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!

Sibling Revelry - Part 2

The idea for a series comes from my good friend David Fisher's blog "Pilgrim Scribblings". Check out His Site for a great series of pictures showing beauty in the seemingly dull, called "Attractive Drabness". The first link takes you to his latest installment, this second link takes you to a previous post which shows more pictures.

This is a second installment of what may become a series of pictures that show the wonderful side of sibling relationships. I know I treasure my siblings - my older brother Scott, and younger sister Jill - tremendously. These pictures remind me that my own kids really do love each other too! Click on the following link to see the first "Sibling Revelry" post.

Dawson and Karsy enjoying breakfast, beautiful art, and bonding

AND THE GOLD MEDAL GOES TO...

My son Dawson's hockey team, The All Saints Tykes, finished the year strong and ended up winning the playoff tournament to take home the Gold Medal! Dawson proudly shows off his gold at the year-end hockey banquet. His whole team was very excited to win a "Gold Medal"!

God and Lemonade

You've heard the saying, "when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade". I subscribe to that sort of mind set. In fact, I was thinking as I started this post that life itself is actually a lemon. Think about it, the Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We begin our lives in sin - now that is a lemon! The quintessential "lemon" is that car that is always breaking down. You get it with great hopes and dreams to drive in style, or at least get from place to place, and it ends up disappointing you. Just like life, we are born and there is great hope surrounding a new baby. As we grow up we are dreaming of what we might do - after school, on the weekend, in the summer, when we grow up, when we get a new job, when this debt is paid, when this habit is kicked, when this relationship is repaired, and on and on and on. The lemons, or bad things in life, the results of our sin and the sins of others start piling up. Pretty soon, we become jaded and the hope is gradually replaced with hopelessness. Ah, but there is lemonade to be made.



A couple of weeks ago, my daughter wanted to have a lemonade stand. It was the first really nice day of spring, and she got this notion. We both worked together and set up a stand complete with a giant jug of lemonade, disposable cups, chocolate wafers for a treat, and a little ceramic "doggy bank" for any donations. I had forgotten something inside and told Karsyn that she needed to come in with me. She first said that she would stay outside by herself and I said no. When she protested, I reminded her that I needed to keep her safe and couldn't leave her alone outside. Remembering our "street safe" talks, she quickly came in with me. As we headed back outside her exact words were "Nobody will take me now Daddy, because when they see you with me they will know that I belong to you." I was struck by the simplicity and the truth of the statement, and by how the very same thing could be said about us and God. "When they see you with me they will know that I belong to you". If you are a believer, do people know that you "belong" to God? Do people see God with you everywhere you go? That is our witness to those around us. That is what shows others who our allegiance is pledged to. When we put others ahead of ourselves, people see God in us; when we give sacrificially and cheerfully, people see God in us; when we show faithfulness through difficulty, people see God in us; when we share in others pain and hurt, people see God in us; when we welcome others into our home with hospitality, people see God in us; when we share the truth of Christ's love and the power of His death and resurrection, people see God in us - and know that we belong to Him!

Then God can make the lemonade. He takes the lemons (our lives) and makes something wonderfully refreshing, sweet, satisfying, and altogether different then what we had before - the lemonade - or, our new Life in Christ! Have you allowed Him to have your lemon and make lemonade? Have you given Him your life and asked Him to make all things new, to make it full and abundant, satisfying and rich, complete and compelling, exciting and eternal? He will - He did it for me, he's done it for others, and He can do it for you - whosoever will... Those are my thoughts on God and Lemonade.

Take care of the little things!

Have you ever noticed how the big things so often are actually just little things that got out of hand? Here is a great example. No, this isn't our car - but it got your attention, right?!!!

The other day, my wife had an appointment at 8am. She got into the car at 7:45 and soon discovered that the car would not start. There was just no sound when she turned the key. On top of being late for the appointment, Robbin couldn't bear the thought of yet another seemingly all-to-frequent vehicle expense. Flustered and frustrated, she got out of the car and made her way to the house to get my help. By the time she reached the front door, she realized her mistake. She turned around and realized that she had forgotten to put the car in gear and put the parking brake on. She knew this because our car was rolling down the driveway, and she watched it cross the (busy) street, hop the curb, and settle on the neighbour's lawn with the back end sticking out on the road! After calling a cab to take Robbin to her appointment I waited for CAA and couldn't help but wonder why she didn't remember to put the parking brake on.

When the CAA guy came, he started it up with a battery charger and tested it out and felt that everything looked good. I told him what happened and I have to say that I just gave him the facts - without complaining about "women and cars" 'cause that's just not my style. But, he did get the message that my wife did this. When I asked why it happened he explained it could be anything. He had a quick look around and discovered the interior light was switched to the on position. He looked at me and with a wry grin asked who had the car last night, to which I sheepishly admitted was me! I left the car light on all night and killed the battery! If I had taken care of a very small thing, we never would have had the car on the neighbour's lawn!

Well, the CAA guy had a good chuckle at my expense but it got me thinking about how many "big problems" could be dealt with easier, reduced, or avoided altogether if the little things were taken care of. I want to offer a little word of advice when it comes to our faith and relationship with God - Take care of the small stuff, and you will be entrusted with even greater tasks. Be faithful in the little things, and it will just be natural for you to be faithful with more important things. Exhibit integrity during the easy times, and you will persevere in tough times. Most important, be sure to say one small prayer of repentance, acceptance, and surrender and the biggest thing of all - eternity - will be taken care of! The Bible describes hell as a whole lot worse then jumping a curb and landing in your neighbour's yard...

Coming soon to "The Hope of His Calling..."

Have you ever had a brush with greatness? Who would you like to meet and get their signature to keep for posterity? Watch for a different take on this in the upcoming post "The Autograph".

An unforgettable kiss

A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to go to our annual church business meeting. I changed my clothes and brushed my teeth after dinner and was set to go out for the evening. I was about to give my wife a kiss goodbye when I decided to plant a real "memorable" one on her. With the kids giggling behind us, I pulled away and Robbin was laughing. She had just moments earlier put "teatree" oil on her lips and she asked how it tasted. Caught up in the moment, I said "it'll take a lot more than that to keep me away" and kissed her passionately once again. I skipped out the door, but by the time I put the key in the ignition the horrible aftertaste of teatree oil assaulted my mouth in full force. As I pulled out of the driveway, I hit the speed dial for home and when Robbin picked up I said into the cellphone, "Man, that teatree oil is potent stuff!!!". Robbin laughed, and I assured her that it was a small price to pay.

Now, that is just a silly little exchange between husband and wife, but don't underestimate the seemingly small stuff. I walked into the church, and while it was a fine, encouraging church business meeting, what do you really think my mind was on - my meeting or my mate?

Our lives are filled with the mundane day-to-day tasks - go to work, pick up the kids, help with homework, get supper, put kids to bed, etc. etc. Don't forget to break into the everyday routine with an exhilarating effort every once in a while. It doesn't have to be a big deal all the time, though that's nice too. Sometimes simplicity is sensational. I could have left with a simple kiss on the cheek, but those final moments of passion and fun flirting at the door with my wife had me on cloud nine for the whole evening. I couldn't wait to get back home and be with Robbin again, although I have to admit, I was hoping the teatree oil would wear off by then! Keep those homefires burning...

The Evangelists

I saw a headline the other day that read, "New Orleans Crusade Probably Graham's Last Sermon". This of course referred to well known evangelist Billy Graham and the declining state of his health. It was ironic that as I was reading this headline on crosswalk.com I could overhear my kids preaching one of their first sermons to a visiting friend.

They were all in my son's room playing "superheroes". They soon began to discuss the various merits of superman, batman, Luke Skywalker, and others. Finally my son said, "well, Jesus is stronger than anybody and he can do anything." Dawson's friend Silas seemed impressed, and agreed that God did trump the other superheroes. My 4 year old was in there as well. After trying in vain to contend that Dora the Explorer qualified as a superhero, Karsyn followed up Dawson's remark with this; "yeah, and did you know that Jesus died on a cross to forgive our sins so we could go to heaven?".

It really is a simple message, isn't it. So simple that humanity's intelligence so often gets in the way of figuring it out. As I eavesdropped on this wonderful exchange, I thought again of the great evangelist - Billy Graham. What successor to the evangelist could possibly have the impact on the world that he has had? Graham was quoted a number of years ago on the subject of a successor. He said, "I don't need a successor, only willing hands to accept the torch that I have been carrying, those who will present the gospel to a new generation,".

I heard 2 kids receive that torch into their hands the other day. My prayer is that this knowledge of Truth would grow in them and develop a passion to present the gospel to this new generation. I had a Bible College professor who's signature phrase to his students was "Keep Preaching!". Well, Dawson and Karsyn - keep preaching!

It's Playoff Time!

At least for the P.C.C.H.L. Tyke division. We lost the first game, then won the second one with Dawson getting a goal and an assist. He deked around the defenceman to get in alone on the goalie, gave him a head fake and lifted it over the goalie's leg - a big deal for a kid who has been working on lifting the puck!

In his practice Jersey, Dawson has his "gameface" on!

Dawson (in the black with yellow and white trim) goes for the puck

Slightly undersized, this All Saints star has speed to burn. When he gets a step, lookout goalie 'cause he has the moves!

Scripture and Quote of the Week Updated...

Both the Scripture and the quote are to do with sibling relationships. The quote can only be ever true if the family referred to is the family of God - believers by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Sibling Revelry

Just when you wonder why brothers and sisters have to fight so much, you are reminded that they really do love each other. Jill and Scott, for all the dirty socks in my mouth, for the punches on my arm that Mom thought would give me cancer (???), for the pushing, pinching, telling blaming, and teasing that we all did, this is what it's really all about. And there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...

Family Photos

We've all done the "kodak moment" thing, right?!!! It seems that the photographer is more into it then the subjects after a while. Take a look...

Pretty in Pink

My best girls - so far so good!

What can I say - Just as pretty as pretty gets!!!

As you can see - I'm starting to lose them. I said, okay guys, one silly shot, then back to business... Mom is not too impressed!!!

There, that's better - well... good enough, we're done!

Another Birthday Girl

My wonderful wife turned... well, you'll have to ask her - but she had a birthday this month too! We celebrated with our good friends - the Gavin's. Hey, save me some Ron!!!

Robbin (b'day girl), Karsy, Seth, and Ron

Birthday Girl

My darling daughter turned 4 years old last month!!! Here are some some pics of her celebrating with some friends and cupcakes...

Karsyn likes what she put together

Karsy's friend Seth "hams" it up!

Dawson and Luke have "icing beards"!!!

Can you say "Sugar buzz!!!"?

Yummy

I'd save some for ya... but it's too good!!!

Awakening To The Wonderful World of Books

I have always been a great lover of books. I enjoy reading, but I am not particularly good at it. No, I do not have literacy issues. I can read, but I don't read non-fiction regularly unless I have to. I find this strange because in times of "force-fed reading" (such as educational and occupational requirements, etc.) I usually love it. I am often challenged, refreshed, inspired, and otherwise satisfied with being fed spiritually and mentally. I just find that I do not regularly crack a non-fiction book and finish it with the same ravenous reading in which I attack a novel.

A few months ago I decided that I needed to develop this discipline of reading for my own personal and professional growth. The results have been somewhat mixed. In spurts and starts, I have read with a proficiency that falls somewhere in the middle of the Canadian Women's hockey team's total dominance and the men's team's utter malaise. In other words, I am not completely hopeless but I am not exactly a world-beater yet in terms of reading.

I decided to start things off with an author whose fiction I really enjoy. Ted Dekker is an amazing suspense/thriller/action novelist writing from a Christian worldview with a clear message of hope and faith in his work. So when I discovered his first foray into non-fiction, I picked it up. In fact - this book inspired the title of this blog, the hope of His calling. In reading it, you quickly see signs of a fiction writer's first non-fiction work manifested in 2 clear elements. First, it is very much "story-centric". Dekker loves to tell a story and often does to get his point across. The other element is that because of the "story-centric" nature, the book is more inspiration than information.

The sub-title "awakening a passion for heaven on earth" really states the purpose of the book succinctly, and the author does a fairly good job of achieving his stated purpose. Dekker was preaching to the choir though as I really can't wait for heaven. Essentially, the message is for many of us (me included sometimes) who just get so comfortable living our life here that we forget we are not here for here. We are here for heaven!

One aspect that Dekker deals with exceptionally well is the whole concept of the "wrongness" of pleasure. Many believers are wrongfully taught or mistakenly think that pleasure is bad. Ever hear someone say, "if it feels good, it must be a sin". So not true. Here is a quote from the book, "While the children of our culture play noisily about the yard and swim in so many pleasures and eat from lavish spreads, we often feel like the ugly stepchild, confined to our closets, starved of the pleasures that call to us."(p.165) He goes on to discuss how we are really meant to enjoy the pleasures the creator has made for us, but sinful nature distorts and perverts pleasure to the point of turning it to sin. Then on p.167 Dekker returns our focus to eternity, "When one is enamored with the bliss that actually awaits, he actually finds more pleasure here on earth, not less."

I have run into some believers who are uncertain of heaven, even scared because of the unknown or dreading it because of what they think they know. This book is a great start for those who have misconceptions of eternity. Randy Alcorn (who wrote the forward for this book) also has great stuff on the topic of eternity.

This was a good book, inspiring a passion for eternity and instilling a desire to enjoy the "foretastes" in the meantime while serving the One who provides it all. Check out Dekker's site on the link above (click on highlighted name) for more info on the author and his work. Very good stuff.

Well, that was my first - and I've read three others since, so I am improving! I'll have another review soon. In the meantime, I would recommend you pick up this book whether you need to be awakened from a slumber, or inspired to continue on in the journey to our eternal destination. And then the fun begins.

The Best Ever!!!

There has been a lot of TV watching at our place the last couple of weeks due to the wall-to-wall Olympic coverage. We have even temporarily lifted the usual "before school TV ban" to watch those early morning events. With all the coverage comes the endless commercials. Some are "Gillette fusion"

clever (the Bell beavers), some are cool (the weird water/metallic dripping off the vehicles on the fashion runway), some are silly (Ronald McDonald ski jumping), some inspiring (the child athletes with famous athlete's voice-overs), and some are just the same old stuff you always see trying to sell product. See - I told you we have been watching too much TV!

Anyway, the one I'm talking about is one of those generic "say your product is the best" ads. The first time my 6 year-old son Dawson saw the Gillette Fusion commercial, he turned to me and said with wide eyes, "Dad - did you hear that?!! You've gotta get it - they just said it will give you 'the best shave ever'!!!". He was completely serious. I'm sure if he had stubble, he would have walked right out the door to the nearest store to pick up this product. Now, I have nothing against Gillette - in fact I use one of their older products, but how many things claim to be "the best"? How many products make claims that they cannot follow through on? I have a cousin who bought an electric razor because it promised a shave as close as a blade or your money back. He got his money back. It could not deliver on the promise to shave as close as a blade. It was not as good.

So what is this all about? I'm just trying to get us thinking about promises, new things, and what is really the best for us. No, I'm not endorsing a particular razor, electric shaver, or your local barber - I'm endorsing something that is billed as the best ever - a new, better, superior way of living.

The book of Hebrews repeatedly shows that Jesus came to establish a new and superior covenant with God's creation. Hebrews 11 lists a number of people, centering them out for their faith while under the old covenant. However, it was still not perfect. They were only saved based on their faith retroactively under the new covenant. "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Heb. 11:39,40)

The old way was not sufficient. "The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." (Heb. 7:18,19)

We needed something else. "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come?" (Heb. 7:11)

So what is the difference between the old and the new? What makes the new way superior? "Therefore he (Christ) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever." (Heb. 7:25-28)

Now we have been promised a better way, the only way (John 14:6), a superior way. "But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises." (Heb. 8:6)

And how do we know this? How can we be sure of these promises? What is the guarantee? "Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant." (Heb. 7:22)

I love the feel of a good close shave. It feels soft and smooth, then you slap the after shave on and you feel clean and refreshed. That is what the blood of Jesus does to our lives. It removes the "stubble" of sin in our lives, it cleanses us, it refreshes us, His blood frees us.

I am not sure if I have had the best shave ever, but I know that Jesus has provided the best life ever, and I plan on continuing to live in Him. Now that is an advertisement worth paying attention to. That is something that I could endorse! Would you consider doing the same? Do it with that same child-like faith exhibited by my son, accepting God's word that it is indeed - "the best ever!!!"

Change is Overdue

Boy, that scripture and quote of the week are from Christmas! I was trying to decide whether to keep them there until next Christmas or if I should update - I've decided to update. The Scripture goes with the recent post "The Vanishing Stain". "It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and jupiter and mars. How loving and patient He must be, 'cause He's still workin' on me".

Coming Soon to "The Hope of His Calling..."

Have you ever had a brush with greatness? Who would you like to meet and get their signature to keep for posterity? Watch for a different take on this in the upcoming post "The Autograph".