the radio every Monday night taking tough questions, and is also a part of the Life Announcers as well.

To those who think what I do on Monday nights isn't pastoral ministry, not in the "real" sense, I would urge you to reconsider your position. In some countries all they have is radio. On Monday nights I am as much a missionary pastor to an audience as someone in a different part of the world. God has blessed this ministry He has seen fit to allow me to continue to do for these 3 1/2 years, and I have loved every minute of doing it. There have been people come to Christ as a result of the show, people whose lives have been impacted to live for Him more. It would be amazing to meet everyone who listened on Monday nights but highly impractical to do. Through the emails, texts, Facebook questions, and phone calls - and even the hand delivered questions - I have seen God's hand at work giving people a place to go when they feel they had none to turn to.

This is pastoral ministry - don't kid yourself. I pray for the programme and so do many others. I thank God and Life 100.3 for the opportunity to serve in this way. To God be the glory! A-men!

Pastor Andrew Robertson

Thanks... to who?

Oct 5, 2012, 10:24am

Having worked in the school system I always cringe when it comes to Thanksgiving. Why? The teacher asks what we're thankful for. The usual answers come up of family, friends, toys, my X-Box, etc. But no one says to WHO they're thankful. Once in a while I get surprised by the boldness of a child who says, "Jesus."

In society today, even the books used to talk about Thanksgiving in the schools have changed to be focused more on the feast and the friendship of the First nations people and the French and English rather than how they thanked God for getting through the harsh winter, the great summer, and a harvest that provided for all.

This Thanksgiving, it'd be great to hear more WHO we're thankful to as well as what we're thankful for.

As for me? I'm thankful to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the salvation He provided. I am also thankful for family, friends, and for the work I have and of course for Life 100.3!

God bless!

P.A.

CRTC Says no to 88.1 for Life

Sept 13, 2012, 12:19pm

The news is out. The CRTC said no to Life/Trust Communications to getting the new radio station at 88.1. There have been reactions to this - most supporting and holding Scott Jackson and all of Life 100.3 up in prayer as a result of the news. Some reactions have been harsh and unfounded criticism.

If I can offer a similar prospective to this situation of losing the radio opportunity...

I am a pastor without a pastoral role inside a church at the moment. I have been in the state for about a year now. I do pastoral ministry on Life every Monday night at 9 doing Ask The Pastor and I love doing that. I have had interviews this past year for pastoral roles and when it comes to that question about what pastoral work I'm doing I have said that while not currently in a church role, I am still doing pastoral ministry at Life - "Yes, but what church are you pastoring at?"

I have had great interviews with churches and they have told me so, then I get the "But we just felt we should go with another candidate." God knows why I haven't had a church pastoral ministry so far, and God knows why Trust Communications did not get 88.1. We have to trust that God knows exactly what He's doing - even if we can't see why right now.

Those who have reacted negatively to this ruling in that they say things like it meant Scott and Life are in it just for the money and other comments are harsh in their criticism and I noticed those same people did not have the boldness enough to leave their names. There will always be nay-sayers. If we know what we're called to do, then things like this while disappointing can be accepted as God has a different path for us to follow. We wait to see what His will is for us in these matters.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I know that sounds like a cliche verse at times like these, and so do verses like Proverbs 3:5,6 - yet they become even more important than ever during times of trial. We must trust that no matter what happens, God has our best interest in mind. He knows what is best for us. God was not taken by surprise by this. He didn't "wake up" and find the ruling didn't go the way He was expecting. He knew it wouldn't. The why is maybe because He has something better in store!

People can pray for things to happen, but we have to hold all our plans with open hands. A lot of people try to claim things in the name of Jesus and think because they have done so that their plans can't possibly fail. James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

So all I have to say is, God closed this door for a reason, and we just pray that God will show us the why. He might not - consider that too - until we get to heaven. We just pray that He would give us that ability to accept His will, and be at peace with it. Perhaps a stronger frequency will suddenly become available later this year? We don't know. We just trust God no matter the circumstances. In times like these I think of that Matt Redman song, "Blessed Be Your Name" and lines taken straight from the book of Job abut how the Lord gives and the Lord takes away - blessed be the name of the Lord. We praise Him in times of blessing and praise Him "when there's pain in the offering - blessed be Your name."

You, Scott, and Life, and the listeners here and in Toronto are in my prayers. As a born Torontonian I know what a game-changer it would have been to have Christian radio there. Obviously God just wants there to be more time and for it to be done a different way than what we were all expecting.

Be at peace Scott. You were faithful with what you had been given - and in God's eyes that means you were a "good and faithful servant."

God bless,

Pastor Andrew Robertson
Ask The Pastor Co-Host/Announcer
Life 100.3

On being the rookie DJ at Life 100.3


Okay, so at the beginning of the summer I began doing Saturdays 12 - 7 pm. I had been doing training since about late Feb or early March, but now it got serious! Remembering all the buttons to push... and NOT push. How to switch songs when needed, doing phone calls, and just doing the LIVE show itself! I also fill in where needed now too.

Steve Jones, the Programme Director, has been grooming me for this and works me hard, but I appreciate it and want to make sure I am doing the best I can. Old friends have called in or emailed or Facebooked me about "Hey! I heard you on the radio on Saturday!" And I get the "We've got a Life staff right here with us now!" at church. I'm enjoying the whole thing. I used to DJ at one point for Eric Spath's MBH Productions in Toronto years ago, and doing that was helpful for sure, but it was also different. Doing live radio is an experience unto itself. All I can say is God is faithful to allow me the opportunity to serve this way.

I have been doing Ask The Pastor for 3 1/2 years now for Life - doing radio pastoral ministry - a pastoral role to be sure as I meet with the listeners once a week and answer their questions using my pastoral training and God's help! It really is a radio church that meets weekly! Attendance fluctuates as listeners tune in and out. And now I have this added Saturday gig. All I can say is... I am loving it and God is good!

I still seek what else God has in store for me to fill up my weeks with work (pastoral ministry and/or EA/DECE supply at the school board), and so I seek what it is God has in store for my family and I in the meantime. I think of Job and how he was tested as far as anyone could go - losing all his wealth, health, family, friends who accused him of wrongdoing, and a wife who "lovingly" told him to curse God and die. Now THAT was rough! God sometimes allows things to happen to us for a long time to test our resolve, to see if we trust Him no matter how bad things get. Sometimes I feel this about my current very limited work scenario and how long it has been. I ask, "God is this a test?" I guess He's waiting to see how I'll do... pass or fail.

The world will hate us

Aug 29, 2012, 12:52pm

Sometimes Christians are of the illusion that when they come to Christ all their troubles will disappear. That's just not true. In fact, Jesus said the world would hate them an account of His name.

John 15:19
New International Version (NIV)
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

He said before that the world hated Him and no student is greater than their Teacher, no servant greater than their Master. We need to be ready to suffer for His name. In the end times the suffering for His name will increase. It will show us who really is following Christ and who is just "doing church" or going through the motions and yet it's not real in their hearts.

The big question is - are we ready to suffer when it comes to it? It will come - maybe in our lifetime, maybe not. But it will get worse before the end and Jesus comes again to make things new. Are we sold out for Him? Or playing the game?

When Life Is Tough

Mar 27, 2012, 11:19pm

As I write this I am going through one of those valley times in my Christian walk. I see no light at the end of the tunnel, there is no definite indication of what is going on in my life. My wife has the job at the hospital doing the Sleep Lab thing - which is great and God has provided there - but for me? Our family left Mt. Pleasant EMCC back on September 25 and there has been slight "blips" to try and be somewhere else serving full time as a pastor. I've been called too young, not enough experience, too old maybe for youth or kids, not flamboyant enough, etc. I had had churches ask if I was interested but they could only offer a part time salary and the church had like 20 people max. My degree for my B.A. in Ministry with Prairie is almost done. I am taking my last two electives simultaneously and everything is due by April 26th.

But when that is done does that necessarily mean the floodgates will open? There's no guarantee of anything. When waiting on God's timing, even for pastors sometimes the waiting is what makes it so tough. What do you do? What do I do? I look to God and still trust Him that He knows what He is doing and He is still guiding. Where to is what I don't know yet - and that can be scary.

Proverbs 3:5,6 is a passage I have always clung to in times of stress, uncertainty, and pain... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Passages like that and Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." can sometimes feel hollow when we're going through the pain. Think of Job and how he lost everything except losing his life and yet he did not accuse God of wrong-doing. How many of us when we're going through hard times have not accidentally (or maybe on purpose) accused God of being against us?

For now, I am getting my degree finished. For now I am doing guest speaking (and leading worship) when called on by churches in need of pulpit supply, rotating speaking in Communion and youth at Pinewoods Chapel where we attend, and waiting on the Lord to open the door He wants me to go through.

Yes I did listen to James MacDonald this past week and the whole Perfect and Permissive Will thing. That yes God wants us to be holy as He is holy, that's His perfect will for us - to live according to His precepts. His permissive will? To allow me to make choices and ensure that what I'm doing is in line with Scripture. There are times when God does move us to something new and we need to be ready to listen and respond. Sometimes God wants us to just stay put and relax for a while - and a while in God's terms? However long it is until He's ready to move us again. That's tough. Trusting in the "silent" times is tough. As humans we want God to show us a bright neon sign that says...

THIS WAY>>>

...but that isn't God's usual way of operating. Lots of prayer, of fasting, of seeking His face, and then making some decisions on our own is how we need to proceed.

So take it from someone in the valley right now... God is still on the throne, He still loves and cares, He never gives up on us, He never abandons us. I ask the question, "God during this time, what are you trying to teach me?" The answer keeps coming back, "Trust me, and wait..." So that is what I and my family are doing - trusting and waiting.

How about you? If you're in the valley, are you trusting today? Or are you seeking to grab control of the reigns?

"Fan" or "Like" Jesus?

Feb 16, 2012, 11:42am »[Quote]

I posted this on Facebook and Google+ and Twitter, but I thought I should post it here...

We see a lot of people wanting to be a "Fan" of Jesus - be it on Facebook or wherever. I just want to say, "I'm not a fan, I'm a follower of Jesus!" A fan can sit by and watch, a follower has to get off the couch and into the game! Too many in the church (and outside too really) are just "Fans" of Jesus, or they "Like" Jesus but they aren't willing to commit to Jesus 100%. Something holds them back. When Jesus told His disciples to "Come follow me," they left all they were doing and immediately followed Him. Like the old Stephen Curtis Chapman song said, "With reckless abandon they came..." I wonder if people followed Jesus today with that same recklessness that the disciples had how that would impact our churches today.

Would there be an explosion of volunteers in churches to do things? Would there be an increase in attendance on Sunday mornings instead of taking kids off to their latest sport or parents to something else? Would there be a huge increase in how people tithe? So many churches are hindered by people not being dedicated enough so they don't come on a regular basis, they don't tithe (which really hinders a church) and they don't get involved in serving - something that goes against what James 2 talks about - that faith without deeds is dead. How many "dead" people are sitting in our churches on a Sunday morning?

Don't be a "Fan" of Jesus, don't just "Like" Jesus as the social websites would ask, instead be devoted follower of Jesus who is ready to give their all!

God bless!

Pastor Andrew

Sci-Fi and Fantasy and Comics and the believer



Okay, most people who know me know I like a good sci-fi and fantasy and comics stuff. But where do I draw the line? What is a "good" sci-fi, fantasy, comic and a "bad" one. Well, good is a great story, great visual effects, great acting, and positive message. Bad is really cheesy effects that looks like it was done by a Gr. 9 stage show, the story is lame, the acting is atrocious, and more. Now where do I draw the line? Things like Star Wars/Star Trek/Dr Who/Stargate/Firefly/Farscape/Babylon 5/etc... I know are not real, the ideologies of the characters and philosophies are unique. Aliens aren't real either - so far as we know. Now as far as fantasy - things like Narnia/Lord of the Rings are good showing the power from God - even if it is veiled - you look long enough and you can see where Gandalf got his powers from. But things like Harry Potter where you know it wasn't God that gave them their powers, but the other guy, and they teach kids to use witchcraft to satisfy themselves and so on - a real indoctrination into witchcraft - i draw the line there. I will never show my kids a Harry Potter film.

Comics? I'm picky there too. Most of the mainstays of say Superman, Batman, Hulk, Spiderman, are still decent for the most part. I stay away from characters like Spawn, Ghost Rider, Hellboy, and the like. I like DC's Zauriel, the Christian comics series Archangels by Patrick Scott, Angel Wars (although this leans towards the kids). it's too bad there aren't more Christian comics out there. Not ones that all they do is have 25 pages of someone preaching about Jesus, but ones that have great characters, good stories, superheroes, and they come at it with from a Christian perspective. The same for sci-fi and fantasy - there should be more Christian elements. Instead, a lot of companies won't produce it unless it is Veggie Tales or something similar. Sad.

If there were heroes of old empowered by the Holy Spirit to do great things (Moses, Elijah, Samson, Solomon, etc) then why not have modern comics telling of superheroes who got their powers from the Lord? It could be a great thing, a great alternative to what has been put out there. Just food for thought because Christianity is not supposed to be "here's recordings of us sharing our faith for a story" but our faith is supposed to be in every area of our lives - so think of this in terms of writing superheroes - it's in every part of their lives. They're not going around sharing the Gospel as their superhero duty, it should be just something that ebbs out from them as they do what they do like us in our day to day jobs. Same with sci-fi and fantasy - God is in the middle of a crisis in "middle earth" or in "a galaxy far, far away." People living their lives and how they live can either give them a chance to share the gospel or cause people to turn away. Yes take every opportunity to preach the Word, but when we're doing our jobs, are we sitting there on the assembly lines or teaching or digging or computing saying things like, "Now as I do this, I am reminded of John chapter..." can you imagine people around you if you did that? But just living out your faith causes people to look and say - "Hey! I want that!" This is what I envision when I say Christian superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy - the characters living their lives doing what they do - and if they get a chance to share about their faith then great, but not running around spouting Bible verses in each and every sentence they say. Just showing the love of Christ.

Osama Bin Laden dead - a Christian reaction

May 2, 2011, 8:43am

Okay, news broke out last night about Osama Bin Laden's death, how the US forces found his $1,000,000 mansion bunker and killed him in a fire fight in Pakistan. The world has looked on and especially in the US there was celebration.

How does a Christian react to this? While we never rejoice at the loss of a soul who will wind up in hell for eternity, we can take comfort that the Lord's justice has prevailed in bringing this agent of evil to and end. This was an enemy of the Lord as well as he declared Christians to be infidels and that they should be killed. You take on the Lord and you will be sorry! Osama has found out the hard way what it means to go against the Lord.

I do not rejoice that the man is dead, he will be in hell separated from God for eternity, I am glad his reign of terror is over, and I pray that none will try and assume the mantle of leadership from him in the Al Queda organization.

This is an historic day, it is the same date that Hitler was killed on many years earlier. As this will have affects the world over, may we keep in mind the words of Jesus,Matthew 5:43 - 45 "43 �You have heard that it was said, �Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.� 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Good Friday

Easter is nice for sure that's the conclusion to the account of Jesus last week on earth for His earthly ministry. Good Friday? This video I made a few years back sums it all up as to what Jesus went through for us...



That video is a powerful one for sure, and is a visible reminder of Jesus' love for us. Good Friday and Happy Easter everyone!

P.A.

Christmas Memories

Dec 2, 2010, 7:03pm

I remember growing up and how my parents did the "Santa" thing for us and made it so fun. As a kid I remember my mom's Christmas party she threw every year for years, and one year as a little child a friend of the family looking out the window and seeing the red light of a plane and yelling out for us kids, "Look! There goes Rudolph! Better get to bed quick!" We ran upstairs and got to bed and I don't think I ever fell asleep so fast - maybe the first night as a parent from being overtired? My mom threw these great Christmas Eve parties at our place and they were always packed with friends from church. Sometimes we sung carols, sometimes watched Christmas specials, but always lots of food and egg nogg (not the spiked kind of course).

Today, for our kids we let our kids enjoy the fun of Santa, but remind them that all good gifts come from above, and that we give gifts to each other to honour Jesus. We have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday" to Him. We also say their gifts come from Jesus Himself. They help decorate the tree and the outside with us too. We always a nativity scene out front - our is the Mary and Joseph we bought from Canadian Tire that light up so everyone can see we celebrate the traditional Christmas.

So Merry Christmas to everyone if I don't blog again soon!

If I were a TV producer

Nov 17, 2010, 6:58pm

This was a suggestion from a friend. So if I were a TV producer, what would I do? Well, a Christian station unlike the rest...
1) TV shows for kids before and after school that are fun - Angel Wars, Bibleman, Veggie Tales, and more.
2) A time for music videos of the latest and some retro videos
3) Christian movies
4) Christian TV shows
5) A time for interactive sessions such as maybe a televised ATP or something
6) News
7) Sundays would be preprogrammed shows from around the country, both praise and worship videos, church services, and so on

It's kind of like having Life 100.3 for TV!;D
That's what I would do. What do you think?

Old? Blended? New?

Oct 29, 2010, 2:42pm

So here is a touchy subject in may churches across North America and beyond. What style is acceptable in church for worship - music? Is it the old and tested hymns? The choruses of the 60's - 80's? The Blended style of bringing the best of the old and blending it the best of the new? Contemporary - all new praise and worship music including new hymns? Beyond that even to include the "louder" styles to reflect the congregation such as using reggae, rap, dance, metal? Or how about the use of non-Christian music in services by bands such as U2 to draw in the unchurched? Music has been such a hot issue over the years in many churches. Do we use drums? Organs? Electric guitars? Orchestral instruments such as flutes, trumpets, trombones, tubas, and percussion instruments rather than a drum kit? Issues such as these have divided churches much the embarrassment of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. People who are not believers see this and decide to not want anything to do with church because we can't behave ourselves - shaming the name of Christ.


My personal thought is to blend everything. What do I mean when I say that? I mean, use the old hymns and old instruments when called for, use the choruses of the 60's - 80's when called for, use drums kits, electric guitars, keyboards, pianos, trumpets, flutes, tubas, and so on when called for. Use the new worship music and new hymns, and use the harder styles that reflect those in the congregation who enjoy it. Let's not be afraid to use a rap song, a reggae song, a metal song, and more once in a while to show we can be relevant to ALL walks of life. When you look in the Psalms - worship was anything but tame, it was wild and exciting! David told us to use anything to praise the Lord, he told us to dance with all our might before the Lord - I don't think in our underwear would be appropriate though before the congregation. The point is musical worship is not confined to our boxes, and niether is God. God made music, Lucifer messed it up, and now we need to reclaim all music for the Lord - all styles, all instruments, and all ways to praise our Lord. The point of worship is to worship in Spirit and in truth. To let out hearts and minds work together in our praise of God. New songs help inspire - in Revelation it talks about when we get to heaven we will sing a new song. So even in eternity new songs will be written. Probably new ways to do it too will be done that we haven't thought about. God is the God of creativity. Our job in our worship services is to be creative in leading people to a place to worship God. We need to be sensitive to everyone in the congregation - young and old alike. Every style should be looked at to see how it might fit in. Granted - not everything will work and we need to be ready for that. Trying to sing some of the stuff on 3SN on Life 100.3 on a Sunday morning just isn't going to work - depending again on your church of course.


So all this to say that music worship on a Sunday morning needs to be creative, fresh, respectful, vibrant, flexible, and wild. It needs moments of unbridled, let-it-rip songs, and time for reflective heart moments to lead people to hear what is about to be said, and also to reflect on what has been said. Let's not put the Spirit in a box - but be box-breakers! John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God bless!

What IS worship?

Oct 29, 2010, 2:41 pm

When we talk about worship, we usually think about music because we have worship teams in our churches. But does worship encompass ONLY music? The answer is no. Worship Arts covers music (worship teams, choirs, special musics), interpretive dance (dance to Christian music that has a message), drama, visual arts (paintings, wall hangings, sculptures, scenery on stage, the decoration of the church itself), audio visual (which is part of the worship team) using creative videos and powerpoints and presentations to convey a message, and more. But does worship stop with these?

The answer is no. Worship is much more than all these, worship is an attitude we have before our Lord and Saviour. Worship is our tithes and offerings, worship is prayer, worship is reading Scripture, worship is how we serve in the church, worship is how we interact with the body fo Christ. Worship is also how we interact with those that aren't believers, how we live our lives day in and day out. When people see us, do they see the love of Christ flowing from us, or do they see no difference from the rest of the world in how we live?

When Jesus spoke in John 4:23-24 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (NIV) What did He mean? He meant our lives should be an act of worship. Paul reinforces this in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship." (NIV) So are our lives living sacrifices? Do they reflect an attitude of worship? Or does the world even notice the difference between us and them? Some words to think about. God bless!