Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week. We’re back from our trip, which was amazing. Thanks to those of you who prayed for us. It was nice to get away.  I’ll be away again though this Sunday as I’m in New Brunswick speaking at a conference on behalf of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. But I’m excited to be back and be able to share Easter weekend with you all. May we all be inspired and encouraged by the cross and the empty tomb!
 
 
Good Friday Breakfast and Service
Please plan to join us for a breakfast on Good Friday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m. at the Guelph Bible Conference Grounds located beside Guelph Bible Chapel.  There will be a sign up sheet in the church foyer for the next two weeks.  Please consider inviting family and friends to join us for breakfast and the church service to follow.  
The Good Friday communion service will be held at GBC at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7 and will include music led by Jamie Iles, communion and a Good Friday devotion from Ken Tamminga.    
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we prepare for Easter
We shift focus from our series on Romans to the essence of the firm foundation our faith stands on- what happened that first Easter weekend nearly 2000 years ago.
This year we will be sequentially following several key elements of the Easter story culminating in our celebration service on Easter Sunday, April 9.
This Sunday Pastor Dan will be speaking about Palm Sunday and how it ties to Easter. 
If you’d like to prepare, you can read John 12
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Who’s Got the Body? Part 3
                                     …an examination of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
Tuesday, we spent some time looking at the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. As a reminder, things like this are used to strengthen our faith and answer questions that may arise.  So, here’s the last one, and perhaps the most powerful:
The Appearances of the Risen Christ
For 40 days after His death, Jesus was reported to be seen alive on earth. It was reported in the scriptures and also in extra-biblical sources like Josephus, who I’ve mentioned before.
How do we explain this?
Some say these were hallucinations, but do the accounts show that?  Only certain high-strung and imaginative types of people usually have such psychic experiences. Yet a woman, a tax collector, several fishermen and more than 500 people at one time claimed they saw Him. Hallucinations are very individualistic– contrasting with the fact that over 500 people saw the same thing at the same time and place.
Two other facts undermine the hallucination idea. Such imaginations are usually of expected events, yet the disciples had lost hope after the crucifixion. Also, psychic phenomena usually occur in cycles, but the appearances came in no set pattern.
Attempts to explain away the appearances run into a brick wall of facts. The facts point to one conclusion: Jesus is risen.
Of course, the above is not exhaustive proof, but rather a reasoned examination of the evidence. For us now, we must each consider and evaluate the evidence ourselves to determine the truth of the resurrection claim. If the facts support the claim, then we can conclude that He arose. In any case, a mere intellectual assent to the facts does nothing for one’s life, we need to do something with it.  So yes, we take this on faith but its also supported by facts. I believe this, do you?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning!  Hope you all are well!  How are your Easter plans coming, spiritually?  Don’t let it just happen, use this as a chance to deepen your walk with God.
 
 Oasis@Midweek is tomorrow
Our next Oasis@Midweek is tomorrow night!  This event is for kids JK to grade 6 who are invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8pm for an Oasis Camp themed evening of music, games, life lesson and a fun, relevant craft. This event will be run by out Kid’s Church team.  O@M is not just for those who went to camp but for all who would like to remember how MONUMENTAL God is and celebrate his awesomeness.
 
 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING  AND LUNCH - APRIL 16
Please plan to join us for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, April 16 following our morning service.  The purpose of the meeting is to approve the 2022 financial statements, approve the 2023 budget, appoint an auditor and elect Directors to hold office until the next annual general meeting.  We will also be providing important updates on GBC ministries, pastoral transition and some other interesting topics that you will not want to miss.  If you are member and are unable to attend, please complete a proxy form (attached) to ensure that we achieve quorum for the AGM.  
We will also be having a fellowship lunch as part of the AGM.  
We hope to see you there!  
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Who’s Got the Body? Part 2
                                     …an examination of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
On Thursday I began to share with you some thoughts and evidence for the resurrection. The resurrection is a critical element of our faith so having certainty of the validity for this is key.  So, I wanted to expand a bit on the evidence we find for the truth of Jesus rising from the dead. Thanks to those who shared with me after Thursday that this was an encouragement.  The other day I shared the number of respected scholars who believe it as well as the explosive growth of the early church. Let’s look at another:
The Changed Lives of the Disciples
After Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, most of the disciples were frightened. Peter, for instance, denied Christ three times. Yet 10 out of the 11 disciples were martyred for their faith. Peter was crucified, Thomas was skewered; John was boiled in oil but survived. Something had happened to revolutionize these men’s lives. Each believed he had seen the risen Christ. Here’s the point: no one dies for a lie.
 
How about this: the empty tomb itself.  Jesus’ dead body was removed from the cross, wrapped in graveclothes like a mummy and placed in a tomb. An extremely large stone was rolled into a slightly depressed groove at the tomb’s entrance. Some have conservatively estimated the weight of the stone at one-and-a-half to two tons.
A guard of Roman soldiers was placed out front to guard the grave. The military discipline of the Romans was so strict that severe corporal and often capital punishment awaited the soldier who left his post or failed in his duty. Sunday morning, the stone was found rolled away, the body was gone, but the graveclothes were still in place.
 
What happened?
 
Some say that Jesus’ friends stole the body. This means that either one of the women was able to convince the guards to let them take the body, or else guys like Peter (remember how brave he was) and Thomas (how easily convinced he was) overpowered the guards, stole the body, and fabricated a myth.
These theories hardly seem reasonable. The guard was too powerful, the stone too heavy, and the disciples, not yet experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit were too spineless to attempt such a feat.
Others say that Jesus’ enemies stole the body. Yet if the religious leaders had the body, they would have exposed it publicly and Christianity would have died out. They didn’t and it didn’t. The Romans had no reason to steal it, so that doesn’t stand up either.
A popular alternative is called the “swoon theory.” In it, Jesus didn’t really die but was only unconscious. The expert Roman executioners merely thought He was dead. After a few days in the tomb, without food or medicine, the cool air revived Him. Then, according to this theory, He burst from the graveclothes, rolled away the stone with His nail-pierced hands, scared the daylights out of the Roman soldiers, walked kilometers on wounded feet, and convinced His disciples that He’d been raised from the dead. This one is harder to believe than the resurrection itself!  As you’ve heard me say, I don’t have enough faith for that theory!
In other words, if Jesus was put to death, who’s got the body? All that we do have is an empty tomb.  More to come Thursday as we prepare to remember what Jesus did!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning! I hope you’re making this a great week! Greetings from sunny Florida! Jennifer, Esther and I are taking some time away in Orlando, our first since before Covid. I’m thankful for this opportunity.  See you when we get back!
 
 
Connecting with our Care Ministry
For those who call Guelph Bible Chapel their home church, our Care Ministries can provide spiritual and/or physical support in times of need.   Please reach out if you need support through prayer, a visit from one of our pastors or elders, or practical help after surgery, childbirth, or a sudden change in your life situation. 
 
As a reminder, Care Ministries is the umbrella term for 6 ministries: Prayer Chain, Visitation, Meals on Wheels, Compassion Fund, Property/Physical Needs, & Health Matters.   You are welcome to call/email CM Coordinator, Helen Martini, or connect directly with the leader(s) of each ministry. More details are in the brochure/directory.
 
As our GBC family is growing, our needs will be growing also. Please call Helen if you would like to chat about opportunities to share your time & talents to benefit our church family. 
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we prepare for Easter
We shift focus from our series on Romans to the essence of the firm foundation our faith stands on- what happened that first Easter weekend nearly 2000 years ago.
This year we will be sequentially following several key elements of the Easter story culminating in our celebration service on Easter Sunday, April 9.
This Sunday Patrick will be speaking about what happened after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and how it ties to Easter.  Find out how this Sunday.
If you’d like to prepare, you can read John 11:45-57
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Who’s Got the Body? 
                                     …an examination of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
For we who are followers of Jesus this may be something we don’t even think about. Yet in the world around us this is an important and legitimate question. Why is this important?  It makes all the difference in the world. If Christ did not rise, then thousands of Christians have lived and died for a hoax.  You may say, ‘but Chris, I believe’. Great!  But lots of others don’t. So, as we seek to let our light shine, and engage with the world around us with the Good News of life in Jesus, I’d like to share some evidence for the resurrection.  Let’s take a look.
 
Facts always speak louder than opinions. Let’s examine some of the historical evidence for the resurrection and see where the facts lead.
 
One preliminary consideration: countless scholars–among them, the apostle Paul, Augustine, Sir Isaac Newton and C. S. Lewis–believed in the resurrection. We need not fear committing intellectual suicide by accepting it as well since we’re in great company.
Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians that “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, He was raised on the third day. He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom remain until now.” 
Understand that this was written about 20 years after the event so could have been researched and refuted then, yet it wasn’t.  That’s what we’d call contemporary historical evidence.
 
Speaking of evidence, consider this: the explosive growth of the Christian church
Within a few weeks after the crucifixion a movement arose which, by the later admission of its enemies, “upset the world.” Something happened to ignite this movement a very short time after its leader had been executed and it’s been going ever since. Things like that don’t happen, and more importantly last, without a lasting, tangible stimulus. I’ll look at this further next week as we continue to prepare for Easter.  Until then, we can be confident that what we believe on faith has a solid foundation in fact and history. I hope that’s an encouragement to you today.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning.  For those who were on the livestream Sunday and wondered why the sound cut out during the presentation by the Gillett’s, that was done for security reasons to protect their ministry in Africa. I am thankful for the technology we have that allows things like this and our livestream. A BIG thanks to our tech team who make this possible.  You are GREATLY appreciated!
 
 
Good Friday Breakfast and Service
Please plan to join us for a breakfast on Good Friday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m. at the Guelph Bible Conference Grounds located beside Guelph Bible Chapel.  There will be a sign up sheet in the church foyer for the next two weeks.  Please consider inviting family and friends to join us for breakfast and the church service to follow.  
 
The Good Friday communion service will be held at GBC at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7 and will include music led by Jamie Iles, communion and a Good Friday devotion from Ken Tamminga.    
 
 
Thought for the Day: Why the Cross? 
The cross is a crucial symbol of the Christian faith. We see it pop up everywhere: perched atop our church, carved into a graveyard headstone or engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is our universal symbol.  Yet it’s an odd choice, don’t you think? Why Chris?  It’s strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?
Would you wear a tiny electric chair around your neck? Suspend a gold-plated hangman’s noose on the wall? Would you print a picture of a firing squad on a business card? I hope not!  Yet we do so with the cross.
So why then is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn’t be simpler. One beam horizontal—the other vertical. One reaches out—like God’s love. The other reaches up—as does God’s holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards. The cross is our symbol of hope.
How could he do this? In a sentence: God put our sin on his Son and punished it there.  Paul wrote this in 2Corinthians 5:21- “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  I really like the way The Message says it: “God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God”.  Though it’s a paraphrase and not a translation, do you get the point?  
So, why the cross? That’s why!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris 

Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week!  I was on a call this morning with the head of our Ukraine team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and that sure was eye opening. The things they’re going through in order to do what I take for granted was quite sobering. Perspective is a pretty amazing thing and sure helps me stay grounded. Where might you seek grounding, or perspective, today?
 
 
Last call for Oasis Leaders
This is your friendly reminder that OASIS camp volunteer applications are now due.  If you haven't sent Director Dan yours yet, please get it to him as soon as possible (ideally this week).  A great team is forming based on the applications received already, and it would be wonderful to have you as a part of it! 
Director Dan will be in touch with all of our volunteers in a few weeks with more details about camp and our upcoming training sessions.  Please don't hesitate to reach out to him in the meantime if you have any questions.  
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we begin to prepare for Easter
We shift focus from our series on Romans to the essence of the firm foundation our faith stands on- what happened that first Easter weekend nearly 2000 years ago.
This year we will be sequentially following several key elements of the Easter story culminating in our celebration service on Easter Sunday, April 9.
This Sunday I will be kicking it off with an event people don’t always see as part of the Easter story-Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Yet it’s a critical element of what follows.  Find out why this Sunday.
If you’d like to prepare, you can read John 11:1-44
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the Day: Why the need for the Easter sacrifice of Jesus? Pt.2
On Tuesday I looked at the idea of why Jesus had to go to the cross from the position of our legal standing. It’s important to understand that what happened at the cross was a legal proceeding like no other. God is victim, judge and defense counsel. It may seem a bit strange to us, but this is the way it must be. God is judge by right of creation. He made it all. He owns it all. He sets the rules in place for the governance of it all. God is also the victim here because, in spite of His right to require obedience, I have sinned again Him (and so have you!). I have refused to live according to the decrees of the Owner of all. He is the injured party in this proceeding.
But that verse I shared in Micah on Tuesday also tells me that God is the defense counsel. I discover that God is not simply the moral policeman of the universe. He is exactly as He describes Himself in Exodus 34:6 – compassionate and full of mercy. God steps in to plead my case when there is absolutely no excuse for my actions.
So, what does pleading mean when I am a confessed criminal? From my perspective, it can only mean one thing – a cry for a merciful verdict. In these circumstances, that’s all I could come up with. That, however, is not God’s way. God’s way is amazingly controversial, completely unanticipated and absolutely unique. The victim voluntarily dies in the place of the guilty. This is the whole creation turned upside-down. Nothing could have prepared us for this solution. The law is upheld. The judge is satisfied. The guilty are forgiven. Mercy triumphs over wrath without compromising justice.
That’s why we call it Good Friday and why we praise the God who died in our place. It’s the only reason we are free, that’s why there needed to be a cross, that’s why there needed to be an Easter sacrifice.  Pretty amazing, huh?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning! As was mentioned Sunday, we’ll be starting our Easter series this week as we prepare ourselves to remember the cross and the empty tomb. So, in order to help with this, my thoughts for the next 4 weeks will be centered around elements of the Easter story. I hope they are thought provoking and help in your personal preparation. He is risen, he is risen indeed!
 
 
Oasis@Midweek is tomorrow
Our next Oasis@Midweek is tomorrow night!  This event is for kids JK to grade 6 who invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8pm for an Oasis Camp themed evening of music, games, life lesson and the next episode of our popular drama put on by the youth ministry.  O@M is not just for those who went to camp but for all who would like to remember how MONUMENTAL God is and celebrate his awesomeness.
 
 
Finance Update from our treasurer
Here’s the latest financial update from our treasurer, Ken Finlay.
General Fund Offerings - Year to Date end of February 2023
proposed Budget         $29,080
Actual                                   30,108
Surplus                                   1,028
(The Budget & Actuals above exclude contributions to the Pastor Fund)
 
Pastor Fund
Goal                                        $50,000
Contributions to date     32,760  (including the $27,550 contributed in 2022)
Still to be raised                 17,240
Thank you to all who gave!
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Why the need for the Easter sacrifice of Jesus? Pt.1
At Easter we remember and celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus. Have you ever wondered, though, why He needed to do this?
The prophet Micah wrote: “I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness.” 
What does it mean to plead? Think of it this way: you’re caught. You’ve been arrested and charged. There’s not much point in resisting since you know you are guilty. You stand before the judge, ashamed and humiliated. What can you do? There is no way out of this unless someone pleads your case. But who would plead the case of someone who has already confessed to the crime? Actually, only one person could do such a thing – the injured party. The only person able to speak for the criminal is the victim.
That’s the scenario in Micah’s courtroom description: I have offended the Most High God. He is the injured party. Let’s personalize it now.  There is no question about my guilt. Therefore, only He is able to take up my case and bring about justice. The law demands punishment, but the victim can plead for mercy. If God doesn’t act on my behalf, there is nothing ahead but wrath and misery.
The Hebrew word we translate as ‘plead’ comes directly from the courtroom. It means to conduct a lawsuit, to contest and dispute in legal proceedings. God Himself uses this word to describe His accusation against idolatrous Israel in the Old Testament. Now Micah says that unless God takes up our verdict, we are lost. In the court of heaven, I need the best attorney in all creation, and that, of course, is the merciful Lord Himself. That’s why there was a need for a sacrifice. I’ll share more on this Thursday.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

​Good morning! Just a friendly reminder that the spring time change is tonight. So, our clocks move FORWARD an hour.  Please adjust accordingly and we'll see you tomorrow!

Also, Andrea asked that I share this new song we're going to be learning Sunday with you. Check it out, it's pretty powerful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjapsEz8C6k

Have a blessed day!

In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good afternoon. I hope you’re making this a great week! Today I’m finishing up my thoughts on character. Look for a new series of thoughts on Tuesday.  May you shine like the sun is today!
 
 
Looking for Oasis Camp leaders!
We are looking forward to an amazing camp experience as we share God’s love with a new group of campers at Guelph Bible Conference Centre.  We are once again looking to assemble a team of passionate volunteers who want to live out the great commission and make a lasting impact on the lives of children.
 Camp will run the week of July 31 to August 4.  Our theme for this week of camp will be “Stellar – Shine Jesus’ Light”.  
As in prior years, we will be asking all potential volunteers to complete a brief application form (please note: references are only required for first-time leaders).  The leadership team will select leaders with first priority being given to those who attend GBC, are involved with GBC’s ministries, or who have a family connection to GBC
If you have an interest in being involved in this year’s camp ministry, please complete an application form and return to Director Dan Chapman by Sunday March 12. 
We’re looking forward to another great week of camp this year!
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as continue our winter series, “Firm Foundations”-a study of the book of Romans
The foundation of a building is critically important for the stability of the structure that sits on it. In many ways our faith and relationship with God needs the same thing.  How is your foundation.
This Sunday Pastor Dan will continue to look at the practical outworking of sanctification.
Want to prepare? Read the text for Sunday ahead of time: Romans 8:1-17
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 Thought for the Day: Final thoughts on developing character like Jesus
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been challenged personally by what I’ve been sharing about developing positive character traits using Jesus as our guide.
The last one I want to share is one that Jesus showed so often: Humility
Jesus had every opportunity and right to demand praise and honour for His miracles and teachings, but He never did. Even when the crowds sought to make Him king, He rushed away from them. He didn’t want to become a sideshow performance that people could enjoy. Rather, He wanted to seek and save the lost and offer forgiveness for sinful people. Yes, He could have traveled around in order to show off His powers in other towns, but He chose not to.  As we read in Philippians 2, he humbled himself, became nothing, acting like a servant. Wow!  What an example.
So, that’s it. That’s what I’d like to share. As for some final thoughts I’d say this:
The world doesn’t need more role models, it needs more of Jesus—the ultimate role model. People will not find a better person to emulate positive character traits from than Jesus Christ himself.  With that in mind though, its important to remember that Jesus was God and so was perfect.  While we can learn from him, and his example, we have to be careful how we measure ourselves against him too.  We’ll never be perfect this side of heaven like he was so the key then becomes using him as a guide and being the best possible versions of ourselves we’re capable of being. It’s a tough challenge but a worthy endeavor. Strive!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning!  What a contrast over the past few days.  We go from a terrible storm to a gorgeous, sunny day. This is a good reminder that after a storm, there’s always sun. What a great thing to remember when we go through the storms of life. And better still, God is with us every step of the way.
 
 
Ladies Spring Conference coming up!
The 42nd Annual Guelph Spring Ladies' Conference will be held at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre April 28 through 30, with keynote speakers, seminars, ministry through music and more.  Of particular note is that our own Donna Chapman will be one of the speakers at this conference.  Come for the day or for the whole weekend.  For more information visit:  https://www.guelphbiblecc.com/family-and-adult-conferences/ladies-conference/
 
 
March calendar
The March calendar. has been added to the site Please use this to be aware of what’s going on but also a tool of prayer.
 
 
Thought for the day: Be patient and self-controlled
As we continue to look at some of the character traits of Jesus and how they could apply to our lives I have to confess that the ones I’m looking at today are likely the hardest ones for me personally but have born the most fruit when I’ve gotten them right:  patience and self-control
Throughout the gospels, Jesus clearly gets portrayed as a very patient man. After all, He was surrounded by disciples who constantly doubted him, Pharisees and Sadducees who continually attacked Him, and large crowds who wouldn’t leave Him alone. Despite all of that, He kept His composure and responded appropriately to every individual. Patience is the ability to see something through to the end, especially something that might be challenging or unpleasant. Patience is a character trait, but also a skill we can work on to improve. I know I am!
Related, in a way, is self-control.  Before His ministry was launched, Jesus spent time being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness. Although He was offered food, power, and many other things, Jesus controlled His desires and submitted them all to the will of the Father. Yes, He had desires for food and such, but He had a greater desire to obey the Father and accomplish what He’d set out to do. Self-control is the ability to deny oneself something for a greater objective. We live in a society that encourages us to deny ourselves nothing. This is something we can all grow from and through.
Patience and self-control, two difficult but valuable things. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Nothing of value comes without cost.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris

Good morning. I hope you’re making this a great week!  We’ve started a new month. Are you ready? What are you excited about? 
  
Preservice Time of Prayer
There will be prayer every Sunday morning at 10 am at GBC - come and learn 18 ways to pray for your church!  There will be coffee and donuts.  There will also allow for praying online through the following link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/21216757733?pwd=Z1JkN3dEeE9nTkhXY0tldlhEcWZFQT09
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as continue our winter series, “Firm Foundations”-a study of the book of Romans
The foundation of a building is critically important for the stability of the structure that sits on it. In many ways our faith and relationship with God needs the same thing.  How is your foundation.
This Sunday Jacob will be sharing about how we interact with the law as found in the Bible when it comes to our sanctification.
Want to prepare? Read the text for Sunday ahead of time: Romans 7
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the day: Be prayerful and practice gentleness to show true strength
As I read the Bible, I am reminded often that Jesus was a man of prayer. With this in mind, as we look at character and how to live it out, we should seek to be prayerful in our own lives.
No matter how busy His ministry got, Jesus found time to be alone and pray. Whether it was in the garden of Gethsemane, across a river, or on a mountaintop, Jesus disappeared for a while in order to pray to God, the Father. People always tried to find Him, and He never turned them away, but He also made sure to make time spent with His heavenly Father a priority. May this be something our lives are noted by.
 
Okay, that was probably an obvious one.  But how about this?  Jesus was seen to have a spirit of gentleness.
There were certainly times where Jesus used stern words, but He knew when gentleness was appropriate. Children seemed to love coming to him, and He made sure the disciples knew not to deter them when they did so. When speaking with His disciples, mother, or other people, He could be very kind-hearted and gentle. But, when He was giving someone a rebuke or making a point in an argument, He knew when turning up the heat was necessary and only did so strategically. He could be characterized as meek. Meekness, or gentleness, is not weakness, but strength under control. In these emotionally-charged days this is a critical trait for we who would like to follow Jesus to practice.
In an era where we are seeing varying expressions of power, the one who is prayerful and shows gentleness is the true practitioner of strength and thus character.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris