Daycare, Storytime, and Hell...

Today I arrived at the school to pick my daughter up at daycare at the usual time. I was greeted by her teacher and she complimented me on what a lovely girl Karsyn is, very endearing and very polite. I knew all of this of course, and thanked her with a big proud smile on my face. She then proceeded to tell me about the storytime that day. The book used at storytime today contained the subject of a grandparent dying and going to heaven. Karsyn used this opportunity to share with her fellow pre-schoolers some thoughts on life after death. She said that God made heaven for people who love Him. She then said that God also made hell and that Jesus would throw the devil into hell and anyone who does not love God would go to hell too.

Now, I don't know if the teacher was telling me this just to make small talk, or if she was wanting me to be aware of my daughter's bold proclamations and potentially frightening statements to the other kids. I do know however that she has never talked to me before other than a polite "hello". Regardless, I just smiled and responded - "well that's great, it's good to know she has her theology right!".

I know we can be quick to talk about Heaven, but we also need people to know that the alternative is Hell. It is easier to talk about heaven - that's the nice part, but hell is bad news. Keeping hell in our consciousness helps to maintain an urgency of evangelism. People without Christ are not lost to nothingness, they are lost to an existence of everlasting torment. But we have the Good News! We can preach Christ crucified, sinners sanctified, believers satisfied, and saints glorified. Now there is a story we need to be telling - go on get out there, it's storytime!

Care Bears, MegaMen, and Heaven...

Christians often talk about "the hope of heaven". What exactly is it we are hoping for? Heaven, yes I know, but what about heaven? What will be so great about it? What will be there? What will we actually be doing there? The other day my kids were talking about heaven and my young 6 year old theologian was trying to explain the finer points of heaven to his 4 year old sister. It began with Karsyn saying she wanted to take "sharebear", the care bear given to her by Aunt Jill, wherever she went. "I'm even going to take her to heaven with me!" she exclaimed. Dawson suppressed his laughter and exchanged a knowing look with me before sharing with his sister some sage wisdom that he learned himself not many months ago. "I'm really sorry Karsyn", he began, "but you can't take sharebear to heaven with you. We won't be taking anything at all!" She said, "really? Not even our clothes?". They had a good little giggle about that, then Dawson went on to talk about not taking anything because God was making it so we wouldn't need anything. She didn't really like this answer and whimpered, "but I want Sharebear". Dawson in his attempt to empathize with his sister told her that he can't take his Megaman with him either. He said everything that will be there will be way better than anything we could ever want to take with us.

I wonder, what is it that you might be holding onto? What is it that seems more important than eternal life to you? Maybe you're not clutching sharebear to your chest and hanging on for dear life, but I would submit that many of us hang on to other things. Is it money, your job, relationships, power, entertainment - or simply satisfaction with the status quo?

I don't know about you, but I am certainly not hoping for an eternity of sitting on a cloud singing and playing a harp. Don't get me wrong, times of worship, reflection, and relaxation are wonderful and I'm sure will be a great part of heaven. But here on earth once I've had a nice little rest, I'm ready to do something man! I really think heaven will be far more active than many perceive it to be. I've read some authors like Randy Alcorn, Ted Dekker, C.S. Lewis, and others who have suggested that we will indeed be very busy in our eternal state. It will be a continuation of that "full abundant life" that Christ has come to give us. Will you join me in living that out - forever... even without carebears and megamen?

Peterborough Pete's Pastor Gets Carried Away in Moncton

My good friend David Fisher (aka "Ontario's Ambassador to PEI" - see previous post) accompanied the Peterborough Petes to Moncton for the Memorial Cup. David, or "Fish" as he's known to the players, is the chaplain for the Petes and has had a tremendous impact on many young players who have come through the Petes organization in his 10 years of ministry with the team. This trip to the memorial cup is a great opportunity for David to continue to minister in meaningful ways during one of the most memorable events of these players young lives. It is also apparently an opportunity for him to sample some of the Maritimes prime snacks!

As I listened to the game on 980 kruz radio, play by play announcer Pete Dalliday spotted David in the crowd during a stop in play. He called what he saw with the same detail, and almost the same excitement of calling a Steve Downie puck control play along the boards with a pass out front to the high slot on to the stick of Jordan Stall. The following is a very close transcript of Dalliday's call of David Fisher in the stands:

"The whistle goes on the icing play... well, a lot of familiar Peterborough faces

making the trip to Moncton for this tournament. There's Petes Pastor

David Fisher with an ice cream cone in one hand and a

Timmy Horton's in the other - double fisting it now David,

you better be careful, getting carried away there!"

Suffice to say, David is enjoying the tournament - wins, losses, sight-seeing, snacks, and all! David is keeping an online Daily Diary of his time there. Click on the link and see the Memorial Cup in Moncton from his perspective.

Ambassador Greets Island Residents

Ontario's Ambassador to Prince Edward Island made his first official visit to the province today. David Fisher's itinerary included a tour of an authentic Island Beef farm, taking in the view at "Anne of Green Gables" in Cavendish, visiting Province House - "The Birthplace of Confederation", and dining at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. The Ambassador also called back to the Ontario office and was instructed to visit to the home of Harvey and Lorraine MacLeod (my parents). This visit was the highlight of the day for all parties involved and Mr. Fisher was quoted as saying he would be sure to be back! Amidst all of these official activities, I am sure the Ambassador found time to visit the local Christian Bookstore!

... Hope you had a good day David - I know my folks only complaint about the visit is that it was too short! This one was for you, Fish - more to come soon, I promise!