Hand me downs aren't so bad

My sister's family business unloaded another sweet ride, 3/4 tonne diesel, crew cab, with lots of options. With the price of gas, the diesel will be a nice relief.

Best Truck a man could own

Well that old girl was sold to a water treatment company - the fellow that purchased it shipped it the next day to Alaska by barge to do field work. That green machine held a lot of good memories. Never let us down even though it was a ford.

Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana - HEY HEY HEY Good bye

Oh the gas gusler is gone - with the price of fuel at $1.23 a litre I would have needed to get a second job. It was fun while it last but just did not meet our families needs. A wonderful Korean family purchased it, part of the deal was to show them how it work and to teach them how to drive. I showed them how it worked, but part of my Agreement with the Ontairo Provincial Police when I was a "Young offender" was to never instruct anyone how to drive or let alone risk their life riding with me.

Now we have no camper, sleeping in a tent does not excit me or the mrs. either, anybody got a good used camper for sale?

NEW TOY FOR THE SUMMER

Well this should keep us busy this summer. The new 600 will join team polaris as we rip up the logging roads and dig thru the praire bog this summer. The sportman is well equip to pull the Honda machines home and dig out the Yamaha beast out of the mud holes.

At the beginning of next month, our family will celebrate serving APA for two years. The first year was a learning curve, resolving issues and unifying the church body. The second year was establishing staff and building solid ministries and programs.
In this third year, I see the challenge of passing the baton and engaging the “Buster Generation” (born in ‘65 and up). In this third year, I see the value and need to raise up leaders and workers to do the work of the kingdom. I am excited to see God bring about positive results and change!

A challenge to the younger generation—to step up to the plate and move into a greater place of leadership and service in the church family. I want to call you and throw out the challenge – here it is ...
Would you hear me calling you to move up to the front?

I would like to see the Buster Generation move from the back rows, the balcony, and the corners of the church – physically move up front and center of our sanctuary. You may ask the question WHY? Why would you want us to move upfront? Well, here’s ...

Ten Reasons Why:

Sitting upfront is an encouragement to me personally.
Sitting upfront reminds us all that the church has a future because we see the children and youth.
Sitting upfront says to visitors this church has young families.
Sitting upfront says to the Boomer Generation that we are ready to step into the place of responsibility for the future of APA.
Sitting upfront is closer to the altar, where God’s spirit moves from and touches those closest to the altar first.
Sitting upfront is farther from the exit, so when hard times come, those up front will stay and won’t bail.
Sitting upfront will create momentum in the service because with families’ kids and youth, one always gets commotion.
Sitting upfront in school as a student says I am serious about what I am here for and what will be best for me.
Sitting upfront says I want to be first to receive or get whatever is given out.
Sitting upfront says I am a part of moving the congregation and the kingdom of God forward.

If this were hockey, a movie, your kids’ school drama, or receiving your passport from the passport officer ... being upfront has it advantages!

Would you join me upfront just to see what God would do? Make this decision prayerfully. I believe the best seats in the house of God are upfront.

Step up and take a new seat!

Preachers' got it rough

If he is young, he lacks experience;
if his hair is grey, he is too old;
if he has five or six children, he has too many;
if he has none, he is setting a bad example.
If his wife sings in the choir, she is being forward;
if she does not, she is not interested in her husband’s work.
If he speaks from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry;
if he is extemporaneous, he is not deep.
If he spends too much time in his study, he neglects his people;
if he is visible, he is a gadabout.
If he is attentive to the poor, he is playing to the grandstand;
if to the wealthy, he is trying to be an aristocrat.
If he suggests improvements for the church, he is a dictator;
if he makes no suggestion, he is a figurehead.
If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if not enough, he is not clear.
If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he does not, he is a compromiser.
If he preaches the truth, he is offensive; if not, he is a hypocrite.
If he preaches an hour, he is windy; if less, he is lazy.
If he fails to please everybody, he is hurting the Church; if he does please everybody, he has no convictions.
If he preaches tithing, he is a moneygrabber; if he does not, he is failing to develop his people.
If he receives a large salary, he is mercenary; if a small salary, it proves he is not worth much.
If he preaches all the time, the people get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest preachers, he is shirking responsibility.
SO WHAT! They say the preacher has it rough.

Top 10 reasons you might be a Redneck Preacher

10. If your Sunday School bus is on blocks
9. If you've ever canceled church because the cows got out
8. If your belt buckle's bigger than your Bible
7. If you're skeptical of preachers who wear robes and clerical collars.
6. If there's a sign over the church door that reads, "This building protected by Smith and Wesson
5. If you've ever taken deep-fried possum to a church dinner
4. If you've ever made change in the offering plate
3. If you've ever shown slides from your trip to Graceland
2. If you use crayon to print your sermon (red and green)
1. If your altar call is longer than your sermon

Coming this fall SHREK 3

My buddy Harvey and I were in California and we were set out in meeting the rich and famous. We saw Bob Schuller, John MacAuthur, Brian Houston, Francias Collins and believe it or not Kirk Cameron from growing pains. But Harvey again with his one upmanship, was strolling through the streets of L.A. and ran into by none other than the big green guy. Immediatly Shrek and Harvey connected discovering they shared so many things in common. Shrek was so impressed with Harv that he asked him to be in the next big flick. Looking forward to see the up coming film call HARV & SHREK.

P.S. Shrek translated from german to english means shocking, to scare, and terrible.

Candle Light Service

Received a call Sunday morning, about a quarter to nine. Young adults’ pastor said, “Will you be on time?” I said, “What, what’s on your mind?” Problem was no power, no sound, staggering around the building a little dumb found. “What” – I said “can’t be, were Pentecostal – heavens be!” Called hydro and check on the web, car crash, lights out, power in neighborhood gone dead. What to do, how to pray, like a good shepherd - fed the sheep the hay. In the dark we gather, cold and bewildered, hoping candles would make children and deacons cheerful. Sang songs at the top of our voice, preached God’s word till I was horse. It dawned on me, when God’s people gather; it’s not about all the external gladder. Hearts focused on that which matters. Learn some valuable lessons that day, its not what is on the outside that counts, it’s what’s deep in the heart which God wanted to relay. Would I do it again, I would say perhaps next May. God was glorified and we still beat the Baptist to Swiss chalet.

Schuller's Preacher Joke

Robert Schuller told a opening joke at the Faith Forward Conference... here goes

There was a young pastor who took his first church. He decide to stir things up and did all kinds of radical and off the wall activities and events. He even had a dance in the church. Everyone in the community was buzzing about what was happening at the church with the young pastor.

News reached the bishop and he was not impressed and decide to pay a little visit to the church. He drove down to the church and spoke to the pastor privately and then told the pastor he was going to preach on Sunday. On Sunday when the bishop spoke he rebuke the congregation and embarrassed and rebuke the pastor publicly. After 3o minutes of baling out the congregation he concluded his message. When the bishop sat down the young pastor stepped to the pulpit to close in prayer but before he did, he said sheepishly the following words.

With a quiver in his voice he said, I can make mistakes, the congregation can make mistakes, and looking to the bishop said - the bishop can make mistakes.

Again with a tear in his eye, he said, I am a sinner, the congregation are sinners, and looking to the bishop said - the bishop is a sinner.

Finally with a broken words the young pastor said, I can go to hell, the congregation can go to hell, and looking at the bishop he said, AND THE BISHOP CAN GO TO HELL!

Hanging out in Cali

Me and the boys headed down to Cali for some RNR to check out what the big religious shooters are up to. It was great check, out three of the big houses of worship. We saddled up and checked out what Big Rick had to say, he was not their, but his youth boy had something to say about control and faith. On the sabbath morning we battled the traffic of LA to hear the voice of Johnny Mac. Definitly old school, but the word was fresh, real and full of grace. Talk about growing pains - guess who was sitting in front of me? None other than Kirk Cameron. What a great brother, on TV he looks bigger and stronger, but in life was he short and skinny. Seemed like the hollywood hero was on fire for God. That afternoon who drove around Beverly Hills and Belair sipping on Starbucks. If your looking for a good used Rolls - there are a few numbers I jotted down. That night ventured into the heart of LA to attended Mosiac church with Erwin E master pastor MacMannis and discovered what our souls need to grave. All different houses of worship, serving same creator. Thankful that God takes all folk as they are and lets us discover who He is on the spiritual journey in life. Today faith forward conference starts at the Crystal Cathedral. Looking forward to learning and leaning on what others in the kingdom have to say.