You Don't Own The Sidewalk

Double Down

2010-11-08T09:28:00.004-04:00

Over the weekend I was travelling with some students on a ministry weekend for Maritime Christian College. On our way over we stopped at McAllister Mall to eat and stretch. I was scanning the options in the food court for something we don't have on the island but nothing seemed all that appealing so I wondered over to KFC. Now, you may or may not be familiar with it but KFC has this new sandwich that was actually blocked from Canada for a time called the "Double Down" as seen in the picture. There is no bun. It is two pieces of chicken, with two pieces of cheese, 3 strips of bacon and some sort of mayo-like sauce. I'm not sure of the nutritional breakdown but I can't imagine it is too good for you but man it was tasty! Anyhow, while I was in line fully intending to buy this meal I stood behind a woman who ordered one of the regular sandwiches (the ones with a bun!) and asked for them to hold the lettuce which is pretty much the only redeeming part of any KFC order. I kind of snickered to myself thinking of how she was removing that single remotely healthy ingredient until I realized, "who am I to laugh? I'm about to order the most unhealthy combo known to man!"

That kind of made me think of how easily we slip into judgment of other people. Talk about seeing a spec over a plank! But it really is amazing how we like to do that. In fact I've found that we will be even more likely to see wrongs in other people that are things we actually don't like about ourselves. If someone goes off on you all at once over something that really isn't that big of a deal, odds are it is something they are struggling with themselves. I guess when it comes right down to it we need to be continually making sure we have the specs or planks free from our own eyes. Only then can we help our brothers and sisters with their struggles, which is a much better approach then passing silent judgment!

New Blog

2010-11-01T13:01:00.005-03:00

Well hello old friend! It has been far too long since I sat down to write a "blog" post. I've had good intentions to start blogging again a few times but they never seem to pan out and this might not either. I'm continually amazed at how God really does make all things new and the encouragement and growth that can stem from newness in life. For example I have started a new job. I am no longer in full time pulpit ministry which is kind of strange. I spent 4 years in school preparing to do that ministry and exactly 4 years in that ministry as a paid staff. Now I'm back at the school! I am the new Director of Admissions at Maritime Christian College. I am loving it so far, it is very busy but that is good. Still trying to figure most of it out but I am processing some applications so that is a good thing for sure!

Speaking of new things, I have a new baby boy on the way soon! Easton Benjamin Foreman will be with us sometime in early December if he doesn't decide to drop in on us early. Getting his new room cost me my old office which means my leafs shine will have to move to my new office at the college. Well some of it, my goal for my new office at the college is for it not to look like an 8 year old's office so nice, classy looking stuff can come, Mr. Potato Head has to stay in a box :-(

And one last new thing, I have started growing a new mustache today! Not just to bug my wife though that is a bonus but to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research. It's called Movember and you can check it out here. It's pretty clean cut today but here is a preview of what it could be!

Long Shot

2009-05-06T18:35:00.002-03:00

On the off chance that anyone actually stumbles accross this blog here is a link you need to check out. I'm asking you to donate only 10 bucks to breast cancer research. I don't know a single family that has not been touched by cancer in some way. This is a small amount that makes a BIG difference to a great cause, I hope you check it out.

https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/personal_page.asp?track=3315061&languageid=1

Rain drops keep falling on my head...

2008-08-28T09:16:00.002-03:00

Well so much for bringing blogging back... first post since February. I can read back and see where if I missed a month it was a big deal. Oh well, blogging is a bit of a thing of the past but I still like having the creative outlet every now and again so if no one reads this that is just fine its not all that creative anyways and it's more for me anyways. (that was the worst sentence ever)

So over the past few days it has been like I'm Hexed or something! I started the week with a nasty sunburn on my mostly bald head and face. So that feels pretty good. Then I went to mow the jungle that is my lawn but decided I should mow my neighbour's first so I was 2/3's done that when I could smell smoke... then I could see smoke, then my foot got really hot... then i realized that the mower was ON FIRE! So that was fun, I splashed the dog's water on it and all was well but i was not able to finish her lawn or start my own. Then we threw a load in the washer and took the dog for a walk coming back to find the drain hose had worked itself loose and flooded the bathroom and leaked through the floor down into the basement... into my hockey bag. SO the next night I'm going to eat my lovely supper I prepared comprised of 3 no name mini Pizzas -a-la-cardboard and when I go to take the last one off the rack it slips through and falls down on the cheese side. Then I went outside and tried to get through my jungle with a little push mower I have but then I hit a big rock and now its not working the greatest and I didn't get a lot accomplished in the several hours I was out there.

So there ya go there is the past few days for me. Not a great update considering how long its been but whatever. Let's see how many months it takes this time.

Fiday Night Hockey

2008-02-02T11:51:00.001-04:00

For the past six years over the hockey season most every Friday night you can find me at the rink for pick-up hockey. I love hockey, love to play, love the feel of the ice, the smell of the rink (other then the dressing room) and just the feeling of enjoying the game. However last night our ice time was canceled due to the 33rd annual Spud Tournament. Boo! Our ice on Sunday is canceled too. So to keep the Friday Night Hockey tradition alive, we went to watch 'YOUR PEI ROOOOOOOOCKET!" as Kirk says. The Rocket kind of stink this year and are second last in the conference but they actually played really well and pulled off a 7-3 victory. There was this kid at the game who sat right in front of us who, I am pretty sure, missed most of the game because he was turned around staring at us. Weird. AND Walker (he's my favorite) got a goal and 2 assists. Woot! Then we went out for wings and nachos while watching hockey. A good hockey evening in spite of the spud tourny. Life is good. Now if the Leafs could just pull out a freaking W. We'll see.

That kind of season I guess

2008-02-01T12:25:00.000-04:00

Bitter or Better?

2008-01-31T15:44:00.000-04:00

Here’s the thing about bitterness, it is the bitter person who is weighed down and affected by it, not the person, people or situation that the bitterness is directed at. It’s something that takes up your time, causes stress, and the feeling of bitterness overflows into relationships, and how you handle other situations. It can put a strain on every other aspect of your life and somehow the initial bitter feelings continue to intensify until you are so mad and so bitter over something that you realize that whatever it was you were so mad about is quite small in comparison to how much it is frigging up your life!

Isn't it so funny how the simple solution is to "let it go." Anyone ever say that to you? Hey man, just let it go. Yet if it was somehow that simple to just "let it go" wouldn't we just do that and then get on with the rest of the day? If you want to know the truth, it is HARD to let it go when someone "wrongs" you or treats you unfairly. It is hard not to dwell on those things as we are so much more inclined to share bad news then good. Ever see that show "The News?" It IS FULL of bad news. That is the way we are.

Here is what we NEED to do (lots of CAPS in this post eh?) we need to ask God for help and grant "forgiveness" and "grace" in these times. You know? The same forgiveness and grace that God grants me everyday. Imagine if God got all bitter and held grudges for all the stupid things we've done... that would be a bad scene. Now compare how much you've sinned against God and what things you have done to him to the bitterness that may be in your life right now against someone or some people. Yikes... ever feel about 6 inches tall?

A Homiletics Professor of mine once told me in every tough situation that comes our way we can be Bitter or Better.

I hope I can consistently make the right choice.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

2007-12-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well it is no secret to anyone who has ever read this blog with any kind of regularity that Aliant often gets on my nerves. Goofy things have happened with my Internet, phone, and bills. I often find I wait on hold forever only to talk to someone who doesn't know anything or can't speak english. SO... when I called yesterday to switch my mobility plan I was mentally preparing myself to be angry but was plesently surprised. I didn't have to wait on hold at all! I got right through to some girl and she asked me my phone number, I get that from a lot of girls... no I don't. Hey here's a question, how come whenever you call these joints, you have to punch in your number before you can talk to anyone, and then as soon as you get someone the first thing they do is ask for your number? Weird. ANYWAYS, I went to switch my plan to something that would fit us a little better and cost us a little less and she switched it up no problem. She said I may notice my bill looking a little goofy the first time because half would be on my old plan and half would be on this new one. I replied, "It can't be any worse then our last bill." Because we went way over in our minutes due to not having a home phone. She asked what was wrong with it so I explained that it was just us, that we went over our minutes. SO she activated a plan for the last month that knocked almost 80 BUCKS off my last bill! I couldn't believe it! I was so impressed with their customer service. So way to go Aliant, I have to give credit where credit is due because you gave me credit when it was not.

80 bucks... sweet!

Moving along

2007-11-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

Well it is now official, we are moved in. Everything is in the house and A LOT of it is in the basement. But that is ok. We are moved in, getting set up and that is a very good thing. Closets are getting organized, food is in the refrigerator, pictures are on the wall, and I once again have TV! The place is painted and the move is moving quickly. I cannot express how nice it is to have your own space that is yours to do as you please.
I also cannot express how great it has been to have so much help from my Inlaws. They have been so helpful with moving, packing, cleaning, painting and have made many trips back and forth to give us a hand. It has just been a blessing and it is really great to spend time with them too. So we are mving right along and things are going well.
Got TV yesterday, phone and internet on Friday. Woot!

News

2007-11-13T10:30:00.000-04:00

Well as it turns out my whole bringing blogging back deal was put on hold for a while but I did have a good reason JOHN! And that reason is that my wife and I just bought a HOUSE! And that is one big hairy process that take a lot of your spare time and energy. So we are now homeowners and we have a mortgage... scary. We are now painting before we move in and I am now realizing my Toronto Maple Leaf Blue for the office is going to take many coats... ugg. I am also learning that I suck at painting so it's a good thing that my father in-law and his brother have been around lots. We have had lots of help from my wife's side of the family so that is great. I will put up some pics (maybe) of the finished product at some point in life but for now we'll just be painting, and moving lots of stuff and using lots of gas.

I'm bringing blogging back

2007-10-09T11:37:00.000-03:00

Wow! From July to October. That is the longest time in between posts I have ever had since I started my blog. Not that I really expect anyone to have noticed or anyone to be reading this now. Even if you like both one cannot deny that facebook is the largest foe the blog has ever seen. No one reads or writes much in the way of blogs anymore it seems, we are too busy being eerily addicted to this subtle stalkers software. Not that I am throwing stones by any means as my "status" is updated nearly every day.

However I have decided to revive my blog. Not so much for your benefit although I am certain that many have prospered due to all the interesting things that I have to say. But rather for my own creative juices to keep flowing. I think I've realized since I've stopped blogging what an outlet it was and I think I need to keep it up. At least until whatever pushes facebook off the map comes along.

Last Few Pages

2007-07-30T11:53:00.000-03:00

Sometimes in this life we go through seasons of stress and refinement. We go and go until we find ourselves "out of gas" and overwhelmed. It can be easy to become discouraged as encourager's seem a rare breed indeed. And I have found myself in that spot lately. Often uptight and tense. Apprehensive about the future and just feeling like I'm spinning my wheels a lot of the time. I get caught up in the here and now, ensnared by things that are (or should be) behind me and find myself feeling scared and lonely even in a crowd.

Sometimes I underestimate the enemy or forget about him altogether. I forget he is present and he wants to destroy me. He wants to attack my heart, my eyes, my marriage, my ministry and my will to press on and follow Christ's leading. I tend to forget that God is also present and still mighty in power. That He loves me and is rooting for me but will allow me to make mistakes and to fall. I forget that He is a God of provision and immeasurable wisdom. He knows what I need and where I'm going and that is all I really need.

I don't know what is in store for me and I can seldom see just where my life is headed but one thing that I have been thinking about and has given me some freedom is that even though I haven't read the last few pages, God has. As the author of that book "Ben's Life" God is privy to that information. He knows the plans he has for me and he knows how it will all work out. He sees the big picture. And what I do know is that I can trust in Him as my loving father who has saved me and will continue to provide for me until he calls me home. I thank God that He is in control and trust him as he has authored this book that is my life. As each page turns I pray that I can only trust Him more and gain the maturity I need to follow Him where He leads. I don't know what the next pages say or are about and that is ok because as I do my best to live for Chrsit everyday the last line of the last page will read: Well done, good and faithful servant.

Teathered Dog

2007-07-05T18:09:00.000-03:00

Well I've been telling people about this for a while but never put up the video so here it is! Kadin playing teatherball. enjoy.

Friends

2007-06-18T12:22:00.000-03:00

I've sort of been reminded of this lately and I thought I'd share it with you. First off, the song above has been coming on the radio all the time and I love it, what a great song, make sure you read the words.

Real Friends, if you are lucky enough to have some, are one of the greatest gifts from God you could ever imagine. And I have said to my wife Jacquelyn how blessed I've really been in my life to have true friends like the ones mentioned in the song. I was reminded of it again as I preached a message on serving at the Church where I minister and covered Luke 5:17-26 where some men who presumably are a paralytic's friend take him to see Jesus to be healed but in order to get to Jesus they had to climb up on the roof, dig through and lower him down to Jesus! I received and e-mail regarding the message this morning (which is always nice!!) that concluded "oh to have such friends!" I nodded my head in agreement and then thought, oh to have friends like that? I know exactly what you mean. Again I been so blessed in my life to have friends that if I needed them, no matter what time, or how far away, they would be there without question. And I would be there for them. I count myself a rich man indeed to have friends, and much family too, where given the proper circumstances I would really find out who my friends are. And I would be pleased.

Weather or Not

2007-06-14T09:02:00.000-03:00

Well this has to be a record year for missed weather reports! This is like the third day in a row where Mr. WeatherMan has Called for a nice sunny day and It hasn't showed up! I guess it could be because everyone always says, "I wish the Weather Man would call for nice weather." And now they are calling for nice weather everyday! Too bad its cloudy and cold. Oh well. I guess its kind of dumb to complain about the weather, not much we can do about it.

Speaking of Weather, I was feeling a little under the weather myself last night after eating at Wendy's. I just felt gross as I was eating. I left Wendy's and didn't think I was going to make it to the church before I was sick. I made it. So that was good.

Then we had our first game of ball hockey for our Sherwood Ball Hockey program at the church. It was awesome. Good turn out, competitive game, and the WEATHER held out for us and didn't rain. It didn't rain because they changed the forecast for rain no doubt.

So thats that.

Duck Call

2007-06-07T10:27:00.000-03:00

This post is to simply point out the fact that once the teams were determined for the 2007 Stanley Cup Play-offs I said the Anaheim Ducks would win it all. I wanted Vancouver to win, but the Ducks were my best guess to win the cup and that is what happened. Woot woot. Now, I guess I should also point out that aside from me being right (one of my favorite things) that the team the Ducks defeated were the Ottawa Senators. This made it much better as I am a Leafs fan and the Sens winning it all would be nothing short of a catastrophe. Something else rather noteworthy would be that Rob Niedermayer was able to capture his first cup with help from his older brother Scott. Scott has won a few before and even has a Stanley Cup ring from defeating Rob and the Ducks a few years back. However on this night it was nice to see Caption Scott raise the cup for mere seconds before handing it first to his brother Rob. Very cool. So I enjoyed the Stanley Cup finals all the way around and yes I already know that the Leafs had to watch it on tv so you don't need to point that out. Jerks.

Blog Blurbs Rip Off

2007-05-29T08:42:00.000-03:00

Well well well. May has almost passed by and I have yet to blog about all the exciting happenings in my life. I have had lots of interesting thoughts and you have missed out on them. In fact YOU may not even be reading this as it has been so long since I have posted. I'll try to do better but since we pretty much missed May I will not rip off my brother's idea (this is what we do) of "blog blurbs" and here are a few of my own.

Eating crow
I love my dog Kadin. She is almost like a child to me. I know that is stupid but so are you. When she doesn't feel well, I'm concerned. When she learns a new trick, I'm proud and excited for her. Well, she did something that might be the most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed in my life. Here is what happened. I was on the phone with my Dad and she sooked in front of me for a while and then threw up a little. No big deal, dogs do that. Jac cleaned it up as I was on the phone. 5 minutes go by and she does it again, only this time it's black. gross. Cleaned up no problem. THEN 10 minutes later she starts gaging really loudly and coughs up whole, an entire dead crow along with some of the worst smelling black slime you can imagine. I got off the phone. While cleaning it up she ralphed some feathers and more slime on her bed. The next day we went to the vet. She's fine. Stupid but fine.

Cars Trucks Repairs and No Money
It seemed the car had been pretty clunky in back end for a while and struts seemed to be in order as well as an oil change. So I finally took it in to be fixed and when I picked it up I left to truck not thinking there was anything really wrong with it but just so they could quickly check it over. Not so. The truck ended up needing new front and back breaks, new back rotors, and a new muffler. All that being said the truck is now in great shape with lots of new stuff on it and to solve the "no money" thing, will soon be for sale.

Spring Conference
The youth conference that occurs every May long weekend has come and gone and what a fun trip it turned out to be. Leading up to the conference it was a constant source of stress for me but everything ended up ok. We took a group of 20 youth over and we had a really good time. Lots of neat games, speakers, police escorts, bowling, music, food, and fellowship. AND my good friend Danielle fell in the pond. Funniest thing I have ever seen at a conference. She was running along in the dark and disappeared. I thought I was going to die laughing. Too funny.

New Bike
I have always wanted a Motorcycle. My dad had one for years and it broke when I was 15. I still to this day think it was you mom!!! Anyways, it was never in the budget or there was always some reason but I saw a bike in good shape for a good price and my good wife said "go ahead." Woot! So I am picking up my Suzuki GS750 today! Of course my good friend Luke went with me to look at it and check it out and is even nice enough to drive it home for me since I don't have my bike license yet.

Well those are some highs and lows for you. I'll post a pic or two of the bike once I get it and get back from my camping trip this weekend. More updates to come.

Face it.

2007-04-18T09:18:00.000-03:00

Well I guess it was time for me to face it. Over the past year or so I've received a number of "invites" for this thing called "Facebook." Now as far as I could tell this was yet another one of these stupid friends networks or birthday calenders that just took your e-mail, sold them to 100,000 different companies and then I get e-mails trying to sell me everything from breast implants to how-to guides to make my own beef jerky. No thanks. But I have been hearing more and more about this facebook program and how great it is and so just for fun I decided to check it out. Holy cow. So as it turns out everyone I have ever met just so happens to be on facebook. Lots of my family, my youth group, everyone I went to high school with. You are most likely on facebook. Its unbelievable. And so many people have SO much information about themselves on there (which can be a little dangerous) but it is insane just how many "friends" I have on my list in only one day. I joined yesterday and I have 80 friends this morning. We'll see how many "friends" I really have when I move and ask them to help me! But all in all I have to admit that this facebook thing that I made fun off and adamantly protested is actually pretty neat. It even lists how I know people. Which I still don't know how to do... can someone tell me please? ugg.

There's Always Next Year

2007-04-11T17:57:00.000-03:00

Yes, there is always next year is that saying you hear often this time of year. When the playoffs start. This is the second year in a row that my beloved Maple Leafs will be watching the post season on television and that sucks. There were too many screw ups and blown opportunities down the stretch. It looked good last Saturday when the Leafs ended up rallying to find a win on home ice against the habs. I almost had a heart attack for the second Saturday in a row but was happy with the end result. If for no other reason then not to be tormented by habs fans. It didn't seem to make much difference however as New Jersey held our fate in their hands and decided they didn't care about the final game of the season. They only skated with any effort in the 3rd and lost in the shoot out. Oh my old friend the shoot out. And so my wife and I went outside after watching that game on Sunday afternoon and to show we are good sports and are still in good humour we made this. I hope you like it... i don't.

Free Hugs

2007-04-04T15:38:00.000-03:00

I gotta tell you, I love hugs. I love to hug and I love to be hugged. Sometimes a hug can turn your whole day around. Some people are not huggy at all, but me, I'm a hugger. I'm sure I can attribute this to my home life. We never left the house without a hug and "I love you" and we are a very huggy family. I was always huggy with my friends growing up and even living in residence at the college we were a pretty huggy group. You have to be aware however, as I mentioned before, that not everyone appreciates a good hug. It can make some rather uncomfortable and even offended. Which is too bad, because if you like a good hug like I do it is one of life's simple pleasures that just makes you feel good inside. And the best part, they are free!

Sometimes you just need a hug and it can make all the difference in the world. Whether caused by hard times, bad weather, or you're just feeling kind of down a hug can really pick you up. Last evening while we were watching TV my dog Kadin jumped up (which is against the rules!) with her front paws and put them on either side of my wife Jacquelyn and nuzzled in for a hug. Despite the fact that Kadin is not allowed on the couch, a hug was in order and if had to be Kadin, it had to be Kadin. Well this is getting a little longer then I planned so I'll just end by saying I hope someone hugs you today and I hope you can brighten someone else's day with a hug as well. And I hope you enjoy this video and check out the story behind it. It is just really cool.

Visiting

2007-03-27T09:04:00.000-03:00

How about that, March has pretty much marched on by and the year will be 1/4th over soon. Man does time fly. This is even more apparent to me each time I travel home to NB to visit my family and friends. They have all changed so much over time while I haven't changed at all! Of course that's not true, it is really amazing to me how fast time goes by, how fast somethings change, and how somethings just never change.

Either way visiting home was a good time. I got to spend time with my Dad which I love to do. We all went for a walk on a really nice day and the dogs ran and played themselves right out. I visited with my Mom, we even went with my brother and his wife to see the new Ninja Turtles movie which was pretty good. I visited with my brother and we got to play hockey together which was awesome and watch some hockey too. And I visited with some dear friends of mine who I pretty much never see except when I am able to make a rare visit home. It was a good time but with the limited amount of time and so many people to see it just goes by in a flash. It sort of felt a little depressing piling in and driving away on Saturday but my life is here in PEI and life is good. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful wife and great family here. We have a good dog and lots of amazing friends we enjoy visiting with right here. As much as I miss my family from home I have to stop and give thanks to God for the ones who are here as well.

And speaking of visiting, I might have to so some of that today as there is an elevator that is going in here at the Church and the noise is driving me nuts. And speaking of driving my nuts, my buddies from Tremploy should be here sometime today. Yes it looks like a day to visit.

So it turns out I'm allergic to LIFE!

2007-03-07T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well hacking, coughing, and spitting have been a very normal part of my life for quite a while now. I had sort of accepted this and adjusted to it, more or less, as much as I was able. But recently I finally went to a specialist to see what the deal was. So far I've taken two steps to check into this. One was an x-ray of my sinuses. The other, an allergy test. Now I don't know if you've ever had an allergy test but for those of you who haven't here is how the process takes place. First you give them 25 bucks. Dang. Then you take off your shirt and lay flat on your stomach while they take a little needle dealy and prick little holes in your back. Then they take the liquid form of everything from horse hair to birch wood to eggs (I am apparently allergic to all 3) and pour little dabs of it over the holes to see if you react. Its not all that unplesent, it's a little itchy and it takes a while but it doesn't hurt and the lady was very nice. Unfortunately I reacted to several things, mostly located on the left side of my back in a spot that was really hard to reach. I reacted highly to just about every kind of grass, tree, and pollen. I am monstrously allergic to dust and dust mites. But only a tad to cat hair, and not at all to dog hair. I am also just a little allergic to turkey. Weird eh. I eat eggs every week and had no idea that I had an allergy to them. I haven't quite decided if I'm going to cut them out of my diet. They are a crucial part of my regular breakfast at Sam's. We'll have to see. Anyways, thats all in case you're interested. I better go now before I discover I'm allergic to blogs!

6 Months

2007-02-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

Well it's hard to believe but our dog Kadin has been with us for 6 months now. She has been quite an addition to our family and she is always good for a laugh. I was looking at some old, and new, pictures of her and quickly threw this together. I hope you like it!

This is awesome

2007-02-21T10:06:00.000-04:00

These new NHL ads are stinking funny. I love this one.

Flu: Not feeling very lovely

2007-02-14T10:01:00.000-04:00

I woke up on Monday with "The Flu." No big deal right? Why just the night before I was commenting how lucky I was that I hadn't caught it yet and it was almost spring. Well I caught it. And it had to be the worst case of the flu I have ever had in my entire life! I was freezing cold, sweating profusely, my back was killing me, my head was pounding, I was so weak I could hardly walk, I was coughing and hacking up grossness, couldn't keep any food down (still having some issue with that) and power puking all in between. I have never had the flu like this and have resolved to get a flu shot next year to prevent this evil bug from entering my system again!

On the first day (Monday) my 6 month old pup Kadin hopped up on the bed to keep me warm while I was freezing. And I felt horrible yesterday, not only because I was still feeling very sick but also because my poor little pup got "fixed" as they say yesterday and was feeling the effects of being very sore and her stomach wasn't feeling the best after her operation so she was sick in the truck and then on her mat. She wouldn't eat until the this morning but is still very low key. Especially considering most of the time she bounces off the walls.

Still not feeling very good today but I have to get some things done so hopefully I can get some things accomplished before I pass out from the pressure in my head. Ah life is good.

Oh yeah, Have a "Lovely" Valentines Day. I know I will. Cough, hack, weeeeeeez..... Thud.

Somthing Major

2007-02-08T10:33:00.000-04:00

Not all that long ago you may recall (if you read this thing on a semi-to-regular basis) I had a post on my birthday that featured a video I made for my brother's wedding. The video is hosted by "Youtube" and thus is online for all the world to see. The song that plays along with the video is called "My brother and Me" by Charlie Major. Well, yesterday I received a message in my Youtube inbox and was notified by my regular e-mail. Now usually when I get these messages I hold my breath to see what curse word some jerk has sent me to tell me that I'm a moron, or gay or whatever cleaver insult they can come up with given a video I may or may not be in. But I was rather surprised and excited to find that the message was from Charlie Major himself. Saying he thought it was neat that his song was used in this way and appreciated. I couldn't believe it. He even marked the video as a favorite. I thought that was pretty cool that he took the time to do that. It made my day in a "Major" way.

Sorry about the pun.

I B-LEAF

2007-02-07T10:12:00.000-04:00

It says it on the plates on my truck, it says it on my shirts, pants, socks, hats, coats and everything else, and its confirmed with a loud cheer for every goal. I B-Leaf! I just wanted to point out that the Leafs have been playing very well as of late winning 5 straight with the last 4 on the road. This can really be credited to playing smart, hardworking "blue collar" hockey. But it can also be credited to the stellar play of Andrew Raycroft. I just want to remind you that I have supported Andrew from the start, even when he wasn't playing well. In fact it drives me crazy when people jump all over him when we lose, especially when the defense aren't playing well either. I did not support Ed Belfour right away when he came on the scene but I should have. You've got to support who you've got (except for Aki Berg, he was BRUTAL) and right now I think we (yes, I am on the team) a good bunch who, if they keep working hard, can go far. There is still a long ways to go but I think we can do it. Beating Nashville tomorrow night and winning 5 out of 5 on the current road trip may be enough to send the Leafs surging into the play-offs. Saturday they're back home to take on Sidney Crosby and the Pens. My buddies James and Robbie are going to the game. I am absolutely green with envy but I hope they have a great time and the Leafs win one for yas!

I B-LEAF

Pick me up

2007-02-05T10:06:00.000-04:00

Well It is Monday. Sigh. There just doesn't seem to be much good with Monday. It's the start of the work week (when did it end?), it's freaking cold outside, I'm sore from lifting heavy things all weekend, and I'm cold and there are wolves after me. But all that aside there really is a bright spot in my Monday morning. It's called the "Men's Breakfast." Something to look forward to on Monday. Where we can fellowship, share and laugh. We can all eat bacon and eggs and Matt gets his wussy order of toast. It's just a great way to start the week on the right note. A nice "pick me up" if you will and I'm sure that you will. So have a happy Monday and if you don't have some sort of way to kick-start your week hope you have a happy Monday anyways.

2 Things that bug me

2007-01-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

First. It snowed a bunch last night (that doesn't bug me) and I had to drive my wife into work this morning (that doesn't either) because the roads are covered with snow and mostly all the cars and trucks were moving along quite nicely. We only have a few flurries this morning so it's not hard to see out the windshield except for the few people who are out who feel they don't have to clean their car or truck or whatever off before they hit the road. So they blow all the snow off their car all over everyone else. Take the 10 minutes to clean off the snow. If not for the fact that it makes driving safer for you, then for the sake of the one who has to drive behind you with big clumps of snow landing on their windshield. It's called being considerate for other people.

Second. If you've ever driven with me anywhere in my truck (which is cleaned off) you have undoubtedly heard me say, "I hope you like country music!" Because I do, and thats what I listen to while I'm driving. But there is a song that comes on all the time now by Eric Church called "Two Pink Lines." This is how it goes:

She was pacing back and forth on her front porch
I pulled up slinging gravel in my Daddy's Ford
She cried all the way to Johnson's store
I kept the motor running and parked by the door

Yeah I was foolish and wild
she was classic and regal
we were fresh out of school, both barely legal
we were young and on fire and just couldn't wait
six weeks in, she was three weeks late

one means none and we're home free
two means three and a diamond ring
yeah i wonder what fate is gonna decide
we're just sittin around waiting on two pink lines
sitting around waiting on two pink lines

yeah her Daddy's gonna kill me and thats a fact
maybe we'll just leave town and never come back
or I could stand there and tell him
face him like a man
oh who am I kidding, he'll never understand

yeah thats second hand just keeps slowing down
i swear it stopped twice the last time around
yeah we'll know the truth in three minutes time
we're just sittin around waiting on two pink lines
sitting around waiting on two pink lines

hot summer nights, whispering her name
under the blanket by the river bank
hearts beating fast we never thought twice
but she pulled me close and i held on tight

when the moment of truth finally comes
she gives me a look and then comes undone
she says looks like were lucky
someones smiling down
she grabs her coat and says see ya around

yeah these days the rabbit doesn't die
you just sit around waiting on two pink lines
praying that fate is on your side
sitting around waiting on two pink lines
sitting around waiting on two pink lines

This song has to be one of the worst songs I've come across in a long time. It is quite catchy which makes it even worse. I found myself singing along. "One means none and we're home free." No it doesn't. It really bothers me that the message portrayed here is that the only consequences of this act is a possible pregnancy. If she's not pregnant then they're "home free." Then the second verse talks about how "Her Daddy's gonna kill me" (someone should). Then he flirts with the idea of taking some sort of responsibility of standing up up like a man and telling her father what he has done but in the end makes the father out to be a bad guy for not understanding that this guy has just impregnated his daughter who is fresh out of school. Maddening! Finally they realize that they are not going to have a baby (guess they're home free!) this time and so they shrug it off saying "see you around" and suggesting that someone must be "smiling down" on them. Now I know that this song is a fictional story but it really bugs me how it makes light of the long term effects of premarital sex and makes this whole situation somehow cute or funny. Is this really how far society's view of sex has dipped. This beautiful gift from God is nothing more then, "Whoa we almost had a baby there! That was close!" It just makes me sad.

Haven't really posted much in the new year. Hows that for a Rant. Geez.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-02T12:03:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'm aware that I'm a day late but let me be the 34th (or so) person to wish you a happy New Year. I hope it brings you happiness, prosperity and all that other good stuff that you'll find in some hallmark card but not in this post.

It was a pretty quite new year's eve at our place but a fun one. We rang in the new year with good friends of ours by overeating some, drinking homemade Cherry Coke, Shurley temples, and some egg nogg coffee drink that develops a skin if you don't drink it fast enough, and just about anything else in the house. We played a couple games of Scene it (guys won both games! Goonies! haha) and then some heated games of Uno. We were so into Uno in fact that we almost missed the count down to the new year. It was a great time had by all, even the dogs. The year is off to a good start and I hope it only gets better.

So This Is Christmas

2006-12-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

Well it seems that Christmas is ever so steadily creeping up on us and I'm not really sure what to make of it all. Christmas just isn't what it was to me, and I know those who know me know that, and I'm not going to whine about it but I'm just having a hard time getting excited about Christmas. I think it may be, in part, that each of the past several Christmases have been so different from the one previous. Not much is familiar so it all just seems strange and a little uncomfortable. I am excited about spending my first Christmas with my wife and the new traditions we will start but even as the day draws near and gifts are placed around the tree there is a certain angst that is surrounding this holiday for me. Maybe it is just predisposed at this point. I don't know. I don't want to be a Grinch or be a downer and I don't feel I have been, mostly. I just hope when the day arrives that I can capture a little Christmas Spirit. I'm sure I will. Though I'm not really basing that on anything.

Either way I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends celebrating the birth of Christ and enjoying the spirit of the holiday season. We all have lots to be thankful for and I pray that God would bless you over this holiday season.

Merry Christmas

It is that time of year again

2006-12-12T10:54:00.000-04:00

Well Christmas is sneaking up on us (less then two weeks!) and as exciting as it can be it is also a time of stress. With the crowds, shopping, bad weather, Visa card number and what I own on it about the same, and just about any other factor you like can add the stress of this season. Also something that I am not involved in but am very much aware of is that this is exam time for students. I know they are in the thick of it at MCC. And because I care for these poor students so deeply I will pass on my Christmas exam/finals stress reliever to you. Or anyone else who may encounter stress over the holiday season. This little snow-globe does it for me! It is wonderful!

Hockey Weekend

2006-12-06T10:49:00.000-04:00

Well last Saturday I was lucky enough to wake up at 4am. Lucky enough to get into the back seat of a car and drive for 8 or 9 hours. Lucky enough to walk down some weird streets in Montreal in the cold and wait in a crowd for doors to open to the Bell Center. And lucky enough to get into the Habs and Leafs game. It was a Christmas present from my brother Dan and his wife Janelle to Jacquelyn and I. Did I mention I love them very much! It was a really fun weekend and a great game even if the Leafs did blow it in the last 10 minutes. I had a great time and can't wait to do it again next year!

Counsel From the Wise

2006-11-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

Sometimes in life we just run up against walls, get discouraged, and feel like we don't know what to do. I feel like that sometimes. At times like these you can feel like giving up or you can reach out for help. I prefer the latter. Don't get me wrong, I can be as prideful as they come and don't enjoy asking for help. But I find i benefit so much from drawing from the wisdom and experience of mature Christians. This week I was blessed by a few different older brothers in Christ whose experience, insight, and encouragement are like gas in the tank for my ministry. I believe an important part of our Christian walk is the respect of our elders. I don't just mean the church leaders nor do I simply mean those who have completed the task of evading death. But those who have a wealth of experience and wisdom that has given them strong Christian Character. What a wonderful blessing it is to take advantage of what they have to share. I'm glad that I haven't missed out on this resource and I hope you are wise enough yourself to do the same.

Well I guess Christmas is here

2006-11-24T12:10:00.000-04:00

Yes it has to be true. The Santa Clause parade is tomorrow, our tree is up, and to top it all off... Tim Horton's has started handing out their Christmas cups to jump-start your morning with a cup of cheer. Yes indeed, last night my wife convinced me that to help put up the tree and so we dug the thing out and assembled it. Before we even had it up and lit (it is a pre-lighted tree.. YES!!!) our lovely little dog Kadin had ripped off a small piece from the bottom and chewed it all up. It was kind of funny. But yes, if Santa Clause was coming tomorrow, we'd be ready... decoration wise anyways. Although if he came in and did the dishes instead of leaving gifts I wouldn't complain that much. Still on my to do list...

And Kadin got her gift early this year. A new kennel as she has completely outgrown the one Ian and Vic lent us (thanks guys!) so once the tree was up, Kadin helped me put her kennel together, although she really wasn't much help!!

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Ever feel like this?

2006-11-17T10:51:00.000-04:00

Ever have the feeling that people are just trying to be negative? Trying to find something to complain about, waiting for someone to slip up? Waiting for that moment to pounce. There is a quote from the the first spider-man movie that says, "The one thing people love more then a hero, its to see a hero fail, fall... die trying." And we just love to attack and complain and criticize don't we? An article or two in the news paper was brought to my attention where two different people wrote about issues they had with the ceremony at the cenotaph last weekend. One felt that people should not have brought their dogs and seemed quite offended that people would do this. There was no mention however of the dogs being disruptive, loud, or wild. He just didn't like that they were there and felt their owners lacked good judgment and respect. Another actually wrote in complaining that some people had coffee at the ceremony with the article's title, "Are coffee cups needed at the cenotaph?" This was also an article feeling those who had their "Tim's" with them were disrespectful. However it doesn't seem like these folks were paying much attention to the ceremony themselves but rather scanning for something to complain to the editor of the newspaper about. I'll leave it to you to decide which you think is more "disrespectful."

I've often wondered how some people are offended so easily but I think it may be that some, for whatever reason, actually enjoy taking offense and want something to gripe and complain about. A reason to tear into someone else or belittle them. Maybe even really others against them. It is sad.

Here is the worst part however. When offense is taken, is it natural to approach the person who offended you and discuss your problem with them? No. Its to talk to other people about how terribly offensive this person (or persons) is and maybe even write to the freaking news paper about it. Rally the troops and attack.

Imagine if we took some of that energy and tried to encourage one another, build one another up, and if need be rebuke one another in a loving way. Imagine if we had a problem with someone and didn't trash them, but spoke to them like a person, IN PERSON. Wow, that would cool.

Deer Ol Dad

2006-11-14T11:34:00.000-04:00

While the fact remains that a can't spell (i blam spel cheq) I have not misspelled my title. In this post I would like to inform you that my Dad got his deer on the weekend and it was a DANDY! 8 point buck, 219 pounds feild-dressed. So I'll be looking forward to getting some deer steak off you Dad! So that is awesome. I have fond memories of hunting with my dad and I was really excited to get his call on Saturday letting me know that he shot a big deer. It kind of makes me miss home a little. I wish I could have been there to be a part of the excitment. Oh well, what can ya do. I spent my Saturday putting in wood with the help of Jamie and Nicole (Nickey) who will be married pretty soon. We had a great day and a great feed. Fun times indeed.
By the way, I don't want any comments on here complaining about pictures of dead animals. What do ya think your Wendy's Classic Single is made out of anyways?!
Anyways, Way to go Dad!

The Mother Load

2006-11-07T10:17:00.000-04:00

So this was quite a busy weekend and I have lots to tell you a bout so strap yourself in and here we go!

In The Box

This week good friends of mine Andrew and his Dad Phillip gave me the opportunity go work the penalty box doors For... Your PEI ROOOOOOOOCKET! (as Kirk says) So that was really cool and a very neat experience. And apparently, as Friday night's game was televised, I was on TV while there was a bit of a crowd in the box. Did it Friday and Saturday. Leafs won over the #1 Sabers that night too! Woot!

Black Eyed Me... Part 2

So I got a new helmet CCM with TML blue (snazzy). AND I didn't find the time to take the visor off my old helmet and put it on the new one besides the fact that I find the visor kind of annoying anyways. As I played on Friday night I liked my new helmet and found I would see a lot better without the foggy plastic in front of me. That was until there was about 7 minutes left and when two sticks collided with the puck it flew up my stick right into my left eye. (This has happened before!) So I covered my eye, crashed into the boards and fell to the ice. When I removed my hand I couldn't see anything out of that eye. But only because of the blood. My eye is perfectly ok and the cut wasn't very bad at all. I slapped a band-aid on there and went back out. And the sub-title is a little deceiving because the eye never did turn black. It actually looks pretty good. Here is a pic. I'll put up a pic later of how much worse it looked last time when the cut was further away from my eye and needed stitches. (tho he just glued it) Either way my eye is looking and feeling fine. Though I'll have to put off those grad pics for a little longer... sorry mom.

Rats Rats, Double Rats

Well it was mildly annoying when we thought we had mice (which we still do) but I think the mice will be gone soon. Not because we have killed them off, though we have killed some, but rather because I would guess that the RATS will eat them!!! AHHH! The one I saw was friggin huge AND he got out of the friggin glue trap! He pulled a brick on the trap and used it to pry himself off! So I'm not sure what the next step will be. I even had a conventional trap set. He snagged the bait and didn't even set off the trap!!!

Well there ya go. 3 posts in one! I'll post again soon when I hope my life is a little less interesting! Rats.

All in my head... or on it

2006-11-03T09:29:00.000-04:00

So yesterday after our men's breakfast (oh how I love and NEED the men's breakfast) I went to get my hair cut at the mall. I hate paying so much for a haircut when I'm used to paying like 7 bucks at home. Either way I went into the mall to get my hair cut. I plopped down on the chair and had a good conversation with the girl that cut my hair, she was really nice. However something a little different happened. After she trimmed my beard a little and my side burns she did something that no other hair dresser has done to me before. Without warning she grabbed a comb, ran it through one of my eyebrows and said, "Why don't we fix this?!" and ran the trimmer over the comb. She then proceeded to do the other eyebrow and THEN!!!! She took the trimmer without the comb and eliminated my unibrow!!!! I couldn't believe it! I was sitting there in the chair dying, trying not to laugh. My poor unibrow! I had flashbacks to an appointment in that same mall where, while washing my hair, one lady helpfully suggested, "We do eyebrows ya know!" To which my reply was that I'd stick with just the one. Unreal. So I no longer have my beloved unibrow.

Then in the afternoon I was off to the dentist where I had another new experience... Floss. I don't floss, never have really. And now I think I know why. Because it freakin hurts!!!! Ouch! It was agonizing. My gums hurt and bled so much. They still hurt today. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have nightmares about floss.

But the hair and teeth are lookin good! I guess it just hurts to look this good!! Oh yeah.

Halloween... spooky

2006-10-31T09:44:00.000-04:00

Boo! Ahhh! Run! Yep, it is Halloween again, the spookiest (is that a word?) day of the year. Tonight all kinds of goblins, witches, super-heros and Jack-o-lanterns will be out door to door trick or treating. I would say the sacriest part of the whole thing would be if you have to be out driving, trying not to run over anyone! Whose idea was this anyways? Hey, lets get kids to dress in dark, spooky, clothes and then send them out into the dark streets on a sugar high so they can get hit by a truck!

Ahh it brings back memories of my trick or treating days. Hours would be spent contemplating the perfect costume. The day would arrive and I would get all my gear together only to have my mother make me wear my winter jacket over the costume anyways!But this can be a scary day with all kinds of bright lights of the community going around throwing eggs and setting things on fire. But I'm not worried. I showed up at work today only to find that I have some Super-Hero protection in the office next to me. Good day for him to show up I figure since some spooksters showed up outside my door this morning.

Happy Halloween.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Fellowship

2006-10-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a good day. We had church in the morning where it was good to meet with the congregation in worship. I spoke on fellowship and felt that the message went well. We hung around and chatted for a while and then headed home to cook up a feast! We had good friends of ours Ian, Vic, and Barkley (the dog) over for a mid-afternoon pig-out. Jacquelyn and Victoria set the table, did up the corn and all that fun stuff while Ian and I handled the meat. And Kadin and Barkely played outside and got completely covered in mud.

It was just a great day to relax, eat and enjoy the company and fellowship of good friends. God has blessed us so much that we can all be a part of His body and live in harmony with one another. We have been so blessed with good friends and we thank God for it.

And the Leafs winning on Saturday night just makes it that much sweeter.
Good weekend.

Happy 500 Sundin

2006-10-16T11:58:00.000-03:00

Wow, what a great game, what a great player, and what an amazing career! Mats Sundin led the Leafs to victory as Caption Clutch scored a shorthanded, hat-trick, overtime, 500th career goal. Now that is a mouthful. He is a player who has withstood a lot of criticism but his numbers and class are much louder then the Sundin and Leaf haters. Time and time again he is the one to step up and make the big play for the leafs. He is a big, strong exciting player and he is having a big year for the Leafs already. Way to go Mats!

Adding to the family

2006-10-11T17:15:00.000-03:00

Well I had to keep the secrete until Thanksgiving and it was a close a few times but now I can blog about what most already know (if you know me personally that is) and that is there is a new little one in our family. Her name is Kadin and she is our little (getting big fast though) Golden Retriever puppy. She is wonderful and mostly everything she does is cute so it can be hard to discipline her. I wont go on and on though in case you are not a dog person but let me just tell you about her name and then I shall depart or at least hit the "publish post" button.

Kadin is (no doubt brutally mispronounced) Arabic for "friend." My first dog Chimo is Indian for "friend." The grandfather of all the dogs in Bonshaw was named "Woodstock" because that is where he was from in the late 80's or early 90's. Same place as Chimo so they are likely relatives. Very cool in my opinion. Anyways if you want to see some pics of her or just from my wonderful life then you can click here.

Crows... I hate them

2006-10-04T09:48:00.000-03:00

I live in a pretty nice spot these days and you can see the sunrise here through the picture window. I really enjoy the space and the view. I like the sound and smell of the ocean. It really is a little piece of heaven... for the most part. You see there is one small set back and I'm sure you have guessed where this is going if you read the title. We have about 200-250 crows that hang out around here. I hate crows. I mean I really can't stand them. They are a bunch of chattereing desease bags, they crap all over everything they are loud and I just don't like them hanging around. I can't even believe how many there are. They come around a few times a day and when they do you can't hear a thing but crows. So if you are finding yourself with nothing to do some morning or evening and you want to come out and visit with a 20 gadge and make some target practise out of my little feathered friends I'll have my wife cook you dinner! How does that sound. Jacquelyn doesn't much care for the crows either as you can see.

I'm in

2006-09-25T11:12:00.000-03:00

Well it's been a long road but I have finally been voted in as the Associate Minister at the Sherwood Church of Christ. It is certainly nice to know this is where we are going to be and we are excited to be here. We are also excited about all the new things we are experiencing in life. My wife and I are almost completely moved out to Canoe Cove and it is wonderful to live in the country again. I will post a pic later of the view from our back deck. We have our HOUSE (not really ours, we just live there but still!) pretty well set up and its not even embarrassing to have people over! It is wonderful to be out of that apartment with all the crazy's.

Side note
We had a neighbor who lived above us and across the hall who liked to borrow things a lot and while we were moving some of our furniture she actually asked me if we were moving out or moving in! She comes to my door all the time and I've lugged her groceries upstairs countless times! Moving out or moving in!!?? Holy cow.

So its nice to be out there and its wonderful to BBQ, Thanks Dan and Janelle! I'm enjoying this time in my life with my wife and I am feeling blessed today indeed!

Birthday Blog

2006-09-20T09:31:00.000-03:00

Well today I turn 22 years old. Wow-wee. Last night I was young out back splitting wood by hand. Today I feel old and sore. Not really. I don't really make of birthday's. Not my own anyways. In fact I forgot it was my birthday this morning when I woke up until my wife wished me a happy birthday.

This birthday is a little different however. This is my first birthday as a married man and it is also the first time that I can remember where my twin brother Dan and I have been apart. (his birthday today too for anyone who might be a little behind) I've missed him a lot since fall arrived. We always lived apart in the summers but we always would be together again in the fall. It is still kind of weird to me not to have him close by where I can see him anytime I want. We still call a lot and stuff but it's still not the same. When you are a twin, your twin is a big part of what makes your birthday special. It's funny how when you're a kid you think it's kind of lame to have to share your birthday but now at 22 I'd like to be in Burtt's Corner or have Dan here in PEI.

He's my best friend (besides my wife of course) and I guess after 21 years of living together it takes a while to adjust. So here is something that only he, and maybe a few others will get on our birthday.

"Happy happy birthday on your special day!
Happy happy birthday in a special way NOW
Happy happy birthday may all your dreams com true
Happy happy birthday from all of us to you!"

Wheres my french fries, I've been here for four days!!!

And this is a look back at those 21 years from the toast I made for Dan's wedding stealing the song he used for mine. Happy Birthday Dan.

Big Day

2006-09-18T11:02:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was the definition of a "Big Day." Now this term, "big day" is one that is most often coined by my buddy Graham or brother Dan from home. I've asked before when they say, "have a big day!" what it means and the explanation is like: An exciting meaningful kind of day like a birthday or something. Well yesterday was a birthday of sorts. But not mine. Yesterday I had the opportunity to preach on worship to @ the Sherwood Church of Christ which is nothing too out of the ordinary as I am currently one of the preaching ministers there. The worship service was great and the sermon went well but what made this a BIG DAY was when my good buddy Andrew Burt came to the front before I preached to give me a hug and some wonderful news and following the sermon when he carried out this news when I baptized Andrew into Christ. Wow! What an amazing thing. I'm so proud of you Andrew! Then we went to Pizza Delight with his folks and off to camp Sunday.

At camp Sunday we watched a video made by the amazing Tyler MacDougall, had a worship time, a testimony, and a short message. THEN we made our way down to the beach where I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize Tyler. What an amazing day. You could feel a strong presence of God throughout the day and it was AWESOME. I'm truly thankful for these two men who have made their commitments. God bless you both.

What a BIG DAY!

In Deep

2006-09-12T09:52:00.000-03:00

Now by the looks of the title of this post it would seem that I am in trouble or in love or in a jam of some sort and while all of that may be true on some level it is not what this post is about. Actually it is because last night my wife and I purchased a "Deep Freeze." 5 cubic feet of cold because the tiny freezer on our tiny fridge just isn't going to cut it especially when we move out to the country hopefully by next week. Yet again, not my point. So before you give up on me I'll get to it. Last night to get this rig out to my new abode I needed a lift. Not a drive, but someone to help me lift it. So I called up my good buddy James. Why? Because James is a good friend who 9 times out of 10 will be there in a moments notice to help me with whatever I'm in need of. And I'm telling you it is good to have a few good friends you can count on. God has blessed me with some great friends and James is one of them. Someone who there whether I need a lift, an ear or a punch. You are rich indeed when you have people you can count on in this life.

Sawin Wood

2006-09-06T09:21:00.000-03:00

Last night after I picked up my lap top from Future Shop (Yessssss!) I checked my messages and heard a message from by good buddy Jason who told me if I wanted to get some of the winter's wood sawed up that he'd give me a hand. This was very helpful seeing as he has a chainsaw and I don't. So I grabbed my work boots and headed out the door and we arrived at the wood pile and got a good bunch of wood sawed up given the time we had. I really enjoyed it. There really isn't anything fun about it really, I'm not all to sure why I find it so relaxing. You have to move and lug heavy logs, smell chainsaw exhaust, get sawdust in your eyes and it can be hard work. But the sweat, wood, and the smell of the saw really took me home. I couldn't help but think of the many years I lived at home and we put wood in every year. We always did it together. My Dad, my brother, Chimo (supervisor) and I. And we would often have some other family help as well. Again it was hot, hard work but when I look back on it I can't help but think, "Man, that was fun." I guess sometimes you don't realize the fun you're having while you're having it. Those were good days and I guess I really miss them a lot sometimes.

Back To School

2006-09-05T09:18:00.000-03:00

Yes indeed, it is that time of year again. Back to school, but not for me! Yes it is hard to believe but for the first time in 16 years, School is starting and it is doing so without me. It is a dark day for school indeed. Sort of a weird day for me though. I very much have a feeling like "holy crap, I must be late or something I better get to school!" But it must be just gas or something because I have graduated High School, I have graduated from college and School is something I don't have to do again, for a little while anyways.

So this is the real world. No school but a job and an wife to support. We are in the middle of moving. Man I hate moving. And I have to get all my information switched over to PEI. I need to find out if we can get a cheaper insurance rate before my wife's runs out very soon. I have to get my tire for the truck fixed and the car needs a new muffler. I'm all sweaty, I can't breathe... I'm cold and there are wolves after me.

I think I miss school.

Or at least the last class, I get very glad in the last class. S'glad.

Exhausted & Deflated

2006-08-31T14:26:00.000-03:00

Well I've been running pretty steady for almost 3 weeks, maybe more, and I'm just about out of gas. I hear gas could be going down tomorrow though so I guess I'll wait until then. Yes I think tomorrow will have to be day of rest. After undercoating I had a week of VBS, a week of camp and this week a few wakes and funerals and all that goes with it and I'm just ready for bed I think. I'm a little run down. Also to keep with my clever title. After replacing a hanger on my lovely little red car and a fan belt it has come to my attention that we will need a new muffler soon. After picking up the car and heading back to the church it was also discovered that the truck had a flat tire and it has quite a hole, let me tell ya! Luckily I have a spare so it was no big deal for now other then the fact that I just undercoated the truck and the tire was covered in oil. Life is good. I'm sure I'll have lots of energy left to keep packing for the move. I cannot wait to get out of our dumpy apartment and into the country! YEEE HAW! I need a nap.

It's Coming

2006-08-30T10:25:00.000-03:00

Well folks it is coming. The air is getting cooler the leaves are looking a little droopy, all sorts of magazines with all sorts of predictions are coming out. That's right, hockey will soon be back in full swing. Last night I was @ the Super Store with my lovely wife (because that's what you do in the evenings for fun when you're married) and I decided after reading an article on Mats Sundin to sport my 3rd Leafs Jersey with "7" "ROBERTS" on it. It caught the eye of a fellow fan and he struck up on conversation with me about the upcoming season and the offseason's activities. Man I love that. Whether you love hockey or hate it you have to admit that it brings people together and anytime during the season in the Maritimes anyways (probably all over Canada) you can strike up a conversation about hockey. I love it. I can't wait for this season and I can't wait to play.

Go Leafs Go

Cha cha cha FIESTA!

2006-08-16T13:50:00.000-03:00

Well folks another summer is drawing to an end and that can mean only one thing. VBS (VB-Stress) time! Ya-hoo! And this year we are doing a Mexican Fiesta theme. We have 70 plus kids running around learning about Jesus, singing songs, making crafts, playing games and eating some pretty good food. And as stressful as it all can be it really is an awesome thing to see the kids shouting and remembering things like Jesus is our friend, Jesus is our life, and Jesus is our Leader! Viva!!!! (those are the ones we've done so far) They jump and shout this among their peers. It sort of makes me think. Would I do that? Jump and yell about my love for Christ and what he has done for me. Would you? I think these kids possess something very special in their lack of fear to participate in something like this. Not many of us beyond the age of school will do much more then come and watch whatever is happening up front at a Sunday service. We seem to be fine until something is required of us. So as we teach these kids lessons I think I need to learn a few of my own from them. Maybe you do too.

Back In Black

2006-08-13T17:55:00.000-03:00

No I'm not an AC/DC fan, that is not what the title of this post is about. I am back from my undercoating job which tends to get me rather covered in oil and a tad darker then normal. It is now done and the little time I got to spend with family and friends was great. Although I'm quite tired and sore and feeling like I'm getting sick. This is not good as VBS or VB-Stress, as I affectionately call it, is this week and I'm not feeling to festive for our Fiesta.

Also I have some more news (don't I always) about our beloved car. This time I will not place the blame on GM. This morning when my beautiful wife and I ran out to the car to go to church (I was guest preaching in Cornwall) we hopped in and looked at the dash and then to each other waiting and hoping for an explanation as to the whereabouts of the CD player stereo system our car once had that is now an empty space. They even took the antenna! Un-stinking-believable. So that is gone forever. They pried the window open (this will require another visit to my pal Luke at Canadian Tire) and whipped the sucker out of there last night while we were sleeping. Now I am even more excited to move out of this dump! And my new Third Day CD was in the player too so that is also gone. But on the plus side of life maybe the jerk who stole the thing might listen to the CD and be converted or something. Never know.

AND as long as I'm ranting here is another little something for you. MSN is not going to cost money and your account wont be deleted if you don't send it along AND Bill Gates is not going to give you money for free for using e-mail AND your "crush" thinks you're a dork and wont go out with you (whatever that means) if you send that e-mail along to me. I already married my crush by the way. So stop sending those stupid e-mails or wasting your time reading them.

That is all.

So it seems I missed July

2006-08-03T13:58:00.000-03:00

I can't believe it! It has occurred to me that I missed blogging the entire month of July! That is nuts. I even blogged the month I graduated and got married. I bloged around exams and term papers and yet in July I missed it! That is crackers. I just went back to date a post in last July but apparently I am now unable to do that. That is what i did for my photo hosting one. But that option seems to have vanished. So this is my apology for that... sorry. I'm sure all your lives were empty and incomplete without reading the wonderful adventures I find myself in. So to make up for it I will let you in on a sweet podcast I have found called "Ask a Ninja." It is stinking hilarious. Here is a sample, enjoy.

Charged

2006-08-02T19:22:00.000-03:00

Well here is another post and hopfully you'll get a charge out of it. Yesterday my wife called me to tell me the car wouldn't start. The one with the new engine and new front end pretty much that has sucked my wallet dry from the day I knew the hunk of crap existed! Yeah that one. So I drove home to give her a boost. We got it going with some difficulty and she was on her way. I told her to drive it around for a while to build the charge back up and she did because I'm the one in charge! Yeah right. So later that afternoon she called again because the car died again and this time it would not boost at all. So I wept openly and went to get her. So because our battery wouldn't charge we got charged to get towed over to crappy tire (only across the street) and for a new battery that will charge.

Lucky for you, this post if free of charge.
I should be charged for making this crappy jokes.

Back at it

2006-08-01T17:51:00.000-03:00

Hello there faithful readers. It has been a few days since I posted and that whole Roberts thing didn't really pan out. Oh well, thats the way it goes I guess. Life has certainly been busy and interesting over the past few weeks with camp going on as well as a Wedding in between. Getting back to the office seems strange after two weeks of running around non-stop. It was a good time ministering to the kids as well as hanging out with the counselors. And as long as you are reading about my boring life, here is an interesting story:

On the Thursday of the last camp I was swimming about 12 8 & 9th grade girls in from the raft at the camp. I swim on my back in front of them so I can see everyone and also if we encounter any trouble I am the first to hit it. And so I was, indeed, first. The first one to touch a jellyfish. Now this is not that big of a deal but when I bumped into it I warned the others by calling out, "Jellyfish!" This word in the language of the Jr High girl means "FREAK OUT." Although they may have done so with good reason as when I turned around to see the jelly I had touched I found an amazing school of Jellyfish floating our way and in a matter of seconds we were completely surrounded by jellyfish. It was like we weren't even swimming in water but jellies instead. It was crazy, never in my life have I ever seen jellyfish like that.
But here is the good news, 9 out of 10 jellies were white which means they can't sting. But this does not matter to Jr. High girls. It was still really really freaky. Anyways to make a long story short it took us quite a while to swim in and I did so with several people attatched to my arms and back. I was wiped let me tell you!

So thats whats up in my life. Chow.

Roberts!!!

2006-06-29T15:15:00.000-03:00

Ok so I know that most of you wont care about this and it isn't a done deal but it's my blog and I can do whatever I want! So here is the news. My favorite player Gary Roberts has requested to be traded back to the Maple Leafs!!

That would be awesome. In other exciting news. Brian McCabe has signed a 5 year deal. This is good to have him and Kaberle locked up for 5 years. And now with Raycroft as well things seem to be shaping up good for the Leafs.

Let me explain

2006-06-29T10:39:00.000-03:00

The post below was to see if I had actually found a way to host my own videos online. It seems that I have.

Gotta Laugh

2006-06-28T15:41:00.000-03:00

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

God is good and He is in control

2006-06-27T11:09:00.000-03:00

Sometimes life turns out exactly the way you thought it would and other times it turns out so completely different that you are completely blindsided by the whole thing. I can make all the plans I want, check and double check their security, and even so things can turn out totally different then anticipated. Sometimes that is tough, even heartbreaking. But even when everything is wrong and you feel completely out of control, that is ok. Because God’s wisdom is much bigger then ours and this is something that will build a real trust and faith in him. (one sentence starts with “but,” the next one with “because,” grammar teachers everywhere have broken out in a cold sweat)

The thing is that God has a plan… even when I don’t understand it or know what it is. But I don’t have to. What I do have to do is trust that He is good and that He is in control and even though I may have to endure some unpleasantness He is Lord so I will trust. This all sounds pretty easy eh (yeah right) but I need to decide what my attitude will be. I am doing my best to stay positive no matter what comes my way.

At the end of the day, Christ is still Lord and I will trust him.

Good to have friends

2006-06-21T09:56:00.000-03:00

Well well well, I can't believe I am writing this but I have the sunfire back! The car that blew up on the end of our honeymoon was dropped off to super nice guy named Luke. I've known Luke for a little while, I play in a worship team with him and play hockey with him in the fall.

Anyway! I dropped the car off to him on Monday morning so he could put a new engine in it and he worked steady at it (way more then he had to) and had it back to be yesterday. One day later. He did it up fast and undercharged me for sure. It certainly is nice to have friends and I hope that someday I can do a favor for him. Thanks Luke! You're AWESOME!

Breathless

2006-06-17T19:36:00.000-03:00

Sorry to disappoint folks, but this post is not about a breath taking beauty, but rather the breathlessness I speak off (in between short gasps) is what I am mananging to get out after I have returned from taking a little rip on my new bike. And by this I mean bicycle, not motorcycle though I wish it were the latter.

I haven't had a bike in a while since the last one got stolen, but I ain't bitter, so I was a little out of it, but not to worry, It's just like riding a... well you get it. So the peddling and such I can handle but what made this whole ordeal so "blogworthy," (like that takes a lot) is that I am out of shape! Pathetically so. I mean, I went from my place to the Church which is NOT far at all. I even stopped to look at a corolla that was for sale on the way. (95 with almost 250.000 on Oak Dr if you are interested... I'm not) Anyway, when I got back to my apartment I was so winded I could hardly lug my bike up the stairs. I really gotta get more active before camp rolls around or I'm gonna die. Good thing I might be playing hockey again soon. I need to get in shape! This is just sad.

Way of Thinking

2006-06-15T12:24:00.000-03:00

I have to admit, now that we are in the Stanley Cup Finals that things in the NHL are pretty exciting. With Edmonton in the finals and winning in overtime on a shorthanded goal I was brought right out of my seat and slapping high five with my buddy Ian. However I still find myself saying that I am not a big fan of the new NHL. Especially when in an exciting game like last night Carolina scored 3 power-play goals.

They say they are changing the game to make it better; more exciting. They say they want to draw in more fans... new fans. They want the game to be easier to understand so more people who don’t know the game will be drawn to it. And still I find myself saying, “No, don’t change the game at all! I like it just the way it is.” I’ve been a fan for as long as I’ve known the great game existed. I love it, don’t think there is anything wrong with it and simply did not welcome the change. However, I fear I might be wrong.

I am a young preacher; fresh out of college and ready to set the world on fire for Christ. I have lots of new ideas and methods of doing things and am always dreaming and scheming to figure out new ways to do church and to do ministry. I want new Christians and I want people who have never considered or never understood Christ before. To me the old way of doing things is not reaching the new generation and therefore it has to change and cannot stay the same for the sake of, “I like it the way it is.” That kind of thinking, I feel, is a stumbling block to the growth of the church. Yet I stand back and see how easy it is to feel fear and rejection when something you love is changing to accommodate the new. I felt like the NHL was leaving its loyal fans behind but that is not what they are doing. They are trying to draw in new fans, more fans, so the game can be bigger and better. How easy it is for me to spot the flaws of resistance in those who oppose me without realizing that I, myself, due to my own personal preferences can hold many biases as well.

I feel like I have a new appreciation for this feeling of a change in something that has been the same for a long time, maybe since its existence. However I will still admit now, that even though I like the 2-1 playoff game better then the 8-6 ones it really isn’t about me. And if I like style of worship more then another that is ok because worship is definitely not about me either. And for the sake of those who do not know Christ I need to be willing to accommodate them because I CANNOT value my own preferences and my own comfort over the relationship someone might be able to have with Christ. I must change as the game changes. Those who made the playoffs this year were the ones who best adjusted to the new hockey world and those did not adjust, who clung to their old style, were left behind. We will win and change lives for Christ as we change our methods to reach them.

We may even win some converts to hockey too.

Go Oilers Go

Go Church Go

Full Weekend

2006-06-14T15:53:00.000-03:00

Well I'm back from the weekend's fun, and yes I know that it is Wednesday but my weekend lasted from last Wednesday until Tuesday so there you go. My brother's wedding was on the weekend and it was another emotional rollercoaster for sure. I wrote out my entire toast to him so I would not be a big baby and cry but I only managed to spout out about 3 words before tears pervaled. What can you do. It was what he would call a "big" day and it was lots of fun. Janelle (his wife) looked amazing and it was a wonderful time. I also had a wedding shower to attend with my wife for... us! A little late but much appricated for sure! My home Church of Burtt's Corner Church of Christ held a shower for us and it should mostly cover the cost of the engine I'm going to order! Fun fun indeed.

X 3 Times 3

2006-06-05T09:42:00.000-03:00

So I have now seen X-3 The Last Stand a total of 3 times. Yes I am a nerd. But so is my wife because she saw it with me 2 of those times. All I have to say is that it was awesome. And if you liked the other two then you will like this one. It is by far the most intense. I wont give away any plot or info because I HATE it when people do that but I will tell you this if you have not seen it or plan on seeing it again. Wait until after the credits pass before you get up and leave. There is an extra scene at the end of them and you will be missing out big time if you don't see it. I missed it the first time but saw it at the drive in and again yesterday afternoon. It is great. Go X-men!

Eyes on me

2006-06-02T12:00:00.000-03:00

So being recently married meant a change in living accommodations for my wife and I and we are in an apartment that is not quite set up yet. We have also recently been on a curtain kick. And by we I mean my wife. Well I've finally started to get the message as she asked me one night last week, "Can you look out the office window and tell me if there is someone looking in here?" I assured her that no one would be looking in but said I would check anyway. And holy crap there was someone staring in! In the apartment building right next to us there was someone holding open a slit in the blinds showing only a pair of eyes that thought if they didn't look right at me I wouldn't see them. CREEPY. So the other night I was working in my little office at the apartment and I was "ready for bed" as I worked. I was working until about 1am when I glanced over my shoulder though our window that still doesn't have blinds and saw those same eyes staring at me! It scared me half to death and as I looked back, he didn't even move! He slipped back behind the blinds but his freaking light was on so I could still see the silhouette of him standing there and pulling the blinds aside every now and again. Very creepy. So the point is that OUR blinds are going up TODAY. And every window will now have curtains or blinds.

So if you are at your computer (not a big leap, but I'm there) and perhaps it's night time, you may want to look out your window to see if anyone is watching... It is possible

My Life...

2006-05-31T11:14:00.000-03:00

I think this is my life… it has changed so much so quickly that it is kind of hard to tell sometimes. So here is the run down my friends.

I did, in fact, graduate from Maritime Christian College, woot, and no longer have to do the school thing. This is where I exhale a sigh of relief, excuse me… ok I’m back. It was an emotional day and a great one filled with family and friends. I was blessed with the opportunity to address the class of 2006 and was honoured to do so. Here are a few pics.

Also! I got married to the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing person I have ever met and am still getting used to calling her my “wife” and introducing her as Jacquelyn Foreman. (note the correct spelling for future reference) Now that was an emotional day FOR SURE. Yes, I will go ahead and say it myself so you don’t have to: I am a cry baby. I am what I am. What a great day. My family and friends mean so much to me and I was delighted by the ones who shared in our special day. My minister had beautiful service for us, my brother made me cry, my youth helped out at the reception, how wonderful it was indeed. Here are a few pics.

Then we had the honeymoon! You don’t get the details on that one. I’ll just say it was a great week and we went to the Hopewell Rocks. Very nice. Here is a pic.

And on that week after the wedding I got a new (to me) truck that my mother gave me! Thanks Mom!!!! Here is the new truck.

And in that same week (on the way home from the honeymoon) our car died so now all we have is the truck which loves gas which is not cheap. Here is my reaction to the dead engine in the car.
I think that is all for now so there you go and I hope to get more posts on here now that I am only terribly busy instead of insanely-out-of-control busy. Have a great day and if you want to give me a 2.4 litre engine I would be your best friend. Ok?

Tough Day

2006-05-05T19:22:00.000-03:00

Some things in life are pretty easy and other days things are pretty rough. Today was rough. Today we said good-bye to a dear friend. A furry friend as well. Maxwell "House Coffee" MacKinnon was laid to rest today at the age of 15 years. He was the beloved dog of my finance's family. This afternoon we said our good-byes and gathered Max up into the van and headed into town. It was a long and difficult drive even for me and I have only known Max for a little over 3 years. We were almost there when we decided to take a detour to Burger King for a cheese burger and then on to McDonalds for an ice cream. He scarfed it down right away and was very relaxed.

Tonight we buried him and said good bye with a miniature service and a prayer. I don't know what happens to animals when they die but I would like to think that we will see the animals we love so much again and I do believe that Max is in a better place now.

God love you Max, thanks for the memories.

Back at it.

2006-05-03T11:55:00.000-03:00

Well folks, I am alive. I made it through all the papers, exams and studying. I graduated last Sunday and am now hard at work at the Church. I'm in the middle of moving junk into my new apartment, then moving some junk from that apartment to the office, then from the office to the apartment and then some right to the trash and then to the Wal-Mart to get new things to replace the stuff that apparently wasn't "junk" that I should not have thrown out! So I'm still as busy as ever! No time to slow down for me! I was in a wedding of my good pal Corey Dickinson (whose 20th birthday is tomorrow) last Saturday and mine is in less then 2 weeks!!! Yup lots to do on top of getting stuff ready for the up coming youth conference that I cannot attend but need to find leaders for!! YIKES! And I am WAY to busy to talk to you any longer so I must be off! Here is a pic of me and Corey before he ran off to get married and one from Graduation. Bye.

This Sucks

2006-04-16T00:20:00.000-03:00

Well for the first time since 1998 the Leafs are going to miss the play offs. They needed to win most of their final games to make it possible and have done that but it is just too little too late. They beat the Sens badly tonight by a 5-1 score that could have been even higher but Tampa scored an OT winner in Carolina that broke the hopes of the playoffs and hearts of Leaf fans. "There's always next year" seems to ring in my head as it does every year at some point. Its funny how something that you have no control over can have such and impact on you. I have 6 more things on my to do list and could get at least one of them done but my mind just wont work right now. I'm going to bed and hopefully will fall asleep quickly.

Well boys you never gave up, I'm still proud to be a fan.

Go Leafs Go

Calmer of the Storm - Downhere

2006-04-06T22:53:00.000-03:00

When everything is wrong
The day has passed and nothing's done
And the whole world seems against me
When I'm rolling in my bed,
there's a storm in my head
I'm afraid of sinking in despair.

CHORUS
Teach me, Lord to have faith
In what you're bringing me will
Change my life and bring you glory and...

There on the storm I am learning to let go
Of the will that I so long to control
There may I be in your arms eternally
I thank you, Lord,
You are the calmer of the storm.

You rebuke the wind and the waves
Once again I find I'm amazed
At the power of your will
Cuz I'm a child of little faith
I feel the wind and forget your grace
And you say, "Peace, be still."

There on the storm I am learning to let go
The white wave's high,
It's crashing o'er the deck
And I don't know where I go
Where are you Lord, is my ship going down?
The mast is gone so throw the anchor
Should I jump and try to swim to land?

There on the storm,
Teach me God to understand
Of the Will that I just cannot control
There may I see all you love protecting me
I thank you Lord,
You are the calmer of the storm.

My Prayer for Today

2006-03-29T16:54:00.000-04:00

God,
How awesome you truly are
You are so big and I am so small
You are mighty and I am so, so, so very weak
Thank you for loving me with a love that is bigger then my mind can imagine

Lord, help me to be real
Let honesty flow from me
I want to be a genuine person
I want to be a person who desires to seek and serve you all the time
Help me to mature and to understand your ways
Give me acceptance of what comes my way
Give me trust in your plans

God protect me from Satan and all the crap he wants to put in my life
Protect my eyes
Protect my ears
Protect my lips Lord, that I would please you with my mind and body
Please keep a close guard on my attitude
Remind me of the joy and victory that is only found in you

Thank you Lord so much that you have saved me
When I look at my life and see the person I am
Especially compared to your greatness I don’t understand why you want me
You have not only given me life but blessed me in it
You are so good to me, help me to remember that
Help me to always remember you
To speak to you
To allow you to speak to me

Lord,
Please help me to remember that I will not face anything today that you and I cannot handle…
Together

I love you Lord
Amen

Sportsmanlike

2006-03-25T11:55:00.000-04:00

Let me tell this: When I was a kid, sportsmanlike is not an adjective you would use to describe me as a player in minor hockey. I was mouthy, had a short temper and my retaliation penalties were very predictable. Sportsmanship was something my father always emphasized. I can hear him still saying "just skate away, just skate away." I just couldn't do it.

Well Dad, that is all in the past! Last night was our final night of "Friday Night Hockey" of the season and Seraphim (who is awesome for organizing the ice time) had the 3 esso medals for us which was kind of fun. And holy cow, I won "Most Sportsmanlike!" So there you go Dad, your words didn't fall on deaf ears. James Stevenson: Most Improved, David Marshall: Most Dedicated, Ben Foreman: Most Sportsmanlike.

What a fun Season.

Great Game, Bad Memory

2006-03-22T11:48:00.000-04:00

So last night I went to watch my good buddy Andrew Burt play in what would be the deciding game in the Midget AAA finals. It was an awesome hockey game, very intense. Scoreless for two periods and it seemed that the first goal would be all too important. Finally it came but it was not Sherwood, who I was rooting for, it was Montague. It looked as though this would be absolutely deflating for the Sherwood team but less then a minute later my good buddy Burt (Parkdale) scored to make it even (TSN Turning Point) and less then a minute after that Sherwood scored to pull ahead. I was thinking this is amazing!!! I reached into my pocket for my camera, sensing a win and when I turned it on I was horrified to read "No Memory Card." So now I have to buy a freaking news paper to get a picture of it. Nice going eh, geez. I'll put the pic up when I get it scanned

Here is the newspaper clipping, the writer obvioulsy wasn't at the game or knows nothing about hockey... notice the line about the "shut out" and "other goal" which was huge! Anyways...

Encouragement

2006-03-07T09:26:00.000-04:00

Some people in this life are “Encouragers.” And I would like to encourage them to keep on. Because I love them, and I NEED them. (I just started one sentence with “and,” and another with “because.” This thing is a grammatical nightmare already!) You see, I am someone who really thrives on people and positive energy. I like to think of myself as a pretty light hearted person who is very easygoing. However I tend to be someone to takes a lot on at once, too much really… according to my beautiful bride to be. So my stress level can be a little high.

This is why I so much appreciate people who can give that extra push by saying something nice, leaving a note, or making a telephone call. These things can really turn a situation around. And I have really appreciated people in my life who really keep me going with encouragement. Ephesians 4:29 says we should build others up according to their needs. I encourage you to consider it!

Waiting Room

2006-02-27T19:31:00.000-04:00

So I’m sitting here in the Sherwood clinic and its lots of fun like usual. I’ve had this bug for 2 weeks and at different points I was sure I had it beat but I’ve finally come to get some drugs. Man I hate being sick. My life operates at such a fast pace and I have so many things to get done so it makes slowing down very inconvenient and rather irritating. So I’m 24th on the list and they keeping calling people up to give their health cards I’m eyeing the people who are being called up and trying to remember if I was here before them. Man I hate waiting. I guess that’s just part of life…waiting. We live in such a world of convenience that when we have to wait for something (for once) it’s just a great big pain isn’t it. It really sucks sitting here because I know what it is I need and I just need to get it. I have something like strep throat or a virus of some sort, I take amoxisilian for it. It’s the same freaking thing every time. I wish amateur MD’s like myself could just to the pharmacy and request our antibiotic and get the heck out of here. But instead here I sit and they … oh they called my name! Ok so I’m ahead one step because I just gave my health card info… why don’t they file that information somewhere anyways? It’s the same thing every time. I mean, every time I run myself into the ground and get sick I always come here and every time I give them the same information. Card #, Dr., no allergies. How much space could that possibly take up. Not that it’s a big deal to give it to them every time. I just feel like complaining. I really shouldn’t even be writing this. I should be working on one of my many reports or assignments I have due. I just can’t seem to concentrate on them in here and I need to pass the time some how. People keep trying to look over my shoulder and read what I’m writing. Man I hope I get in soon. My throat is killing me, just on one side. And there seems to be a never ending mass of snot in my head and throat. I really would like to know how it all fits in there. Geez. I’m such an idiot. Normally as soon as I start to get the bug I just go to clinic right away, they give me some drugs and I pretty much avoid the whole thing but for some reason I decided this was a good time to tough it out. I’m insanely busy right now and just don’t have time to be sick and this is when I decide my immune system needs a challenge. The person beside me totally just coughed all over my arm. I hope whatever they give me cures whatever he has too! Geez. I really hope they call me soon… although they haven’t called anyone in a while. I just want to get out of here. My laptop found a connection but it’s a secured network so I can’t use it. No web surfing for the sick-o I guess. Well I’m getting bored with this and I’m sure you are too so I’m gonna see if I can occupy myself some other way. Hope you don’t get the bug… take your Flintstone Vitamins!

Some time has passed

2006-02-17T14:17:00.000-04:00

Well its been a while since I’ve written on this old thing and I’m sure that very few people check it these days. I have been (and still am) in the middle of the busiest time I have ever experienced in my life to this point. Between school, church, work, getting married in three months, traveling, speaking and the little time I have for sleep my life is about as jam-packed as it can get.

I’ve been saying throughout the duration of this time that it is rather amazing to me that I haven’t gotten sick yet. Usually my pattern is: Push till you can’t push anymore and then get sick for a week or two… repeat. Well, I’m finally sick. Yee Haw, with a project or two overdue and several more on the horizon.

And its funny how I’m so overwhelmed with speaking engagements, youth group, Christian college and the like yet I seem to find it difficult to remember to fit in my own time with God. I’m so busy preparing to aid others into a better relationship with the creator that I neglect the most important thing in my life. Isn’t that nuts? I really need to take care of my prayer life before this gets out of hand.

I’m so run down right now, this is the first weekend in while that I get to sleep in my own bed. 2 weeks ago I spoke at a men’s retreat in L’Etete. That is a very small town in the southern part of New Brunswick. It was a good time, but carried along with it stresses of its own. Then last weekend my good friend James and I were promoting Maritime Christian College in Ontario where I ended up speaking 3 times between the camp and preaching at Keele Street Christian in Toronto. www.keelestreet.ca It was fun, and by and large successful. But everything that James and I attempted in the city didn’t pan out at all. Then our flight back home was delayed for 20 minutes and then cancelled altogether because of a snow storm in the Maritimes. We ended up getting to Hamilton the next day in the afternoon and made it home in time for me to go to a meeting. I’m still trying to recover but when you’re tired, sick, and a little grumpy it makes things tough. I’ll be ok once I get my overdue crap finished. I should likely get at it instead of talking to you fine people. If you have read this in its entirety then you are likely procrastinating too. Either that or you really like to read about nothing. Whichever you are, get back to work and have a good one eh!

Later on I throw the list of things that went wrong on the trip to Ontario. I think there are 27 things.

2006-01-01T15:37:00.000-04:00

BE MY ESCAPE (Relient K)

Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

"Be My Escape"

2005-12-23T12:09:00.000-04:00

I’ve given up on giving up slowly,
I’m blending in so
You won’t even know me
apart from this whole world that shares my fate
This one last bullet you mention
is my one last shot at redemption
because I know to live you must give your life away
And I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I’m giving up on doing this alone now
Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how
He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there
And this life sentence that I’m serving
I admit that I’m every bit deserving
But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
Cause I’m afraid that this complacency
is something I can’t shake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I am a hostage to my own humanity
Self detained and forced to live in this mess I’ve made
And all I’m asking is for You to do what You can with me
But I can’t ask You to give what You already gave

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I’ve gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I’ve gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I fought You for so long
I should have let You in
Oh how we regret those things we do
And all I was trying to do was save my own skin
But so were You

So were You

I'll be home For Christmas

2005-12-21T16:49:00.000-04:00

Let me just get the obligatory apology for not writing in a long long while: Sorry. And now on to the post. Well it is that time of year again, Christmas. And as such many people travel home and I happen to fall into that category. Yes, I am home for Christmas. Traveling down familiar roads, seeing familiar faces and not having to eat Kraft Dinner. It is a nice break from the everyday stress of school, papers, my crappy apartment, and the like. However I must admit that I still tend to feel homesick over the holiday regardless of resting on old stomping grounds. This Christmas is one, like last year that will be different from Christmas’ past. The family is split up now so this makes Christmas kind of weird. Opening presents without Mom and Christmas dinner without Dad are both firsts for me. I don’t really like it but I guess this is part of life.

Yet as much as that sucks I’m sure Christmas will still be fine and we will get through it. And there are better years ahead for sure. There are certainly worse things in life. Either way that is what I’m doing over the holidays so there you go. If you are lucky enough to be able to spend this time with your family I encourage you to do so. You never know what life will bring.

Merry Christmas.

Raw

2005-11-15T22:20:00.000-04:00

Last night I did something that I hadn't done in years. I tuned in to Monday Night Raw. Now this isn't because I now plan to actively watch the show because for the most part, lets face it, it really isn't worth watching. Rather, I chose to watch last night because it had come to my attention that professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero had passed away that morning. This was obviously a tragedy as Guerrero was only 38 years old and because I am a fan of the sport but not the wwe I wanted to check it out.

I was able to watch most of the show, I only changed the channel for about 10 minutes while they had the girls on the show dance around with their selected ring attire to meet their quota but I was impressed to hear what the other wrestlers had to say about their fallen friend. They all said that he was one among them that really stood out. Just an outstanding person and friend. And over and over they refered to his faith and that he was a "born again" Christian. Now to be honest my initial reaction was skeptical but the more I heard from the others and the more they documented his status and relationship with the locker room the more I heard about someone who shined in the darkness. He had led a few of the others in the locker room to Christ as well. I was absolutely impressed and began to feel loss myself despite the fact that I haven't followed wrestling since they used to wrestle on that show. (remember that!) Seeing these huge grown men crying over their fallen friend because of what a great person he was.

What a great mission field that he worked in and if he did have that relationship with the Lord then he is in a better place and his life is a testimony that will still impact many. I hope and pray that many will draw to Christ in Eddie's passing as they did because of the impression he left when he lived. He found Christ after a life of addiction involving drinking and drugs but allowed the Lord to lead him out of it. Heart failure because of that past was the reason for Eddie's passing.

It was nice to see that show and I'm glad I tuned in. The message of Christ was mentioned over and over and I hope that it inspires the WWE organization to see where Eddie's hope came from.

Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005

Blessed by Radio today

2005-10-28T12:06:00.000-03:00

Today, just like the past two days, I woke up and did not pray but sighed. I grumbled to myself about the weather, how tired I am, and how much there is to get done. I complained about our incredibly messy apartment of which my room would take first place for messiness closely followed by the kitchen and bathroom. I have been in a sour mood for the past few days and as a result have not been productive or all that pleasant to be around I'm sure. We are just coming into the thick of mid-terms and papers and I already have assignments that are behind. Christmas is less than two months away so I'm trying to glean some of the joy that seems to radiate from my brother/roommate but to tell you the truth I'm finding it quite hard to be excited about it this year.

So I decided that I should clean up the kitchen because it was starting to stink... again and I put on "Walk in the word" to listen to while I did the dishes. And what did good old James MacDonald have for me today. Why a message about contentment in his series on Joy. It is really weird but most of the time when I tune in to walk in the word I find that James preaching right to me. This is a great message and I want to encourage you to tune in to it. It has really blessed my day and helped me, at least for today, change my attitude and choose joy. God has richly blessed me in so many ways it is just too hard to stay sour today.

I encourage you to click on "walk in the word" in my "links" list and click on today's broadcast to hear this message and any other message. More often than not it is a real blessing.

HOCKEY

2005-10-16T15:15:00.000-03:00

It has been a little while since I've posted so let me just tell you a bit about what is running through my head today... HOCKEY!

I played 3 times on Friday and almost died from being so tired. It is so nice to be back into hockey season again. But I really need to wash my gear. I've been playing for a month now and don't always get the time or weather to air out my gear and I was informed by the guy next to me on the bench that I should seriously consider washing my gear because it was seriously making him sick! So its on the deck right now and I gave it some serious Fabreeze action. I might be playing tonight too... we'll see how I feel, how much money I have, and how much of my paper is done.

Also it is just nice to have NHL hockey back on TV. I love watching it. And the Leafs are on a 3 game winning streak so that is good. Everyone jumped on them right away when they lost a few to start but I knew we'd be fine. So that is good.

But now is my, much anticipated I'm sure, review of the "New NHL" as we know it.
Here is what I like:
I like the 2 line passes. I will tell you right now that in my heart of hearts I am a traditionalist but the no red line game is pretty exciting. I like that players are allowed to move up ice without being hooked or held back but players that are too slow to keep up. It allows skilled players to shine and really show what they can do. I like that Goalies gear is regulated so we don't have Garth Snow in his enormous pads filling the whole net because he isn't that quick. And I love the tag up offside that should never have been messed with in the first place.
But I'm afraid there are a few things I don't care for:
First of all Shoot outs are not hockey. No other sport does them except the oh so exciting game of soccer. Hockey is a team sport and should be won or lost as a team. I don't like that Defencemen can't do their job. Now forwards like 80 pound Martin St. Louis can stand in front of the net and there isn't a thing the defense can do because if they touch him, they will get a penalty. It is going to take the intensity out of the game. I also still don't understand what the point of limiting the goalie's play of the puck is all about. Most goaltenders don't do it well enough to even worry about it. In fact, I bet there are more goals when they do play the puck behind the net and so on.

The thing is, the NHL is trying to get people to watch Hockey after wasting an entire year arguing. So they have frigged with the game so it will be more exciting and people will watch. But in reality there was nothing wrong with the game! Remember the 2004 play-offs? If you didn't like it, you don't like hockey! Why would the NHL disrespect its loyal fans, especially those of us who hung in there from the lock out, by messing with the integrity of the game all to cater to fans who DON'T KNOW THE GAME! That is the new target, they want a new kind of fan I guess. But I'm not sure how they accommodate the "new and improved" fan when the whistle blows and no one in the building or watching at home has a sweet clue why the play stopped. Great move.

But hey, like I said, more than anything I'm just glad the NHL is back. If I can sit home and watch the leafs and Don Cherry's Coaches corner on CBC on a Saturday night. I'm a happy man.

I Fought the Law... And I won!

2005-10-04T22:17:00.000-03:00

Yes I fought the law... sort of... Let me explain. A few months ago, August 5th to be exact, I was pulled over by Charlottetown's finest. I pulled up to the stop sign by my apartment, where about half an hour earlier I saw someone else pulled over, I saw that I had time to pull out (after stopping) so I did. Then I see the lights flashing in my mirror so I pull over. The officer begins his song and dance but we're in the middle of an intersection so I have to pull around the corner. I end up moving again into a parking lot because he has no idea what to do with my out of province even though I explain that I am a student. He asked me if I knew why I was pulled over and I told him that I had no idea. He says I ran the stop sign and then held me up for almost half an hour getting me to move three times and had no idea what to do with me. Then he says you are getting a ticket for 70 bucks!

Now fast forward to yesterday when I took this issue to court because I did stop at that sign. And even if I hadn't, there was still no need to hold me up that long AND he should know what he was doing. So I ran all over town looking for a parking place, showed up good and early and waited for the worst. But luckily for me my case was "stayed" so I would say the City of Charlottetown had more important things to worry about then prosecuting me for stopping at a sign. So there you have it. Saving me 70 bucks and even more on insurance--because when points go down, insurance goes up--highlights my week already.

Sleeping In

2005-10-01T16:12:00.000-03:00

Man l love sleeping in. I have been so busy lately that I've made myself sick. I've been behind and over tired but this morning I decided that everything could wait a couple hours because I needed a rest. There is just something about waking up at 7 and not getting up, but rolling over. Sure there is lots to be done around here. My room has been more than disgusting since before camp started in July, I have more than enough school work to get caught up and start on, Sunday School lessons, and Youth Group prep all need to get done but rest is the priority of this Saturday because if I don't I'll die before I see graduation.

But alas, now it is 4 o'clock and I have yet to accomplish anything. Arg sometimes I wish I could get my rest in without time going by. Oh well, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time for rest when I'm dead.

Off to work I go!

Time

2005-09-18T15:07:00.000-03:00

Wow, this sure is a dull place to be lately. And that last post has got to be the stupidest thing I have put on this thing. You see, the thing is I really don't have a lot of time to come up with interesting little things to put on this sucker because I am an insane kind of busy these days. Let me tell you about it. I've just started my Senior year at Maritime Christian College (www.maritimechristiancollege.pe.ca) and already it is my toughest year yet. Add my job of being the youth minister at Sherwood Church of Christ to that and Jr. High Sunday school and I am one busy guy. I literally have hardly a moment to spare in my day other than Sunday afternoons (like this) where I force myself to slow down so I don't get sick. But I guess it's really not all that bad. I really enjoy most aspects of all of it and it is a means to an end... sort of.

But with all the busyness it really is amazing how time goes by without me really realizing it. I've been on PEI for what is now my fourth year and sometimes it feels like I just got here. And now there are "kids" from my youth group who are graduating and in class with me! Makes me feel old. And I'm not old, I'm turning 21 and a few days. That is not old. And I know it will be no time before Christmas is here and gone, second semester will be done, and I'll be married! Imagine that! Wow. I really wasn't sure what this was going to be when I started but I think I better quit... I need a nap or something... Sweet dreams.

New Stick

2005-09-13T15:23:00.000-03:00

Well for all of you who I'm sure care, I bought a new hockey stick! Now normally I wouldn't post about something like that, that really makes no difference... well maybe I would! But I tell you because it is a one piece composite stick! (and I haven't posted for a while) Before I broke down and got one and used it on Sunday night I normally would say, "they don't make a difference," or "It only improves the power of your shot if you already have a 100 mph slapshot" But it really works! I actually have a halfway respectable slapshot now! Cool! So there you have it. First post in a while and really about nothing and if you don't like it, LEAVE! And come back some other time when I actually have something to write about.

Back To School

2005-09-06T12:16:00.000-03:00

Well, it is that time of year again when we all head back to school and if you're like me you head back to the bank to draw out every penny you have to your name so you can pay for it. I just finished paying for this semester and buying books and I have very little left. That really sucks but I guess that is the way it goes. What can ya do.

But broke or not this should be a good year. At Maritime Christian College we have great group of freshmen and then there are some returning students like myself and we're fixing to have a memorable year for sure. AND we have NHL hockey this year so who can complain really? I probably will! But not right now! Later Skaters.

Summer, are you really over?

2005-08-31T16:46:00.000-03:00

Wow, September is tomorrow and I can't believe it! Where did the time go. I seems like just yesterday I was freaking out wondering if I had a job and now I'll be cutting back to 10 to 12 hours a week very soon. And School is starting! What's up with that! Forget summer where did 3 years go. I'm graduating from college this year! When did I get so old that I could spend an afternoon looking at house models... yikes. I'm starting to feel desperate to feel young... Do you think my new hair cut helps?

Off to Camp

2005-08-21T12:17:00.000-03:00

Well I'm off for another week of camp, the final one of the summer. High School Camp. So that should be fun, HS camp usually pretty much runs itself and several of the "campers" have been on as staff different weeks so they know the ropes. I'm just coming off a week of undercoating buses so I'm kind of tired and not quite in camp mode yet but I'm sure I'll get there. Should be fun. It will be an 8 day camp this time around from sunday to sunday. So that is cool. It is nice to see that Canoe Cove is extending their work with High School Students instead of cutting them back to a weekend like most places. Even if only 10 show up i think they still deserve their FULL week of camp. We will have more than 10 though... we have more than 40! arg. Should be good, I should go get ready.

Trying a New Leaf

2005-08-12T09:37:00.000-03:00

Ok so anyone who checks this blog on a semi-regular basis knows by now that I'm a leafs fan. Huge. I am on the team. Anyway, they have added a new member to the club that being the "Big E" Eric Lindros. Now I have to say that I am not an huge Lindros fan, in fact I would go in the other direction for the most part. However. He is now a Leaf so in some respect I am now a Lindros fan as well. So lets go Eric, and Go Leafs Go! And man if you get another concussion Eric... anyways... go leafs.

man they better sign LeClair or Carter... frig.

Happy Birthday Blog!

2005-08-11T18:08:00.000-03:00

Well holy cow! It just occurred to me that It was my blog's birthday yesterday! I've been random thoughts, concerns, complaints, joys, and fears for a whole year which is pretty good for a blog if I do say so myself which I did. So there you go! One year, all the way back to August 10, 2004 when I came up with the name for this stupid thing because the sidewalk was so crowded. Well there you have it. Lets see if I can go for 2!

Mourning Morning

2005-08-11T09:00:00.000-03:00

Arg, when did I stop being a morning person? I used to be so good at getting up and around! Now I can hardly pull myself out of bed to get to the overwhelming amount of work I need to accomplish today. Frig. And then to top off my morning, I log on www.tsn.ca (which is usually the first thing I do in the morning) and read that Lindros is an MRI away from becoming a leaf! Nothing's going right in my life. O Lord please let this double double and fritter jump start my day that I may be effective in accomplishing all the work I need to get done. I need your help. Amen.

Taking It Easy

2005-08-08T09:50:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was Sunday and for me, finally, it was a day of rest. We had church in the morning and ate at Wendy's like usual. Then it was nap time for a few hours which was so nice. Then my lovely bride to be and myself hoped in the car and drove out to the beach because it was just beautiful outside and we had yet to make it to the beach this summer which is terrible! Summer is almost over folks. But it was just nice to take the afternoon and spend it with her. It was just a really good time to look out on the water and just reflect on all that God has provided. Even the opportunity just to hang out at the beach with this wonderful person that God has placed in my life. I'm often guilty of placing her on the back burner sometimes and getting caught up in all the things I busy myself with and I need to watch that. I'm very blessed and I needn't take her for granted. Either way it was just nice to take the whole day and spend it with her. We came back from the beach, got cleaned up and she made supper, I did the dishes and we just hung out for the evening. It was just a super day and reminded me of what a blessed person I am.

I Just Don't Get It

2005-08-01T17:58:00.000-03:00

Well I can't believe it. The NHL is back with a face lift and a salary cap and teams are switching players left and right but I really didn't think the Leafs would let "One man wrecking crew" Gary Roberts get away. Sure, Roberts is 39, but scoring 28 goals and adding 20 assists in 72 games in 2003-04 puts him second in scoring behind captain Mats that year. He even wanted to stay in Toronto. How could they let him go!!! Stupid Stupid Stupid! I love the Leafs but man they do some dumb things. And now I hear rumors of them maybe accruing Lindros?! That would be terrible! And they've added Jeff O'Neal which is good I guess... but why are we wasting money on him and losing one of the best in the game?!!! We're also losing Nieuwendyk which sucks. I'll I know is that if we lose anymore good players like Alexander Mogilny and then pay for some bum like Eric Lindros then Leafs Nation will be in trouble! My grandmother (who doesn't even like hockey) would be a better choice than Lindros! Unless he does well upon which you can disregard all of this. At this point I'm hoping it's just a rumor. Either way we've lost Robs and I wish him and Joe the best of luck in Florida.

The Reason Why

2005-07-25T22:35:00.000-03:00

Over the past 2 weeks I've been at Canoe Cove Christian Camp. Over those two weeks I destroyed my voice, wrenched a muscle in my back, got strep throat, took cold showers, and got hardly any sleep. And I did this along side of others who had spent much more time out there than me. Its tiring, draining, and the longer you're out there, the longer it takes to recover.
As a youth minister there are times I have to hang my head and wonder why I do what I do. There are times that youth ministry discourages me, makes me mad, makes me cry. But this why we do what we do. This week I had the pleasure of baptizing 3 amazing young people. To introduce young people to Christ and have them accept a saving relationship with him is the most thrilling part of my job. I love my youth group and the young people at camp and they are what make every hour and every effort worth it. If there is one thing they need it is Jesus and to be even a small part of their path to getting there makes any pitfalls worth it.

Divine Intervention

2005-06-30T09:13:00.000-03:00

2 days ago I picked up my lovely bride to be from work like I normally do at 2:00pm and usually we head back to the office so she can drop me off and head of to do whatever it is she wants to do to occupy her afternoon. But on this day I dropped her off at my apartment and headed to the office only to get a few things. Upon my return I went up the stairs and opened my door and could hear a constant chirping. And to my surprise I found that She had a baby bird in my apartment!

I barged in and asked rhetorically, "IS THAT A BIRD?!!" Which scared the stupid thing and made him bounce in behind the television. She captured the bird and informed me that we we're going to take him to the vet college (she had just got off the phone with them) so they could fix him up, call his parents, and do whatever it is they do over there. So we stuck him (or maybe it was a her, I couldn't tell) in a box and drove him over and said good-bye. Jacquelyn refrained from naming the bird. She then told me about how she found the bird on the back step. It appeared that it had been abandoned and there are several cats all over our area, not exactly the safest place in the world for a baby bird who can't fly! So Jacquelyn intervened, scooped up the bird and took him under her "wing." The bird didn't quite understand what was going on I'm sure and looked more than a little scared by times but ultimately this was the best thing for the bird.

It makes me wonder how much God does that for us... God must direct our paths and protect us from so many things we could never see or understand. And just like for this little bird, a power goes up that is bigger than us and we cannot see or understand it. But it's there. Be sure to offer thanks to God for the many ways he visibly touches your life, and thank him for the many ways I'm sure, that we never see at all.

How Big is Your God?

2005-06-29T16:43:00.000-03:00

This is a question I've needed to ask myself several times and one God is showing me more every day. As a minister there are many things I try to accomplish in the church, with the youth, and in general and I've failed so many times and also basked in much success. And I'm realizing more all the time that my short comings are most often when I'm playing hero and trying to do things on my own and my way. But that isn't how it works. God is here for me and He is HUGE! The only reason I can ever accomplish anything is because He is huge and almighty and uses me.

And that is why I can dream big because my helper is the creator of everything and Him and I are a team that is unbeatable! And this is the same for anyone who wants to team up with the one true God. Many people make many different things their God; money, success, sports, relationships, lust, pornography, and several other things that are temporary or evil. But I choose to do my best (and it is a constant struggle) to let Jesus drive and take me where he'll lead. My success in this life will NOT come from me or any methodology that I have but from what I BELIEVE about God and that is that he is big enough to do whatever he wants using whomever he will.

Lord, use me today.
Amen

Good Weekend

2005-06-27T11:21:00.000-03:00

It all started at the camp on Friday when I met with the people who would be working out at the camp this summer (I'll be there for 3 out of 5 weeks) and met several of them for the first time and I'm very impressed with the staff. We time to hang out, build a fire, eat some pizza and drop it on my shorts and we just had a blast. The next day was beautiful and sunny and we just had a great day in the sun, tipping canoes and eating. But none of this could be matched by Sunday when I had the pleasure of baptizing a young man in youth group who has made his decision to follow Christ. What could be more exciting? This is easily the highlight of my work @ Sherwood Church of Christ so far! It set the tone for a great Camp Sunday where there was lots of food, fellowship and fun. I also had the opportunity to preach on Opposition & opportunity that evening. Just a great weekend and I am encouraged!