Time is Running Out

Can you believe Christmas is only 3 days away! If you are like me you may have no idea what to get some of those special people in your life. Well thanks to modern technology Santa is only a mouse click away.
Get Santa's help NOW!!!!!!!

Thanks All Around

2006 was a great year for me. Two highlights are hiking around Belize and my wife carrying our first child. What I didn't expect was all my many accomplishments to be noticed by TIME and then being recognized as the 'Person of the Year'.

Music at the Moment

M. Ward is a musician I've been living on for the last few weeks. If you've got a few moments and like Roger Waters type sound check this cat out.

Someone I'm Not

About a month ago I watch the Film Girl, Interrupted and at the time thought very little of it. However, over the past month, numerous times I have been struck with how often we find ourselves becoming something we were not intended to become. In the film Winona Rider's character is admitted to a Psychiatric Ward for borderline depression issues revolving around suicide. As the movie progresses her character begins to adapt to the culture of the Ward, begins refusing her treatments and decides to live in a place where she does not belong.

As a person who desires to seek God, I am confronted with my decisions to tread down paths towards something I am not. Many of these paths seem like logical choices but when looked at closely they are not Christ-Centered. The book of Ephesians speaks numerous times about who are once in Christ and how we are called to live. Yet God does not force us to live His way but gives us the opportunity to choose. It is my goal to not adapt myself to my 'Ward" but daily set out to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received".

Names from the Past

10 years ago I spent my second year of University at Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, Alberta. There I resided, studied and caused trouble with about 86 other students from numerous walks of life. For me, it was 9 months of spiritual formation which has pressed me into my present life.

The bonds which I formed during this year are quite curious. I have kept very fleeting contact with most of my fellow alum, but for some unexplainable reason they all hold a significant place in my person. Yesterday, through unexpected channels, I came across a blog where some of them have begun to check in and post. I couldn't read fast enough.

This post will mean little to most of you, but for those who come across it from CBC's Class of 1997 go here...

Snow on Thursday

Western New York is known for snow. The people who live here expect to get dumped on day in and day out December - February. However, it is not uncommon to get snow beginning in October and ending April. This is one of the reasons I live in Chautauqua County. I love snow. I love playing in it, shoveling it, manipulating it into snowmen and best of all dispersing it with my snowblower. By 8PM Tomorrow we are supposed to have accumulated 12 inches...God doth smile upon me.

So far it has been the perfect start to December. My only concern is looming in a few days is the cursed warm winds from the South. Please if any of you have the power please crush those winds with the icy breeze of the Canadian Plains.

And to everyone who disdains that which brings me great joy. Happy Holidays.

Soon a New Arrival

In approximately 4 weeks my wife and I are going to have our first baby, a boy. Naturally the next question for most is 'What are you going to name him?' And even more naturally my response is 'I have no idea.'

This is not completely true and over the past 3 months we have been rolling names over in our heads. A name, in my opinion, is the most important label a parent can give a child. In many cases it seems to lead the child down a predestined path. Most likely the name itself is powerless, but what holds the power is the interpretation and presumptions of those speaking the name. This is what manipulates the named individual's destination. We have no control over other's opinions, so my wife and I are left to pick apart every name like a hot wing on Wednesday Night.

We have narrowed it down to 3 or 4 names, but have decided to wait until we see our boy's eyes before making the final decision. That way, in our minds, if we chose poorly we can place the blame elsewhere.

To Ask a Ninja or Not

Ever since the Wu-Tang Clan started promoting Kung-fu movies, martial arts crept to the top of my first choice movie list. The latest ones I've seen are 'Duel of the Tough', 'Chastity Kung-fu', 'The Kid with the Golden Arms' and 'The Invincible Armor'. Now understand these may not seem like films of cinematic genius, but they are hard-hitting, badly dubbed, confusing plot-lined gems. I love martial arts.

About 6 months ago I was introduced to something out of the Japanese line of the art. It knows nothing about the deeply religious discipline of the Shaolin Monks, but clothed in black and wielding shurikens it is the way of the ninja. Due to my great ignorance of this Asian art I was submerged with questions. Thankfully, as I searched the World Wide Web, I found answers. If you too seek answers click PLAY.