Holy Spirit Moving

May 16th, 2010

We’ve been experiencing a real sense of the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts of people in our Sunday Worship.  Last week our message was about forgiveness and seeing that it was Mother’s Day, it was a pretty powerful time.  Many people who come and worship with us have had broken relationships in their lives - with spouses, partners, parents and children - including their mothers.  Some feel great shame at what their lives have become and have cut off contact with their mothers over the years.  This makes for a very emotional time for them, but I suspect that they’re drawn to church on Mother’s Day.

Some of the women are particularly sad on Mother’s Day because they no longer have their children with them.  Some have had to be brave and give up their children to be raised by someone else - some for adoption.  This is a particularly painful subject for them.  We see these women around and we pass by them without even considering that this is a deeply painful subject for them.  Many times their behavior or acting out is a result of this pain, a sense of giving up on life.

Today’s message from Major Ed was about not giving up and he shared from the New Testament what Paul said in Philippians 3:

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ed urged people that when things get tough, not to give up.  He encouraged them to stick to their goals and keep on fighting till they win the prize.  Many are trying to stay clean and sober, some are working hard to overcome illness and depression.  One in particular is trying very hard to jump through the hoops to have custody of her son. 

Again this week when the invitation to come forward for prayer was made, several were moved and came forward.  Kneeling at our humble mercy seat, tears flowing, they brought their burdens to God and laid them at His feet. 

Please continue to pray for all those who come seeking help.  Many need a Savior and Jesus longs to enter their lives. 

Today the Lord reminded us that He is at work among His people.  He reminded us that no matter how bleak a life may seem to us, He has a plan and a purpose for that life.

 grace… Kathie

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Winning Over Evil

March 7th, 2010

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We just finished a wonderful 17 days of epic proportions.  Our national pride burst from the seams and we watched on the edge of our seats as our athletes battled for the gold.  Many lost, but their losses were drowned out by the screams and cheers for those who won.  The 2010 Olympics showcased for us those who are willing to work through pain and difficulty and even sometimes tragic experiences and to show us what true courage looks like.

However, no amount of gold medals and national pride can erase the very truth that evil roams this earth.  We see its devastating effects right here in the Vancouver area, right here in Maple Ridge.  That’s why The Salvation Army had it’s teams of volunteers out giving out information on our Anti Human Trafficking efforts during the games. (see www.thetruthisntsexy.ca)

Sometimes evil comes along disguised as some seemingly innocuous event or behind the masks of peace worn by so called agents of Grace.  Sometimes you can’t see it until it hits you between the eyes.  That’s why it’s really important to educate and therefore arm yourself against the “wiles of the devil.”  Where better to look than God’s word for help to prepare ourselves for battle. - check out Ephesians 6.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

I love this passage because if you look carefully beyond the military uniform metaphor, you’ll see a picture of a Holy, Spirit filled believer.  And notice that this passage doesn’t have anything about the actual “fighting” part.  Think that’s strange?  Think again.  Listen to what the passage is saying…. Stand firm.

  • You need to know the TRUTH.  Why?  Because the devil is the father of lies.
  • You need to have a Heart for HOLINESS - that’s what the Breastplate covers - your heart and other vital organs.
  • You need to walk in PEACE - taking the message of peace wherever you go.
  • You need to hold on to your FAITH - even in hard times when it’s not going your way, you must still believe, it is your shield against the enemies attacks.
  • You need to protect your head with your helmet of SALVATION - the knowledge of your salvation is vital.
  • You need to speak GOD’S WORD - that is your weapon! Memorize your scripture and speak it out when evil is near.
  • PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!  Go about your day walking in a continual conversation with God.

Notice that nowhere does it give instructions on how to go out and engage the enemy?  Spiritual Warfare buffs often like to talk about getting ready to take on Satan and go looking for skirmishes.  But the Bible is pretty clear.  Evil is everywhere and you don’t have to go looking for it.  It’s going to come looking for you.  So be ready.  Ready to stand firm.  Prepare yourself.

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Are you prepared?  Is your armor on?  Watch this video - I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAN_F_Y4j74

Have a great day!

Kathie

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Lives Restored

January 30th, 2010

What the locust swarm has left
       the great locusts have eaten;
       what the great locusts have left
       the young locusts have eaten;
       what the young locusts have left
       other locusts have eaten.

Sometimes, life can get overwhelming.  Sometimes it can take us to the breaking point. 

 

  • An unexpected illness. 
  • A relationship goes sour. 
  • The loss of a loved one.

 

When things like this start to pile up, we begin to feel desperate, desperate for relief, for an end to it.  We pray, begging God for help.  To cope.  To stop the pain.  To take the burden.

 

The book of Joel tells us of another time of devastation when the Locusts came.  They ate everything in sight.  There was no wine left, no vines or trees, no harvest.  There is so much devastation that Worship was disrupted because there was nothing for the offering.

 

When it gets so bad that it interferes with our relationship with God, that’s serious. 

 

Many of the people here at The Caring Place have seen their share of disasters.  They have faced many of these circumstances and some even more devastating. For many, their view of God has been skewed and they will often blame Him.  Or else they will deny His existence.  Filled with shame and unresolved anger, they turn to something different to cope with their devastation. This makes it very difficult to help them. 

 

When disaster and devastation come upon us, what do we do?  What can we do? 

 

We stop everything and turn back to God.  Joel 1:14 says to put on sack cloth and mourn, fast, pray – calling out to God. 

 

We mourn - we express our emotions.  We recognize our grief and work through it.

 

We fast - we get rid of all distractions and we spend time with God, focusing on seeking Him.

 

We pray – Joel says to gather the elders – so we call the elders, church leaders, and ask them to gather with us and pray with us.  Here at The Caring Place there are many staff who can stand in that place.

 

Many people that we work with here don’t know the healing power of Jesus Christ our Lord.  They need people to guide them to Him.  They need us to step in and pray for them - pray with them.  And as difficult as it is to reach them, it’s actually easier than it would be if they were rich and successful.

 

And when we reach them, they are able to find life again.

 

And God says…

25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
       the great locust and the young locust,
       the other locusts and the locust swarm [f]—
       my great army that I sent among you.

 26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
       and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
       who has worked wonders for you;
       never again will my people be shamed.

 27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
       that I am the LORD your God,
       and that there is no other;

When we turn to God when devastation strikes we find restoration.

 

  • He restores what was lost.
  • He offers comfort
  • Everything the locusts have eaten will be returned.
  • He will give even more, pouring out his Spirit on us

Many here have found that healing.  Many have had their lives restored.  God has poured out His Spirit on many.  We praise Him for that and we give Him all the glory.

 

grace… Kathie

 

by Major Kathie Chiu

 

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Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking

September 27th, 2009

As we were worshipping today I looked around and saw the faces of many different kinds of people. At the Caring Place Ministries, we’re a mixed bag. There’s the secretary, the retired officer, the contractor, the shelter resident, the recovering addict, the meth addict who’s in the survival sex trade and the family who came in early for lunch and sat for the last half of the message. It was to this motley crew, this church family that I spoke about Sexual Human Trafficking. For most people in most churches (now, I’m generalizing here!) this is not a usual topic for Sunday morning church. But at The Caring Place we’re used to talking about the hard stuff that our society faces and what our place as the church should be in our community.

So today we prayed for those involved with Human Trafficking and I invite you to pray along with us. Pray for:

Those who are vulnerable to being trafficked:

- for economic development opportunities in their countries
- for social justice for the poor
- for protection against the schemes of the enemy
- for broken families and the emotionally abused

Those who are victims of Sexual Human Trafficking:
- for mercy
- for protection
- for rescue
- for healing

Those who are the perpetrators and who are taking advantage of those being trafficked:

- for repentance

- for justice

- for healthy marriage relationships

Those who are working to bring attention to the issue and rescue those being trafficked:

- wisdom and understanding

- protection

- strength and courage

- for authorities to listen and respectful dialogue

Thank you for praying.

grace… Kathie

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Welcome to the Caring Place Ministries Blog!

June 24th, 2009

In 1990 The Salvation Army started a small church plant here in Maple Ridge called Mountain View Community Church. The first pastors were Lieutenants Russ & Judy Holland – their first church after their ordination – and they were here for five years building up the church. They opened a small store front as a church office, where they gave out emergency hampers, and on Sundays they worshiped in Harry Hooge Elementary School.

Senior Pastor Ed Chiu, Darrell Pilgrim – Director of The Caring Place Ministries, Pastor & Exec. Director Kathie Chiu, Business & Property Administrator Manda Poole, Shelter Supervisor Michael Emery, Food Services Supervisor Tim Sarsfield (absent).

Senior Pastor Ed Chiu, Darrell Pilgrim – Director of The Caring Place Ministries, Pastor & Exec. Director Kathie Chiu, Business & Property Administrator Manda Poole, Shelter Supervisor Michael Emery, Food Services Supervisor Tim Sarsfield (absent).

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