Friday Mashup

I hadn't planned on watching the royal wedding last night, but I had to stay up late to finish our taxes (after cheering on the Canucks towards their victory), so by the time I hit submit on the netfile service it was already 1:00am.  I stayed up for a little bit longer to watch the procession of guests and vehicles, but before I could see the dress, I fell asleep.  It literally wasn't worth losing sleep over.

Yesterday I got to watch Ruby's last swimming lesson.  Her and Gregory passed their "Sea Turtle" class and move on to being "Salamanders".  She was pretty happy to have her Dad there.  When her teacher came by to say, "Hi, Ruby!"  Ruby responded with an enthusiastically loud, "This is my Dad!!"

Last night we had dinner with the Schubert's.  The food was good (chicken souvlaki with a superstore sponsored blueberry pie) and I enjoyed chatting with them about kids, their soon-to-be-here baby, and lots more.

Don't forget about Youth For Christ's Coffee Cupping fundraiser at our Youth Centre tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7:00pm.  Admission is $15.  You'll get to be educated on how to drink coffee like an expert, hear some God-is-so-Good news, and get to take home a half-pound of coffee.

On Sunday afternoon I'll be taking the kids over to Vancouver Island for a few days so they can hang out with their Nana and Papa.  It will also be a nice break for Angela as she's been working so hard for so long!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday at our gathering.  We get to lift high our God and Saviour.  We get to open the Word so that we might know the Way.  We get to see one another and be encouraged!

Glenn Makes Me Laugh

Chances are you've seen Glenn's "Bod Rod" in the Church parking lot.  Well, this week it is decked out to remember the death of the Chicago Blackhawks.  This version of his hearse has been seen in local papers and Global TV after cruising South Fraser Way in Abbotsford!  Check out some footage at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDyBIRt4ej0 and http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/120760714.html

Where Am I Monday to Thursday?

If you've been a part of our Church for a while now, you've probably heard me talk a bit about my other place of employment, Pacific Life Bible College, in Surrey.  Most Monday to Thursdays you can find me here.

I started working at Pacific Life Bible College in 1998 (while I was a student) and have been working there in different capacities ever since.  It's a great place to work.  The staff, faculty, and community of students are amazing.  It's also a great fit for serving our Church too.  My experience in our Church helps bring relevance to the College and my experience at the College brings a number of benefits to the Church.

My current role at PLBC allows me to serve our future (and current) youth pastors by coordinating the Youth Ministry Institute.  Since we are a small school (about 160 students) I get to wear a few other hats too!

Currently we have about 30 of our students out traveling the world.  One team is in Thailand for a month.  A second team (of which our own Isaac Dagneau is a part of) is traveling across Canada for six weeks ministering through drama, music, and more.  The third team is touring the Northwest US using the same format as the Canada team.

When you make a moment, I encourage you to remember PLBC in your prayers.  Our future pastors, missionaries, counselors, and leaders are being trained here.

If you're ever in the area, stop by and I'll give you a tour and buy you a coffee!

Monday "Morning" Thoughts

Tuesday Life Group Easter Egg Hunt from Mission Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

We had a great Easter Brunch on Sunday!  There was tons of good food, laughter, and cheer all around.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Good News then with a Sunday brunch.  I'm already looking forward to next year's brunch!  The only downside is that we were having so much fun that we forgot to take pictures.  It was neat to see some new faces and welcome them into our Church family.  We had about 200 out to the brunch and over 30 volunteers made everything work smoothly, from the set-up on Saturday, to the serving, cleaning, and running of kid's activities on Sunday.  Our Church family has exceptional volunteers... they sign-up freely, serve graciously, and work diligently.

After the service, we had a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Mark & Katy came over to watch the Canucks lose.  After the Canucks game I watched the movie "Tron" and found it somewhat entertaining.

Today was the first day I have had off in about two months.  I set a horrible example in this department as I am lazy (disguised as being a workaholic) with my Sabbaths.  We had a fun day.  I got to play with the kids in the morning.  I then went down to Centennial Park at 10am to hide Easter eggs in the woods for the families of our Tuesday Life Group to go and find.  Everyone showed up at 10:30am and went a hunting.  The older kids got a good haul and the younger kids were too young to care.  We were treated to a "birds of prey" show at the park too when a falcon kept dive bombing a squirrel... it was really cool.  After our hunt we headed over to the Offer's house and had a laid back lunch... it was a good time.

This afternoon, I went Winston Churchill and enjoyed a hot bath [insert Angela's comment of "no one wants to read that" here].  I got to read my bbq cleaning manual and the first half of Acts.

Around 4:00pm we headed over to the Manning's for a ham and turkey dinner.  The food was awesome...  and I enjoyed meeting and hanging out with their family.  They are nice people.  Monica had her home decorated with like 100 of these huge (18" wide) flowers made out of tissue paper.  She's giving them to us when the Easter season is over and we'll use them next year at our Easter Brunch.

This week our guys Tuesday Life Group will be watching the game.  Schubert's are coming over on Thursday for Angela's world famous greek dinner (already drooling).  On Sunday, after Church, we're having an Elder's lunch.  That's all I can think of for right now.  I hope you have a great week knowing, growing, and sowing Jesus!

Prayer Focus This Week

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (Accident in California); Zain Krikau (Improved Health);  Gospel Fellowship Baptist Church (Mission, BC),  Kingsway Fousquare Church (Burnaby, BC); Doug Friesen (Foursquare Unit Supervisor, North Fraser Unit); and the nations of Japan, Libya, Indonesia, and Syria.

Friday Mashup

It's been an interesting week.  Dinner with that Manning's was good.  Angela's carrot cake was world famous.  Mark and Katy came over for yesterday's Canucks game (don't want to talk about it).  Met with Dave Parsons on Wednesday and enjoyed talking more about God and His Church.  I spent yesterday running lots of errands for Sunday's brunch.  This morning I served communion alongside other pastors in Mission at our joint Good Friday services.  Wore a tie... hate wearing those things.  It was great to see "our" Tony playing guitar and "our" Carmen playing piano... they both did a great job as usual.  It was also great to join together with other Churches.

I had spiral Kraft dinner for lunch today... not even close to the original.  I made some bird feet out of play dough for Ruby's after-lunch project.  Then I fell asleep on the couch for ten minutes.  We're debating about having our first backyard fire of the year tonight.

Now I'm off to prep more stuff for Sunday, do a little reading and praying.  I hope you're having a good Good Friday.

Monday Morning Thoughts

It's sunny and 6 degrees out... perfect weather!  I slept in this morning as I didn't get home until 11pm last night and then I stayed up late to watch the Canucks game (managed to make it through the evening without hearing the outcome or score).

Last night's graduation ceremony at Pacific Life Bible College was a great evening.  We worshiped Jesus, honoured the hard work of the students, and prayed for them.  It was a good evening and I'm excited about the future of the Church.

Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada) lead our offering last night and gave a great illustration of how the lily is like a Bible College student (it takes four years for a lily to reach its full size).  I think the Bible College will have to plant a few lilies now to serve as a visual reminder of the work and the journey it takes to mentor and release leaders.

This morning on my drive into Surrey, I reflected on Dave's message on Sunday.  I really appreciated the simplicity of the application...  tell and live what Jesus has done in your life... that's how you make much of Him.

This coming week is a bunch of wrap-up work at the College and preparation for our Easter Sunday brunch.  I'm thankful for the 30+ volunteers that have signed up to make this event run!

On Friday, I'll be at the inter-Church Good Friday services which will be a treat.  I always look forward to the Church gathering together... very powerful.

We're having the Manning's over for dinner tonight and I'm looking forward to hanging out with them.  I'm also looking forward to Angela's (soon-to-be) world famous carrot cake that we'll have for dessert.

I hope you have a great week making much of Jesus!

Prayer Focus This Week:

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (Accident in California); Zain Krikau (Improved Health);  Christian Fellowship Centre,  Korean Foursquare Church (Vancouver, BC); Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada); and the nations of Japan, Libya, and Syria.

Friday Mashup

This week has felt long!  I've had fun at the College this week wrapping up final exams and getting ready for graduation.  Enjoyed the Canuck's victory on Wednesday, but did not enjoy having heartburn that night from all the "good" food.  I will have to be careful about my intake tonight.  It will be tough as tonight's menu is wings with a side of spinach and artichoke dip.

This afternoon I enjoyed watching a number of youth from Lifechangers wrestle each other in some form of a rugby match.  When I came out from the office, Calvin was lying on the ground winded, but alive.  He's a good youth pastor!

I also found out that I am now the uncle to twin boys!  Angela's sister gave birth to two healthy boys this afternoon.  We're heading into Vancouver tomorrow to see them!

Tomorrow night is the college banquet, so I will have another evening of great food.  It will be a good celebration of the faithfulness of God as we celebrate another year of training leaders to make a world of difference.

I'm looking forward to Palm Sunday this weekend.  Dave Parson's is preaching on making much of Jesus and you can never go wrong with a topic like that!  On Sunday night I will be cheering on Isaac Dagneau as he will be awarded a Certificate in Biblical Studies from Pacific Life Bible College.

We Are All Canucks

At 7:00pm the playoffs we have been waiting for begins!  Get out your white towel, warm up the oven, and perform some stretches.  Even if you don't like sports or hockey, the reality is that it is a major part of our culture (we are all canucks) and we can either reject it or use it. 

So here's my challenge to you... instead of sitting alone in the dark tonight, go over to your neighbour's and watch it (bring good food with you) or invite some neighbours over (only if you have a better tv and can provide good food) and watch it.  You don't have give them the four spiritual laws, just watch the game with them and talk about whatever comes up.  Be a friend.  Be a good neighbour.  Love them the way that Christ loves you.  Don't be weird about it.  Don't be someone you're not.  Don't drink their beer if you didn't bring any to replace it (and replace with an equivalent or more expensive variety).  Out give them, but don't refuse gifts (because that's weird too).

Live the great commission and take Jesus (in you) to your neighbours tonight.  If (when) the Canucks make it to the end you'll be able to celebrate two victories... the Stanley Cup and the making of a good friend.

Audit Results

Well, the CRA has come and gone and their unofficial report (we'll get the official report in the mail) said we're doing fine.  The auditor was a nice gentleman.  This process, although a bit boring, confirms and affirms the hard work of our Council and most importantly our administrator, Cindy.  Special thanks to Cindy for serving our Church family in this way.

Monday Morning Thoughts

I really enjoyed Sunday's gathering.  Karin and team did a great job of leading us in worship.  Catherine hit it out of the park with her message on Heaven.  I had lots of great conversations with great people both before and after the service... I love our Church family.  I am grateful for the work Jesus has done, is doing, and has yet to do, in and through us.

Some thoughts that struck me from Catherine's message on Sunday:

• Is Heaven a never-ending Church service?
• Success in our goals comes from clarity of vision.
• Ps. 16:11 (NIV) "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
• Jesus is the master chef and is preparing a feast... I am drooling already.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait until Heaven!  New body, complete fulfillment/pleasure, complete love, no sin, no fear, everything good, and everything God.  God is good!

This morning we have CRA coming in to do an audit for the year 2009.  Usually the word audit sends shivers down the average person's spine, but I'm looking forward to it.  It's a chance to measure our fiscal operations.  It's a chance to affirm those in the office on the great work they do week in, week out.  It's a great opportunity to let another person that God created and died for know about the love and salvation we have in Christ.

I arrived home from Calgary at about 1:00am on Sunday.  The van ride with the Parson's was a good time.  I enjoyed talking with Dave.  I told a few lies to their kids so that I could get out of watching Hannah Montana (told them I was allergic to it and my ears swell).

Spent last night playing with my kids.  I play "Russia the Bear" where I growl and drool fiercely as they scream and run away (pretending to be squirrels).  It usually ends up with both of them riding me like a horse at the end, then I flop on the floor and "sleep" for ten minutes.  Angela and I watched a movie last night called The Fighter.  It was okay.  It was good to spend time with them after being away for four days.

I work at the college this week.  It's exam and graduation week, so it will be busy and fun.

Prayer Focus This Week

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (Accident in California); Zain Krikau (Improved Health);  Cedar Valley Mennonite Church,  Living Way Foursquare Church (Maple Ridge, BC); Nations of Japan, Libya, Syria, Ivory Coast, and Yemen.

Recap of Foursquare Convention

Above (L to R): Glenn Burris Jr. (President of The Foursquare Church) & Barry Buzza (President of the Canadian Foursquare Church).

Today was the last day of the Canadian Foursquare Church Convention, in Calgary, AB.  Over the past three days current and future leaders of our churches gathered to connect with one another and the Spirit of God to be encouraged, challenged, and empowered for the ministry to which He has called us.

We were privileged to spend a significant amount of time with Dr. Daniel Brown (http://ctw.coastlands.org/) where he challenged our churches to take the making of disciples seriously by simply doing it.  A few of Daniel's comments that struck me were (in my paraphrase):

• Jesus chose His disciples (and this gives us the freedom to choose who to disciple and they are free to say 'no').
• Anyone can disciple another by simply sharing what they know (don't worry about what you don't know).
• The measure of our success isn't found in following generation, but in the second and third (an apple that falls from the tree without seeds in it isn't right).
• Jesus asks us to pray for workers/harvesters, not a harvest (he'll do that part).
• Our churches should be hard for people (because Jesus' teachings are hard and go against culture/comfort).
• If Church leadership seems too lofty for most, then we are doing something wrong.
• Anyone can be a leader (lead others to Christ).
• Every Christian has two years of bad Bible study leading in them that you just have to get out before you get better :)
• Pastors usually do all the work because they are lazy (it takes more work to disciple someone to take your place).
• Doggedly follow your mentor(s).

It was also great to connect with some new friends and catch up with old ones.  Dave and Nicole Parsons came as well and I enjoyed spending time with them.  We head home tomorrow and I get to ride along with their family in their van... it's going to be a good time!

I look forward to applying the things God has spoken to me over the last few days.  I look forward to eating home cooking.  I look forward to being with my family.

Spring Clean-up, A Great Day!

Thank you to the 30 volunteers who helped spruce up our building and property.  We did a thorough clean of the main and youth centre kitchens; washed all the chairs in the auditorium; decluttered three storage rooms; picked up trash and debris along our road, property, and neighboring creek; painted the men's washroom and front entrance door trim; did some gardening; and began the installation of a garden beds along our entrance (see above).  Kudos to the ones who worked so diligently in the pouring rain.

Prayer Focus This Week

Prayer Focus This Week:  Shaela Warkentin (Accident in California); Zain Krikau (Improved Health);  Wilf L. Sr. (Improved Health); Bethel Pentecostal Church (on 7th Ave);  Northside Foursquare Church (Port Coquitlam, BC); Michel-lyn M. (Canadian Foursquare Associate Missionary); Nations of Japan, Libya, Syria, Ivory Coast, and Yemen.