Have you ever sat down and thought about your friends, both past and present! I don't know why but I was sitting on the weekend just thinking about some old friends. Some I still talk to, some I know where they are but haven't had the chance or made the effort to contact but some are gone without a trace. And those are the friends I was thinking of this weekend. The guys and girls that I grew up with, the friends that shared some very important experiences basically the friends that shaped my life and made me what I am today.
I got an email from a daily mailing list that I get and it was about "How to get past regrets". It really struck a chord because I was thinking about all the bad stuff I did in my past life and how I must have hurt some of those friends. Wishing I didn't do this or that, wishing for a better life and better decisions when I was young and it hit me! The choices that I made and the things I did are what they are and I can never change that. However if I take what I did in the past and build towards bettering myself for the future than everything I did can be used as a measuring stick to say "Yeah I was there but now I'm here and this is where I prefer to be!"
I really miss some of those old friends and who knows maybe with Facebook or other social internet sites I may reconnect with some of them but until then I'm extremely greatful and fortunate to have some awesome friends at Bikers Church.
Talk at you later
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Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Expectations
So what comes to mind?
A pretty loaded question isn't it?
Thoughts, comments, replies! I'm very interested in your opinions! I have no expectations just curious!
Thanks
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A pretty loaded question isn't it?
Thoughts, comments, replies! I'm very interested in your opinions! I have no expectations just curious!
Thanks
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Friday, September 26, 2008
The Upside Down Life
So we started a new series last week at Bikers Church called The Upside Down Life and with the Cirque du Soleil in town I was really looking forward to this series. Man was I ever disappointed, not at all what I was expecting! Instead of talking about jumps and trapeze artists we are talking about leading an abundant life but without the circus tricks! What a ripoff.
Actually this is going to be an awesome series and I encourage you to listen to the podcast on our website at:
http://www.bikerschurch.com/
What does it mean lead an Upside Down Life here are the 5 key points:
1. If you want to be first, you must choose to be last.
2. If you want to receive, you must learn how to give.
3. If you want to be strong, you must become weak.
4. If you want to be free, you must submit as a slave.
5. If you want to truly live, you must truly die.
See what I'm saying, not at all what you were expecting is it? It's completely the opposite of what we are used to. In a society of me me me or a society where we compare ourselves to the next person by how much they have vs. what we have, it's really a different way of thinking, acting and living!
You may think it's impossible to do but if you think about it even the smallest act of kindness can touch every one of those categories. It's not only the big things that count it's all the little things that can make a huge difference. Mother Teresa used to say that it's not the great things that you do but the little things you do with greatness! How awesome is that!
So keep your eyes open for opportunities to do little things for people, it's not that hard if you take little bites at a time. You can't help everyone all of the time but you can help someone some of the time.
Talk at you later
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Actually this is going to be an awesome series and I encourage you to listen to the podcast on our website at:
http://www.bikerschurch.com/
What does it mean lead an Upside Down Life here are the 5 key points:
1. If you want to be first, you must choose to be last.
2. If you want to receive, you must learn how to give.
3. If you want to be strong, you must become weak.
4. If you want to be free, you must submit as a slave.
5. If you want to truly live, you must truly die.
See what I'm saying, not at all what you were expecting is it? It's completely the opposite of what we are used to. In a society of me me me or a society where we compare ourselves to the next person by how much they have vs. what we have, it's really a different way of thinking, acting and living!
You may think it's impossible to do but if you think about it even the smallest act of kindness can touch every one of those categories. It's not only the big things that count it's all the little things that can make a huge difference. Mother Teresa used to say that it's not the great things that you do but the little things you do with greatness! How awesome is that!
So keep your eyes open for opportunities to do little things for people, it's not that hard if you take little bites at a time. You can't help everyone all of the time but you can help someone some of the time.
Talk at you later
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
Look outside and enjoy
Well the days are getting shorter and colder. Trust me it's going to get worst before it gets better. However take the time today and this week to look outside, go for a walk at lunch, heck just eat lunch outside. The cold weather might be coming but it's not here today so make the best of it.
Talk at you later
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Talk at you later
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Canser sucks!
Yes I realize that I spelled that wrong but if you haven't read Carrie's blog you probably don't know what I'm talking about so I strongly encourage you to do that right now here actually I'm telling you to visit her site:
http://cbelair.wordpress.com/
Go ahead it's OK I'll wait!
So you're back now you know exactly what I'm talking about! CANSER SUCKS!!!! However the people affected by it, both patient and their friends and family, are some of the bravest, strongest and nicest people I know. You can't walk by more than 2 people before you meet someone that has been affected by this terrible disease either directly or indirectly and that's what sucks about it.
So let's stand together and beat this thing! Let's stand with those who are suffering, let's stand with the survivors and their families, let's stand with the families and friends of those who lost the battle and let's stand for those who can't anymore! Let's just stand up against this bully that has ruined so many lives!
Carrie I love you babe and I'll do whatever it takes to stand with you, beside you and for you when you will be too weak. If anyone can beat this piece of trash monster it's you! Keep up the fight you have a huge family that will help and support you.
So come on people let's stand together and make canser history!
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http://cbelair.wordpress.com/
Go ahead it's OK I'll wait!
So you're back now you know exactly what I'm talking about! CANSER SUCKS!!!! However the people affected by it, both patient and their friends and family, are some of the bravest, strongest and nicest people I know. You can't walk by more than 2 people before you meet someone that has been affected by this terrible disease either directly or indirectly and that's what sucks about it.
So let's stand together and beat this thing! Let's stand with those who are suffering, let's stand with the survivors and their families, let's stand with the families and friends of those who lost the battle and let's stand for those who can't anymore! Let's just stand up against this bully that has ruined so many lives!
Carrie I love you babe and I'll do whatever it takes to stand with you, beside you and for you when you will be too weak. If anyone can beat this piece of trash monster it's you! Keep up the fight you have a huge family that will help and support you.
So come on people let's stand together and make canser history!
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Monday, September 22, 2008
A great day
So I've been really going negating my posting duties lately! Everyone who blogs tends to go on hiatus for a while, however most people do that after several months but for me it lasted 1 week and then "life" got too busy all of a sudden, or so I thought!
I was going to write or comment about the conference that I went to on Saturday, or comment on the service that I went to on Sunday or the concert/show I went to on Sunday night! I had so many choices that I was actually stuck on what to talk about that is until about 1 hour ago! Everything changed! My views, my opinions, my meaningless rants and selfishness has been pushed aside to make room for others.
Rob (the Bikers Church pastor for those of you who don't know) started a new sermon series this week at Bikers Church called the upside down life. I think this is going to be a great series because like everybody else at church I struggle with some of these. OK most of these! You see I love to help people, I love serving and I love being there for friends and family members (brothers and sisters) of our church, but when it comes to being there for my immediate family I seem to fall short! WAY SHORT! Don't get me wrong I would do anything for my family that's not the problem, the problem is assuming that they know this! It's easy to say well she knows that I love her or my daughters will understand if I'm not there AGAIN, or I don't have time to call my parents but they know I love them so that's just good enough. TRUST ME IT'S NOT! MAKE THE TIME AND LET THEM KNOW!
Can I tell you a story? If you said no then stop reading, for the rest of you here goes. For those who said no this is your last chance stop reading now!
Like the title of the blog says I'm an assistant pastor and since the beginning I have been working out of my own home and that just isn't working out very well. So the church that we are partnering with offered a room to use as an office and today was my first day here at the office. I got more work done today than I did all summer it's totally awesome Thanks guys! However it's funny how God works. I'm sure He has a sense of humor and He loves to show me things in the funniest ways! This office is connected to a church that has multiple ministries in the city and one of them is a drop in soup kitchen from Monday to Thursday! Today I met one of the volunteers let's call him John, 1. to protect his identity and 2. because I'm really bad with names and I forgot it! I went to the washroom and got lost, now before you say anything this place is a labyrinth, and ended up in the kitchen downstairs and that's when I met John. We started talking just having a conversation and being very polite. I started asking him about, well him, and he told me that he has been volunteering there for over 10 years. He has been coming out EVERYDAY for the last 10 years! Rain or shine he comes out and cooks dinner, serves and cleans up day in, day out FAITHFULLY! I thought that was amazing, here I am complaining at how busy I am having to make time for others, when all John does is make time for others. I was going to end the story here but it just got better! Funny! God I get it! As I'm writing the door bell rings, it's John, he locked himself out, and got lost walking around the building!!! I asked him how he got lost working there for so long??? Turns out John is 75% blind!!!! And that's when God spoke to me and said "How do you like them apples!"
So now I'm blogging again, I read the chapters that had to be read, I watched most of the Dreamweaver videos, sent an email to my wife, drew a picture for my daughters and sent an email to my parents telling them that I love them and appreciate everything they do for me/us.
Make the time for the important people in your life, show and tell family and friends that you love them don't assume they know because they may not know! It's not too late!
Talk at you later!
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I was going to write or comment about the conference that I went to on Saturday, or comment on the service that I went to on Sunday or the concert/show I went to on Sunday night! I had so many choices that I was actually stuck on what to talk about that is until about 1 hour ago! Everything changed! My views, my opinions, my meaningless rants and selfishness has been pushed aside to make room for others.
Rob (the Bikers Church pastor for those of you who don't know) started a new sermon series this week at Bikers Church called the upside down life. I think this is going to be a great series because like everybody else at church I struggle with some of these. OK most of these! You see I love to help people, I love serving and I love being there for friends and family members (brothers and sisters) of our church, but when it comes to being there for my immediate family I seem to fall short! WAY SHORT! Don't get me wrong I would do anything for my family that's not the problem, the problem is assuming that they know this! It's easy to say well she knows that I love her or my daughters will understand if I'm not there AGAIN, or I don't have time to call my parents but they know I love them so that's just good enough. TRUST ME IT'S NOT! MAKE THE TIME AND LET THEM KNOW!
Can I tell you a story? If you said no then stop reading, for the rest of you here goes. For those who said no this is your last chance stop reading now!
Like the title of the blog says I'm an assistant pastor and since the beginning I have been working out of my own home and that just isn't working out very well. So the church that we are partnering with offered a room to use as an office and today was my first day here at the office. I got more work done today than I did all summer it's totally awesome Thanks guys! However it's funny how God works. I'm sure He has a sense of humor and He loves to show me things in the funniest ways! This office is connected to a church that has multiple ministries in the city and one of them is a drop in soup kitchen from Monday to Thursday! Today I met one of the volunteers let's call him John, 1. to protect his identity and 2. because I'm really bad with names and I forgot it! I went to the washroom and got lost, now before you say anything this place is a labyrinth, and ended up in the kitchen downstairs and that's when I met John. We started talking just having a conversation and being very polite. I started asking him about, well him, and he told me that he has been volunteering there for over 10 years. He has been coming out EVERYDAY for the last 10 years! Rain or shine he comes out and cooks dinner, serves and cleans up day in, day out FAITHFULLY! I thought that was amazing, here I am complaining at how busy I am having to make time for others, when all John does is make time for others. I was going to end the story here but it just got better! Funny! God I get it! As I'm writing the door bell rings, it's John, he locked himself out, and got lost walking around the building!!! I asked him how he got lost working there for so long??? Turns out John is 75% blind!!!! And that's when God spoke to me and said "How do you like them apples!"
So now I'm blogging again, I read the chapters that had to be read, I watched most of the Dreamweaver videos, sent an email to my wife, drew a picture for my daughters and sent an email to my parents telling them that I love them and appreciate everything they do for me/us.
Make the time for the important people in your life, show and tell family and friends that you love them don't assume they know because they may not know! It's not too late!
Talk at you later!
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
When do you know?
I just had a conversation with a co-worker and she told me that after 17 years it's time to put her cat down. She is extremely sad about it because she loves her cat very much, but BECAUSE she loves her cat, and the cat is suffering, she knows it's time. I have also had to make that decision when it came to our dog so I know how difficult it can be but like my coworker we seemed to know that it was time. When do you kwow when it's time, what or who gives you the strength and courage to make that decision.
A couple of weeks ago our pastor shared with us his story on when he lost his daughter and that he had to make the decision to let go. Everytime he tells the story I cry like a little baby because there is a point when he says to the doctor that it's time to let go! And that's when I feel the knife going through my heart.
So I ask you when do you know when it's time to let go? Where does the strength and courage come from to make that decision? And did you ever notice how we forget how strong we were at that time? Even after it's done we say to ourselves I could never go through that ever again and yet another situation arises and we are forced to make the decision and for some reason we can!
Let me know what you think
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A couple of weeks ago our pastor shared with us his story on when he lost his daughter and that he had to make the decision to let go. Everytime he tells the story I cry like a little baby because there is a point when he says to the doctor that it's time to let go! And that's when I feel the knife going through my heart.
So I ask you when do you know when it's time to let go? Where does the strength and courage come from to make that decision? And did you ever notice how we forget how strong we were at that time? Even after it's done we say to ourselves I could never go through that ever again and yet another situation arises and we are forced to make the decision and for some reason we can!
Let me know what you think
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Sunday, September 14, 2008
Happy 15th Anniversary City Church
Wow 15 years of service in the community, 15 years of loving their neighbors, 15 years of helping people! What an accomplishment, what commitment, what a great church! I'll be honest with you I didn't know about City Church until we did a church crash last summer. That's when I had the pleasure of going to my first service. We had a couple of guys share their testimony and Rob did a service. They were very friendly and very welcoming. But that was then and this is now! Can a church really keep up that kind of positive attitude, can still be this welcoming? Well let me tell you the answer is yes.
But this is different I started attending the services at City Church for almost a month now because our Pastor was asked to act as interim pastor until they find someone to replace Eric their founding pastor. I'll be honest with you I just started coming out to support Rob. I wasn't really interested in attending another church. I'm happy with Bikers' Church, I love the people, I love our relaxed atmosphere and I love the way we do church. But I figured I'd give it a chance, again my main goal was to support Rob because that's what brothers do, we support each other. So I walked with an open mind and ready to learn. Well I was blown away with the service and how wonderful the people are. I was also blown away with how Rob adapted to his new/old style of preaching. Now I hate to admit it but I go to City Church because I love coming to City Church. Don't get me wrong I'm not changing churches, I'm not quitting Bikers Church and I'm not going to pack it all up and switch. I just enjoy coming because the people are so friendly, the service is very upbeat, they are always to help the people of their community and because I can just go to church at a place where I have no responsibilities. I go just to listen watch and learn no expectations!
So today was their 15th anniversary celebration! What a great day, what a great time to celebrate what they have done to sit back and think of the good old days, a time to just pat yourself on the back and congratulate each other. You'd think that's what they would do but as usual they didn't. They chose to celebrate the future, to quickly remember what they did but to really focus on the future and how they will continue to help those in their community and that's what makes them special. That's what keeps the people coming back and that's what the church should be about.
So City Church congrats for 15 great years and I look forward to blogging in another 15 years. You guys are awesome keep up the great work, you are making a difference in people's lives!
Talk at you later
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But this is different I started attending the services at City Church for almost a month now because our Pastor was asked to act as interim pastor until they find someone to replace Eric their founding pastor. I'll be honest with you I just started coming out to support Rob. I wasn't really interested in attending another church. I'm happy with Bikers' Church, I love the people, I love our relaxed atmosphere and I love the way we do church. But I figured I'd give it a chance, again my main goal was to support Rob because that's what brothers do, we support each other. So I walked with an open mind and ready to learn. Well I was blown away with the service and how wonderful the people are. I was also blown away with how Rob adapted to his new/old style of preaching. Now I hate to admit it but I go to City Church because I love coming to City Church. Don't get me wrong I'm not changing churches, I'm not quitting Bikers Church and I'm not going to pack it all up and switch. I just enjoy coming because the people are so friendly, the service is very upbeat, they are always to help the people of their community and because I can just go to church at a place where I have no responsibilities. I go just to listen watch and learn no expectations!
So today was their 15th anniversary celebration! What a great day, what a great time to celebrate what they have done to sit back and think of the good old days, a time to just pat yourself on the back and congratulate each other. You'd think that's what they would do but as usual they didn't. They chose to celebrate the future, to quickly remember what they did but to really focus on the future and how they will continue to help those in their community and that's what makes them special. That's what keeps the people coming back and that's what the church should be about.
So City Church congrats for 15 great years and I look forward to blogging in another 15 years. You guys are awesome keep up the great work, you are making a difference in people's lives!
Talk at you later
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Friday, September 12, 2008
Habits some good some bad
The good thing about blogging is you can get to know someone without getting to know them. You're probably thinking twice in the same day doesn't guy have anything to do during the day? I have a lot to do I just don't feel like doing it right now and besides I just experienced the coolest thing in the world and I thought you might want to hear about it!
I'm a creature of habit, I hate to admit it but in most aspects of my life I hate change! So for me the usual is synonymous for comfortable. I wake up every morning at 5:00am sharp! I get out of bed walk to the living room and fall asleep on the couch until 5:30! Don't ask me why I do that, I just do. I have a second alarm clock that goes off at 5:30 to really wake me up. I turn on the TV watch The Weather Network and Sporstnet Connected to get a sense of both weather and scores. I then take a shower for about 15 to 30 minutes, depending if I have to shave my head or not, get out of the shower and realize now that I'm running 30 minutes late! The good habit I get up early, the bad habit I go back to sleep, the good habit I set a second alarm clock the bad habit I wake up and turn on the TV! You see what is happening here, as much as I try to develop good habits they are quickly matched with bad habits.
However I think some habits are good and that some good can come from habits whether good or bad. Let me give you an example that happened today and this is the reason for the 2nd post. Every morning I leave with coffee, either I finish it before getting here or drink it when I get to me desk. Either way I'm done by 8:30am so as a result of this habit my body has developed the habit of needing to get rid of said liquid at the exact same time everyday 9:35am on the button. People have started to set their watches to my liquid body clock! Well for some reason the cleaning lady in my building has the same schedule to clean the men's bathroom so everyday at 9:35 we usually meet face to face in the men's bathroom. This started about 3 weeks ago and let me tell you the first time it happened she scared the hell out of me! Now remember I have a full bladder terror is not good! I almost didn't make it! So for about 3 weeks now we do the same Tango, I walk in see her there we both say sorry I walk out and let her do what she has to do she walks out smiles and says have a nice day in Spanish. Same dance everyday at 9:35 for 2 weeks that's until last Thursday and Friday, no Maria. I was off Monday so Tuesday comes and there she was my little Maria, for some odd reason I was happy to see her in the men's bathroom again. When she walked out I asked her how and where she was. She smiled and with a very thick Spanish accent told me she went home for 5 days. I asked her where is home and she told me El Salvatore. I told her what a small world it was and spoke to her about Bikers Church and Scott and Melissa and then she started to cry! You see turns out Maria had 3 sons and 2 of them were killed in El Salvador by the MS13 and that's why she is here she wanted to save her third and last son! She thanked God for me, for the people at BC but mostly for people like Scott and Melissa that are trying to make a difference. What an awesome morning I'm still shaking, what a small world, what an awesome God!
So Scott and Melissa if you ever feel discouraged and don't know if you should continue remember Maria and her son and we she said to me: "if it wasn't for people like you she wouldn't have ANY children!" You guys will make a difference you just never know who you will touch, as for me and Maria I look forward to our next meeting same time Monday morning at 9:35, I'll keep you all posted
Talk at you later
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I'm a creature of habit, I hate to admit it but in most aspects of my life I hate change! So for me the usual is synonymous for comfortable. I wake up every morning at 5:00am sharp! I get out of bed walk to the living room and fall asleep on the couch until 5:30! Don't ask me why I do that, I just do. I have a second alarm clock that goes off at 5:30 to really wake me up. I turn on the TV watch The Weather Network and Sporstnet Connected to get a sense of both weather and scores. I then take a shower for about 15 to 30 minutes, depending if I have to shave my head or not, get out of the shower and realize now that I'm running 30 minutes late! The good habit I get up early, the bad habit I go back to sleep, the good habit I set a second alarm clock the bad habit I wake up and turn on the TV! You see what is happening here, as much as I try to develop good habits they are quickly matched with bad habits.
However I think some habits are good and that some good can come from habits whether good or bad. Let me give you an example that happened today and this is the reason for the 2nd post. Every morning I leave with coffee, either I finish it before getting here or drink it when I get to me desk. Either way I'm done by 8:30am so as a result of this habit my body has developed the habit of needing to get rid of said liquid at the exact same time everyday 9:35am on the button. People have started to set their watches to my liquid body clock! Well for some reason the cleaning lady in my building has the same schedule to clean the men's bathroom so everyday at 9:35 we usually meet face to face in the men's bathroom. This started about 3 weeks ago and let me tell you the first time it happened she scared the hell out of me! Now remember I have a full bladder terror is not good! I almost didn't make it! So for about 3 weeks now we do the same Tango, I walk in see her there we both say sorry I walk out and let her do what she has to do she walks out smiles and says have a nice day in Spanish. Same dance everyday at 9:35 for 2 weeks that's until last Thursday and Friday, no Maria. I was off Monday so Tuesday comes and there she was my little Maria, for some odd reason I was happy to see her in the men's bathroom again. When she walked out I asked her how and where she was. She smiled and with a very thick Spanish accent told me she went home for 5 days. I asked her where is home and she told me El Salvatore. I told her what a small world it was and spoke to her about Bikers Church and Scott and Melissa and then she started to cry! You see turns out Maria had 3 sons and 2 of them were killed in El Salvador by the MS13 and that's why she is here she wanted to save her third and last son! She thanked God for me, for the people at BC but mostly for people like Scott and Melissa that are trying to make a difference. What an awesome morning I'm still shaking, what a small world, what an awesome God!
So Scott and Melissa if you ever feel discouraged and don't know if you should continue remember Maria and her son and we she said to me: "if it wasn't for people like you she wouldn't have ANY children!" You guys will make a difference you just never know who you will touch, as for me and Maria I look forward to our next meeting same time Monday morning at 9:35, I'll keep you all posted
Talk at you later
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Passion vs. Calling
Well now that I'm blogging I find it hard to pick and choose what I want to talk about but I figure this is a good subject to start with.
Webster defines passion like this:
a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.
And calling:
a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.
The definitions are pretty close when you look at it quickly but the important difference is found at the end of the second definition: "accompanied by conviction of divine influence."
I know a lot of people that have a passion for something, sports, bikes, their jobs, other people whatever the case may be, but I have rarely found people that have a Calling for something. However when you do find someone, you know it! You can feel it through them when you're around, you can almost feel jealous of that Calling. When it comes to callings most people always think of very big names, like Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King Jr. and that's just off the top of my head, or you can even think of famous people like Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen etc... But I encourage you to look around, look at the people around you, people you know friends, family and I can garantee you will find somebody close to you that definately have this Calling.
I have been blessed this week to have come accross 2 people with this Calling and for that I'm extremely grateful. The first was Tuesday, it was my first night of my final year of Bible school and to my surprise the teacher for this term is actually the Dean of the school. This man has been in ministry for over 30 years and I had never had the priviledge of hearing him speak. What a shame because it was the best class I have ever been in. So for the next 6 weeks I have the honor of taking a class with Pastor Barry Boucher. The man has a Calling! He is an amazing teacher and speaker! I sat in that class for over 2 hours and I was disappointed when the class was over and trust me that's amazing because I have always hated going to school!
The second was last night! We had our usual service last night at Bikers Church. It was a question and answer night and when I speak to different pastors they all have the same answer "ooooh I hate having a Q&A service because you never know what will be asked", I personally love those nights BECAUSE you never know what will be asked. Anyways after doing the Intro I sit down expecting the usual questions, I'm getting ready to take notes because I'm still being mentored, still training and learning. Rob comes to the front and asks before we start he wants to share something with the congregation, something he feels is on his heart and it must come out and he starts to speak! That 10 to 15 minutes of sharing was the best speach, sermon, teaching (whatever you want to call it) that I have ever heard! I really hope that this part was recorded and that it is made available to everyone on the podcast because it was TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I had not heard that much fire and conviction in a while. I was just sitting there in complete and total awe. I was, and am still today, proud and honored because I'm doing my mentoring classes with Rob. Wow if I can be half the speaker that he is I would probably be considered one of the best in Ottawa, that's how good he is! The room was completely silent, eyes and mouths were wide open just in awe at what he was saying and how the message was being delivered. What a great night, I felt like I used to when I first started coming out over 5 years ago.
A lot of you might be thinking it's just the experience of being pastors for so long and that's why they are good at what they do, well I completely disagree. I have heard people speaking in church circles with years of experience and not even come close to what I witnessed this week. This is more than passion THIS is what I think is the true definition of a Calling! These two Pastors ARE called to do what they do, not because they can speak in front of a crowd but because they say what God wants them to say. These 2 men are what the Church leaders should be!
Pastor Barry thank you for the awesome class on Tuesday and believe it or not I'm really looking forward to the class and the semester!
Rob the service last night was the best I have heard in years probably one the best message I have ever heard. Thank you for taking the time to mentor and train me. I feel totally blessed to have such an opportunity and I hope that someday I have the chance to show my gratitude for all your efforts and teachings! After last night's service I realize how much I still have to learn.
I encourage you to check out last night's podcast at:http://www.bikerschurch.com/index_en.html
Webster defines passion like this:
a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.
And calling:
a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.
The definitions are pretty close when you look at it quickly but the important difference is found at the end of the second definition: "accompanied by conviction of divine influence."
I know a lot of people that have a passion for something, sports, bikes, their jobs, other people whatever the case may be, but I have rarely found people that have a Calling for something. However when you do find someone, you know it! You can feel it through them when you're around, you can almost feel jealous of that Calling. When it comes to callings most people always think of very big names, like Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King Jr. and that's just off the top of my head, or you can even think of famous people like Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen etc... But I encourage you to look around, look at the people around you, people you know friends, family and I can garantee you will find somebody close to you that definately have this Calling.
I have been blessed this week to have come accross 2 people with this Calling and for that I'm extremely grateful. The first was Tuesday, it was my first night of my final year of Bible school and to my surprise the teacher for this term is actually the Dean of the school. This man has been in ministry for over 30 years and I had never had the priviledge of hearing him speak. What a shame because it was the best class I have ever been in. So for the next 6 weeks I have the honor of taking a class with Pastor Barry Boucher. The man has a Calling! He is an amazing teacher and speaker! I sat in that class for over 2 hours and I was disappointed when the class was over and trust me that's amazing because I have always hated going to school!
The second was last night! We had our usual service last night at Bikers Church. It was a question and answer night and when I speak to different pastors they all have the same answer "ooooh I hate having a Q&A service because you never know what will be asked", I personally love those nights BECAUSE you never know what will be asked. Anyways after doing the Intro I sit down expecting the usual questions, I'm getting ready to take notes because I'm still being mentored, still training and learning. Rob comes to the front and asks before we start he wants to share something with the congregation, something he feels is on his heart and it must come out and he starts to speak! That 10 to 15 minutes of sharing was the best speach, sermon, teaching (whatever you want to call it) that I have ever heard! I really hope that this part was recorded and that it is made available to everyone on the podcast because it was TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I had not heard that much fire and conviction in a while. I was just sitting there in complete and total awe. I was, and am still today, proud and honored because I'm doing my mentoring classes with Rob. Wow if I can be half the speaker that he is I would probably be considered one of the best in Ottawa, that's how good he is! The room was completely silent, eyes and mouths were wide open just in awe at what he was saying and how the message was being delivered. What a great night, I felt like I used to when I first started coming out over 5 years ago.
A lot of you might be thinking it's just the experience of being pastors for so long and that's why they are good at what they do, well I completely disagree. I have heard people speaking in church circles with years of experience and not even come close to what I witnessed this week. This is more than passion THIS is what I think is the true definition of a Calling! These two Pastors ARE called to do what they do, not because they can speak in front of a crowd but because they say what God wants them to say. These 2 men are what the Church leaders should be!
Pastor Barry thank you for the awesome class on Tuesday and believe it or not I'm really looking forward to the class and the semester!
Rob the service last night was the best I have heard in years probably one the best message I have ever heard. Thank you for taking the time to mentor and train me. I feel totally blessed to have such an opportunity and I hope that someday I have the chance to show my gratitude for all your efforts and teachings! After last night's service I realize how much I still have to learn.
I encourage you to check out last night's podcast at:http://www.bikerschurch.com/index_en.html
Enjoy, talk at you later
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Well it finally happened
Well it finally happened, I'm officially Blogging! I never thought I would actually be doing this, well here it goes. This should be fun.
Let me start by saying I'm not very computer literate. WOW that feels better I'm really happy I got that off my chest. Actually I'm borderline computer retarded! I can do the basic stuff like turn it on see if it works, if not I call my 4 year old daughters and ask for help. So when I was asked if I would ever start blogging my first thought was not on your life. But after friendly persuasion by ALL my so-called friends I'm finally here.
I hope and pray that this will be a fun journey and that you enjoy reading my thoughts, dreams, hopes, fears and whatever is going on in my head at the time. We will laugh, cry, share some moments but mostly I want us to share some thoughts and comments. I want to hear from all of you out there going through whatever you're going and I want your honest opinions on stuff, go ahead I'm a big boy I can take it.
So this is it! I'm officially blogging! If I would have known it was this easy I probably still wouldn't have done it years ago.
Enjoy, talk at you later
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Let me start by saying I'm not very computer literate. WOW that feels better I'm really happy I got that off my chest. Actually I'm borderline computer retarded! I can do the basic stuff like turn it on see if it works, if not I call my 4 year old daughters and ask for help. So when I was asked if I would ever start blogging my first thought was not on your life. But after friendly persuasion by ALL my so-called friends I'm finally here.
I hope and pray that this will be a fun journey and that you enjoy reading my thoughts, dreams, hopes, fears and whatever is going on in my head at the time. We will laugh, cry, share some moments but mostly I want us to share some thoughts and comments. I want to hear from all of you out there going through whatever you're going and I want your honest opinions on stuff, go ahead I'm a big boy I can take it.
So this is it! I'm officially blogging! If I would have known it was this easy I probably still wouldn't have done it years ago.
Enjoy, talk at you later
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