entering into GLORY

Quite a bit is happening the last couple weeks here in St Catharines.

Weekly, Heymans, Colin, Jessica, Jenny and I conduct church services at Scott St Manor. Last week we had our largest attendance yet (16) and the Spirit of God was moving in awesome ways, (check it out -->HERE<--). Sadly though, a couple of days before that service, one of our closest friends at the Manor (James, pictured at right ) suddenly passed away. He was in his mid-forties, and we were lucky enough to have met and spend time with this man whom God was obviously transforming into the image of Jesus. James has now entered into Glory, and although we miss him, we celebrate the fact that he is now in the literal presence of his Savior!

I went for a job interview at SITEL the other day and it appears I will be starting work on Feb 4. So that is pretty cool. It is a call center; which should be fairly amusing.

Yesterday, Jenny and I rented a car and went to TACF to see Bill Johnson (left). It was pretty rockin. Heymans also took a couple people down for the day. On the way back to St Catharines (which is normally an hour long drive) the traffic was AWFUL and it took us a little over 3.5 hrs to get back!!! We totally missed the 2nd weekly session of a Pastoral Care course we're enrolled in in Welland. Anyways, it's all good. We'll get there next week, I hope. And if you are so inclined, pray about Laos with me. Something about it has dropped into my spirit and I want to see if the desire for it increases or not.

St Francis recieves the stigmata

Francis of Assisi rocks!! Here he recieves the stigmata. Read more about this incredible event -->HERE<--.

January

Already, this year has been most interesting. I have been forced to make choices based on what I feel is most important to me. Decisions, I feel, that are crucial to the development of future aspects of my character, integrity, devotion, etc. The last 2.5 weeks have been a dramatic 'high' and 'low'. It's been great what God has done, but the method in which it's happened has been incredibly hard to participate in. And it's not over yet.

Holy Spirit has been taking us through the New Testament lately, teaching us on the fruit of the Spirit manifested in hardship, trial, suffering, etc. Where has this teaching been? To the 1st World church, Acts 14:22 is as close to a 4-letter word as you can get. Yet there are many such passages in the writings of the New Testament. I have seen the fruit of such trial, and the result is beautiful. Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 1Peter 1:6-7, etc etc etc all spell it out quite convincingly. Jesus did not come to bring us out of the world, but so that we would overcome the world.

Other than all that, on tuesday I started an 8 week/session Pastoral Care course in Welland at the hospital there. Rev Bob Bond is leading it and if the 1st class was any indication of how this course will be, than it's gonna be pretty awesome. The course will help develop ministerial skills in the area of hospital/nursing home ministry. And it only costs $40! Sweet!

And everyone pray for a speedy recovery for Jenny. She's still far from being 100%. We both need to be working and saving up money for Africa this summer.

words from the General

You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises - very much of heaven on earth. Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.

You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.

-William Booth

www.sermonindex.net

passion

I feel intense. I feel that there is an urgency to make the most of EVERY moment in our lives. Too much is at stake. Last year was a monumental one in my life. So much has happened inwardly and outwardly; its hard to comprehend. Now I'm in St Catharines. I left something here from before. Now I'm back.

So many people have so many regrets at this time, looking back at the past year. From last year, I've not many regrets; it is good.

I want to see a generation arise whom the "church" is envious of. A generation who is not content to "sit" in church sunday after sunday while 'sheep are without shepards'. A people who will take church to the outside rather than grow complacent and fat on the Word. A generation who actually show that they love Jesus, not just say it.

You see, it's easy for people to tell if you're in love with someone. It's obviously apparant by the way you talk and act. I know many christians who "say" they love Jesus. Problem being, if you have to "tell" people you love Jesus, why don't they already know. Many don't have to tell others they love their wives/husbands, it's obvious. We should be able to pick out the people who actually love Jesus, and really, we can. They are obvious. They sacrifice their lives for the sake of others. Instead of quoting the Bible, they live it. Their sermons are their lives. They are concerned about loving, not converting. They love Jesus above all else. All else but Jesus they count as rubbish, as refuse.

A generation such as this may provoke the church to replace lip-service with action, lust with love, religion with relationship.

Please Lord, help us to inspire. Use these earthen vessels to demonstrate Your power in love...........................The broken are waiting for us.

2008

For New Yrs Eve, Heymans, his bro, and I went to Hamilton (to Eagle Worldwide Ministries) for some festivities. From 8pm-10pm there was some fellowship, and then from 10pm-2008 there was some worship, and prophecy, and more worship. The church there is pretty sweet and we had a great time. It's all pretty far removed from what I would do for New Yrs half a dozen years ago or so.

There were many 'words' about "Open Gates in 2008", which could be pretty sweet, depending on if people are actually willing to step through them or not.

I believe that 2008 is a year that has tremendous potential. The only problem with potential is that it is seldom realized because it involves action on our part. The potential remains nonetheless though, and I think there is heaps of it for this upcoming year. God has amazing things for us to do this year..................so lets do it.