Church Christmas Programs

How much do we love Christmas?  We love it so much that many churches will spend weeks and sometimes months planning a Christmas event to reach out to their community.   My church held one such an event last weekend (Calvary Community Church in Barrie).  From an insider's perspective, it is fun to see hidden talents come alive.  These are people you stand beside in church every week.  Who knew they could play the saxophone, or act, or sing?  Our a/v department is also very creative tracking down videos to add some fun to the night.  This is just one that has been making the rounds for a few years at Christmas programs, but it is fun to watch each year, enjoy!

The Case of the Missing Air Conditioner Cover

We thought we had it all together.  The leaves were raked, the flowerbeds were cleaned, lawn furniture put away, and the air conditioner was covered.  We were officially ready for winter!  

That is until we discovered that someone had stolen our air conditioner cover early last week. 

 

You think you're a patient, relaxed, calm person until you have a crisis on your hands.  Ok, I know this isn't exactly a crisis...but it is very annoying.

I don't remember praying and asking for patience, but I must have.  My first instinct was to write a scathing post on Facebook (I know that'll scare 'em ;)

Next, I wanted to talk about it on the radio...that'll really teach them.  

Finally, I settled on my blog.  But the blog I am writing now is much different than the blog I wanted to write when it first happened.  Why is it so different, because just a few days earlier I read about what the Bible says about anger and where it can lead.  Look at this:

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

James 1:19-20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 15:18 ESV

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I know some people hate it when Christians pretend that nothing bad ever happens.  Sure, bad things do happen, but how do we as Christians react?  That is what should be different.  Our perspective on everything in life should be different.  While we go through struggles we have God to walk with us.  When those struggles come, we need to lean on Him.  That is the only way He can become real to us and strengthen our faith...even when your air conditioner cover is stolen :)

To Do Lists

Do you use a to do list?  Some people cannot go through a day without having a personal, work, and play to do list.  Simply put, it takes the stress away from remembering to do something.

I am no productivity guru, so I will turn this blog over to the experts.  I am a big fan of Michael Hyatt.  He always has something interesting to say and I usually learn something too.  In this case, Michael posted someone else's blog, Benny Hill Jr.'s.

Even if you normally don't read productivity blogs, this one is worth the read.  Enjoy!

http://michaelhyatt.com/to-do-lists.html

Speak Life

It's kind of funny to realize that the older you get, the less you know.  Learning is truly a journey, not a destination.  The other day my almost 3-year-old taught me another life lesson.  He is talking much more now and repeating what we say.  It catches my wife and I off guard.  We are especially noticing his use of what we call, adult phrases.  The other day he walked upstairs and noticed the lights were off.  Just a few weeks ago he would have said, turn on the light please.  But this time he said, "It sure is dark upstairs."  Where did he hear that?  One of us or another adult must have said it before.  It reminded us how careful we need to be around him to make sure he only repeats what we want him to.  

Then it hit me.  I am very concerned about my child learning and using kind and encouraging words.  But what about me?  Am I careful with my words?  Do I only use words that are kind and encouraging...even when my son isn't around?

The Bible has many references to the tongue.  God knows how easy it is to be hurtful.  That's why He felt the need to remind us over and over and over again.

Thankfully, we have some other help to.  Thanks toby!

  

35th Annual Covenant Awards

This year was the first time I took in The Covenant Awards in Burlington.  The awards recognize the best in Canadian Christian Music.  There were lots of great performances including up and coming bands like Anthem For Today and Mat & Nicole Crisp.   It is always nice to see more established artists too like Tim Neufeld and country superstar Paul Brandt.

I know some argue that Christians should not be handing out and receiving awards because they are, "doing it for the Lord."  I think I get what they are trying to say, but after seeing the look on the faces of the nominees and winners, I see their perspective too.

The Canadian Christian music industry is a small one.  Not many of them are "rich" like so many other entertainers. In fact, many of them have full time jobs on the side.  Others are full time and work very hard to book gigs, spend a lot of time on the road away from their families, and are certainly not millionaires.

I realized that the Covenant Awards are less about bragging rights, but exist to encourage.  It is not easy to be away from your family every weekend, to play in front of 50 people for a love offering (which is likely less than you think it is).  By receiving an award, these artists are given some much needed encouragement for following the call that God has put on their lives.  We all need that.

A special congratulations to all of the nominees.  It is a cliche to say that, "just to be nominated is an honour." Thank you to all of the artists for following God's call on your lives so they rest of us can be encouraged and challenged by your gifts.


  

What I Have Learned Being A Parent

When my wife and I were expecting our first child, people used to say, don't worry about what you don't know, you'll figure it out.  The truth is, they were right.  When Aiden was an infant, sometimes he would cry :).  I know, your child never cried.  But sometimes Aiden did.  As parents we tried to figure out if he was hungry, hurting, sick, or just wanted to be held.  Somehow, we always figured it out.  

I have also learned how selfish I must have been before I had a child.  Whenever there was a problem, I would think about me.  If I was hungry, I ate.  If I was bored, I found something to do.  I was always first.  After you have a child, it's crazy, but you don't care about eating until your child is full.  You don't care about your own safety unless your child is safe.  

Sure, this bear may not look intimidating now, but you should hear him roar!

Once again, I am humbled by how much our God loves us (1 John 3:1 How Great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God).  Sometimes we think that God is trying to teach us a lesson or at the very least make us wait for what we want.  When in reality, what we eat, our joy, and our safety are most important to Him.  It's not easy to understand, but if you're having trouble, think of what you will do for your own children.  It will make sense.

Dish Time

How do chores work in your house?  Does everyone have their daily/weekly responsibilities?  When I was younger, my brothers and I knew that we were doing the dishes...especially after church on Sunday.  We always had a delicious meal and since our parents did the cooking, we had to do the cleaning.  We even had responsibilities within the responsibility of doing dishes.  My brother washed, I dried, and my younger brother Tim put the dishes away.

I wish that I could say that dish time was a special bonding time that we cherish to this day.  But it wasn't.  Our purpose was to get the job done as quickly as possible even if that meant one brother telling another brother how to get the job done faster thus resulting in a massive argument.  Maybe if we had just relaxed a little more and done this, it would have helped.