'Volunteer Appreciation Week' comes to an end

This last week was 'Volunteer Appreciation Week' and I am proud to say that my volunteering was recognized on two occasions. Teusday evening the Upper Room Soup Kitchen had a volunteer appreciation night, and we all got certificates and cake. Then yesterday, Harvest House had a little party type thing after the prayer meeting for all who have volunteered with this ministry. T'was good times indeed. Here are some pics from that event.

It is an intimidating thing when God tells you that He wants you to work full-time; but not for a salary. When He tells you that He will employ you, and provide for you. I may not have oodles of money flowing out of my bank account (yet) but I've never been this happy or inwardly content in all my days. THAT is true prosperity. Kingdom work. There's nothing better than it.

So many of us waste away our lives working towards what we don't really want. So many in our society trade away HAPPINESS for SECURITY. This is an awful misuse of our lives. In the name of SECURITY we sacrifice dreams that we have had since childhood. We lay them aside as we work towards what society has driven into our minds, over and over, time after times. Break free from this stronghold. Lay hold of that which God has already prepared for you. Many times a life with God is a life of "not knowing what comes next". Sound scary? What sounds scary to me is 60 more years of complacency, and indifference, before I die with regrets too many too count.

Oh yeah, this post is about volunteering. Sorry. You know, everyone should volunteer at least a couple hours a week to something they believe contributes to the advancemant of their communities.

"All go, no whoa!!", a great theologian once said. T'is a good word indeed.

cats ARE good for something........I guess?

Well, we have a cat here at the Harvest House Men's Residence. T'was not my choosing to have it here, but the O.K. came from 'up the ladder', so we all just have to deal with it. One guy (a self-professed strong Christian) has already moved out because of 'cat-issues'. Myself, I'm not much for cats, at all, but it's here and indeed we do, have to deal with it.

Anyways, I got up this morning and did some correspondance (course: The New Covenant by Peter Youngren) and then I went out into the common area. The cat had hunted down a mouse. So, I guess cats are good......for something? Although, I don't know how much terror that little mouse could have instilled in this place. Maybe it had rabies or bird flu or something; maybe that cat (which stirred up so much controversy when it moved in) saved all our lives!!! I highly doubt it.

But things here at the Men's Residence are well. We only have 2 'guests here as of today, but another is moving in tomorrow, and maybe one on monday. Still not a lot of ministry opportunity, but the guys have a safe and qiet place to live, so it is very good.

I have put off my plans to work at a children's camp in North Carolina this summer. I figured that I just will not have enough time to finish all my first year correspondance courses if I take those two months off. Tis too bad, but I have peace with it. The summer is going to go by extremly fast anyway, and soon enough I will be off to St. Catherines, for yet another chapter in my walk. Yee haw!!!!! Bring it on september!!!!!

poll of the week

So here are last weeks Poll results.

Which of these 5 most populous cities would you prefer to live in if given the choice?
New York (USA) 60%
Mumbai (India) 30%
Sao Paulo (Brazil) 10%
Tokyo (Japan) 0%
Mexico City (Mexico) 0%

Majority prefers to live in the Big Apple as opposed to more foreign cities. The results do not surprise me a whole lot. My vote was for Sao Paulo, with Mumbai (formerly Bombay) coming in a close second.

Poll of the Week
This week deals with whether it is o.k. or not for Christians to partake of alcohol. Some justify it by quoting John 2:1-11 , and Luke 7:33-35 & Matthew 11:18-19. Others say that is is not acceptable at all. And others have their if, ands, or buts. I just want to know what you think, not taking into account the feelings or doctrines of others. If you vote for "depends on the situation", leave me a comment and tell why.

back from Malagash

I got back from Malagash sunday afternoon and I must say that it was a great time. I picked up Chris Moore, Ryan O'Connor, and Dave Clark friday afternoon and off we went. We got to Malagash about 8:30pm that night and so started the weekend. The speakers were all really great. There was about 60 men, representing 4 or 5 different churches from the Maritimes.

At about 10pm friday night, Robbie Harding decided to move his rig to the main parking lot and went a little too far and ended up with his rig getting major stuck. A nice surprise for us after breakfast saturday morning. After a lot of laughs, and some PEI thinkin, Robbie was freed from the mud. The next few hours were spent fellowshipping and taking a drive to the SWEET Robin's Donuts log cabin. Holy Ghost showed up in the meetings, the worship was great, etc etc. No third heaven.............yet, but I'm still expecting.

The best part of it all was the characters that showed up. One (a frenchman from Halifax) who was late gettin there. He got lost. It was 1am in the morn on a friday night. He pulled over to the side of the road and turned his dome light on, opened his Bible, cranked Kenneth Copeland, and started praying in tounges believing God would give him direction to the camp. Then, all of a sudden, someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was a cop, who asked, "What are you doing?!"

He replied, "What does it look like I'm doing? I got my Bible out, Kenneth Copeland cranked, and I'm praying in the Holy Spirit. I'm lost and looking for the Malagash Bible Camp." Anyways, the cop escorted him right to the door. You go God!

But yeah, a good time was had by all. T'was a beautiful spot over there. Here are a few more photos depicting our weekend.

a weekend in Malagash

So today I'm off to Malagash, Nova Scotia (wherever that is? It's a good thing "I'm" drivin?!) for a weekend men's retreat. 12 of us from FaithWorks Centre are headin over. Should be a decent time. I wasn't plannin on even goin but some anonymous saint paid my registration, so I thought I had better go on and check it out. You never know, it could be one of those 'divine appointments'. Anyways, the retreat is being put on by New Covenant Ministries, who are out of Dartmouth, N.S. I am excited to get off PEI for the weekend even if it is a short (time and distance) trip. This weekend is gonna be a time for spending some good ole quality time with God. There are some things We need to talk about. I also hope to get a little Third Heaven action goin on, if you know what I mean. Hopefully you do, or that might've sounded really wierd?!

And yes Mack, I am surely taking my Gigabeat.

yet another movie review

So when I started this blog, I didn't intend for it to be a movie review blog. But, if the shoe fits.....................I guess. Last night a friend and I went and seen Ice Age 2:The Meltdown. T'was very good. Just as good, if not better, than the first.

The story was particularily amusing. The ice is melting, and will cause a great flood. All the animals have to make their way to a great boat to be saved from the flood. To the Christians out there; sound familiar. I thought the parallel was funny.

Anyways, all the characters were great, it will make you laugh, it's a good family movie with no filth to gag you, etc etc. Just go see it. You will have a good time.

Oh, in other related movie news; I watched King Kong the othe night and it didn't impress me much. T'was good, but, to be frank, I prefer the original. But really, I prefer Godzilla to King Kong. Happy Wednesday everyone.

Soaking in God's Presence rocks!!!/Jason Upton is pretty cool too.

Last night I was gettin ready to turn in and I decided to do one more lesson in my correspondance course on 'Missions'. So I got out my Toshiba Gigabeat (corny name, I know) and had a little soaking time beforehand. I put on 'Faith' by Jason Upton. Times of soaking have a tremendous impact on what we think about. It puts all the focus on God and what He means to us, and what He's done in our lives.

I was only gonna 'soak' for a few minutes but I felt Holy Spirit saying, "Just do this. Don't do your lesson. I just want to spend time with you." Crazy. So that's what I did. For about 45 minutes I just worshipped God in His presence. It was one of the most powerful 3/4 of an hour I have experienced in quite some time.

One of the things I like about Jason Upton is his dissaproval of mainstream Christianity as a whole. He has no qualms about stepping on people's toes when it comes to what he feels is happening (or is not happening, depending on your outlook) in the Body today. If you are into Holy Spirit led music, I encourage you all to give Jason a listen. 'Remember' is one of the most powerful albums likely ever recorded. Tis good. I leave you with lyrics to one of my favorite songs of his.

Poverty
by Jason Upton
album: Faith (2001)

There's a power in poverty that breaks principalities
And brings the authority's down to their knees
There's a brewing frustration and ageless temptation
To fight for control by some manipulation

But the God of the kingdoms and the God of the Nations
The God of creation sends his revelation
Thru the homeless and penniless Jesus the son
The poor will inherit the Kingdom to come

Where will we turn when our world falls apart
And all of the treasures we've stored in our barns
Can't buy the Kingdom of God?
Who will we praise when we've praised all our lives
men who build Kingdoms and men who build fame
What will we fear when all that remains
Is God on His throne, with a child in his arms,
and love in his eyes
And the sound of his heart cries

Resurrection Sunday rave/Poll of the Week

It's Resurrection Sunday everyone!!! Hooray!!

What many thought was the darkest friday in human history (Good Friday) quickly turned into the greatest sunday (and greatest event) that ever was. The raising of Jesus from the grave. Sweet!! The institution of the New Covenant. Nice! It's this event that seperates Jesus from all other humans, from all other religious founders, from every other person that ever drew a breath of air.

Many people have died for their cause, for their "religion", etc, but none have risen from the grave. Thats what seperates Jesus. Thats the claim of His truth, His authority, His unconquerable love. Take that death.

Poll of the Week
Here are last weeks results:

Do you think the
rapture of the believers will be pre, mid, or post
tribulation?
PRE-tribulation 17%
MID-tribulation 17%
POST-tribulation 67%

So most of you think the rapture will take place at the end of the tribulation period. I guess we'll find out soon enough. Sooner, rather than later, likely.

This week's Poll deals with what most populous city you would live in if given the choice. So, enjoy. And remember to take some time to dwell on what Easter is all about. Tis Jesus.

He That Gives To the Poor Shall Not Lack

The first big test on giving came with a man in very poor circumstances, the lowest of the low before he was converted. One morning the Lord laid a burden on me for him and told me to pray for him because he was in difficulties. The devil was attacking him and I saw that a contest was going on for his soul. It was a very keen spiritual fight. I told the Lord, "I will give all I have to save him."

That evening the man came to see me, and when I asked if he was in trouble he said that he was two years behind with his rent. "Oh," I said, "I will help you with half of what you need and I am sure my friend will give you the other half."

On my way upstairs to fetch the money the Lord spoke to me, "What did you say to him? I thought you said this morning that you would give all you had."

I turned back and told the man I would give him all he needed. Then I walked back with him to his home. When I left him it seemed that all the joy of heaven came down on me. It came over in waves, and I could not contain it. That night I changed in the root of my nature. I changed towards the world, towards lost souls and towards giving. From that time I could not help but give to everyone in need. I lived to give.

Rees Howells (www.sermonindex.net)

The "Heathen"

I learnt an interesting thing this morning. The heathen aren't really the unsaved; they are, but it's more interesting than that. The actual heathen are not the people who reject Christ in Canada, or America etc, they are ones whom their fathers have (from God) wandered away, and now they don't have a choice about being saved or not cause there is no one to preach the gospel to them. That sucks!! People are going to hell with their sins already forgiven, because they just haven't been told. They haven't had the opportunity to hear about, and recieve Jesus, and what He did for them. The heathen are actually people born into places that don't hear the gospel. Places like India, China, the Middle East, Africa, etc etc etc. The people we associate ourselves with, that don't believe in Jesus, are simply "unbelievers". They've had ample opportunity to believe, yet they have chosen not to. The heathen haven't had a chance to accept, or reject Christ, cause there is no witness. What a sad state that is. I bless the foreign missionaries. The ones who are being mocked, spit upon, beaten, tortured, and killed to bring about choice to these people whom they labour so furiously for.

That brings another thought to my mind. How long shall we put off going to the heathen while we stay here and try to reach the ones who have rejected Christ for the past couple hundred years? I don't recall Jesus spending too much time giving people chances, over and over again, before moving on to ones who had not yet heard the Good News. I'm all for reaching Canada, but I'm more for going to the unreached. Maybe when all the heathen have had the opportunity to respond to the Gospel, I will stress the importance of reaching Canada and of focusing our attention on the unbelievers. Maybe not though. Time shall tell............................

Sunday Rave/Poll of the Week

Today I missed church cause I worked nights last night. Way too tired to get anything out of a service today. But, I met Kristina, Ryan & Tonya and we went and seen "The Benchwarmers". I liked it. It was one of the only movies that was funny the whole way through. It also had a decent message, so you can't beat that.

Poll of the Week
Here are last week's results:

In general, are you happy with where you are in life?
Absolutely 50%
Not even close 0%
For the most part 50%

I'm happy to say that not one person who participated in the poll was completely dissatisfied with their life. Good times.

This week's Poll is taken from the pages of Revelation. Do you think the rapture of the believers will be pre, mid, or post tribulation? I really don't know but there is lots of debate as to this question, so I just thought I'd throw it out there to you all fight about. Have a great week all. You never know, the rapture could happen before I post the results next sunday. Crazy times, we're in.

If the world were a village of 100 people

A friendie emailed me this and I thought it was interesting enough to share. Tis a sobering thought:

In the world today, there are 6,300,000,000 people
If the world were shrunk to a village of 100 people, this is what it would look like.

52 female, 48 male
70 non-white, 30 white
70 adults, 30 children
30 christian, 70 practicing other relegions or none at all
15 speak Chinese, 7 English, 6 Hindi, 6 Spanish, 5 Russian, 4 Arabic, 3 Bengali,
and 54 some other language
90 would be heterosexual, 10 homosexual
50 would not have enough to eat
80 would live in sub-standard housing
70 would not be able to read
1 would have a college or university education
1 would own a computer
59% of the village's wealth would be in the hands of 6 people

Did God create evil?

A university professor challenged his students with this question: "Did GOD create everything that exists? "

A student bravely replied "Yes, he did!"

"GOD created everything?" the professor asked.

"Yes sir," the Student replied.

The professor answered, "If GOD created everything, then GOD created evil. Since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then GOD is evil."

The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question Professor?"

"Of course," replied the professor.

The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?"

The professor replied "Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"

The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.

The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does."

The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir. Darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence we see everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of GOD. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of GOD. GOD did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have GOD's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down.

The young man's name --- Albert Einstein

Uncle Josh

August 13/05 must have been a great day for Mom. I was in northern Mozambique, in southeastern Africa, graduating from Missions School, and my brother was getting married to an awesome woman named Erin. Just last week Erin discovered she was pregnant, so I will officially be an uncle close to the end of this year. Anyways, I wanted to throw this post out and ask that EVERYONE who reads this to throw up a prayer on their behalf. It doesn't have to be a ten-minute'er or anything, but prayer is good. Just do it. If I can find a wife half as good as my brother found, it'll have to be from God! Bless you guys, I missed the wedding, hopefully I won't miss this too :(

Sunday rave/Poll of the Week

Here are last week's Poll results:

Should I go to North Carolina to work at a children's camp this summer?
Go for it 71%
Absolutely not 29%

This week's poll asks if you are generally happy with where you are in life. This past week I have really been beating myself up. Tonight though I was hanging out with some guys who really made me see how much I've changed in the past 4.5 years. I am so grateful to God for what I've come out of. I'm so grateful that I survived.............................myself!!!!! Today I can honestly say that, yes, I am happy where I'm at in life, overall. There are still things I'd change, places I'd rather be, but, I see the path I've taken since late 2001 and I'm happy that I took it. Bless you all in your walk through this amazing journey we call "life".