The Blog of Gordon Pifher

Most nights, just before I put to sleep the joys and cares of each day, I open my computer and enter a new adventure of communication. I’m on facebook. I type in my name and password and enter a world of friends, and every friend has a face. These are friends I have chosen. These are people I have something in common with. Facebook lets me see the friends my friends have and even lets me see if we have mutual friends. A snapshot of life from those I care about is on one page. I look at their pictures and see that Esther is eating too much sugar, and Cara’s dog is taking over the house. I write a comment and know that tomorrow night they will likely respond. I see tears and smiles, and their pictures of celebration and beauty.

Just last night:

• John is excited about his new phone
• Allan is encountering God
• Rebekah is moving
• Cara has company coming
• Andrew is planting an exotic garden
• Janet is wishing Mom a happy birthday
• Paul is saying “Yipee” about his holidays
• Gail is feeling energetic
• David’s wife is having a baby girl
• Esther is enjoying the sun on her balcony
• Wendell just climbed Rooster Mountain
• Cindy is at Carolina Camp Meeting
• Joy is thankful that God has answered her prayer

Use facebook to…

• Keep up with friends and family
• Share photos and videos
• Reconnect with old classmates

I look on the corner of my computer screen and notice five of my friends are online at that very moment “Hi Bryan, how did your day go?” We talk for a few minutes and sign off. Sometimes several friends are all talking together. Type and click “send” and two seconds later my friend is talking to me from anywhere in the world.

There is a Biblical promise that someday we will be able to see Him “face-to-face”. Our culture has expressions that verify the importance of this “face watching”. “It’s good to finally talk face-to-face”. “Nice to put a face with the name”. “I’m anxious when we can meet face-to-face”, we say. Facebook is just a little taste of what will make Heaven special. 1,000’s of friends with 1,000’s of stories and 1,000’s of prayers. With Facebook, I look at a friend’s picture and it shows me images of the friends we have in common. In Heaven, we will all have one Friend in common, and we will see Him “face-to-face”.

Old Song . . . New Message

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ Who died for me?
Refrain

Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.

• Gordon Pifher

What Was The Evangelism Goal Set For Camp Meeting 2007?
You’re right, it was $150,000. That was a “big faith goal” providing us with 150% of what we raised last year.

On the last night of Camp Meeting we had received $97,000. Praise the Lord! However, last week, God had one more surprise. Faithful members, listening to the voice of God, brought the evangelism total to over $150,000.
We did reach the goal!

There Are Goals Still To Reach! Our most important goal is to let everyone see the beautiful picture of God that we, as a Church, have been given. Your evangelism dollars will be planting lots of seeds this year.
Pray for the harvest.

Evangelistic Budgets approved For 2007 • Abbotsford • Aldergrove • Ashcroft • Campbell River • Cawston/Keremeos • Comox Valley • Cornerstone • Creston • Kamloops • Native New Start • New Life • Oakridge • Oliver • Orchard City • Parksville • Penticton • Prince George • Rest Haven • Richmond • Rutland • Surrey • Filipino • Three Angels Co • Vancouver Hispanic • Vanderhoof • Westminster

What Matters Most! We have been asked to plant the seed. The Spirit brings conviction. When you see the baptismal and profession of faith growth in BC, you can understand that we have only just begun.

2005 Baptisms - 247
Profession of Faith - 34
Total 281

2006
Baptisms - 191
Profession of Faith - 32
Total 223

2007
Pray for the harvest!

“What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7