On Wednesday we are going to start our "over half-way across Canada" trip. It will be a good trip, but me thinks it will be a tad on the difficult side. Hopefully our son does well. We're trying to break the trip up as much as possible so that we don't have too many travel days in a row and we aren't on the road for too long at one time. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and family. I feel a little cut off sometimes being so far away, but then again no matter where I am I can never have everyone there with me. Too many people from too many different places. But that means we have plenty of places to stay on our trip! Anyways, maybe I'll get to post some stuff from the road. If not, check back in August.
PS Shroomie, does a blog count as stale if I warn you first?
Monday, June 27, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
The Winning Streak Continues...
I wrote not too long ago about winning 10 free airmiles in that Safeway pull tab thing. Well, we seem to be quite fortunate these days, because we've won something else.
We had bought a ticket in the Hospital Home Lottery down in Surrey. The tickets are pricey ($100) but it's not such a bad cause, and the chances of winning are pretty good (1/155000 for the grand prize, 1/11 to win something). So, what did we win you ask?! Obviously not the show home, or anything really big and expensive like the Ferrari. No, we won a $90 gift card for Earl's Restaurant. Yes, we did lose $10 on the deal, and I'm not sure why Earl's wouldn't have kicked in for another $10, but oh well. We won, and it always makes you feel pretty good to win, don't it?
We had bought a ticket in the Hospital Home Lottery down in Surrey. The tickets are pricey ($100) but it's not such a bad cause, and the chances of winning are pretty good (1/155000 for the grand prize, 1/11 to win something). So, what did we win you ask?! Obviously not the show home, or anything really big and expensive like the Ferrari. No, we won a $90 gift card for Earl's Restaurant. Yes, we did lose $10 on the deal, and I'm not sure why Earl's wouldn't have kicked in for another $10, but oh well. We won, and it always makes you feel pretty good to win, don't it?
Friday, June 17, 2005
Perceptions vs. Reality
Is perception reality? Some would say so, or at least refer to that saying in an attempt to justify their point of view. I'm not so sure that it's true. Perception is perception. We are slow to search out the truth and prefer to jump to conclusions. I know that I do it. Usually I do it only in my mind. By not voicing my perception I hope that I will give myself more time to gather more info and better discern what's going on. I would say that 9 times out of 10, at least, that my first perceptions are wrong, and once I've gotten more info and other perspectives that I'm glad I kept my mouth shut.
If perceptions are reality, then China is a free country, African nations can trust their leaders and God can be whomever or whatever you'd like Him to be. There is a truth in every situation, and it is always bigger than and outside of us.
I'm not good at politics. I am what you would call WYSIWYG for the most part, but I've found that people don't always see what's there, or don't stop to find out. I'm glad my wife did, and my friends did. And I'm glad that Jesus does. He knows who I am, and He really likes me. If I've learned anything, that's the thing that means most to me.
If perceptions are reality, then China is a free country, African nations can trust their leaders and God can be whomever or whatever you'd like Him to be. There is a truth in every situation, and it is always bigger than and outside of us.
I'm not good at politics. I am what you would call WYSIWYG for the most part, but I've found that people don't always see what's there, or don't stop to find out. I'm glad my wife did, and my friends did. And I'm glad that Jesus does. He knows who I am, and He really likes me. If I've learned anything, that's the thing that means most to me.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Weekly Update
It would seem that I've fallen to writing about once a week. It's amazing how little interesting goes on in one's life. Our son has been sick the last couple of days. Really not himself at all. He just sleeps all day and whines and wants to held all the time. He's more of a baby than I am when I'm sick!
I think I'm a baby when I'm sick because it's the only time I feel justified in not doing anything. The problem is that everyone else tries to tell you it's not that bad and to keep doing things. I'm always doing stuff, sometimes I'd just like a break, and being sick to me means I don't need an excuse for taking a break because my body is forcing me to.
Anyways, I recently read a book called Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It was really good, I couldn't put it down. It's fiction, based on true stories of persecution of Christians in China. Really good, I highly recommend it.
I think I'm a baby when I'm sick because it's the only time I feel justified in not doing anything. The problem is that everyone else tries to tell you it's not that bad and to keep doing things. I'm always doing stuff, sometimes I'd just like a break, and being sick to me means I don't need an excuse for taking a break because my body is forcing me to.
Anyways, I recently read a book called Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It was really good, I couldn't put it down. It's fiction, based on true stories of persecution of Christians in China. Really good, I highly recommend it.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Update
I tried to find an old post I had made, but I think it was too long ago. It had to do with a homeless guy named Francois. He had been really rude to me a couple of times, so when he came into the church I told him I didn't want to talk with him. He left sort of upset, and I felt bad because I was kind of rude to him.
Well, after many months, he came in yesterday. When I approached him, he ignored me. I said that I was sorry for being rude to him last time. He said it was too late, that he'd had a heart attack and then he left.
I don't think I gave him a heart attack, and I'm glad that I at least had a chance to apologize, although it took me some time to get up the nerve to go out and talk to him. I do feel bad though that there is someone on this planet that doesn't like me very much. I always want people to like me. I'm not sure why, it's just one of those things that makes me who I am I suppose.
Interestingly enough, this was about the 7th time I've met Francois, and this was the first time he ever remembered me. Too bad they aren't good memories.
Anyways Francois, I'm sorry, and I hope you're able to forgive me...
Well, after many months, he came in yesterday. When I approached him, he ignored me. I said that I was sorry for being rude to him last time. He said it was too late, that he'd had a heart attack and then he left.
I don't think I gave him a heart attack, and I'm glad that I at least had a chance to apologize, although it took me some time to get up the nerve to go out and talk to him. I do feel bad though that there is someone on this planet that doesn't like me very much. I always want people to like me. I'm not sure why, it's just one of those things that makes me who I am I suppose.
Interestingly enough, this was about the 7th time I've met Francois, and this was the first time he ever remembered me. Too bad they aren't good memories.
Anyways Francois, I'm sorry, and I hope you're able to forgive me...
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Gotcha
So, apparently Shroomie has tagged me to answer some questions, so here it goes.
Total books owned: No idea. However not that many. To give you some perspective, I have one book shelf in my office, with 4 shelves of books, while our senior pastor has 6 or 7 bookshelves stuffed with books.
Last book I bought: I think it was probably Don't waste your life by John Piper, but that was over a year ago. I usually get stuff from the library or borrow it from other people (which would probably explain why I don't have many books!) BTW, the book was hard to read, a little too dense I think.
Last book I read: Surrender to Love by David G Brenner. It was really good. It's about Christian Spirituality and how surrender is central to our relationship with God.
Five books that mean the most to me: Well, I have to admit that I don't retain much from the books I read, although I do enjoy reading. So often I read a book and couldn't tell you much about what it said, although I know that I do absorb things from the reading.
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. I love how Lewis helps to make Christian Spirituality and Theology reasonable and understandable.
The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee. The Christian Life from a non-western perspective... very helpful.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer. I like history, and this is the definitive work on Nazi Germany as far as I know. It's fascinating to look into the events of history and how they effect our world, both while they happen and in the after math. Took me over 3 years to finish (like I said, not much of a reader).
Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan. Given to me by a friend, and just what I needed at the time, and still need it
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I've never read Lord of the Rings, but I did read the Hobbit, and I've always liked that story. Maybe I should read it again!
So the last part of this is trying to tag others to write down their favourite books, so I don't know if there are 5 others that read my blog and blog themselves, but I'll try Kelly. Everyone else I know has already been taken, but maybe Ottmar Liebert will stumble across my blog. If so, you're it!
Total books owned: No idea. However not that many. To give you some perspective, I have one book shelf in my office, with 4 shelves of books, while our senior pastor has 6 or 7 bookshelves stuffed with books.
Last book I bought: I think it was probably Don't waste your life by John Piper, but that was over a year ago. I usually get stuff from the library or borrow it from other people (which would probably explain why I don't have many books!) BTW, the book was hard to read, a little too dense I think.
Last book I read: Surrender to Love by David G Brenner. It was really good. It's about Christian Spirituality and how surrender is central to our relationship with God.
Five books that mean the most to me: Well, I have to admit that I don't retain much from the books I read, although I do enjoy reading. So often I read a book and couldn't tell you much about what it said, although I know that I do absorb things from the reading.
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. I love how Lewis helps to make Christian Spirituality and Theology reasonable and understandable.
The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee. The Christian Life from a non-western perspective... very helpful.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer. I like history, and this is the definitive work on Nazi Germany as far as I know. It's fascinating to look into the events of history and how they effect our world, both while they happen and in the after math. Took me over 3 years to finish (like I said, not much of a reader).
Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan. Given to me by a friend, and just what I needed at the time, and still need it
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I've never read Lord of the Rings, but I did read the Hobbit, and I've always liked that story. Maybe I should read it again!
So the last part of this is trying to tag others to write down their favourite books, so I don't know if there are 5 others that read my blog and blog themselves, but I'll try Kelly. Everyone else I know has already been taken, but maybe Ottmar Liebert will stumble across my blog. If so, you're it!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Unfriendly Giant
For those of you who don't visit my friend Shroomie's website, then I invite you to watch these two little flash animations (healthday and safetyday) based on the unfriendly giant radio show based on the Friendly Giant TV show. Good work Shroomie!
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