Tuesday, April 10, 2007
How Great Is This!!??
My friend Dayna found this on her latest cross boarder vacation. How sweet is this!? Just look at it. By name alone, I was destined to be surrounded by and addicted to good books. Now I just have to pray that my poor roommate and my bank account agree!
*If you can't tell, it's a bookstore named "Stacey's" and it's spelled my way! I'm getting a lot of mileage out of this one today, ok!?
Monday, April 09, 2007
Missing Much Music
Question: What are your favorite songs of the past 10 years?
Here's why I ask: I recently had my hard drive from my computer, well, reworked, redone, and basically salvaged from my old computer. Fortunately, we were able to save both the hard drive and most of the files. One file I was sad to lose, though, was my music file which I'd been building since 1998. If you know me and my music, you know that this is a big deal. Anyway, I don't remember everything that was in there so I thought I'd put a shout out for a little bit of teamwork. Even if your favorite song isn't my favorite song, odds are pretty good that it will start my brainstorming functions and still be helpful!
Perhaps I should just ask, what are your all time favorite songs?
Make the lists as long as you want! I'm ready to hear what you have to say!
Here's why I ask: I recently had my hard drive from my computer, well, reworked, redone, and basically salvaged from my old computer. Fortunately, we were able to save both the hard drive and most of the files. One file I was sad to lose, though, was my music file which I'd been building since 1998. If you know me and my music, you know that this is a big deal. Anyway, I don't remember everything that was in there so I thought I'd put a shout out for a little bit of teamwork. Even if your favorite song isn't my favorite song, odds are pretty good that it will start my brainstorming functions and still be helpful!
Perhaps I should just ask, what are your all time favorite songs?
Make the lists as long as you want! I'm ready to hear what you have to say!
And the Results Are In
The regular season is over and for some it means that it's time for the big time. For others, it means that it's time to warm up the golf clubs. Unfortunatly, my Oilers fall into the latter category...although they can't seem to catch a break if they tried. Get this, not only have they had a season to forget, by winning their last game, they brought themselves out of the bottom five in the league and will now miss out on the lottery for the first draft pick. I've heard the draft isn't all that much to look forward to but still... Anyway, here's the players in the first round:
Buffalo vs the Islanders (happy now, Smytty?)
New Jersey vs Tampa Bay
Atlanta vs the Rangers
Ottawa vs Pittsburg
Detroit vs Calgary
Anaheim vs Minnesota
Vancouver vs Dallas
Nashville vs San Jose
Let the games begin!
Past Reads
Normally I would be posting current reads but I've been neglectful in my blogging duties so here you have it!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
To Friends of John Wilson
This came through today - more specifics about the plan to spoil John Wilson as we celebrate his immesurable service to the college:
To make a long story short, we would like to raise $5000 in order to send John and Becky on a trip, including some spending money, and we would like to do it by April 15th if at all possible. For tax purposes this special fund-raising project needs to stay outside official A.B.C. accounting (as friends of John we can give him a gift, but if the College gives John a gift it is viewed by Revenue Canada as a taxable benefit and he would get stuck with a tax bill at the end of the year) which means that a charitable receipt cannot be issued for your donation. Donations should be sent to either myself at the college address or to Sandra Osborne, also at the college address. Please make sure you designate the money for John’s gift so that Sandra and I know it’s not for us to spend on whatever we want.
Thank you for considering being a part of this, any contribution you can make will be helpful and appreciated.
Gary Lepine
Just want to make sure that everyone has ample warning to participate!
To make a long story short, we would like to raise $5000 in order to send John and Becky on a trip, including some spending money, and we would like to do it by April 15th if at all possible. For tax purposes this special fund-raising project needs to stay outside official A.B.C. accounting (as friends of John we can give him a gift, but if the College gives John a gift it is viewed by Revenue Canada as a taxable benefit and he would get stuck with a tax bill at the end of the year) which means that a charitable receipt cannot be issued for your donation. Donations should be sent to either myself at the college address or to Sandra Osborne, also at the college address. Please make sure you designate the money for John’s gift so that Sandra and I know it’s not for us to spend on whatever we want.
Thank you for considering being a part of this, any contribution you can make will be helpful and appreciated.
Gary Lepine
Just want to make sure that everyone has ample warning to participate!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Two Guys from Edmonton
A fellow hockey fan sent this to me. I think they were trying to rile me up a little. Little did they know that right now I can completely see the humor of this. Has anyone checked the NHL stats lately!? Geesh.
Two guys from Edmonton
Two guys from Edmonton die and wake up in hell. The next day the devil stops in to check on them and sees them dressed in parkas,mittens, and toques warming themselves around the fire.The devil asks them, "What are you doing? Isn't it hot enough for you?"
The two guys reply, "Well, you know, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, eh."The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the heat. The next morning he stops in again and there they are, still dressed in parkas, toques and mittens. The devil asks them again, "It's awfully hot down here, can't you guys feel it?"
Again the two guys reply, "Well, like we told ya yesterday, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, eh."
This gets the devil a little steamed up and he decides to fix these two guys. He cranks the heat up as high as it will go. The people are wailing and screaming everywhere.
He stops by the room with the two guys from Canada and finds them in light jackets and bucket hats, grilling sausage and drinking beer.
The devil is astonished, "Everyone down here is in abject misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves."
The two Canadians reply, "Well, ya know, we don't get too much warm weather up there in Edmonton so we've just got to have a cook-out when the weather's THIS nice."The devil is absolutely furious, he can hardly see straight. Finally he comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in hell.The next morning, the temperature is below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere; people are shivering so bad that they are unable to do anything but wail, moan, and gnash their teeth. The devil smiles and heads for theroom with the two Canadians. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, toques, and mittens. NOW they are jumping up and down, cheering,yelling, and screaming like mad men!!!The devil is dumbfounded, "I don't understand, when I turn up the heat you're happy. Now it's freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong with you two???"
The Edmontonians look at the devil in surprise, "Well, don't you know?
If hell freezes over, it must mean the Oilers have won the Stanley Cup!!!"
Enough about that. I still love my boys but sure am sad about how this season's finishing! My theory is that when kevin Lowe said he had a "strategy" upon trading Ryan Smyth for, as my brother put it, pucks and hockey tape, what he really meant was that they were planning to throw the end of the season in hopes of some good draft picks. No one can have a slump this big by accident, can they? My sister went to a game a couple weeks back and said that there's lots of new talent. Hopefully that means good things for down the road. All I know is that there's only a couple of games to go before playoffs and I have nothing to boast about here in Calgary. Soon, all I'll be doing is cringing as news of the Red Mile shenanigans hits the news and my coworkers and students are feverishly following their teams.
Perhaps the sun will shine and I'll forget that there's actually hockey being played...hmmm...
Two guys from Edmonton
Two guys from Edmonton die and wake up in hell. The next day the devil stops in to check on them and sees them dressed in parkas,mittens, and toques warming themselves around the fire.The devil asks them, "What are you doing? Isn't it hot enough for you?"
The two guys reply, "Well, you know, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, eh."The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the heat. The next morning he stops in again and there they are, still dressed in parkas, toques and mittens. The devil asks them again, "It's awfully hot down here, can't you guys feel it?"
Again the two guys reply, "Well, like we told ya yesterday, we're from Canada, the land of snow and ice and cold. We're just happy for a chance to warm up a little bit, eh."
This gets the devil a little steamed up and he decides to fix these two guys. He cranks the heat up as high as it will go. The people are wailing and screaming everywhere.
He stops by the room with the two guys from Canada and finds them in light jackets and bucket hats, grilling sausage and drinking beer.
The devil is astonished, "Everyone down here is in abject misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves."
The two Canadians reply, "Well, ya know, we don't get too much warm weather up there in Edmonton so we've just got to have a cook-out when the weather's THIS nice."The devil is absolutely furious, he can hardly see straight. Finally he comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in hell.The next morning, the temperature is below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere; people are shivering so bad that they are unable to do anything but wail, moan, and gnash their teeth. The devil smiles and heads for theroom with the two Canadians. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, toques, and mittens. NOW they are jumping up and down, cheering,yelling, and screaming like mad men!!!The devil is dumbfounded, "I don't understand, when I turn up the heat you're happy. Now it's freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong with you two???"
The Edmontonians look at the devil in surprise, "Well, don't you know?
If hell freezes over, it must mean the Oilers have won the Stanley Cup!!!"
Enough about that. I still love my boys but sure am sad about how this season's finishing! My theory is that when kevin Lowe said he had a "strategy" upon trading Ryan Smyth for, as my brother put it, pucks and hockey tape, what he really meant was that they were planning to throw the end of the season in hopes of some good draft picks. No one can have a slump this big by accident, can they? My sister went to a game a couple weeks back and said that there's lots of new talent. Hopefully that means good things for down the road. All I know is that there's only a couple of games to go before playoffs and I have nothing to boast about here in Calgary. Soon, all I'll be doing is cringing as news of the Red Mile shenanigans hits the news and my coworkers and students are feverishly following their teams.
Perhaps the sun will shine and I'll forget that there's actually hockey being played...hmmm...
Friday, March 30, 2007
A long obedience in the same direction
This has been "brewing" under the surface for some time but is now 'safe' for me to post:
Step by step, day by day, God calls us to obey. Sometimes that means faithfully leading forward; other times it means wisely stepping back. This winter John Wilson acknowledged that his health requires him to step back from full time ministry and take time to get healthy as well as create a new look for his obedience. Such a transition calls for a party—a celebration of 23 years of ministry while anticipating future possibilities. John’s love of games, his humor, and countless perfectly-timed comments provide great material for an evening of laughter and memories.
Join us on Saturday April 28 @ 7:00 p.m. in the College gym.
Do you have memories to share? Contact Sandra at slosborne@abc-ca.org or Gary at glepine@abc-ca.org.
With that in mind, I would like to add a couple of significant prayer requests.
1. Please pray for John's health, particularily his eyesight as that has been a real struggle for him and for continued management of the pain he has been feeling.
2. Pray for John's family and those close to him as they walk with him through this transition.
3. Pray for us at the college. His daily presence and influence will be missed and, in many ways, we are transitioning too.
4. Thank God for the strength and endurance He is already providing. John is a real trooper. I am continually blessed and amazed at the way he approaches each day. He is a man of grace, prayer and deep insight and I am thankful that God is developing in him those characteristics daily and blessing us through him.
World's Shortest Fairy Tale
My Aunt sent me this fairy tale. It's a new one. Not like the old days of the Grimm brothers. enjoy!
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl, "Will you marry me?"
The girl said "No" and she lived happily ever after and went shopping,drank martinis with friends, always had a clean house, never had tocook, had a closet full of shoes and handbags, stayed skinny and was neverfarted on.
The End
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl, "Will you marry me?"
The girl said "No" and she lived happily ever after and went shopping,drank martinis with friends, always had a clean house, never had tocook, had a closet full of shoes and handbags, stayed skinny and was neverfarted on.
The End
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
In light of today's weather...
I'm sorry if you find this to be slightly inappropriate but I'm ready for spring and so this is how I feel about winter already!!!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Who Do I Look Like?
Jessica Alba...not bad, huh!? Although I'm a little curious about the Asian comparisons...
It keeps coming back...
Does that ever happen to you? You read a passage of scripture and it just keeps popping up everywhere you turn? Well, almost everywhere. I figure that's when I probably should start paying attention. Here's the latest one:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Then said I: 'Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.'
But the Lord said to me: 'Do not say, I am a youth,
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord."
Jeremiah 1:5- 8
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Then said I: 'Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.'
But the Lord said to me: 'Do not say, I am a youth,
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord."
Jeremiah 1:5- 8
Sunday, March 25, 2007
A Prayer
This prayer was emailed to me this week:
Lord, help me live my life intentionally. Give me laser-like focus so that I am not easily distracted by things that are not true priorities for me. Give me the endurance to embrace the process of becoming all you created me to be. I thank you for life and longevity, for your wisdom and the possibility of greater things to come. Amen.
Amen!
Lord, help me live my life intentionally. Give me laser-like focus so that I am not easily distracted by things that are not true priorities for me. Give me the endurance to embrace the process of becoming all you created me to be. I thank you for life and longevity, for your wisdom and the possibility of greater things to come. Amen.
Amen!
Either working with young adults (aka college students) is going to keep me young and up to date or it's going to make me crazy. I whined a while back about myspace and the cult that it was at the time. Now it's facebook. They've sucked me in. You can find my profile there. Everybody's doing it...
Either working with young adults (aka college students) is going to keep me young and up to date or it's going to make me crazy. I whined a while back about myspace and the cult that it was at the time. Now it's facebook. They've sucked me in. You can find my profile there. Everybody's doing it...
Bridging the Gap
C.S. Lewis...draws a distinction between communicating with a society that hears the Gospel for the first time and one that has embraced and then largely rejected it. 'A person must court a virgin differently than a divorcee,' said Lewis. 'One welcomes the charming words; the other needs a demonstration of love to overcome inbuilt skepticism.'
~Philip Yancey
It breaks my heart to look at those around me and think of how far from God some of them are. Somehow, though, I have more hope for those who would be meeting him for the first time then for seeing the return of those who have loved him and left him, so to speak. I'm not sure what to say to that or how to overcome the skepticism or cynicism they approach faith with. For some it's the church they're rejecting but I wonder, in rejecting God's people, if they're not rejecting Him as well. I don't think that's the intention but potentially the result. Oh, I know the church isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. People can be mislead or misguided no matter how good their intentions. That said, the Gospel is good news and, as Rob Bell says, unless the Gospel is good news for everyone than it is not good news for anyone.
It is good news.
He is alive.
He is love.
He is.
Whether for the first time or all over again, I pray that God will give me the words an opportunities to help communicate the good news well.
~Philip Yancey
It breaks my heart to look at those around me and think of how far from God some of them are. Somehow, though, I have more hope for those who would be meeting him for the first time then for seeing the return of those who have loved him and left him, so to speak. I'm not sure what to say to that or how to overcome the skepticism or cynicism they approach faith with. For some it's the church they're rejecting but I wonder, in rejecting God's people, if they're not rejecting Him as well. I don't think that's the intention but potentially the result. Oh, I know the church isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. People can be mislead or misguided no matter how good their intentions. That said, the Gospel is good news and, as Rob Bell says, unless the Gospel is good news for everyone than it is not good news for anyone.
It is good news.
He is alive.
He is love.
He is.
Whether for the first time or all over again, I pray that God will give me the words an opportunities to help communicate the good news well.
More Erwin
"Salvation is not re-entry into Paradis Lost; it is enlistment in the mission of God."
~Erwin McManus~
~Erwin McManus~
Friday, March 23, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
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