Monday Morning Thoughts

I was deeply encouraged by Scripture this morning...
Isaiah 40:25-31
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.  Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.  Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?  Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

We often try to envision how big God is when our minds can't even come close to perceiving the reality of His eternal nature.  Isaiah tries to put it in perspective in the earlier part of chapter 40, but it still doesn't come close.

I've been learning to a more intimate degree a number of truths about our Saviour and Lord.  At one point, I'd like to expound on them to a greater degree, but for time purposes this morning, I will have to briefly describe them: 1) God is great and He is good... that's all we need to know; 2) My kids and wife are gifts from God, so they are His children and His responsibility... I am simply called to love and lead them as He loves and leads me; 3) The body of Christ (the Church) is a gift from God to help us experience Heaven on Earth; 4) Prayer is more than therapeutic... it is honoured and used by God; 5) One can experience joy and peace through Christ in the middle of a storm; and 6) Moms are good.

To expound a little bit on number three: I'm not going to starve to death.  We had a roast chicken and traditional trimmings on Friday thanks to Stephanie P.  Saturday, Sheila B. dropped off a ton of food including vindaloo, basmati rice, naan bread, and apple pecan cake!  Last night, Elisa brought over a greek dinner that was awesome, plus a ton of other food.  This is getting crazy.

I really enjoyed our gathering yesterday.  I was encouraged by and through our gathering.  I missed not having my family with me, but it was still good.  I would like to thank Val P. and Lynda V. for organizing a time of prayer for me and our family after the service.  Even though I was a bit embarrassed, it was good for me and our family.

We also made the announcement on Sunday that our Church is changing names next week to "Parkside Church".  This honours an agreement we made between Mission Foursquare Church and New Covenant Church back in our merger in 2001. Our Church leadership thought it to be a more friendly, simple, and approachable name.  I hope you like it and that God will use it to bring more people to Him.

I heard the Grey Cup was a good time.  I was picking up my kids from the ferry terminal.  They had a great time, although, I'm not looking forward to re-training our kids.  Every time they go over to my parents they come back with new habits and expectations (like a juice box every hour). :)  My dad usually responds to my complaints with the phrase, "it's payback time!"

I hope you have a good week.  With God the best is always yet to come!

Update on Angela

It's been a crazy few days. There's nothing like having all the experts tell you there's nothing to worry about and then hear them say, "we are just as surprised as you."

Following Angela's surgery yesterday, where tumors the size of grapefruits were scheduled to be removed, we found out that they were krukenberg tumors (a cancerous growth). They suspect it started in her stomach, but we won't know more until after more pathology (people that look at the cells under a microscope) reports come back. It looks like she'll begin chemo a week from today.  On top of that we'll have to figure out the hormone replacement thing now that both her ovaries are gone.

In and through it all, we have experienced God's grace and peace. I honestly don't know how people go through the tough stuff of life without the certain hope we have in Christ.  You'd think that we'd both be freaking out right now, but God's grace and peace has been tangible.

Tons of people are praying and we've received countless offers for all kinds of help.  We are well loved and really appreciate everyone's generosity.  Angela's mom has been a huge help with all of Angela's personal care.  My mom is watching our kids all this week on the Island and they are having so much fun they don't want to come home.  Moms are awesome!

I went for a walk outside the first night and the song Faithful One came to my lips:

Faithful One, so unchanging
Ageless One, You're my Rock of peace
Lord of all, I depend on You
I call out to You, again and again
I call out to You, again and again
You are my Rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor
My hope is in You alone

I have been encouraged by the truth in its words and in the Scriptures people have sent.

Angela has been awesome. She is responding to hard news really well.  A number of times in our talks through the day or night, she has remarked on the sustaining peace she is experiencing through everything.  Ang's colour, alertness, and movement are way better today and that is very encouraging.

The doctors and nurses have been helpful and attentive.  One nurse had a grumpy disposition at first, but Ang has found a way into his heart. :)  Our evening nurse is awesome...  he is Filipino and has such a grace about him.  Whenever he checks Ang's vitals, he gives the thumbs up followed by (in a Filipino accent), "goooood numbers... goooood numbers."  Our surgeon, Dr. McAlpine, is a rockstar... I don't know what they pay her, but she deserves a raise.  She's gone to bat for us on a few occasions with the "system" and is steamrolling things along.

On the logistical side we are going home tomorrow.  Our kids are returning home on Sunday. Angela's mom will live with us for the next week, then my Mom for the third week.  We meet next Wednesday with the BC Cancer Agency and begin that whole process.

Please continue to pray. God is good and He is able; we are trusting Him.  We're not asking, "why?" (because He is God and that's sufficient for us), we're just asking, "how long?"

Monday Morning Thoughts

Isaac - Warming Up from Mission Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

Happy Monday Morning to you!  I trust this post finds you ready for another week of living in faith and full of the Spirit!

I was really encouraged yesterday during our service.  Karin did a great job of leading us in worship.  Her soft heart to Christ and enthusiasm is contagious.  Isaac preached his first sermon and did a fantastic job (see the first 30 seconds in the video above).  As Jim O. pointed out, it was way better than my first sermon.  We sold almost all of our kid's Christmas cards.  There are only six packs left!  Kim and Louise made some amazing treats for after the service... the lemon bars were awesome.

On Saturday I spilled peach juice on my laptop and it's no longer working.  It's a good thing I have a warranty and everything backed up.  I'll have to deal with getting that resolved this week.  I normally would have done work yesterday afternoon, but since I had no computer, I went to Starbucks with Angela and Renee.  We took advantage of their holiday happy hour special.  Then Josh joined us and the four of us went out for dinner.  It was nice to spend some time with them.

I got to marry Chad & Ariana on Saturday night.  It was a good evening and now they're off to Mexico for their honeymoon.  They are both exceptional people and I look forward to them growing in marriage.

Today is Angela's surgery.  It will take place around 12:45pm so if you could pray for her we'd really appreciate it.  I'll be with her at the hospital for the next couple days and then she'll come home to recover for the next four weeks.  We've been blessed by the support of our family, friends, and Church family.

I hope you have a great day and week.

Prayer Focus

Church Family 

• Friend of Eugene D. who is fighting cancer
• Mike K. (Health)
• Friend of Angela N. who has undiagnosed pain
• Angela N. - surgery this week
• Rachel B. -praise God for giving her a job
• Friend of Jon M. who is in a tough spot
• Jim M. - health concern

Foursquare Family

• New Life Foursquare Church (Cranbrook, BC)
• Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)
• Doug Friesen (Unit Supervisor) 

Other Churches 

• Mission Alliance Church(Mission, BC)

Our Community & World

• Mayor James Atebe & Council
• Premier Clark & MLA's
• Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
• Syria, Iran, Italy, Germany

Friday Mashup

Loving the snow!  A number of Foursquare pastors from our area, braved the roads for a meeting in our building.  We caught up with one another, shared a bit, and they prayed for me and our Church family.  It was a good morning.

Cindy W. and Alison O. came in and did a complete clean of all our dishes in the kitchen!  Donna was in to clean the bathrooms and rooms.  I appreciate their generosity in service.   Youth For Christ is conducting their annual banquet in our building tomorrow, so they are getting everything ready.

Tonight is a movie night in the youth centre... looking forward to raising some more funds for summer camp.  Before that I have a wedding rehearsal to run with Chad and Ariana (they are getting married tomorrow night)!

Tomorrow, our kids are going to Nana's on the Island for a week, so they're out of our hair while Angela goes through surgery and the first week of recovery.  Thank you to everyone for your kind words and prayers.  Thank you to those who have generously signed up to help us with some meals too!

I'm looking forward to Sunday... Isaac's preaching his first sermon!  We'll be in Acts 11:19-26.  Then on Sunday night (6:30pm) we have an extended time of worship through song.

I also have to recognize Bernie V.  I asked him if he could take a look at the Church ride-on mower as it wasn't working.  He came out, fixed it, and mowed the lawn... just in time for winter!

I hope you have a great weekend and that we get to see each other at some point!

Monday Morning Thoughts

I failed miserably this morning.  After preaching yesterday that our success as a Church will only be found when we are willing to get dirty and go to uncomfortable places and lengths, I missed a prime opportunity .  On my way to work at the College in Surrey, I saw a hitch hiker at the beginning of the on ramp to the freeway.  He wanted a lift to Vancouver and he had a german shepherd dog.  Upon seeing him, I first wrote him off due to a difference in destination and then confirmed it when I saw his mangy dog.  By the time I reflected on my decision, I had merged on to the freeway and the opportunity lost.

In hindsight, I felt that it was a great opportunity for me to be uncomfortable and really help someone out.  Yes, I would have had to go out of my way, change the details of my work day, and then spend an hour cleaning my car upholstery, but who cares!?  My life is too short and people are too important to worry about dirty upholstery and missing out on Terra Nova tonight.

As I'm typing this, I just got an email from an elderly lady in Abbotsford that I've been helping out with food.  If you know me, you know that I don't like going over to other people's houses (I'm a bit of a germa-phobe). However, after yesterday and this morning, I think it's God's grace in giving me a second opportunity to get over my germa-phobe and neat-freak tendencies and get dirty for God.

I hope you have a great week getting dirty too!

Prayer Focus

Church Family 

• Two friends of Rob G. fighting health issues
• Friend of Eugene D. who is fighting cancer
• Mike K. (Health)
• Friend of Angela N. who has undiagnosed pain
• Angela N. - health concern
• Rachel B. - job opportunit
• Friend of Jon M. who is in a tough spot
• Jim M. - health concern
• Youth connected to Calvin's YFC ministry

Foursquare Family

• New Life Community Church (Edmonton, AB)
• Barry Buzza (President of Foursquare Canada)
• Doug Friesen (Unit Supervisor) 

Other Churches 

• Iglesia De Dios (Mission, BC)

Our Community & World

• Mayor James Atebe & Council
• Premier Clark & MLA's
• Prime Minister Harper, Senate, & MP's
• Thailand, Italy, Iran, Greece

Monday Morning Thoughts

Our Church gathering was a blast yesterday.  The Vanson's rocked the breakfast.  The Kim's and Nicole P. lead our kids in a "Christmas card factory".  Dave P. shot some kids camp testimonial videos.  Isaac did a sweet job leading us in worship.  The sound man really had his stuff together.  I was blessed by Eugene's reflection as we participated in communion.  Rob & Donna George shared about their summer of ministry to BC's bikers.  They are the book of Acts in action... taking the life and love of Christ to our world.  I look forward to their example inspiring all of us to follow them as they follow Christ.  I had a couple good conversations with some folks and was encouraged by the life they lead.  Following the service our Elders met to share in a meal and pray.  It was a great morning.

Last night we went over to Hotel Hersey to celebrate Mark's 30th.  Later in the evening, a bunch of us went to TBC Indoor Kart Racing in Richmond and rented the track for an hour.  We raced non-stop for the whole hour (it felt like 20 minutes).  The cars get up to 75 km/h, but that didn't keep you from crashing into one another... there were some good collisions.  My neck and shoulders are sore this morning from battling it out, but it was worth it.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

This week we've got the BU Girl event, Remembrance Day, Lenna's Memorial on Saturday, and we're back in Acts on Sunday!  I hope you have a great week.  Follow Jesus and you'll never be lost.

Friday Mashup

Friday morning is where my responsibilities collide: college, Church, and family.  I'm wrapping up College projects, beginning and completing Church projects, and then doing my best to carve out a relaxing Saturday.  I look forward to everyday, as being a part of these three "entities" is continuous joy.

To give you a picture of why it's a joy... here's what happened in my week:  At the college I serve the students in the Youth Ministry program.  I currently have the shared responsibility, with their local Churches and our humble faculty, of training 25 of our future youth workers and youth pastors.  This week either directly through their love and/or the youth ministries they intern with, we saw 17 youth come to faith in Christ!

Last night I got a phone call from the Dagneau's as they were on the other line with a past neighbour/friend, now living in Vancouver, that had a gun and was going to commit suicide.  Through Isaac and Catherine's loving words and quick action, they were able to get the VPD to intervene and save his life!  One of the main reasons this man attempted to kill himself was because of his decision to follow Christ and the subsequent dishoning by his family.  He couldn't bare the thought of living life outside of the love of his parents and family.  Please pray for him that Christ's love would overtake His life, that He would see the hope He has in Christ, and that we could love Him as Christ loves us.

I met with Chad & Ariana as they are tying the knot in a few weeks and got to share some of my "wisdom" on marriage.  Talk about one beggar telling another beggar where to find food!!  They are both great people and I'm really happy for them as the begin a life of discovering God's love.  The Friesen's will be their marriage coach for the next year to cheer them on and offer wisdom and love.

This morning, I got to have a rare moment (I'm usually out of the house before everyone else is up) where both our kids climbed into our bed and cuddled for a bit.

Now I'm at Tim Horton's in the Automall, waiting for the servicing of my car.  I enjoy hearing the conversations of old men grumbling about the cost of batteries for their hearing aids and recalling what they did during the flood of '48.  A school bus of junior high kids just pulled up and crammed the line-up... you should see the looks of frustration and injustice from people that "need" their Tim's when they get inside and see the line-up.

For the rest of today, I'm making phone calls, doing some admin stuff, meeting with the Williams', and then we get to have the Van Marrum's over for dinner.

Vaughan's mom died this week at the age of 89 and I'm heading over to their house today to hear more about her life and will help them plan the graveside and memorial.  The memorial is set for Saturday, November 12 at 1:00pm at our Church building and will be hosted by our Church family.  If you're up for helping with set-up, food prep/service, and clean-up, please let me know and/or sign-up on Sunday.

I hope you have a great day, especially with the gorgeous weather and an even more beautiful Creator and Saviour!  I hope you have a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to our gathering on Sunday!

Chosen But Free

I read Norman L. Geisler's Chosen But Free on Sunday and found it to be a great read.  It addresses one of the most debated theological issues in Christianity, commonly known as 'Calvinism vs. Arminianism'.

The real issue behind the title is how God's sovereignty and man's free will work.  At the outset they seem like two incompatible ideas... how can God be in charge and direct humanity towards his intended destination without violating man's ability to freely choose?

When reading Scripture from cover to cover you discover many verses, passages, and examples that speak to God's sovereignty and providence.  Likewise you see many verses, passages, and examples that speak to the freedom of man to choose right and wrong.

When one is forced to choose between emphasizing God's sovereignty or man's free will it results in devastating results (theologically and practically).

Geisler does a great job of summarizing the devastation at both extremes (along with some variances in between) and articulates a way that both can work.  He responds to critics questions of his stance with solid answers.  I agree with Geisler that both can co-exist... while there's a layer of it that is a mystery (i.e. similar to how Jesus was both God and man), there is also a very grounded theological and practical argument for how both can and should co-exist.

It's not easy theology to navigate, so a book like Geisler's is a great place to start (after reading the Bible from cover to cover).