We're 2 days into day camp and I'm loving it. I've got a lot to say and will *hopefully* use this space to process it later on. It's been so much fun! Great kids. Fantastic people to do it with. Fun songs. Good games. Field trips. Oh man!!
Day 1 - God is with us. Fear not!! Science Center for the afternoon
Day 2 - God is powerful. Fear not! Then it was off to the zoo!
Cool story. We had one little boy who had to leave at lunch time to go and have some allergy testing done. He's wearing his camp t-shirt and so the nurse asks him what it's all about. He tells her, in detail, about what he's been learning at camp. Songs about Jesus. How God is always with us. Some of the God sightings we talked about. His mom says he's a little bit ADD with things like that but was shocked at how much he remembered, in detail, and how excited he is about it. Just cool.
For me, it's been another one of those moments where I just feel like I've hit the sweet spot. A bit like the tours but in a different way. I love the kids. I love the energy. I love working with the people I'm working with. I love the role I get to play. I love leading the songs and doing the silly dances...and not worrying what anyone thinks because that's not the point. And I feel like I'm doing a descent job at it. All that said, it's humbling too. I watch things go on around me and I know it's not all me. I recognize the fantastic job the team is doing and all the work that each one of them is doing. I see the different skills each one brings and I know that they are bringing things to the table that I never could. I know that there is much more going on than I ever could have orchestrated and that someone much bigger than me is in charge. It's good. It's just good.
God is with us. Fear not!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
By Maya Angelou
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What I'm Up to...
Hosted By Journey Church
July 20-25, 2009
in the community of Cranston
Elementary (9-4:30) and Preschool Programming (9-12)
Spots are still available if you're in Calgary and have kids that would like to join us. Check here for more information.
July 20-25, 2009
in the community of Cranston
Elementary (9-4:30) and Preschool Programming (9-12)
Spots are still available if you're in Calgary and have kids that would like to join us. Check here for more information.
Monday, July 13, 2009
This is what you do when you've worked too many 12-15 hour days and your brain's turning to mush...
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Have Fun!
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Moment of Surrender (U2)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Live to Find (Mobile)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Supposed to Be (Jack Johnson)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Meet in the Middle (Diamond Rio)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
God Made Me (Chantal Kreviazuk)
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Be Thou My Vision (Leigh Nash)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Neon (John Mayer)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Never Do Anything (Barenaked Ladies)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The Tourist (Radiohead)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Mirrorball (Elbow)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Say It Ain't So (Weezer)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
It's in Our Hands (Bjork)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Even When (Jeremy Camp)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Make a Mistake With Me (Brad Paisley)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
New Law (Derek Webb)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Don't Think I Won't (Mark Wills)
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Everlasting (Brian Doerksen)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Peace (Third Day)
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Have Fun!
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Moment of Surrender (U2)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Live to Find (Mobile)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Supposed to Be (Jack Johnson)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Meet in the Middle (Diamond Rio)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
God Made Me (Chantal Kreviazuk)
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Be Thou My Vision (Leigh Nash)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Neon (John Mayer)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Never Do Anything (Barenaked Ladies)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The Tourist (Radiohead)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Mirrorball (Elbow)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Say It Ain't So (Weezer)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
It's in Our Hands (Bjork)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Even When (Jeremy Camp)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Make a Mistake With Me (Brad Paisley)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
New Law (Derek Webb)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Don't Think I Won't (Mark Wills)
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Everlasting (Brian Doerksen)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Peace (Third Day)
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Thai Manna
My friend, Michelle, has got this amazing gift for cooking up some of the best Thai curry, well, outside of Thailand. She's started her own company creating kits of the stuff so that people like me can make it at home. I've tried it at home. They're awesome.
Things are starting to roll. Her website is up, she'll be at the Millarville Market for the rest of the summer and, if you're around a TV tomorrow morning, you can catch her products advertised on Breakfast Television.
If you like Thai food, you HAVE to give it a try. Seriously.
Just thinking about it makes me want curry.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
It's just good...
"Laughing With" Lyrics:
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor
No one laughs at God when the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one's laughing at God when it's gotten real late and their kid's not back from that party yet
No one laughs at God when their airplane starts to uncontrollably shake
No one's laughing at God when they see the one they love hand in hand with someone else and they hope that they're mistaken
No one laughs at God when the cops knock on their door and they say "We've got some bad new, sir,"
No one's laughing at God when there's a famine, fire or flood
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they're about to choke
God can be funny
When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one's laughing at God when they've lost all they got and they don't know what for
No one laughs at God on the day they realize that the last sight they'll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one's laughing at God when they're saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they're about to choke
God can be funny
When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one's laughing at God in a hospital
No one's laughing at God in a war
No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor
No one's laughing at God
No one's laughing at God
No one's laughing at God
We're all laughing with God
Laughing With by Regina Spektor from the album Far
A Song that Speaks...
Hosanna, Brooke Fraser
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
"Hosanna. God save us." That's what they shouted when Jesus rode in on Palm Sunday. Celebration. Praise. Awe. All that and more. I think it was also a plea. For hundreds of years, for generations, the people of Israel had been hoping for the Messiah who would come a redeem them, restore them and free them. This man, this Jesus, was the one they were putting their hope in and so with everything in them, they shouted "Hosanna. Hosanna in the Highest. We believe in you. We believe you are the One we've been waiting for. We put our hope and our trust and our faith in you. We ask you to do all that was promised. God save us."
Thousands of years later, the cry is the same.
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
"Hosanna. God save us." That's what they shouted when Jesus rode in on Palm Sunday. Celebration. Praise. Awe. All that and more. I think it was also a plea. For hundreds of years, for generations, the people of Israel had been hoping for the Messiah who would come a redeem them, restore them and free them. This man, this Jesus, was the one they were putting their hope in and so with everything in them, they shouted "Hosanna. Hosanna in the Highest. We believe in you. We believe you are the One we've been waiting for. We put our hope and our trust and our faith in you. We ask you to do all that was promised. God save us."
Thousands of years later, the cry is the same.
Hungry
I have a...
"Hunger for deeper, wider, and higher community that genuinely and organizationally transforms the communities we belong to and the ones that surround us. I see a hunger for something beyond the individualized, self-absorbed, bloated faith that is the common fare of most churches.
Hunger for the power of the gospel - not only to forgive sin but also to transform what makes us sinful in the first place, bringing freedom, healing, and deliverance.
Hunger for grace - to see all those excluded and hurt by the church brought again int contact with Jesus and His bride and told of their pricelessness.
Hunger for joy - transcending our techno-isolation and consumer orientation, hunger to taste the joy, wonder, and awe of the world and people around us.
Hunger for justice - to see the gospel proclaimed and lived out in word and deed, corporately and individually, structurally and personally, globally and locally.
Hunger for worship - to see the offering of our whole selves as the only fitting response to God's mercy, holiness, love and grace.
Hunger for truth - tired of talking heads proffering countless human opinions, always in conflict, we hunger for a definitive word, a voice with authority, a way of discerning what really matters and why.
Hunger for honesty - disgusted with the scandals of our churches and our hearts, we hunger to find places where we no longer have to hide our true selves from God or from each other."
in Death By Church, Mike Erre, pg 13.
"Hunger for deeper, wider, and higher community that genuinely and organizationally transforms the communities we belong to and the ones that surround us. I see a hunger for something beyond the individualized, self-absorbed, bloated faith that is the common fare of most churches.
Hunger for the power of the gospel - not only to forgive sin but also to transform what makes us sinful in the first place, bringing freedom, healing, and deliverance.
Hunger for grace - to see all those excluded and hurt by the church brought again int contact with Jesus and His bride and told of their pricelessness.
Hunger for joy - transcending our techno-isolation and consumer orientation, hunger to taste the joy, wonder, and awe of the world and people around us.
Hunger for justice - to see the gospel proclaimed and lived out in word and deed, corporately and individually, structurally and personally, globally and locally.
Hunger for worship - to see the offering of our whole selves as the only fitting response to God's mercy, holiness, love and grace.
Hunger for truth - tired of talking heads proffering countless human opinions, always in conflict, we hunger for a definitive word, a voice with authority, a way of discerning what really matters and why.
Hunger for honesty - disgusted with the scandals of our churches and our hearts, we hunger to find places where we no longer have to hide our true selves from God or from each other."
in Death By Church, Mike Erre, pg 13.
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