The Bailout Explained

If you're confused about the math of the bailouts being proposed,this video will help you understand the math of the executives of the Big Three automakers. They can make sense of the fact that they can be losing billions and pay their bosses multiple millions for a job well done?? The taxpayers are represented by the man doing the proper math, while the industry is the older couple...'They don't want to see us cheated', so they're helping us out. Right!?

Stand Up, Speak Up

In January we've done a sermon series and various events to focus on social justice. The Bible has so much to say about speaking up for the poor and working on behalf of the cause of justice. I am really looking forward to January 10/11 when we will have a speaker from the internationally renowned International Justice Mission (Canada).

This is an organization dedicated to rescuing those caught in the trap of sex slavery, forced servitude, victimization and abuse. This is a video that will inform you a bit more and get us thinking. Mark January 10 (6 PM) / 11 (10 AM) on your calendar. Invite anyone that you know is concerned about this cause. Let's raise our awareness level and be prepared to respond! We are blessed to be a blessing.

Frugal or Cheap?

Many times men are accused of being cheap at Christmas when it comes to buying gifts. Perhaps we deserve the reputation? However, I would propose that most men would simply say (and be right) that they are doing their part to help the planet by reducing consumerism. We're trying to conserve resources for the next generation. We're trying to get others to think of the disadvantaged. However, somehow I have a sneaky suspicion that these noble goals are missed by women. In fact, how many wives have thought of their husbands like the man in this story?....

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After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift.

"How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk.

She showed him a bottle costing $50.

"That's a bit much," said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.

"That’s still quite a bit," Tom groused.

Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle.

Tom grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something real cheap.”

So the clerk handed him a mirror.

Everything

I was sitting in a coffee shop with someone the other day and this song came on the radio. As I listened to the song it was difficult to stay engaged in the conversation. I managed to shut it out as I was getting a bit emotional. Later I went and downloaded the song on Itunes. It has been my song of worship to my Jesus this week. Enjoy!

Cancel Christmas?!

When I was around 7 or 8, our family basically cancelled Christmas. As it has been explained to me, there was 2-fold reasoning behind this. First, there was a lot of 'theological' justification going around then that Christmas was a pagan festival. I'm not going to get into that here. Secondly, the excess of presents and celebration had apparently fostered entitlement and ungratefulness.

We originally had a tree with all the trimmings, presents, traveling out to the relatives in AB, decorations and a general festive feel. We went from that down to no tree, little if any decorations, 1 (one) present, no more trips to the relatives at Christmas and a general (at least for me) feeling of dread instead of celebration. I dreaded the calls from friends telling me the presents they got. I just wish we'd had caller ID back then! :-) Christmas went from being the happiest time of the year to pretty much just another day.

When I was about 16, we slowly worked our way back into celebrating Christmas. My brother and I went and got a tree and put it up. My sister, who worked at Home Hardware, brought home some decorations and we were in business!

I understand, what my parents were trying to do. Although I didn't like or agree with their method (then or n0w), they were attempting to be Christ focused and for that I'm thankful.

I really do like Christmas. It is possible that there are some pagan festivals that it replaced Yes, there is excess, ungratefulness and entitlement. HOWEVER, I am not going to let the wrong emphasis of some or the failings of others govern my behaviour. Let's replace those ideas and origins with an overt celebration of Christ's birth. Our family will CELEBRATE and WORSHIP this Christmas season.

Some of the things that we will do are:
pause...
...be intentionally thankful
...serve someone else
...vocally celebrate God's goodness
...regularly remind our family of the 'why' of Christmas
...give to those that can't give in return
...talk about the blessing of salvation

How will you intentionally keep CHRISTmas Christ focused?

Nothing to Laugh About?

When things seem tough or are tough, we need to look for something to laugh about. Laughter is the best medicine! Here are a couple of cartoons that are funny - in an ironic kind of way...

Christmas Gone Crazy

Shanda is strongly encouraging me to put up the Christmas lights this weekend. I have one version of this (see picture) Shanda has a version of what she would like it to look like (see video). Hopefully we can settle somewhere in between...

Craig's Version of Lights up. They're up out of the crawlspace...

Shanda's Version

I'm Glad I'm a Germaphobe...

People have been known to bug me about being a germaphobe. I don't share drinks, I wash my hands lots. I use hand sani when traveling. I wash the cup in the hotel room before I use it. I use paper or my sleeve when I grab the bathroom door. I don't use the top lid in the stack at Starbucks, etc. Today, I read a story that justifies my behaviour!!

Doctors in Arizona thought a Phoenix-area woman had a possible brain tumor,
but it turned out there was something else penetrating her brain – a worm.

Doctors removed the worm and don't believe Alvarez will have any lingering
health problems. No one knows exactly where she picked up the worm –- doctors
said worms can come from eating undercooked pork or spread by people who
don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom, according to the
report.
“It only takes one person who is spreading it constantly to get a lot
of people exposed and some of those people are going to go on to develop this
problem,” Nakaji said.

Watch the video to see the whole story. It's AMAZING!

Post Election

Well, thank you to all of you that supported me (from near and far)in so many ways in my recent run for Courtenay City Council. Since learning I didn't win, I've had one question put to me over and over. The question is, "How are you doing" often accompanied by a look suggesting I might need medication. The short answer is "I'm doing great". For you men that are satisfied with that answer, you can discontinue reading if you'd like.

The long answer is that I was running to win - and didn't. So that is a bit disappointing. However, I also talked with others in politics who prepared me for this by letting me know how rare it is to win on your first time out. I was a virtual unknown to much of the community. The 3 weeks in Africa (during the campaign) were a factor as well. I did get great feedback on my campaign from people on the doorsteps to emails and calls from strangers. I got 1,885 votes! I know that I don't have that many friends, so that was exciting to see.

The whole process was just great! I enjoyed going door to door, I enjoyed writing articles and taking phone calls. I enjoyed sitting at a table for an all candidates meeting. I enjoyed meeting with other candidates and jockeying for position with the voters. I must confess that I had moments where I did feel a bit awkward waving my sign on a street corner.

However, the biggest thrill was seeing many previously uninvolved people get involved. People knocked on doors, distributed flyer, stood on cold street corners, called strangers, emailed friends, gave money and generally supported me so thoroughly.

Finally, this will not be my last kick at the proverbial can. To me, this is more like a calling, a dream to be involved in politics and I'll keep exploring what that exactly looks like for me.

Eric Liddell, one of the runners in the movie, Chariots of Fire, said this, " I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." I know God loves me and I'm excited to be right where He wants me. I have a wonderful family, I'm serving in a great church with a great pastor and team, and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm blessed. On top of all that wonderful stuff, when I was running for office, I felt like Erik Liddell.

We Would Never Do That!

The Canadian military in Afghanistan is a subject of controversy for many. I personally am torn at times for a variety of reasons. However, when I read stories like this, I think it might be a good thing that we are there to help establish justice... An 18 year old girl (with some other girls) has acid thrown into her eyes as she walked to school. They suspect that the men that did it did it because they are opposed to girls going to school.

Eighteen-year-old Shamia was blinded by the acid, which the girls first thought was water until their eyes began to hurt."You see the situation, it's very bad," said Shamia's mother Malina, crying. "It's a very painful and terrible situation. Her sin was that she was going to school."

The Taliban denied involvement in it, almost like they were saying that would be just too terrible of a thing for them to do. They kind of undercut their argument when they were quick to claim responsibility for a suicide bomb.

However, Ahmadi said the Taliban did carry out the suicide bombing in the city at 12:40 p.m. that killed six, including a woman, a child and two intelligence agents.

"It's just overwhelming," said Canadian Lt.-Col. Bruno Plourde of the Black Watch Canadian Highland Regiment of Montreal, after surveying the damage. "As a soldier, I can understand soldier-versus-soldier. But using civilians, it just doesn't add up. It just baffles me that people can't put their mind and intelligence to better use than that."

These people's tactics are just terrible...In that environment, in 2008, Canadian soldiers continue to put their lives on the line for the freedom of others. I salute you, men and women of the Canadian Forces.

Door Knocking Tales..

Had a great time out door knocking today. It was great weather in one of the best places on earth! I had some good conversations and got some more votes. A few interesting contacts while door-knocking:

1. One man was voting for a few incumbents and was voting for change in the other 3 spots. He liked what he’d heard about me. He told me that I was on his list of six - which he showed me. I’m not telling the others. :-)

2. Another man said his issue was taxes - his taxes have gone up every year. He said it is just routine - another increase. I talked with him about my approach - hold the line on taxes (to the rate of inflation). I was able to tell him about the new ‘button’ we had just put on my website that outlined my position on taxes and debt. We chatted some more and upon leaving he let me know that I had his vote. Yah!

3. This was the most interesting…a lady opened the door and took my flyer. I asked her if there were any issues of concern. She looked at me and said, “How long have you been in the Valley?” When I told her that this was my 7th year here, she said, “No way then!” and slammed the door! Here I thought I’d shown my smarts by moving to the Valley, but apparently you have to live here for a certain length of time (does anyone know?) in order to actually be smart. I was going to ask what the number of years to become smart was, but thought that was one battle left unfought... *smile* and move on...

Perfect Husband and Father...

Getting married and becoming a parent are two of the most impacting decisions of life. Unfortunately, not many of us are naturally good at this - or maybe I should speak for myself. Personally, as a husband, father and pastor, I am regularly looking for resources to help me improve!

Family Life Canada is a ministry that is dedicated to seeing marriages and families thrive. Shanda and I went to their marriage conference and learned a lot that we have applied to life. Northgate also hosted a Family Life Marriage Encounter weekend here in the Comox Valley a little over a year ago.

If you’d like to grow and improve, here is their website that you might be interested in. It is loaded with practical tips, questions and answers and video equipping.

In fact, it also has a web-based marriage / parenting magazine that is fantastic! You can subscribe to it or simply view it online. Here is the address to sign up for the webzine

I believe that these will be a blessing to you.

Pray 4 Congo.

In the midst of an American election, our approaching Christmas, and the busyness of life it is easy to forget that there is a desperate situation in the Congo that needs our prayer! George Boloko, from Northgate CV, is in the Congo (not in the fighting area) as well. Let's pray for the peace process to bring fruit quickly in the Congo.

KIWANJA, Congo — Sporadic gunfire and explosions echoed Wednesday around this town in eastern Congo, as rebels fought pro-government militiamen for a second day, forcing thousands to flee.

A wider cease-fire between the rebels and the government was holding, however, and diplomats scrambled to assemble a regional peace summit Friday in

Kenya.

Associated Press journalists who visited Kiwanja before being turned back by rebels saw several thousand people on the roads, including mothers with babies on their backs, as insurgents loyal to warlord Laurent Nkunda searched houses.

Kiwanja is about 45 miles north of the provincial capital Goma and the clashes between rebels and a militia known as the Mai Mai appear to be taking place on the town's far outskirts or in the hills and fields of coffee and corn beyond.

Thank You!

Shanda, the girls and I are so thankful for the many expressions of honour that we have received as pastors at Northgate Foursquare. Cards, letters, emails, signs on telephone poles, flowers, gift certificates, calls, standing ovations and the list goes on. We truly feel humbled and honoured by all of this.

As Pastor Scott mentioned on Sunday, this is also important for out children. So often we hear horror stories of how pastor's children go off the rails for various reasons. Our children have the visible and vocal support of a church family and know that we are loved and appreciated. They are growing up loving the church and for this Shanda and I say 'thanks!'

May God richly bless all of you that participated. We are encouraged. We are blessed. We are thankful.