What's really important?

As some of you already know, I am a huge sports fan, especially all things Canadian. I, like many of others, watched as the Vancouver Canucks fell flat in Canada's hopes of returning the greatest trophy, the Stanley Cup, to it'r rightful home of the True North Strong and Free. I cheered them on since the opening round, as they were one of only two Canadian teams to make the post season (and I do realize that even the American teams skate mostly Canadian boys, but it still would have been nice to see the Cup return to Canadian soil). But it just wasn't meant to be as the Canucks lack luster performance against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins led to another year of the Cup living in a city to the south.
However it wasn't long after the game that the baseness of humanity and it's inherent sinfulness that has been passed down from the time of Adam and Eve reared it's ugly head. A minority of disgruntled fans (if they can even call themselves that) began to display the reality of human kind's best. Immediately after the last horn sounded to end the game, these fools began to turn over cars, set them on fire, smash in windows and ransack any store they could get into, not to mention the fighting and rioting. Now I want to give credit where it's due, like those true fans who stood arm in arm to protect as many store fronts as they could and condemned the actions of these tools who think that any reason is a good one to vandalize and destroy private and public property. But as I resolved to remind myself, it's just a game. It's JUST A GAME!!! The fianl outcome didn't effect the economy, homelessness, the rampant and rising abortion rate in Canada and the States, the amoral behavior that is being preached to our young people in public institutions or the real issue of human trafficking. It's just a game people!! Sure I was as heart broken as the next fan, but once we put it in perspective, it's really an insignificant thing. What are our real priorities, especially as followers of Christ. As those who stood arm in arm to protect those things which fade away and are victim to moth and rust (Matthew 6:19-20), so should we. We must stand to protect those things that are precious to Christ, like the family, the unborn child, and the widow and orphan. These are the things that should be important and cause us to rise to our feet and take a stand. Shall we again take up arms and battle the forces of this world, after all people's souls are at stake. And as much as I love the Stanley Cup and would like to see it again in a Canadian city, I am more concerned with seeing a lost soul come to the Savior and see them in glory at the end of all things. That is a true victory that has eternal value.

Off to Toronto we go we go, off to Toronto we go......

As some of you all know, we have been over seeing the club at Ridgeville Bible Chapel for the last six years. It has, we believe, prepared Laura and I to take a big step. We have been prayerfully considering a position within Awana as Missionaries for part of Southwestern Onatrio. This of course is a scary and exciting opportunity to answer a call to ministry that the LORD has called us to almost 3 years ago.
We are heading to Toronto this afternoon to have another meeting with the Executive Director of Awana International Canada. We have begun the preparatory steps in order to move forward in time for the upcoming Awana year. Of course with the position being a faith based ministry, we are praying, knowing that the LORD is faithful to His people, that some of His people will come along side us as we jump out of the boat, always keeping our eyes on Jesus. We are learning from Abraham's example, sometimes the LORD calls us to new places, and as long as we keep our faith strictly on Him and His graceful provision, we will be all right.
As always, whatever we do, all the glory belongs to the LORD.

"Glory to God in the highest...." Luke 2:14a

A Beautiful Day!

As I look out my window, I see the sun finally shining, birds singing, people out and about enjoying the beautiful weather. It really has been a tough, rain soaked spring, but I think it makes us appreciate the nice weather all the more. It is usually that way, we only really seem to develop a sense of appreciation after having enduring the bad like suffering a loss or enduring the betrayal of a friend.
A great example would have been Job. Here was a man blessed by the LORD, only to have it all taken away. The Donald Trump of his ancient day, he lost everything when God allowed Satan to test his faithfulness. But in it all, despite the accusations of his three friends that he must have sinned against God for him to punish Job so severely, by God's grace, Job perserved. Though Job would question God and His decisions to allow what happened to him, he remained faithful to God. And God would reward Job's faithfulness by blessing him with more than he had before.
We in the 21st century are no different in that we also suffer and sometimes according to the will of God, except in that we have lost the ability to cope, persevere and turn to God in times of need. No one in this day and age can truly claim to have "the patience of Job".We attempt to control our circumstances, holding onto a lie that somehow we are in control of our destiny and if we can manipulate things just right, everything will work out to our benefit. But we need to understand the things God puts us through are for our benefit, and I mean the things He tests and proves us with, not the sin and it's consequences that we bring on ourselves (though He can use those too). He loves us, as He did Job, and uses the difficult to develop our patience, endurance and perseverance. After all I speak from experience, since God used the most difficult time of my life to bring me to a saving faith in His Son.

So as I again look out my window, I find myself really appreciating the sun and it's warm embrace. And I might even enjoy the rain that's forecast for tomorrow. I better get outside while the sun is still shining.....have a blessed week.

Where is Spring?

Well, the Awana year is over. The awards and bbq were alot of fun! There were alot of award winners, with a special mention to Rowena Hobbs, who won the Timothy award for finishing four T&T books. Well done Rowena!
Now that I've had some time to catch my breath from the busy year that was, I had a chance to reflect on some great memories. The first was my own children, one finishing Cubbies, one finishing Trek and Lord willing going onto serve at the club or continuing on in some ministry. Another memory is all the T&Ts that are moving up to Trek next year. I remember meeting most of them when they were just starting Sparks. Man oh man time flies! I'm kind of starting to feel old....And who can forget all the fun times we all had at the club. From the scavenger hunt that kicked off the year, to crazy hat nite, the Christmas concert, the Fenwick Christmas Parade, the Grand Prix....it was a really great and a personally rewarding year.
Don't forget to keep checking my blog, I'll be posting regularly, with updates on what's going on in my life as well as what's coming up for the club. For those of you keeping score at home, I'll be finishing up Biblical Interpretation for Bible college and will be diving into another course. I'll be working on Christian Theology over the summer months as well as some speaking engagements that I have been booked at around the area and beyond. I'm really looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me and my family. As for all of you, feel free to leave comments or give me a call and tell me how the rest of your school year is going. Anyways, keep smiling, because I hear spring will finally be arriving this week. And may the LORD bless you and keep you. May His Face shine upon you. May He give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Awards and BBQ this Tuesday

This is it! The last club night of the year. We will be having a bbq beginning around 6 pm followed by a short program and awards.
Everyone is invited! There will be lots of food and good times to end the year off with.
So come on out and celebrate the hard work of the clubbers and volunteers who made this my most memoriable year as Commander!

PIZZA AND MOVIE NITE THIS FRIDAY

Pizza and movie night is happening this Friday April 8th beginning at 6:15 PM. This is for the winning teams of the final quarter this year, Yellow and Green. Parents are encouraged to come out. I haven't decided what movie we'll be watching yet......
Supper is provided, if you like pizza that is......
See you Friday....and keep an ear out for the year end bowling trip for the whole club.