His Grace Magazine

Ontario Edition

Grace His

May 2019

Durham, Ontario

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Table of Contents

His Grace, May 2019

"They shall mount up with wings like eagles" Isaiah 40:31

Publisher's Corner...............................................................Pages 4, 5 CD in Review......................................................................Page 6 Poetry Page.........................................................................Page 7 Athletes for Christ...............................................................Page 8 Prayer Page.........................................................................Page 10 Racing with Christ..............................................................Page 11 Walking with Jesus.............................................................Page 12, 13 In Concert............................................................................Page 14 Recipe Page.........................................................................Page 15 Bible Study.........................................................................Page 16, 17 Book in Review...................................................................Page 18 Featured Artist.....................................................................Page 20 Movie in Review.................................................................Page 22

To advertise in His Grace Magazine, call Rob

905-380-4489

Grace His

His Grace, May 2019

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New stories every month!

Interesting Christian topics, Great Movie, CD and Book reviews!

Get your FREE copy of His Grace magazine today!

Call 905-380-4489 wood.publications.2014@gmail.com or check out our magazine on-line @ www.issuu.com/His-Grace

Publisher's Corner...

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His Grace, May 2019

Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood

I

remember one particular day in 1985. My mom and dad had just moved to the house three years prior. I was outside working with my dad at the time when I happened to look up at the sky and noticed the sky was darker than I can ever remember it being. When I pointed it out to Dad, we decided to go and bring the horses in the barn and just as we ran for cover to the house, the rains and winds came. It was a really bad thunderstorm but thankfully, no damage.

Towns all around us weren't as fortunate though, as we would later learn. Tornadoes touched down all around us; they destroyed towns, houses, cars and barns, just about everything in their paths…even one of the houses we had considered purchasing three months prior to the storm.

After the storms left and the sun came out, the cleanup started for everyone. When the TV crews arrived, I remember watching a man they were interviewing. What he said that day still sticks with me. He

My Calm in the Storm

said, "We just lost everything… the house, the car, but I praise God." The reporter said to him, "How can you praise God? You just lost everything." The man replied, "I praise God because, even though I lost everything, I still have my family; we are all okay." Now that is trusting God. Praising, trusting and praying to God is a lot easier when our lives are good and everything is running nice and smooth but what about when we are in the middle of that storm that has come into our lives?

Whether the storm is losing your job, house, car, family member, a terrible sickness, or cherished pet, all of these things are very traumatizing for us, but at times like these we need to just stop, calm ourselves, come to God and just praise Him in whatever storm you may be going though. "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18) There are also times when we are in the middle of a storm or a trial when we forget where our hope needs to be placed. We always need to remember that our hope is in God, not in our circumstances. Just reminding our hearts of the truth should always be enough to bring us back to God; then He will always be there to give us His peace. "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you

disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

(Psalm 42:5) The Lord has offered and He is the only one who can carry all of our burdens for us. When we tell the Lord of our burdens and we surrender all of our trials to Him, He will truly sustain us. He not only carries all our burdens for us, but He will carry us through them as well. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22) When we dwell on our trials, we start to get down. If we continue to focus on our problems instead of God, our peace will leave us; when we look at our circumstances and the things that are going on all around us, we start to get discouraged and it can lead to depression. Yet we must always remind ourselves that God's love is so huge, that His compassion will never fail us and that His mercies are new every morning. It's important that we find a quiet place and talk to God. Communicate with Him as much as one can in a day. When you’re in a storm and you slow down and spend time with God, it’s like when you’re in the eye of a hurricane that is causing destruction all around. In the eye of the storm, it is so quiet and peaceful. That is where we need to be with God,

Publisher's Corner... right in that peaceful spot; in the eye, giving God all the praise and glory that He deserves. By doing this, He will be right there with us; walking and guiding us through it until the storm passes.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10) The trouble is, our hearts and flesh fail us too often; yet, we all need the reminder that God is our strength. When we try finding strength on our own and try finding satisfaction in other things other than Jesus, we will certainly fail and lose the peace we had, and lose it fast. God alone is our strength and our rock. He will give us all that we will ever need. "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) When we put all of our hope in the Lord and not put it in other people or in our circumstances, He will strengthen us. "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31) By doing this, God is building us up. He is building our faith so that we can endure. He is strengthening us so that we can outlast any storm that will come our way. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

His Grace, May 2019

My Calm in the Storm

This is another amazing promise in the word of God; that He will always be with us‌ always. We should never be dismayed by this, for our God is God; we are not. At times, it may seem overwhelming that we are not in control of all the things that happen around us every day but it also will bring great freedom to realize this, that we don't have to take care of everything; God does all of that. He is in charge, not us; there is assurance and peace in knowing that God is always with us, to uphold us when we are just too weary to go on.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

(Isaiah 41:10) The Lord wants us to come to Him, to tell Him all of our burdens and not to carry them ourselves. He has promised to give us rest. Sometimes we have to be intentional about leaving our burdens with God. In our flesh, we think that we can get things done quicker to solve our problems; however, thinking this way will get us into deeper trouble. We must remind our hearts that God wants the best for us and we need to be patient and just wait for Him and He will give us rest. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

(Matthew 11:28)

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We praise God in the storms, not because we enjoy the storms that we are going through, but because we know that He is with us and we know that He is building us up so that not only are we stronger, but when the storm is over we can help others who are going through what we have already been through.

Isn't this a beautiful promise from God to us all? When we have hope and when we give all of ourselves to God, He will build us up strong for today and for the future so that we can outlast any storm that comes our way.

WOOD

Publications

Owner/Publisher Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood

wood.publications.2014@gmail.com

Editor: Donna Archibald

wood.publications.2014@gmail.com Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Publications, contact us at 905-380-4489, email wood.publications.2014@gmail.com Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement by this publication or area churches. All content is protected by copyright and may not be commercially reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Non-commercial redistribution is permitted.

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CD in Review...

His Grace, May 2019

ver the last five years, Hillsong Young & Free has solidly established themselves as a go-to band for church youth groups worldwide with some of their past hits such as, "Alive", "Wake", "Sinking Deep", "Real Love" and "This Is Living", naming just a few of their songs. Their worship music has been a perfect mix of hot mainstream styles and verticallycentered lyrics that will get the audience jumping and singing along. Young & Free returns with their third full length album titled, ‘III’. One of the main questions fans have been wondering is if they would see any artistic growth from this group; the answer is…

Yes. While the first three songs, "Let Go", "Every Little Thing" and "Just Jesus" starts off on the high note, the fourth song, "First Love" starts to show more variety. The previous songs are quality songs and they deliver what we expect.

The song, "Heart of Gold" uses portions from the old hymn, "I Surrender All" to amazing effects as Hillsong praises God for His kindness and for His mercy that will lead to repentance. There is also a Billy Graham sermon snippet which concludes the song as it blends into "Selah I" and directly into "Jesus Loves Me".

"Jesus Loves Me" is a simple yet nice, innocent reflection of

Hillsong Young & Free III...

children’s church on this updated song, which is sprinkled with God's love. The next three songs in a row serve as a true highlight of the album. "Days Gone By" is a song worthy of recognition; very similar to their previously released song, "Sinking Deep".

"How Deep Is Your Love" uses Psalm 23 for some inspiration that praises God for all the depth of His love; we hear a bit from guitars on this song. Also, live drums instead of the electronic percussion gives this song a different sound, although the synthesizers are still being played to fill the sound. “Push/Pull" features a great male and female duet.

"More of You" features synthesizers and drums that push forward at a nice beat giving it a familiar, beautiful sound.

The song, "Peace" is definitely a highlight of this album. "Selah III (Fruits of the Spirit)" follows

with a beautiful piano sound with a touch of auto tune on a chorus of voices, and an organ/electric guitar combo sound. "Highs and Lows" ends this album with a steady build of volume. This trio of songs is yet another beautiful set of succession, with each song following and then flowing perfectly into the next one.

There are many people who don't like the cover of the album.

At first I didn't either; but the more I look at it, the more I like it. For instance, the III, which is a roman numeral, reminds me of something a child did; almost a child-like faith that Jesus said for us to have in Matthew 18:3.

This is a good album; one I highly recommend.

III...

01 "Let Go" 02 "Every Little Thing" 03 "Just Jesus" 04 "First Love" 05 "Heart of God" 06 "Selah I" 07 "Jesus Loves Me" 08 "Selah II" 09 "Days Gone By" 10 "How Deep Is Your Love" 11 "Push/Pull" 12. "Love Won't Let Me Down" 13. "More of You" 14. "Hindsight" 15. "Peace" 16. "Selah III (Fruits of the Spirit)" 17. "Highs & Lows"

Poetry Page...

His Grace, May 2019

A Calm in the Storm

When the storms of life rears its ugly head Accompanied with feelings of guilt and dread Open your heart and calm your mind Look to the One who is understanding and kind.

Breathe in and taste His everlasting love Trust in the peace He sends from above Move your focus from your hurting place Find your healing through His mercy and grace.

Hear the sweet songs the sparrows sing While the clouds dance on a warm day in spring.

Know that by His stripes you are freed His providence is all you'll ever need.

Read: (Psalms 107:29-31)

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His Grace, May 2019

Athletes for Christ...

Darryl Sittler Maple Leaf Legend from St. Jacobs...

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arryl Sittler was born in St. Jacobs, Ontario on September 18, 1950. He is one of eight children in the Sittler family.

He became one of the star players of the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights in the 1960's.

There are few players who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs who captured the imagination of the hockey fans and had a place in their hearts like Darryl Sittler, who wore number 27 for the blue and white. He was selected as the Maple Leafs’ first round pick and eighth overall in the 1970 draft.

Darryl's offensive talents began to excel during his third season playing in the league. He had 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points.

At the age of 24, Darryl became the second youngest and twelfth captain in Leaf history.

Darryl Sittler had an unforgettable game against the Boston Bruins on February 7, 1976; one game I will

never personally forget, more than forty years later. Playing that evening at Maple Leaf Gardens, Darryl scored 6 goals and 4 assists for a ten point game in an 11-4 win over the Boston Bruins. Darryl enjoyed one of the greatest performances in NHL history breaking two NHL records, tying one and breaking four Maple Leaf records. Darryl's ten point game broke the previous NHL record of eight.

Darryl was captain of the Maple Leafs for 6 of his 12 seasons with the club. In his career, he played 1,096 games and scored 484 goals, 637 assists with a point total of 1,121.

In the first Canada Cup tournament in 1976, Darryl scored the winning goal in overtime against Czechoslovakia to give Canada the win and the Canada Cup. Darryl's best season came in ‘77/78 when he finished third in the NHL scoring race by netting 45 goals and 72 assists for a total of 117 points. He was named to the second All Star team at the end of that season.

In 1989, Darryl had received the honor in hockey as he was voted to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Darryl is a Christian who observes his faith in the Lord very personally. He does give his time to Teen Ranch, a Christian organization that teaches children about God through hockey.

His Grace, May 2019

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But those who wait on the

LORD

Strength.They shall Shall renew their

Eagles.

mount up with wings like

Weary. They shall walk and not Faint.

They shall run and not be

Isaiah 40:31

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His Grace, May 2019

Prayer Page...

In Times of Trouble

Lord, In every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me."

In all my doubts, and temptations, Jesus, help me.

In hours of loneliness and weariness, Jesus, help me.

In disappointments and sorrows, Jesus, help me.

In the midst of a storm, Jesus, help me.

When my cross irritates me, Jesus, help me.

When I am weak and fall short, Help me to always keep my focus on You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

Racing with Christ...

His Grace, May 2019

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Darrell Waltrip Darrell found God after a horrible crash...

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efore Darrell Waltrip retired from racing and became a broadcaster, he was one of the most award-winning NASCAR drivers in the modern era. At one time, Darrell was also one of the most disliked drivers.

Darrell's passion was racing; he was as aggressive off the track as he was on it. He didn't have a lot of friends; he also didn't think he needed them.

The fans booed him at the driver introductions; they wore "Anybody but Waltrip" tee shirts at the tracks. Fans didn't like him and neither did the drivers.

Darrell also liked arguing with track officials because he didn't really like the rules, mainly because the rules never worked out in his favor. Off track, Darrell wasn't much better; he was really arrogant and drank way too much at that time.

Darrell married his wife, Stevie, a Christian woman with strong faith. Stevie was always praying that Darrell, someday somehow, would not only come to the Lord, but also start going to church and bible study. When Stevie would ask about going to church, Darrell would say, "I race on Sunday; I don't have the time for church or God stuff."

God caught Darrell's attention in 1983 at the Daytona 500. He lost

control of his car on lap 64, going nearly 200 mph, when he tried to avoid a slower car. He hit the outer concrete wall and bounced back into oncoming cars. He had a pretty bad concussion.

That day, God grabbed his attention about where he would be spending his eternal life and it scared him.

Darrell started going to church.

He recognized his need for Jesus and to make Him number one in his life. Darrell surrendered; he got down on his knees and asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior; at that moment he was born again.

Darrell and his wife Stevie have been married for 46 years.

Darrell is retiring from his broadcasting career with Fox Sports in early July. Enjoy your retirement Darrell; God Bless you and Stevie.

Walking With Jesus...

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His Grace, May 2019

Is Jesus also God? The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ...

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s we start this new feature in His Grace magazine, we are going to walk with Jesus every month to learn more about Him. The more we get to know Jesus, the more we will grow in wisdom and know that not only is Jesus the Son of God, but He is God; God born in the flesh.

We will do research and together on a monthly basis, we will go through all the scriptures and as a result, we will grow stronger in our relationship with Him. The subject of the preincarnate existence of Christ is an important subject which is not talked about enough. ‘Preincarnate’ means that Jesus was alive before being born to the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the unique pre-existent person, the Son of God and Son of man. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, was basking in perfect glory with the Father and Spirit prior to any material thing being created in our universe.

In Genesis 1:26, Then God said, “Let US make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” God uses the plural sense, which reveals the Trinity… the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Why is Jesus’ pre-existence important? The pre-existence of Christ declares the existence of Jesus before His birth in Bethlehem. If Jesus didn’t exist

before birth, then there is no eternal Trinity. If Jesus didn’t exist before birth, then he isn’t God. God is eternal and that requires the Christian Trinity members be eternal, as well. If Jesus didn’t exist before birth, then both He and the Bible are full of lies. The Bible claims Jesus’ eternal and pre-existent life in many places and Jesus claims it for himself, too.

One of many Bible scriptures that are applicable is the first Gospel of John, verses 1-18. We will look at four topics on this: 1) His position over all of creation.

2) His power to create all things.

3) His providence by controlling all things.

4) His presence in the Old Testament. Actually, there is quite a lot involving this topic, also we will look at His preeminence over everything.

Christ’s work in creation is plainly revealed in the New Testament. The Gospel of John is set far apart from the other gospels. This is because John knew Jesus better than any of the other disciples. John leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper; He was also the disciple to whom Jesus handed over the care of His mother.

John starts his gospel with creation and contemplates eternity past. In John 1:1-3, “In

the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made”, the Word, Jesus Christ Himself, is an active Person in communication with the Father and this is a declaration of Christ’s deity. Neither came into being at a point in time.

They have always been in loving fellowship with one another from the beginning.

God the Father created the world through God the Son. In Colossians 1:16, we read, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Also, in Hebrews 1:10, “And You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands” teaches that Christ was intimately involved in the creation process. This passage emphasizes that Christ created the ages. He created time, space, force, action and matter. It is all the work of His hands.

In John 17:5, Jesus prays to His Father saying, "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world

Walking with Jesus...

His Grace, May 2019

Is Jesus also God? The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ...

was." This is another indication of His pre-existence and deity, sharing the glory of His Father before Creation.

The New Testament clearly teaches the pre-existence of Christ. Abraham lived about 2100 years before Christ. John 8:58 states, “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Jesus was there. John 6:62, “What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?”

Jesus said, “I was the living bread that came down from heaven.” He was in heaven before.

We focused on one main area as we examined the activity of the pre-incarnate Christ; now let’s take a look at His activity as The Angel of the Lord.

Our Lord’s first appearance on earth was not when He was born of His virgin mother in Bethlehem.

In fact, He has made many visual appearances on the earth during Old Testament times in the form of The Angel of the Lord.

God appeared to people such as Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses and many others as the Angel of the Lord. The Angel of the Lord is the messenger that God the Father would send into this world. The Angel of the Lord is identified as being both Lord and God in the Old Testament. The Lord was working actively in Old Testament times long before He

became a baby in Bethlehem.

The question arises regarding which person of the Trinity is the Angel of the Lord? The only sensible explanation is that the appearances of the Angel of the Lord were actually pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. This can be based on the following: The Second Person of the Trinity is the only member of the Trinity to manifest Himself in visible, bodily form. Neither the Father nor the Spirit characteristically manifests themselves in visible bodily form. The Scripture is very definite that God the Father has never made a temporary descent into visibility. John 1:18, "No one has seen God at any time.

The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." The apostle John lived longer than all of the other apostles; he also took care of Jesus’ mother, Mary. Also, both of their tombs are in the same area: the city of Ephesus. John the apostle was exiled to the island of Patmos.

When John was later released, he went back to Ephesus where he died and was placed in his tomb.

Mary and John would have had a lot of interesting conversations about Jesus. The book of John totally focuses on Jesus’ deity and provides us with a lot more information around the final week that the others do not touch on.

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Although some say Jesus Christ was just a man, or maybe a great teacher, we can be sure that He was and is much more than that.

The Bible says Jesus is unique in both His person and His purpose.

He wasn’t just some spiritual individual during His time on earth; He was both God's Son and God Himself—God in human flesh. Yes, He was fully man, but He was also fully God. Jesus has left a lot of evidence that He is God. That evidence includes fulfilled prophecy and recorded miracles in which Jesus reversed the laws of nature.

He also lived a sinless life, something no one else has done.

The ultimate proof of His divinity, however, was His resurrection from the dead after His death on the cross. No one else has ever risen from the dead on his own.

Jesus told us He is God in many different ways! He has made it clear that He and God the Father are one, and says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Later on, we will look at and study the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. We see that they look at the Gospels in a different way; Matthew sees it from a perspective of Christ is King, Mark as Christ as being a Servant and Luke as Christ being the Son of God. Stay tuned as we continue on our walk with Jesus.

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His Grace, May 2019

In Concert with...

Hillsong UNITED The People Tour 2019...

States. There is one Canadian stop on the Hillsong UNITED's People Tour: June 27: Toronto, Ontario Scotiabank Arena

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ulti award winning, platinum selling Australian based worship group, Hillsong UNITED, will return to North America after nearly three years to begin their highly awaited "The People Tour 2019". Their first stop will be Austin, Texas; from there, they will make stops in many major markets across the United

Comprised of an amazing mix of musicians and songwriters, Hillsong UNITED will be joined by special guests Amanda Lindsey Cook and Max Brock.

Hillsong UNITED is one of the most inspiring groups in Christian music today. They have sold over 4.7 million albums globally and have collected 2.9 million streams worldwide. Their most recent album, "Wonder" which was released in 2017, went to number 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Album Chart and was number 21 on the Billboard's Top 200. It also set the record for the most streamed albums in Christian music with over 4.6 million

streams. The group remains the number 1 Christian group on all social media with over 10 million fans.

Hillsong UNITED’s purpose comes from the deep understanding that everything they do is a statement of a really amazing God doing what only He can do through really amazing people.

Recipe...

His Grace, May 2019

Orange Chicken Breasts

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• 4 Boneless, skinless Chicken Breast Halves • 1 can (10 oz.) Mandarin Oranges in light Syrup • 1 tbsp. Soy Sauce • 1 ½ tbsp. Brown Sugar • 1 ½ tbsp Cornstarch • ¼ tsp. Ginger • ¼ tsp. minced Garlic • ¼ tsp. Red Pepper Flakes • Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray • Add chicken and cook over med. heat for 3-4 min. per side • Remove chicken and keep warm • Whisk together mandarin oranges w/syrup, brown sugar and cornstarch in small bowl • Add soy sauce, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes and mix • Add to skillet and cook orange mixture on med. high for 1-2 min. until bubbly and thickened • Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes Serve with salad, rice or noodles

Makes 4 s Serving

Deuteronomy 8:3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

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His Grace, May 2019

Bible Study...

Matthew 8:23-27

Does Jesus Rebuke our Storms?

thought this month we would study two scriptures: Matthew 8:23-27 & Matthew 14:22-33. Both scriptures show Jesus calming a storm that, all of a sudden, blew in on the disciples.

In both scriptures, the disciples showed their fear and Jesus had to calm and cease the storms altogether for them.

1. Matthew 8:23-27: "Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"

But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?"

Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" The Sea of Galilee is famous for violent storms that occur at any time without warning. When the twelve terrified disciples awakened Him, Jesus first rebuked the disciples for their insufficient faith. Afterwards, He rebuked the wind and the sea so that a great calm descended over them (Psalms 65:7; 89:9; 107:29).

Jesus is both a human being that needs sleep and also a sovereign creator who can calm any and all storms.

Have you noticed how many stories of God's great acts of mercy in the Bible involve the disciples in a boat and caught in a storm at sea?

There is a very good reason for all those storms in a boat.

There really isn't anything worse or out of our control than being

in a storm at sea. Likewise, there isn't anything more helpless than being thrown around in a boat at sea in a terrible storm with huge waves rocking you back and forth.

What a vivid picture this portrays of being exposed to horrible circumstances that are totally out of our control. It's a perfect vision of suddenly being caught in trying, frustrating, difficult, and even dangerous circumstances in which we are so helpless to really do anything except to cry out to God for His mercy and His help.

God really loves it when we come

before Him in prayer and we ask what we need of Him. The Sea of Galilee can be very quiet and calm. The beautiful mountains of the Golden Heights (the Decapolis back in Jesus’ time) reach more than 2,500 feet above sea level. Now the Sea of Galilee is 685 feet below sea level. With the mountains and all the valleys, this creates the perfect path for the start of cold winds to move quickly on the Sea of Galilee causing huge storms with high gusting winds. We know the winds today as wind shear; for centuries the Greeks called it "Seismos", which means shaking. These storms are violent and equal to an earthquake.

2. Matthew 14:22-33: "Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"

And they cried out for fear.

Bible Study...

His Grace, May 2019

Matthew 14:22-33

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Do You focus on Jesus, or sink in Fear?

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!

It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." The disciples started out on a journey of approximately five miles but after only three miles or so (John 6:19), the wind had started to blow. Every time their boat moved forward, the wind was very hostile; it kept blowing them backwards (Mark 6:48).

The fourth watch is 3 to 6 am.

Jesus had told the disciples to row across the lake around 5 or 6 pm.

He had left to go to the mountain which was nearby so that He could pray from early evening until 3 am. So why did Jesus allow His disciples to struggle

in the storm for seven or eight hours? If Jesus had rescued them right away, the disciples may have forgotten His intervention or perhaps assumed that given enough time, they could have saved themselves from the storm.

The Lord sometimes waits until His followers have exhausted all their own means.

The disciples were fearful when they saw someone walking across the surface of the water. Not only

Peter to come, at that moment Peter went out to Jesus. Peter had enough faith and courage to climb out of the boat and start walking on water towards Jesus.

When people start focusing on something, what they focus on becomes magnified, especially when we focus on fearful circumstances. Peter made a decision to leave the boat and rely only on Jesus, until the wind picked up and caught his attention. When believers’ eyes are diverted and are removed from Jesus in the midst of a storm, their circumstances become front and centre and when we focus on that instead of Jesus, like Peter, we lose heart and begin to sink. The difference between Faith and Fear is Focus. were they scared because they Peter really didn't fail that thought He was a ghost, Mark day; failing is when we stay in also says it was because their the boat like the other disciples hearts were hard (Mark 6:52). who remained on the boat where Even though the disciples had they believed they were safe. By just saw with their own eyes a staying on the boat, they failed to experience many other emotions; miraculous feeding of a multitude for instance joy…the joy of of followers, they went and failed walking on water and have Jesus to apply that experience of Jesus’ reach down in the water to grab power to this situation. them and pull them up to safety; When Peter stepped out of the to save them in the middle of the boat and onto the water, he wasn't storm. So from now on, face your acting foolish and he wasn't fears. When fear knocks at the door, doing this on a dare; this was true answer it with faith; chase fear away obedience. When Jesus called by keeping your focus on Jesus.

Book in Review...

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His Grace, May 2019

Appointments with Heaven

A Country doctor's healing encounter...

By: Dr. Reggie Anderson with Jennifer Schuchmann

I

remember looking in my sister's book collection, not sure what I wanted to read at the time. Lynne then suggested I sit down and read ‘Appointments with Heaven’ by Reggie Anderson, the country doctor.

Although the book about heaven interested me, I wasn’t really sure, so I read the back jacket, "Meet the country doctor who visits the front porch of heaven... and witnesses what awaits there."

It grabbed my attention and interest and I wasn't disappointed at all. I usually enjoy reading just before bed, relaxing with a cup of tea. But Reggie's book really captivated me; I couldn't stop reading it, morning, evening and night; it's a well written book.

Reggie, the country doctor, was raised in a loving Christian home. He grew up in Planterville, Alabama, with an older sister, Cathy, and a younger brother, Tim. Both of his parents were teachers in their home town. When Reggie was four years old, he, Cathy and Tim entered a contest to win a pony. The next day, he told his mom not to enter Cathy's or Tim's cards because God told him that he was going to win the pony.

They didn't believe him and his mom was concerned that, if he lost, he would be devastated. The day of the contest announcement, they all gathered in the living room in front of the TV when

they announced the winner… it was Reggie and his family all looked at him in complete shock.

Reggie had won the pony, just like he said he would!

When Reggie was ten years old, during his summer holidays he went to work for his Uncle Luther on his watermelon farm. His summer instructors on the farm were Jerry and Jimmy Alday, who were his mother's third or fourth cousins. Reggie would help them pick watermelons and take them to the market in Atlanta. The Aldays were a close Christian family and Reggie was very fond of them.

When Reggie was back in school during class, his father, the assistant principle, came to the door and called Reggie to come

into the hallway as he had some terrible news. Reggie's cousins Jerry, Jimmy and four other family members were murdered.

Reggie was distraught with everything that had happened and couldn't figure out how a loving God could let such a terrible thing like this happen to a Christian family.

Reggie struggled with what happened and when he couldn't understand it, he turned his back on God and his faith; he continued his life as an atheist. When Reggie was in college, he met and went on a date with a beautiful woman.

She, being a Christian, asked if he was. He answered, "My parents are Christians." That wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Reggie was now searching; he went to an isolated spot in the mountains beside a beautiful waterfall. He took with him C.S. Lewis' book and his Bible and spent the whole day reading.

When he fell asleep, a veil was opened and he saw his cousins in heaven. They all urged him to let his anger go towards the killers.

Then he heard the voice of Jesus asking him why he was so angry at Him. When Reggie woke up, he was a different man.

Reggie is now married to that beautiful girl and they have four children. He graduated from medical school and started his practice as a small town doctor.

LOVE

His Grace, May 2019

Page 19

Love does not envy; Love does not parade itself, suffers long and is kind;

is not puffed up

1 Corinthians 13:4

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His Grace, May 2019

Featured Artist...

Z

Zach Williams Coming to Wonderjam 2019...

ach Williams was born in Pensacola, Florida on March 5th, 1981. He spent most of his childhood in an Arkansas town called Jonesboro. Zach, a gospel musician, attended church as a young boy but later lived a secular life. He formed a southern rock band called Zach Williams & the Reformation back in 2007.

It wasn't until they were on tour in Europe in 2012 that Zach Williams gave his life to the Lord and found his way back to Christianity. When he returned to America, the band Reformation was disbanded and the group went their separate ways. Zach rededicated his life to God in the Central Baptist Church in his home town of Jonesboro. Zach was no longer a rock musician but music was still inside of him flowing through his veins and he

needed to get that out; some form of expression which he found in Christian worship. In 2014, Zach became a worship leader in his church where he continued to sing until he had released his debut album, which is his most popular project in 2016.

Before releasing his debut solo album, "Chain Breaker" on December 14th, 2016, Zach

Williams signed a contract with Essential Records owned by Provident Label Group. He became an artist on the label's program in 2016 and released his first single as a solo musician, just four years after disbanding his old band. His single at that time titled "Chain Breaker" became an instant hit; it peaked on the Hot Christian Songs Chart at number 1 and reached the Top 10 on Christian Radio.

Zach Williams received many awards and nominations including a Grammy win in 2018 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. He also has five nominations from the GMA Dove Awards; he won two of them.

Zach Williams is playing at Wonderjam on June 15th at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Ontario.

His Grace, May 2019

Page 21

With great

POWER

grace

the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And God's was so powerfully at work in them all.

Acts 4:33

Movie in Review...

Page 22

B

His Grace, May 2019

Like Arrows “Parenting is a Journey�

eautifully filmed, Like Arrows is well acted, has good dialogue in a roundabout story about a married couple that will spend a lifetime together learning how to be good parents to their children.

The movie starts powerfully with Alice telling Charlie that she is pregnant. Alice thinks she has messed up and remembers every moment that her mom told her she was a mess. After a brief conversation, Charlie decides to do the right thing and he proposes to Alice.

But Alice is so overwhelmed by the thought of parenting. The nurse who helps her deliver her

baby decides to invite Alice to her church.

Alice talks with Charlie and convinces him to go to church to find some support, but life for them is still hard when their first child, Ron, is born. Alice is later informed that their second child, Kate, won't be allowed to go to preschool at the church because she is always hitting the other children. When Alice tries to talk to Charlie about this problem, he is always too busy.

The movie moves forward a few years now; Charlie is still too busy but this time he is losing his children. Kate is sneaking out of the house and going out with the wrong guy and he throws her out of his car onto the sidewalk.

Alice and Charlie now have four children, Joshua and an adopted Asian girl named Faith.

After listening to a friend, they finally go to church to seek some help. They learn that children need direction. They are arrows in the worry of parents; they are gifts from God and they need a target.

Charlie decides to commit his life to his family. They start reading the bible together and there is a dramatic change in them.

But their oldest son, Ron, is leaving. He is a genius heading off to a secular college with marijuana in his car and a book attacking Christians and God. Alice, his mother, is hurt by his attitude.

He leaves and totally disappears from their lives for 30 years. The other children do very well, being grounded by having God in their lives. Eventually, they throw their parents a 50th anniversary party, showering them with beautiful tributes. Will Ron ever return and show up for their anniversary?

Like Arrows is an enjoyable movie for Christians and parents alike, for they will learn so much on how to teach their children to grow into the word of God and help them to develop into God fearing adults.

Starring: Micah Lynn Hanson, Alex Kendrick, Alan Powell, Justin Torrence, Katherine Shepler, Elizabeth Becka, Kristi Taylor, Les Best, Garry Nation, Dave Blamy, John Jackson Hunter, Emma Dison Brantley, Frances Dell Brandert, Tara Warolin, Jade Bui Director: Kevin Peeples Producer: Kevin Peeples

Executive Producer: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick, Bob Lepine, Dennis Rainey, Barbara Rainey

Like Arrows: is available on Blue ray and DVD now.

Until next time, God bless you all, from everyone here at His Grace.

His Grace, May 2019

Page 23

Advertise in Our Ontario Magazine...

Grace His

If you would like to share your Christian Testimonal,

Anniversaries, Weddings, Church Bulletins, Birthdays with us at His Grace Magazine

Testimonials...

His Grace, July 2018

Your Journey to God

Celia Deegan's Story "Help me." These two words burst out of the desperate heart of a four year old child and became the most powerful prayer I ever prayed.

A fog has claimed most of the details surrounding the event itself, but certain things have remained perfectly clear involving my first real encounter with the presence of God. I imagined nothing. The presence I felt that night is the same now and as real to me today at age 51 as it was 47 years ago.

Mine was a bad childhood from the very start. I was unplanned and unwanted pregnancy and my mother's opinion of me didn't change the day I was born. What I recall most about the first four years of my life is mostly just a complete absence of love and the acute awareness that my mother hated me. I was afraid of her. I was afraid to talk to her and I was most certainly afraid of the way she talked to me. I spent most of my time wishing that it was bedtime.

At least there alone in the darkness and under my blankets, I felt safe.

And sometimes, bedtime came earlier than usual and without supper. I never complained.

A four year old heart can carry the heavy weight of pain without complaining as a learned coping mechanism, but there were times when I couldn't hold back the tears nor deny the desperation of living

in a cold climate of hostility. I am sure that we are born with the ability to survive anything and I am also sure that the awareness of being hated is absolutely heartbreaking for any child.

I'm not sure that it was an actual panic attack but I am sure of one particular night when the ache inside my chest left me gasping for breath. I felt like I was going in and out of consciousness. The little I knew about life at that point left me with the impression that it was nothing I wanted to pursue.

This may have been the closest I ever really came to giving up completely before the panic struck.

Somewhere in there, as I struggled to breathe, I coughed out two simple words: "Help me..." I choked and I trembled and my little fists were tightly clenched around my blankets. Suddenly, in that moment, an incomprehensible presence of peace and love began to surround me. I began to breathe.

The tears stopped. My heart rate slowed as a sweet sense of relaxation came over me. I began to smile, which is something I don't ever remember doing a lot of before that moment. I felt a profound sense of comfort and warmth wash over me and it was then that I felt His presence right there in that room with me. An incredible sense of joy filled my heart. I couldn't see Him, but I knew He was there. And I was in a total state of awe. I didn't know

WOOD

Publications

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who He was but I knew He was real. I knew He loved me and I knew that I loved Him. This was my first real taste of true love, in its purest form. And in that moment, I knew that I would always be okay because something in that Divine Presence made me feel certain that I would never lose contact with what I encountered that night.

And I never have, not even once, in all these years.

In the days, weeks, months and years that followed, despite the storms that would come, I became a joyful child who rarely lost her smile. I'm not sure how it is even possible that a four year old could know in her innermost being that she had come to know and experience her Heavenly Father God, but I just knew. His ways are not our ways and the God I serve is able to open the eyes and the heart of a child to His presence. Of course He can, He's God! It no longer mattered who hated me because I had been touched with a love so incredibly Divine that no human love could ever compare to that. He became my purpose for living as I slowly came into the awareness of God, the Bible, the Church, other believers, etc.

The night I met Him left me with an insatiable hunger to know more, to pursue Him for the rest of my life and to seek out the hurting and the broken with the message of God's love.

Wedding & Anniversaries...

Jane & Steve

Jane & Steve: A 'classic' Guelph wedding day

J

ust two days after John Wills of John Wills Photography shot Jane and Steve's May 2010 wedding, he was submitting the story for The Ring's Reality Wedding Series.

Inspired by the energy of the couple and their wedding party, he explained, "The couple and wedding party had me laughing all day... It sure doesn't seem like work when you photograph incredible people like these."

stylist as she worked on the rest According to John, the mood of the wedding party. for Jane and Steve's wedding was relaxed and full of joy the John said Jane and Steve's wedding party were just as entire day, from Jane getting ready to the last guest leaving fun to work with. "They were supportive and so involved in the party. "They enjoyed every all of the photos... They wanted moment of the day, and I hope that the memories will to show this couple how continue to make special they were...." them smile."

The day stood out for John because of the love and joy that Jane and Steve expressed for each other, and for everyone involved. He said the couple's personalities shone through in every detail of the wedding day.

"The dress, the choice of attendants for each the bride and groom, the flowers, the choice of music in the ceremony... their personalities were embedded into it all."

Steve runs a family owned body shop in Guelph and is really into cars, so the couple rented a 1964 Rolls Royce for the day.

"They were truly themselves but dressed up a bit fancier the entire day."

In fact, Jane, who is a hair stylist by trade, couldn't resist lending a hand to their hired

Call 905-380-4489 wood.publications.2014@gmail.com or check out our magazine online @ www.issuu.com/His-Grace

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His Grace, May 2019

G GOD O D IS

PLEASE SHARE GOD'S LOVE