Family Day out...

It's a blessing to be a part of a church who is so giving, here is God's family serving Peter and Lisa Stackhouse on their special day.

One year on...

One year ago today I was inducted into ministry at Opawa Baptist Church as the Community Development Pastor in the morning service, followed by a BBQ and me planting a tree.

One year on... some reflections.

The tree hasn't grown much, but I have.

You can't forsee everything.

I can either be completely confident in my ministry, or I can work with God, haven't managet to do both yet?

God can still minister despite my failings

I can get easily sidetracked

I need to enjoy the journey as much as arriving at the desired result.

I don't know everything

It's a lot harder to do the right thing.

Reading is important!

I need to value my opinion more

There is a difference between a "job" and a "calling"

Sometimes people are not so much interested in your theological perspective on a matter as they are in hearing you say, "Hey, your doin all right."

Being a minister doesn't make you infallable

My insecurities need to be seen more through God's acceptance.

I don't have to agree with someone to love and respect them

Just because I don't agree with someone, doesn't make them wrong.

And in the immortal words of Caren Carpenter, "We've only just begun..."

Kept Me from Falling... Everywhere but my knees!

SCOTT STAPP
"The Great Divide"

I have run to the ocean
Through the Horizon
Chased the sun
I've waited for the light to come,
And at times I would give up
You have
Wrapped your loving arms 'round me,
And with your love I'll overcome.
You have
Loved me when I was weak,
You have
Given unselfishly,
Kept me from Falling...
Falling
Everywhere but my Knees!

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me Free!
I've been on Heaven's doorstep,
With the Door open,
One foot inside
I've cried out...
God give me answers!
Please hush child I'll tell you why
You have
Loved me when you were weak,
You kept
Giving unselfishly,
Kept you fromFalling...
Falling
Everywhere but your Knees!

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me free!

Oh...our love is beautiful
Oh...oo...oh...Isn't it beautiful?
Times have changed
But you remain
My everything
Our Love is Beautiful
Stood by my side
Helped me survive
My great Divide
Isn't this is beautiful.

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me free!

P-51 Mustang or Spitfire?

It seems Elvis won the most popular Christmas Album (I'm not sure of those who voted have heard either of them, but I'll go with the general concensus...)

However, there is a bit of a tough one between the P-51 Mustang:



And the Spitfire, Two extreme WWII fighter planes:



You be the judge...

Trip to Glentunnel

A nice quiet drive in the country, through Darfield, I stopped at the town memorial, some fantastic poetry and stories of their history:

I visited the cemetery at Glentunnel, a massive amopunt of history in some of these lives.

Prayer for twenty o' six

Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say;
and Keep me out of your way.

Father Mychal Judge - FDNY - died 9/11/01

Thank you God for a new year.

MERCYME LYRICS

"When You Spoke My Name"

When I first spoke Your name
I used it like a blade
Cutting sharp a mask to hide the pain
When I first spoke Your name

When I next spoke Your name
I could no longer bear the weight
Of years hiding behind the ache
When I next spoke Your name

But when You spoke my name
Oh I swear the angels sang
Peace came and stole my shame
When You spoke my name

Now when I speak Your name
I sing it like a sweet refrain
I have found a peace I can't explain
When I speak Your name

Cause when You spoke my name
Oh I swear the angels sang
Peace came and stole my shame
When You spoke my name

I can hardly speak
Knowing You know me
Thank God I'm free

Now my world has completely come undone
For I can hear the Son
Calling out to me

Cause when You spoke my name
Oh I swear the angels sang
Peace came and stole my shame

When You spoke my name
Oh I swear the angels sang
Peace came and stole my shame
When You spoke my name