From the Pastor’s Desk – Nov 25 2017

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“Will we have the opportunity to welcome you to our Bronte family, this last Sabbath of November, as we conclude our theme on the Reformation and its impact on our spiritual life and Christianity? Our guest speaker, Pastor Casey will give us a final challenge as we deeply reflect on the “Morningstar” of the Reformation. A pertinent excerpt from The Great Controversy further enlightens us. “The influence of this one man (Martin Luther), who dared to think and act for himself in religious matters, was to affect the church and the world, not only in his own time, but in all future generations. His firmness and fidelity would strengthen all, to the close of time, who should pass through a similar experience. The power and majesty of God stood forth above the counsel of men, above the mighty power of Satan” (p. 166). What are we willing to address or stand up for where our faith and our God are concerned? Do we mind or care about it enough that we would dare to be different? May our faith continuously stand firm and be fortified by God’s Word in these closing times of earth’s history as we strive to overcome the world (1 John 5:3-4) Let us walk hand-in hand with God, move away from the world, draw close into His loving arms, stand up for Him, kneel down to Him, take our place under Him, feel Him watch over us, see Him work around us, and allow Him to work in us and through us! ”

– Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Nov 18 2017

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We look forward to welcoming you to the Bronte Church family as we will soon celebrate another Sabbath in study, worship, and fellowship. We are grateful for each of you who meet, greet, and come together each week. We miss those of you who cannot and have not come for a while and wish to see you soon again. I often think how different it would be like if we did not have a family unit, circle of friends, or support/social group. What if that was taken away from us; how would we feel and how different would our lives be? In what ways would it affect us? Would we feel disconnected, despondent, and depressed? Thank God for our inner circles and those who accept us. Sociologist Daniel Bell once said that, “culture is the effort to provide a coherent set of answers to the existential situations that confront all human beings in the passage of their lives.” We all have a culture we belong to, one we identify with and that somewhat defines us. Apart from human, ethnic, and personal culture, what type of culture should we cultivate as Christians? The Christ culture, a Christo-centric culture, should supersede and surpass all earthly cultures, creating a sense of spiritual cohesion and unity within the body of Christ. If there is any place that we should feel comfortable, be caring, and find commonality, community, acceptance, and love, it should be in the church. The Bible says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another so much more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The coming day of the Lord is fast approaching. How will the world know about your faith? How does our church represent God to the world? How do you represent God to the world? We have a culture in Christ that should make our hearts beat in unison as Jesus prays that we “may all be one even as He is with His Father” (John 17:21). Being “one” doesn’t mean we all have to look, sound, or think the same, but it does mean we are one in faith, hope, love, purpose, passion, mission, and our culture in Christ, so that we may have a deeper connection, a greater meaning to our lives, and a higher purpose we serve. The blood of Jesus binds us together by cords of love. May the world see Jesus in you and me and may all other ground be sinking sand.

– Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Nov 4th 2017

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We can’t wait to greet you and welcome you to the Bronte family and to the month of November as we gather to study, worship, and fellowship this Sabbath day. We are one month away from the last month of the year! The changing colours, the crisp air of autumn, and the falling leaves all beckon the beauty of the fall season. What a time of the year, when it feels like it is countdown, yet also a time to just pause and reflect on what is ahead. There have been so many changes in our world; the natural, political, environmental, social and religious world transforms so fast. Every day, headlines read something new, different, and even frightening. What word of hope can we hold onto and from what reliable source? Are the news, the media, or internet enough? We recently had the 500th commemoration of the Reformation, and one pillar of faith that was established was the authority of God’s word. How much does it mean to us? I would propound for thought that without the Bible, we could not be a Christian! Where would we be without it? Jesus Himself states that His words ‘are spirit and they are life’ (John 6:63). We must live by every word! God’s word cannot fail and will not ‘return unto Him void’ (Isaiah 55:11). We can bank on it and go to the bank with it!”

— Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Oct 28 2017

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We hope to welcome you today to the Bronte Church family as we meet to study, worship, and fellowship. Today, we will celebrate the Lord’s supper. It’s a special time as we remember what our Saviour has done for us and the entire human family, to ransom, rescue, and redeem us. When we think about how our Lord left His majesty, dominion, and power to condescend and become like us, it only reveals the unspeakable and infinite love of God. Who would have thought of such a plan, but the One created us and recreates us. We belong to God first by creation and then by redemption. When we celebrate the communion, we remember the cost it took to save us; we receive it with humility forgiveness, mercy, and grace; we can renew our covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. What a provision that was made for us! The communion connection links us between creation, catastrophe, and Calvary. It is the only way to God, heaven, and eternity. Ephesians 1:7 says “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Jesus becomes our bridge, our ticket, and our lifeline. He is still the only way, the truth, and the life. Let us receive afresh and anew always and don’t leave home without Him!” — Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Oct 21 2017

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We welcome you to our Bronte Church family this Sabbath! We are living in a time where almost any goes and is characterized by the word ‘whatever.’ With disintegrating values, plummeting principles, and declining morals, most people live only for the present and the moment, not even realizing the impact of their choices and consequences tomorrow. While it’s true that we should live for today and not worry about tomorrow, what we do today may influence tomorrow; decisions today can affect our tomorrow and ultimately our destiny. In a spiritual sense, we know this to be true. M Scott Peck remarked in his book, The Road Less Traveled, ‘life is difficult.’ We know that can be our reality at times, yet we have the assurance of the words of Jesus, ‘These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In this world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). The type of faith God calls us to develop is one that can weather the storms of life, one that will not shrink or retreat, one that will not be ashamed to stand for God, ‘a faith that will overcome the world’ (1 John 5:4). It’s not just saving faith we need, its enduring faith. That was the faith of the reformers. That should be our faith in these closing times of earth’s history. So how do we develop this faith? Well, the Paul the Apostle, tells us, ‘as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him (continue to live your lives in Him). Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith… with thanksgiving’ (Colossians 2:6-7). Grow in faith, nurture your faith, practice your faith, and live your faith!

— Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

 

From the Pastor’s Desk – Oct 14 2017

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“Welcome to Bronte to study, worship, and fellowship as a family! As we continue our series this month on “Reviving Our Faith” I want you to think back: has your car ever got stuck and you needed to call a family member, friend, CAA, or tow truck for help because you could not get going? When they arrived, it may have been determined that your battery was dead, so they used booster/ jumper cables to revive your battery. To work, those cables had to connect electrical current from a source of power to the terminals of your battery. Then after you turned the ignition, the crank created a spark that was received by the terminals reviving the battery cell(s), and gave the “juice” needed to generate power and start your car. Is being stranded on the road with a dead car battery any different than being stranded spiritually on the road of life? I think of our spiritual lives in a similar way: we use our cables (communication through God’s Word and prayer), that connect from an external source of power (God) to create a spark (igniting our spiritual lives by the Holy Spirit) and revive our “spiritually dead or dying” state (giving life to sustain us). We all need to experience that ongoing power. In our cars, though the alternator helps to keep the battery recharged, many factors demand and drain the power of the battery. In life, factors that drain our spiritual power include: less time with God, too little time in His word, not enough prayer, less time serving, not sharing our faith, and perusing worldly and our own self-focused desires above putting God first and foremost in our lives. Instead, stop for a moment to experience complete silence, a place of quiet solitude and solace. David reminded himself as he does to us, “…Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:1). We cannot allow rapid paces to drain, drag, and dampen our spiritual life, let alone our overall life. Check into the charging station which is available to us 24/7; God’s presence, peace, and power from His Word and through prayer can connect us to the Ultimate Power Source all day long, every day of our lives!” — Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – October 7th 2017

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We look forward to welcoming you today to God’s house at Bronte. We are in the last quarter of year and it seems to be going by so quickly. This year alone we have witnessed so many events that have changed our world and the way we live. It is also the eve of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It is part of our history and how we have come to be as a church. The spirit of the Reformation, to distill Biblical truths, is not fully understood. It shook the foundations of the world, the church, and faith. Many people stood firm in their faith for the love of truth. They would not compromise their convictions of truth, those based on the Word of God. Their faith meant all to them even at the risk of their lives. How much does our faith mean to us? How much is our faith worth? Where do we draw the line when it comes to our faith? There is so much in society that seeks to influence the way we think, believe, and act. How do we maintain our position, keep the peace, and stand firm in our faith without the risk of losing our relevance? If our faith and Christian practice is only in our head and not in our hearts, it isn’t worth much! I commend to you the Word of God as the foundation of your faith and practice. Finally, in the words of Gideon’s International ‘read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.’ Receive, believe, and live!

— Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Sep 30 2017

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“We welcome you warmly to the Bronte Church family for another enriching day of study, worship, and fellowship. Today we celebrate our women and their many roles in ministry, service, and care. I recall an English teacher demonstrating the use of punctuation when referring to a lady when he wrote: “Woman, without her man, is nothing” and then rewrote, “Woman: without her, man is nothing.” I believe our women who are mothers, wives, workers, homemakers, and in their countless roles, deserve to be honoured, valued, respected, and celebrated. We often don’t realize how much strength and stamina a woman has in the doing their tasks, taking on responsibilities and their loving duties. I always admire my mother, an incredible woman of character, strength, and purpose. She knows how to multi-task and juggle so much work and yet be successful and also make time to be there for my family and I. I believe when God created woman, he endowed her with an extra-special capacity to bear much (let alone bearing a child) so it seems to me that this is a gift from God. Is it any wonder Jesus had to remark, “woman, great is thy faith” (Matthew 15:28) and then also say “wherever this gospel shall be preached in all the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her” (Matthew 26:13). What a woman, Jesus says! If our Lord regards woman with such dignity and honour, I know we should only exclaim the same thing. Thank God for our woman of God!”

— Pastor Daniel D. Saugh

From the Pastor’s Desk – Sept 23 2017

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Dear Bronte friends,

This weekend we are focusing on healthy relationships and families. This is perhaps what many counsellors refer to as the basic unit and building block of society. The English poet, John Donne once remarked, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” We are all a part of a web of relationships. In this diverse cross-section, not every interaction or person is healthy. We live in a broken and dysfunctional world caused by sin and we also share in that brokenness and dysfunction. This can adversely affect a person, a relationship, a marriage, a family and a network of people. However, we need to have healthy relationships so we can grow. What can we do to make them better and improve them? I believe the first step is to acknowledge our own limitations and imperfections. Maybe you have had traumatic life experiences or unhealthy relationships but have been relying on your own strength to make it in life. Are you whole? Is your soul well? Are you living the full and deeply rich life that God wants you to experience? It takes courage to reflect and honestly assess your deep beliefs, emotions and habits that could be affecting your emotional, spiritual and physical health. What I am saying is that in order for a relationship, marriage or family to be healthy, we have to be healthy individually. Healthy people beget healthy people. If you’re in a situation that is “toxic” and need help, then make the decision to get help first for yourself and collectively. The Message translation of the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body.” God desires to make you and I whole which does not happen overnight. I need this experience, and the first step, starts today. Let’s take the step and move toward being whole in Christ.

– Pastor D. Saugh.

From the Pastor’s Desk September 15 2017

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This weekend, our emphasis is on health; a subject that affects all of us. Does it seem like life is often so fast paced, rushed, and with just too much to do?  How does that affect our health? How about our spiritual health? We live in a society and culture that is increasingly becoming commercial and materialistic, so it is difficult to keep the balance and maintain our spiritual health. It’s challenging to find ways to nurture, nourish, heal, restore, and renew our mind, body and soul. I believe that one of the first steps to revitalize our spiritual health is the attitude we bring to the day or other words our mind-set. Someone once remarked, we should be a river not a swamp. The Bible says “rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me,” (John 7:38). It’s a mountain stream that carries fresh life-giving water because it flows out. In contrast, a swamp is usually stagnant and life-absorbing; it collects and retains water but does not flow out. Let’s try not to be a person who is self-absorbed and self-focused allowing only a little or nothing to flow through. God calls us to be his channels of blessings to others. Our outward appearance is reflected by our inner disposition. When we think negative and have a “swamp mentality” we are in danger of becoming spiritually stagnant, emotionally detached and intellectually cynical. Let us allow God to let His blessings flow through us. The freshness is in the flow and once we get our water from the Divine Source, we will have the Water of Life, giving us fresh health to our mind, body and soul. My prayer is that you “may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). May God bless you!