Wednesday, June 29, 2005

She's gone

Well, in a perfectly set Bus Station farewell, the rain was drizzling down, the sky was a muted white, and a few families were standing around saying their good-byes.


And we said good bye to our eldest, Johanna.


I feel I need to apologize to the readers here. Because it was early morning, I had forgotten to bring the camera. I know how much Johanna would have appreciated having a permanent image of the emotional farewell, but I am growing old and memory fails...


However, I did manage this Artist's Reconstruction of the moving event, so that it's recorded for posterity.



As you can plainly see, it was a very emotional scene.


Anyway, she's off to five weeks of French Studies in the big city of Winnipeg. Maybe she'll even stay all summer if she is able to find work there.


So, there we go then, that's one out of the nest.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

A word of apology

I realized when I loaded so many photo's on my site that viewing it on any computer with less than highspeed would be a chore. I did it anyway, I figured how often does this happen?


Well, after loading the site from my office, on dialup, and nearly dying of old age in the process, I felt like I should apologize for it.


I'm sorry.


There. Now can we get on with the things of life?

Monday, June 27, 2005

Micah's Awards Day

Now I've always downplayed the place Recognition Awards have in the academic life, mostly because I knew what it was to do your best and never receive one. (I'm not bitter. Really!) So I've always encouraged the kids to do their best, whatever happens.


This is why the girl who gets a 90% in whatever class it was stared at me like a crazy man when I said, "Yeah, that's great, did you do your best?" 


:-)


Anyway, like I've said before, sometimes they don't make recognition awards for the things you're good at.


Well, today it was Micah's turn. 15 minutes worth of fame.


It was his schools awards ceremony this morning, and it's my day off so I went along.


Weren't we just surprised when Micah was awarded the "Patrolman of the Year" award. It's selected by the school students for being the best crossing guard. He received a gift watch and a nice shiny paper.


Weren't we even more surprised when they handed out the next award, for the "Best Playground Helper!" The teachers select this person, and the award was,  ... a new watch and a shiny piece of paper!


Wow. Cool.


All these kids, and all these recognition awards.


It's cool, but I still have a heart for the kid who gets no award, no recognition. There have been and will again be times in the kids lives when no recognition is forthcoming.


And I'll understand it, and I'll recognize em and cheer them on.


Meantime, this year our fridge is full of reasons to party.


Saturday, June 25, 2005

Graduation: The Conclusion

Well tonight they had a kind of, "Show off what I've become" thing. The Grand March I believe they call it.


And She held her own with any of them.



First the hair looked like a million dollars.



Her and her escort, Brandon.



And finally, I end with the picture of the day. Yes that's me, and her, and yes, we are dancing.


Easily the best part of the weekend.


Easily.

Graduation Continues

Well, this morning from 10 amd till 11 we went back to St. Mary school for the formal graduation exercises.



It was great, wasn't hot or humid. And the chairs were getting a little old after two hours, but it was a great morning.


Johanna was asked a while ago to sing the national anthem, which she did without a hitch. (I'll post an audio clip asap.)



She received her paperwork from the principal, and I got this pic of it.


Later on, she received the french award. Not bad for an englander.



And, after the ceremony, many pictures were taken.


Tonight is the Grand March and a dance thing, before the infamous Parents Sponsored Party in the bush.


Then tomorrow were having a family supper, Boston Pizza I believe.


I never received any recognition awards when I attended High School, so it's kind of cool to see some of our kids get em. Sadly enough, the "Get Awards Gene" didn't come from me,  I had to marry a really smart woman to give them half a chance!!


But hey, what does it say that a very smart woman chose me!!

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Graduation has begun

Well, after a week in which... never mind, it's behind us now.


Tonight Johanna's Graduation festivities began, with a worship service. Kind of a good way to begin.



Her class enters the church.



They got a lot in during that hour!



The whole class.



Johanna is just left of center.



Then to the school for Tea.



Then we leave, hopefully living out the banner.


Hard to believe, 13 years done.


She's worked hard to accomplish this goal.


I sat there remembering how we used to read with her. She was ticked off that even after two weeks in kindergarten, she still didn't know how to read.  I remembered working through the times tables, half of which I didn't even know.


I remembered our very first parent/teachers interview which happened in grade one. We walked in there unsure of how this all worked and the first thing her teacher said was something like, "So you're Johanna's parents!! What do you do at home to make this girl what she is?!?" We sat there for ten minutes listening as her teacher preened and carried on about her. We went home thinking, wow, this parenting thing is easy! And hey, we're good at it!!


Yeah. Time makes fools of us all.


It's really cool to see who she's turning into. A Self confident, passionate young lady.


This is going to be a good weekend.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Who Cares about the Congo?

In the June 14, 2005 edition of the Christian Science Monitor, Andrew Stroehlein asks; "In Congo, 1,000 die per day: Why isn't it a media story?"


Why indeed.
He continues;



    I've lost count of how many journalists in the recent weeks have asked me, "Why aren't the media covering the Congo?"


    ... With an estimated 1,000 people dying there every day as a result of hunger and disease caused by war, it is an appropriate question. But the extent of this coverage of noncoverage is reaching the absurd: print, radio, TV, Internet - they all want to know why they themselves are not writing articles and broadcasting programs about the Congo.


    ... Indeed. What the world media are missing is one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II: 3.8 million people have died in the Congo since 1998, dwarfing not only the biggest of natural catastrophes, such as December's South Asia tsunami, but also other manmade horrors, such as Darfur.


    ... With so many dying and so much at stake, it is simply astounding that Congo isn't in the newspapers and on nightly news regularly. Even a nonlethal car bombing in Iraq or a kidnapping in Afghanistan gets more Western media coverage in a day than Congo gets in a typical month of 30,000 dead. So much for the old TV news editors' saw, "If it bleeds, it leads."


We at Gateway are privileged to have among our number, some who come from the Congo. They've seen the violence and suffering first hand. Even they have asked me, Why aren't people interested in the Congo?


This Sunday we have invited Patrick, who comes from the Congo, and whose family remains there, to tell us a bit about his recent trip home, and his desire to return. He will have some pictures as well.


This is one real way to show that we do care what's happening in that dark corner of the world.


So, plan to attend, and stay for a soup lunch, put on by the youth.
In fact, anyone who reads this is invited to attend.


Worship is at 10 am. Then shortly after 11:00am, Patrick will do his presentation.


via.



Tuesday, June 21, 2005

I was going to say something smart...

just can't remember what it was.


 


Week of Grad here.


Dresses being reworked, to perfection.


Nerves.


Tense people.


No time to enjoy, to bask in the achievement.


12 years done.


Final exams.


She's getting packed and ready for travel next week.


A whole life to pack up into boxes.


Doesn't all fit.


Anger.


Frustration.


Sleep deprived.


 


I just realized next week is July already.


We are in deep need of holidays.


Haven't spent one lazy evening on the Pergola since we built it.


 


God help us.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Father's Day haul

I've been a dad for 18 years now.


That statement looks unbelievable even as I write it.


18 years.


That's about 385 parent years.


So, yesterday was my 18th Father's Day.


My youngest, a boy, gave me a huge card, a Plasticine picture he made of our fav show, Sponge Bob, and a bucket of my favorite Kernels popcorn, Chicago.


My youngest daughter made me a tiny delicate handmade turtle card.


My eldest, a girl, bought me a Coldplay CD, Parachutes, which I'm listening to now. Wow, why didn't I have this before?


This weekend my eldest graduates from High School, and I begin the next part of parenthood. Absentee child fathering. Next week she's off to change the world, don't know when we'll see her again. That'll be weird.


Really.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Thinking about Legacy this Father's Day

A grade one teacher thought this shy retiring kid would make it just fine in the big bold world of education. And, because I was naive, I believed her. Her belief in me got me through many educational close calls.


As a teenager stuck in my own cycles of depression and darkness, one of the youth leaders I knew took an interest in me. She took time, bought me a shake and listened to me. She invited me to a youth bible study and I went. And life became lighter.


As an 18 year old not sure of direction for my life, it was my dad and mom who taught me that when God called, you went. And on that cool September morning when my bus left for college, my parents, with my siblings and all their possessions packed into a moving truck, headed east to Ontario where God had called them to be the first youth leaders of a church.


As a gawky 22 year old college student, Lauralea loved me enough to say "I do" and she has. She has taught me love and patience, grace and mercy. She has been God's constant reminder to me that He loves me.


As a 25 year old, entering the ministry full time as a senior pastor church planter, I was terror struck and dumbfounded. Till my grandparents came and spoke words of life to me; "We will pray for you every day." And they did.


Each a legacy of life to me.


What are your  stories of Legacy?

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Jerry & Becky, sittin in a tree...

This afternoon Lauralea and I headed to the Metropolis of Osler Saskatchewan for a reception for the recently married Becky & Jerry. It was a blast.

The couple is as happy and in love as anybody should be allowed to be! And it shows.

Both sets of parents were there and we got to meet them. Becky's are from Virginia and I've been waiting to meet them for a chunk of time. Good southern stock. Good people.

Jerry's mom and dad are from the area, and since we were in Mennonite country, we played the Mennonite game - find out how you are related. Turns out my kin and Jerry's kin go way back. Nice to have a Southern girl marry into the family. Enlarges the gene pool.

There was time for people to do a short presentation. Leighton was there and Scotty was too. They had been working on a song to sing at the event and proceeded with it. Not bad at all.

I quickly turned on the video mode on my digital camera and captured the historic event. I've harvested the audio portion and present it here, for your listening pleasure. Forgive the quality, what can you do on a moments notice.

L.T. and Scotty D. did very very well. It should be mentioned that there was no alcohol at this reception, so, they were not half corked. I think it should also be explained that Scotty, who was playing the guitar and harmonica, has never taken a harmonica lesson in his life.

With apologies to "The Band" and their song, The Weight written by J. R. Robertson.


Here is LT and Scotty D singing, "Take a Load Off"


Jerry & Becky, sittin in a tree...

This afternoon Lauralea and I headed to the Metropolis of Osler Saskatchewan for a reception for the recently married Becky & Jerry. It was a blast.

The couple is as happy and in love as anybody should be allowed to be! And it shows.

Both sets of parents were there and we got to meet them. Becky's are from Virginia and I've been waiting to meet them for a chunk of time. Good southern stock. Good people.

Jerry's mom and dad are from the area, and since we were in Mennonite country, we played the Mennonite game - find out how you are related. Turns out my kin and Jerry's kin go way back. Nice to have a Southern girl marry into the family. Enlarges the gene pool.

There was time for people to do a short presentation. Leighton was there and Scotty was too. They had been working on a song to sing at the event and proceeded with it. Not bad at all.

I quickly turned on the video mode on my digital camera and captured the historic event. I've harvested the audio portion and present it here, for your listening pleasure. Forgive the quality, what can you do on a moments notice.

L.T. and Scotty D. did very very well. It should be mentioned that there was no alcohol at this reception, so, they were not half corked. I think it should also be explained that Scotty, who was playing the guitar and harmonica, has never taken a harmonica lesson in his life.

With apologies to "The Band" and their song, The Weight written by J. R. Robertson.


Here is LT and Scotty D singing, "Take a Load Off"

Prince Albert Street Fair

So, Lauralea, Micah and I got down to the party on Central today a bit.


Now, two things about this day were amazing.


The first was the burgers the Bison Cafe was selling. It's been a long time since I've had such an awesome burger. Bison meat, moist, bbq-ed, cooked onions beneath the meat, mozzarella on top, between a 12 grain bun. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else needed. I'm serious here, this was one awesome piece of meat.


Now the second amazing thing. There was a jazz band playing that blew me away. Who were these people, and where did they come from??? They were really good. So good in fact that I turned the digital camera into video mode and captured a clip of the surroundings, with them playing in the background. It's 8 megs, but I thought it was worth the work, if you like music. Get it here.


Good day for Prince Albert.

On who is Michael Jackson


?My father was a great man because he was a great, great manager and he trained me well as a musician, as a showman. I couldn´t miss a step?. he taught me how to work an audience, how to work a stage, how to feel your music when it is playing, how to move your body to the music. He wasn´t even a dancer, but he understands music and show business. But... he never gave me a piggyback ride, he never threw a pillow at me or [did] something fun. [But] when I was about four years old there was a little carnival and he picked me up and put me on a pony. And because of that one moment I have this special place in my heart for him, for that one moment! I remember it. I remember it. I only got it one time but it made me really feel a lot differently about him and the world, because of that one moment. And that´s the real truth. Imagine if this kinda thing could happen more often, the difference it would make to the lives of our families and children.?


Link. 


via.


Randall Friesen vs. The Pastor

Prince Albert is a city of about 40,000 people, big enough for a Wendy's (Finally!) yet small enough where you get noticed. And I love that about this place.


It also makes pastoring a bit different than when we did it in big city Winnipeg. For instance, today is our city's street fair. They close up a Central Avenue and have different activities running all day- kind of a big party thing.


I know some of the shop owners downtown, the ones who are putting the thing on. They know me and what I do around here. Even if they don't attend church, they know that I do. And they have reminded me that today is the big day. So, I need to attend. To be faithful to these relationships I have been developing, I need to be there.


Now, I usually love these kinds of things, so it's not any hardship. But it dawned on me last night that, yes, I'm going as Randall Friesen, but I'm also going because I am a pastor.


As Randall Friesen, the pastor, I have relationships with these people. And many of them have relationships with The Pastor, Randall Friesen.


See the difference?


In a smaller location you are tagged by what you do. There is less room for anonymity, to be just Randall Friesen and thus enjoy a day off.


I will have to make decisions today, because I am a pastor, in public. Decisions that I wouldn't have to worry about, if I was just Randall Friesen, the guy.


While I don't think there is a great difference between R.F. and T.P. there is that subtle underlying thing at work that I always am aware of, thinking about what I'm doing, at any given moment, because I'm The Pastor.


It just means that a real day "off" comes rarely.


Anyway, that will be fun, and a couple of the non-working kids are coming along with me.


Then, this afternoon, Lauralea and I are attending a wedding reception for some friends. None of that R.F vs T.P. stuff going on over there. To them we are friends first, shepherds second, and that's a cool thing.


So the day's going to be full. Lot's of work will be done, people connected with, relationships enhanced, and I trust, God will be blessed through our choices.

Friday, June 17, 2005

Need art on the walls? Why not try the Internet?!

It may be just that I had a free evening, but it all went to my head and got a little crazy around here!


A while ago I discovered a little application that would take any digitized picture you had, and process it into dots. You could then select how large to print it out, and print huge posters and wall sized images with it. Very Cool.


Now in Lauralea's and my bedroom we have a huge wall with presently no large art work to put on it. So, my mind put the two together, and it came out very very cool.


Last night with time on my hands, I got Lauralea to pose with me and I took a picture. (I'll take comments on the picture later!!)


I processed it, and printed it out 5 sheets by 3, at 8.5x11. This resulted in a picture about 40 inches by 30.


As it was printing I figured I had blown it. Each sheet was unrecognizable with the black dots, but when I laid them out a very clear picture emerged, like magic.


The results were amazing. They ranged from "Disgusting" to "Gross" from the assisting peanut gallery.


The possibilities for this are endless.


Take a picture of the sky and print it off and post it on your ceiling!


Take your favorite outdoor image and print it off to cover a whole wall in your living room or basement.


Take an image you want to use to communicate to your church or large group, and cover a whole wall with it in your meeting place. 


Cheap wedding decorations or surprise birthday parties!


It's just paper and ink and off you go!!


Once you try it, you'll get hooked, so be careful.


You can get it here. The Rasterbator


Oh, and I love the picture! Makes me giggle every time I enter the room.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

What IS that thing??!!

It, it looks like, wait a minute, I think it's a Thursday night with nno meeting to be at...?!?!


Well, that's a first in a loooooong time.


Hm, what to do, what to do...

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

I have a secret

Well actually, I have many secrets i suppose. But this one comes as a result of being a parent, a paranoid parent.


Whenever the kids take the car and go to work or school or just out, i will be a little tense till about half an hour later. If, during that half hour the phone rings, i tense up oh say 40%. If I'm called to the phone, i tense up to about 75%. If the caller is the kid who was driving, i go straight to 95%. If it's the police, well, it's never been the police.


Why tense up? Because it will mean that the car is broken, or, that they've been in an accident with the car.


I've always wondered if I'll be the guy who blows up in anger when the call comes that they've been in an accident. I've secretly suspected that i will be that guy. You know; "Ring Ring."  "Hello? what? you've been in an accident? How's the car?..."


I've been doing this since they started driving by themselves. Over a year now since the eldest started driving to work. And every time the phone rings after they've gone, i get tense.


Yesterday was no different. She left and 20 minutes later the phone rang - 40%. And I got called to the phone, - 75%. It was her, - 95%. And the news? She had been in an accident.


The good news? She wasn't physically hurt and the damage was that the bumper was pushed over considerably. Still not sure who's fault it was.


The really good news?  I didn't ask about the car first off. I didn't get angry. A bit overwhelmed, but not angry.


I'm still waiting to hear from the other driver, sounds like we got the worst of it. And I'm not sure what to do with all that stuff. I've not really had an accident before.


But I am thankful for great mercy. And for learning that I'm not that old guy who is more concerned with his car than his kid.

LOTR 4

Early this morning I was reading a bit in Samuel. There was something Celtic playing in the CD player, and as I read the passage, it felt like a scene out of Lord of the Rings:



About a month later, King Nahash of Ammon led his army against the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead. But the citizens of Jabesh asked for peace. "Make a treaty with us, and we will be your servants," they pleaded.


"All right," Nahash said, "but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!"


"Give us seven days to send messengers throughout Israel!" replied the leaders of Jabesh. "If none of our relatives will come to save us, we will agree to your terms."


When the messengers came to Gibeah, Saul's hometown, and told the people about their plight, everyone broke into tears. Saul was plowing in the field, and when he returned to town, he asked, "What's the matter? Why is everyone crying?" So they told him about the message from Jabesh.


Then the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul, and he became very angry. He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: "This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!" And the LORD made the people afraid of Saul's anger, and all of them came out together as one. When Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men of Israel, in addition to 30,000 from Judah.


So Saul sent the messengers back to Jabesh-gilead to say, "We will rescue you by noontime tomorrow!" What joy there was throughout the city when that message arrived!


The men of Jabesh then told their enemies, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you can do to us as you wish." But before dawn the next morning, Saul arrived, having divided his army into three detachments. He launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites and slaughtered them the whole morning. The remnant of their army was so badly scattered that no two of them were left together.


Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, "Now where are those men who said Saul shouldn't rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!"


But Saul replied, "No one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!"


Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us all go to Gilgal to reaffirm Saul's kingship." So they went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the LORD they crowned him king. Then they offered peace offerings to the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites were very happy.


1 Samuel 11



Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Been thinking lately

And that can be a dangerous thing.


In life it's interesting how God blesses you with certain strengths and abilities. If you are sensitive and willing to be taught, he will teach you how to use these "Strengths" or "Abilities" as you wonder through life.


As you grow personally and begin to develop the strengths you have, you do find some measure of fruit or success with them. Often you are keenly aware that, in and of yourself, you are helplessly unable to do the task requested of you, except for this gift God has given you.


Because of the quality and the results of the work you are doing, people begin to think that you are indeed a very wise and gifted individual. Thus they invite you to do work in this or that area as well.


The individual asks herself, is God enlarging the gifts causing them to be a help to the greater body? Or, is it just all going to my head?


Sometimes God is busy enlarging your gifts, if you've been faithful with what he's given you before. But sometimes people are just impressed by your successes and want you to do more. They want success in their ventures too, so, invite a successful individual to come along and help.


The test seems to be in judging what God is in fact saying to you. Sometimes you get it wrong and it all goes to your head, and your head enlarges till it explodes all over everybody at some dinner someplace.


Or, sometimes you ignore it, thinking it's all you, and you miss the opportunity to do greater things, for people, for God...


I dunno, just where my heads at these days. Trying to hear God well. Trying to keep up. Trying to be faithful.


Trying.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Don't know what to make of this test

Toni and Brad took a test and I didn't want to be left in the theological dust, so i took it too.


I don't know what to make of it.








You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.








































Emergent/Postmodern





86%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan





82%

Neo orthodox





75%

Reformed Evangelical





57%

Fundamentalist





43%

Roman Catholic





43%

Charismatic/Pentecostal





43%

Classical Liberal





39%

Modern Liberal





25%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

Charismatic, Fundamentalist, and Roman Catholic scored all the same???


It's a bit scary.

Back home

Yep, made it home last night, after a days drive.


Nearly hit one deer, and i did run over two gophers... i tried not to but gophers can be quite stupid. The one ran into me, or more like, he ran into my back tire, and the other one was doing a stand up then move to the left and stand up again and move to the right and stand up again thing. I kept moving to where he wasn't, and he kept moving to where I was. I think he had a death wish.


The weekend was busy, meeting wise. Hours of meeting punctuated by a quick bite to eat, then another meeting before the regular meeting...


And there was no internet access, so i went cold turkey for a while.


I really wanted to mention the Friday's drive up there. When I put up the prayer station post I wasn't sure what I'd see, but you guys totally rocked.


Through the day the requests would come into my cell, and I'd pray. It was really very cool. It was like God would show up and just give me insights for new directions for the situations I was praying for. It was the Holy One who was leading through most of the prayin.


And your requests! Wow. i was blown away by your honesty and brokenness, and your hunger for healing. I'm still carrying around a number of you for whom i'm not yet done praying. You should know, God is still carrying around your needs too, doing what he can to bring life into those dead places.


And thanx for the one of you, (You know who you are!) who sent a note saying you were praying for me. Cool. 


Saturday late we finished for the day and I headed to Calgary to hook up with an old blogging contact, Steve McMillian. I first "met" Steve while he was doing his pastoring thing up in Yellowknife. Now he's preaching in Calgary, (Talk about your culture shock)


He's a very passionate preacher, and a great guy. And his Blog Photo totally put's mine to shame!!


He's got some good pastoral instincts and some deep life experiences that will help to make him a good communicator. Watch what he writes!And thanks Steve, for supper! How long has it been since I've seen the inside of an Olive Garden!!


After that, i made my pilgrimage to Krispy Kreme and limited myself to two donuts and a coffee. You'da been proud! Then, as I left, i purchased 2 dozen originals, to fill the orders I had taken from home, and off i went.


Thanks for praying. Thanks for trusting me with your secrets.


i will honour your trust by continuing to pray for you.


Blessings

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Listen, today I'm going to be on the road hard all day so I'll have some time on my hands.


If you would like some guy to pray for you or a situation you know about then today I'm that guy.


Type in a need or name or situation into that  "Txt msg my cell" box over on the left, and I'll spend a few kilometers on it. Or keep the situation quiet and simply ask me to pray for you, and I will.


It is a basic principle that God gives grace to those who are humble.


Humble enough to ask him for help.


Humble enough to admit that they can't make it on their own.


So, go ahead and ask. No request to small. Nothing to loose.


Everyone needs a bit more of God's grace on their lives. Everyone.

Reclaiming an Old Brownstone

This is a cool project I've been following along with for a while.


This couple is taking an old Brownstone in New York and refurbishing the inside- completely.


I would so love to live in such a place.


And watching them do it is much better than having to do all the work and all the paperwork myself!


Enjoy.


 


 



AW Tozer - The Pursuit of God.


Before the Lord God made man upon the earth He first prepared for him by creating a world of useful and pleasant things for his sustenance and delight. In the Genesis account of the creation these are called simply `things.' They were made for man's uses, but they were meant always to be external to the man and subservient to him. In the deep heart of the man was a shrine where none but God was worthy to come. Within him was God; without, a thousand gifts which God had showered upon him.


But sin has introduced complications and has made those very gifts of God a potential source of ruin to the soul.


Our woes began when God was forced out of His central shrine and `things' were allowed to enter. Within the human heart `things' have taken over. Men have now by nature no peace within their hearts, for God is crowned there no longer, but there in the moral dusk stubborn and aggressive usurpers fight among themselves for first place on the throne.


This is not a mere metaphor, but an accurate analysis of our real spiritual trouble. There is within the human heart a tough fibrous root of fallen life whose nature is to possess, always to possess. It covets `things' with a deep and fierce passion. The pronouns `my' and `mine' look innocent enough in print, but their constant and universal use is significant. They express the real nature of the old Adamic man better than a thousand volumes of theology could do. They are verbal symptoms of our deep disease. The roots of our hearts have grown down into things, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die. Things have become necessary to us, a development never originally intended. God's gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature is upset by the monstrous substitution.


 
 AW Tozer - The Pursuit of God is now Online.


Check it out



A perfectly enormously wonderfully easy fundraising idea

I am the parent of youth and kids who are forever involved in fundraising events, either at school or at church.


From band trips, to youth conferences, to class fees, to, blah blah blah blah. I'm tired of it all. Selling chocolate or citrus or cookie dough or magazines or working at smokey bingo halls or selling tickets to a draw, I'm tired of it. Till today.


I had a perfectly enormously wonderfully easy fundraising idea.


I and many of my friends- though not all- have made certain choices in our lives. Choices like not getting drunk, not smoking, not taking illegal drugs of many varieties and so on. We who make such choices could harness this virtue for the good of our children and their ongoing band programs. 


How?


I have discovered, through no study of my own, and much listening to talk radio, that there is a strong and growing demand for "Clean Urine," if one can call it clean. People who work on the oil rigs in Alberta will attend a wedding or party, and two weeks later there may still be a bit of a surprise coming as they submit to a urine test put to them by their employer.


These people are in the market for clean urine to use in the tests they are forced to take. And they are paying $30 - $40 for a bag of the stuff.


In short, There's gold in them there baggies!!


We've made a commitment to certain lifestyle choices, now it can really pay off, for our kids. "Just Say No" takes on a whole new meaning when you attach a dollar figure to it.


I see a website where you can order your supply for the next test. The top quality stuff could fetch a higher price than your average offering. Then it could be FedExed to the person in need!


Paul made tents, we could sell urine. Tomato Tomata.


...


UPDATE: I just read that in America the parents get to go to SF Giants games as fundraisers. God Bless America!!

Anne Bancroft, Dead at 73

I've never seen "The Graduate" and I only slightly recall her in "The Miracle Worker" in which she played Helen Keller's teacher. But I did see her in "84 Charing Cross" Road playing opposite Anthony Hopkins, and I loved it. Her character was an authentic New Yorker, and there was a reality that the film captured about that time in the history of the world. It's one of my favourites.


Her husband of some 40 years, Mel Brooks, purchased the rights to the book for her birthday one year. 

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Perk number 306783 of being a pastor

It's not a perk really, but it does make me appreciate what I have here around me.


I spent a chunk of time tonight with someone who just discovered their marriage is gone, spouse, house and life.


After that, I came home and hung out with Thomas a while. We scanned some shows on the nerd network, looking for and finding some cool computer hacks. He started to try some of them and Micah got home, so I hung out with him. He's not nerd inclined, well at least computer inclined, yet.


No, he wanted to watch U2's DVD that came out with their cd, "How to Dismantle..." So we rocked out together a while. He of the musical variety.


Interesting how differently we're all made. Little bit of this, bit of that and there you go, a person.


This morning Johanna brought home a couple of awards for her involvement in school. One for drama and another for the mock trial she participated in. While Hillary, her sister brought home a pretty well done picture she had painted, and received %100 on. Like I said, different strokes for different ..., yeah, you know.


I think the trick in life is becoming contented with who you are. Not being settled in a negative way, but in a blessed way realizing what gifts you have to offer, and shaping them to work well.


Now, if we were the Brady Bunch, Johanna could sing, lead of course, and Micah would back her up. Thomas would work sound and tech stuff and Hillary would prep the scene, backdrop and stage area. Lauralea could sew their outfits, and I?


I'd write about it the next day in this Blog.

Calling Calgary

I shall find myself in Calgary this weekend for some meetings.


This will be hard work, so i'm looking for a distraction, (No, not Calaway park, i barf on rides).


if you live in or near Calgary and would like to hang out a bit, gime a sign, here.


hmm, i notice there is a Krispy Kreme in Calgary. Hmmm

Monday, June 06, 2005

A Good day for Radio in Prince Albert

Today Lauralea and I crawled out of bed and made our way downtown for an important party.


Seven years ago when we moved here, we were somewhat surprised that there was no CBC Two available up here in Prince Albert. We enquired and wrote some letters about getting it up here, and we made do, listening to it on the Internet.


Well, this winter they started transmitting here in Prince Albert, and today was the "Grand Opening" of their feed here in P.A.


To celebrate they brought in Veteran broadcaster, Jurgen Gothe, to do his show here live. Disc Drive was always one of the shows we enjoyed, even back into Winnipeg days. His eclectic taste in music and his dry sense of humor was always inviting.


So, today we got ourselves down to the new Forest Centre, where they were recording the program. We sat and drank coffee and listened and watched as he did the program. It was very enlightening, and enjoyable.


After a couple of hours while a song was playing, we met him and had a nice chat. He was as engaging in person as he presents himself on the radio.  


As well as receiving some "parting gifts" a flashlight and a small working FM radio each, he signed a card for us. It will take up some prominent place in my office.


We're still trying to shake these diseases, but today was a lovely break from it all. A connection with the larger world out there that hardly ever reaches into Prince Albert. And when we arrived home, Marion had sent over some fresh soup and bread for supper. Sweet.



If you're interested, the program is being recorded in Saskatoon Tuesday and Wednesday, and Regina Thursday and Friday. Check it out.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

I'm glad He's getting married

This picture disturbes me on so many levels!



Have to pray harder for Carol.


I wonder if she knows...

TvGold pure gold!!

Now, this is using the Internet in the way it was intended. To bring back old television shows!!


TvGold is ReBroadcasting old British television shows on a regular rotating basis.


Those of us who love "Allo Allo" and "One Foot in the Grave" and "The Two Ronnies" now have a place to go.


http://www.tvgold.org/


And enjoy. You seem to need the newest version of Winamp, I'm using Winamp 5 and it works a charm.


This is Good.

Hmm, book tag eh?

I recollect in my early years I would play fruit tag with the other kids. That was 5 years ago, in the church basement with the Sunday school kids.


Ahh, those were the days.


Seems now that we've grown up, we're playing book tag.


Jordon's tagged me, and as soon as I have a clear head, I shall respond. It won't take as long for me to count my books as it probably took him to count his. But count I shall.


For now, I gotta get myself together and get to church. Looks like Lauralea's staying home today, still quite sick.


 

Friday, June 03, 2005

They have a National Donut Day??

Man, i gotta suck it up and get me to a Krispy Kreme. Free donuts!!

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Up Early

I really must be sick. It's early and I can't sleep any longer!


good grief.

Just an update

Well, we are being carried along these days. Lauralea and I are never sick at the same time, so these days are new to us.


After a good nights sleep I awake mostly ready to go at it. A bit of a fuzzy throat and head, but mostly ready to go. I head out to work and by noonish I can hardly keep my eyes opened when someone is talking to me and my cough is worse and head and body aches. I head home for a nap and sleep hard for a while. Then, the evening exercises (meetings) are upon us.


It's been fun to receive attention too. Last night a friend brought over a dvd & tea carepackage, and today a neighbour brought over home made soup for supper, another angel of mercy.


Tonight is a meeting for me, and Lauralea will try to venture out to Micah's Band Concert, then to bed.


And we will finish where we started the day, praying for Toni and Chris and Ben and Dan, and that small community over in the UK, where today they said goodbye and Thank you for the life of their Sarah. 


Just an update here. That's all.

Sarah Ertl


I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.


I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;
and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God;
whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold,
and not as a stranger.


For none of us liveth to himself,
and no man dieth to himself.
For if we live, we live unto the Lord.
and if we die, we die unto the Lord.
Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.


Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;
even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.


Amen



Wednesday, June 01, 2005

START AN IV D5W, TKO, WITH RINGERS LACTATE AND DEFIBRILLATE 400 WATT SECONDS!

We are sick,her and I.


She's much worse off than I am.


I made it to most of my meetings today.


She did not.


Where are you Johnny and Roy, and Dr. Brackett and Nurse Dixie?  (Actually, nursing Dixie just dropped off a care package, what a sweetheart)


We will persevere and make it through this season of dis-ease.


Hold the faith.