When Life hands you Lemons...take the peel and squirt the citric acid back in Life's Eyes!!!

Sometimes thats how I feel....over the course of the last few days I have felt that way numerous times. I got handed a card yesterday...a card I really didn't want, but it's all mine. It's the card I need to have,makes my hand complete....gives me a winning hand really, even though for the last week and a bit I have been wearing a poker face. Yesterday I was relieved of my position in the Student Ministry of the Evangelical Free Church. We came to an agreement in the afternoon and made the official announcement to our students last night. It was hard...this whole thing has been hard, but I have an all powerful Father who is in control, a wonderful, beautiful wife who has stood solidly by my side, a truely amazing and supportive family who has encouraged and prayed for us, and one little bundle of joy who has no idea what's going on... and this makes me smile every day. What are we doing and where are we going is anyones guess...

...Avast me Harties.....YO HO!!!!

Lame at Blogging I am...but Not at Friendship

I am no good at this. I am good at doing it when I do it...but consistency has never been my friend. Ah well...it should be a real treat when someone drops by for a visit.

God has given me amazing friends. This I know. Real, true, life-long, life-changing friends. They are His gift to me, and I am thankful.

Paul Zalinko. Paul is one of these friends. Paul and I weren't so close at first, but now I am truly blessed to count him as one of my dearest brothers. Recently we had a chance to hang again and it was so good. Paul is one of those guys who you can trust. I value that about him. Paul is trustworthy. If Paul says something you can take it to the bank. When he is into something you can know that he is 110% committed. He loves Landcruisers. He loves Jesus. He loves his wife and kids. He is the kinda guy that seems real serious, but is always up for a goodtime. He is a shining example of a father, husband, son and friend...and most importantly someone who desperately wants to live like Christ. I admire and respect Paul. I love to laugh with and at Paul. I enjoy spending times of deep conversation with Paul...and lets face it...the not so deep has been great too.
I have learned much from Paul and look forward with great anticipation to the next time we hang together.


Dan Bidne. Dan is an interesting one. Dan has so much to offer, and I think we only see just the tip of the iceberg. Dan is a gifted musician. Dan loves bees. Dan has the most random sense of humor, yet he always makes me laugh. Dan is steadfast in his convictions. Dan never gives up. Dan is committed to his friends and family. Dan is white....really white. One time Dan had some kind of armpit infection. Dan pursues Christ with his whole life. Dan has NO other God's before Yahweh. Dan has a nice truck. Dan and I used to lay awake for hours at night, not arguing but not agreeing, always stretching one another...or perhaps even sharpening. Dan is another guy who I recently had the privilege of spending some hours with. We laughed, joked, had moments of reminiscing and agreed that it has been way too long since last we enjoyed one anothers company. I like Dan. I think he is a great guy, and hope and pray that he can continue to discern the Lord's leading in his life. There are big things in the works for Dan, and he is on the cusp of what I believe will be the next great chapter in his life.


Thomas Hamilton. Thomas has an amazing memory. He fills it with all kinds of useless stuff, like movie quotes and Mortal Kombat combo's that all mix together to make him one of my favorite people in the world. Thomas and I became friends in the midst of tragedy, but have cemented our relationship in pure joy. Thomas is someone who really cares. He is genuine and unselfish. He is kind and I believe finally at peace with himself. Our friendship has not been without its difficultiank you Ges, however, time and maturity have brought us close. But not too much maturity. We still love Homer Simpson. We still play Nintendo. We still laugh at "potty-humour". We still laugh with each other. Time and distance have not been able to separate the bond we share. I had the privilege of introducing Thomas to a guy named Jesus. Though Thomas has not found a church he has enjoyed, he loves Christ and I hope we can have many more conversations about our Savior. Thomas helps me remember how great it is to be a kid...and will soon have one of his own, and he will surely be an outstanding Father.

Brian Satake. Brian loves toys. He has an amazing collection of the action figures. Brian loves the 80's. So, his toys really reflect that particular decade. He has Transformers, He-man, Jem, Alf, and a few I have no idea about...but his true collectible greatness can be found in his Star Wars memorabilia. I would like to think that I can take some of the credit (or perhaps, blame) for getting him going on collecting...but I really believe it was always a part of him. Brian makes me laugh. He see's the world like no one else I have ever met. Brian moved far away a long time ago, but I still get regular calls from New Zealand, and I love it. Brian also comes and visits at least once a year. In just a few weeks I hope to see him again, and this time we both will have our daughters to share in the "madness". Brian is generous and fun-hearted. I always feel accepted when we hang-out. There is no judgement or expectations placed upon our relationship...we simply like one another and have goodtimes. Brian has reminded me time and time again that playing is good. Brian makes me smile and I value him deeply.

Tim and Andy Sorensen. Two closer brothers I challenge you to find. These guys set the bar high as it relates to brotherly love, and I have learned much and sought to apply much to my relationship with my own dear brother. They are the very best of friends. I am privileged to be counted as one of theirs as well. Brothers who are so good at so much, naturally gifted in many ways and hard working enough to develop those gifts to a level few ever achieve. Though we don't stay in as close of contact as we should, times of reunion are never awkward and always good.

Steve Geiger. To me, he is a model of persistence. Steve loves camp ministry, Qwanoes in particular. For many years they took him for granted, but he never gave up seeking to prove to them how much he is worth. I believe now they know, and Steve has achieved much through hard work and prayer. There was a time that I too did not appreciate Steve. I took him for granted. Did not see how truly great a guy he is. Steve is humble. Steve is loyal. I think Steve is great. It saddens me to think that there was a time I did not appreciate him, but am glad that he is my brother. We have shared many laughs. Steve is just that guy who will always be there when you need a friend. There are a lot of people out there who think Steve is pretty sweet. How fortunate am I that we are friends. I really do love Steve. Steve gives great hugs. Steve has a great laugh. Steve see's life though a great lens. Steve and Christ and tight, and Steve has given up a lot to follow Jesus. I admire Steve, the humble servant that he is. I like that guy.

Russ Phillips. It has often been said that people don't know how Russ and I ever became such great friends. I don't know how people see us as being so different. I consider Russ one of the best people I have ever known, and someone who knows me better than most ever will. For all our apparent differences we are very similar. We have laughed, cried, rejoiced, lost, fought, won, bled, sweat and paid the price together. I have too many Russ stories to ever count. I have walked the paths of this life with him by my side for a good long time, cherish every stride and anticipate a great many more to come.

My friends, for whom I will always be thankful for. These guys have been amazing to me. I have been reading about the relationship that David shared with Jonathan. God really blessed those two boys with something special that few ever get to experience...and I feel like each one of these guys has been a Jonathan to me. David and Jonathan made a covenant with each other (1 Samuel 18:3) because they loved each other each "as himself". I truly believe that is the bond I have been given with these men, and I dearly love them each. How great is it that we shall all spend eternity bound by this friendship. I am blessed. Thank-you guys. Thank-you God.

Prayin' for the P's

I wish we still had kings...it just sounds way sweeter to have a King than a President...and WAY sweeter than a Prime Minister...one word or two? King just sounds so regal...so...manly. I serve the KING...not...I serve the Leader of the Conservative Party. Regardless of whom we serve, we are called to pray for them, and Paul clearly tells us why in this Passage from 1 Timothy.

1 Tim 2:1-4

Basically, Paul is urging us to pray for everyone, especially the leaders among us, because of the blessings that this will bring from a God whom we learn here is eager to save all.

Interesting to me that Paul breaks down our prayers for others into four categories: requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings. At first I wondered where confessions fit into the picture, but it seems to me that Paul is not urging us in our personal prayers, but rather our prayers for others, which I know for myself often fall to the wayside. It is easy to pray for me, I know me and like me and want to best for me. I can easily be lead to be a selfish pray-er, but here Paul is urging us to look around us and pray for everyone we have the privilege of knowing...and for some that is a pretty extensive list. Interesting that Paul points out authority figures in particular (Kings and those in authority over us). I find it easy to dichotomise my allegiance. I serve God, love God, respect and fear God...and not a lot of other people. Perhaps this a symptom of the rebellious generation I come from ("F" authority and all that good stuff), or maybe more likely it is simply a by-product of my sinful nature. I have always had a bit of a problem with authority and find it somewhat "cool" to dis it, escape it and mock it, but Paul is showing us here the importance of praying for authority figures in our life, meaning that they should hold a place of importance in our lives, leading us to pray for them. And, it should be pointed out that the goal/pay-off of prayers for our leaders is that we may live peaceful, quiet, godly and holy lives, lives that are good and pleasing to God...sounds pretty good to me.

Even though it is fun to stick it to "the man" once in a while...

Apparently, Blasphemy is a Blast

Sid just emailed me an interesting link to a story ABC News recently covered concerning the "Blasphemy Challenge (check it out yourself at http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=2833103&page=1)

Apparently this group of athiests, who feel as though they are the "last group that it's OK to hate"...oh the martyrdom. They are a group of people that see their job as being to fight God. They have started what they call the "Blasphemy Challenge", encouraging athiests to come out of the closet and show that they are not scared of the unforgivable sin (Mark 3:29).

I YouTubed some of the videos, and its pretty sad. What are all these people doing??!! And what is the appropriate Christian response. Im not really thinking this is going to be a major movement or even really make much of a mark on the Christian community in general...my concern is for these people. How as a child of God should I pray? Obviously that others don't fall for Satan's ploys, but what of those who have already blasphemed? And what is the unforgivable sin all about?

My mind wonders if this is true blasphemy, of if most of it is simply a cry for attention. Perhaps a rebellion against authority (they do seem to be targeting young teens, as most of their advertising is done on websites catering to that age-group, the most given to rebellion). It is interesting to me the number of Christians who recant on their faith as well. Very strange.

So again I ask...how are we to pray for those who have taken the challenge. Are they done? Are they beyond hope? And what should be our response. I find myself wanting to make a YouTube video simply stating how much I love Jesus and believe in the reality of his life, death and resurrection.

And I don't really think thats what the creators of the Blasphemy Challenge had in mind.

Grace and Peace to you all

Who Wan't Some Satan....?

I struggle with this text. I do. I struggle with it on a personal level, and I don't really even know why. In finishing off 1 Timothy chapter 1 I am once again confronted with this ugly issue of handing over members of our family to Satan...and I do not like it.

1 Tim. 1:18-20

Here Paul instructs Timothy to follow the prophecies made about him (which were?) in order that he may fight the good fight and keep the faith (Bon Jovi again....that guy just keeps popping up as we look at scripture...weird). He then brings up good 'ol Hymenaeus (tell me that guy didn't get made fun of in school) and Alexander, two guys who obviously had a problem with blaspheming and were handed over to Satan to be taught a lesson.

Here's where the struggle comes in. I don't really get how handing someone over to Satan helps the issue, and yet I am not sure how to discipline regarding these things. Church discipline. I am sorry that we ever had to come up with such a thing. I spose when it comes right down to it Sin has caused a lot of sorrow over the years. Sure won't miss Sin when it ain't around no more. Church discipline. Handing someone over to Satan. I am not entirely sure what that statement really means. I am assuming based on literature I have read that it means somthing along the lines of abandonning them to the world until they have learned their lesson, or essentially kicking them out on their cans until repentence takes place. Allowing them to have to deal with the consequences of their actions on their own. Thats why this is so troubling to me...cause it jsut seems like that is not what a family does. And yet, my family has.

Here is my experiences. First of all, and Paul will remember this well, Don Irvine. He was a man in our church that I really enjoyed being around. He had a great family, made a good living, even drove a Volvo. I was pretty impressed by this guy, and looked up to him quite a bit. He was with us as we took our youth group down the coast to California. Don and I wrote a song about the trip and preformed it live at church ("Passing Lilo on the Left Hand Side). I believe he was the original "Awesome Possum". We loved the guy. And he fell in love with another woman, left his family for her and was subsequently "disciplined". I didn't get it. It hurt to think that I as a member of the congregation was not to even sit down and have a burger with Don. It just didn't sit well with me. Shouldn't we journey with him at this dark time in his life? If all light leaves, what will be left but darkness.

I was kinda mad at the churchs' stand. At the time it was 1 Cor 5:5 that I was pointed to, much the same verbage as this passage. And even thought Paul clearly outlined it, it still didn't sit well with me.

Then my own father pulled the same bone-head move. And recieved the same result. And it still doesn't sit well with me. And yet, we have essentially given him over to Satan in our immediate family, to say nothing of the churchs' stand. I am angry with my father for his decision. I am dissapointed in the life he has chosen. I literally have no realtionship with him.

And even so, "handing him over to Satan"....just doesn't sit well with me. I'm not sure what to think or write, only that I struggle and know not how to get passed this hard truth communicated in this passage.

Tough stuff for sure. At least Paul can't get too much more controversial in the next few chapters, hey? Surely he wouldn't.





Yeah, surely.

High-Tech Tolkien

I love the works of great writers like C.S. Lewis and Tolkien (all one has to do is look at my shelf to see that) and I can't help but feel like we have a little in common with these men. Apparently they used to sit around and smoke pipes and simply talk. Talk about religion, theology, the books they were writing, life in general. They talked. I think this kind of interaction is so so so healthy and good, and perhaps we are accomplishing it in a small and impersonal way by creating this blogging ring. I like the thought that we are High-Tech Tolkiens, Cyber-C.S. Lewis'.

In fact...I may just have to start smoking a pipe while I'm blogging.

Trustworthy Sayings of a Righteous Badass

How good is it that people change? How good it is that God does not. Change can be scary, invigorating, challenging, exciting, disastrous and/or rejuvenating. I am not a stranger to change, not in this season of my life especially. The new job, new town, new kid...when we embrace change, we EMBRACE it. Though it is in no way easy, it is a necessary part of our journey, and was a life altering experience for Paul.

1 Tim 1:12-17

Paul thanks the Lord for his strength, mercy, blessing, grace, and love. He acknowledges that even though he was an evil man at one point, Christ not only forgave him but chose to use him to do great things, even beyond what Paul could have perceived at the time he wrote these words. He then goes on to say that it has all been done not for Paul's glory, but instead to display the unlimited patience of Christ Jesus, the King.

Paul was one bad dude. We have already established that he did what he did out of a sense of duty and a form of "patriotism", but dude, he was destroying Christ's children. You have to be one heck of a person to kill someone over their beliefs. Sadly, its been done a whole lot throughout history, and continues on to this day. I have to admit, I can respect the passion and conviction it would take to be that hardcore, but yikes!! To go so far as to kill a human being, that's insane. And once Paul has seen these actions through the eyes of Christ, he realizes that he is the Chief of Sinners. Most days I am pretty sure that I am his First Lieutenant. That's not to say I consider myself a man as great as Paul, but rather I live with the knowledge of how much I suck!! Thankfully, I can also live with the knowledge of how great and unchanging, how merciful and patient a God I serve. He is the same God that Paul serves. And I say serves because Paul is still serving Christ today, just as I am. Only thing is Paul has the added bonus of living in the same Kingdom as he. How sweet will that be one day. And that is the reason that Christ accepted the Chief of Sinners, to further his Kingdom...make us aware of his unending patience fo those of us who believe in the Eternal Kingdom. Hopefully the Chief's First Lieutenant is reflecting that same truth.

I am touched, amazed and thankful that Paul and I serve the same God. That even though Paul considered himself real BAD, he knew that with Christ he was RIGHTEOUS. And I love the trustworthy saying "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." What an amzing God.