Hymerisms

Interesting Discussion on Face-off

2009-03-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

To many videos for me to put on here, at least with my limited knowledge - but check it out. There are multiple good ones, but speaking at this point to the discussion on the existence on Satan.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaceOff/

The Shack

2009-03-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a clip by Mark Driscoll on "The Shack" very interesting. I have not read the book but no many that have. Check it out for yourself. Would love to hear feedback on what he says.

Baby Practises

2009-03-09T11:11:00.001-07:00

So as we have a new foster baby thought I should do some research on what to do ...

Whispers

2009-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

So we had an awesome Sunday morning at Church. Our youth band played amazingly. Steve is taking us through Nehemiah - "Descending to Greatness". One things he said, or at least that I heard from God through him that came as a challenge to me was in how we look to hear from God. Many hide behind I haven't felt God telling me to do this to do ... nothing. It would seem they don't change their underwear without a sign, but we all know that's not true, they just use it as a excuse when they don't feel like doing it. God speaks in so many ways, but often I have and heard others say God make it so clear to me, like yell it at me so I can't make a mistake. I was challenged that our intimate relationship with God, brings us to the point where we hear even the faintest whisper from God. We are in tune, listening, conversing, reading his Word so much that his whispers are all that we need.
I'm stubborn and so I'll still pray for God to make it so clear that I can't help but follow his will, but my goal and prayer is that I'd be so close to Him, I'd hear the whispers and follow.

Difference in Words

2009-01-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

So I'm not a big political person and am a hard core Canadian, so really the presidential stuff yesterday didn't mean much to me. That being said I do understand that this really although being a US thing was a World event, so I watched the speech while at my desk and then again at my homiletics class last night. We had a big discussion on the "rhetoric" in it - the use of words, what he said ... Someone mentioned something about Rick Warren praying, but I had missed that one so I googled it to see what he said. It was interesting - he got slammed it seemed from every direction. For not being "professional" enough for this event, for saying the words "Jesus Christ", for not saying enough on the stage he was given. Some say he left his words to too easily be taken multiple ways to not offend anyone, some wonder what he really meant and question whether he is really accepting of everyone or as one person put it 'does he hug the Muslim and the homosexual, but in the back of his mind think about the fact that they are still going to hell'.
The thing is that Obama - although the speech was good said .. nothing - he talked about history and got people excited, but really didn't lead me anywhere. But I guess maybe he knew the lash back he would face.
So the question is should Warren have been more careful as to not draw attention and ridicule or should he have just be more blunt knowing it was coming anyways.

A journey of different sorts

2009-01-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

So we went to Belleville this weekend for Elisabeth's Dad's 60th birthday party. I had checked the weather earlier in the day and they were calling for snow flurries so I mentioned that we should leave a little earlier. The fact that Elisabeth wanted to stay as long as possible combined likely with the fact that it was not snowing there made Elisabeth come to the conclusion we should stay longer. We finally pulled out just before 10pm. The road was clear for .. about 30 minutes, then what should have taken about 2 hours took 3 hours. The snow started and who knows where the snow plows were, the few times we saw them it was one semi clearing off 1 lane. We saw more accidents than we saw plows even as we got close to home after 1 the roads were covered and no plows in sight.
Back the the accidents - I saw 8 accidents in TO that night. 1 happened 100 feet in front of us while we were driving - all I saw was a huge puff of snow and then a car spinning around. 2 more were in the middle of the road facing us waiting for a tow truck after spinning into the median and damaging the car to the point of not being able to move. 3 more were either just being loaded up or the truck was pulling up to the car and the final 2 well I just saw car parts up against the median where tire tracks led to. There were more tracks that looked like something had happened but these are the 8 that we saw complete evidence of.
So what was going through my head ... well I've often had the talk with people about prayer and whether you should pray to ask God to keep you safe. A well know writer and speaker, Erwin McManus - says we shouldn't that what happens is what happens and that we should just do what we feel God has for us. He talks about explaining this to his son, and about flying often after 9/11 when so many were canceling speaking engagements. I'm still working through where I fall on this but as we drove through that the other night scripture came to mind and it was my prayer as we made out way home "They rod and the staff they comfort me" other translations are protect, secure - this doesn't really answer the question of whether we should pray this or not, but it was my prayer and a little comfort as we drove - a thought from the protector, comforter.

The Journey

2009-01-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

God has taken me on a journey over the past couple years - which amazingly took me to other parts of the world and to levels of faith and evaluation of life I had not been before.
The other parts of the world, well the biggest was Ethiopia where this picture is from, and this is Nardos a little girl who touched my heart. It has been amazing to travel with teens and be a part of the lives of kids especially that need love - to just be played with, hugged, smiled at, given gifts to, and most of all just spend time with. Through this God took me from the most comfortable place at home in a church I loved, through one of the hardest years of my life and through trusting in Him - to another church that I love. It's been here that a journey that started in my heart long ago has started to move again.
I'm a selfish person - I realize that - I thank God for his patience with me as I try to give me to Him and others. I've been challenged more lately though on a different end of the compassion spectrum. I've experienced amazing things travelling the world caring for kids, caring for kids that come to our home as foster kids but its some of the little things in life that God has been pulling at. I'll share a story with you to help illustrate before I rabble on and confuse you.

Just before Christmas we were on our way back to Cambridge when we stopped in Woodstock for gas (cause Cambridge is the most expensive place ever for gas for some reason!) There were 4 spots all taken and I was next in line finally. A guy pulls out slowly so I try to be patient and wait till he completely pulls away. When the lady behind me pulls around me and towards that spot. I think "No way she must be pulling up to buy something", so I pull around the other way to pull in there ... Nope she pulls in so I pull up beside her and give her the horn! She deserved it right. I felt like getting out and asking her what made her more important than everyone else in the world, but I used some self control - like I said God has me on a journey. I pull in to the next open one and the guy beside me who saw it just smiles and shakes his head.

See my understanding before was, well she deserved it so I better give it to her so she can learn - and in some certain circumstances I'm sure that is true - but I wish and God keeps impressing this on my heart - that I would have just let it be. Who knows what God may have had in store, who knows why this lady pulled in there.

I wonder at times where my selfishness even in areas like this that don't seem like it at first glance - continue to get in the way of my testimony, to God's plan for me and those around me.

The journey started with doing fun always rewarding times of working with kids - and takes me to the place where I really need to do some work, check myself at the door and let God rule in all my life.

Sundin

2008-12-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm not sure how many that read this care or know about hockey but I have to write this.

Mats Sundin signed with the Vancouver Canucks today. Honestly I supported the guy as a Leaf, and last year when he wouldn't waive his no trade clause because he wanted to stay a Leaf, and didn't want to be a rental player cause he didn't believe in it ... I didn't like the decision but supported it. I mean for a guy who says he is so thankful to this organization the best thing he could have ever done is take the trade and set them on a road to be better for years to come. Again he signed the no trade clause and thus earned it. It's just all the talk and reasons behind it that stink worse than most of the hockey bags I can't stand the smell of after guys leave them in their trunk all week long.

He wanted to stay a Leaf and wanted to not be a rental player. The leafs offered him a contract if he came back for as much money as he's worth. I don't care if Vancouver wants to spend 10 million on him he is a good player, but not that good. The leafs are really not that bad of a team, they are 9 points behind the canucks but the canucks have played 2 more games. And if you aren't a rental player ... then don't wait till 1/3 of the way through the season to sign with a team. This year he is a rental player for Vancouver, he waited to see how the season was going. I like Canadian team, for the most part outside of Montreal I cheer for them, but I hope Vancouver fizzles out, I hope they miss the playoffs. I don't understand his choices, he goes to a team that is going to have go through San Jose and Detroit to even make it to the finals ... Maybe he'll fit in there, maybe Vancouver will be a really good team as a result of him being there, but a guy that seemed to gain so much respect cause he wanted to stay and help this organization lost all of it. He cost the organization, and smudged his character with how he dealt with it.
So "Rental Sundin" thanks for some great years in TO and for the kick in the head on the way out ... out from a city that embraced you even though you never brought the cup they thought you would bring.

A-Team

2008-12-18T08:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a video promoting our upcoming series we are doing at 3:16 in January. Looking at who you need to have around you to help you grow in your walk with God.

2 ends of the spectrum

2008-12-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

So I went out today to pick up some stuff for the church and went to 2 different stores. With the economic circumstances here money is tight everywhere, and around Christmas time you often wonder what that means. I went to Food Basics as we had arranged for them to help us out a little with our "Christmas in a Basket". This is a way for our youth to bless the lives of people who could really use it at Christmas. We collect food and deliver a turkey meal to their homes that they can cook up themselves at Christmas. We are working with the Christopher Champlain Center here to find where the greatest need is and meet it. With all the economic circumstances they still chose to give us some gift certificates to help us create more meals.
I went from there to EB Games. I had been there 2 weeks previous to buy some games for our youth wing, but didn't end up getting them at the time. December rolls around and the price of the used games I was looking at had doubled! At most of the games I looked at were all more than when I had been there previous. I had trouble finding a game in the same price range. I walked out empty handed hoping that in the new year things will come back to normal. Although really I hope not - I hate to believe that the price of games there would double at Christmas as people come in to find stuff for their kids. I know businesses have to survive, but the gaming industry doesn't seem to be hurting and at this time of year, stuff like that flies off the shelves. I wonder how many people are going to pay double the price because they weren't there 2 weeks ago like I was.

At any rate - thank you FOOD BASICS for showing the true heart behind Christmas - and thank you EB games for ... well being scrooge I guess.

Christmas

2008-12-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas in upon us, I just got through the busy Christmas week for myself - 2 Christmas youth parties and 2 Christmas Cantatas to go to. Now the question everyone asks are you ready for Christmas? Really what they mean is have you bought all your gifts? Here is a good video to watch for all you guys - even if you have bought the gift already.

Hockey

2008-12-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

Well since I started playing goalie a couple years ago I've pretty much stopped playing out in hockey. I didn't play at all last year and once the year before I think, and the same the year before that. Needless to say, it's been almost 3 years with out playing at all. In the mean time I acquired a new pair of skates that I have never worn, and a new stick I have never used. I went last night and played with some guys in St. George. I guess goalies don's show up here and there and so I took both sets of equipment, but both goalie showed this week so I played out. I was the oldest guy on the ice - most seemed to be 20. I actually did alright though - scored 2 goals, and only fell flat on my face once. Not bad for an old guy - it was great to get back out and play. Surprisingly I'm not sore today either.

More Christmas

2008-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

We all enjoy a little Charlie Brown. I showed this to 70 Jr. Highs last night and they loved it. As I watched this again, I was struck with the reminder about the gift that we were given. To often we stop at the miracle of the virgin birth at Christmas. I don't say this to downplay this - I think the virgin birth is one of the most amazing miracles ever. I was reminded of it this week when watching HOUSE. I won't be able to relay this right but I'll try. The idea is that genes could mutate and somehow by a "medical miracle" a woman could conceive a child without ever having sex. In the show House lied to make a couple who was engaged believe this, but it was untrue.
We can't question that validity of this (virgin birth), it is as essential to us as Christ's resurrection. Which takes me back to my original thought - the verse the Linus quotes when talking about the meaning of Christmas. Found in Luke - I'll let you look it up your self. But often what gets lost in all the talk about Jesus being born, the star, the shepherds, the wisemen and stable ... the fact that when Jesus was born, they called Him

Saviour

We don't just celebrate Jesus birth at Christmas. We celebrate the coming, the realization, of our Saviour.

What will you do?

2008-12-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas

So I found this video (click on "Christmas" above to view) a little while ago can't remember where - on someone else's blog, or facebook. Got reminded of it when Steve showed it this Sunday at church. We often talk about things like this as churches, and families but too often it never comes to pass. I know there are a million and one opportunities to serve at Christmas and everyone is asking for money for their organization - but too often that is our excuse. That others are asking and instead of being a part we just don't pick anything. I know this has been me unfortunately in the past both for the reason that I just couldn't decide and would forget and that I just didn't want to give and so "trying to figure it out" seemed like a good way to get out of it.

So, what will you do? It doesn't have to be solving world hunger or the water problem - it could be spending time with someone who has been forgotten by too many or just doesn't have the resources to make anything happen.

We can make excuses all we want, this year in stead

Make memories.

Christmas

2008-12-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

I read a story recently about a guy in Tokyo that was doing interviews on the street - asking people about Christmas. One of the responses he got both made me laugh but as well made me really think about where our culture is and how unfortunately true the statement was. A lady responded,

"Isn't it the time of year we remember the death of Jesus".

I mean in some ways I want to know what bubble she has been living in, but in the same sense I look at what CHRISTmas has become and understand a little.

When you think about it, its the leading holiday that has pushed Christ out of everything. It's the holiday season, Merry xmas, the holiday tree. This has infiltrated so much more than this, but really the more Christ gets forgotten in Christmas - the more that statement becomes true. It seems the day is coming when more people may know the other meanings of Christmas and not have a clue about the real meaning.

Surreal experiences

2008-08-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

So no pics for this one yet but I'll hope to add some in the coming days.

I had a couple experiences over the past couple days on vacation that were truly amazing and for me at the time surreal.

First, my brother-in-law and I went down the creek on the kayak. The dam, had just been lowered thus the water was really rushing. About a 5 minute hike up is a waterfall. I was pretty excited about what I knew was ahead. The water was rushing like I had never seen before. After a run in with a Fisher, which is a pretty small animal a little bigger than a rat, we made our way down the waterfall (more about the Fisher at the bottom if you care) We proceeded to try and find places where we could lodge ourselves against some rocks and push against the waterfall. I realized 2 things - one I needed to tighten my shorts and two which made the previous obvious, that water was alot stronger than I was. At one point I put my leg in the water to have in thrust into a rock - needless to say this was very uncomfortable.

Second, I went for a kayak down the creek again after a thunderstorm had just passed over. Everyone else was hiding inside, but those who know me know that I don't do stuck inside very well. Plus the water is amazing so who cares what its like outside. I started down, going through the fog that was coming of the water after the storm, and the thunder from the storm now on the other end of the lake still shook the kayak. Things got a little more worry some on the way back. I went to check out my friend the fisher and the storm was pretty isolated and had come back to the cottage I left the waterfall, got in the kayak and turned the corner to come back and all I saw was dark clouds so I went full out the whole way with a lightening storm encouraging me on.

It was so cool especially the second one to sit back and just "wow" at God and his creation and how powerful He is. Both these are nothing in comparison to his strength, but I was like nothing compared to it.

So now to the Fisher story for those who care - Dave and I started looking around testing out the water and waterfalls and finding our best way around when we saw this little runt who looked not to happy that we were around. I haven't seen many of these animals around and I'm starting to understand why. It kept running around and we weren't sure what to make of it. Next thing I know he gets in the water, swims across to where we are and comes at us! Dave was right behind me, I stress was cause he bolted to the waterfall where the water likely rushed to fast for the little critter. I did the first thing that came to mind. Grabbed a stick and took a swat, he took off and we never saw him again. For all you animal lovers don't worry I didn't hit him, although if he came back again I couldn't promise I wouldn't have made sure to put all the years of sports and swinging bats and clubs at small objects into play.

And people say I'm pig headed

2008-07-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

So I've had the discussion many times about I'm pig headed or not, I don't deny being a little stubburn, and Elisabeth and I have often joked around about me not liking to be wrong. I always say, I don't deny that, I don't like to be wrong, that's why I'm usually not. My idea is that I don't usually talk to loudly about things unless I know cause ya I don't like to be wrong, why would I?

But just to show how open I am to guidance when it's right I'll let you in on a happening in our place over the last little while. Maybe it'll even help you.

We bought some new mouth wash the other day. Not sure how we got on the topic but somehow it came around to the fact that I have always rinsed after I brush, I guess I just figured "Hey it'll give you the freshest breath the longest" I mean with the burn sometimes lasting 15 minutes the freshness has to last longer than that. Elisabeth let me know that 30 years of rinsing has been done wrong. That you actually are suppose to rinse before cause it helps loosen the plaque and stuff to be brushed away. Now this where reading the label would have helped, but who actually ever does that?

So I've changed my ways, I rinse before now, and not sure if its a mental thing or not but it does seem to work better. I guess you can let me know about the fresh breath thing.

My only question is why did a dentist or hygienist (aka torture person)not even tell me this?

Big heads and Bucket Lists

2008-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

So I watched the movie the Bucket List the other day. Great movie, but as always one thing really stuck out to me. There is a point where they are having a discussion after seeing an amazing sight out of a airplane window. They start talking about God creating it, and get into a really neat discussion about whether God exists or not when the quote comes across "my head gets in the way". Thus the picture of Barry Bonds and a big head. Which could really be taken to ways with him, cause he is quite conceited so a big head comment fits, but in that you have to think that his head got in the way of so many decisions he made and got him to where he is today.

While doing some research on the book of Acts I came across the meaning of the name Paul - it means small. Saul changed his name to Paul when his life was changed on the Road to Damascus. He started a new life, and thus a new name, and choice the name Paul ... little or small - not wanting to let himself get in the way of what God was going to do. Makes that comment that your head can get in the way pretty dead on. Doing it on our own would seem to me to be linked to what we in this world would call a big head. I mean how can you be more conceited than to think you can do it better than God. And Saul when amazed with the truths and overwhelmed with the love that Christ had for him, and the power of the Holy Spirit, can only change his name to something that exemplifies what he needs to do. He needs to be small, and not let his head get in the way anymore.

Thoughts over Mac and Cheese

2008-06-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

So someone just had to bring up Mac and cheese in our staff meeting this morn. Call me a child, call me stupid you likely have before, call me whatever you want, but I love this stuff. Mac and cheese is soooooo good. Maybe its cause I didn't live of it at college, although I really can't see that being all that bad, but I still at times when I go somewhere and they've made "meal A" for adults and Mac and cheese for kids, wish I could get relegated to the kids table. There are likely many other childish foods I like but I'll save that.
So after staff meeting I walked home for one of the things I enjoy most these days ... lunch with my boy. Elisabeth was waiting to eat so Nate and I enjoyed a good ole box of fake KD cause so often now it actually tastes better. It was at this time, as we sat at the table together both of our heads bearing very little hair, that I remembered 2 comments from the weekend.
2 times on Sunday we had 2 different people who didn't know us make comments about how he didn't need to tell anyone who his parents were cause that was quite obvious who we were. I just love this - I mean how amazing is God that he brought this amazing little guy into our lives that is the perfect match for us in so many ways, and on top of that, gets told all the time how much he looks like his daddy.

So I look forward to the days ahead when we chomp down on some Mac and cheese together, talk about how great God is and what He is doing in both our lives.

Hopefully he will always love it as much as I do .

When Apologies don't work

2008-05-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sure the lady that called our house 5 times last night and once that we know of the night before was feeling alot like this picture.
It seemed at first one of those thing where a person just can't hit the right numbers on the phone. She kept calling back, and unfortunately saying she didn't speak english very well is an understatement. So after Elisabeth had talked to her enough that she didn't want to again I answered the phone. I tried to be nice ... I hope I was, but I just told her that it was the wrong number and please don't call it again. No idea what she said ... I couldn't understand - I just repeated its the wrong number and not to call. We had only got the phone the day before and other than my sister calling me once, this lady was the only call we received.
It all seemed a bit weird so Elisabeth called Rogers. From what I understand somehow we did get this lady's ... husband's (we are thinking she was saying) number. How not sure, luckily we hadn't started giving many our number yet, cause we got a new one.

So I'll likely never talk to that lady again, her calls won't come to us anymore, but to her I say I'm sorry. You may have been telling me you just called the Number on Monday and it worked and wondered how it wasn't now. It's funny for me, but likely it sucked for her.

I am Legend

2008-05-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

Rented this movie on Sunday night. I've never read the book, and apparently its a little different from the book, but all in all not a bad movie. I mean I had my sub turned up too loud and so it shook the walls a little. It was a little too scary for Elisabeth at times, but had a couple of parts in it that were pretty neat.

Will Smith thinks he is the last man on earth, trying to find a cure for a disease that was created years earlier as a cure for cancer. It ended up killing off most of the world, and leaving those who hadn't died already in a almost zomby like state. A woman and her son find him, and through some cricumstances suggest that God had sent them there. She says that the world was to noisey but now that its quieter its alot easier to here God. Smith balks at the idea. Near the end of the movie he's realized they have the cure for the disease, but are cornered. He sees a butterfly tattoo on the ladies neck. His daughter always talked about butterflies earlier in the movie. He hands her soem blood with the cure in it, sends her off to take it to others who are alive and goes to die while saving them. She says no, but he looks at her and says "I'm listening".

So neat to me to see a movie talk so loudly about God working amongst us all in day to day things. That there are so many signs and times God wants to talk to us yet we let the "noise" of this world get in the way.

What did you miss today? How is God going to speak to you tomorrow? Will you listen?

Love, true love

2008-04-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

So we often talk about loving othersand we can't talk about love without the quote above from Princess Bride. I wear a shirt that if you know me, you've seen me wear it. It says, "Jesus loves you and I'm trying". For the most part its true, I am trying, well in most cases ... most of the time. But here is a challenge about that. We often throw around that saying Jesus loves you, but do we believe it? Here is the challenge

Don't tell them Jesus loves them, unless you are willing to love them

Cutie

2008-03-31T09:15:00.001-07:00

Pretty much as cute as they get

The twins

2008-03-31T09:11:00.001-07:00

Here they are, if only we could have adopted them

Ethiopia

2008-03-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since the last blog posting. I was in Ethiopia and then recovering, and wanting to take sometime to think about and work through my experience there this time. We had an awesome time. The people there were great as always and the weather was amazing. The food was ... well lets just say we all were so excited to buy bread and cheese and make grilled cheese sandwiches. We spent a lot of time at the orphanage and the twins that stole Elisabeth and I's heart last time were there still and still as lovable, Nardos was there and clinged on, and one other little girl whose name I don't know - all I know is she was adorable, she talked and giggled all the time and that I got more exercise chasing her around than anything else.

But out of all of it good and bad (most of the bad was linked to the flight and Lufthansa being the worst airline I've ever flown with) there were 2 things that stuck out to me. First was my experience at HOPE ministries - a ministry that has a school and adult education facility, but also a feeding program that feeds 1000 people a day! They had already fed 300 kids in the morning, and we drove in around 11 to help with the lunch feeding. 700 people had already gathered, most with some sort of cane, and all with ratty clothes. I have trouble describing it 8 Canadians step out into this crowd and you feel like you are on another planet for a bit. The rest went down and got ready, while I got the chance to tell all 700 about God, they listened intently and when I was done begged for me to take their pictures. It was so weird after, they all just wanted to shake my hand, I've never felt so ... well weird is likely the best word, but valued might be another.
The I just pray that they accept the HOPE that only God can give them.
The second was while at a High school in Ethiopia. We had been in many classes and made our way to a class for the hearing impaired. They asked alot of questions about what kids like them were like in Canada and how they were treated. They gave an opportunity for us to share anything we wanted, and the rest of the team looked like the "deer in the headlights" I took the opportunity to let them know that God loved them and viewed them as equals to everyone else. It was amazing to me to see the look in their eyes a sense of relief a sense of amazement, not in what I had said, but in the love God has for them. IT was short, but it was a seed planted and our amazing God will continue to work on it.
These moments don't stick out to me because of my involvement, it makes sense I remember them because of it, but they stick out because of how God orchestrated it all and touched lives, and the looks in their eyes showed a genuineness in acceptence of what was said that we don't see nearly enough.

Humilty or Humiliation

2008-02-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

So as some know I spun out a week or so back in the bad snow storm and ended up in the ditch, waiting for an hour to get towed out. It was interesting to us as we sat there how many cars stopped to help, how many would either drive down the road and turn around or back up on the highway to see if we were ok. Gladly we were all alright and there was no damage to the car.

So this morning on my way to work I came up on a car on the side of the road and an elderly man walked around to the front which I though was to check on the car in some way, as I slowed to see if he was ok (really felt I should since so many stopped for us) he starts waving me on, as he holds his pants up ... Yep you got it he was just relieving himself.

I compare the 2 events - the humbling experience of sitting in a ditch while so many drive by and having to admit - hey I lost control and the humiliating experience on that man as I stop to ask him if he is ok and he is just trying not to get any pee on his pants.

I think we often get the 2 mixed up in real life experiences. We are not humble people because when God bring opportunities are way to be humble to admit we were wrong, or may not have the write answer, we react like we have been humiliated.

God uses humbling experiences in our lives, we cause the humiliation.

Brad Pitt

2008-02-04T20:58:00.001-08:00

Here is the story

We were shopping at the Grove, which is a really amazing, well know shopping center in LA, and Philip (Elisabeth's brother) and I were talking about getting a Haegen Daaz hot chocolate, which I never got. But anyways, while we were talking about it Amber (Philip's wife), started going crazy saying "there is Brad Pitt". So she grabbed the stroller and Nathan and took off, and we just did our best to keep up. So Brad turned down towards the parking lot and ducked down a little side track. So we just figured he was gone, as we turn back he is standing there reading a map or something. We figure just trying to lose anyone who might have seen him. As we get around the corner the guy pulls out a honking huge Camera and starts taking pics and calling for "Brad" After a couple shots Brad said "come on guys" By this time he was ahead of me as I stopped to see what was gonna happen. And with all the practice I've had jumping into random pictures over the years I was in the perfect place to make sure I was in most of the remaining pictures. A little "confrontation" ensued, and Brad ended up leaving. I was only about 6 inches behind him at this point and made sure to get a chance to tell him how cute his little girl was, who is from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia where I am working now. We slowed and Brad kept walking.

Amber followed again.

They then followed him into "American Girl" asking if there were any boy stuff for Nathan. We were directed up stairs which just happened to be where Brad was headed. So we went up there. I stayed back and sat on a sofa while the others went in. At one point we could see Brad peaking at us to see who we were and what we were doing. We ended up leaving deciding to give him his space. So we sat by the fountain Philip saw him coming again and as he approached politely said "Mr Pitt, would you mind a picture" He said no thanks, and smiled and kept walking.

The Underdogs

2008-02-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well after a great Sunday of watching the Superbowl, that included a great game (I might be bias since I was cheering for the Giants) we headed to Hermosa Beach to watch Jay Leno do stand up. We were in the third row, and I'm not gonna lie to you Jay waved at us as we drove away. Elisabeth and I left as soon as he left the stage, but they wouldn't let anyone out until he was in his car. We got out and started walking down the street and I was moving my wallet that was in my hand when Jay drove by, and I guess assumed I was waving, so he glanced over and waved at us. All in all a pretty cool night.

So the underdog Giants won, which made out for a great game. I think most were expecting a blowout and the Tom Brady show to continue. Personally I think the Tom Brady show better when he is frustrated and getting knocked around all the time. But most didn't give the Giants a chance, most thought maybe they could keep it close for a while but then in time they would give in to the potent Pats offense. I have to be honest that wasn't the only "underdog" lesson I learned this Sunday. We went to Philip's church here in LA this Sunday, I got a chance to talk to them about Global Reach stuff. But it really got me thinking - not sure yet if it was an attitude thing or a faith thing yet - still working through that. But I'd say about 15 people were there, and yet they still run things like the place was full. they bring in speakers, have a good sound system, spend a lot of time praying through and getting ready for the service, thinking through songs, offering, and how to help their community. It really got me thinking to the times when we'd cancel youth cause not enough people would be there. It's not worth our time. Yet everyday, they work in faith with the flock God has given them that day.

What flock has God blessed you with? You family? Your friends that need it? A small group you lead? or a entire church? Whatever it is just be faithful, cause in reality you are the underdog.

Time and God

2008-01-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

So Joe Boot the speaker at the retreat I was at this past weekend mentioned something that triggered a thought that I had about God, that really I've been working through my head for the past coupe of years.

People often ask questions like "Why does God choose to let these things happen?" Why pray if God has already decided what is the outcome? ... I could go on, but I'll let you input your question like this in if you want.

As I worked through this I really got thinking about time - I mean why does time exist, where does time exist, how does it exist? If 1 day is like 1000 to God and 1000 is like 1 to God - then what does that say about God and time and more importantly for this blog the questions we ask.

I'll try to explain where I am at in this. God does not exist in time, he is eternal, he is everywhere at all times. If this is true, in our "time" he could be at both ends of the galaxy at the same point in time, although really to humans this would be hundreds of years apart being light traveled to earth for these things to become known (I'm not a scientist so not sure on the exactness of this). The reality is that if God is in all places at all times, and really He is not limited by time - then he could be in all places at all times. God could be there during Daniel's time while making predications about that empire for the future, and be in the time when that came true.

So did God chose for some to go to hell, or see what decision they had made. He knows how many hairs were on my head when I was born, and at the same time could see how little I have left now.

I hope this doesn't come across as limiting God, it shows the power, the awesomeness and personal relationship that God has. How amazing is it that he has a personal relationship with all of us at the same time, and is actively involved in loving us.

It's exciting as we live in a would of uncertainty that God has gone before us, and is already actively involved.

The Irony of it all

2008-01-31T12:31:00.000-08:00

So While at Bedlam back in November I realized I had made the trip without a towel. I knew that not showering for the weekend wasn't a good option, and I didn't feel like using a t-shirt which is my usual fall back at hockey when I've forgotten a towel. But I thought I had hit the Jackpot when I found the floor mat, which is really just a small not so soft towel. For that weekend I used this mat to dry off with.

I was back there just this past weekend, and as we were packing the house and frantically trying to get everything together, I forgot my laptop, my boots, and my sleeping bag, but I made sure to bring a towel, I think it was the first thing in my bag. As much as it was a blessing to have the mat, it wasn't anywhere near ideal.

As I got to my room someone mentioned there might be a set of sheets and a blanket in the top drawer that there had been for the other weekends. I opened the drawer to find just that - a set of sheets, a blanket, a pillow and ..... a towel. Actually there was 2 one in each dresser. Apparently while I was using a floor mat to dry off with there were 2 - really nice towels there all along.

I think the funniest part of it (and I did find it pretty funny) is that as I walked out of my room and ran into Greg and just had to tell him about it on the way to breakfast, he told me after I finished that he had just used the mat in his room, and he was going to look in his drawers.

The BIG 30

2008-01-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

So the last week has been full of comments about how old I am, funny thing is some are older than me :) Here are some of my responses.

I'm 30 and can still out run you ....

Well since you were already dating when I was born that makes you really old ...

When asked if I feel old, no in the words of some of the teens from Faith "You are still as immature as ever" I think I take that as a compliment.

So what did I do, well we went to Chicago for the weekend a week before and did something I've always wanted to do, visit Notre Dame.

But whats the biggest thing that happened/I learned at the ripe old age of 30?

Well first of all if you say "I'm ready for a step of faith ..." get ready cause you never know what God has in store. We signed the papers to sell our house on my bday, and have till Feb 1 to move out. We have no house to move to.

Another lesson, which is more of something confirmed than learned new - step out in faith and watch as God unfolds what he has in store. Not more than 20 minutes after signing, God already started to work out the details of interim housing.

Lastly - watch what you ask for - we said we wanted to step out in faith, and things have been continual steps of faith since then, please don't take this as complaining, I'd have it no other way.

Humility

2008-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

So I listen to a sermon by one of my favorites today, Mark Driscoll. If I am driving for a while by myself, this is likely what you will find me doing, listening to one of his sermons. He made a comment which was only a very small part of the sermon and not the emphasis of the sermon but something that stood out to me. Just for information sake this is a usual for me - no offense to whoever is speaking at the church I'm at, but I very rarely get out of the sermon what they are talking about, it always seems to be some other comment that sparks something weird in my head that I think about for the rest of the time. But back to the topic on hand (wow I'm A D D even when blogging).

So in passing he made some comment about humility and why that is evidence (maybe evidence isn't the best word) that the Bible is true. So here is what I got out of it or where my brain wondered off to.

When looking at Christ and his life here on earth you can't help but see how humble of a man Christ was, he made alot of claims (which were true), but not really in a way that showed arrogance. Much of Christ's life outside of this was such an amazing example of humilty considering who he was. He washed feet, he taught and lived servant leadership. He was God yet this is how he lived life here on earth.

So now think about begin a creative writer, if you were to try and create a god - would you create him humble? We as humans are not humble people and if we were to create a god, why in the world we create a god that is humble, that is the epitimy of humility?

Is this evidence God exists - no, but it does speak volumes in that direction.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Well Hope everyone had a great Christmas, it was a different one for me, still busy but not 5 different Christmas parties this year, which in a way I missed

So After having 3 days in a row of turkey before Christmas, we were suppose to have turkey again on Christmas day like I have for the past 20 something years depending on what age I was when I started eating turkey. But we made a big switch this year and had my favorite meal ... RIBS. So it was a little different since we I was so use to having turkey on Christmas day with everything else that we do the same every year. Even though it was different it was good, I do love Ribs. So in that I realized something that was mentioned to me on the weekend - turkey doesn't really make you tired. Whatever the thing in turkey is that people have claimed for years that puts you to sleep isn't really in abundance in turkey. Its in many other foods at the same level. It's that we eat so much of it that makes us tired. We always seem to over eat on these days. Since I love ribs so much this was a great time to check this out so I over ate - for scientific reasons of course.

What was the verdict, I was just as tired and felt like falling asleep after ribs as any other day I can remember eating turkey. So in my version of mythbusters, which was more exciting than the show has been lately, the myth that turkey makes you more tired - myth "busted"

So as I break more and more myths about the Christmas season and things linked to it, its great as I research to find my belief in Jesus birth and the power of God that was involved in it more and more amazing.

Merry CHRISTmas

Why do these things exist

2007-12-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

So we got a new vehicle to us just a little while ago and we love it, but there is one fairly peculiar thing about it that I just couldn't help but talk about it. So our Rendezvous has one of the information centers in it that tracks all kinds of things which is great for me with me when traveling so much by myself. I am weird .. I know that so no need for anyone to point that out. In that weirdness I enjoy Math, I really do, so the little gadgets on their keep my occupied as I constantly look at the different things and try to figure out all kinds of things in my head. I won't even try to explain cause those like this already understand, and those who don't, just won't. So the one thing it has is the monitor that tells you how many km's you have lfet on the gas you have. Now its funny to me to watch it go up and down and realize how inaccurate it can be, but even funnier than that is the fact that when the low fuel gage comes on .. it won't tell you how many km's are left anymore. I mean if there is a time when you want to know how many are left that would be it, it's great and all the I know that it says 607 when I fill it up and guaranteed that won't be how many I get to the tank and I guess if I pay attention to what it is when its around 65 which seems to be close to where it shuts off, but not always, sometime higher and sometimes lower.

So thank you Buick for the big Yellow sign that comes up to tell me I'm low on gas, but won't let me know how low that is!

Hockey Hockey Hockey

2007-12-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

So after a long time of doing ... well absolutely nothing, resulting me being in the worst shape I have been in ... ever. I finally got back on the ice this past week. When I first had my surgery, I thought that maybe I wouldn't play this year, let it heal - that life would be busy and I'd start back ... sometime. But I got the itch, and once I laced them on just to go for a 5 minute skate during warm-up all that was thrown away and I had to get back as soon as possible. So the next week they needed a goalie and I threw on the equipment a little earlier than the Doc suggested and played. It was great - I mean it sucked that I could barely stand up by half way threw, that some OHL player riffled a shot of that specific shoulder, that i was so weak I could barely push my self across the crease to make a save, and that by the end I just dropped down and hoped I got hit with the puck. Owen tried to make me feel welcome back on the ice by yelling "eh la Bue" every time the puck went in the net. (I have no idea the french spelling, and I don't he was pronouncing it right anyways) After the game my legs were so tired I had to use my arms to help move my legs with the pads on, so I could take my skates off - like I said I have never been in such bad shape. As I thought about it though the feeling to get back on the ice was a lot like the feeling of speaking at church again, sitting down for hot chocolate with some students to discuss mission trips, or sitting through a great worship service like the one at Brock Christian Fellowship I went to. In the transition between jobs many people told me to take it easy, and with my shoulder surgery that turned into sitting at my house alone. I realized through this a couple of things - I do need an out let like hockey to stop my self from going crazy and 2 - God has put a passion inside of me to do ministry - that being building relationship, touching lives, and actively being a part of what God is doing. Life sucks when I'm not. I can look back and see this over the years, I'd go away for vacation and although it was great to get away, couldn't' wait to get back to the church, we'd come home and I'd run on a Sunday night to youth even though I wasn't expected back till the next day - its just how God has me wired right now.

So what am I saying - well what's your outlet, and what is it that God has put inside of you to serve Him, to make your relationship with Him exciting and growing.

For me its hockey and being an active part of peoples lives and church.

Arrogance or Obedience

2007-11-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

So I've been working this one through in my head for the last little while, and although it's still being worked through I thought I'd work it out a little on here.

There is a belief out there that when Christians say they are ... that they are being arrogant. A couple examples of this - humanitarian, caring, law abiding ... as we go on you can put others in there and test what I am thinking. The thought behind the arrogant comment would be that it is an arrogant thought to think that only Christians can be loving, caring, giving ... so please let me make sure I get this across, I don't believe that only Christians are the ones doing this and unfortunately I would agree that many of those who practice other religions and those who claim there is no God put us to shame at times in these areas, but this doesn't mean much to the whole discussion to me.
My view of this is one of obedience. When I call this a Christian thing, I say it believing that God does exist and that He created everyone of us. Through time God laid out many guidelines to live by, and suggestions of the best way to live life for God to the fullest. A very practical example of this to me is murdering, or stealing - God laid out that these things were wrong, and this world lives by this and agrees with it. They may say that they do it cause that is the way to treat people, but God the one who created us, created that in us. To me all these things fall into the same category. I'm not a humanitarian cause thats what humans do, I don't love and care for people of this world because it's the good thing to do - we should care for others who need it. I do this because God created me to do so. You can try to separate the 2 if you want, but to me why would we as humans take credit for something that an eternal, all-knowing; all-powerful God did. If we are honest deep down there is likely just as much inside of us that drives us to do the opposite - to take from others, to make our life better. Our sin nature kicks in, and in spite of that even those that don't claim there to be a God, act in the path that Jesus did while on this earth.

It is no surprise to me that everyone no matter what their beliefs find joy and fulfillment in doing a lot of these things - God created us to do so, he promised joy, and blessings for those who do these things - too bad so many Christians only seek and want the physical blessings of monetary things instead of just accepting what God had in mind at that time.

Interesting Bumper Sticker

2007-11-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

So I was driving the other day and saw this bumper sticker - not the first time I saw it, but it has been a while and I found it as funny as ever.

A New Day

2007-11-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

Well God has taken us on quite the journey with all the different children that have come through our home. As I look back there are lots a great times, lots of hard times, lots of things we don't totally understand - but one thing surrounds all of that - God lead us on this path and He has always been with us through it. Today was one of the happier days, we signed the final papers to adopt our son. It's as the title suggests a new day for us, a new life in a way. Although Nathan has lived with us for over a year now, and in our hearts he has been ours since he walked through that door with curly hair and looking ever so pudgy - there is a relief after having to see kids go and knowing that he won't. There is a moment where you for a second go wow ... this is forever now, a lot I'm guessing like when people find out the are pregnant. But this wow isn't a worryness but for us a wow of what God has done. Nathan means "gift of God" and at a time of uncertainty he was surely that - a gift from God to us and that mindset has never changed over the past year.

It's so cool to me to be able to sit back now, and see this and now be excited what other "New days" God has in store.