The NHL Lockout vs the NHLPA refusal....

Oh boy – talk about the ongoing NHL lockout. Well I'd just like the NHL and the NHLPA to know that they are bound to lose many more of its fans.

Prior to the 2004-2005 lockout – I was a vivid hockey fan, maybe I didn't watch every single game out there, but I'd be sure to watch games from time to time(Yes – TV airing which means revenue for the League and Teams). Since the lockout, you can probably count on one hand the number of games I've watched – and furthermore I haven't been to a hockey game for quite a few years(again more lost revenue).

So the fact that post lockout I was finished school and now working – I was able to afford to go to some games, but the desire I once had for the sport had long been lost due to the fact that it came down to money.

Yes – money would seem is always the bottom line. And what more is money?
I Timothy Chapter 6 [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil:

Players within the NHLPA say they play the game for the love of the game. They also say it's the best league in the world. Yet – rather than try and work out a deal with their owners a lot of super talent players have gone overseas and are playing there. Now that causes other problems. There are players who play in those countries because a) they prefer to play in their home countries or b) they're not “good enough” to make the NHL cut. So now these NHL players are taking jobs from other people in other countries. What does this show to me? Players are selfish! Oh wait – yet somehow players are different from the “selfish” owners who only want to bring players salaries to 50% of revenue.

It's a good thing that NHL players have owners who decide their wages. I know many families who would love to go to an NHL game, but they just can't afford to go to a game, and will never be able to afford to go to a game. The hard working middle class people – who pay the NHLPA and the NHL's salaries. The NHL and NHLPA need to realize that they're both at fault in this. Players are so quick to point the finger to the owners – yet the most “diplomatic” of both parties seems to be the owners.

Let's think about this under current CBA where the players get a 57% of revenue while owners get 43%. So everyone says the owners are greedy, right? Ok – who pays for the teams travel when going on out of town games? The Owners. Who pays for the the players hotels? The Owners. Who provides meal allowances for these away games? The Owners. Who provides equipment to the players? The Owners. Who pays for the coaching staff? The Owners. Who pays for the management of the team? The Owners. Who pays the referees salaries? The Owners. Who pays for the Buildings that players play in? The Owners. Who pays for the.....

It would seem obvious that although the players on the team make up for 57% of revenue under current CBA – it would seem logical that these “greedy” owners – aren't really all that greedy. They're just trying to run a business. Perhaps the players have forgotten that.

My main point in this – is I think the NHL was too generous in offering 50% and then further adding the “make whole” - I think there should've been a serious cutback in salaries – now of course for guys who just signed big time money – that would suck, but what makes more sense – to have a team like Columbus in the league, or have a team like Columbus fold and then have approx 25 players out of a job? What makes more sense NHLPA?

See what love of money does – it causes problems. It causes people to lose their jobs. It's obvious that most players in the league who speak up have very little education – because they can't logically think things through for themselves and hence need a union to step up and do things for them.

So – if the NHL is going to keep this offer of 50% revenue for the players along with the “make whole” agreement – I think the players should take it and run.

Why? Who pays your salaries NHLPA? Oh yeah – your fans do. Your TV viewers do. All these people who will probably only ever dream of making in a life time what you make in one year – yet somehow players need to make a lot of money because they have short careers. That's a bunch of phony baloney if you ask me. If a player can make $1M in one year – and a person making $50,000 /year – it would take that person 20 years to make that same $1M that an NHL player made in one year. So – let's assume for a moment that in year one of that contract – the player has a career ending injury. You're telling me that with the salary he made he can't afford to go to school, get an education and earn a living like anyone else?

NHLPA – again take the offer from the NHL. If it were up to the fans to decide your salaries – I'm sure you'd be making 1% of revenues – and or NHL – if it were really up to fans to decide – average ticket cost for a game anywhere in the league would be $15/ticket – yes I said it AVERAGE – meaning some tickets could be like $5 or even $10 while others could be more expensive, but the average would be $15. Coming from someone in a city like Ottawa where it seems like ticket prices at cheapest were like $50 – this is just plain ridiculous – oh and I haven't even talked about how the ticket prices skyrocket for playoffs – but anyways average ticket cost would be $15. Then – we could allow the fans to determine who gets what percentage of revenue.

Enough said – NHL & NHLPA – if you want a league that's going to thrive – you better put brains in your heads and work out a plan. The NFL managed to do it – why are your groups incapable of doing such a thing?

Story of God - Part VII

Last night - almost seemed like a weird night for our Story of God.  We were down 4 people and that limited our group as far as some discussion could come about.  Nonetheless, it was still a great night.

We went through the story regarding the Sacrifices, some of the Festivals and what it was to become right with God - in a Mosaic Covenant context of course.

Nonetheless, one topic that came up was the fact that God has been changing over time.  Changing his ways with people and how he interacts with human beings.

Ultimately there was one aspect where God changes.  Then there was the other aspect where God doesn't change.  This of course depending on the context in how we were reading this and how we were seeing it.

One aspect saw God as a scientist, testing with his creation and testing with what needed to be done to get people to be right with God.  This ultimately would change as people change.

The other aspect saw God as a Father figure, handling his children, teaching his children along the way.  The revelation I had in that context was the fact that had God given the Mosaic law to Adam and Eve to follow in the garden, Adam and Eve would have had no idea what certain things were.  Examples of this include Murder, adultery and other things - keep in mind that the first murder only happened when Cain killed Abel.  Keep in mind that other than Adam and Eve, there were no other men or women(at that time) - so would adultery be a thing that was in their mind?

So from there the questions continued piling on and discussion was as good as any other night.

Nonetheless, my question for you would become - does God change, or is God always consistent and the same?

Birthday Gift for Mom

This past Saturday was my mom's birthday.  Now she lives two hours away and due to the fact I was working this weekend I didn't have an opportunity to visit her.  I also hadn't yet bought her a birthday gift.  Now, I have a busy week this week prior to leaving for vacation on Friday, but last night I took the time to go out and purchase a gift for my mom.

It started off with me asking for advice from some friends on what to get.  The basic questions came about as "What does your mom like?" - so responses like "tea", "things that smell vanilla-like" and, "picture-frames" all came up.

One of my friends suggested stopping by a mall at the "Bath & Body Works" store.  Now - I initially thought perhaps I'd stop by a Wal-Mart and pick up a picture frame or something and get a nice picture enlarged for the frame.

Anyways, I took my friend's advice.  I went to the mall I stopped at the Bath & Body Works - but I must say, I didn't find anything I was looking for.  I went through 5 other stores and still found nothing.

Finally - I went into the Carlton Cards store - I guess to at least buy a Birthday Card.

Even then, I couldn't find a card that was quite write.  All these cards in the world I find to be so much about "there's nothing like a mother's love".  Don't get me wrong, I know my mom loves me - but after reading through 1 John this morning - I must say that I know there is nothing like a Father's love - for God is love.

Anyways, just as I was about to walk out of the Carlton Card store - feeling all disappointed, out of the corner of my eye I found the gift - somewhat of a picture to hang on the wall and what caught me was reading "You Can do all things through Christ".

I continued searching through the gifts and actually bought two of them.

Where I really felt bad is as I moved the demo model to grab a box - the glass piece in it had fallen and smashed to the floor.  I felt so bad for this.  The women in the store - had such a peace about her and told me not to worry, she'd just continue to use it as a demo/display model.

All I can say, is God revealed his grace in that moment.

In final thoughts, I hope my mom enjoys the gifts and inspires her as she looks at them.

My Beloved Son...

My Friday started like just about every other day - well other than the fact that it was my day off and I didn't have to go anywhere.  I took it easy for much of the day, spoke to a few friends in the USA on Skype before I finally went to one of our "Missional Community" meetings.

We were blessed to have a guest speaker with us, Seth Trimmer. 

We simply went through Mark 1 - and were amazed to see what the Holy Spirit did in that time, and the questions quickly became what do churches today do different than what Jesus did back then?  Or even what do churches do differently today than what the early church did nearly 2000 years ago?

We went on through our discussion and it was very encouraging to see what was going on, and as great as I thought this was - this wasn't the highlight of the night.

I must add that we do see in Mark the following verse:
Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Now - no, the roof didn't rip off the place and God didn't come down and say to me "this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

But - I must say we did something that was different and I will most likely remember for a long time.

We divided into smaller groups.  We prayed for one another - not asking for requests, but rather just let the Holy Spirit guide us through our prayers.  All I can say is I was stunned to hear some of the things that people were praying over me.  Some things so beautiful that I was astonished, and other things very convicting and to have people not know personal details of my life and be able to pin point my strengths and my weaknesses, it had to truly be led by the Holy Spirit.

Yes - I too prayed for others, and there were times when I'd have visions and truly the Spirit was just guiding us throughout this prayer time.

Although I may have strengths and weaknesses, the fact that during this prayer time - I felt the Spirit talking to me, I truly felt as though God the Father was shouting through Heaven - This is my beloved son, who I am preparing to make my own.

Story of God - Part VI

As we continue through our series called "Story of God", all I can say is that last night was probably one of my favourite sessions thus far.  Last night we went through the Laws and Commandments.  The discussion was good, at times almost heated, but overall I thought it was a great discussion.

Topics that came up were things like "what is a Covenant?" - which led us to opening up a Webster Dictionary, and also using Smart-phones to find out the Biblical meaning of Covenant.

From there we went through the 10 Commandments -
1 - I am your God who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.
2 - Put me above everything else. Do not worship other things.
3 - Do not misuse or disrespect my name.
4 - Remember to set aside a day each week to rest and worship me.
5 - Honor your parents.
6 - Don’t murder
7 - Don't steal
8 - Don't lie.
9 - Don't bear false witness
10 - Do not sleep with anyone but your husband or wife–be faithful.  Don’t lust after what others have–be satisfied with what I give you.

Now - from these commandments different topics and subjects came up...
- These laws are too black and white - there's no gray area.  E.G.  You need to steal a loaf of bread or someone will die.
- Our culture doesn't necessarily allow for one to be able to obey all these commandments.  E.G.  Our lives are so complicated it's almost impossible to follow/obey these commandments.

Now - from all these topics and subjects, I always ended up at two questions that seemed impossible for anyone to answer.  So again, I'll ask those questions here.

In the situation of the man stealing the loaf of bread or someone(perhaps children or family) would die.  How did his life get so bad that he needed to go and steal the loaf of bread?  Was he putting something or someone else first before God?  Hence, breaking the second commandment?

My other question in regards to the complications we get into in life, it just seems that life is complicated in general.  Now - is it possible that simply obeying these commandments would allow our lives to be much more simple?

I'm not denying the fact that there is much "gray area" in the world.  Jesus himself said:
Matthew 7:13 ¶Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Now, if wide is the gate - is this the "wide gray area" that everyone wants in life?

So another question - what do you think the world would be like if everyone obeyed the 10 commandments?

Am I like Moses?

Last night I had the opportunity to watch the movie The Ten Commandments featuring Dougray Scott as Moses.  The way my evening started off, I didn't think I would do much of anything.  Then I thought to myself that last week in our Story of God series, we read through Moses and the Passover - and this week we're going to be going through the Law - I thought what better opportunity than this to watch the movie where it was all done and made.

At first I thought I would go through it in hopes to be enlightened to help continue through our Story of God series - BUT - as I went through it, I saw something different.

I saw Moses kill a man, yet God's redemption plan in place.  I saw a man who doubted God and God's plan as being God's chosen one, be transformed and believe in God more than most people in today's day believe in the same God.

A few thousand years ago, there was a man named Moses.  His God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The question would become what has changed between then and now?

Am I not a man?  Is my God not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

If the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the creator of the heavens and the earth, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who sent many plagues to Pharaoh; if our God is the same God who did all these powerful things - why do we doubt that this same God can change the world we live in?

Why do we believe that we can go and do things ourselves?

Moses went up Mount Sinai to be with God as God gave him the 10 Commandments.  While Moses was gone, the Israelites thought they could build a golden calf to worship their "gods".

Is this what God wanted, or is this what the people wanted?

God wants us to live in peace.  God sent us his only Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in that peace, yet why don't we have it?

So the question becomes, are you doing as Moses did and are simply doing the will of God or are you doing the things that you want to do?

St Patty's Day...

This past weekend - was the weekend that most would call "St Patty's Day" weekend.  A weekend or generally March 17 - the day - where people go out and drink themselves silly.

Don't get me wrong - I know what St Patty's Day is about.  I was there once.  I used to be one of the people who would be drinking like everyone else.

Now I have to sit back and think....how can it be that there is a day devoted to a Saint - yet that is the one night of the year devoted to do things that are not "saintly".

The Bible teaches not to hang out with drunkards - in many places.  Yet on this day, many people forget about this and go and become drunkards themselves.

This year, I must say for the first time in a long time, I really didn't do anything.  Well ok, I did something but I didn't do what the majority of people were doing.  I stayed in, wrote a Sunday Sermon out and watched a few Episodes of Smallville.

For years I saw Saint Patty's day as a day to party - but this year in particular, I realized it's called Saint Patrick's Day, and this of course helped me bring up the question, what is a Saint?

Most people will generally say that a Saint is someone who is "holier" than everyone else.

Now - I think the question would be is what is the purpose of Saint Patrick's Day?

It's a day that perhaps is used to reflect on what Saint Patrick did, but the real and deeper question would be, is that what you're doing on Saint Patrick's Day?

Afraid of a gift...

Today, I'm sitting here at home – again thinking back to last night. Last night I was blessed to get a ride home from work. From there, I got home, talked with a few people and then had to rush out to the store. After my brief shopping stint, I stopped by Tim Hortons'(for those not in Canada, it's essentially a coffee /donut shop).

While I was in Tim Horton's, after paying for my Hot Chocolate, a woman walked in behind me, as I was waiting to receive my drink I offered her two dollars to pay for her beverage. What I couldn't believe is the fact that she refused this offer.

I wasn't looking to have coffee with her, I wasn't looking to even know her name or get her phone number, I was just wanting to do something genuinely nice for someone.

This makes me think of something Jesus taught Peter.

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

In other translations – this can be understood as, if you do not let me wash your feet, you cannot wash someone else's feet. Ponder on that for a moment.

I look back at this woman, she refused the money. She said “put it in the donation box instead”. What she missed is that she could've accepted the money I gave her to buy her coffee, and she could've put the two dollars in the donation box.

This causes me to bring up another question – why are people afraid to accept a gift that is free?

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Why someone would not want to accept the free gift of grace through faith, I don't know. I can't say I don't understand it, because I do understand it, but the why? I don't know.

People generally don't accept anything through faith, simply because we live in a world that teaches one another not to trust anyone, which instills doubt, and from doubt we get fear.

So the question would now become to many – why are you afraid to accept a free gift from someone?

Story of God - Part V

 Last night - we continued on through part 5 of our series "Story of God".  Last night was a different experience for myself as I was the one actually moderating the evening.

I found being moderator was a different challenge then just going and partaking in conversation.  There were times throughout the night where I just wanted to go on a rant and say everything I wanted to say - but instead and trying to have an opportunity to hear others ideas - I would try and propose my ideas in a form of a question.

Am I correct in doing such a thing?

When I think about this - I actually like the idea of placing it in a form of a question.  As you will then get to hear the person's thoughts on what they think of this - rather than you just stating what your thoughts are and hearing people agree/disagree on them.

Now - when it comes to the stories we went through - Moses & the Passover - isn't this just what God does?

God gives people a choice.

God gave Pharaoh a choice to let the Israelites leave or he would start the plagues.  After each one Moses returning to Pharaoh saying let us go - or God will cast his next plague out on you.

Now - some will say - God is evil because of the plagues, but if you think about it, did God not simply give Pharaoh an opportunity to let the Israelites go or he would then punish them?

Think about it - do you punish a your kids for something they haven't done?  Furthermore - do you punish an innocent man for something he hasn't done?

Definitely not!  And well it would seem obvious that God would do the same thing.  God wouldn't punish someone who hasn't done anything wrong...or does he?  This question - will come to another story that we haven't yet arrived at. 

So - my last thoughts from last night - we as people have a choice - we can do what God would like us to do, or we can do what we would like to do.  Now - what would you like to do?

Walk in someone else's shoes...

Last night - after I finished work, I was on my way to meet up with a friend for a coffee.  Oh - I guess I should now state I don't drink coffee, never have - but it's the easiest way to say you went to a coffee shop for whatever it is - whether it be a coffee, a tea, a hot chocolate, an espresso, a latte, etc.

So, as I was on my way there, I got to a point where I saw a homeless person on the sidewalk with a cap out on the ground looking for any change that anyone was willing to give him.

Now - if this was the person who I once used to be, I would've probably walked right on by and ignored him figuring he's probably just looking for money for cigarettes, drugs and/or alcohol.

Now - who am I to judge?

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Now - I must say - I just love how this passage ties into what has become known as the "Golden Rule"

Leviticus 19:18 ¶Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself:.

So - here I was, approaching this man - seeing people walk by as if he was a "nobody".  I stopped about 15-20 feet away from this man, reached in my pocket for all the change I had.  I took everything I could grab - probably about 8-10 dollars worth.  Ok - don't ask why I had so much change - it just piles up after a few days.

Now - right there I know there are some people thinking, why did you give all that money to that person?  Well - just like that person, one day I may become unemployed, without a home, and end up on the streets.  I would simply want someone to have faith in me that I would use the money for food, or for simply some clothes.

So anyways - I gave the money to this man, and the tone and crackling in his voice explained it all.  Hearing "you've just made my night" too brought tears to my eyes - and all I was thinking throughout that was "thank you Lord."

So - one thing to think about - anytime you see a homeless person on the street asking for money - do you ever think what it would be like if you were in that person's shoes?

Who's your Superhero?

For those of you who don't know me all that well - let's just say I'm a huge Superman fan.  There was a time in my life that I will now admit even that Superman was my idol. 

Now, I'm at a time in my life where I have one idol - this idol is no longer Superman - although this idol was a Super Man - no one else other than Jesus Christ.

Yes I know it says we are to have no idols.  Yet we are to live in a certain way.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I may not be allowed to have idols - because I have to love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind.  I am to obey His words.  His words call me to live as He did.

He has become my hope.  I trust in no other than the Lord.

Superman was once my hope in life.  I used to watch Superman just to escape from the world and relax.

My purpose in this - is simply because I may still have a fondness or longing to watch Superman and/or other related movies/TV shows.  Yesterday, I spent a lot of my day watching Smallville.

The difference from before.

There were many references of Clark(Aka Superman) as being the Light, the Hope that would be needed to overcome the darkness of this world.

My entire time watching the show - I was thinking this is what the world needs.  The world needs the light to overcome the darkness in their lives.  They need Christ.  I too was convicted in knowing and realizing that I need Christ more than ever.

This brings up an interesting question...

Who's the Superhero in your life?
 

Do I have Faith?

I've just recently finally read through Hebrews 11 - from the Bible of course.  Now - after reading such a chapter, where can I begin to discuss what's gone on through my head?

At first I was definitely in a type of fear - I guess a "fear of the Lord" type of thing - but as I continued down that train of thought, I did the first thing that came to mind.  I turned to prayer.

I remember being there in prayer - praying that I could have faith as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the prophets, king David, and even the Apostles.  I continued on and on - and before I knew it, I guess I "dozed off" in my prayer - it was quite late at night, yet still not really something I think should be happening in one's prayer life.

Nonetheless - next thing I knew I was opening my eyes, I guess realizing that I had dozed off - but even as I was opening my eyes the thoughts going on in my head were almost indescribable.  As I opened my eyes - it seemed as though my mouth was still speaking, but I had no clue what I was saying.

When I later think about what just happened - a Bible verse really comes to life:
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

From there - I realize that the Spirit is interceding for me - and most likely another verse is then true in my life:
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

These things allowed to become a reality in my life - that my faith may grow, that I may believe in the one true God - Elohim.

All this to share and say - I do not have faith as these men do/did - and yes I'm referring to Abraham and company.  Yet there are people who say my faith is way above theirs - which would bring up a good question to many - where are you at in your faith?
 

Story of God - Part IV

Here we are - week 4, or rather part 4 of this series I'm going through.  Last night we continued in our "Story of God" series and again - nothing to be disappointed by.

We went through two stories last night
The story of Esau and Jacob, and the story of Joseph.

What I find very interesting about these stories is how Jacob is within the two stories.  In the story of Esau and Jacob - Jacob is the younger twin, now for whatever reason their father, Isaac favours Esau over Jacob and meanwhile the mother Rebekah favours Jacob.

Jacob continues on his life knowing this, and when it comes to the time for Isaac to pass on the blessing - through trickery - Jacob ends up getting the blessing - but Jacob knew the whole time that Isaac would know it wasn't Esau - assuredly because of their physical differences, but also most likely because Esau was the favoured son.

Now - time passes along - many years go by and Jacob(now known as Isreal) now has children of his own, one of his children is named Joseph.  What I find interesting is the fact that Israel(AKA Jacob) has selected a son whom he favours, he favours Joseph so much that he even created a "coat of many colours" for him.(I mentioned a song in regards to this song - I suggest checking it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7I_9MMcWvk )

Anyways - I find it interesting that Jacob had a son whom he favoured - just as his father Isaac had a son whom he favoured.

It makes you wonder why such things happen in life.  There is another song that comes to mind when I think of this...how from generation to generation the same things come about - but perhaps in a different way.  The song I'm referring to is at the bottom of this post.

How can it be that a son who wasn't favoured - yet when he had children he himself favoured a son?

So the question would now become - do we have a trait in our lives that we've learned from our parents that has a negative impact in the lives of others?

Unexpected company...

Last night - I spent my evening at home baking some good ol' chocolate chip cookies.  Now I could probably go down the path of this that "the cookie dough is the clay and I'm the potter", but that's not the intention of that today.

Baking cookies - for me is a very relaxing thing.  I actually enjoy it.  I guess you can say I was home alone - but throughout the evening I was continuously hearing noises.  Where they were from?  What was causing them?  I have no idea - I just know it wasn't me.

As I continued baking, I was realizing that I was starting to feel uncomfortable.  I almost felt as though someone was watching me, someone who wasn't welcome.  At one point I remember seeing out of the corner of my left eye someone walking towards me.  As I turned to look - whoever/whatever it was - it was gone.

At that point, I really started feeling chills and fear settling in big time.

I'm thankful I have some Gospel Music/Worship Songs on my phone.  I quickly turned on "How Great is our God" by Chris Tomlin.  As I was singing I almost felt this spiritual presence, as I continued singing - it was almost as though my body began to shake, until I reached a point of freedom.  Yes there was a point where I felt that freedom.  Don't ask how one can explain such a thing...it just happened - my body stopped shaking and I was just singing along with the song.

As that freedom came about - I just continued with finishing up the cookies and turned to the Word until I fell asleep.

One may say perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me - but the reason behind my baking cookies was a good one, one that no demon wanted me to complete - but through the power of Christ, I have authority over all things!


2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Seek the Wilderness in God

Over the past few days, it would seem that there have been a few themes that have been coming up and I'm being  granted revelation throughout these topics/themes.

These themes include - but aren't limited to
The Day of the Lord
What is my calling?
The Wilderness

The one topic though I was reminded of is just who is God.

Each one of these topics reveals a different aspect of God.
The Day of the Lord - generally refers to judgement
What is my calling - well actually it's what has God called me to do in this life?
The Wilderness - a place to be alone and be with God but moreso to learn who God is.

So, here's a few things to think about...

In simple terms what is the wilderness?

It's a place where nobody else would be - out in nature, learning about your surroundings; BUT and moreso - it's generally a place where people don't want to be.  Yes - there are people who were brought up in the wilderness so they are comfortable there, but for the majority of people, the wilderness is a place we don't want to be.

These themes and topics actually are wilderness for much of us.

The day of the Lord - is a day that many people aren't comfortable talking about.  As mentioned in my last blog - to some - this day is referred to as the great and terrible day of the Lord.  When you hear something like this, who would want to talk about it, or read about it, etc.

What is my calling?  Yet - another topic that some people are excited to know and others don't want to know about it.  What if one's calling was to live in the street and be a "street preacher"?  What if one's calling was to basically end up in illness or with health issues their entire life and through that reveal the power of God or the Glory of God?  Sometimes it simply has to do with the unknown.  We're afraid of what we don't know - and sometimes we're more afraid to know what our calling will be.

Lastly - the Wilderness, who wants to go and spend time in the middle of the forest?  Knowing there are bears, wolves, snakes and all these other animals.  Now - further, who wants to go and spend time in the middle of the desert?  A place where there is no water, sandstorms galore, scorpions, and who knows what else is there?

Now - all these themes - relate to God in a specific way, yet this is exactly how most people feel about spending time with God.

Many people know that God is a "loving God" - but they don't know what that means.  People know that God judges, and this is generally were a lot of people get stuck.  How can a God who judges forgive someone?

Ultimately - we get stuck in our fears.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Now, if we don't know someone, how can we love that person?  Secondly, if we don't know someone, how can we know that they love us?

Furthermore - if we don't know God, how can we love Him?  Lastly, if we don't know God, how can we be sure that He loves us?

Seek God, in that wilderness...Or rather, seek the Wilderness in God...

Today...

Today... is yesterday's tomorrow, or is tomorrow's yesterday or even is a week ago's next week.  One thing that stands out of this, is today is now.

There are many common lines about that - one in particular:  today is a gift, that's why it's called the present.

From there we can go on and on in philosophy of this.  Such as this morning was a gift, but now it's the past - and well tonight will be a gift, if we get there.

Now - can it be said that today is the day of the LORD?  Biblically speaking, many Bible scholars and Theologians will generally at least once talk about what is known as the day of the LORD?  Some even go so far to call it the great and terrible day of the LORD.(See Joel 2:11,31 for more info on that)

Now - this brings up an interesting topic...everyone believes that the great and terrible day of the LORD will be at the end of days - in other words the end of this world.

Now - if I were to take another Bible verse and throw it into the mix...what could be thought of that?

Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Now if today is the day which the LORD has made - would this not mean that today is the great and terrible day of the LORD?

Perhaps that day is everyday - not just a day that will take place in the future.

Has my world ever been thrown upside down?  I'd say so.
Has Heaven and Earth ever changed in my lifetime?  I'd say so.

So the question could become - has this day ever happened in your lifetime?

If the answer is yes - then perhaps that day is in the past.

If it hasn't perhaps that day is today - or tomorrow....

Or as we just saw - perhaps that day is today.

Story of God - Part III

Story of God...

So, today I'm continuing my "Story of God" series - if you haven't read the first 2 parts, I think it may be worth while...

Now of course we went through the story of The Tower of Babylon, the story of Abram & Sarai, the story of Ishmael and Hagar, right up to the story of Isaac and the famous biblical quote "God will provide".

I must truly say, being able to meet up with a group of people and here different thoughts on whats' going on is amazing.  We could probably spend a whole night discussing one of these stories, but of course time is limited but the things we do hear and learn is just awesome.

The illustration of the Tower of Babylon - the people started doing things for themselves, and well the repercussion God dispersed the people and now you have people speaking many languages.  How this illustrates to Abram and Sarai deciding to allow Abram sleep with their servant Hagar to have a child as part of the promise from God.  Now where they doing this for God, or were they doing this for the promise?  Interesting question to think up.  Nonetheless due to them doing things for themselves - God later renames them Sarah and Abraham.  I find this illustration to be quite amazing.

Further thoughts that come up and did come up...

What would your thoughts be as a man if your wife asked you to have a child with your servant?
What would your thoughts be as a woman if your husband was having a child with your servant?
What would your thoughts be as a woman if the father of your child wasn't your husband or rather was someone elses wife?

Tough questions that we see through Sarai, Abram and Hagar....

Furthermore, it seems that lack of trust and or lack of patience was a key thing throughout the story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar.

Then we got to the story of Isaac, as Isaac is walking with his Father he asks "where's the lamb for our offering?" and we have Abraham who says "God will provide".

There are definitely some questions from this...
Was Abraham being literal?  Did Abraham know God would bring provide another lamb?
Was Abraham being "deceitful" in the sense that Abraham knew that God provided Isaac and therefore this was the sacrifice God provided?

Then questions like "how could Abraham have possibly been able to tie up Isaac seeing as Abraham would've been  at least in his 90s.  This seems like a challenging feat.

Other questions that would enter one's mind though would be
What was going through Abraham's head as he was holding the knife to go and kill Isaac?
What were Isaac's thoughts throughout this?  Was Isaac sleeping throughout this or wide awake?

Now - the Angel of the LORD intervenes - stating God would provide.

As they walked home - one would ask, how can a child trust their Father after such a thing?

The amount of questions and thought and everything that came about last night was awesome!  This definitely wasn't all of it.  This was part of it.  Definitely I'm again looking forward to our next session.

God bless,

Free Will & Determinism

My last message was in regards to "making a choice", a theme that was presented much throughout the movie Trilogy of the Matrix.  I'd like to go over today a brief comparison in regards to Determinism vs Free Will.

For those that may nto know the difference - Determinism, in simple terms determinism is regarded as the cause and the effect.  IN clearer terms - for every action there is a reaction - this is determinism.

VS.

Free will - which of course means we all have a choice to do something.  We can chose to do something, or we can chose to not do something.

Now - generally people get into debates in regards to Determinism and Free Will and many will say that Free Will cannot win this debate.  These great philosophical topics may very well be both true and possible in their proper contexts, but my beliefs are they actually go hand in hand with one another.

Why?  None other - the Bible proves that they go hand in hand.

Now - let's use a touchy yet rather simple topic to explain this.

- Murder -

If someone were to murder someone close to you, someone who is dear to you, in essence someone who means the world to you, what would you do?

Essentially it would seem apparent and determined that if this happened - you would under natural human instincts go and kill that person or want to see justice served.

In Christianity - you have the Old Testament which teaches "an eye for an eye" - but in the New Testament Jesus said "love your enemies".

So it would seem - people have a choice.  We can choose to do the "eye for an eye" thing - or we can choose to love the person who killed our loved one.

With this in mind, it would seem the probability of this choice is based on a belief and thus one would say our choice has been pre-determined.  Essentially our choice was pre-determined for us because of our religion or belief.

Now, do we not have the choice to do something regardless of our belief system?  Do I not have a choice to believe in the God of the bible or to deny the God of the Bible?  Is this not Free-Will?  Do we not have a choice to kill someone or not kill someone even if we believe in God?  More simple yet - do we have a choice to sin or not to sin regardless of our beliefs?

Ultimately - this gets into the topic of Calvinism...where people are pre-destined to go to Heaven.  The flip side to that is, if people are pre-destined to go to Heaven, then there are people pre-destined to go to Hell.  Now if people are pre-destined to go to Hell, what kind of loving God is that?  Should we not have a choice?

The thing is, we do have a choice.  We're presented with options to go to Heaven or to go to Hell.  This is a choice.  Now from that question, depending on one's answer it would seem that all other choices are predetermined based on that initial choice, but ultimately there was still a choice.

Now the question would become - do you believe in Free-Will or Determinism or do you believe these two things go hand in hand?

Make a choice

Over the last week, I invested in what I think is a great trilogy – if it can still be called a trilogy- and for those who don't know yet, I'm referring to the Matrix. Now today I'm not going to totally focus on that as there is much to discuss on this movie series, but today I'm going to discuss one thing that was a constant theme throughout that movie series.

- Make a choice -

How often throughout that movie was Neo to make a choice to get the ultimate freedom for everyone throughout that entire series. Please note – that it wasn't just Neo making the choice, Picture Morpheus making a choice to go after Agent Smith so that they could get Neo out of the Matrix or picture Trinity going back into the Matrix to help Neo get through that door.

Regardless of anything – everyone was making choices.

Now – what I love about a lot of movies is they actually portray a story of what's happening in real life – but only if we can catch it.

Today, all around the globe, we're seeing countries wanting to lock down on Internet security so that they can keep an eye on sexual predators, but what they're failing to mention is how it will also violate all our privacy laws and rights.

Now we as people have a choice. We can allow these things to pass because people say “well the government has always been like that” - and with that mentality it would seem we don't have a choice. The problem with that is, we have a choice.

The choice is we can go along with it, or we can voice our concerns.

Now, I know I generally speak or bring up biblical topics – or bring up biblical references supporting claims...Now – I'm pretty sure Jesus said something about we're the salt of the earth(Matthew 5). Now, definitely we're to preserve the earth, in the same way that Jesus would. Jesus died for our freedom. Now, we presently have that freedom, but if we don't soon voice our concerns we soon won't have a freedom to be able to do such things.

Now – are we allowed to voice our concerns to God? Absolutely.

Matthew 15:26-28 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. [28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Eventhough Jesus had said what He did, the woman voiced a concern, a plea; and through the reasoning Jesus did as the woman asked.

Now, it's your choice...we can voice our concerns to our Governments or we can stay with the status quo...

What choice will you make?

Free your mind

The last couple of days I've almost been at a mind-block for what to write as far as a blog goes.  Where to start, what to write about, I've found myself really at what I would call that mind-block.

My reminder now comes as I spoke to someone last night.  This person was asking me "so what's new" - when I started answering nothing really, and before you knew it, I thought "when's the last person I really spoke to this person?" AND wow?!  So much was new in my life since I previously spoke to that person.  So many things have come to pass, that it's almost mind boggling that how can one focus on specific thing?

So when the question comes up "what's new?" - generally the answer becomes "nothing really" or "not much" and other similar responses.

Now - when we keep ourselves busy like this or have so much time there are a few things that come to mind...first off:

Matthew 11:28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If we do not unload all our labours and burdens to get rest - we end up like a woman in another biblical story.

Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

So - many things Martha is doing - never unloading the things she is doing and rather than go to Jesus to seek that rest, she questions why others don't help her.  How does Jesus respond?

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

It would seem clear that Mary too was burdened, heavy laden and was seeking rest.  Jesus said to Martha that what Mary is doing is good.

So the question becomes - how often do we seek that rest, to unload all the many things that are going on in our minds, that we can move forward with a clear mind? 

God wants us to have a clear mind that nothing will stop us from living in the free way that we may be the light of the world.

So - the question is...do you have a clear mind?

The God Matrix

So last night on my way home, I stopped in at Future Shop, and I bought myself the box set of the Matrix movies.  I had never seen the Animatrix, and I thought due to the bad weather here is an opportunity to watch a movie that is supposed to be the "prequel" to the Matrix movie and I found the Matrix movie to be a Trilogy that has a different Christ/God story.

So, here I was watching the Animatrix and I'm hearing things like "then man created machine in his likeness" and then I heard "on the next day Man created light", and then I see a scene where man darkens the sky and there was no more light.  Sound like the story of Creation in Genesis in a slightly twisted manner?

I continued on with the story and all I saw was the story continue on and on and on; and the story that was being portrayed is the story of man.

In reality and I once heard a man Alan Hirsch say - "God created man in his own image, and then man returned the favour".  Ultimately this is the story of "The Matrix".

We live in a World where people think "this isn't what God would want for us" - so the question then becomes:  What would God want for us?  Now, we should be careful when we think things like this because are we not judging God when we do such things?  Can we be so great as God's creation that we know what God wants more than God knows what He wants?

I'm not saying it's not possible for one to not know what God wants - I'm saying I don't believe it's possible to know what God wants more than what God knows.  This is like saying "I know that my friend John wants me to do this" - when in reality John doesn't want anyone to do that.

Now - the Matrix seems to be similar to one of those things.  The humans thought they knew what was best for themselves - but in the process it wasn't what was best for the machines.

We as humans think we know what is best for one another.  The Government too is at fault for such a thing.  The Government thinks it knows what's best for its people, when in reality they too are people and I doubt they know what's best for themselves.  I almost see the Matrix Trilogy as a parallel to the Government and the people.






Now - this leaves us with another question to ponder....

What is best for people?

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A New Day...

Over the last week, I've been going through times of panic/anxiety, and to describe what has been causing it, I've always been falling just short.

As sin has been trying to creep its way back in my life - I'm not saying I never sin, but specific acts of sin rather - are creeping back into my life, last night I finally realized my cause of anxiety.

 - FEAR -

Fear comes from a lack of faith, lack of faith is caused by a lack of love, and oh man...I'll try to stop sounding like Yoda here.

Anyways, this past week I have been feeling so disconnected from God.  I can't say I've been feeling horrible or anything about this - but it did start causing me to ask a lot of questions. 

Why would God allow this?
Why does God......

Finally, it dawned on me - it's not always God.  It's a choice - I have a choice to obey or to disobey.

Last night I did something that I don't recall having done in a long time.  I literally prayed myself to sleep.

Throughout the prayer - probably one of my most powerful prayers in a long time - I continued seeking God, His Grace, His Love, His comfort, most importantly, would reveal to me Jesus, and that He would stamp Eternity on my eyeballs.

Now - I prayed myself to sleep....I woke up this morning...and I felt something new within me.  It seemed almost as if I was given a new chance, a new opportunity.

As I was on the bus, looking at my Cell Phone listening to some Gospel Music I looked at my Twitter and saw a tweet from Mark Driscoll:


The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning... – Lam. 3:22-23



Praise the LORD! :)

Story of God - Part II

Last week, I started part one of a blog Series I will continue through over the next little while called “Story of God”. I last left off about how excited I was prior to the last gathering and how much more excited I was after the gathering.

How do I feel about our latest gathering that took place last night?

Definitely I was excited to go to it. After? Well, if you haven't read some of my previous blogs – I've been going through a time where I'm suffering from Anxiety. Even just trying to get to this meeting I almost felt an anxiety attack coming along, but once I was there in the moment, all my anxiety had left.

We started talking about the story of Cain and Abel, and later moving forward to the story of Noah and the Flood. Yes, these stories on their own, I can see potential that could cause my anxiety to get worse, but it's the hidden things in the stories that helped me calm down and my anxiety to really disappear.

Looking at different stories – the Fall of Adam and Eve, Cain murdering his brother Abel, and the great Flood – all have similarities within them, they also have their differences, but when you look past the differences you start to see the similarities.

The main similarity: God's unending love for humans – which may not seem like at, but when you dig deeper in the story you see that God is disciplining the humans for choices that we as humans have made.

Ultimately, we have a choice – to do what is good, or to do what is evil. My question would become “what is evil?” - but I'm sure that is awaiting us in a future story.

So, in my mind was the Story of God gathering a success? Most definitely!

Am I looking forward to the next gathering? You bet!

Revealing the Thief

Here I am today with a moment to think back last night as I was able to help out a friend with a computer problem.

The situation itself I found kind of weird - just out of the blue - I received a text message asking if I could help with a possible virus on a computer.  My first thought was definitely I can help.  It was my later thoughts that I was thinking - how does this person know I know about computers and potentially know how to fix virus problems?

Anyways, as I got on the computer I noticed it was one of those viruses that is a very powerful and dangerous virus.  I'm 100% sure that this virus disguised itself as a "you're computer has been detected with over 100 viruses, please click here to resolve" pop-up.

Now - why do I bring this up?  It's simple.

This is exactly what the enemy does.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

How does the enemy do this?

Matthew 7:15 ¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

The enemy comes in disguising himself as something good, but is really something bad.  The epiphany/revelation I was able to have by helping a friend of mine fix their computer is something I will always remember and be forever thankful.

In closing - beware of the enemy, the theif who comes to steal, and kill and destroy...

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The enemy may have gone to do such things, but I was sent to give that computer life, that my friend might be able to use it.

What would Jesus Do?

Yesterday in my post, I stated I was going to watch the movie "What would Jesus do?" featuring John Schneider.  For those that don't know John Schneider, he is probably most re-known for his character of Bo Duke in the TV Series the Dukes of Hazzard.

Anyways, the Movie "What Would Jesus Do" AKA WWJD, reminds me so much of a teaching that's been ongoing at the Church at which I'm attending.  I attend the Journey Ottawa Church, and the message that's been so ongoing since attending there is going out and living in mission; but our mission should be done in a special way, and that way is the way that Jesus would do mission.

The Movie WWJD, was truly an amazing movie.  Now the details may have taken place over the span of a few weeks or a few months, but it was amazing to see a town transformed by people simply living out the Gospel and that is living just as Jesus would.

Now I don't doubt that a city the size of Ottawa can be transformed, I know it will be transformed.  I am realistic in the sense that knowing there are many more people in this city then there were in the movie so to transform a city of this size will take more time.

Now, just what would Jesus do that others seem to forget?  Jesus loved us first.  If we go out and portray that same love, we will transform not only this city, but we will transform the world.

Next time you're about to say no to someone, or do something, just ask yourself:  what would Jesus do?