Johan

Tis The Season

2011-11-28T16:48:00.000-06:00

I believe the Lord is shifting things. We have been talking a lot about revival over the past many weeks at Sanctuary, and I think it is beginning to stir something in many of our hearts. I've had dreams of revival since I was a kid, I read about them, studied them and prayed for them. I have never seen one up close. That will change, if not in this next season....in a season after. The waiting could cause a lot of people to lose hope. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick". It's the same with the house of prayer, I've longed to be in the house, being a priest, and having 24/7 prayer in our city. It will happen, but has not happened yet, many cannot stand the waiting, many lose patience and give up...I'm in to believing that there is a reward for persevering. It will be the same when the revival comes. I can feel my songwriting already being stirred up in anticipation, and my desire to have a stronger foundation in the word, to have devine alignment with the will of God. It's going to be incredible.

Jets are back

2011-06-06T20:40:00.001-05:00

This has been an exiting week. The return of the NHL to Winnipeg became official. Although I may not be a season ticket holder, I had some great memories of the team when I was a kid. I went to several games a year. My favorite team when I was a kid was the Montreal Canadiens, I was fortunate to see the likes of Patrick Roy and Wayne Gretzky play. The most memorable was sitting up high behind the net when Teemu Selanne broke the rookie record for the most goals in a rookie season. They were playing the Quebec Nordiques and Stephan Fiset was in net, when he scored his hat-trick to break the record. He threw his glove in the air and used his hockey stick as a gun pretending to shoot it down from the sky. I remember the crowd cheered loud for at least 20 minutes delaying the game as they honored Teemu with the golden hockey stick that previously belonged to Mike Bossy. That is something I will not forget, and I look forward to many new memories in the years to come with the return of the NHL to Winnipeg (whatever they will be called).
I'm thinking the Lord had it in the cards to get some more young forerunners to stay in our city.

Book Review: The Band that Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic

2011-06-06T11:28:00.002-05:00

There have been countless shipwrecks over the course of mankind, many fascinating stories that will forever have people searching, wondering and remembering. For all these shipwrecks there has never been one more legendary than the Titanic, a disaster that has piqued the interest of millions of people for almost 100 years. One of the many interesting stories involving the Titanic was the story of 8 men who were playing music for the guests as the Titanic was sinking. Through chaos and a certain death, there they were playing a hymn that who knows how many souls it touched as people faced the end of their lives.

In the book, The Band that Played On The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner we are presented with the stories of these 8 men that went down with the Titanic. In an attempt to capture how these men lived for them to perform this touching act Steve Turner goes deep into their history to find out who they are and where they came from. Steve Turner does go deep, and the information that he has dug up is astounding. You could tell he has gone through great lengths to get as much information as he could on these men and so we are presented with what feels a bit like a research paper/history book.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book, perhaps I was hoping for more of a narrative view that reads more like a story and less like a history book. As I have seen movies about the Titanic and read articles/stories my perception is somewhat clouded to a romantic view of this disaster. The book does a good job in providing a lot of history, but falls short into turning it into a narrative that makes it easy to read.

If you are a history buff, especially of the Titanic, this would be a great book to add to your collection. But if you are looking for a historic narrative type book, this may not be of interest to you. For me, I struggled to get through parts of the book as I was expecting more of a story.

This book was given to me free by Tyndale house publishers for my review.

DVD Review & Giveaway: Paws & Tales: God Cares for You

2011-02-22T01:00:00.003-06:00

Giveaway: -Prize Claimed
I was exited to get this DVD for my kids, there is little to be found for good quality Christian cartoons for children. Paws & Tales does not disappoint. This cartoon provides us with wonderful a wonderful story, great characters and is able to convey a practical Biblically based message that can relate to kids.
The first story is called "The Good Shepard", it is about a shepherd that is training two of the Paws & Tales main characters to take care of the sheep for him. Through this process they learn what a good shepherd does and how God shepherds us by taking care of us and protecting us.
The second story in this DVD is called "A Good Foundation". This is a story about a group of friends who could not decide what kind of clubhouse to build, so they decide to build 2 different clubhouses. One on the water and one in a tree. They did not follow the advice of the designer and found that the clubhouse was deemed unsafe. The failed to follow the principal rule of building on a strong foundation (or in this case a steady strong tree).
While the story and the animation is well done, I'm a little disappointed with how the audio was mixed on these DVD's. The dialogue is hard to hear because the music is too loud. I hope they can correct this for future episodes.

This could look good to any parent wanting to get their kids good Christian DVD's, but if it fails to attract the interest of the child it is pointless. Here are some thoughts from an interview with my son:

What did you learn?: I learned that Shepherds take care of Sheep
Did you enjoy watching it? Yes
Do you want to watch other videos with the same characters in it? Yes
Who is your favorite character? I like the wolves and Ezra the Shepherd

My son however did not like the music videos, while my daughter did like the music videos.

NOTE: THE TRAILER SHOWS ANIMATION THAT IS SUBPAR TO THE ACTUAL DVD
For more information visit: http://www.tyndale.pawsandtalesgames.com

I received this DVD free from tyndale house publishers for my honest review.

Heavenly Worship

2011-02-13T13:27:00.000-06:00

I am really exited for the new season ahead for Sanctuary House of Prayer . Not that anything significantly has changed, but I know the Lord is working. Which means there are really good things ahead. We have switched up the teams a little bit, and it has allowed me to shift the theme a little bit. I am really looking forward to singing about heaven and the worship of heaven. I have a deep longing and desire to see the worship that is happening in heaven, manifested on this earth, "On earth as it is in heaven". I desire to have the Spirit dwell in our midst in an increased measure. Why sing about the worship of heaven? Because this is how he designed it, this is worshipping in spirit and in truth; and if we long to be his dwelling place, it has to look like his dwelling! We have very little understanding and revelation of what this looks like, the closest thing we can come to Revelation 4. I'm looking forward to him revealing more. Jesus, what does this look like??

Book Review: Love and Respect

2011-02-13T13:10:00.001-06:00

Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs is a book a marriage book stemming from the biblical concept found in Ephesians 5. The idea is that a wife's deepest desire is to be loved, and a Husband's deepest desire is to be respected. Most marriage books concentrate on the love portion often forgetting the Husbands need for respect.
Dr. Eggerichs provides us with many concepts, letters from couples and a lot of scripture that seems to prove that this biblically based concept is at the root to having a healthy marriage. He takes a close look at the wife and husband separately and gives us insight into the heart of each. When Love or Respect is broken it triggers a non-desired response from the other and produces what Dr. Eggerichs calls "The Crazy Cycle". When Love and Respect is practiced in the relationship, it will not only provide a healthier relationship, but it will energize and empower the husband and husband in their daily walk.
I firmly believe that if this concept was more widely known, we would see a lot less divorce and many more healthy relationships. I would recommend this book (video series also available) to every individual and couples alike. Guaranteed, you will walk away from it with a better relationship with your spouse and with God. Never have I come across a book that is so simple and profound for maintaing a healthy marriage/relationship. I can honestly say that I understand my wife's needs a lot better, and she would say the same thing about me. Both my wife and I have gone through the book and we both agree that it gives us a blueprint for a wonderful marriage. 5 stars

This book was provided to me free for my review by booksneeze.com . I was not required to give a positive review.

Desire for one thing

2011-01-04T13:52:00.001-06:00

A few hours on Sunday in a prayer room is not enough. He is worthy of exceedingly more. Life circumstances and the lack of a building are a reality that hinders me from the one thing I desire concerning the what I want to do with my life... To dwell in his house all the days of my life, to gaze on His beauty and seek him in His temple. I do not resent my life circumstances, those being work, my wife and children. I simply know that the work portion can shift with time, a time which is not yet. With my present life circumstances in place there just simply isn't enough time to pursue the desire for one thing as my full time occupation. The closet/prayer room at home is my only hideaway to come close to this pursuit. In the meantime my circumstances is my ministry and I will do it to the best of my ability and serve as the Lord leads me.
I am confidence that the Lord fulfills the desire of our hearts , and that the desire I have is not something I conjured up in myself but a desire the Lord has placed on my heart. The desire for one thing cannot be manufactured because it is opposed to our the desire of the human heart in it's sinful nature. Apart from God drawing us, we cannot desire Him. We love Him because He first loved us.
For now I know there is not a prayer room going 24/7 in our city in the expression that I feel called to; but it will come. In that day I know the Lord will open the door for me to pursue the desire that he has given me in Psalm 27:4. Lord provide a building for Sanctuary House of Prayer. Release finances to have priests before you day and night.

Review: Nelsons' Biblical Cyclopedic Index

2011-01-04T13:25:00.001-06:00

Are you someone that does Bible study in places other than your home? If you are or just need a really solid concordance/topical index/Bible dictionary I've come upon a resource that you should not be without; Nelson's Biblical Cyclopedic Index. For years I have been frustrated because my reference books are to big and heavy to bring along with me. When I received this reference book I was ecstatic when I saw how small and portable it is, yet is a wealth of Biblical reference material that will aide me wherever I decide to take my Bible study. This book is small in size yet comprehensive it's contents.
Thomas Nelson has done a great favor to the church by giving us such a wonderful tool to go deeper in the word.
In this little book you will find topics/meanings all with scriptural references, and it even teaches you the biblical background of several important words and phrases that will enhance your understanding of the word. You will find over 8000 subjects and 300 word studies. In the short time that I have had this book, I have found myself using it many times during my Bible studies, and I would find it difficult to be without now that I have it.
I highly recommend this wonderful tool for any Christian that loves their Bible.
I received this book free for my review from booksneeze.com

City of Priests

2010-12-21T07:16:00.001-06:00

"I can almost see

A mansion in the distance

I can almost see

A city"

This was a chorus that came out of our set last week. When this chorus was being sung over and over I saw a picture of priests in a city all leaving their mansions. They were all rushing through the streets in the city to get to the temple to worship God together. There was an excitement in the air, there was a joy on their faces as they seemed to playfully race one another to the temple.
I really love this picture, it has been on my mind a lot lately. First of all...priests in mansions? For what is a low paid position on earth, what esteem does God hold the position of priest in heaven that he would make us all priests and put us in mansions, specially prepared? This puts how God feels about the priesthood in perspective.
Then in the picture I had, the priests were leaving their mansions for something that exited them. Our occupation as priest becomes enhanced with intensity in heaven; this is our main job description and we will all love it.
We don't see many city of priests in history, I've never seen one personally. I suppose some would consider the Vatican a city of priests; I know Nob was a city of priests (1 Sam 22:19 - "Also Nob, the city of priests...." I'm exited to see what it's going to be like. Just some thoughts, I thought I would share.

Book Review: Coming Back Sronger

2010-12-20T10:16:00.002-06:00

Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity by: Drew Brees By Drew Brees with Christ Fabry is a memoir of Drew Brees. Drew chronicles his years leading up to the pinnacle of his football career; becoming Super Bowl Champion. You will experience the ups and downs of Drew's life, the many adversities that he has faced and conquered, the many failures and successes that he has experienced from high school all the way to the NFL. This is not simply a book about conquering with human will and endeavour but the faith in God and trusting in his will and purpose that holds us together and brings us through adversity making us stronger.
This book puts you in the shoes of a professional football player (a childhood dream of mine), not simply the glamour and fame of being a football star, but everything that it encompasses from overcoming a devastating injury to constant discouragement to keeping a family. The underlining theme of the book is written on it's cover "coming back stronger". Not only does the title apply to Drew himself, but it also applies to his team and place that he chose to call home; New Orleans. Reading this book helps you understand the devastation and the few hopes that they had to hold onto in the midst of a terrible tragedy. How even the simplest thing of winning football games and believing that there are brighter days ahead can pull a community together and in the midst of tragedy become stronger.
Not only was this story engaging right from the start to end, this book was well written and easy to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone, football fan or not; you will finish this book encouraged and determined. You might even finish this book feeling stronger.
This book was provided free for my honest review by Tyndale House Publishers.

Finding Time

2010-12-16T13:57:00.000-06:00

Holiday's are here, and thus begins many Christmas gatherings. One thing I have noticed over the years is that after Christmas I don't feel like doing anything. I am less enthusiastic about being productive, less enthusiastic leading worship at SHOP. I think the answer to this is simple, the structure of my week/days change, I become to busy and I don't find time during holidays to rest with God. It's easier when you are on a schedule. When you don't find that time, it dulls your spirit into boredom and all of a sudden I'm not enthusiastic about doing the things that normally bring me life, never to the point of giving up; but it becomes more of a chore. It then often takes a while to get back on track.
In recognizing this, I see the importance and power of a focused life. The important thing is to keep yourself focused and organized when everything around you is in holiday mode. This is my goal for this holiday season; find time with the Lord and see what happens when the hustle and bussle is over.

Seeds of Turmoil

2010-12-14T13:55:00.003-06:00

Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright provides us with the information on the very beginnings of the violence and tension in Israel and the surrounding areas. The church and people in general are largely ignorant of the history behind the middle east conflict. The conflict is all over the news, we hear about what is happening in the middle east and to Israel. The question many people don't think about is "why is the middle east getting so much attention". The simple answer to this question is that it is important to God and the events taking place are largely significant when it comes to biblical prophesy. Bryant Wright has done the church a big favor by shedding light on the roots and reasons for this tension. To be honest I had a fair bit of knowledge on the subject before I read this book so my opinions of it may have to do with the fact that it sounded repetitive to me. I found the book repeating itself a fair bit in the first half. The second half I gained a lot more interest as Bryant when into a lot more detail with things I would have never thought of. I especially appreciate the section at the end that gives us a point of view from the three different religious groups that this conflict revolves around.
This book was far from perfect in the way it was written with many cliches and poorly chosen language, but the information is good. I had little appreciation for the assumption that Abraham sexually desired the maidservant (the "honey" comment.) This is an inference that is unnecessary. I am thankful for the plethora of scripture used to back up the information, it helps us understand things from a biblical standpoint.
I recommend reading this book simply because there are not many out there like it and the information is very important for every Christian to understand what God is doing on the earth and what is to come. The questions at the end make for a good group study. 3.5 out of 5.

This book was provided free from Nelson House Publishers booksneeze.com program for my review.

Video: Harper Stands for Israel

2010-11-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

Harper Takes Stand For Israel

2010-11-11T07:50:00.003-06:00

From National Post: Excerpt: Harper’s speech on Israel, anti-Semitism

Scott Maniquet November 8, 2010 – 5:59 pm

The following is excerpted from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s speech on Parliament Hill
Two weeks ago I visited Ukraine for the first time. At the killing grounds of Babyn Yar, I knew I was standing in a place where evil – evil at its most cruel, obscene, and grotesque – had been unleashed. But while evil of this magnitude may be unfathomable, it is nonetheless a fact.
It is a fact of history. And it is a fact of our nature – that humans can choose to be inhuman. This is the paradox of freedom. That awesome power, that grave responsibility – to choose between good and evil.
Let us not forget that even in the darkest hours of the Holocaust, men were free to choose good. And some did. That is the eternal witness of the Righteous Among the Nations.
And let us not forget that even now, there are those who would choose evil, and would launch another Holocaust, if left unchecked. That is the challenge before us today.
In response to this resurgence of moral ambivalence on these issues, we must speak clearly.
Remembering the Holocaust is not merely an act of historical recognition. It must also be an understanding and an undertaking. An understanding that the same threats exist today. And an undertaking of a solemn responsibility to fight those threats.
Jews today in many parts of the world and many different settings are increasingly subjected to vandalism, threats, slurs, and just plain, old-fashioned lies.
Let me draw your attention to some particularly disturbing trends.
Anti-Semitism has gained a place at our universities, where at times it is not the mob who are removed, but the Jewish students under attack. And, under the shadow of a hateful ideology with global ambitions, one which targets the Jewish homeland as a scapegoat, Jews are savagely attacked around the world – such as, most appallingly, in Mumbai in 2008.
We have seen all this before. And we have no excuse to be complacent. In fact we have a duty to take action. And for all of us, that starts at home.
In Canada, we have taken a number of steps to assess and combat anti-Semitism in our own country. But of course we must also combat anti-Semitism beyond our borders, – an evolving, global phenomenon. And we must recognize, that while its substance is as crude as ever, its method is now more sophisticated.
Harnessing disparate anti-Semitic, anti-American and anti-Western ideologies, it targets the Jewish people by targeting the Jewish homeland, Israel, as the source of injustice and conflict in the world, and uses, perversely, the language of human rights to do so.
We must be relentless in exposing this new anti-Semitism for what it is. Of course, like any country, Israel may be subjected to fair criticism. And like any free country, Israel subjects itself to such criticism – healthy, necessary, democratic debate. But when Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack – Is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand. Demonization, double standards, delegitimization, the 3 D’s, it is a responsibility, to stand up to them.
And I know, by the way, because I have the bruises to show for it, that whether it is at the United Nations, or any other international forum, the easy thing to do is simply to just get along and go along with this anti-Israeli rhetoric, to pretend it is just being even-handed, and to excuse oneself with the label of “honest broker.” There are, after all, a lot more votes, a lot more, in being anti-Israeli than in taking a stand. But, as long as I am Prime Minister, whether it is at the UN or the Francophonie or anywhere else, Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because history shows us, and the ideology of the anti-Israeli mob tells us all too well, that those who threaten the existence of the Jewish people are, in the longer term, a threat to all of us.
Earlier I noted the paradox of freedom. It is freedom that makes us human. Whether it leads to heroism or depravity depends on how we use it.
We are free citizens, but also the elected representatives of free peoples. We have a solemn duty to defend the vulnerable, to challenge the aggressor, to protect and promote human dignity, at home and abroad. None of us knows whether we would choose to do good, in the extreme circumstances of the Righteous. But we do know there are those today who would choose to do evil, if they are so permitted. Thus, we must use our freedom now, and them and their anti-Semitism at every turn.
Our work together is a sign of hope, just as the existence and persistence of the Jewish homeland is a sign of hope. And it is here that history serves not to warn but to inspire.
As I said on the 60th anniversary of its founding, the State of Israel appeared as a light, in a world emerging from deep darkness. Against all odds, that light has not been extinguished. It burns bright, upheld by the universal principles of all civilized nations – freedom, democracy, justice.
By working together more closely in the family of civilized nations, we affirm and strengthen those principles. And we declare our faith in humanity’s future, in the power of good over evil.

Shepard's Status

2010-11-10T07:12:00.002-06:00

Found this article....puts a lot of things in perspective in regards to shepherding in the Bible:

Shepard's Status

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”

Luke 2:8-9

No Christmas program is complete without its little band of gunnysack shepherds. Frightened by the angel’s sudden appearance, they marvel at the good news from the angel and rush to Bethlehem to see the Savior-King. As they return to their flocks, they praise God and tell all who will listen about the birth of the chosen Child.
They finish spreading the good tidings, leave the stage, and we hardly give them another thought.
But why did the announcement come to them at all? Why not to priests and kings? Who were they that they should be eyewitnesses of God’s glory and receive history’s greatest birth announcement?
In Christ’s day, shepherds stood on the bottom rung of the Palestinian social ladder. They shared the same unenviable status as tax collectors and dung sweepers. Only Luke mentions them.
During the time of the Patriarchs, shepherding was a noble occupation. Shepherds are mentioned early in Genesis 4:20 where Jabal is called the father of those living in tents and raising livestock. In nomadic societies, everyone—whether sheikh or slave—was a shepherd. The wealthy sons of Isaac and Jacob tended flocks (Genesis 30:29; 37:12). Jethro, the priest of Midian, employed his daughters as shepherdesses (Exodus 2:16).
When the twelve tribes of Israel migrated to Egypt, they encountered a lifestyle foreign to them. The Egyptians were agriculturalists. As farmers, they despised shepherding because sheep and goats meant death to crops. Battles between farmers and shepherds are as old as they are fierce. The first murder in history erupted from a farmer’s resentment of a shepherd (Genesis 4:1-8).
Egyptians considered sheep worthless for food and sacrifice. Egyptian art forms and historical records portray shepherds negatively. Neighboring Arabs—their enemy—were shepherds, and Egyptian hatred climaxed when shepherd kings seized Lower Egypt.
Pharaoh’s clean-shaven court looked down on the rugged shepherd sons of Jacob. Joseph matter-of-factly informed his brothers, “Every shepherd is detestable to the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34).
In the course of 400 years, the Egyptians prejudiced the Israelites’ attitude toward shepherding. Jacob’s descendants became accustomed to a settled lifestyle and forgot their nomadic roots. When Israel later settled in Canaan (c. 1400 BC), the few tribes still retaining a fondness for pastoral life chose to live in the Trans-Jordan (Numbers 32:1 ff).
After the settling in Palestine, shepherding ceased to hold its prominent position. As the Israelites acquired more farmland, pasturing decreased. Shepherding became a menial vocation for the laboring class.
Around 1000 BC, David’s emergence as king temporarily raised the shepherd’s image. The lowliness of this trade made David’s promotion striking (2 Samuel 7:8). While poetic sections of Scripture record positive allusions to shepherding, scholars believe these references reflect a literary ideal, not reality.
In the days of the Prophets, sheep-herders symbolized judgment and social desolation (Zephaniah 2:6). Amos contrasted his high calling as prophet with his former role as a shepherd (Amos 7:14). Dr. Joachim Jeremias says shepherds were “despised in everyday life.” In general, they were considered second-class and untrustworthy.
Shepherding had not just lost its widespread appeal; it eventually forfeited its social acceptability. Some shepherds earned their poor reputations, but others became victims of a cruel stereotype. The religious leaders maligned the shepherd’s good name; rabbis banned pasturing sheep and goats in Israel, except on desert plains.
The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law, also reflects this prejudice, referring to shepherds in belittling terms. One passage describes them as “incompetent”; another says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit.
Jeremias documents the fact that shepherds were deprived of all civil rights. They could not fulfill judicial offices or be admitted in court as witnesses.
He wrote, “To buy wool, milk or a kid from a shepherd was forbidden on the assumption that it would be stolen property.”
In Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, Jeremias notes: “The rabbis ask with amazement how, in view of the despicable nature of shepherds, one can explain why God was called ‘my shepherd’ in Psalm 23:1.”
Smug religious leaders maintained a strict caste system at the expense of shepherds and other common folk. Shepherds were officially labeled “sinners”—a technical term for a class of despised people.
Into this social context of religious snobbery and class prejudice, God’s Son stepped forth. How surprising and significant that Father God handpicked lowly, unpretentious shepherds to first hear the joyous news: “It’s a boy, and He’s the Messiah!”
What an affront to the religious leaders who were so conspicuously absent from the divine mailing list. Even from birth, Christ moved among the lowly. It was the sinners, not the self-righteous, He came to save (Mark 2:17).
The proud religionists of Christ’s day have faded into obscurity, but the shepherd figure is once again elevated in church life as pastors “shepherd their flocks.” That figure was immortalized by the Lord Jesus when He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Christ is also the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). No other illustration so vividly portrays His tender care and guiding hand.
As we gaze on nativity scenes and smile at those gunnysack shepherds, let’s not lose sight of the striking irony. A handful of shepherds, marginalized by the social and religious elite, were chosen to break the silence of centuries, heralding Messiah’s birth.
“Shepherd Status,” by Randy Alcorn, in Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Nancy Guthrie, Editor (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), pp. 85-89.

Book Review: Heaven is For Real

2010-11-05T17:21:00.004-05:00

Heaven is for Real A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back By Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent is a book based on the true events of a four year old boy's visit to heaven. The book itself was written by his father, but simply retells the conversations he has had over a period of time with his son. As the father of a four year old boy myself I was very interested in reading this story. I have read many books on heaven, people's visions and encounters but none that involved someone so young. What sets this one apart from all the others is the simplicity and innocence of heaven explained through the eyes of a child. This is not a story about white fluffly clouds but rather a divine revelation of heaven given to a child. The descriptions from the mouth of this child (Colton) is very convincing and makes it hard to deny that he truly did have this heavenly encounter as a lot of what he say's matches up with scripture. There are several points I can remember being blown away and having my heart encouraged by the way Colton describes how Jesus feels for his children. As I read I could picture my 4 year old using many of the same descriptions had it happened to him.
As much as I believe this child had an encounter there was something that tripped me up in the book a little bit. This was simply the idea that everybody in heaven had wings. I'm not writing off the book because of this, simply because I have not personally been to heaven. This is just something that I have never thought to be a truth about heaven. I also realize that a lot of Colton's descriptions came months after the event and it is entirely possible that a child's imagination can run wild. With an open mind I am also open to being proved wrong when I see heaven for myself.
The book itself was well written and very easy to read. If you have a good chunk of time it would not be difficult to read the book in it's entirely in one sitting. I recommend this book to anybody, it is a different perspective than what you would normally have, it is encouraging and it gets you thinking about heaven (which is always a good thing).
This book was provided by Nelson House Publishers for my review. I was not required to give this book a positive review.

Halloween "Fun in the dark"

2010-10-27T15:30:00.045-05:00

In the midst of working in class I had a student ask me, "Are you taking your kids out for Halloween?" I told them that I am not. They then replied "is it because you are a Christian?". I thought about this for a moment and was surprised at the question. Why would she ask me that question in relation to Halloween? Is it because she knows of many Christians that don't participate in Halloween? Or is it because they see something in Halloween that even in a worldly perspective that they would deem "un-Christian".

The normal response I would get from people from the outside looking in would be, "but it's just about dressing up and getting Candy". Most people would not see the reason a Christian might struggle with this particular day. But obviously (this student not being a Christian) recognized something that might compromise my beliefs by celebrating this "holiday".

I will not judge people for participating in Halloween if they are Christians. I don't really care what they do because they have different perspectives on the subject and ultimately it's between them and God.
I don't even believe a lot of the supposed history and speculation of this day that is put out there to convince Christians this day is inherently evil in its original form or its roots. I've also heard the other perspective in that this day has Christian roots. I don't think the roots of the holiday make much of a difference as I have also heard mixed things about the roots and beginnings of Easter and Christmas. To put this in perspective; I won't refrain from eating mushrooms knowing where they grew from.

But I was thinking about they verse,

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

I don't have a struggle with the idea of getting candy (although Gluttony is a problem and sinful and if you look at the stats Halloween has on the health of children you will be stunned). I don't have a problem with having parties, doing things that bring the community closer ect... My problem is with the unseen, the dark world that is working behind the scenes of this day. A day that encourages and promotes fear, scaring people, a day associated with demons and ghosts, monsters and death, a day when children are encouraged by their peers to be greedy. That being said greed and gluttony can also be found during holidays like Christmas, a holiday in which I love! Never mind the problem that I have with telling my children all year "Don't take things/candy from strangers" and then all of a sudden contradicting what you teach and say..."it's ok Halloween is a free for all! take as much from strangers as you can". Yet we go a step further, not only take candy from strangers..."take it from this person dressed up as a demon or axe murderer." This is too inconsistent for my liking.

So my biggest problem with Halloween is not it's supposed history that is so often exaggerated, it's not candy, dressing up, parties, ugly crafts, spider webs and horror movies; my problem with Halloween is it's emphasis on the glorifying of darkness. Darkness is unashamedly promoted everywhere on Halloween. We see alters to death set up in peoples yards, movies are formed to strike fear into hearts with a goal of providing terrors in the night. We see costumes that include grim reapers, murderers, prostitutes, witches, demons, devils, and even smurfs to make it all look innocent.
If I was to be an active participant in this day, I believe I would be saying "yes" to the darkness and the evil that is working behind the unseen realm. I am a child of light, not darkness. Instead of doing alternate events that are just a substitute for celebrating Halloween I think we should find ways that glorify the light. For we know darkness will lose over the light, I don't want to celebrate a day for losers (cheesy as this sounds).

I have extended family that is doing something to be a light in the darkness by going door to door and giving; giving cd's, bibles or baking ect... I think this is a great idea.
So if you are participating in anything "Halloween" go right ahead, I won't loose any sleep over it. All I know is that this Sunday night I will be glorifying the light that will overcome darkness, a light that the darkness cannot even comprehend. This generation has a fascination with darkness, the darkness is stealing the fascination that God put in their hearts for himself. I will be interceding for a generation that has grown to love the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-11
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them

Book Review: The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament

2010-10-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament
by Nancy Guthrie

The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie is a daily devotional that highlights and reveals Jesus through many of the Old Testament books. First of all to preface, I am not a huge fan of most daily devotionals nor am I in favor of daily devotionals being the primary source of the daily reading of scriptures. However, I am in favor of adding it to a daily diet of your personal reading of scripture. When I came upon this book I have thoroughly enjoyed making it apart of that daily diet.

Unlike most daily devotionals, this is not filled with simple heart warming stories that feel like something out of a “Chicken Soup book”. If you are looking for a feel good story to start your day with a dose of a Bible verse and cliché-ridden jargon; then this is not the daily devotional for you. What you will find is a lot of scripture with little opinion from the author. To go along with the scripture in each devotional you will find an explanation of where Jesus is in this scripture, often explained with history and/or New Testament scriptures to to back it up.

I was truly impressed with the many attributes of Christ revealed in the book through the use of Old Testament scripture. I found this book very refreshing and and accurate depiction of the the prophesies involving the end times and the coming millennium kingdom by Jesus not only being a Prince of Peace but a righteous judge that will judge the earth. Most of all you will fall more in love with Jesus by learning about his many attributes revealed through the Old Testament, a time where Christ was not yet manifest of the earth. Nancy Guthrie has done the body of Christ a favor by writing this book and giving us something we would not find in any other daily devotional. I highly recommend this book as an addition to your daily dose of scripture.

Johan Heinrichs

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review.

2010-10-18T15:45:00.000-05:00

We just had week two at the Faith Covenant Church building with SHOP. Absolutely loving it thus far! I love playing with a band behind me again, it makes things not only easier, but so much more enjoyable. Things are not perfect, there are still a few sound issues and the kids area is downstairs (which isn't the greatest for prayer room integration of our kids), but it is definitely a the best place we have been in thus far.

One big problem is that I caught myself a few times almost getting comfortable. As much as I enjoy it here, this is not our permanent home; we do not have a daily existence. I understand that things are going to shift for us again soon and I can’t fall into a feeling of idleness in searching, praying and seeking out the Lord for our home.
In other news the brief time I had at the True North conference was a good experience. The prophetic word given to me was encouraging and gave me renewed vision for my life. Playing The Burn at Calvary Temple was fun, simply because the Lord was present and I love playing guitar with my good friend Joel. It was loud and it was good to see people from all streams connecting with the Lord as we simply worshipped as we would in our House of Prayer context.
Looking forward with anticipation of the weeks to come!

New Chapter

2010-10-11T12:20:00.001-05:00

Well, Sanctuary house of prayer is in building #3 (4 if you include the WCV years). We are in what you would call the Wilderness or Moses years of our house of prayer. The tabernacle was essentially portable (poles/tents) and the Israelite could camp around the tabernacle wherever they needed to while in the wilderness. However in this new building I am getting more of a David feeling, where David had it in his heart to have a permanent home but did not finish the job until his son, Soloman finished the foundation.
The building we are in now fits many of our needs and it feels great in there; but we are still waiting on the permanent home. I look forward to the day when the Lord gets us into a permanent home and we will have the feeling the Israelites had when the foundation was laid and they sang, "The Lord is good and his mercy endures forever"

DVD Review: Least Among You

2010-10-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

This was a story about a black student trying to integrate into an all-white seminary while trying to serve out a probation period. In the end we find that his life is changed and the society around him changes. In the end we see a social change in a Christian environment that is ultimately accomplished by the truth of the gospel.
I enjoy movies that are based on true stories and especially when it has to do with God. Naturally, I was drawn to watch this movie. I would describe the movie as a mixture between "Remember the Titans" and the reformation we find in the movie "Luther". It is a feel good story that will leave you happy yet at times I found the movie a little slow paced and choppy in it's direction. The acting was very good for a strait to DVD movie and was convincing overall. Although I could not see myself watching this movie over and over, it would be a good movie to show to a church group.
My favorite parts of the movie were the times that scripture was declared to prove a point in the theological discussions. I felt the truth and the power of the gospel touching my heart and I was able to feel faith arise within me. The overall message: that life is more productive when it's under the divine guidance of the creator.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this DVD free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thankful but...

2010-09-20T18:28:00.001-05:00

These are words I admit have come out of my mouth many times in my Christian walk. God provides but it's not necessarily what we had in mind or we think we know better. The Lord spoke to me about his over the past couple of weeks. I will say thank you for something, and then I will add a plea at the end in the form of a "but...". ex: Lord thank you for providing SHOP with a building for us to meet, but...it's not easy, there are SO many sound issues, the stage is high, the kids area is in the basement...and I go on and on grumbling and complaining as if the Lord does not know what we need.
Then I heard him say:

"the fact that you are adding a "but" when you say you are thankful; tells me that you are not really thankful. Do I not know what you need? Do I not know that it's not always easy? Will I not provide through your perserverance? Just be thankful, period. I will reward a thankful heart."

This changed my thinking a little bit, of course I knew this in my head, but unbelief and impatience sets in and I find myself saying I'm thankful but really not trusting Him.
Lord thank you that you want this more than I do, thank you that we are not left without a building! Thank you that we can encounter you and that you sent your Spirit fill me in my inner man! You are good and your love endures forever!

Book Review: The Falling Away

2010-09-20T17:20:00.001-05:00

The Falling Away By TL Hinds is a mysterious story that deals with the hidden realms of influence. Dylan Runs Away is being chased from all different angles, but where will he choose to run to? The place that looks safe but will lead to his destruction, or a place that looks difficult will lead to his ultimate calling. One could not give a too detailed synopsis without giving away parts to the book, but each chapter keeps you wondering not only what will happen next but keeps you wondering what exactly is happening now!?

The first 15 chapters really peaked my interest, but it was getting tiring trying to figure out what in the world is going on. If you like thought provoking novels, this is a great novel for you. This is the first novel I have read from Hinds, so I am unfamiliar with his other works. The biggest bother for me in the book is the over detailed reasoning behind the characters OCD, I can see why the author did it because of the necessity to the story; but it got a little depressing.
Overall, the writing is good, there is some good suspense, enough to keep you reading the book. There are some parts that I would consider a little bit "cheezy". I would give it 3/5.
I received this book free for my review from Nelson House Publishers Book Sneeze program.

Back From Regina and Back To School

2010-09-07T17:16:00.001-05:00

"I have to pee, I'm sick, I'm hungry, I need to stretch, I smell a diaper, I'm crying for not apparent reason" Three kids in a car for 7 hours is not easy. It made me think...how in the world did our parents do it without dvd players in the car to watch? It's hard enough with movies playing. If it was just Corrie and I driving to Regina it would have taken 6 hours tops, we only tacked on 1.5 hours with 3 kids. Not bad, half hour per kid. So I figure if we had 10 kids (no plans) we could tack on 7.5 hours to a 6 hour car ride. It would take us 13.5 hours to drive to Regina. In any case, it was a bit of an eye opener that we likely won't be taking our kids to KC any time soon for a family trip...unless an airplane was involved. First time in a hotel with the kids was not all bad, especially when you have a pool and waterside. All difficulties aside, it was well worth the trip. I love seeing my family in Saskatchewan, and the atmosphere created by the fans of the Riders is electric...so much fun! Until next year Regina!

I had my first day back at school today (staff meeting). I think it will be a good year, I have always been working in grade 7 or 9. For the first time in my 5 years working in schools I am in grade 8, this means different staff that I have not worked with before. They seem like a positive bunch and I think this will make my job enjoyable.

Book Review: The Boy Who Changed The World

2010-09-07T16:59:00.000-05:00

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews is a story that proves that the little things that you do could have a huge ripple effect on what happens in the future and may even "change the world". This is a great book for everyone from preschool aged children to adults. The story is engaging and relevant for everyone and we can all take from its message in this inspired heartwarming story. The book is beautifully illustrated, enhancing the enjoyment of it. I would definitely show this one to my co-workers (teacher) and have them consider it as one to read in front of their classes.
As much as I loved the story, I don't think it is a story that children would want to read it multiple times in a short period of time as is the experience in my household with many of my kid's other books.
This book was provided free from booksneeze (http://booksneeze.com) for my review. I was not required to give it a positive review.

Book Reccommend: Flight To Heaven: A Pilot's True Story by Dale Black

2010-08-27T22:42:00.001-05:00

This book is about a pilot that was the lone survivor of a plane crash. Somewhere during horrific accident he left his body and entered into heaven. The book goes into detail of this encounter as well as the journey of faith and healing that happened after.
I have read a few book similar to this one, but I have never been captivated by the description of heaven as much as I was in this book. It has drawn me to the place of desire and fascination for the holy city. The description of heaven itself is only a few chapters, but it is full and rich and it will cause your heart to be stirred.
The journey of faith and healing will lift your spirit and increase your faith, it will encourage you in your trusting in God and your devotional life with him. What impressed me most was the honesty, humbleness and willingness to share his wrestle with God during the whole process. It is a testimony that one can draw from when tough times come your way.
Besides a fascinating true story you will be treated to excellent writing that will make it a very quick and easy read. I recommend this book to every Christian if anything to get them thinking about heaven and evangelism.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to give the book a positive review.

For The Kids

2010-08-12T16:24:00.000-05:00

Time is ticking. The Lord will provide a building for us, he has brought us to far to let us be homeless. All his promises are yes and amen.
The Lord loves my children, he knows that we need a building so that they have the space and time available to be fully integrated into the prayer room. Right now, we don't have a place that we can train them up to be intercessors. The Lord knows. He will provide, he loves that 11th hour stuff.

Building The House

2010-08-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

I'm realizing how much I am lacking in faith and trusting the Lord especially in this season of transition, this realization has caused me to lean further. This house of prayer carries a lot of weight in my heart. I know this is the place where I will encounter Jesus in an increased measure for the rest of my life, and this is why my thoughts and my emotions are so tied to getting a building in this season. It's not about building a structure or a prayer meeting. Essentially the emotional tie I have is my longing for heaven on earth. Not heaven as in puffy white clouds where I party all day. Heaven as in the place where God IS! Of course the increase of his presence can happen apart from a house of prayer, but it can't happen without prayer. Prayer is the place of encounter with the Lord.

Photo By Alyssa Rempel

So taking David's vision of encounter with the Lord in the midst of incense rising 24/7, I am adopting that same vision to see it established in our little city. It's not about the next coolest thing, or having a longer prayer meeting because it's something to do. It's because He is worthy of it, and it is an injustice that he does not have it in our city 24/7.
Sanctuary House of Prayer in Winnipeg is in need of a building in the next month. We have little money and few resources. The man we are worshiping happens to be the richest Jewish man ever known, he has all the resources at his disposal and he really, really likes us. "The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai2:8" As much as I write this I don't fully know if I believe it in my heart and I don't know if humans even have the capability to fully believe it...but he is not looking for 100% faith...he's looking for the mustard seed. He will provide a dwelling place in our city. He will get us a building, not necessarily the building or the time I (we) want it...but he will do it all within his perfect wisdom, and that is the ONLY way to do it. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Psalm 127:1" (note: we still have to labour). The questions, excitement and wonder of the season ahead for Sanctuary House of Prayer is heavily on my mind and heart. I am beginning to understand how David felt when he said, "Zeal for His house has consumed me"
Lord provide the building, the finances and the resources needed to build your house of prayer in Winnipeg!

Book Review...Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

2010-08-01T12:10:00.001-05:00

This book is about two entirely different worlds colliding into a pool of learnedness, joy, grief and love. A homeless man with a dark past meets up with a couple just trying to make a difference. What they don’t realize is that God would peel through the layers both sides had and they would end up changing more than each others lives but of those they touched.
I didn’t know what to expect when I got this book, it just looked like an interesting story that I might be able to sit and enjoy. Once I started reading it I became engrossed in the story that had your emotions on a roller coaster and lessons of simple wisdom that you will carry with you on your life’s journey. I found myself cheering on the characters to triumph through their different struggles and at the same time I have come to understand those struggles a lot better through reading about them.
There are lessons in this book that each and every one of us can gather. The book itself was well written, enough that you could almost hear their voices telling you the story. The part of the story that captured me most is how God used what we consider “the least” and does such remarkable things. How you are never to far from his reach even when others have given up on you. This is one of the best stories I have read in a long time and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Life After 3

2010-07-20T16:33:00.004-05:00

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since our son Luke entered the world. I must admit it has been quite an adjustment. I am pretty sure I have never been this sleep deprived my entire life (no joke). Not that Luke has been getting up early, but the other two have decided to change their wake up time since Luke arrived to an awful early morning hour that I'm sure is the Lord's way of preparing me for the early morning intercession set when we hit night and day at SHOP.

This is not a blog to complain about how tough life is with three kids. Obviously with any newborn you will have challenges especially when you have 2 other children to take care of. The real reason for this blog is to talk about something that this whole experience has helped me learn; God's grace.

Through the busyness and the sleep deprivation I realize how easy it is to fall into the trap that many have fallen into, and that is using the busyness of life as a means to live Spiritually mundane. It's easy to fall into this trap because you don't even think about what you are missing because you don't have time to think about it. Before the latest addition I was able to have prayer time with the Lord before the family was awake, all of a sudden the kids are waking me up and I am getting them ready ...suddenly I lost my 45 minutes with the Lord in the morning. I went a whole week without much thought of my devotional life with the Lord.

What does this have to do with God's grace? Well after that first week the Lord decided to meet me where I was. All of a sudden I felt him moving upon my heart and it was such a WONDERFUL feeling of pain in my stomach. I was like, "ohhhh Lord, you're still there"...not only did I feel His desire toward me, I again felt strong desire for Him. At the same time vision came back to me and the desire to be before Him as a priest. He continued meeting me this way every day at different times and each time I wanted to lean further into his presence. I started finding ways in my day to meet with him by taking kids for walks and to the park slapping on the ipod and locking in, letting the cd in the van minister to me as I drive here and there. I even feel the urge and desire to start songwriting again (hopefully you will have some more songs to download in the coming weeks)
These things won't replace time spent with the Lord in my prayer room in the mornings, but they are sure helping me in the mean time as we make the transition. I've come to discover more than I ever had, the Lord's grace and how he desires to have communion with me. Grace to pull me in and help me remember that the man living inside of me needs to me my life giving source and that there is soo much more for those that will not settle for a mundane Spiritual life.

A Place To Call Home

2010-07-13T11:48:00.003-05:00

I have a deep desire, I don't wear it on my sleeve but it is eating me up inside. My desire is to spend my days before the Lord and gaze upon his beauty. I long to see the praise he is due in our city in a 24/7 house of prayer and worship established. I have been part of Sanctuary House of prayer since the beginning of their inception and we are now in dire need of a building to call ours. Because we have been using a building owned by another church (that we were blessed with for 4 years) we are limited to the hours we can do our meetings (Sunday 3pm-9:30pm) We have prayer meetings during the week in homes but we need to launch into our own space that is consistent, a place where the fire on the alter will not have to go out. The Lord has the place already chosen, it is in His heart and he knew it even before Sanctuary House of Prayer was a thought in any of our minds. We just want to partner with Him and actively look for a place to call home. He loves to use people! Join us in prayer in looking for a building to call home. If you know of anything available please contact us at info@sanctuaryhop.com
Here's a great blog that says it better than I can Jaquie's Blog

Book Review: I Am Hutterite

2010-07-12T11:27:00.000-05:00

I Am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby published by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a true story of a woman tracing back her roots to life on a Hutterite Colony in Manitoba. As someone that lives close to where the story takes place I have always been curious about what takes place on a Hutterite colony. There seems to be many misconceptions of who they are and what there values are. In "I Am Hutterite", Mary-Ann Kirkby sheds some light on this mystery . As she chronicles her life on the colony you get a glimpse into what it was like, this book is not about getting the dirt on the Hutterites but about revealing an uncommon lifestyle of simplicity. After reading I have a greater appreciation for the life style they aim to lead with many principles that we could stand to learn from in common society.
This book is less of a documentary and more of a well written story that takes you on a journey into the colony as if you were there. The only difficulty I found reading this story is trying to remember who all the characters are in the book as there are many (not to the fault of the author). But the further you read the more interesting the story gets and the more the characters come together.
I recommend reading this book simply because you learn about a whole different culture living just a short distance away and that the lives of those living there have the same joys and tragedies that we all share as the human race.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2010-06-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17

3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. ⁴Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits^a]">[a] of God. ⁶Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." ⁹Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
¹¹"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."

Rev 4:3-11

This is just one of the descriptions of heaven that we get in scripture, there are more nuances in some other descriptions in scripture. The one thing that grabs me is why I wrote the first passage; everything described in Revelation exists for one reason... To give him pleasure! I hope I would be able to say the same thing about myself when I enter this place, with all that's going on around the throne all the distractions; dodging flying crowns thrown by the elders, chariots, creatures flying back and fourth, massive blazing lamps, sea of glass, lightning and thunder, 100 million angels ect... It could be quite an adventure getting to the throne! But what we have to remember is everything that is there is for the purpose of bringing him pleasure. The creatures are not there to fascinate us, the rainbow is not there to make it look beautiful to us and make us want to go there all those things are looking at one thing...the man on the throne! All things in heaven and on earth are for this one purpose. David wanted to join in the fun with all of created order when he said, " ⁴ One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.) Ps 27:4

People ask, what good is it to gaze on His beauty all day? Why would you want to do that? You should be doing things for Him (that look like you are doing something to humans).
What I just wrote above gives me full permission to pursue a life as a full time intercessory missionary, and spend my life in the prayer room. He is worthy of 24/7. It is unjust that he should not have it in our city.

2010-06-16T07:00:00.004-05:00

Recommended Book: Praying Dangerously by Gary Holloway

I have read many books on prayer and they all have good things to take from them. When I got my hands on this one I was not sure what to expect. What I found pleasantly surprised me; a book on prayer that is engulfed with tonnes of scripture. The book takes you from the start to the back of the bible, giving you a glimpse into the prayers of the people found in scripture. The commentary around it does a great job putting it into context for today. I found that the more I read through these accounts that my faith would increase through the testimony of scripture that shows God faithful time and time again. This book is not one man's opinion on prayer and how to pray but simply get's you reading about the prayers in scripture that will cause your heart to be stirred to be in the secret place.
As a worship leader in a house of prayer, I cannot separate the songs from the prayers. There has to be a priestly ministry happening when I am on stage singing. A closet prayer life is essential. At the end of each chapter of this book it will present a challenge to try something in your prayer life. Some things might stretch your prayer routine but overall it should enhance your experience in prayer and communion with the Lord.
I am thankful to the author of this book as he frequently recommends other books on prayer that have been an encouragement to him. Just more for me to add to the list. One thing I found was lacking in the book was simply the poetic feel to the writing. This is something many modern books on prayer find difficult to capture if you compare them to the likes of E.M. Bounds or Leonard Ravenhill.
Overall this book has been an encouragement and challenge to me and has given me positive results in my prayer life, for that reason alone I would recommend it.

The Ark Throne

2010-06-02T17:46:00.002-05:00

I've talked about this before, but I'm still fascinated by the whole idea of the old testiment ark of the covenant serving as the literal throne of Christ.
The one called Mercy WILL take a seat on the Mercy Seat!

We find Rev 4:5 says this about the throne,"And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders"

In Rev 11:19, it says this about the ark, "and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders"
If you can put 2 and 2 together you can almost come to this conclusion that they are talking about the same thing.
Another theory I have is that it is in Ethiopia. In Isaiah 18:7 it says a gift will be brought to mount Zion (when Jesus has returned). I can't think of any gift that would be worthy to be in the temple besides the throne or the ark (or in my case both). It would likely be considered an idol if it was anything else and would not be worthy to be before Him.

Now the way we traditionally see the ark may not be the way it actually looks. I believe it looks like an actual seat. It's all in how you interpret the description given. If I could describe how I believe the ark looks, I would say the Cheribum's wings are touching on the back of the seat (like the back of a chair) and the other wing is laid on top across where you would sit. It looks like an actual seat or throne.
What a beautiful picture to have what was once a cloud presence above the ark, now the presence of God in the flesh sitting on top of it. It drives me to fascination!

Book Review: NCV Dad's Bible: The Father's Plan

2010-05-27T20:13:00.006-05:00

Dad’s Bible: The Father’s Plan (New Century Version) by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a great bible for new fathers, seasoned fathers and those wanting to understand the father heart of God. Written in the midst of the scriptural text you will find many excerpts from the author that will strengthen your inner-man and help you walk out being a Christian father.

The downside of this book happens to be its strength. All of the excerpts written have to do with ministering to fathers. If you used this as your only bible, I could see it causing you to think about the subject of fathering a little too exclusively. You could easily miss out on the scripture ministering to you in other subject areas if you have the subject of fathering at the forefront. I would suggest that this bible is an addition to your daily bible but not used exclusively. As for the New Century Version of the bible; The language used is very simple to understand with a modern tone. The downside to this version is that it is lacking in the poetic language that you might get from less modern versions. There are a few passages I found that the wording took away from what I enjoyed in other translations.

Esthetically speaking, the bible simply looks great! The pages have a rustic look to them making it feel like the kind of bible you would expect a father to carry. It is durable and the pages seem thicker than most bibles. Overall, I would recommend this bible to any father or anybody that does not know God as a father. Not only will this bible help you become a better father, it will give you the ability to sow into the spiritual walk of your children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://booksneeze.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2010-05-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

Quote from Mr. L. Ravenhill
"Sunday morning shows how popular the church is, Sunday night shows how popular the preacher is, The prayer meeting shows how popular God is"

2010-05-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

I'm still here. I'm just busy with nothing to say. This is probably why I sing. Maybe it's time for another song.

Quick Thoughts....

2010-04-28T18:45:00.002-05:00

A few thoughts on why FULL time forerunners are required at the end of the age. Jesus describes his coming like unto a wedding. When we know there is a wedding coming we know we have to invite people to join in the celebration we have to prepare....and it seems the closer you come to the wedding the more invitations are coming in. We have got to remember that there is a lot of preparation before a wedding. But usually in the final days of the wedding people are the busiest, they often take work off just so that they can do whatever is left to prepare for the ceremony get the responses to the invitations, get everything ready. I know this is in my experience anyway. I see the kingdom the same way because it is the same, ITS OUR WEDDING! AND ITS COMING! THE GROOM...OUR KING IS COMING!

And in closing a few good quotes...

You cannot do more than prayer, until you have prayed yet again.

"Discipline's only a crime when it's enforced by somebody with the sensitivity and judgment of a rock." - MacGyver

Fascinate

2010-04-06T19:40:00.004-05:00

Here's another song. It was written out of a natural expression of the fascination for God. The depths of who He is and His character that are unending...they are transcendent. The living creatures around his throne are specifically designed by God to gaze upon him in fascination of his transcendent beauty and revelation. There is an endless stream of new facets of Him that cause them to fall at his feet day and night crying out HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. The good thing is that it also fascinates us if we choose to search out who He is, and we can never get bored because we will never know the fullness of who He is. The only reason people think Christianity is boring is because they don't know Him. So many people believe in Him but they don't know Him, they think of Him as distant and uninterested in the affairs of man. They think of Him as stingy in what he reveals about Himself. Our view of God will determine our pursuit of Him. He is not just a good idea, He is not empty words on a page or echos spoken through the ages. He is a living, breathing, Jewish man that is entirely interested in us. He DESIRES relationship with His created ones. There is a wedding planned for the end of the age for those whos hearts are burning for desire for Him.
We were made to be like this man for we were created in His image. If we don't know Him we are are not fulfilling our destiny to become like Him. Beholding....is...Becoming.

Remembering a Man of God

2010-03-31T20:28:00.007-05:00

I love reading about Godly men and women from our past. You will find me writing about them frequently. They have given us a gift in their stories and writings that continue to stir hearts to this day. This one even has a Canadian connection where he lived in Nova Scotia .

This man has alegacy inscribed on a tablet behind a pulpit that was preached on by John Geddie in a church in the South Seas. Every time I read this it gives me the shivers.

"When he landed in 1848 there were no Christians here; when he left in 1872 there were no heathen."

This missionary is not the most well known name, but he has an interesting story of evangelism to the south seas. If you want to learn more
http://johanunwoundstories.blogspot.com

Revival Not Mine

2010-03-31T18:32:00.008-05:00

When revival comes it will not just come to the intercessors, pastors, evangelists, worship leaders, elders or any other position that you consider yourself as; Revival will come to the unredeemed. We can't earn it, we don't deserve it. If I held prayer meetings every night for 75 years of my life and revival finally came, I don't have any more right to it than that lazy Christian that believes in Jesus but doesn't pray, read their bible, tithe or even go to church regularly. If anything, that revival is more for that lazy Christian than it would be for me...for to be revived you must first be dead. My benefit would be to simply enter into his increased manifest presence, rejoice that salvation has come to the unsaved, and to celebrate that with the father that his son is being glorified in an increased measure on the earth.

Sometimes I think we have this idea that Revival is simply a means to making Christianity more enjoyable. Revival has one purpose, and that purpose is to glorify the Son. Revival comes as the father's strategy at different times through the ages to culminate one end...Jesus returning to the earth to His Bride that is made ready.

Does this mean that we can't benefit from revival and partake in it? Of course not, we enjoy revival because when it comes we are having a taste of our destiny which is the kingdom coming to earth. I love the way Duncan Campbell so simply described what revival is like, "God was everywhere" It was about God, and about God's desire...not ours. Luckily for us His desire is to dwell with man. He's obsessed with dwelling with man. He did it in the garden, he did it on the mercy seat, he even sent his only Son, he gave us the Holy Spirit. He always finds ways where he can walk among us. How many times has he said, "They will be my people, and I will be their God". Song of Songs, "I am yours and you are mine". It's a romantic story with a happy ending, and how does it end?... HE WALKS AMONG US!

Do I want revival? Do I still ask for it? Of course. Because it is on the father's heart, and my desire is to know what is on His heart. If this is what He is doing...I'm on board if I get anything out of it or not. It's all about His Son, it's all about His glory. Father send revival, glorify Your Son, make the wrong things right according to Your will.

2010-03-29T15:17:00.002-05:00

Isaiah 20:2-3. I find it interesting that Isaiah was walking around naked for 3 years. Even he may have settled for cyclist shorts.

2010-03-27T13:37:00.002-05:00

Here you will find the song, `Relentless`. I wrote it out of a revelation of God`s jealousy for me as his bride. Proverbs 6:34 says `Jealousy is the Husbands Fury`
Nothing could separate us from he relentless pursuit for our hearts. The first recording was a quick recording done in my basement. The second is with me and my friends Joel and Christina in an empty church building. Chord charts available as well.

Spring Break

2010-03-26T16:24:00.004-05:00

Ahhh....the joy of working at a school is that you get that same feeling you did when you were a kid when Spring Break comes. The clock moves slower than any other day, but when it finally hits the 3pm mark you leave your work worries at the door and the joy of a break seeps in. I'm hoping to do a bit of recording during the break, I have over 70 songs written on my songbase. I'm not saying I would record 70 songs, the fact of the matter is probably 10 of those songs are decent enough to be recorded and heard by anybody ears but my own. Some are personal, songs written just for myself in the prayer room; others could work corporately but often need to be on tested water before I will record them. In the best of situations there would be someone who would just take my songs and record them, I would simply be the writer. But that is a whole other subject.
Anyway, besides recording stuff I am mostly looking forward to rest. It's been a busy few months and I am tired. I look forward to getting to some prayer meetings where I am having high expectations for what the Lord wants to do. This is the best place to get rest, if only there was a place where it was happening 24/7 in our city. That time will come. Spring Break, hopefully I can connect with some of my good friends and get some time outside with my kids.
For now I will start my break by flippin on the BBQ.

The Bike Store

2010-03-22T17:09:00.010-05:00

I'm no avid cyclist. But I thought I would save some money and get my bike tuned up to take to work more often. I walk into the bike store to pick up some parts yesterday and I felt like I entered a whole different world. Normally when you walk into a store wearing jeans you would not be the strange person in odd clothes. Instead, I walk in and all around me were tight pants...an a lot of them...and people actually wearing them. I knew about cyclists pants and shirts (usually trying to avoid them on the road) but I didn't know people spent literally hundreds of dollars on cyclist underwear (also very tight looking), cyclist shoes, cyclist goggles, cyclist socks...strange contraptions that you would probably find on a Back to the Future Bicycle (if it existed). Tools that you never knew existed for everything. I'm fairly sure I saw them selling Batman Belts to hold all these items. I don't think I would need those tools, if MacGyver could get along with a simple Swiss Army knife, I think I could. And everything is soo overpriced.

I think I'll stick to the basics. Remember, I am only cycling to SAVE money, not to be outfitted to ride my bike through the Mojave desert. One should never have to take out a loan to feed any habit or hobby, including biking. So if you if you ever see me riding on the street in over-tight, over-priced pants...steal my bike...take it away...Don't let me become what I call the "Avid Cyclist". No offense to the avid cyclists out there, but I just cannot fit into your world. Or your pants.

Contemporary Christian?

2010-03-17T22:39:00.001-05:00

They say music reflects culture. If this is the case I have no concept of where the state of the contemporary church is. I don't normally listen to the music radio, tonight I decided to see what kind of contemporary Christian music is out there nowadays, because I have no clue. We have a couple of Christian radio stations in our city, keeping in mind that style and genre are all relative...I find one radio station mostly cheesy and lyrically lacking in any deep revelation of God; and tonight I discovered that the other station seems more like a non-Christian-Christian radio station (both are run by the same people). The latter station can technically call themselves Christian radio because all the bands they play consider themselves Christian bands. Now I am not questioning the faith of the radio station people or the bands; my concern lies in my beginning statement. "Music reflects culture". During the time I listened to the more alternative station I got through about 8 songs before turning it off, all 8 songs had absolutely nothing to do with God. I heard 1 positive message, 3 about relationships with girls and the rest of them were incoherent non-sense. The lyrics made no sense. This was literally one of the choruses, "How can I not love you? You give me flowers. How can I trust you? The flowers died." Another one talked about chasing a little girl around the house.
I'm willing to give these bands the benefit of the doubt, but as for me; I now feel as my kids grow older, I will have to preview even Christian music before they listen to it. If this is contemporary Christian culture, I don't want anything to do with it. Is this music reflecting what is being taught on many of our pulpits? I have no clue (it's not where I come from.
I don't want to come across as judgemental, but I always have to ask my self, "Is this music engaging my heart with God's heart? Or is it simply feeding me a positive message on how to live better in the world?" I don't want to learn how to live better in the world because I know where it is going. I want to be clothed in Christ and walking in Holiness. I want to be listening to music that is God breathed and is ministering to my Spirit and not my flesh. Music that creates worship in my heart. Considering all this, I may have just listened to a REALLY bad stretch of songs on the radio. If people are finding music from these bands that sows into their Spirit, that is awesome and continue in it. This experience has just caused me to pay closer attention to what I'm giving my ears to and it makes me desire the church to have a deeper revelation of who he is.

Now to plug my friend Alyssa on University radio who does the Righteous Radio program, if you are looking for good Christian music, check out her show! http://www.myspace.com/righteousradio/

Hebrides

2010-03-15T15:05:00.002-05:00

I believe there is a revival coming to Winnipeg. I believe it is in the likes of the Hebrides revival. One thing that has struck me about this specific revival is that it didn't center around a specific ministry or congregation. It was simply the presence of God descending on a geographical area. It came out of a few people praying consistently for revival. People on this small Island simply had an awareness of God that they have never felt before. No one told them there was a revival happening, yet villagers would travel miles down the road to get to the churches. Along those same roads you would find people lying in the ditches under the power of God. You would find people leaving the bars and crying in the streets "Is there mercy for me! Is there mercy for me!"
And when the churches were full it's been documented that there was a line up outside of a police station with people wanting to get saved. Why the police station? Simply because the officer that worked there was a God fearing man. Can you imagine a revival where people simply flock to the nearest Christian they could find just to hear about Jesus? I could imagine coworkers flocking to see a simple intercessor because they NEED to hear about this man. This makes me want to be bolder now as well as be a man that knows Jesus myself. I need to get a revelation of this man so that when the time comes for Revival, I will be a witness. I am convinced that this thing is coming to MY city and if you want to know a little more of what it looked like back at Hebrides, look up a man by the name of Duncan Campbell. (find it at sermonindex.com)

Sing A New Song

2010-03-12T16:00:00.001-06:00

Looking at Psalm 96 I've learned a bit about the importance of singing. The Psalm urges that EVERYONE would sing, but for what reasons in this particular Psalm? To bless His name, tell of His salvation, declare His glory, and sing about what he is doing or his works. Then the Psalm declares the enormity of God and why he is worthy of our such songs. I then got really interested in the Psalm where it has the heavens and the earth and all of creation singing for to judge the earth. I believe God has appointed songs to usher in His very judgements and his second coming.

"The spirit and the bride say come". Why sing to the Lord a new song? Because he wants us to be aware of the seasons of the spirit. Singing is the language of the Spirit and the best way to get revelation of who He is and what He is doing. That's why David says to sing of his works and who he is, because singing engages us with the Spirit, engages us in what He is doing and give us revelation who he is. A new song can be words or just utterances of toungue. He tells us to sing a new song because He wants to speak to your heart...it's new because it comes out of fresh revelation from being engaged with the Spirit in song.

The Lord wants his church in unison, and the one time everybody in is saying the same thing is when they are in song. You can't have 10 preachers preaching in unison! The angels join in singing not in speech. Songs are the language of the spirit and when we are engaged in song with the Spirit and the Spirit is finally saying "COME", the church will be singing in unison with the Spirit, "COME" and that's when HE WILL! Why does the very earth sing and rejoice when he comes? Because all of creation will finally be singing the same song that has ushured in the rule of God.

His kingdom will be established and the absence of sin will renew even the land (sin causes pollution of the very land (Lev 18:24-27, Garden of Eden ect...) People are so paranoid about climate change and the enviroment...which they have right to be, because we have to live here. We need to be good stewards, but we also need to remember that scripture says things like this are going to happen, like when revelation says a third of water life is going to be wiped out. The increased hurricanes and natural disasters; these are the groanings of the land wanting the spirit of God to dwell on it, the groaning is the longing to sing the song when God returns to judge the earth (Psalm 96). Keep in mind that climate change is not going to be the demise of the human race...sin will, and for the unredeemed. God will not let the earth completely fade away before He fulfills his promises (because they are YES and AMEN)...it will get bad...and that's why we do Joel 2 (solumn assembly).

Sing that you might be engaged with the Spirit and what he is doing and saying in these seasons. If we call ourselves part of the army of God we need to call ourselves singers first because they are at the head of His army. Singing puts MIGHT on our Spirits, his weapons are not carnal but they are mighty. The power of song will tear down strongholds, government systems, free demonized men and women (David and Saul), and bring healing.

Engagement & Worship

2010-03-08T12:00:00.006-06:00

I've been thinking lately on engagement when it comes to worship. Sometimes it's easy to enter right in, some times we have to wean our way into it, and other times its like walking into a brick wall over and over again. I am convinced that the Lord consistently gives us each of these three scenarios time and time again, not to make things difficult for us but to see how we respond. This is what he is looking for in all three scenerios.

When it's easy to enter in...am I trying to go deeper? Pressing to get to know him better? Having communion with the spirit while he is near? Am I using the time he has chosen to come in an increased measure to minister to his heart while I can tangilbly feel that I am at his feet?

Then the times when I have to wean myself into becoming engaged. I could go either way, I could choose to enter in or I could choose to be bored. In these times it takes a little bit of pressing on my part to get to the place where I am engaged.

The third is where I am hitting a wall no matter how I position myself. No matter what I do or how much I want to be engaged it's just not getting there. This is the situation that quite often brings out my view of God. It makes me question...is he really worthy of my praise even if I don't get anything out of it and it is difficult? This is a situation that I will have to actually CHOOSE to declare truths about him even if I feel dull in my spirit.

The fact is the response in all three situations is essentially the same. My response needs to be a decision to enter in and say yes. It needs to be a response of faith that whenever I enter in, it touches his heart and it does good for my spirit. It is a response that gives us a higher view of God and his holiness. The fact of the matter is that He is worthy of my praise whether I go to hell at the end of the road or not. Thank goodness it is not up in the air if I have a relationship with him. But all things were created for His pleasure. My goal in the end is to respond to him in worship in all three situations. At the end of the day it should not be the proportion of my engagement and enjoyment that should determine the amount of worship that rises to the one that is Worthy. There is no formula that makes worship easier or engagement easier, I just know that I need to have the "Yes" in my spirit no matter what arises. He will not deny a heart that has the "Yes". We will often come up against the wall simply because we have a low view of God.For no matter what happens to me or for me, He NEVER changes, he ALWAYS remains Holy, He always remains Worthy.

Vision

2010-03-05T16:21:00.009-06:00

It may be common sense to most people, how you spend your time now will determine the degree of what you will be doing in the future. That brings the question, "what do I want to do with my future?" ("People without vision perish" Pr 29:18") This is where it gets complicated. If you don't know exactly what you want to do...how do you spend your time? This is my recommendation "GET A VISION!" It may change time and time again, but if you have a vision you will be producing fruit in different areas of you life as you work towards getting there. You will find strengths and weaknesses and of then the Lord will highlight areas that he wants to take you...even if you will end up where you never thought you would. My son's vision for what he wants to be when he get's old changes almost daily. But I try to encourage him in each of those ventures because I want him to always have a vision; even if it changes day to day. I can tell him what my desires are for him and sometimes he will get exited about it and sometime he will say "no, no, no, no...I'm going to be a farmer AND a guitar player" Ultimately it will be up to him. I can only encourage him along the way. My life has an interesting example of finding a vision.

All my life I known the Lord has been calling me to be doing some sort of ministry full time. I've seen visions, had dreams and time and time again had people speak it over my life prophetically. I just did not know what it was suppose to look like. At different points in my life I was going to be a preacher, evangelist, worship leader, worship evangelist, bible teacher, youth pastor, healing evangelist and even a Christian music artist (with band included). To accomplish these things, I've gone on evangelism trips, treasure hunts, music lessons, conferences, christian school, formed music groups, street evangelism teams, street drama teams, healing teams and preached at camps and churches, youthgroups ect... I spent my time and energy learning how to do different things and experiencing different things so that I would reach my goal as a person doing full time ministry. Little did I know my view of what that meant was narrow compared to what the Lord's ideas for me were (and in many ways still are). Knowing now that I am not called to any one of those things exclusively, my pursuit of my vision produced fruit that brought me to where I am.

Now I KNOW what the vision for my life is and it is still in the ministry, it's the the two things that were not on my original list: a missionary and an intercessor. Those are two things that I thought I would never do and low an behold here I am a part time intercessory missionary (one day full time... Lord willing). The things I learned along this journey made me who I am and has built me up to be an intercessory missionary, I just did not see it for so many years. But now that I have a clearer picture...how do I spend my time working towards being a intercessory missionary? All the things I have done in the past help my life as a Christian but don't really train me specifically for the ministry of intercessory missionary. There are of course many overlapping parts, but what should I be doing now? The simple answer to this question is...step into your calling with the time you are given now! Balancing a full time job, many hours in the prayer room, time for myself and my wife and kids make a schedule busy. It only took me a few years into starting SHOP to realize that sleep was less important in the morning than spending an hour with the Lord, doing what I'm actually called to do. Don't just find time...make time. And do it at a time that is consistent and possible...for me it's before everyone is awake. I just wish I hadn't taken so long to realize this....oh the hours I have missed being in the secret place with God. There's no going back now.

Perhaps I will share the story of how this vision came to me at a later time.

The High Priest's Crown

2007-12-03T15:30:00.000-06:00

I thought this was fascinating.

A good article that goes along with it
It's just exiting thinking God in the flesh really is going to come back and set his feet on his planet and live among us. Keeping in mind however that the man who set's up shop in the temple first is the anti-christ. It just makes me wonder who they are going to give that crown to first. Why do I say that? This is what we read about the appearance of the anti-christ when he comes ...Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
And YES for all of you out there who might be a little unclear on the subject...we WILL witness the anti-christ and have to live through his dictatorship before the coming of Christ.

Enviro-Friendly Attitude meets The Shedding of innocent blood

2007-11-29T20:33:00.000-06:00

I found this article disturbing. It's about women that are having abortions and/or sterilizing themselves to ensure they are doing their part in minimizing their carbon footprint. This is one example I see of the enemy using an environmentally conscious generation to further his plans...trying destroying a generation that is meant to experience the greatest revival and see Christ return to the earth.
By no means am I saying not to take care of our planet...we gotta live here! You just know we are living at the end of the age when the thought that having children is a selfish act and that they are considered a disease to the planet(my interpretation of the article anyway) because they contribute to global warming .
Click here for the article

How Sweet it Is

2007-11-27T12:15:00.000-06:00

It's been too long. I can remember being 7yrs old watching the 89' Grey Cup. One of the best memories in my life...I'm just relieved there are some new ones that come from my favorite football team.

Onething Winnipeg

2007-08-13T12:10:00.001-05:00

It's coming!

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/bay_b_gurl08/?action=view¤t=48f3e9c3.flv

House Is Finished Being Painted

2007-07-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

After over a month of sanding, scraping, ladders banging, and painting. Our house is finsihed.
Before and After

Addicting Game

2007-07-19T16:00:00.002-05:00

Pendulumeca

The First Official Photo!

2007-06-22T15:23:00.001-05:00

The man with the hat is back...

News From The SHOP

2007-05-05T21:04:00.000-05:00

For those that have not been on the Sanctuary House Of Prayer Website lately. Here the latest excerpt to let you know where we are at:

"This is a very exciting time for Sanctuary. We are closing in on our one-year anniversary and plan to celebrate a little bit on May 7th! Thank-you God!! We are still here and still doing what you asked of us, and for that we are so grateful.
At the very same time, we are in the process of buying a building. We found the building above a few months ago sitting empty and crying out for some worship and prayer to happen once again inside it. We talked and prayed, kept taking steps forward and now we have an agreed-upon price, an accepted offer and are now looking for the finances. What a ride! This building would be a great fit for us. It is the right size and shape, has classrooms and a kitchen ready for use and even has a parking lot! The stage is HUGE...this was a Salvation Army church building so they needed room for the brass band. We'll take it, though...we need the space.

I knew things were looking up when, during our first walk-through of the place, I asked Joel (one of our worship leaders) "How would it feel if we set up a keyboard for you right now? Does it feel good in here and can you imagine worshipping Him in this place?" His eager response of "Oh yeah" was just what I was thinking...there had been lots of worship in this place in years past and you could feel it.
So, now we are putting the word out to any who want to help us in this. We need to raise money, plenty of it, for the purchase and we have 45 days to get it together. If you are interested in sowing into this adventure and helping this part of the prayer movement in Winnipeg find a permanent home, you can send us a cheque and a donation receipt will be returned to you. Go to the "Donate" tab on the upper right of this page and you will find info on ways you can give. (AT THE SHOP WEBSITE)

We are moving forward toward our goal of 24-7 night and day worship and intercession for this city. Imagine...a place in the city where you can go any time of the day or night and find a team of people singing, praying and ministering to God, the source for all good things to come in our city! We are thrilled at what He is establishing and invite you to be a part of it in this hour of history. God is doing something significant...when people turn to pray, when the cry goes up night and day, justice comes to a city speedily (Luke 18). God is getting ready to do something unprecedented here. Let's do it together!

Blessings,

Brian Creary"

And Now Comes The Waiting...

2007-04-12T18:46:00.001-05:00

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.
Sanctuary is still in the hunt for a building and monies to buy one. Good thing we don't have to look far, though we know God often like to use natural means to provide, I believe there are supernatural elements involved. If there weren't there would be no point in scripture telling us to ask HIM. So the very essence of what God has called Sanctuary to do (pray) is the very means he wants to build what we are doing. We know He wants it more than us. God tends to be an eager groom when it comes to being with His bride. Why do we ask for a building when it comes to His dwelling place? Doesn't he dwell in the praises of people? Exactly! That's why we want to go 24/7 worship /prayer /intercession so that He will come in a more significant way, because the praise never stops! It's a strange thing...He gives us pleasure out of us doing only what He is worthy of and requires. And when His presence descends upon us, He changes the atmosphere of the geographical area (its called Revival). An atmosphere where his Spirit is manifest means more hearts being drawn closer, increased revelation, more Salvations, and our very physical city being improved by His presence. The more hearts are drawn...the more praise goes up and we begin to see God moving powerfully in our city. It's brilliant!
Not that this is a set in stone formula for Him to come, but look at all the pleasure we get and He gets out of us perusing it. Please coninue to pray for us and for a building.

It's Spring Break...So Play

2007-03-30T09:37:00.000-05:00

Sorry, you will need the <a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" target="_blank">Flash Player</a> to play this game.

Brought to You by OwensWorld

He's Building It

2007-03-19T17:10:00.000-05:00

Well...Sanctuary House of Prayer has found a "Potential" place to call home! Now all we need is the finances to pay for it. We are trusting God! So if God has put it on your heart to give or buy a building for a centre of Prayer in our city... please let us know... email: info@sanctuaryhop.com . Or if you want to read up on what we do sanctuaryhop.com . Any donation will receive a tax receipt.
If you cannot give finacially please pray that God will provide us with what we need for the next step in our journey; as we venture towards becoming a 24/7 centre for unceasing prayer, worship, and intercession (Lord willing).

Thought This was Pretty Funny

2007-03-16T21:31:00.000-05:00

Religion For Sale! "Everything MUST GO!!

2007-03-08T22:07:00.000-06:00

Things are really winding down in our day. Darkness is getting darker and the light is getting brighter. The schemes that carnal men are using to profit from the church are coming out in the open. Many people still fall for this stuff, but more than anything it is exposing corruption in the church. Not the capital "C" church but the church. God is exposing these things to light; making many of the schemes look foolish to believers and non-believers. I've heard of preachers and ministries selling "blessed nails" to hammer into your new homes...or a hanky that was sweat on by preists, now we have novelty items bought by Casino's like Grilled cheese sandwiches with Mary's face or Jesus's face burnt into the bread, or peanut that resembles Christ. Now they are marketing Holy Water; to quote "A local entrepreneur hopes his company's bottled water will refresh - perhaps even redeem - those who drink it."

I don't want to come across judgmental with these specific instances. There could be many that market these things sincerely believing that they will make a difference...and God often blesses peoples faith! Even when its something as silly as buying a Holy nail. Afterall he is mysterious in all that He does.

All I know is that there is a fine line between the need for the "Jesus grilled Cheese" and the need for a "graven image ." The way I see it, we shouldn't need these things to keep us on the strait and narrow or fascinated with God. We should believe in the unseen GOD rather than try to form images and ideas that are trying to make Him "Seen". Tozer said... "any image that we form or imagine to be in the likeness of God is not God; but a graven image. Because no one has seen God." Even John in writing Revelation had a Holy fear not to quote definites when it came to the image of Christ. He said things like "The appearance of a man", "like unto the Son of man", he used imagery to describe what was indescribable " he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius". Sure God works in mysterious way's that I can explain, but I know for myself that I want to regain the HOLY fear that John felt when he looked upon "the one" on the throne. Where the image of God was sacred and to be gazed upon and marveled for ages rather than formed as a definite image that we can look at every morning and say "Hi Jesus" whether it be a picture on a wall or a grilled cheese sandwich.

I WISH it was that I didn't have to picture the handsome bearded man with long flowing hair, blue eyes and perfect complection when think of Jesus. Because I know when he returns to this earth and I look at Him...it won't be the same picture. I want to marvel at what it means to look at the Jewish man that scripture discribes as a man with eye's of FIRE. I want to recognize my bridegroom by knowing his heart...not by studying the face of the man who was painted on the front of my Bible. My purpose is not to offend people that wear cross necklaces or have an old picture of Jesus on their wall. My purpose in writing this is to stir my own heart to fascination. Because grilled cheese sandwiches and bottled Holy water are not going to be enough when it comes down to recognizing the jealous bridegroom God who is coming to judge the earth.
On the other side of the argument I also have an appreciation for movies like "The Passion"...but it's not because I picture Christs image...but other peoples revelation of His personality that I haven't seen before. And if a picture gives some people a glimpse of His personality...I'm not slaggin it. I'm just saying when I see these images it has and still does annoy me, there is just something that troubles me when I see a picture of Jesus. It probably troubles me because I don't tremble!! Because I KNOW when I see Him...when HE reveals Himself I will not be able to do anything but tremble and fall to my knees to worship.

They start Early

2007-02-13T17:48:00.000-06:00

Eli Loves when I play guitar...his face lights up and he wants to play himself. In fact he will start crying if you don't let him try himself or if you put the guitar away. So should I let my 9 month old play with my expensive guitar? Solution...Get Eli a guitar.
Now we can't get him off the thing!

My Cold Heart

2007-02-06T16:09:00.000-06:00

Going through this priestly study I continue to be reminded that he actually doesn't need us to worship Him. But he DESIRES it. He desires for us to put our cold hearts before Him and "drink from the rivers of His pleasure" as David would put it. He desires voluntary love and he wants us to enjoy the pleasure that comes when we offer Him voluntary love. Why would God want something as useless as my cold heart? Its the unexplained nessesity everyone has for love and relationship. Its a part of Him that he put in the human spirit. Its the love Christ had for the father and vice versa. Sacrificial love...that tells us our very bodies are worth giving up to express our devotion and loyalty. Oh, how He longs for our hearts to burn with passion for the bridegroom. And all we have to do is position ourselves in front of the flame with a "Yes" in our spirits. And oh what pleasure comes out of it when you drink from the rivers of His love.

Mr. Heinrichs

2007-02-01T15:43:00.000-06:00

My new professional name now that I started my new job today as a Paraprofessional at Chief Peguis. I had an excellent day, I feel really good about my job and what I will be doing. I am assigned to a small group of students that are quite a bit behind in literacy and I am teaching literacy to one student in particular during one period a day; and get this...each time I have to go out of the classroom to teach this student my other group of students are in math class. So I will be missing math completely (for this year anyway). I also found out that one of my former Supervisors that became a pretty good friend from my last job works there. So I'm exited and feel blessed already with what I am dong. I just gotta get use to "Mr. Heinrichs"

Indy 4 Rumor

2007-01-25T18:47:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know. There are few Indy fans that read my blog...but hey what's an online journal for?
Indy 4 is under very tight lips but the latest rumor got me exited. One of my favorite actors is rumored to star in my favorite movie series (Indy 4) none other than Clint Eastwood! I don't know what part he would play, maybe a villan or Abner Ravenwood (his old prof and Marions dad)? Who know's. I'll keep my blog updated with the latest whether you care or not. If you don't know, the Indy movies alway's being my favorite movies inspired my love for history and my keen interest in the Ark of the Covenant.

Change Of Season

2007-01-22T17:19:00.000-06:00

And with the change in the season of my life in my new job...who know's maybe the riders will take it this year...after all they have a new fan!

New Job

2007-01-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

After over 4 years working the same job with the same client, I finally opted for a career change. I did enjoy this last job but I felt the Lord wanting me to change, and for good reason. I will now have the summer off (because I got a job as a T.A. at Chief Peguis School) although I don't want to take it as such. I will get to spend a lot more time with Eli and I more time pouring into Sanctuary. I also want to do a lot more song writing. I've written one or two in the past month and I found it very life giving to myself. There is something about creating and original song that pours out your own heart to express personal worship, devotion, and emotions to God. I find that he gives new revelation of who he is when you give yourself to worshiping in music and song. Although God is always wanting to reveal more of Himself, when we are singing our heart engages with His and it becomes easier to feel what He is feeling. Like Allan Hood says "we think of God so stingy in giving revelation of Himself", if we will actually align our hearts to hear what he is saying we will have more revelation. Bunny trail ends...

I'm exited and also a little nervous about my new job. Actually the only thing I'm nervous about is if they need me to help out with Math. I am the least knowledgeable person I know when it comes to math. So if there are any experts out there. Anyway, I'll be happy to not have to drive to work and more...I will now become a victim ehhem...I mean user of the public transportation system. Corrie will have a car during the day, so now you can all take Corrie and Eli out for lunch if you so feel inclined (you might want to talk to her first).

It will be nice to get settled in the new job so I can start to turn my focus back to what I am doing at Sanctuary. Life can so easily distract from your life in God, its just a matter of jumping right back on full heartedly and not looking back; I love that about God. The fact that life's storms and circumstances don't have to consume us. I don't have to waste any time trying to get everything right before I can dive into his arms. When there is an urgency and a "Yes" in your spirit it becomes a lot easier to jump right in to God again when distraction has strayed your vision. I am more and more coming to the realization of the hour and time I am living in, and it makes me want to spend less time worrying about circumstances and more time at the feet of the one who holds it all in His hands. Thank you all who prayed for my new job. It's the next step to giving myself full time to prayer.

Eli waits for more food

2007-01-18T09:55:00.000-06:00

Sing A New Song

2007-01-16T10:20:00.001-06:00

I''ve been looking at Psalm 96 and something has been building in my Spirit relating to the importance of singing. The Psalm urges that EVERYONE would sing. For what reasons in this particular Psalm? To bless His name, tell of His salvation, declare His glory, and sing about what he is doing or his works. Then the Psalm declares the enormity of God and why he is worthy of our such songs. I then got really interested in the Psalm where it say's to rejoice and then goes on to say "for He comes to judge the earth" and let the very earth (fields, forests, and sea) rejoice when His judgements come. I believe God has appointed all of his followers to sing, the singers will usher in His very judgements and his second coming!
"The spirit and the bride say come". Why sing to the Lord a new song? Because he wants us to be aware of the seasons of the spirit. Singing is the language of the Spirit and the best way to get revelation of who he is and what He is doing that's why David say's to sing of his works and who he is because singing engages us with the Spirit and what He is doing and who he is. A new song can be words or just utterances of toungue. A new song means that God reveals something he wants to speak to your heart...its new because it comes out of fresh revelation from being engaged with the Spirit.
The time the church is saying the same thing in unison is when they are in song. And when we are engaged in song with the Spirit and the Spirit is finally saying "COME" the church will be singing in unison with the Spirit "COME" and HE WILL!
Why does the very earth sing and rejoice when he comes? Because all of creation will finally be under the rule of God and the absence of sin will renew even the land (sin causes pollution of the very land (Lev 18:24-27, Garden of Eden ect...) People are so paranoid about global warming and the enviroment...which they have right to be. We need to be good stewards, but we also need to remember that scripture says things like this are bound to happen, an example is that a third of water life is going to be wiped out. The increased hurricanes and natural disasters; these are the groanings of the land wanting the spirit of God to dwell on it, the groaning is the longing to sing the song when God returns. Keep in mind that global warming is not going to be the demise of the human race...sin will for the unredeemed. God won't let the earth completely fade away before He fulfills his promises...it will get bad...and that's why we do Joel 2. This is a huge topic that I'm not going to go any deeper into but, the just of it: Sing that you might be engaged with the Spirit and what he is doing and saying in these seasons. If we call ourselves part of the army of God we need to call ourselves singers first because they are at the head of His army. Singing puts MIGHT on our Spirits, his weapons are not carnal but they are mighty. This is displayed so often in scripture that we cannot ignore it. The power of song will tear down strongholds, government systems, free demonized men and women, and bring healing.
I'll stop here.

What are Priestly Finger Tips?

2007-01-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

Got a million dollar idea (which has probably already been invented). If there are any motivated people out there...I need something for my fingers. Playing guitar a few hours a day can do a number on the tips of my fingers. I need my calluses to get their own calluses. Maybe I need to get those long balloons and cut off the ends and put them on my fingers. Can you get implants in the end of your phalanges? This random thought brought to you by....me.

In other news we started the 3:30 set on Sunday. Though this Sunday was experimental, I think we have a better idea of where we are going with it. I'm actually quite exited about it, I feel a lot of urgency for the topic of the "priesthood". And I welcome any revelation/thoughts/scripture people might have on this topic...I'm feasting on whatever I can find so I can grasp this topic and what the Lord is speaking on it. And in other good news I've been provided with what looks to be regular singers! As a former band member this excites me as well because I know the importance and the benefit of having a regular strong team that you can grow with and get to know. It's also good that I have another set to do during the day where I get to work with others to learn, build community, and have a bit of variety. The point of this blog...I'm just looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for the new year.

Tabernacle Of David

2007-01-06T09:35:00.000-06:00

Studying this thin is facinating...You start noticing that so many men have constantly tried to bring back what was in the heart for the tabernacle of David...then there would be a breach or a time when the nations favour in God was not so great.. and another leader would turn again and re-establish the tabernacle...and this continued up till Christ. Here's the pattern that I see thus far...
First of all we Have David, then Solomon, Jehosaphat, Amos, Hezekia, Josia, Ezra, Nehemiah...and that leads us to a larger gap where we are awaiting the temples restoration for one last time...we are already seeing a prayer and worship movement being built up in the heart of what David was trying to do. Just some intresting stuff I'm coming across.

THE MAN WITH THE HAT IS BACK

2007-01-03T19:30:00.000-06:00

Well folks...I've been waiting years to make this announcement. It was made official a few day's ago. Indiana Jones 4 is filming in 2007 for a May 2008 release. How exiting! I'm getting ready to wait in the line up.

A New Year

2007-01-02T10:18:00.000-06:00

Ahh..back to regularity. I had an extremely relaxed holiday week at home. So on New Years day as I had some time to seek the Lord in what He had for me in the new year. It was simply to get more focused with my time and not to squander so much of it. To go harder after cultivating the life he has called me to in personal devotion and worship. It's so easy to slip into spiritual laziness when you're in "holiday mode". So I gotta take another hard look at my schedule and make sure I'm getting enough time in family, prayer worship and meditation, bible study, Sanctuary, and some leisure time to wind down in my busy schedule. Especially if I am taking on another set at SHOP. It's going to be focused on "Dwelling Place" in the heart of Psalm 132. One intention is to pray for God to establish worship in the heart of the tabernacle of David. We will see how this develops as we move along. Of course we all know that he dwells in the hearts of men but we also know throughout history that he visits specific geological locations and it changes the spiritual and often physical attributes of those places...many would call this Revival. Anyway, I am looking forward to it; and I'm looking forward to seeing where the Lord intends to take this specific set.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2006-12-21T16:39:00.000-06:00

To all my friends and family...may God shine His face upon you all and have a merry Christmas.

Laughing Eli

2006-12-18T09:50:00.000-06:00

This video is already a few months old, but it still gives me a smile.

Wing Night

2006-12-13T22:13:00.000-06:00

Not everybody likes it...But I sure do. I'm getting exited.

The latest

2006-12-03T21:50:00.000-06:00

Haven't had too much to blog about lately, so I'd thought I'd just give an update.
First of all Eli started crawling in the past couple of weeks. It's amazing how curious about everything they get when they become mobile. He hasn't been crawling all that long and Corrie found him stading in his crib yesterday (holding on to the edge). So as bulky as he is he managed to pull himself up...strong kid. It's exiting and amazing to watch him grow and go through stages in life. Once and a while I'll be holding him and just look at him and he will just stare right at me and I'll think "there is nothing else I'd rather be doing at this moment". I was struck with revelation a few of those times....and I'm really getting a grasp on why God wants us to gaze on His beauty. If I get that much joy and pleasure when my kid stares into my eyes...what pleasure the Father must have when we do the same. Eli doesnt fully understand me or the things I do, or why I do them...but he understands there is pleasure on both our sides when we are looking at each other. He never ceases to smile when I smile at him.
God thank you that you reveal your heart in the "goings of life".
Shane preached on Holiness last night. It stirred something in me as a father and also as a son. With a little one watching so closely...and we begin to see him doing the things we do. This makes the importance of living a Holy life all the more important. Beholding is becoming. If my little one watches me that close...I want to be sure to be more and more like God. And how do I do that?...Set my Gaze upon Him. And it's an easy thing to do because there is nothing more beautiful.

Having A Right View Of Christ

2006-11-21T20:10:00.000-06:00

This excerpt reminded me of John Westly but it's by Greg Gordon:
Reverence, respect and solemnity for the character of God must begin and accompany true gospel preaching. The glorifying of God in preaching extols His character, holiness, attributes and draws a large conception of God. The problem with this modern day synthetic gospel is that we preach man's need and not God's character with utmost urgency. True gospel preaching tells men that they have offended a holy God who will by no means wink at sin. Walter Chantry said: "Christ's gospel sends men to beg pardon of the Holy One!" We have to realize that the holiness of God is what we have offended and sinned against and are in active rebellion to this infinitely pure God. A modern day fallacy is to say that all people know of God and His true character, nothing is farther from the truth. People are ready to talk about God in a religious sense but are utterly ignorant of God and His holiness. We are making an awful mistake in taking for granted that sinners know who God is! We lack severely in these two areas: Preaching the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man both of these truths need to be addressed to the hearers conscience directly, not argued but proclaimed.

John Westly's message was often proclaiming the truth of who God is and proclaiming the enormity of sin. This is the preaching that caused hundreds of people to fall down on their faces weeping in repentance. I'm not saying the world is void of good preaching and sound-doctrine, but I believe we are in a "man-pleasing " Christianity and I think it would be good to get back to the basics of the gospel (example: He is God we are not, only through Christ we are saved) which I think our view of is skewed because of post-modernism, humanism, and false views of the gospel & Christ. I often find myself forgetting to remember looking basics of the gospel message that are the foundation of Christianity. I think we all need to be reminded to look again! There is a never ending well of revelation...even in the fundamental things. People could spend years arguing theology often forgetting that they are talking about the same Jesus. Jesus...simply the ONLY way to God...not the theology of Jesus or the story of Jesus...but THE MAN Jesus. This is why it is important to have a right view of Him. We cannot have a relationship with a story, ideology, or theology...it has to be with the God-Man. He is not detached that he would want us to have a relationship with words about Him...He is intimate and he wants us closer to His heart. Oh how I love this man!

An update

2006-11-14T10:14:00.000-06:00

Haven't had much to say lately. My riders blew it on Sunday, I was kinda glad I was at Sanctuary for ye old fashion whoopin.
As for the God stuff in my life, lately I've been feeling I need to protect the call he has put on my life. Not to let words, sin, or the enemy take any hold on the ordinance he has put on my heart to be a priest before Him. To boldly proclaim His calling for me and protect it. In one of the prayers I often pray, "to know the hope of His calling"... When he has placed it on my heart to do something, I can't allow doubt to seep in, or nothing to douse the flame. I find the seasons where we are called to stay steady in what He has asked us to do are the seasons where most of the assault comes. Words and whispers come to distract and put doubt in our spirits. Religious arguments try to take hold of the pleasure of Himself that He wants us to experience.

I can understand why Paul tells Timothy not to indulge in useless arguments. Because it does nothing to bring life to the Spirit. Just as it says in Colossians to see to it that no one deceives you with what may seem to be "fine sound-arguments" but know Christ who lives in you.
Please know that I am not pointing to anyone specifically, its just a general doubt that comes from the enemy in some seasons (in-fact and unfortunately I often find myself engaging in such circumstances). I do understand however that there are times to exhort or correct and to get "good teaching and theology", but I think that if there is anything that diminishes your heart in Love for God and the hope of His calling on your life...that it can't be from Him. Because correction should leave us more in love with Him. Correction is meant for us to walk closer to His heart not further away. It is meant to burn away what hinders love. Lord give me wisdom and revelation, not a divided heart that leads to a dry spirit.

Thoughts of the day

2006-11-01T12:42:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure the snow is here to stay. I'm not even all that disappointed, it'll be nice when we get out of the "slushy" stuff though.
I must say...having a prayer meeting last night was far more satisfying than anything else I could do on an October 31st. We had the whole Guse family join us in Shane and Kristi's apartment and instead of rotting teeth on candy or engaging in an a holiday that clearly and unashamedly promotes the spirit of fear...we asked God to come with a visitation...what could be better than that? And we felt his delight on us as we did, those are the best meetings. I'm not gonna get into the whole Halloween argument because people have their own convictions, I won't tell anyone what I think they should do they can ask God that...besides; it is over for this year. But I just want to declare that I was happy to spend the night with close friends worshipping and praying.
mmm...just a thought...would there be holiday's in the millenium kingdom? Will we even be using calenders? Probably not because there will be no sun...hense no night and day. Ok...My brain hurts.

What Special Day is it today???

2006-10-31T12:47:00.001-06:00

Ahh once again I come to this special day that means a lot to me. It's a day where I reflect on my memories and what helped shape me to who I am today. The only dressing up you would see me do on this day (well a few years back anyway) is wear a party hat. That's right today is my late grandfathers birthday! One of the most influential people in my life. It was about 2 years ago he passed on to be with the Lord. I am fortunate I could use a day to reflect on my prayer life rather than a day that so many people whether they know it or not: change the spiritual atmosphere in our city to one of fear and darkness (I'm not writing this to discuss this topic...you can have your own convictions).
It's not very often I see men with tears in their eyes every time the word "Jesus" is uttered. Oh, how I wish I could love Him as much as my grandfather did. To be able to look years after his life and see the fruit of his prayers. Anyway, fortunately I will see him again someday on this planet as the Lord comes back with the saints to rule on this earth. Thank you Lord for men like my grandfather. Will you raise up others like him. May my son see Jesus in my eyes the same way I did in my grandfathers.

Excerpt From Bounds

2006-10-16T22:08:00.000-05:00

Took this from a piece of a sermon preached by E.M Bounds, I found it challenging and very relevant for what we are doing at Sanctuary:

MUCH of the feebleness, barrenness and paucity of religion results from the failure to have a scriptural and reasonable standard in religion, by which to shape character and measure results; and this largely results from the omission of prayer or the failure to put prayer in the standard. We cannot possibly mark our advances in religion if there is no point to which we are definitely advancing. Always there must be something definite before the mind's eye at which we are aiming and to which we are driving. We cannot contrast shapeliness with unshapeliness if there be no pattern after which to model. Neither can there be inspiration if there be no high end to stimulate us.

Many Christians are disjointed and aimless because they have no pattern before them after which conduct and character are to be shaped. They just move on aimlessly, their minds in a cloudy state, no pattern in view, no point in sight, no standard after which they are striving. There is no standard by which to value and gauge their efforts. No magnet is there to fill their eyes, quicken their steps, and to draw them and keep them steady.

All this vague idea of religion grows out of loose notions about prayer. That which helps to make the standard of religion clear and definite is prayer. That which aids in placing that standard high is prayer. The praying ones are those who have something definite in view. In fact prayer itself is a very definite thing, aims at something specific, and has a mark at which it aims. Prayer aims at the most definite, the highest and the sweetest religious experience. The praying ones want all that God has in store for them. They are not satisfied with anything like a low religious life, superficial, vague and indefinite. The praying ones are not only after a "deeper work of grace," but want the very deepest work of grace possible and promised. They are not after being saved from some sin, but saved from all sin, both inward and outward. They are after not only deliverance from sinning, but from sin itself, from its being, its power and its pollution. They are after holiness of heart and life.

-E.M. Bounds

Snow

2006-10-12T10:38:00.000-05:00

For once I am not cringing seeing the snow on the ground for the first time...seeing Winnipeg drivers maybe...but not the snow in itself.
Getting outside this morning was a breath of fresh air. I didn't have to swat wasps or get poked in the eye by a jumping grasshopper. It's at the point where I can put on my jacket and be at a comfortable temperature, rather than put it on and be too hot or take it off and be too cold. I get to wear a pair of shoes that have been sitting dormant for 5 months. I get even more comfort from a morning cup of coffee. The dead grass in my yard that has turned brown from the dry season is now white. I have a sudden urge to eat soup. The snow has covered the ugly orange pumpkin garbage bags and other Halloween decorations in peoples front yards. I now don't have to fear that my turkey sandwich has gone bad from sitting in a hot car all morning. The inside of the hockey rink actually makes sense when you walk outside. I can walk outside in precipitation without getting wet.
Tis a good season!

My prayerful desire

2006-10-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

Why are there so many Christians that think you are wierd or crazy if you want to live a fasted lifestyle? Why are you all of a sudden thought of as irrational if you want to live and walk in holiness rather than live like everyone else in the world? When in reality the cross assults all of our worldly thinking.
Something has infiltrated a large portion of the church that say's "it's ok to live like the world" when it is clear in scripture we are suppose to live in the world but we are aliens, a holy race, and a royal priesthood. Everyone's walk will look different...but whatever walk it is it should look different to that of the worlds. As we function in work and our regular lives, the ones that don't know Jesus should look at us and see that we are different...this is the basic Christian. The more we gaze at Christ the more we become like Him and want to be with Him. Beholding and Becoming. If we don't look different why would the ones walking in darkness want to be like us...because they would see no need to change. We are children of the light and are not in darkness.

We are to know the seasons and times we are living...not in this state of drunkeness where we are unaware of what God is doing and saying in His church. The church is largely sleeping...Isaiah say's "Awake!...clothe yourself in strength!" I just don't see that in my life or the many lives around me. The prayer we so often pray "give us a Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your Son" is a prayer that should not cease to be uttered. We need this to walk into the very reason of our existance...to bring Him pleasure! And what brings Him pleasure? HIMSELF! There is no higher pleasure than Himself. So the way we bring Him pleasure is to become more like Him! This get's me exited because I actually have a fixed point of reference to attain...and because he is pleasure consumite...I can spend my whole life trying to get there and I never will fully attain it.

God wake us up! Wake up those that are sleeping! Cause Your church to love you more and to look more like you.

Ye Old Thanksgiving Song

2006-10-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

Now that thanksgiving is over, it brings me back to the song my family grew up singing:

God must love turkeys

Because He loves you

You are a turkey

And I am one too

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Interesting...If you're bored

2006-10-05T10:25:00.000-05:00

I read today that no piece of square dry paper can be folded more than 7 times in half. Haven't actually tried it...but I added another goal to achive in life(althought I won't put it as a top priority).

An Excellent Read if You have a few minutes

2006-10-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

"We Must Have Better Christians"
by A.W. Tozer.
To talk of "better" Christians is to use language foreign to many persons. To them all Christians are alike; all have been justified and forgiven and are the children of God, so to make comparisons between them is to suggest division and bigotry and any number of horrible things.

What is forgotten is that a Christian is a born-one, an embodiment of growing life, and as such may be retarded, stunted, undernourished or injured very much as any other organism. Favorable conditions will produce a stronger and healthier organism than will adverse conditions. Lack of proper instructions, for instance, will stunt Christian growth. A clear example of this is found in Acts 19, where an imperfect body of truth had produced a corresponding imperfect type of Christian. It took Paul, with a fuller degree of truth, to bring these stunted disciples into a better and healthier spiritual state.

Unfortunately it is possible for a whole generation of Christians to be victims of poor teaching, low moral standards and unscriptural or extrascriptural doctrines, resulting in stunted growth and retarded development. It is little less than stark tragedy that an individual Christian may pass from youth to old age in a state of suspended growth and all his life be unaware of it. Those who would question the truth of this have only to read the First Epistle to the Corinthians and the Book of Hebrews. And even a slight acquaintance with church history will add all the further proof that is needed. Today there exist in the world certain Christian bodies whose histories date far back. These have perpetuated themselves after their kind for hundreds of years, but they have managed to produce nothing but weak, stunted Christians, if Christians they can be called. Common charity forbids that we identify these by name, but any enlightened believer will understand.

Evangelicalism as we know it today in its various manifestations does produce some real Christians. We have no wish to question this; we desire rather to assert it unequivocally. But the spiritual climate into which many modern Christians are born does not make for vigorous spiritual growth. Indeed, the whole evangelical world is to a large extent unfavorable to healthy Christianity. And I am not thinking of Modernism either. I mean rather the Bible-believing crowd that bears the name of orthodoxy.

We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone. Large and influential sections of the world of fundamental Christianity have gone overboard for practices wholly unscriptural, altogether unjustifiable in the light of historic Christian truth and deeply damaging to the inner life of the individual Christian. They have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. The glowworm has taken the place of the bush that burned and scintillating personalities now answer to the fire that fell at Pentecost.

The fact is that we are not today producing saints. We are making converts to an effete type of Christianity that bears little resemblance to that of the New Testament. The average so-called Bible Christian in our times is but a wretched parody on true sainthood. Yet we put millions of dollars behind movements to perpetuate this degenerate form of religion and attack the man who dares to challenge the wisdom of it.

Clearly we must begin to produce better Christians. We must insist on New Testament sainthood for our converts, nothing less; and we must lead them into a state of heart purity, fiery love, separation from the world and poured-out devotion to the Person of Christ. Only in this way can the low level of spirituality be raised again to where it should be in the light of the Scriptures and of eternal values.

Winter Is On The Rink...I mean Brink

2006-09-25T10:57:00.000-05:00

As I see the leaves falling, I know what is on the horizon. For many it is dreadful for others it's hockey. I am looking to buy a pair of skates this year...I haven't skated in about 5 years. I use to enjoy it. Playing hockey with my foster brothers. My friends the "Guses" have convinced me to buy skates this year...not by words but the fact that they are making a skating rink. This is where we have our Sanctuary community gatherings. So this year I welcome winter, because I will be skating. It will also be nice to have sanctuary gatherings on the dark cold nights, where we gather in a small building with the warmth of community, prayer, and worship. I'm looking foreward to the new season.

I usually dread winter, but then God gives me a few of those beautiful nights where its quiet, clear, and dark. The nights where could see all the stars, my breath, and a flat of snow in my yard with paw prints from the bunny living under the tree in the back. (this is becoming poetic and sappy) The frosted tips of the trees, and crunch of snow under feet. It's the winter nights I enjoy, it's the day's that give me a bad impression of winter: the dirty roads, slush, bad driving conditions, bad tasting Christmas decor ect... I also tend to enjoy my home on winter nights. Drink some tea and get into some warm comfortable clothing. Yes, it's on the brink...not here yet. But it's on the brink. Until then hockey season is starting...and football season is coming to a close.

With this new physical season coming, I pray God brings Sanctuary into a new season as well...a season of enjoyable worship/prayer, blessing, and vision (and God willing: maybe even our own building).

The Monday After

2006-09-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

I did the intercession set last night. I am becoming more and more convinced (though I KNOW it in theory), that the only good thing in worship is God. We could pretend that when our abilities and talents are used to create art or music, that those in themselves are worship to God. But in reality it is useless if God is not in it. If our intention was to worship Him and honor Him it's good. But if our intention was just to express ourselves, we are no different than anyone in the world and it is not worship. It is like clanging gong that is rather annoying to His ears, unless it is out of a place in our relationship with Him. The creation is made to worship the creator. This is what makes worship different than anything else the human can offer up to God. We actually create (art, music) to lift him higher, rather than ourselves. I've played the bar gig's in the past and I know how easy it is to allow your talents to lift yourself up...you create to get a reaction from the crowd or to give yourself the gratification of sounding awsome. But worship comes from a low place. You recognize that your talents were given and made for God and not ourselves. So instead of making our talents take us to a higher place...we re-direct them to God. This is such a facinating concept.

The meetings I least enjoy are the ones where I don't feel His pleasure. Of course I know he does delight my perserverance when I can worship when I don't feel Him and it all still counts...but its's just less enjoyable when I don't feel His pleasure. If this is persistant I know something is wrong in my heart and my worship, but I think he allows that to happen in seasons to remind us that HE is the ONLY good thing in Worship. I was reminded of this reality last night.

random pointless thoughts of the day

2006-09-14T15:11:00.000-05:00

Is it me or is this a hot September? I miss wearing jeans. We already turned of the AC in the house. I haven't mowed my lawn in like 2 months.
As much as I love summer, I enjoy the mildness of September and October; especially after such a hot summer.
Maybe next summer Sanctuary will have their own building; hopefully with AC...then the summer won't feel so long and hot. Did I mention I like Salsa?

DON'T FEED THE BEARS

2006-09-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

A Good Weekend Away

2006-09-04T22:09:00.000-05:00

I had a great weekend away to Regina. I could not have asked it to be any better (besides not having the crocodile hunter die) . For starters...I was having a joyous time with fellow rider fans at The Labour Day classic where I saw my fellow
Winnipegers that travelled to see the game dejected and weeping from a good ol' labour day woopin. Without being bias...Winnipeg can not match the passion for the Bombers that Saskatchewan has for the Riders, no comparason...this is prooved at and away from the being at the game. Moving along. Even got to play some football with the fam.

I got to see my family again, most that met Eli for the first time. I love those guy's, I wish I could see them more. On Saturday we were able to go to the home of our favorite tv show "Corner Gas" aka Dog River (not the towns real name). That was and will for many years be a great experience. A show that alway's puts a smile on my face gave me the same smile seeing the set. I missed Sanctuary though, even though it was nice to get away from the "big city" in general. And by the way, Eli did great travelling!

Changing...almost 4 months

2006-08-30T20:06:00.000-05:00

I Don't want to be offended

2006-08-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that a few of the pictures have been salvaged from our camera that somehow departed from us on this holiday. Not all of them but for some reason some of them showed up on my computer that I don't remember putting there. One of the important ones being Eli's first (but not pretty) haircut. Loosing the pictures was worse news than loosing the camera, but I'm glad we didn't totally loose the third month of Eli's life on photo.

Corrie and I have been wrestling through this. We were discussing how silly it is for us to be offended at such a small thing. We asked the question, "If this offends us, how will we react in the tribulation when our bank account is seized? Or house is taken away? Or when friends turn thier backs on us because we chose Christ? Or when he returns and we see his robes covered in blood after getting rid of the wicked men of the earth? (if you don't know what I'm talking about, just bare with me or do some bible research). I kind of took it as a blessing or token. God just teaching us to not let our hearts be troubled or let offence rise in our hearts, and he was gracious enough for it to be a small thing like our camera.

200

2006-08-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Before you go judging me on how awful my picture in my last post below, keep in mind that it was done in 5 minutes, I was holding the grey cup, and it was done on plain old ms paint.
I'm no graphic artist. I can't beleive I wasted my 200th post on this. Anyway, to celebrate I'll pull one from the archives One of My first Posts:

Moses A Polytheist???
The Bible shows very little account of Moses' life growing up in an Egyptian household. The fact that the Bible states that Moses became the son of Pharoahs daughter, therefore one can assume that he grew up and was raised as any Egyptian child of Royalty would have. The Pharoahs believed they had the ability to control the gods (especially in the afterlife--pyramids). Moses must have grown up with these teachings (especially seeing how scripture tells us this "Act 7:22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works."
I think Moses' conversion to monotheism occured at the burning bush. The Egyptian royalty was told to tell the gods to identify themselves when you encounter them so that you may command them and tell them what to do. So when Moses was addressed by the burning bush what was the first instruction to Moses? "Take off your sandals for where you are standing is holy ground". This first instruction was revealing to Moses that this God had authority over him not visa versa...this is something Moses needed to hear in order for his submission. "Then God tells him I am the God of your father..." God did not say "I am God". It was an explanation of what God he was...another thing Moses would have wanted to hear. Then when Moses was submissive ("..Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God...") this is when God gave Moses the instructions of what he wanted him to do (as we know to set the Israelites free).
Finally at the end of this conversation Moses asks what Gods name is so he can tell the Isrelites.
This is my favorate part. God did not say Jehovah or any other name...Again God shows his authority as the one true God and says, "I Am Who I Am..."

I'm no expert on the subject, none of this is out of books I've read exept the Bible. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe I'm right. But thats why I share it to get some opinions. Wouldnt it be fair to say that Moses grew up as a Polytheist? How else would he get along with any body else in the Pharoahs household? Anyway...I don't want all my blogs to be deeply spiritual or anything but I do just want to share what is on my heart and mind and this seems to be a good outlet.

Back From Camping

2006-08-20T15:18:00.000-05:00

Well it was a pretty good weekend at Hecla Island. The weather was great and the campsite was awsome. I got a little bit of fishing in and I caught myself a nice sized silver bass off of the Marina Pier, and I had the privledge of providing a family with supper (as I was going to toss it back and they asked to keep it).
There are 2 things in my mind that put our weekend in a bit of a downer. First of all we forgot Paper Towel; this is a necessity for me at home or away from home. I am lost without it. Second of all, our camera was either misplaced or stolen...It was likely the latter. As much as it is annoying to loose a camera that we spent a couple hundred bucks on (and only 4 months ago) the worse part is loosing all the pictures from the last month of Eli. We only have a couple transferred to the computer. It is quite discouraging. Besides the camera, we had a great time. I would love to post pictures but...yeah.
Anyway, we are already thinking of returning next year. It was great to get away from the noise of the city. Any way if we did have our camera , my guess is that the picture would have looked something like this:

Gone Fishing

2006-08-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

We are headed out camping tommorro. I havent done enough fishing this year, as much as I don't want to catch the fish shown below...hopefully I'll be able to catch and cook up some small but tasty perch.