Life Update

Well, it has been a week since I posted! That's not good. It's not for lack of trying, though!
I have been having computer issues both with home computer and with my laptop.

Here's some of what has been going on.

I have been appointed as 'School Director' at Comox Valley Christian School. This is basically to have the oversight of the day to day operations of the school. CVCS is part of what God has called our Church to in equipping the generations to be what God has called them to be. It is part of our mandate to see the Kingdom of God touch the world. It poses new and interesting challenges on a variety of fronts for me. I'm looking forward to seeing God at work as we move forward.

John and Eloise Bergen spoke at CVCS chapel as well as our 50+ conference and our weekend services. They have a powerful, sobering and impacting testimony. After being attacked and brutally assaulted in Kenya last July- left for dead in fact - they responded with forgiveness. The presence of God is evident on their countenance and in any interaction with them. Listening to the story was very intense for me personally. In talking with others in our life, we realize that very often we are not quick to forgive. And most of the time, our issues tend to be about relatively minor or trivial things.

John also noted something that is food for thought. He said that what is inside a toothpaste tube comes out when pressure is applied. Similarly, what is actually inside of us (anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, etc.) will come out through our lives. We often want to point the finger to blame a situation for 'causing' our attitude. However, we need to ask Jesus what is going on inside of us instead and ask Him to bring healing to our lives.

Swearing Lesson at School

A British school was blasted Friday after kids as young as 11 were told to shout obscenities during a lesson in swearing.

This happened at a school in Britain. It makes me wonder if things like this happen in Canada?

Expletives were written on a blackboard before a teacher explained their meaning to 30 seventh graders.

S.t Laurence School in Bradford on Avon, Wilts, claims it was part of a sex and relationship education program to "dispel" the myths of swear words.

But parents say they were not consulted by head James Colquhoun about the class and say kids were left "deeply upset."

One parent said: "This is a total disgrace. Our children go to school to gain an education, not qualifications in swear words. Most kids had no idea what the words meant and were forced to grow up faster than their parents want. Heads should roll for this."

Some pupils claim the teacher told them not to tell parents about the lesson.

Fighting Global Poverty From the Comox Valley

The students at our Christian School will be participating in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine next week. It is great to see them building a life of service to others that flows out of a love for God. We're proud of you guys!

This is what is happening...perhaps you might join them?!

Our grade 6-10 students are invited to participate in The 30 Hour Famine on March 5^th-6^th. Our grade K-5 students are invited to participate in The 30 Hour Tech Fast on March 6^th-7^th

30 Hour Famine and Technology Fast is an international youth movement to fight hunger. It will bring our group closer together and to God, feed hungry children, and change our world forever. Students fast for thirty hours and raise funds to help feed and care for children around the world. By sacrificing and serving others, they are learning to think outside themselves and see the world as Christ sees it.

Is Love Enough?

I performed a wedding last week. It was great to see the love and excitement on the faces of the couple - hoping for a happy future, filled with love.

People often tell me that they want to get married because, 'we love each other.' On reflection, when I think about marriage in general and the high rate of poisonous conflict that I see (let alone divorce) between good willed people, I realize that often love alone isn't enough. Marriage is a powerful thing - that takes work - but delivers immense benefits when we 'get it'.

Is your marriage all it could be? Do you have a strategy and plan to make it better? Whether your marriage is just starting out or is on the rocks or is awesome, you will want to come to our 'Love and Respect' marriage course beginning this coming Tuesday, Feb. 3. Check out this video for more info.



If you'd like more information or would like to attend, please let me know.

Sound Smarter #2

Again, to help us all sound smarter (even if we're not), I am presenting the weekly 'Sound Smarter'!

NEW WORD: Alacrity (uh-LAK-ri-tee)
MEANING: Quick, cheerful enthusiasm
INSTEAD: "Matt's a go-getter isn't he? I really like him"
SOUND SMARTER: "Matt's tendency to approach every task with alacrity makes him a great guy to work with."

All who describes an actual situation (not contrived) that they use this in before next Wednesday (24th) will have their name entered into a draw for a $5 dollar Starbucks or Timmy's card...

Describe the situation and how you used the word in the comments section to be eligible.