NEW BLOG

I'm now blogging @ http://taketimetoquestion.blogspot.com/

HOPE FOR THE HOKIES

In the wake of last weeks events I know there are a lot of people asking the questions like: "Why would God let things like this happen?" "If God is a good God why is there evil?"

I know at First Alliance this week Dallas will be tackling just those types of questions.

Louie Giglio has also addressed last weeks tragedy in "The Passion07 Podcast" called "Hope for the Hokies". Definately worth your while to listen to!!!

Also Louie Giglio along with Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall and David Crowder have put out a FREE EP called "Hope for the Hokies" you can download it at www.hopeforthehokies.com

And the beat goes on....

Life continues to move at a breakneck pace. I can't believe it is almost April. Still 12 assignments due by April 25th and then Exams. Surprisingly I'm not feeling all that stressed; I definately feel the pressure of school, and work, and everything else that is happening in my life, but God continues to be more than abundant with his strength in my life!! I have some challenging papers coming up in the next week, one of which will be on "The Emerging Church". I can't believe at times that I VOLUNTEERED to tackle this difficult and often very vague "postmodernish" subject!! But I am finding it interesting and enlightening!
Here are a couple quotes about "the Church" and "Christians" in a book I am reading for a different assignment actually. The book is "The Offering of Man" by Harry Blamires--I highly recommend it!! Here are some of his thoughts...

“It is sad that we must admit it, but the Church misses almost every one of its present-day opportunities.”
“If the Church has a besetting weakness, it is this: it insists on tackling foes who have already been beaten; it attempts to deal with problems that have already been solved; it readies itself to overcome tomorrows obstacles that were removed during the night.”
“We need affirmation, not debate; we need discipline, not open-mindedness; we need obedience, not expansiveness.”

Some interesting things to think about I think...

In my Practical theology text there were also some interesting things said about "how we do ministry" Here is one main thing:

"It is not the ministry of Jesus to the world on behalf of God that made him a servant, but his ministry to the Father on behalf of the world...It is true that wherever the needs of the world impinged on him, he reached out to heal the sick and feed the hungry. But the hunger, sickness and even death did not set the agenda for his ministry."

This comes from the book: "The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis." by: Ray S. Anderson.

A little heavier reading but an great book to challenge us how to live, and how to "do ministry" in the world that we live!

anyways, enough of me boring you with my reading from school! If you are the praying type please pray as I finish up, and as some big events, and decisions await! As an email from a pastor in Ontario reminded me--I want to finish strong...not just to finish!

ENGAGED!!

It's late and I have a hockey practice and two mid-terms tomorrow so this will be quick, but just thought I'd post some pictures on here and let you all know that I am engaged! Megs did not expect me to ask here until late spring because I had her convinced that I was too poor, so today while we were at Lake Louise (the site of our very first official date) I suprised her...and after getting over the shock she said YES!! Meghan and I will be getting married Sept 2 2007!!! Here are a few pictures....

I'm back...sorta...

you can see i'm not the good looking one in this relationship....I should shave and do my hair once in a while....poor Meghan...


Well, I didn't know anyone actually checked this thing anymore, but I guess my sister was on here trying to show my nephew some pictures of Megs so I decided I'll put some newer ones on here.....

On another note....life is crazy...module class, assignments, work, and accreditation...it all seems to be happening at once.....oh well, soon enough it'll be over....as long as i pass everything...

anyways, there are a few pics....sorry we don't really have any real good ones right now.....i'll try to put some on here more frequently...

Banff

A couple weekends ago I headed up to the mountains again. It was an exciting weekend because Dave's (my roomate) girlfriend (Whitney) from back home in BC came up to surprise him but he had no idea! So Friday night I picked Whitt up from the airport, and then picked Meghan up from work (Whitt is also Meghan's best friend) and then we went to Rez to surprise Dave. Needless to say he was very surprised......That Sunday the four of us went up to Banff for the day...It was snowing a lot that day so driving was pretty bad, but it was completely worth it! Here are a few pictures from our time in Banff....

Meghan, me, Dave, and Whitney

Thanksgiving in the Mountains

Well I was not home for thanksgiving, and I missed my family; but I actually had an AMAZING thanksgiving!! The whole weekend was lots of fun, but thanksgiving Monday was definately the highlight! On thanksgiving Monday I went up to the Mountains for the day with Meghan (whom most of you, if not all, have not got the chance to meet yet--but someday I'm sure you will, she's amazing!) We went up to Lake Louise (which Meghan had never been to before cuz she is from the other side of the Mountains in BC) and then we went to Banff and then to Canmore for dinner. Anyways the day was perfect, and so I'm going to post some pictures for you to see---by the way, if you have never been to the mountains...you have to go sometime!!!

"Your love, O Lord reaches to the heavens.

Your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains.

Your Justice flows like the great deep."

Psalm 36:5-6

Meghan gave me a picture she painted of Lake Louise and put that verse on it---which is very fitting---We serve an amazing God!