There's always hope!

Bombers forever!

Grey Cup Sunday saw the defeat of my beloved Blue Bombers to the B.C. Lions 34 to 23. It was another heart breaking loss for my team in the big game.....the fifth straight Grey Cup loss in the last 21 years. The longest championship drought in the CFL continues into next year. The great thing about it though is there's always next year....there is a sense of hope, despite the sting of emptiness and defeat. It's true the Bombers come away empty handed....but the turn around season, last year being only a 4 win season, to the incredible run to a 10 win season and a shot at Earl Grey's cup gives this fan a sense of satisfaction and hope. There's always hope for next year, and my prediction is a Grey Cup win for the big BLUE in the 100th Grey Cup in our own backyard, when it's hosted in Toronto.
Which brings me to the thought of hope. I saw the mass of humanity huddled in B.C. place taking in the sights and sounds of the big game on my television when I got home and couldn't help but wonder to myself, do they have hope in Jesus? They were all praying and hoping their respective teams would win the game, but do they know Him. Because with out Christ in one's life, really there is no hope. It is a hopeless existence to enter into eternity without the provisions of eternal life through the "Lamb who was led to the slaughter." (Isaiah 53:7)
Believers who have put their trust fully into the "Son of a carpenter" who gave His life in the most of humiliating way in order to redeem sinners have the greatest of HOPE, when they leave behind their mortal coil. It is a hope that does not disappoint. It is a hope of great promise. It is a hope of great truth that all the wickedness and evil that chokes this world will be judged and the light of God will penetrate it fully. It is a hope that recognizes that one day "every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is LORD." (Philippians 2:10-11).
It is a hope rooted in the fact that God has not lost control, but is fully in control of all things, "for in Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:17).
It is a hope that will give way to ultimate fulfillment when the LORD returns (hopefully before next year's Grey Cup!).
My question to you is do you know this type of hope? Or do your hopes rest in the nothingness, emptiness and lies of this world, because if they do, then you have no hope.

GREY CUP!

As alot of you know, I am a Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan.....and with their win on Sunday over the Ti-cats, they are on their way to BC for the 99th Grey Cup! I am one excited Bomber fan.!
But enough of that....some news on club. I will be away this week visiting one of our sister assemblies in St.Catharines, Brockview Bible Chapel and on Wednesday I'll be at Glenridge Bible Church.

My daughter Eternity outside Winnipeg Stadium

Clubbers, please work on your Christmas concert songs and lines. Please take the time to not only do that, but work on your verses and understand them. It's great to pass sections and recieve some great rewards, but the greatest reward is understanding the scriptures and allowing God to change you more and more into being like Jesus. 

Leaders, tonight, November 21st is the mini-conference for Welland/Niagara. We will begin at 7 pm and finish at 9:30 pm. See you tonight.

P.S. Only 6 days until Grey Cup....go BOMBERS!!!!

TREASURE

There are times when the LORD clearly reveals how much I have. As I look around my home, I see alot of "stuff" that we have accumulated over the years. It's amazing how many things we can get and hold onto and deem as vitally important to our happiness. As we began to purge some of these things, I found myself losing the heart felt attachment to the items I once declared would never leave my possession until I died! I began to discard them and if they were still in good shape, decided to donate them to some ministries I knew could use them for the benefit of others. And the amazing thing was I felt no remorse! The attachment that once held my heart seemed to have disappeared. Now I don't feel guilty about the things I have, I see them as blessings of the life I have been given, living in a country as prosperous as ours (despite all the news otherwise). However, I know that we are the minority in the world. All the things we have run a serious danger of clouding our minds and turning our hearts away from God. It was a real work of the LORD to move me to rid my life of those things which served as the "high places" and took me away from trusting in Him more!
As I survey the small things we were able to stuff in our Christmas boxes, God again revealed to me the importance of blessing others (no matter how big or small) especially since I have been so very blessed. Some would argue that my family and I aren't necessarily that well off. Well to them all I have to say is my treasure is not bound up in the small trinkets and toys of this world, but transcend the wisdom and guise of all men. It is hidden in Christ in the Heavenly places. Jesus said to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these other things would be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). After all Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also." (Luke 12:34). I want my heart to be wrapped up in Jesus and His Kingdom. Where is you treasure hidden this day?

Recovering nicely

Laura and I have been back from the Awana missions conference for a week now. But for some reason, I'm having a hard time getting caught up on any rest! Since being back, I taught at a mini conference workshop in Oakville at Hopedale Bible Chapel, then went on to a club visit to Meadow Creek Community Church in Hamilton. Then I went golfing on Wednesday for the day with a dear friend which seemingly took a lot out of me. But today is the day....I'm determined to get caught up on some reading and sleep.
The good news is that my Tuesday nights are free again and I will be at our local club until the end of this term! I've really missed the clubbers and leaders, but know that the work I'm doing is for the glory of God. I hope I've been an encouragement to the clubs I've visited (they have been a real encouragement to me) and LORD willing I will return for a second visit in the New Year.
So we begin our Christmas concert rehearsals over the next few weeks. I of course being a Christmas nut, am jazzed and am really excited to see what the Directors and clubbers have in store for the concert!
So I will see you all this Tuesday and don't forget the Commanders challenge......I'm dying to give out those extra points to any clubber who knows the answer.

I think I'll go out and check my outdoor Christmas lights this morning.....all this talk about Christmas has me in the mood for decorating (it isn't too early is it?????)

BACKWARDS NIGHT TONIGHT!

Backwards night tonight!

Clubbers and leaders, don't forget to arrive a little backwards tonight. It's that night of the year where everything is backwards. Dress backwards, wear your uniform backwards.....and if you're brave, talk backwards (I would like to see that). So have a great time tonight as I will be away on a club visit in Hamilton. But the good news is I will be back next week! See you then!

We're Back!

After an eventful and busy time away at the Canadian Awana Missionary Conference, we are glad to be home. It was a great time in Vancouver and the surrounding areas fellow-shipping with other missionaries from all around the country. We got to enjoy great teaching, great food, and the incredible sights from the west coast. The highlight would definitely have to be the Krispy Kream donut run (those of you who know what I mean know what I'm talking about!) It was a time to recharge our batteries, be encouraged, and see the global impact of this great ministry we call AWANA.
Now it's time to get back to work. I'm heading out to a mini conference to do some workshops in Oakville tonight about council time and the very thing I am doing now, blogging and the use of social media in ministry. This week also includes a number of club visits, which will take me away from our club at Ridgeville again this week. Al will again be the commander for the evening. And just so you all know, I miss you guys but LORD willing will see you all next week.
Have a great club night tomorrow, and memorize those verses!