Quick Note .....

Well once again Christmas has come and passed by. It was a great one , filled with food,family and fun.

I will elaborate more tomorrow night . Hope all was good with everyone as well.

Let it Snow , Let it Snow

In general , I prefer a white Christmas . The sight of beautiful white snow covering the ground, and making all things look so clean , is just pretty . That being said ,driving in it is another matter .

Yes I realize , that regardless snow or not , Christmas is about Christ , the incarnation of the Son of God . So If I had been raised in Arizona , I would not know any better .

So as we gather tomorrow night in churches to sing His praise , and hear the good news proclaimed to a sinful world ,that the Messiah has come to seek and save , let us rejoice , snow or not .

Christmas Scripture of the Day :
Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called s Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Twas the Stress Before Christmas

So here we are just a few days before Christmas and the malls, stores and everything is at a pace that is insane. I worked in retail for almost 5 years . It is something I don't think I would ever want to go back to. I met many a great customer but you remember the bad ones very distinctly.

The stress you can see on people s faces are evident . Not all , there are many who just go with the flow but the over all view is one of , when will this be over.

But if we step back and re-focus , we will realize the wonder and gritty reality of that first Christmas. Joseph finding a stable or barn for his wife in labor . Mary in the pain of child birth. No fan fair , no lights or carols , only the anxiousness of Joesph , helping his wife give birth to God in the flesh . Jesus came into a world that is broken and sinful, to bring reconciliation and begin the final plan of making all things new. The story of Christmas is one of God's love , in Christ bringing wretched , greedy,selfish sinners , like me , back to himself. Pondering that truth , will help bring perspective .

Christmas Scripture of the Day :

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew Chapter 1:18-
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [5] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [6] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us).

Once a Year .......

For me the one TV Christmas special that stands heads above the rest is A Charlie Brown Christmas.

It is such a low key and gentle special that isn't noisy. The music is considered a classic today , done by the late Vince Guaraldi .The jazzy , fluid styling fit the feel of the special perfectly.

But what I love the best about this special, it deals with real themes and a rather heavy handed message. Everyone I'm sure knows the story . I will not repeat it but I'm so thankful that once a year , children who have had no contact with God , hear His word clearly read by Linus.

When Linus takes the stage in dead silence , after Charlie Brown laments,"Isn't there anybody who knows what Christmas is all about?" , we hear God's wonderful word . Luke 2:8-14 is recited. Linus then walks back and simply states ,"Thats what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

So for many children who have never dawned the door post of a church , they hear the glorious message of a Savior , Jesus Christ was born . God's word can do amazing things to the heart, for looking back I know this unique special ,moved me in ways I later realized that God was at work on me.

Plus what a wonderful ending carol ,Hark the Herald Angels Sing. With that wonderful line , God and sinners reconciled. It is so simple but profound. So God bless this Christmas tradition because of all of them , at the core is Jesus Christ.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"


Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Charles Wesley

Love This Song and Vid

Everyone knows I love Steven Curtis Chapman's music. I respect him and just think he is an amazingly gifted songwriter and musician. So here is a link to one of my fav original Christmas tunes . One I listen to all year.Enjoy.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1137883230?bctid=3736623001

The Hope is in Him , Not This World

Recently a Pastor I had begun to listen to suffered a seizure .His name is Matt Chandler. After testing and then surgery on a brain tumor , it has been revealed its is a malignancy.He is only 35 and is married with 3 young children.

When stuff likes this happens , especially when life seems to be going so well , it can leave you totally perplexed. But listening to his pre-operation message posted on his church page , he is hurting but hopefully trusting in God who is in control.

In this life we are never guaranteed a life of ease . But what we are promised as believers , regardless of what may come be it life or death nothing can separate us from the love of God found in our Lord and Savior ,Jesus Christ. Our hope is in Him , not the events of this world or our lives.

As we soon celebrate the incarnation and the hope that dawned day , may we rejoice even if broken that God is making all things new in Christ. So pray for Matt and his family. I know he is surrounded by faithful and godly people who will tarry with him.

Christmas Scripture Verse of The Day :

John Chapter 1:14 And the Word a became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.


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The Cross Still Offends

This story was a very interesting . A young boy was suspended for drawing a cross with a stick figure on the cross. Apparently he placed himself in the role of Jesus on the cross. His teacher red flagged the picture and it was suggested he get counseling and was suspended. The boy , only 8 , is a special needs child and his father shared he had been to a Church service just a few days before the drawing. The drawing was suppose to center around Christmas. But what this boy drew really is the heart of Christmas.

Plus it fulfills what the word of God says, that the cross is an offense and stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23). Pictures depicting a cute little baby,stars,wise men etc..these are all pleasant . Those images we like. But the reality depicted on the cross is one where we have to confront the reason Jesus came.The Son of God was crucified , drank the cup of wrath that should have been ours , so that we might be reconciled to a holy God. It is a call for us to repent , acknowledge our sin and trust in the work of Christ . His death and resurrection .

The true story of Christmas is that the shadow of the cross was ever over the manger.So when that boy drew a cross , it was what Christmas is all about .

Christmas Scripture Verse of The day :

Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

A Parade of Color

When we decorate our tree , we typically choose colors that reflect, in our minds at least , some significance to Christ. Gold because it represents Jesus Kingship and supreme authority. Blue that represents God's glory. Red is the blood shed on the cross by Christ for the remission of believers sins.Finally silver , it symbolizes purity , that Jesus was sinless. Then we top it off with a star that shined before the magi , lighting their way to King of Kings.

I have always loved the colors of Christmas. By thinking about what they represent ,just helps our house reflect Jesus Christ, and keep Him at the center of our celebrations.


Christmas Scripture Verse of the Day :

Isaiah 9: 6" For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
a Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Our Big Shiny Aluminum Christmas Tree

Well here is our tree. My wife always puts on the lights and ribbon. Then I take over with help from my boys to put on the rest. The color scheme is blue,silver and red. I think its a great looking tree . But you can judge for yourself.


Christmas Scripture Verse For the Day :

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
(Immanuel means God is with us)

Sing a Song ...

I love Christmas music. I know , its warped but can't help myself. In general I prefer traditional music , but don't mind a little twist musically to make them fresh. Plus its cool when artist do original tunes as well. So here is a list of some excellent original tunes. I listed them,however they are not in any preferred order.
1.How Many Kings - Downhere
2.Born To Die - Bebo Norman
3.Christmas Like a Child - Third Day
4.The Miracle of Christmas - Steven Curtis Chapman
5.One Christmas Eve - Wayne Watson
6.Love Came Down - Jars of Clay
7.Strange Way to Save the World - Mark Harris
8.Light of the World - Matt Redman\Chris Tomlin
9.Twas The Night Before Christmas - Steven Curtis Chapman
10.Jesus Saves - Travis Cottrell

There are many more I could have included . But these are worth listening to over and over. 11 days till Christmas.

Christmas Scripture Verse for the Day:

Genesis 3:15 "I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”

Taking The Time

In this season of "craziness" , it is good to find a place to unwind . A place to find some quiet, and a time to reflect on what is important.

With all the pressure to live up to the worlds expectations of more,more and more , as a christian , we need to step back. So here is a short list of what I try to do.

1.Make time for devotions. Read the Word of God and Pray.
2.Read a good book about Christmas. I use a couple of different ones including Luther's sermons on Christmas, John MacArthur's God in the Manger etc...
3.Use the advent to focus on Christ.
4.Make your own personal Christmas mix.
5.Plan to attend Church faithfully.
6.Give to a charity.

These are just a few things but do whatever you can to slow down.

A Cautionary Tale ......

Hebrews 10 :23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I don't think anyone goes through life without a few regrets. Who can look back and not say , man what was I thinking. But what I want to share is one of the biggest regrets of my life.

Back about 14 years ago , I was involved in a church plant that went sour. I was deeply involved , so when it happened ,I was broken and hurt . Full of pride and unable to see my own culpability , I played the self righteous card . I held all the right doctrines, and all our local churches were a "den of vipers" . So I stayed away. Thinking I could be a "lone ranger" christian .

But that was a major mistake. My pride led me to a fall . My sin over took me and I even began to argue against what I used to hold . All my sinful habits began to swell up inside me again , I felt conflicted at times. Hating and loathing myself .I had given the enemy a foothold , and my flesh did the rest. Oh I tried to maintain some sense of religious duty . At Christmas I would tell my boys about Jesus, and at Easter would do the same.

Finally, I began to see my sins, but still would not budge to go back to church . I was still struggling with my inner demons , those sins that ate at me till it all came to a head. Absolutely failing at work , not caring , not doing what was right , and then my precious wife getting cancer . It all came to a huge collapse. It cost me dearly . My job ,and a dear friend that I hope one day I can reconcile with .

I was humbled and broken. But through it , I have been brought back to a friend, who I truly missed. A church that I love, and a love for God that is more profound and deeper.

So a word to the wise . If you confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior , then love His church. Find one you can go to . Sure it will not be perfect . You are there , and you are a sinner . But it is His church and he bled for it. It is a community of saved sinners , walking the pilgrims road . It will hold you accountable,teach you,love you and allow you to worship the God who gave Himself so that you might live.

If I had to do it over , I would have swallowed my self-righteous , hypocritical pride and acknowledged my sin, and need for the Church. You cannot be a lone ranger christian , for we are meant to be in community.Never forget that.

A Time For Good News ....In A Very Bad News World

Christmas is supposed to be all about being merry, and happy, and joyful, is it not. That's the image most people seem to have of it. But, the reality is that life is full of pain, suffering, and disappointment. Recently, as I was reading news headlines, I came across the heartbreaking story of a little autistic boy who wandered off and was lost.

As the story unfolded, it went from hope to despair. After 2 days in the woods, he was found alive, but barely. Sadly, he succumbed to severe hypothermia. So, for this family, Christmas will be filled with pain and sadness.

If Christmas is just a "day". If its about family , a time of peace , hope etc.. what can the day offer to those in pain, loss of job,broken relationships and losing a loved one.Absolutely nothing . You can say all the platitudes you want like , have hope , have faith etc.. but what is faith in faith or hope in hope. It is empty air. It can not sustain or give comfort to a hurting soul.

But the day is more than that. It celebrates a miraculous event . When God entered into the pain, the suffering and brought good news.

Chapter 2 "And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "

The world is broken and fractured.Sin has left the world scarred , as we are as well. However the message of Christmas is one of true hope. Because in Christ , God has come to give hope amid pain. To bring peace , when life is full of struggles. When we realize we are sinners , in need of forgiveness and trust in Christ , our souls become anchored into the one, who will uphold us amid the pain.

As a Christian , we need to pray for those who are weeping. Hopefully for this family , someone will come along side and listen,pray,cry .

So may the God of mercy be with this family. May the truth of Christmas , that God is with us , give peace amid their grief .

These Are A few of My Favourite Things ...

Love Christmas specials and movies . Old ones that is . In my recent memory , I do cannot think of any that have been any good. For starters they are usually totally devoid of any reference to Jesus at all and in general favor a new age , lets all hug mantra. So here goes.
1.A Charlie Brown Christmas- Classic . Hands down the best ever.
2.Little Drummer Boy - totally fictional I know but the story always brings a tear to my eye when that little lamb comes back to life. Metaphor anyone .
3.A Christmas Carol - The two I love the most are the 1951 Alistair Sims version and the 1984 version with George C Scott(great sets and wonderfully acted). The new one will be reviewed in full soon!
4.Its a Wonderful Life- moving story with a amazing cast and the great Jimmy Stewart.
5.How the Grinch tole Christmas- The TV animated version (not the movie) . Cute and touching with a wonderful vocal performance by Boris Karloff.
6.The Christmas Messenger- A forgotten jem. It stars Richard Chamberlain as an angel that returns to earth on Christmas eve to hear carols and revisit the story of Christ birth.
7.Bing Crosby Christmas Specials - I grew up with these specials so they have a unique spot in my heart. Plus no one does White Christmas like Bing.
8.Veggie Tales Christmas DVD's- Touching , Christ centered stories told by talking vegetables. Hey its a win,win.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a few but these are one I will be watching numerous times over the next couple of weeks.

The Countdown ....

Only 22 days till Christmas. Usually as it draws near I try to read a couple of different books dealing with the birth of Christ.Last year I ordered what is one of my favorites.

It is called Come,Thou Long Expected Jesus. The book is complied by Nancy Guthrie . What she did was put together excerpts by many great pastors and theologians all concerning the birth of Christ. The authors range from Luther,Calvin,Edwards,Spurgeon to more recent men of God such as Piper,Beggs,Sproul.

It is very well done and each chapter is short and works as a great devotional that has some true meat . Can easily be incorporated into your advent time and family worship. Highly recommended .

Sad Reality .....but

Recently I was reading an article from Compassion about the reality of poverty around the globe and it is staggering.Children orphaned and exposed to violence,sexual exploitation , robbed of any innocence. The fact that sixteen thousand children die everyday from hunger related illnesses. Let that fact sit in your mind and then let it connect to the heart.

That is real poverty . They have no social net,no welfare . They awaken to a stark reality . In North America there are poor , I'm not saying that there is not. It is a sad reality here as well but the fact remains , even the poorest of the poor here have at least some resources to try and keep the wolf outside the door. Granted it doesn't always work here regardless of our social net .

So as Christmas draws near take a moment to look around in your community and around the world and ask God , what would you have me do. Give to a foodbank , sponsor a child, look for ways to reach out and extend the love of God.

It is a sad reality but is not hopeless.

Not That I'm Complaining....

Well the last day of November and so far not a speck of snow. Now I will tell you I like snow. The look of a fresh snow fall is beautiful. Things right now look dirty and messy.

However I will take the warm air for now. Its easy on the oil and lights. Since we have moved the house we are currently living in , the price to fill our tank has gone up about 300%.

Plus now we are officially into the Christmas countdown. Decorating tomorrow . Looking forward to it .

To Blog or Not to Blog...That is the Question

I have a clear challenge to myself . As of tomorrow I will blog everyday. They may be short or long. Personal or a review or whatever pops in my mind . So I hope the Lord gives me the discipline and wisdom to write.

Just Sick of Hearing About ..

You ever have a day you just get sick of hearing about certain things . Well here a few of them for me in no real order.
1. Twilight- I sick to death of seeing headlines,TV commercials etc..throw this piece of juvenile garbage in my face. Its stupid and beyond dumb.
2. Bono- Every bodies favorite do gooder, even among Christians (to whom he seems to be a poster boy for Christ). First off he is a marginal Christian at best and a chameleon type worst. I'm just sick of hearing how great he is .Sick I say.
3.Atheist- Dawkins,Hitchens etc.. and their hatred filled spew against Christ and His church. The arguments they engage are the same old rantings , nothing new.
4.Classic Rock - Is there really such a thing . If I have to hear the same song a thousand times in a week , that doesn't make it classic , just annoying. Any AC/DC,Kiss,Tom Cochrane ,Loverboy etc... I don't tune into the radio but everywhere you got some idiot in a store playing some awful classic rock station . Enough!
5.Celebrities- I don't care what Matt Damon , Brad Pitt,Madonna or whoever it may be thinks about any given subject. Why should their opinion be any more important or enlightened then the regular Joe down the street.

I will stop for now before my blood pressure continues to rise . Have I had a bad day , not really but sometimes you just have to let off a little steam.

Breath in ,breath out .....

Now something I'm looking forward to . Going to see the new Christmas Carol tomorrow night . Will post a review that night.Ok I'm calm now .....

A Personal Journey Revealed .....

Anyone that really knows me will know I have one artist that I play more than any other . Yes its Steven Curtis Chapman. I have been a long time fan and have found his music a blessing . It has convicted me,encouraged me and spoke to me like no other.
I blogged about the horrible tragedy that happened to his family over a year and half ago when he lost his little girl Maria when she was hit by accident by her older brother Will Franklin when he was driving into the drive way.
The journey of his pain and families journey through the valley of the shadow of death was shared by all his fans around the world and now with the release of Beauty Will Rise , Steven gives a glimpse into a very personal time in his life and what his family went through.

The album starts off with Heaven is the Face , a upbeat bitter sweet tale of longing for heaven and to see little Maria again. It has been compared to Clapton's song about his little boy Tears in Heaven , but unlike Clapton's that has no answers , no real hope , Chapman anchors his hope in God and seeing his daughter again. The next song Beauty Will Rise is an anthem of sorts , declaring that God can will make beauty out of pain. The album also has some of rawest , and most personal lyrics ever to come from his hand. Sharing intimate stories like the day little Maria surrendered her heart to Jesus (February 20th) and the song called See . He is brutally honest in all the songs. In Questions it is a truthful cry to try and understand why things occur if God is good and all powerful but ultimately its anchored with a triumphal trust in God's sovereignty and love as featured in songs like Faithful and God is in Control. Its hard to listen to this album without being moved emotionally , tears will come . But like in the song Jesus Will Meet You There , where Steven weaves the sufferings of this world in different scenarios with the hope that Jesus will be with you through them all , the whole CD is one of faith,trust and hopeful joy . Ending on a beautiful note , a victorious song called Spring is Coming , reminding us as believers that things will be made new , that death is not the end .
Steven has called this collection as his personal Psalm's , for just like the Bibles Psalms, they contain both lament and praise. Anguish and Joy. I don't understand why this man and his family had to walk this road. Just like I don't understand why I had to watch my Mom waste away , well before her time it seemed to me at the time , of cancer.However in Christ we have hope and what this very personal CD is a gift, form the heart of a man that deals with the question of suffering and pain honestly taking us on a journey form darkness to the light . This CD gets my 10-10 .
God bless this man and his family .

Too Shocking .....Give Me a Break...

Every year at end of the school year , safe grads are promoted . Usually messages and presentations are given in the hopes that it will save lives.Rightfully so , for many of the youth will no doubt be at parties that can get out of hand . Along with the the words of warning come the visual . We have all seen them ,a wrecked car with its crumpled roof that looks more like an accordion than a car. I have even read where they have even shown kids a real accident scene with all its gore to hammer home the point. Don't drink or be on drugs and drive.

I have no problem with the graphic presentations. As they say , a picture paints a thousand words. It may jolt someone who just will not listen or for that matter ,does not care.

Now here is the thing that gets me. In the fight over the atrocity of abortion , many cry foul if a woman is subjected to the real pictures of abortion. They say its unfair and cruel to do so. But how many of the same advocates who cry foul here , have no problem with showing the wreckage a real accident or those who protest war , the real victims .

The fact is the only reason that pro choice advocates do not want these pictures published is because it humanizes the abortion. It removes all the clinical , the sterile aspect of it and in graphic terms , makes in human. You are confronted that what is being brutally destroyed is not a lump of cells , a non-human "it" but a baby. A small little human being made in the image of God. He or she unique and unlike any other human being on this earth.

Evil can be so sterile and unseen if we let it be. The bottom line is if you are willing to kill an unborn child , you at least should have the courage to look at what you have done.

Miscellanous and Other Things

It has been a while , almost a month since my last entry . I have been a bit busy getting my oldest son's bedroom finished. Since he will be staying home while he hits the college trail , he needed his own room. Up till this point he has shared a large room with his brother. So that is what I have been tied up with.

So here goes a few thoughts .

I'm a hockey fan.A leaf fan to be exact and so far this year they are off to a disastrous start.I'm not surprised . They lack many key pieces that are a must for a winning team. Leadership on the ice and a game breaker are sorely lacking. But as all Leaf fans know , hope springs eternal and its still early.

At our Church we have been having a wonderful study of the Holiness of God. It has been a great time of fellowship and study about this very important aspect of God. If we fail to see His holiness at the root of all His other attributes like His justice,mercy,love,wrath etc.. then we will be messed up concerning His nature.

Listening to some some great new music from Todd Agnew,Matt Redman,Matt Mahar,Leeland and many others. This year has been an exceptional year for Christian music. Hope to review some of them soon.

Finishing up the book Christless Christianity by Micheal Horton. It is hard hitting how many churches have pushed Christ to the side and what we are getting is therapeutic centered moral-ism .When we look at Jesus as our moral example and not our Lord and Savior , we have replaced Christ with moral-ism .Great book.

Lastly looking forward to a couple of things. The new Steven Curtis Chapman Cd , Christmas Cd's from Chris Tomlin and Downhere . The new animated movie A Christmas Carol featuring Jim Carrey.

So that is all for now ....I will be back sooner than later , I promise.

One Word I Hate

One word that I hate ,despise and wish did not exist is cancer. It claimed another well known life this past week in the person of Patrick Swayze at the age of 57. Granted on the same day countless unknowns to the world lost their battles as well.Unfortunately I don't think there is anyone that has not been affected by this disease.

I lost my Mom to it back in 1992 at the age of 53 . Then just over 2 years ago my wife was diagnosed with the same cancer that my Mom had. Thankfully by the grace of God she is doing very well but it shook our foundations . It is a scary word that carries with it so much fear and uncertainty .

But it was also a blessing in our life because it brought us closer in our devotion to each other and God . It led to me turning my life fully back to Christ , after wondering in a barren wasteland of my own making for 10 years . We have grown in our faith and I have seen in my wife such strength from God that it humbles me and I thank God that he has given me such a woman.

But I hate that word . It is a wonderful thing to realize that one day it will never be uttered again . When Christ comes and makes all things new , the old will pass away and there will be no more death, no more pain and Jesus himself will dry our tears . What a glorious day for those who believe in Him who died for His sheep and rose again.

Revelation 22:1-4
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw a the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 A

Rainy Days and Holiness....

Well we just had lunch after returning from Church. So since its a rainy day , I plan on just relaxing . Rainy days are God's gift to just chill and read a good book, take a nap or enjoy the company of your spouse or kids. I used to love the sound of rain on the roof growing up. You could hear it very clearly due the type of house we lived in.Good memories.

We have embarked on a study elective about the Holiness of God at my home Church . The series is done by R.C Sproul and is considered one of the best of all his teaching series. I have read the book many times and am always floored by it. We have a good class size , so interaction should be interesting. Looking forward to it.

Concerning holiness , I have been trying to come to a clear understanding of whether we as Christians need to adhere to a "holy' day which we say is the Lord's day ,or are we freed from that concept since Christ is our rest and each day is the Lord's. I will have more to say later as I work my way through God's word and the writings of sound theologians. So I know you will be waiting with baited breath.

...A time to be born and a time to die....

In this life we mark certain times in our lives as significant. Primarily they are days that are etched into our memories the rest of our lives.

We all remember the first day of school,the first kiss,first day at a job etc... We mark them in our minds and sometimes over time they can become a bit fuzzy . However certain days you can recall with clarity and if you think on it hard enough, you can almost be there again.

The birth of your children.I can still recall both of our boys births. Holding them in my arms , kissing my wife . Even the sights,sounds and the doctor are permanently etched in my mind.

Well today is one of those days . It was 17 years ago that my Mom succumbed to cancer. I recall where I was , what I was doing and how I reacted. But God in His wisdom brought my Mom to a saving faith through her ordeal. That is what is amazing about God , that even though we all will die , in Christ we have victory over the sin,death and the grave. I know she went to see Jesus face to face .

My Dad always dresses up and visits her grave. He is not a Christian and I long for him to have the same hope , that on that final day when he draws his last breath , Jesus Christ will call him home. We all are born to die . Death is not something that comes on us as a mystery . For some ,it comes as a if a unexpected event but if we are in Christ , we can at the very least have hope and not be taken by surprise.

So on days like today , I often become a bit more reflective and truly measure the real important things in life. I still miss her dearly and would have loved for her to see my boys grow up . But what more blessed place to be than around the throne of God worshiping her Savior .

Who Has Ordinary Days ?? Anyone ?

Once you become a parent , you never have a ordinary day. From the time they are little and do all the strange things they do that make you laugh .Plus the things that make you pull out your hair , well days are sometimes full .

But children are a blessing from God. The 2 wonderful sons my wife and I have parented over the almost 20 years ( one is 19 , the other turns 16 tomorrow) have been a delight to raise . There have been challenges along the way but its been well worth it.

My youngest son Jordan, has a chronic disease . He was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic right after his 6th birthday . It has been almost 10 years . Needless to say it has marked our families lives since. It would take a very long blog to respond to all the myths and misinformation. The only one I would like to address is the seriousness of the disease. It can be deadly and lead to many complications early in life if not monitored well. Even at the best of times it is challenging.

We have had numerous close calls when he went into a diabetic seizure , triggered by a low sugar. Those were scary . Each time that happens it can lead to brain damage or even death . You realize how much you love your kids , when they are in distress. You pray and hope for the best . It has caused many a late night but what I marvel at is my son's handling of all the things he has to do.

I know he gets annoyed with me at times for being very vigilante and sometimes I admit I had to really stress the seriousness of a low sugar but he has endured the needles,blood test , changing schedules , the demands of school (eating at the right times) etc..and still manged to laugh,grow and be a kid that is fast becoming a man. I'm very proud of him . I love his hugs , his goofy humor and his compassionate heart.

Both my sons are special , I love them and will always be their Dad even when I'm in my gray years. God has indeed blessed me ....so happy Birthday Jordan Kane Schofield!

Heroes of the Faith

Some 250 years ago William Wilberforce was born(August 24,1759-died July 29 1833) . His story is one that everyone should be familiar with. It is a tale full of perseverance and trust in God . His battle to stop the sickening slave trade is one of epic victory. One man against a system that held onto this horror . The movie Amazing Grace is an excellent introduction . Plus check into Pastor John Piper's brief book called Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce.It is a quick read full of some excellent insights concerning this extraordinary man. So check out this hero of the faith and read how the gospel of Christ worked itself out in this devout God fearing man .

Things I'm Looking Forward to ...

If you know me ,then you will know there is one artist I play more than any other. That artist is SCC , short for Steven Curtis Chapman.I have loved his music for almost I think 16 years. It has helped me get through some pretty hard days , convicted me and ultimately given me much . His heart to serve God and the gospel of Christ has always moved me.

Last year in a tragic accident, He and his Wife lost their little girl Maria.Needless to say through a very raw and painful time of much grief and wondering what he would do next , a new album of material will be released on Nov.2 . The single is playing now called Heaven is the Face. It is a beautiful song of hope and joy, longing and questioning but ultimately one of triumph. It is very personal , as Steven opens up his heart about his beloved little girl. It moves me to tears as I reflect on the ultimate victory in Christ over sin and death.

The album is called Beauty Will Rise . It will be a very raw and emotional album . Possibly the most important of his career. I can't wait.

Sometimes You Wonder...

Last week our local village had a fireworks display. Now from our house you can see them above the tree line. So as has been the yearly tradition since we have lived here , we all go to the yard and watch. The show is quite spectacular. The explosions of color , the unique formations all dazzle your eyes and senses. After its all said and done, everyone will say , whoever put that show on is talented. Compliments concerning the time and effort to make it all make sense are passed around.

But as it was going on , I looked up . It was a clear night. Not a cloud in the sky. Stars adorned the heavens and the moon was a almost full. As I surveyed the sky and looked at those who had just went gaga over the fireworks , I noticed none looked up at the heavens . But if they had would they have pondered the beauty and grandeur of God's handiwork. Most probably wouldn't even think twice that all that beauty and wonder , they have been taught was the result of time plus chance , evolving over billions of years. But as they watched the fireworks they knew that someone had planned it,built them and fired them. It was not some random fluke.

That is why when the day of judgment comes , no one will have an excuse to say I didn't know you existed God. If you had just shown me . Romans Chapter 1 starting at verse 18 reads ,"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

His majesty and power is on display everyday . From the rising of the sun , nebula's, animals and the wonder of a new born baby , God screams ,I'm here and you have no excuse. Who looks at a painting and thinks there is no painter . But sin darkens the mind and soul . We do not see because we don't want to see , and apart from God's amazing grace , we would be left being thrilled about man made fireworks.

So look up and see , there is a God and He has revealed Himself through His creation so that no one has an excuse to say , there is no God.

Good Works lead to Deception...

My parents were not perfect , no one is . We are all sinners in need of God's grace to come to Christ and receive redemption. But one thing they showed me was a giving,sharing and forgiving example and they were not Christians . Granted I think looking back now that the Judeo-Christian influence held sway but that would be the extent. We always had wonderful Christmas's and Mom made it clear it was about Jesus . Even Easter the resurrection would be mentioned. But I could not say I was raised by Christian parents.
However the example of the level of giving ,caring ,forgiving and sharing has impacted me . They opened the home to all, I remember a numerous times when we had people stay for attended periods of time. No one was made to feel unwelcome and the level of giving and sharing was always a way of life.

My mom died a believer thankfully . Trusting in Christ and not her "good works" to justify her . But it took cancer and her imminent death to shake her form the reality she was a "good" person before a holy God. In the worlds eyes , yes she was good but before God she was a sinner .

That is the thing that we need to convey clearly . Good works are great but they will not save you from the wrath of God. They are deceptive because people in general think they are good. But we are not . We are closer to Hitler than we are to God . We are sinful to the core and even all of those good things done were tainted with sin as Luther pointed out. The only one who has ever fulfilled the law perfectly is Christ. It is His righteousness we need , because our own righteousness is as filthy rags.

Air Conditioning ...A Gift From God....

Let me say clearly , I don't enjoy hot humid summers. It bothers my headaches and makes me feel sick. Plus I'm no fan of bugs. They like me too much.

That is why an air conditioner is a God send. As I sit writing this , my living room is perfectly comfortable as I sip my iced tea. Really all one can do when its this hot is strip down and unless your with your spouse , you can only go so far. When its cold , you can add a sweater , a blanket etc.. but not when the humidex is 40 .

So I thank God for my air conditioner .....hope your not sweating too much ...hahahaha .

Excellent Music .....

Over the last year or so I have read on many Christian Blogs how they dislike CCM . Contemporary Christian Music if you didn't know the CCM moniker. They lament how its insipid and just not as "good" as secular artist. I would challenge that and would say that in CCM there are many great artist . Yes there are some that make me cringe but then I could rattle off a long list of secular artist that do as well.

But one release earlier this year that shows how CCM can be both very well done and blur the lines of what is just great music and songwriting regardless if its considered CCM, is Jars of Clays The Long Fall Back to Earth . As with every Jars outing , sonically it is different than the last one. This one has a very interesting 80's vibe . With the use of synths and the guitar phrasing, they re- imagine if you will , the 80's sound for this day and age.

It has both intelligent lyrics covering a wide range of topics . Two Hands touching on the struggle of sin in our lives , Forgive Me pointing out how hard it is to realize your sins are forgiven in Christ . The whole album retains a solid sonic theme through out and has to be considered one of the beat this year.

So to all the naysayers of CCM , I dare you to go buy this fine slab of music . This Cd gets my 4.5 jars out of 5 .

A Blast From the Past .....

When Christ came into my life , one of the first things I started listening to and trying to find was rock with a christian bent. Well one of the bands that rose to fame and rode the hair metal coaster was Stryper. They wore yellow and black flashy costumes, had the big hair and some great anthems. I mean who cannot bang your head to To Hell With the Devil. Anyway, yes much of it was cheesy but what wasn't in the 80's. The musicianship was stellar and Michael Sweet could belt it out with the best of them.

Well after long absence , they made a comeback album in 2007 aptly titled Reborn. Now they have just released Murder by Pride. I have to say its a fine piece of rock . It has infectious riffs , solid arrangements and Sweet is singing stronger than ever . Sweet recently lost his wife to ovarian cancer . So it had to be hard to record this album but in Christ , as he confesses his faith , he stands not alone. God bless him and his family.

Check out this fine slab of rock . Its well worth a listen.Stand out tracks ...Murder By Pride,I believe,4 Leaf Clover,Mercy Over Blame.

This album gets 9 stripes out of 10 .

Look out Spielberg ....

So my oldest son has become a budding movie director. For fun he has been doing some short videos and posting them on you tube . Pretty cool stuff I have to say . They are in the comedy genre and over all they are quite funny . He writes the scripts and using his friends and my other son , they a good job I think. Who knows where this could go .

I just glad they are having fun and making their own adventures. I'm proud of both my boys , they are turning into very decent young men . I pray for them intently that beyond all things , that Christ will be the rock and foundation they build their lives own .

One of Christians Most Controversial Figures 500 Years Later..

John Calvin(born July 10 1509 - died May 27 1564) , the very name within Christian circles will cause either feelings of admiration or absolute disgust. The Frenchman still casts a huge shadow over the landscape of the church . One of the original reformers after Luther had already started the reformation , he is known primarily for the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. That is we cannot come to Christ apart form the electing will of God and regenerating power of the Holy Spirit on an individual. That salvation is all of God , not one spark is mans.

Even though Luther held to the same understanding , just read Luther's Bondage of the Will , it was Calvin in his Institutes ,that laid out a systematic overview . As any good Calvinist knows , these doctrines of grace have been formulated under the acronym T.U.L.I.P .

T= Total Depravity U=Unconditional Election L= Limited Atonement I= Irresistible grace and finally P= Perseverance of the saints

Much has been written about this man and the attacks are usually a straw man and any honest reader will find a devoted man whose heart was on fire for the gospel and the glory of God. Follow this link(http://www.calvin500.com/#) to find out more about this amazing man who loved his Savior and lived a life that understood the nature of God.

Cool Re-Boot

Usually when a movie gets a re-boot it can go either way . Really good or really bad. I had the chance to watch the recent Star Trek. Of course with any beloved franchise , the fans have much to say about the whole so called canon of Star Trek and how the movie played with the current history. To which I say , get a life . These are fictional characters in a fictional universe. Its entertainment not truth , not a religion .
So setting all that aside, it was a entertaining ride into a new universe that maintains enough of the old but launches into new possibilities. The actors that will replace the classic line up , I have to say are perfect . There is not one weak link. The dialogue , the action and the special effects combined to make this a perfect reboot! If you get a chance to see it , beam yourself up ...you will have a blast!

Is There a Light Somewhere......

Over the last 3 months I have been attempting to re enter the work force. So far I have had very little success. Granted I left my last job willingly , thereby forfeiting any chance of E.I. It was a decision that wasn't easy but between my legs,my back,my shoulder and my chest , it was a no brainer.I was close to a spot but wasn't given a shot. But that is the way it goes.

Oh I could be back at work in a flash if I wanted to return to cleaning but in general it is a dead end job market leading to what would be a early disability . So I have been trying to change my situation but it has been a struggle. What I have found is there is very little government support , very few night courses etc.. You get the picture.

So I try to remain positive and trusting in God's providence not in some mystical way but in trusting that what will happen is in His hands not mine. That doesn't mean I sit on my hands but keep knocking till the right door opens.

Why So Surprised?

Recently I read about someone who dumped off 4 kittens in a box. Fortunately they were found and placed in a shelter. Now this is simply wrong on many levels. Cruel and inhumane no question.Should the person be found if possible and punished , yes.

But while all the outrage is happening , a child has died in some poor country or a baby is being murdered in a willing woman's womb. I'm all for animal rights and the protection of animals but I wish the same crowd who get so upset over animals, would show the same anger and call for justice for humans.

We discard humans at a far worse rate than animals. The toll of death world wide of preventable disease or starvation , can be slowed if people would open up their wallets and sponsor a child. No only that , how many in North America with the economic downturn have suffered greatly . What of the many family's who cannot afford decent living conditions and feed their families , do we care .

What about the 100000 murdered babies in Canada or the million souls snuffed out in the US annually . Who will cry out for them . When we see a cat or dog poorly treated, we fume at the indignity but do we cry out , no more when a child is ripped limb from limb in the womb for what is in the vast majority of cases for convenience nothing more .

All I'm saying is I have found it weird so many who are all for animal rights etc.. seem to be conveniently silent about the indignity shown to humans. Animals were created by God for our enjoyment , to have companionship and we are to show them mercy and treat them as creatures created by God.As we are as humans , above them since we are created in His image and given stewardship over the earth and therefore we bare the responsibility to care for them.

But that care , if it doesn't start with your fellow human beings , then why so surprised when we see animal cruelty . Truly we live in a fallen and sinful world that has an impact on the whole of creation. But thankfully one day is coming when Jesus Christ will come and make all things new. May we look forward to that great and glorious day

Bad TV but Good Times..

Have you ever had a memory rooted in your childhood and you begin to think your imagining it. Well for the longest time I would tell people about this show that aired only 1 season. It was about 2 astronauts that went back in time . It was a goofy comedy and was chessy but as a kid I loved it. It was called Its About Time.

Well I finally remembered the theme song and low and behold thanks to Google I found a clip on youtube.Yes it was bad , but so bad it was good . It was done by the same people who did Gilligan's Island so you get the picture . But it brought back many fond memories and even if kids today reared on violent video games and sex filled videos thanks to MTV , would think it was a joke , there was an innocent feel to that time.I don't think that was a bad thing , do you?

Countdown to Extinction...

I have always had a warped fascination with doomsday ideas. I still recall the first book of the Bible I ever read was Revelation in the New Testament.So every time a movie comes out concerning the end , I'm there.

So with the new doomsday flick 2012 , I have read and watched with interest all the hype around the film. The trailer looks amazing , at least in terms of special effects. The movie is centered around the idea that on Dec. 21 ,2012 there will be some sort of catastrophic event and will have massive doomsday implications. Loosely based on some Mayan ancient prediction that indicates the end . Apparently their calender ends on that date. Plus there have been other so called prophecies that indicate some form of dire event around this time.

Now I don't put stock in this stuff at all but will watch the film with interest. But I do hold all of history will one day come to an end in judgment , when the King of Kings comes in glory . That day will be terrifying beyond measure and will make all these movies or other false predictions pale in comparison.

What I do find interesting is the movie studio putting out 2012 has movies slated and are in pre production right now for 2013. I guess they don't believe their own hype concerning the movie. As they say in show biz , the show must go on apocalypse or not ...

What is Up and Down ..

Just a quick note to say this blogging thing seems to be almost foreign to me. If you know me personally , you will know I'm never short of an opinion or have a lack of words to share. I can talk to anyone pretty much under the sun , so its weird I cannot blog with any consistency. Is it a matter of what I write about or is it just a plain fact that I lack discipline. I fear its the latter.

So what is the solution? I think it will take becoming more personal and chatting about things important to me. My family ,sports ,movies,music and my Lord. So my goal is to blog in some way everyday till the end of the year.

So off I go.....

One Last Trip ...

Its ironic that the last entry I mentioned that life seems to be a constant time of farewells. Well the other night our family pet, a wonderful cat Indiana Fred was hit by a car and we had to put him down.Its funny how a pet can become an extended part of your family.We had him for 11 years and he was an amazing cat. Kind and gentle in his demeanor and full of affection. He was quiet and extremely smart. He even liked to take baths once in a while.If your were sitting , he would come and nap at your feet or climb up on the chair or lap.Of all the cats I have known in my life time he was the best cat , bar none. God in His wisdom gives us pets to enjoy His creation I think and if there was a place for a cat in heaven , Indy would be there.We will miss him dearly.

Into the West....a Life of Farewells,But

Today was the funeral of my childhood friends Dad. As looked at the pictures that the family complied to reflect the life of the man , I remembered times spent with Jim , in his Dad's house. Good memories of my childhood. Then as the service ended and all the condolences were given , you say goodbye. In life it seems that life is always a series of farewells. You grow up and move out , as do your kids and then as you get older you have to say the hardest farewell . When death comes , that goodbye has a pain and hurt that is hard to put to words. It can crush you and leave you so defeated. I can still recall saying goodbye to my Mom. When cancer took her at 52 , some 17 years ago now, it was the hardest goodbye I have ever had to say. And if that was the end of the story it would be an end of despair. But there is a hope that takes the sting away from death and the grave does not have the victory. Sin brings with it death , for we are all sinners and not one of us will escape the grip of death but praise be to God for the Son . He came to break the curse of sin and death and on cross at Calvary, the sins of all who will repent and believe was placed on Him and He bore the wrath of the Father for our sin that we might be made new. Then on that glorious third day , life from death , Jesus is risen . Yes we will say farewell but for those who die in Christ , having confessed their sin , trusting in the work of Christ on the cross and the hope of His rising, will rejoice together again around the throne of God and what a beautiful day and reunion that will be.

Time is Short

Just yesterday a friend that I grew up with lost his Dad . Even though we have drifted apart , due to the movement of life and changing experiences ,I have good memories of many of our adventures. I spent a fair amount of time at his parents house. Playing hockey,coasting our sleds , jumping off the trailer his Dad used for work. Good memories. Even though his Dad lived to be 83 , it doesn't make it any easier to lose someone you loved and have been loved by. 83 years sounds like a long time , but when one has to say goodbye its so short. May we cherish the time we have and love ,forgive and take that time to reach out and hold that precious someone in the moment we have that is called now!

OOOOOOOOOOO Missing Link Found...

So a missing link has been found and the whole world gasps!! Wrong. In general we have heard this stuff before and from what I have read its far from whats being claimed. I think I'll stick to a little book that's withstood every bomb that has been lobbed its way , the Bible that tells us we are created in the image of God .

Interesting .....

Interesting article was posted in the UK recently about children raised without any formal or real instruction in religion , tend to,as they get older and begin to settle , embrace faith. This is not to say they embrace Christ the truth per se but they realize the utter emptiness and foolishness of denying the existence of God. As Romans points out , we will be without excuse to say there is no God because His eternal power is generally revealed in all of creation. Its just funny coming from the land of Hitchens and Dawkins , the hawks of all atheist.

Time to Shut it Down......

With the swine flu out break in Mexico worrying many , is it not time till they get this under control to shut down the borders? There is no question that Mexico does not have the tools to deal with a outbreak like this and the world should put pressure on them to clean up there act. Yes we should help them as best we can deal with this crisis but till this is under control no travel and no workers allowed in our country till its under control. That sounds harsh but its the right thing to do!

Looking Back..

lately I have been thinking about my Mom. She passed away 17 years ago this September 6th of cancer.Perhaps it has to do with Mothers day coming up but more likely it just that I miss her dearly. As my boys near manhood , I think of how much she would have loved them and played a major part in their lives. She was funny,caring,kind,generous,out spoken and just amazing Mother.Cancer is an insidious disease , it robs and takes so much.When my wife , who I love beyond words , was diagnosed almost 2 years ago , in the same area,it sent my life in a spiral. My whole life went into a tail spin. I did not conduct myself well at work , which cost me not only my job but a friend. That still stings but it has been a good thing. God smacked me down , I had to confront my sin and ask for grace and mercy through Jesus. My wife has been an amazing tower of strength for me . Her faith in the Lord has been deepened and awakened , and our love has grown.Cancer has been a blessing . Don't get wrong, it has been a hard road but the grace of Christ has been amazing. Even in my Mom's case , it brought her to the Lord . God used it to show her sin and need of Christ.So a blessing in a strange way.

He is not here....

Easter Sunday,Resurrection day. The most amazing event in all of human history, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. The grave could not hold the Lord of life. His sacrifice for sinners was proved to be excepted by the Father by his rising from the dead. What will you do with this fact? Ignore it,forget about it or run to the Cross and be reconciled to God. Today is the day of salvation , repent and believe and sing and shout to all the earth .....HE IS RISEN ! Hallelujah!

Much of You....

The song lyrics from this Steven Curtis Chapman song truly captures the amazing love and reverence we owe God ,for all He has done. We exist and have our being because of Him. His grace towards a fallen sinful world leaves me speechless.


How could I stand here
and watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make much of me
Cause I'm just a whisper
And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

And how can I kneel here
And think of the cross
The thorns and the whip and the nails and the spear
The infinite cost
To purchase my pardon
And bear all my shame
To think I have anything worth boasting in except for Your name
Cause I am a sinner
And You are the Savior

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used

To make much of You

This is Your love, oh God
Not to make much of me
But to send Your own son
So that we could make much of You

For all eternity

I want to make much of You Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

I want to make much of You
Much of You Jesus

With A Kiss

A kiss has always been a sign of intimacy. It could be as a friend , to a parent or a wife but it is one of affection and love. But the most bitter kiss ever given is that of a betrayer . The scene in the garden when Jesus is kissed by Judas , to signal to the guard who Jesus was (Luke22:48). Even though Jesus knew his betrayer and as Satan shifted Judas , being God's pawn in this intense drama , Jesus even though truly God at the same time was truly human and had to feel the sting of the act. But before we get too high and mighty , are we not like Judas every time we use Jesus as a convenient escape door every time we call on him only when we are facing hard times but as soon as the dark clouds lift , we walk to our own drum. Even as Christians we can betray him when we walk away but Christ died for such sinners as us . That as he gave himself to be the spotless lamb ,as our sin bearer he was crushed by the Father , so that we might be saved from God's wrath . May that make us shake and tremble before such love and may we walk in repentance everyday , clinging to the cross as our only hope . Judas end was at the end of a rope , hanging himself and damned to hell. But another betrayer who denied Jesus 3 times wept tears of repentance and Jesus forgave him and restored him . Peter went on to become one of the leading apostles of the church , ending up dying for his faith in the risen Christ. May we face the the reality of our sin and never run to the end of a rope but at feet of one who forgives and clothes us with his righteousness!

Spring and the dirt

Well I'm glad its spring. Not that I have any real hatred for winter , I love watching snow fall but this year has seemed long. I look forward to the warmer weather and the lack of extra clothing. That being said , early spring is pretty gross. As I was driving around today you could notice all the mess and garbage that is under the snow.
This is how the Bible depicts us apart from the blood of Christ , filthy rags , sinners to the core . We all like to put on a facade but when we are laid low by the holiness of God , we see just how depraved we are . That is why the cross of Christ is such a precious thing , when Jesus took all my sin , all my evil and excepted the bitter cup of the Father's wrath against sin , my sin , and through the spotless lamb of God , I'm washed whiter than snow! The gospel is a new beginning and one this sinner needs everyday.

Missing in Action ...

It has been a while since my last entry. I will keep this one brief and just say that not much has happened but I'm officially looking for new work . Trying to be diligent in taking a new path . Easter is fast approaching and have started looking at the cross of Christ , humbling and convicting . More on that later .

Looking and Seeking ...

Well I will shortly be looking for a new job , again. Many people think I'm crazy but you know , I really don't care . I have spent my whole life playing it safe , living in fear of change and I will not do that anymore. Life is a crazy adventure but if its anchored in God , we have hope that cannot be taken away . Stay tuned ....

Party Like Its 1999 ,,,,,

So it seems that recently a group of atheist have paid for signs to be posted saying , "There is probably no God , now stop worrying and enjoy your life". But I ask what constitutes enjoying ones life? So if I'm poor and need money to enjoy my life and since there is no God to worry about any judgment to come , can I rob and steal my way to riches. So what if society catches me and wants to put me in jail , well I will just off myself since I'm nothing more than advanced slime and those rules about stealing are borrowed anyway form a ancient book written by a superstitious people. Atheist like to borrow from religion the good "rules" so to speak but if there is no God and we are driven by nothing more then our genetic code , then its damn the torpedoes,its anything goes.
But there is a God and as Psalm 14:1 tells us ,"The fool says in his heart,"There is no God"... Its not that they are fools in the sense they are stupid but that they contemplate that no God exists that cares about the affairs of humans.Man in his normal state hates God and suppresses the truth of God as Romans chapter 1 declares. Man will be without excuse because all around us we see the beauty and majesty of His power.But loving our sin more then the glory of our creator we follow the path began by Adam in open rebellion against a holy God. One day all atheist will be bow before their creator when either death claims them or Christ comes again and that their unbelief which is sin , will condemn them to hell. My prayer for those who mock God and deny Him is that the Holy Spirit will lead them to repentance and reveal the one who is the truth , Jesus Christ. So do worry because apart from Christ you will die in your sins and are in the hands of an angry God .

Quick Take ......

Its funny how things change . The band Kiss is playing the commons in Halifax this year and growing up I would have given my eye teeth to see them. But time and changes in my life have rendered any allure of the sight of seeing aging "rock" stars in spandex a sight I would rather not see. Plus having an almost 60 year old guy sing Christine Sixteen is just creepy and wrong on so many levels. So I will be skipping the spectacle of men in tights that is for sure.

March for Life 2009

"For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother's womb.I praise you,for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well" Psalm 139 verses 14-15.

Today is March for life in the US. It is also the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Abortion is one of the most insidious evil's that continues to grow in our times.When I have had the chance to talk to people who support the the right for a women to kill their unborn child, most have never really looked into the issue or took the time to look at the facts . The first time I saw a aborted baby at only 14 weeks or so old I was sickened by how brutal and sick the sight of this little one ripped apart before my eyes. May we pray that God will bring repentance and healing concerning this brutal practice . May we take a moment to fathom the fact that in the US 1.2 million a year are murdered and in Canada over 100000 .
The only hope is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all sinners and it is at the foot of the cross all things can be made new and healed .

Earthly Messiah's and Mind Numbing Excess...

So the new "messiah" has been placed in the seat of power . The collective world seems like a teenage girl , swooning over a rock star or movie idol.Now that is not President Obama's fault, but when you listen to his words , his rhetoric has a prophetic element to them and plays to the masses . It is almost nauseating to watch this "man worship" by celebrities and the common . Needless to say I have stayed away from every T.V program that has anything to do with this over blown excessive spectacle.
The fact that this whole affair is costing up to 170 million is gross and disgusting. It seems to me the media was all up in arms when President Bush spent 50 million . I wonder if it will even mention this fact and apply the same critical nature that it poured out on Bush. I doubt it very much .
The bottom line for me is the new President stands for and wants to promote policies that clearly contradict God's word by promoting gay marriage, to the evil of our age , abortion . My prayer for the President is God would bring about repentance and the true gospel of Christ would become a reality in his life.
I do pray for protection for him and his family and he will govern well.But on the matters mentioned above , I hope he fails miserable.

Realing with Reality

I have never been a fan of Reality T.V . I find the shows exploitative and often mean spirited. The only thing they are good for is showing the "reality" that we are sinners.But having come across the rant of a trainer on the Biggest Loser , it brings them to a new low.The show features over weight contestants and their quest to win by losing the most pounds. The trainers use aggressive techniques and at times almost boot camp jargon , entering into the realm of obnoxious and offensive. Anyway this trainer goes off the deep end , swearing and calling out a female contestant. He is obnoxious, foul mouthed and comes across as the jerk jock you remember from high school.

Granted this contestant willing joined up for this , and lets face it, since we don't have the Roman Coliseum , feed the Christians to the lions , these shows feed that mindset.But it is still unwarranted and if I had my way all these shows would be gone from the T.V. I guess what creative juices used to flow from writers in Hollywood or weird would be better lately, have dried up .

So now back to a lost art form , reading a good book !!

Into the Blue

Well here we are into 2009 . One thing I have never done for years is make resolutions anymore. Really who keeps them. Plus they are nothing more than a set up for failure in general. I think setting goals are fine but at the same time they must be realistic.
The bottom line for me this year is a new job and one that my aging body can handle. Another goal I do have is to write more often on this blog . Over and out for now.