His Grace Magazine

Grace His

April 2021

Photo by Aaron MacDonald

Deanlea Beach Tiny, Ontario

WOOD

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Ministries Romans 8:28

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Table of Contents His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:21

Comic.................................................................................Page 3 From the Pulpit.................................................................Pages 4-6 Prayer Page........................................................................Page 7 Book in Review..................................................................Page 8 Poetry Page........................................................................Page 9 Timeless Truths.................................................................Pages 10-11 News...................................................................................Pages 13-16 Athletes for Christ.............................................................Pages 18-19 Featured Artist..................................................................Page 20 Recipe.................................................................................Pages 22-23 Bible Study.........................................................................Pages 24-25 Movie in Review................................................................Page 26

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Comic...

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

The Word According to Elijah

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Don't worry, he'll be back, he didn't take his can opener!

I'm outta here!

Where is he going?

Luke 15:24

Wait!

“'For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.”

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From the Pulpit...

Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood

I

His Grace Magazine!

decided to write about when God turns something bad into something good, especially with all the bad going on in the world right now.

How many times have we heard of friends, family members, coworkers or just some stranger on the news, finding out they have cancer or some rare disease?

But God can and will turn bad things into good, things meant for evil into something good. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Here is a story on how one teenager from the United States thought he knew the

April 2021

God will make it Good!

path he wanted in life, only to find out he would have to figure out another way of making a living. One Sunday, the day after leaving a job that was going nowhere, he found advertising in a local newspaper saying that the US Army was looking for recruits. His mom thought it could be good for him to start this as a new career.

So after thinking about it and passing the basic screening, he decided to contact the recruiter to see if he could join up.

A little while later, he was assigned his own recruiter, where he was signed up and went through a six hour physical. He had to wait to see if he passed, and if he did, he could join the army.

But after finding an underlining medical problem, he was told he could not join the army because he failed his physical.

Although at the time he was very disappointed, only a few months later, that terrible day happened

on September 11th.

If he had passed the physical, he would have been going to war in Afghanistan.

What looked like something that was a failure to him, turned out to be a blessing from God. You never know what God is protecting us from or what He is preparing us for. This is why we should never get mad or upset with what happens in our lives, even if we take a wrong turn on a road, or we sleep in and we are late for work or something important, because God could be protecting us from a red light or a stop sign runner; instead, thank God before heading out from home and ask Him to always protect and direct your path, because only God knows the direction we should turn and go.

Isaiah 30:21 says, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it, Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.'"

The same thing

happened to me as well, as many of you know, especially if you have read some of my Pulpit's from the past, that in 2001 I lost my son, Curtis, as he was stillborn.

This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through. It became a three-year depression that truly consumed me. I would go to work, come home and just sit in the dark by myself until it was time to go to bed; that was my day. After the depression eased, the pain was still there.

I thought it would be different if I changed jobs and for the most part it was. But after awhile, I realized that the pain was not going away. It wasn't until a co-worker bought me my first Bible; I will never forget that. It put me on a journey that is fulfilling to my heart and soul.

You see, replacing your job, house or relationships will never fulfill us nor make us feel better, nor help us forget the bad things that happened that hurt us.

From the Pulpit...

April 2021

The only thing that will fill that empty spot in our hearts is Jesus Christ Himself.

It is in those dark days and times that we feel so alone that we really need God the most. In those difficult times we tend to pray more, read our Bibles more and meditate on His word to draw closer to Him. Now I still have pain over the loss of Curtis; that will never go away, but you learn to live with it, thanks to Jesus who never ever leaves you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed."

My life is so much better with Jesus than it ever was without Him. I also know that one day, I will see Curtis again in heaven all because I realized that I do need Jesus everyday of my life. We cannot go to heaven unless we know and love Jesus Christ

His Grace Magazine!

God will make it Good!

with all our heart, soul and strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

That is because Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. If you don't know Him, then there is no way you can enter heaven; He is truly the only way. Some may say there must be another way, but there isn't.

Jesus Himself said there is no other way to heaven except through Me. John 14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Now you might be saying, 'So how did God turn this nightmare into good?' Well this was a nightmare, but He did turn it into good. As time went on, I realized that He was changing me from the inside out. I was now a different person, light instead of dark, happy instead of depressed,

becoming stronger and depending on Jesus for everything.

When we go through something so traumatic as losing a child, that sticks with us mentally and spiritually, so now I can minister to those who lose or have lost a child, something that I always pray never happens, but it does and those people need help, because if you're not careful, you can also lose your marriage, that is how traumatic this all is.

So now I'm prepared, with God's help, to go out and help those who are in need of God's love. So in my case, He turned this all into something really good. 1 John 4:19 says, "We love Him because He first loved us."

This can happen to you as well. Just give your life to Jesus. Let Him into your life, then watch Him work.

Read your Bible every day or night, pray day and night as Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer

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and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." He is always with us; He is always listening to us. Sometimes it may feel like He is a long way away and I have felt that at times, but He is right there, always beside you.

There are a few instances in the Bible where bad things happened, but God was there to turn them into something better than it was before.

That's because God truly knows what is good for us, far better than we do.

One story that is in the Bible where evil things were changed to good is in Joseph's case, where his brothers did not like Joseph very much. He was his father's favorite and his brothers saw him as trouble. Joseph had a dream and he told his brothers the dream he had,

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From the Pulpit...

but then they hated him even more.

Genesis 37:6-7 says, "So he said to them, Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." So the brothers plotted to kill Joseph, but one of his brothers, Reuben, said to the other brothers, "Do not kill him, but put him in the a pit." So they did.

Then his other brother named Judah thought it would be a good idea to sell him and make some money off him. So they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Genesis 37:2627 says, "So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers listened."

His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

God will make it Good!

They then told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast.

His father Jacob tore his clothes and mourned his son (Genesis 37:34). Joseph was sold in Egypt to an officer and captain of the guard of Pharaoh named Potiphar.

Joseph in appearance was very handsome.

Potiphar's wife liked Joseph and asked him to lie with her, but he refused. When she grabbed his garment, he ran outside to get away from her. After this had happened, she told Potiphar, her husband, that Joseph had mocked her. This angered Potiphar, where he then put Joseph in prison.

Genesis 39:20 says, "Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison."

Genesis 50:20 says, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many

people alive."

If you are living in a difficult season right now, I pray you will find comfort in this reminder. God will turn all this that you are going through into good. God is a faithful God; He can not lie and He is crazy in love with you.

All that you are going through now, may in the future deeply affect someone else's life and you can be there to help them through their troubles.

The difficult times we go through can feel like they're weighing us down, as if our hearts and minds are in prison.

If this is how you feel today, just know that God is right beside you, helping you through the storm.

Although we can't see it all unfold, God's plans for us are good.

He will turn all of our struggles around for our good, because He has a plan for us, and His gift is better than we could ever imagine on our own.

Pray that God will use the struggles you are going through to be a blessing in your life and that through you, other people will see His powers and see His love work through you and they will be blessed as well.

WOOD Ministries Publisher/Sales Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Editor/Writer: Donna Wood

wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Writer: Lynne Wood

wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Ministries.

Contact us @ 905-380-4489, or email us at wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Prayer...

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

To do His Will

Heavenly Father, You alone are holy,omnipotent and wise; I bow my face in reverence before You With a humble and contrite heart, Seeking Your will, not my own.

Move Your Holy Spirit within me And draw me closer to You; Make me a worthy vessel That I may serve You as I ought.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen '“Has not My hand made all of these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at My word”' Isaiah 66:2 NIV

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His Grace Magazine!

Book in Review...

Shine On

April 2021

A True Story of a Quadruple Amputee

Book by: Cyndi Desjardins Wilkens Written by: Lynne Wood

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hine On is an amazing true story of a quadruple amputee.

Cyndi Desjardins Wilkens was raised by a good Christian family.

She was shy growing up, but made a lot of friends, even though her family moved a lot. It was through one of her friends that she met her future husband, Marc.

Marc had a different upbringing and he didn't believe like Cyndi, but eventually he would. Cyndi and Marc were married; it wasn't smooth sailing from fertility problems to infidelity on Marc's part.

They did adopt a little girl, Cienna, then they had a baby boy, Liam.

It wasn't easy at first but Cyndi did forgive him as he was truly sorry.

Liam was three months old when Cyndi became deathly sick and was rushed to the hospital.

They placed her in a coma and told the family to prepare for the worst. They found the bacterial infection was recrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh

eating disease. They needed to operate but couldn't get her blood pressure down. Marc's friend suggested he pull the plug; he said Cyndi wouldn't want to live like that. Marc knew he meant well but it upset him so much, he went to the hospital to pray at her bedside and chapel.

He asked God for help, what he should do.

He received his answer the next day from Cyndi's mom.

She told him she could hear angels singing and Cyndi's voice saying, "I want to live, I need more time, don't pull the plug." He met the doctor, told him Cyndi's going to make it. Her blood pressure started

going down.

They had to amputate both her hands and feet. After five long weeks, she came out of the coma; doctors warned him she might hate you. Cyndi's only thought was how could he love her now. Marc didn't hesitate; he looked lovingly at Cyndi and said, "I fell in love with your soul, your heart and your eyes, not your hands and feet." Cyndi asked her mom why did God do this, her mom told her God didn't; His plans are to help, not harm you. God will make it right.

Physiotherapy was very hard as you can imagine, so easy to get discouraged. A wonderful nurse taped this poem to her bed: No, that trauma you faced was not easy, and God wept that it hurt you so, but it was allowed to shape your heart so that into His likeness you'd

grow! "It reminded me of God's love and Jesus was helping me. I knew I would fight to get stronger and be with my family."

Cyndi was fitted for hands and five months after being hospitalized, was fitted with legs.

It took an incredible amount of hard work but what they said would take at least a year of rehabilitation, Cyndi was going home after six months.

For her anniversary, Marc gave her his gold chain with her wedding and engagement rings on it. Somewhere along her journey, God had changed her husband into the man she always dreamed of. Shine On is an incredible journey about love, faith, hope, determination and perseverance.

"I will Love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 18:1-2

Poetry...

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

The Door

Behold I stand at the door and knock; I stand at the door of the lonely heart.

If he hears My voice and lets Me in, He will dine with Me and I with him.

Behold I stand at the door and knock; Your self-sufficiency will save you not.

My child, you are wretched, blind and poor; I implore that you should open your door.

Behold I stand at the door and knock; I plead that you do not keep your door shut; You stand at the door of eternity; The Son of Man comes; are you ready?

I patiently stand at the door and knock; If one should invite Me into their heart, He will be reconciled to God through Me And will partake in the heavenly feast.

(Luke 12:36)

“And you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.”

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n the February 2021 edition of His Grace Magazine, I wrote about my fears as a young child, namely, of dying, and how those fears were overcome once I understood the Bible and how I needn't be afraid because I believe in the power of the cross and the resurrection.

However, the Bible talks about, over and over again, how we should fear God, how fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, how God's mercy is on those who fear Him and how it is the fountain of life.

Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Job 28:28 says, "And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the

His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

Why should we fear God?

snares of death."

Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but

"The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."

Psalm 145:19 says,

to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

Luke 1:50 says, "And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation."

Proverbs 19:23 tells us, "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied, He will not be visited by harm."

Psalm 25:14 reads, "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant."

Psalm 34:9 declares, "Oh fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack!"

Proverbs 22:4 tells us,

"He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them."

Proverbs 10:27 tells us, "The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short."

We can clearly see in the previous passages that we are commanded to fear God and with that comes many blessings.

What exactly does it mean to 'fear the Lord,' when scripture such as Matthew 10:28 says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"?

There is a fear that produces negative results, a paralyzing fear that stresses us to the

core. Obviously, this is not the type of fear the Bible is referring to. The context of the main Hebrew and Greek words translated 'fear' in the Bible refers to a positive respect, or reverence of His power and righteousness.

The scriptures explain that proper fear of God leads to full, complete lives and bright futures.

Repeatedly throughout the Bible, we are commanded to fear God. Why? Because we learn through studying scripture that a healthy fear of God includes the fear of the consequences of disobedience. When the fear of God is lost by man or a nation, they are on their way to destruction. There is an inevitable consequence for doing wrong, and there is no way to escape. Even an atheist, who does not believe in God at all, has to admit that when he sees the laws of nature, he knows that you either obey the laws of nature and live, or disobey them and die.

We learn to respect the laws of electricity. We cannot make up laws as we go along. We had better find out what they are first, for once we disobey them, it's already

His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

too late.

The same goes for God's laws.

God requires of every nation that there be the recognition of His sovereign government of men and the laws of retribution for evil. For God always accomplishes what He says He is going to do.

In order to fully understand what it means to fear God, we must realize several of His characteristics. First of all, we must recognize that God is loving, merciful and forgiving, but He is also holy, just and righteous. Knowing God means accepting the fact that His justice and holiness causes Him to judge sin.

Hebrews 10:26-27 tell us, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."

Sin angers God and He has the power to

Why should we fear God?

punish those who stand against Him and break His laws. When Adam and Eve first sinned in the Garden of Eden, they became afraid and tried to hide from God. Hebrews 10:31 tell us, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Reverence of God helps us to take Him and His beneficial laws seriously.

Living in harmony with God's laws has great benefits to be experienced in the life to come, as well as in this life. Once we learn those rules, we continue to follow them out of love for our Savior, knowing the price He paid for our redemption.

By fearing God, we can avoid being trapped by the natural pull toward doing our own thing, defying God and giving in to the inviting ways of immoral behavior.

Most of all, the fact that the Lord is a God of justice who will judge the entire human race should be reason enough to produce a godly fear.

It is a sobering and absolute truth that God is constantly aware of our every action and motive, and that we will be held accountable for those actions on the day of reckoning. We need to respect and acknowledge His presence in our lives and know that it is His hand that sends circumstances into our lives. The knowledge of God's power, wisdom and love and His willingness to accept us, change us, forgive us, restore us and to stand by us are all part of fearing God. To fear God is to live righteously, not to be self-righteous.

Fearing the Lord will help us to obey His commands and live according to His Word and say 'no' to sin. Living this way in obedience to God will sanctify us. It compels us to hate sin and avoid evil. It cause us to be careful in what we say and do. It protects us from weakening towards what is true and right.

The fear of the Lord has

"... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Philippians 2:10-11)

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a spiritually cleansing, purifying and restoring effect on us.

When we truly fear God, it motivates us to worship the Lord with our whole being. Revelation 14:6-7 tells us of an angel flying in the midst of heaven, "saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."

Scripture makes it clear that God has promised to reward all those who fear Him with honor and life, security and protection from death, provisions for everyday needs and a long life. Fearing God will bring a deep sense of spiritual security and the anointing of empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

The continual blessings we receive from God, especially the forgiveness of our sin should lead us to fear and love the Lord. Psalm 130:4 says, "But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."

WOOD

Ministries Written by: Donna Wood Photo by: Rob Wood

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His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

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Movie-making Sisters

Movie brings Compassion & Faith to Hollywood

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wo sisters, Andrea Polnaszek and Alexandra Boylan, have teamed up to show their audiences a sincere and life changing message.

Both sisters recently talked about their journey with Pure Flix; they talked about their road to Hollywood; they also talked about the details behind their new movie titled, "Switched."

Alexandra said, "Switched" is about two girls in high school, one's the bully and one's the girl that she bullies, and the girl being bullied prays that the other girl would know what it's like to walk a day in her shoes."

The movie is such an amazing movie for the whole family to watch.

She describes how both girls wake up "switched" and they both view the world through the other girl's eyes.

"Both girls end up finding compassion and love for one another," Alexandra said.

This movie has an important plot line, especially since it's a time where many are feeling disconnected

and mixed up in a time of bullying, that plagues the lives of

up some used clothes, and all the kids at school would pick on them

our youth today with rudeness and controlling conversations.

The sisters were motivated in making the movie "Switched" because it's all based on things that happened in their own lives, as both sisters felt very misunderstood when they were growing up.

Alexander and Andrea were daughters of a minister; they both were bullied. Alexander remembers the torment of being bullied.

One example of this is when they were in school. Money was tight for the family, so they would have to go to the church and pick

because of this.

All the experiences that they went through gives the sisters compassion for other kids in schools that are bullied everyday.

They're both hoping that the message from this movie will help kids going through similar situations. Alexandra said, "If we could walk a day in that person's shoes...We need to love on them instead of making fun of them."

Both sisters went from being pastor's kids to gifted film makers.

When Alexandra decided to move to Los Angeles when she was 19, she had a dream of

performing in movies.

Alexandra said, "I moved out to L.A. all by myself; I got kicked around for 10 years."

After awhile, she started to make some independent movies, and success came after she made a thriller.

When her agent said, "Why don't you make faith based films?", it made her stop and think. What he said to her was so different from what she was trying to do in movies, but Alexandra knew there was something to what he said.

After Alexander left the meeting, she realized that God was talking to her and was leading her to make faith-based movies. She said, "I'm so glad He called me to do it."

Both sisters are hoping that the movie "Switched" brings light to the viewers that will help them live out the Jesus command to love one another.

The movie does explore all the areas where we can love one another instead of hurting others.

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His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

Another Volcano Erupts

The Caribbean island of St. Vincent is bracing for more Volcano Eruptions

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volcano erupts in the Caribbean island of Kingstown, St. Vincent. All the people that ignored the warnings to evacuate the areas around the volcano on the eastern side of St. Vincent ran to safety on Saturday, the day after the eruption that started with an explosion that made the ground shake and spewed ash up into the sky; it covered the island in a fine layer of volcanic dust and rock.

It's the island's first large eruption since 1979. The island's beautiful towns and their villages were all turned into dark sutey reminder of what a volcano can do. An overwhelming smell of sulfur was in the air and ash was everywhere. It covered and blew into the houses, cars and blocked the sun from shining on the beautiful tourist area.

One of the residents that lives in Biabou, a village close to St. Vincent, said that she could hear the rumblings.

Chellilse Rogers said, "It's exhilarating and scary at the same time. It's the first time that I have witnessed a volcano eruption."

The scientists are warning that there could be explosions happening in the coming days or weeks.

Geologist with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center, Richard Robertson said, "The first bang is not necessarily the biggest bang this volcano will give."

The people that had to flee the communities that are covered in ash was about 16,000. They only took as much with

them that they could, all in suitcases, backpacks or bags. So far, there has been no reports of anyone being injured or killed from the first eruption or any since.

The government ordered people to evacuate before the volcano erupted from the high risk areas that are around the 1,220 meter or 4,003 foot volcano. Scientists had warned them that the lava was close to the volcano surface.

The Prime Minister of the 32 islands that are a part of St. Vincent said the people should remain calm and be patient. Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, said that officials are trying

to figure out the best way to clean up the ash that is covering the airport runway near the capital of Kingstown, which is about 32 kilometers (or 20 miles) south.

It also fell as far away as Barbados, 190 kilometers (120 miles) to the east, as he was talking on the local station NBC Radio.

The Prime Minister said, "It's difficult to breathe;" he also said, "What goes up, must come down," referring to the volcano is discharging less ash.

People are seen to be sweeping the ash out of their houses, and covering windows and doors as they try to stop ash from coming in.

Eastern Caribbean has 19 live volcanos; this includes two that are under water near Grenada. The volcano that had been recently active is Soufriere Hills in Montserrat. It has been erupting endlessly since 1995 and has killed 19 people since 1997.

His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

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Microchip & Persecution

The Pentagon has developed a Microchip that will Detect COVID when put under the skin

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edical researchers at the Pentagon are working to establish a microchip that can discover a COVID-19 virus when it is placed under the skin.

This might all sound like a sci-fi movie, but all this technology advancement is true.

Their scientists are calling it the "Subdermal Implant;" it is now in the final stages of testing.

It was established by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, a top secret unit in the Pentagon and it was started during the Cold War. This was so they could study the developing technology for their military.

Ret. Col. Dr. Matthew Hepburn, the program manager for DARPA. said, "It's a sensor, that tiny green thing in there; you put it underneath your skin, and what that tells you is that there are chemical reactions going on inside the body and that signal means you're gonna have symptoms tomorrow."

One of the doctors said the implant is lik

a "check engine light;" when it is fully applied, it will be used by the military to discover the soldier with the virus.

This would be to ensure that the soldier would not be able to spread the virus to other soldiers.

When the microchip , which is gel-like, is implanted under the skin, it will constantly be checking the soldiers' blood to locate the COVID-19 virus.

They say it is to stop a huge infection which can spread quite quickly through a unit. We saw this with the outbreak on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt; there were 1,150 sailors infected with COVID-19 last year.

Sailors and soldiers would get a signal from the microchip, they can then draw blood and test their blood right there on the spot and stop another

huge infection from spreading. They would receive the information in three to five minutes.

The scary thing about it all, though, is the fact that in the very near future, I believe the microchip will be used for the mark of the Beast.

So for as right now, what is being tested and used for something along the lines to be good, will eventually be used for evil.

verse from the Quran.

Arooj was implicated with removing the religious sticker, then handed it to Lal. A nurse at the hospital named Rukhsana, a Muslim, then filed a complaint to the police.

Not long after, an angry mob had assembled outside the hospital, where they threatened to kill both nurses. Police then arrived on the scene to arrest them. This is not the first time this has

happened, and it will not be the last.

Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS, said he is worried about the misuse of the blasphemy laws.

"This is not the first incident of this kind, but in the past, we have seen how people use this law to settle their personal grudges or punish their rivals."

Pakistan happens to be 5th ranked where Christians are being persecuted.

Two Christian Pakistani Nurses charged with Blasphemy and attacked by Colleagues

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wo Christian Pakistani Nurses have been arrested and charged with blasphemy in Punjab's Faisalabad City because of a complaint that had been filed on April 8th by the hospital staff.

Nurse Maryam Lal and 3rd year student nurse Navish Arooj had been working in the hospital. The report said Arooj wrote down on a sticker engraved with Durood Shareef, a

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His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

Stamford Wins Championship

Anna Wilson helps Stamford Win First NCAA Championship in 29 Years, by putting Jesus First!

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arlier this month in a very tight game, the Stanford University women's basketball team beat Arizona 54-53 in the women's NCAA finals.

Stamford's win their first NCAA women's championship win for the school in 29 years.

One of Stamford's leaders on the team is Anna Wilson; she is the sister of the Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson. With all of Anna's success playing basketball, the Pac-12 CoDefensive Player of the Year knows that all of her achievements are through Jesus Christ. Anna even has Colossians 3:23, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men," on her Twitter profile.

Just before the championship game took place, Anna put out a tweet to all her followers about Jesus.

She said, "You can do

all things! Jesus you always come through."

When Anna was on ESPN last spring, she

left hand; she does this before every practice.

Anna says that by doing this she is decreasing

told everyone how her Christian faith always helps her to stay disciplined and that it helps her explain her success.

When Anna finds it hard and things are not bouncing her way on the court, she will start to whisper to herself. She says, "He must increase, I must decrease." (John 3:30) Anna wrote on her left wrist, and the word Joy on top of her

herself, to put Jesus first, then her teammates over herself. Her faith has strengthened her and helped her with her success. Anna said that "It's definitely not all about me."

She also said on one of her posts, "For He will complete what He appoints for me, and many such things are in His mind." (Job 23:14) God, you set the pace of my life. You know

what is best for me. My gaze is on You. Anna will look on her time that she has spent at Stamford as a gift that has given her so much more than just an education.

Anna said, "With all the ups and downs of being a student, athlete at the most competitive academic and athletic university, I've learned more than I could've imagined, I wouldn't change a thing, I have friends and mentors for a lifetime. When I lost a dad, God provided an entire family that helped me become the woman I am today. I know my dad would be proud."

Anna's brother, Russell, also posted a special tweet for his sister, "Drive. Will.

Passion. Energy. You've earned it all through hard work, leadership, prayer & Immeasurable Faith. I Love you Anna Wilson."

What a great story of Anna's faith, hard work and determination!

April 2021

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His Grace Magazine!

Athletes for Christ...

April 2021

Garry Unger Garry came to Jesus in Atlanta G arry Unger, born in Calgary, Alberta on December 7, 1947 was a hockey player who played centre ice.

There was no way Garry would have any idea what was coming his way as a hockey career when he was put into the Toronto Maple Leafs line up.

On February 24, 1968, Garry was centred inbetween Mike Walton and George Armstrong. At the time, Coach Punch Imlach decided to bring up Garry from the farm team to try to make the playoffs and to fill in for the injured Dave Keon.

Garry would go on to play in the NHL through to the 1982-1983 season, as he would go on to shatter the existing iron man record by 284 games.

During that iron man streak, Garry was traded four times in his career. Two weeks after playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Garry was traded to the Detroit Red Wings where he played four years.

Detroit then traded Garry to the St. Louis Blues in 1970-1971 season,

and played nine seasons with the Blues. While playing for the Blues, he broke Andy Hebenton's iron man record on March 10, 1976 in Toronto. Garry was then traded to the Atlanta Flames where he would play one season for the franchise which was 1979-1980.

On December 22, 1979, then Flames coach Al MacNeil went and benched Garry, which ended his iron man streak at 914 consecutive games. Garry moved on the next year to play for the Los Angeles Kings in 1980-1981, where he would only play 58 games before being traded one last time to the Edmonton Oilers. There he would play three season for the Oilers.

Garry retired after the 1982-1983 season.

During Garry's hockey career, he would score 30 goals in a season seven times, six seasons in a row, 40 or more goals twice. Garry was honoured by playing in seven All Star games in the 1970's. Garry's iron man consecutive games record was passed by Doug Jarvis on December 26, 1986; he played in his 915 game with the Hartford Whalers. He would finish with 964 without a night off. Garry never won a Stanley Cup, but he was nevertheless a complete hockey player.

The death of one of his teammates, Bob Gassoff, during his time playing for the St. Louis Blues really made Garry think about life and where he would be spending

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

Athletes for Christ...

Garry Unger Garry Unger with the St. Louis Blues

eternity. During the trade to the Atlanta Flames, Garry would become good friends with Paul Henderson and Jean Pronovost; during that time he played in 1979, Garry decided to give his life to Jesus Christ. Garry said, "When we meet God face to face, He won't care how many goals we've scored or how many golf games we've won. Instead, He's going to ask you; 'What did you do about Jesus Christ, did you accept or reject Him?' And I only know it for one reason; it happened to me and it changed my life."

Garry and his wife, Beverly, have three children. Garry currently works for the Banff Hockey Academy in Banff, Alberta.

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Featured Artist...

His Grace Magazine!

April 2021

Ryan Stevenson A former Paramedic, now a Musician R yan Dale Stevenson was born on January 21, 1979 in Boise, Idaho. He is an American Christian singer, guitarist. He plays contemporary Christian music, and also worship music. Ryan's record label is with Gotee Records, which is owned by Christian musician TobyMac. Ryan's music career started in 2003, but his first release, which was an independent album called Running to You, didn't get released until June of 2007, from the label of Off the Vine Music.

Ryan then released The Undiscovered, independently in 2010.

Ryan would release three extended songs, "Yesterday, Today, Forever"; this song was released on February 2011 with BEC Recordings.

Next

up was "Champion of the World." It was released independently on July 2012.

The third one was "Holding Nothing Back", which was released September 2013 by Gotee Records. Ryan's songs have been on the Billboard

magazine charts six times. He also had some on the Christian Airplay; those songs are "Hold Nothing Back," "The Human Side," "Not Forgotten," and "All Yours." Ryan's first album, Fresh Start, released on September 2015, by Gotee Records had the 15 week No. 1 single called, "Eye of the Storm."

He also released "No Matter What" in 2018.

Ryan grew up in Oregon; his dad's name is James and his mom's is Phyllis. He has an older sister, Janay. His dad and mom raised him in the church, which introduced him to all the hymns at an early age. Ryan received his first guitar at the age of 18 years old. Ryan gives his mom a special thanks for all her prayers asking God to help him grow to be a good musician.

Ryan's mom passed away from bone cancer on October 3, 2009 at the age of 58. He then went to Northwest Christian College. He sharpened his music skills with his roommate, Paul Wright. They both started a small band. They played acoustic music in local restaurants in the area of Eugene, Oregon.

Ryan is married to his wife, Kim and they live in Boise, Idaho.

They have two sons and a baby girl.

The two boys have been praying for a baby sister for a few years.

Ryan was the worship minister for the Vertical Church. Ryan was also a paramedic for eight years, before his music career really took off.

April 2021

His Grace Magazine

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

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Psalm 23:1,2

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Recipe...

His Grace Magazine!

Coconut Cake

April 2021

Ingredients: • 3/4 lb Butter, softened • 2 c Sugar • 5 Eggs • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract • 1 1/2 tsp Almond Extract • 3 c Flour, minus 3 tbsp • 3 tbsp Cornstarch • 1 tsp B. Powder • 1/2 tsp B. Soda • 1/2 tsp Salt • 1 c Coconut Milk • 1/2 c sweetened shredded Coconut Frosting: • 1 pkg Cream Cheese, softened • 1/2 lb Butter, softened • 3/4 tsp Vanilla Extract • 1/4 tsp Almond Extract • 2 c Icing Sugar • 3/4 c Shredded Coconut Daniel 10:3 “I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

Recipe...

April 2021

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Coconut Cake

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• Preheat oven to 350 deg • Grease 2-9" round cake pans, lined with parchment paper and greased • Cream butter and sugar together on med high speed for 3-5 min.

• Add eggs, one at a time• Add vanilla and almond extract; mix well • In separate bowl, sift flour, b. powder, b. soda and salt.

• Alternately add dry ingred. and milk to batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingred. on low speed until just combined • Fold in coconut • Pour into prepared pans and smooth top with knife.

• Bake 45 minutes; cool on baking rack for 30 min.

• For Frosting, mix first 4 ingredients on low speed.

• Add icing sugar and mix until just smooth • Decorate cake with coconut pressed into cake

Psalm 107:9 “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

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His Grace Magazine!

Bible Study...

April 2021

John 14:6

"What is our function as Believers?"

ohn 14:6: 'Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."' Seeing it is that time of year when we are more focused on the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, I thought it would only be fitting to talk on John 14:6, words that were spoken

by Jesus shortly before His arrest and death.

In the previous verses, Jesus explains to His disciples that He will be going to prepare a place for His followers, that where He is, there they will be also. Thomas asks Him how they are supposed to know the way if they don't know where He is going. Jesus responds by declaring that He is, 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life.'

Jesus was not telling His disciples that they had to find their own way to where He was going; He was saying that He would come to get them and take them to where He is going.

Jesus is the Way...

The world tells us there

are many paths to God ... go to church, be a good person, different religions, basically whatever works for you.

Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." The world tells us that the road to heaven is wide open, but the Bible

shed blood and selfless sacrifice shattered the barrier between sinful man and God. Salvation cannot be accomplished by good works. Our sinful nature makes it impossible for us to reconcile ourselves to God. The way to salvation is not a process - the

tells us something totally different. Matthew 7:13 says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it."

Jesus is that narrow gate; He is the only way for fallen man to get to the Father. And that way was the cross of Calvary, where His

way to salvation is a person ... the person of Christ. Jesus is the only way by which we can be redeemed; He became the perfect sacrifice for us when He gave His life for us on the cross.

We cannot strive to earn heaven, we can only seek to follow Christ. And through following Christ, we know God. 2 Corinthians

4:6 says, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." God is always there, speaking to our hearts, calling our names, telling us that Today is the day of Salvation. He sent His only Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Jesus is the Truth...

Before Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, he asked Him if He was a king. Jesus' response was, "I have come into the world, to testify to the truth." (John 18:37) Pilate retorted to Jesus, "What is truth?"(John 18:38).

Ironically, the world doesn't know what truth means.

It still believes that truth is subjective, or that it is a collective judgment, the product of cultural beliefs.

And then there's those who believe that truth simply doesn't exist.

However, the Bible teaches us that truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory and being of God.

April 2021

Bible Study...

Truth is the way that things really are, whether we want to believe them or not. God is the source and author of all truth.

Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us that the Almighty is referred to as, 'the God of truth.' Jesus says that He is the Truth, which means that all truth is defined by God and His eternal glory.

Truth is the perfect expression of God and the absolute embodiment of all that is true.

Jesus tells us that the written Word of God is pure, unchangeable truth. Absolute truth cannot contradict itself.

Truths about God and His moral standards are stamped on the human heart and to deny this truth is to dishonor God and to provoke His wrath.

Any other truth must be measured by the truths of the Bible, because truth means nothing apart from God. It cannot be defined or explained without God as the source.

When a society suppresses the connection between God and truth, we end up with a society that is perverted in its thoughts and ways.

To reject and rebel against God's truth will result in darkness,

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John 14:6

sin, judgment and the never-ending wrath of God. To accept and submit to God's truth is to find life everlasting.

Jesus is the Life... Jesus teaches us that there is so much more to life than this mortal existence here on earth. What we are to be concerned about is eternal life.

This life here on earth is not our ultimate goal; it is a mere drop in the bucket. Our goal is to live a life here that prepares us for eternal life with Jesus and all of His saints in heaven.

Jesus shows us that following Him daily in faith will lead us to a better, richer, more meaningful life than we could ever imagine on our own.

Jesus is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual and in Him is eternal life for all who trust and believe in His redemptive work.

He delivers us from a life of bondage to sin and death to a life of freedom in eternity.

He laid down His life for His sheep and then He was raised from the dead.

He has authority over life and death as being granted to Him by the Father.

He is the One who breathes His own resurrected life into a fallen man, by faith. It is by faith in Him that we are indwelt by the Spirit of God who lives within us.

Jesus is the life in whom we have our hope.

There is no other way to God; no other truth about God; and no other life apart from God. No other religion, no other faith, no other path, no other philosophy and no other gospel but the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads the sinner to God the Father.

So, how do we follow Jesus today? By hearing His words and believing in them and obeying them; by confessing our sins and believing that He died to take the punishment of our sins and He rose from the dead to give us new life; by following His commandment to tell others the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment.

Believing in Him is not about trying to be good enough to make it with God; it's more about how we live our lives ... following Jesus' examples of selfdenial, compassion, trust and surrender.

We are saved from hell's destruction the moment we invite Jesus in to our lives. Our eternity has already begun at that very moment. It's time to give up 'trying' to work our way into heaven.

Christ has commissioned us to be the light of the world, to shine so that we can tell the world of the glory of Christ, to drive out the darkness, to reveal the work that God has done in our lives and to show the world the way to salvation, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; Jesus is, ultimately, the way to heaven.

My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is Truth.

Open my eyes and my understanding to grasp, believe and act on these simple yet profound Truths.

Thank you for all that You are and help me to be a light in this dark world to spread Your Truth.

In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

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His Grace Magazine!

Movie in Review...

April 2021

Everyday Miracles “Forgiveness is the greatest gift”

his movie, called Everyday Miracles, is about a young faith healer who goes out on his own to start over, as he tries to leave his past behind.

This movie has a strong Christian view, with forgiveness and faith.

Everyday Miracles starts with a young man, who's name is Cotton.

He is walking down a road that was completely deserted, drunk, trying to find a ride.

During a storm, a loud noise came from the barn. It woke up Emily and Clay, her father. Clay then goes outside to see what all the noise in the barn was and he finds Cotton passed out drunk in the barn.

In the morning, Cotton wakes up and is not sure where he is. He goes outside where he meets Clay and Emily. Clay then gives Cotton some work to do on the farm for the day. But before

Cotton starts to work, he goes to the house to see if he can have something to eat from a young woman named Max, who cooks and cleans for Clay. Later in the day as Cotton is working, Emily comes over to talk to him, and she tells him about her and her father Clay's life.

She tells him that her mother and older brother passed away after a car accident.

After a day's work, Cotton comes over to Clay and asks him if it would be okay if he continued to work for him. Clay tells him that if he works for him, there will be some rules and tells him he can stay in the barn on a cot. Cotton accepts the rules. The next morning, Clay and Emily go to church.

Cotton stays at the farm, but later on, Clay sees Cotton outside the church listening to the service. Later that day, as Cotton is working on the farm, he calms a horse that is distressed.

A few days later, a man comes to the farm handing out flyers for a revival that is being held nearby that farm. Cotton

knows that his life and the way he has lived has caught up to him, so decides to tell Clay about his life before he came to the farm.

Cotton tells Clay that his family would hold revivals and that his father was a preacher.

When his father passed away, it was just him, his mother and younger sister. His mother was convinced that Cotton had the gift of healing and exploited that gift to make money for the family. That is what made Cotton run away from home.

Now that Cotton's mother has found him, Cotton will have to find a way to tackle his past that he ran away from, and he has to find a way to continue living the new life that he has now found.

Starring: Gary Cole, Erik Smith, Lusia Strus, Zoe Perry, Ali Stroker, Dani Fish.

Producer: James J. Bagley, Tom Tangen.

Director: Marty Madden.

Runtime: 93 minutes Everyday Miracles is available on Blue ray and DVD.

Grace

April 2021

His Grace Magazine!

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