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This week Pastor Stephen delivered a Valentine's weekend message about love that applies not just to couples, but to all who call themselves followers of Christ. We looked at 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and looked at: "Love Defined."
Here's the big thing: When our love looks like Christ's love we will have found true love.
The first thing Pastor Stephen noted was that Love is of the utmost importance. The reason for this is that love will always be around. Love directs what we do and keeps our actions and thoughts in line with Christ.
Love is what compelled God to sacrifice his Son to save us from the eternal death that is the consequence of the wrong actions each of us does. And love, when all else has gone, will be what encapsulates the heavenly relationship we have with God for eternity.
When our love looks like Christ's love we will have found true love.
Secondly, we looked at what Paul (the author of 1 Corinthians) tells us Love is not. He says it is not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, self-seeking, irritable, resentful or happy in wrongdoing.
Third, we looked at what Paul tells us Love is. Love is patient, kind, excited at the truth, it bears the spiritual difficulties of others, love is full of faith, confident in God and his promises, and love is inextinguishable.
Pastor Stephen then encouraged the congregation to replace the word "love" in verses 4-7 with their name and to think about how that felt. Did it seem odd or natural? Out of place, or normal? The areas where it felt odd may just be the areas you are not yet living regularly in love.
Be sure to catch the full sermon on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/abundant-springs-sermons/id622648222
How would you think of God's role in your life if you struggled through and overcame crippling Polio, abuse, and a crushing injury that nearly killed you, resulting in the loss of your leg? Would you blame God for allowing these things to happen to you, or would you thank him for giving you the strength to overcome them? If you are Ken Hildebrand, you would give God the glory for his provision, protection, and power and for the testimony to God's greatness that you now have.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to get everything together to record Ken's testimony when he was at Abundant Springs this weekend, but all those who were there will tell you what an inspiring time it was. Ken directed me to a piece that was done about him for broadcast television. It really is quite the story, and though it avoids bringing Ken's faith into the equation, it is well worth watching.
The next time you're going through hard times, don't blame God. Just remember the faith that Ken has in God and know that God is bigger than whatever problems you may be facing.
You can view the video here.
--Pastor Stephen Valcourt 
This past Sunday was an important day that comes once a year: Mother's Day. It's a great time that we spend celebrating all that our moms have done for us and thanking them for their hard work. At Abundant Springs we looked at a mother named Jochebed and how she was an "Amazing Mom". Did you see your mom (or yourself) in the three points we discussed? If you missed the message you can listen to it here. In case you forgot, here are the three characteristics of Amazing Moms that we discussed:
Moms MATTER!
Of course, the big thing that I hope every mom received from the message was encouragement and a reminder that Moms MATTER!
That brings me back to this post. As the children of moms we celebrate Mother's Day once a year, but is that enough? I want to encourage you to consider how you can thank and celebrate your mom for all she has done and is still doing for you the other 364 days of each year. Remember, "On Mother's Day we celebrate all moms do. Their hard work matters; it's what made you, you!" But we should be celebrating them on more than just Mother's Day!
Best of luck to you as you discover new ways to celebrate your mom!
--Pastor Stephen Valcourt
