ST Highlight

16 February 2018

Copying the Cottrills?

Jim Practical matters, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight 0

So, we love my parents, and we certainly want to emulate them, most of the time.

But, perhaps this is not the way to do it.

As usual, we haven’t reached their high standards, but – well, when my Dad completely lost his voice (while preparing to preach on Sunday), I decided that some voice problems, and a cough, would be the closest I could get. And yes, I’m preaching on Sunday as well. Hopefully!

Aarrrrrggghhhh So I’m sure the Cottrill men would appreciate your prayers! Actually, I think I’m starting to finally get over this sickness I’ve had for almost two weeks. But the bug is attacking my voice as its last stand.

And since my Mom has been struggling greatly with back pain, Shari decided to join the club, and sadly has been suffering a lot. She’s actually planning to go to a conference tonight, I’m not sure how she’s going to do it, but I’m sure that both the Cottrill women would appreciate your prayers as they try to serve in spite of the back pain.

(In case you somehow actually think we decided to copy my parents on purpose, I’m adding this addendum to clarify things for the most literalistic readers. The point is, the health hasn’t been great lately, and we would appreciate your prayers as we try to serve through this weekend!)

13 February 2018

Where did the Bible Come From? (seminar)

Jim Practical matters, ST Highlight 1

When we travel in Canada, we usually offer several seminars to churches, schools, small groups, etc. – you can see the current list here.

The “Where did the Bible Come From?” seminar may be a little harder to picture than most, so I want to share a bit of an outline of some of the things we cover. This was originally put together in Spanish as 8 studies, but last time we were in Canada I translated and “Canadianized” it, and condensed it into “part 1” and “part 2”, which could be a Friday evening/Saturday morning, or a morning/afternoon.

So here is a bit of an overview, with some of the things we do and cover in the seminar. If you’re in Alberta or Saskatchewan, and are interested, we can talk!

Where did the Bible Come From?

Day 1 (or morning)

The Four Witnesses

What is “evidence”? (Laura Secord and the Bible)
The surprising new religion of the first century
The Resurrection
Video: Can you respond to Deepak Chopra?
The claims of the Da Vinci Code
Group Activity: Compare a Gospel with a “Lost Gospel”

The Hebrew Scriptures

Wait – do we have too many books? Or too few? (Canon part 1)
Who wrote the “Books of Moses”?
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the copying of the OT

Day 2 (or afternoon)

Copy, Copy, Copy
Can we possibly know what was originally written?

Group Activity: Examine the ancient texts of Javier the Louse (and experience for yourself the brilliant way that God preserved His Word)
Common copying errors
Which books? (Canon part 2)
Answering the Da Vinci Code

Field Trip: The Bible Translation Museum

Today’s Bibles

Today’s Bible Versions (and where they came from)
The Bible: Key Words to know
Group Activity: Can you respond to these actual comments from Canadians about the Bible?
The Bible Origins Contest
(hand out prizes)

Final Review

So – where did the Bible come from?
9 Key Points to Remember
Key Passages
Final words from Ignatius of Antioch and the Apostle John

This seminar is for teens to seniors, suitable for a minimum of 5 people. Some set up time, tables and chairs, and the ability to show PowerPoint/video are needed.

As you can see, I mean to make this very practical, to help you in your own study of Scripture, and to help you answer what you see in the media, hear from a friend, or learn in high school/university.

Again, if you’re interested, contact us and we’ll see what we can do!

12 January 2018

Preparing for Upcoming Studies!

Jim Ministry glimpses, ST Highlight 0

One of the exciting things about the new year has been studying God’s Word, in preparation for upcoming studies, sermons, etc. There is no doubt that God has a lot to teach us in 2018!

I imagine unbelievers really can’t comprehend why we find so many answers to life’s problems in the Bible. And sometimes Christians are guilty of simplistic answers –

problem + verse = happyhappy!
That’s not the way it is, of course. In fact, it’s the deep, balanced messages of all Scripture that address the complex realities of life in challenging and complex ways.

Sunday School handout January 2018 We’re finishing up the Gospel of Mark this month, with the climax of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We started Mark a year ago. We’ll be looking at the wonders of our justification and sanctification as well in the next couple of weeks. And we continue with a discipleship study three times a week, taught by three different people. My first study of the year is tonight.

We’re also looking ahead to what we’ll be doing during our time in Canada (AB/SK) later this year (here are some of the things we’re offering churches and small groups). Can you believe it? Over 25% of our Sundays are already booked! (And we booked our flights back to Mexico today. Thank you, WestJet, for the great prices on direct flights!)

Here’s one of the passages I’ve been meditating on as I’ve been preparing for Sunday…

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11-14

21 December 2017

Wheelchair and Earthquake Outreach – Please Pray

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight 0

Yesterday Shari and Hannah joined Rod and Mayra and others related to our community centre for a special wheelchair presentation here in the neighbourhood of Santa Barbara. Several people in need of a wheelchair received one through our community centre and the Free Wheelchair Mission. There was a program with family and friends, in which the gospel was clearly presented. Tracts and Gospels

Please pray for everyone who heard God’s Word. Even with a “clear presentation”, there is so much confusion from false teaching here that it takes a miracle for people to understand and accept the gospel. Then again, it is always a miracle, in the truest sense of the word, when someone understands and accepts the gospel!

It’s amazing how many people are involved in a simple event like this. Obviously those who support the missionaries here are involved. But people were also given the earthquake tract provided through Camino Global, and also a Gospel of John. The Gospels were provided to us by the Pocket New Testament League.

Wheelchair outreach - December 2017

Please pray for the earthquake outreach that’s taking place today and tomorrow. We’re not going ourselves, but through our community centre and gifts donated through Camino Global (thank you!), we have a part in what’s happening.

We have a friend who is involved in building houses for earthquake victims. It’s an amazing process – I’ll have to tell you more about it sometime. Actually, for those of you who donated, we will try to send out more information in the new year.

A group from one of our related churches is going again to share the gospel and provide help in a community very much affected by the quakes. We’re able to provide four tents for four families. There are some who not only have no home, they don’t even have access to an outhouse.

The community centre is also very much involved in providing help in the state of Oaxaca, where we have contacts. We’re focusing especially on providing comizcales, which are special ovens that people use to provide food and income for their families. Many of these were destroyed in the quakes. As one woman in the region said,”I would rather have my comizcal than a pantry full of food”.

The words of one of our contacts in Oaxaca could be in the mouths of anyone trying to serve the people of Mexico in this difficult time. “Please beg God to keep in the hearts of the Christian Church their brothers and sisters in this region of the country… because this way, at least someone cares about us and remembers to pray for us.”

So please pray for all those travelling today and tomorrow to share God’s word and help those who are still so much in need after the quakes. And pray for those who are receiving, that they will understand the greatest Gift that God is offering them.

16 December 2017

Christmas is Coming…

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise, ST Highlight 0

… and coming fast! And along with it come the special activities of Christmas.

Friends at a Christmas Party
Shari with her ponche This week Shari went to a special Christmas party at the Path of Life Bible Church in Santa Barbara. The women from the Las Palmas church were invited as well. They enjoyed some special gifts and some ponche to warm them all up! (It’s been cold here, although it’s a little warmer now. Everyone, I mean everyone, is talking about the weather!)

Also, last week while we were in Pachuca, the church in the community of JesÃºs MarÃa had its first service in the still-in-progress sanctuary! Take a look at some photos and video at Rod’s blog – First Service in New Auditorium, JM.

We have been dealing with some health issues in the family. Without going into details, it has made it a tough week. If you’ve been praying – thanks!

Meanwhile, I’m getting ready for the upcoming services. I’m preaching tomorrow, so I’ve been thinking about that. And planning some music for the special Christmas service we’re having Friday night. This is a great time to meditate more on the incarnation of Jesus Christ. There is so much to learn – and so much wonder!

As a family we’ve been enjoying Come, Let Us Adore Him, an advent devotional by Paul Tripp. It might be a little late for this year, but I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something special for next year!

By the way, on Facebook I’ve been reposting some of my old Christmas posts. If you haven’t seen the series, take a look at Promises of a Messiah, a twelve part series about Bible prophecy and the coming of Jesus.

11 December 2017

Sunday in Pachuca

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, ST Highlight 0

Yesterday we went to the city of Pachuca, north of Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo. Pachuca is a city of over a quarter million people. And the temperatures are a little cooler than here!

Anyway, we went to La Iglesia BÃblica El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd Bible Church). We enjoyed worshipping with our old and new friends there (with lots of Christmas songs – even one or two that were new to me!), and I preached.

Preaching was a little bit interesting this time. I was quite sick yesterday – I don’t think I realized how sick I was until today (now that I’m feeling better). So I was in a lot of pain and – better admit it – I was cold! And I didn’t realize how cold I was until I was done preaching. Added to that, we had some technical difficulties – probably all my fault (they were actually really organized and helpful).

So, let’s say with the pain and cold I was a little tense up in the pulpit. But hopefully it was still understandable! As I have been reminded again and again – and as I actually mentioned in my sermon – it is because we’re weak that God’s power is visible in us.

After the service we split up into groups to hand out tracts and talk to people. Mostly short conversations, because people were generally in a rush. Actually, it was funny. I was trying to talk to an older woman who was selling poinsettias. But she was kind of ignoring me and giving short answers. Because – she was busy trying to read the tract that someone else in the church gave her! 🙂

For some people in the church, it was the first time they had done anything like this. So it was fun to be a part of it.

After than, a couple in the church took us out for some very yummy Mexican food, that made me feel a little better (in case you’re interested, I had enchiladas con cecina, in this case tortillas with cheese and green sauce with thinly sliced and salted beef. Anyway, we very much enjoyed our time with them.

And Shari was kind enough to drive us home!

On the way there, and on the way home, we saw a lot of pilgrims, on foot, bicycle, or in vehicles. It’s getting close to Guadalupe Day (the 12th) when people honour what they believe is a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. ‘Tis the season to not get a lot of sleep, as the “bombas” explode at all hours (as I write, another bomba just set off a car alarm a few metres away).

This is why now, more than ever, people need to hear the message of Christmas. It’s not a message that we can now do more things to find favour with God – or Mary – or a saint. It’s a message that God has sent His Salvation, a gracious gift.

Thanks for your prayers for days yesterday – and today!

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