Sunday, May 07, 2006

Hola, Mi Amigos!!!

Hello everyone. We're back in Vancouver and rested up good!!! We had a great trip and I will show you a couple of pictures later. I'm planning to make a short picture video this week so I'll post that as soon as I finish it.
I read 1 2 3 books and Wanda read 1 2 . We also read a book together.
Here's a picture of our usual spot at the beach:














Here's a picture of the dessert the restaurant gave us when they found out it was our anniversary:














Here's a picture of our last sunset in Puerto Vallarta:















Well I'm off to Winnipeg for General Conference. I'll try to post from there but if not, I'll catch you next week.

Friday, April 21, 2006

This Is My 100th Post!!!


I think I'll celebrate by GOING TO MEXICO.

No posts for a while. Check back 2nd week of May.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Lord Of The Rings Europop


Those crazy Euros. Theey'll make a pop song out of anything.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Great Article

A great article from Relevant that I found here:


NOT ONE OF THOSE CHRISTIANS
By Cameron Strang – Relevant Magazine


I need to talk about contemporary Christianity. There’s something that concerns me.
We’ve seen so much abuse of the term “Christian” lately that many of us are now hesitant to be associated with it. We may serve God and be followers of Jesus, but we don’t want to be associated with the bigoted right-wing-extremists who are known only for their judgmental statements and boycotts.
We believe Christians should be known by their love. (I think John 13:35 says something along those lines).
We cringe every time we see Pat Robertson on the news. So, we do everything we can to not be identified as one of those Christians. We try to get outside of the Christian bubble, love others, be open minded and live in freedom. So we drink – but just in moderation, of course. We cuss, but just for humor or effect. We watch movies that our pastor wouldn’t, but it’s because we’re a lot more in touch then he is. We criticize TBN, cheesy Christian music and everything else about the Christian subculture. We hang out at bars and clubs, originally to be “light in the darkness,” but now really just for a good time.
And here we are, without even realizing it, living exactly like the world.
Please hear me, I’m not advocating closed-minded, hate-filled Christianity, and I do believe we have freedom in Christ. Moderation is a God-given right. But truly following Jesus is not found in either extreme. After all, Romans 12:2 does say, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world” (TNIV).
So where does this leave us? It’s not an issue that can be resolved in this column’s 600 words, but it’s one that all of us must personally and deliberately answer, because without clarity on how we need to live our lives and impact the world around us, at best we will be inconsequential and at worst, harmful to those around us.
Stewardship is something I’ve grappled with lately. (Go read Matthew 25). God has entrusted all of us with gifts, material things, a calling and a realm of influence. The question is, what are we doing with what has been given to us?
Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples. How well are we following that challenge in our lives on a daily basis? Are we making the most of the time and opportunities given to us? Or are we worrying more about this debate or that opinion, when there’s a world dying around us?
We look to one side and see Christianity being mocked in the media because of stupid public statements by leaders who make us all look like idiots.
But so what?
We look to the other side and see a free-will, all-paths-lead-to-heaven kind of Christianity that renders our faith completely ineffective out of fear that we might offend someone who doesn’t agree with us.
But, again, so what?
Neither of those need to define us. What other people do is of zero consequence to how we have to live our lives. The decisions we make and the love we show to others are completely up to us. No one else will account for your life but you.
So how are you using it?
Like most of us, I’m tired of being clumped in with stereotypical, suburban, materialist Christianity. But we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. I believe that God wants us to think for ourselves and follow the Spirit. It’s scriptural, we’ve got to deal with it. But if a man came up with it, I give it a healthy dose of skepticism. It’s called discernment.
We need to not only embrace grace and freedom, but remember that we’re called apart, that what we have in our spirits separates us from the world. We are supposed to be in the world, but not of it. We have a hope and a freedom and a faith that the world is looking for, and they need to see that difference in us. Otherwise, what’s the point?
I want to be known for passion, love and a heart that follows God. I want people to see that about me, first thing. There’s something different about my life, and it will also change theirs. I don’t want to blend in.
Our generation is looking for something to fill the void in their lives. We have what they’re looking for. We just need to bring the truth with grace and love. But we do need to bring it. We each have a sphere of influence. Now what are you going to do with it?

Cameron Strang, 29, is the president and founder of RELEVANT Media Group.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Ha Ha Ha

Making fun of George Bush never gets old.

Happy Easter From Paul and Wanda!!!!


A little Easter humor to cap off the season of Lent.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Puerto Vallarta Here We Come!!!


So we've been thinking about going on a holiday to celebrate our 10th anniversary (May 4th). We were looking around for cheap vacations online. We found some to Puerto Plata and then to Cuba but settled on Puerto Vallarta. We leave on the 22nd and we're going to be gone for 14 days. Comparing it to other deals available to this resort, we pretty much got the second week for free. This is a nice 4 star.

So hey we're looking forward to going to Mexico!!!

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Colour Change


So I thought we needed to brighten up the blog so I changed the colors a little bit. What do you think.

Monday, April 03, 2006

My Crazy Week


Well my week started as most of my weeks do, on Monday. Went to work at the Well and was feeling kinda funny. Didn't know why but was feeling weird. By about 2pm I had a full blow flu. My coworker made me go home. By 6pm, I'm wearing 2 layers of clothes and inside my bed covered up because I'm freezing. Had NO nights sleep and took Tuesday off to recouperate.

Tuesday night I went to a meeting to investigate the possibility of starting a community group for our neighborhood. Wednesday I was becak to work (probably should have waited another day since I just about passed out). Thursday I worked at the Well and then to Delta Church and then to a meeting regarding Christian ministry initiatives during the 2010 Olympics.

Friday I had coffee with a new/old friend and then helped my friend Jaz with his project NO BOUNDARIES which is an intentionally multy ethnic worship event. I came home pretty tired but I got to play with a couple of awesome musicians.

Saturday, we had an AGM for our condo building. It was mildly stressful but always good to hang out with people from the building. Then we went to pick up groceries which turned into a 3 hour ordeal because of traffic and lots of people at the Superstore.

Sunday, it seemed like the whole church forgot the timechange. Not actually but it did feel like we were all still missing an hour of sleep. Great to finish our week with our Living Room Church crew. That's always restful.

So there's an update from our life. I've got to go.... to work!

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Ode To The Yellow Pages


(On Saturday, Wanda and I made the hard decision to get rid of our phone book and Yellow Pages. We never use them because we look everything up on the www. Here is a tribute to the social icon that is the Yellow Pages.)








Oh yellow pages yellow pages
You're big and yellow
Oh yellow pages yellow pages
Can only be lifted by a strong fellow

All of your listings
Are in very small print
If I want to see them
I really have to squint

14 CD's
Or a bowl of bon bons
Will fit on the bookshelf
Now that you're gone

Oh yellow pages yellow pages
In the recycling are ya
Oh yellow pages yellow pages
I bid you sianara

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Surveys, I Love Surveys

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name: Paul
Birthday: August 19, 1970
Birthplace: Grand Falls, Nfld
Current Location: Vancouver
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown (grey??)
Height: 6'4''
Right Handed or Left Handed: Lefty Loosy
Your Heritage: Newfie
The Shoes You Wore Today: Asics
Your Weakness: Blogs
Your Fears: Bad Coffee and out of tune guitars
Your Perfect Pizza: Meat. Lotsa meat!!
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Finish my business plan
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: g2g
Thoughts First Waking Up: My back hurts
Your Best Physical Feature: Facial hair
Your Bedtime: 11pm
Pepsi or Coke: Diet Pepsi (I'm from Nfld)
MacDonalds or Burger King: MMMcD's.
Single or Group Dates: Single dates with Wanda or group with DMac and Le
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Snapple
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee: Cap unless you're at Starbucks then coffee
Do you Smoke: No
Do you Swear: Heck yeah
Do you Sing: for a living
Do you Shower Daily: yep
Have you Been in Love: I AM
Do you want to go to College: been there done that sort of (WPBC)
Do you want to get Married: I AM
Do you belive in yourself: Not as much as my wife does
Do you get Motion Sickness: All the time. Especially on the bus
Do you think you are Attractive: No
Are you a Health Freak: No
Do you get along with your Parents: Better now than ever
Do you like Thunderstorms: I live in Vancouver of course I do
Do you play an Instrument: A few
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: Yes
In the past month have you smoked: No
In the past month have you gone on a Date: Yes
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Not of my own free will
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: No
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: 6 (YESSSS!!!!!)
In the past month have you been on Stage: At Church????
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: some would say that I got Wanda to marry me would imply some sort of felony.
Ever been Drunk: July 1st, 1987. That will be the last time
Ever been called a Tease: I'm much to blunt for that
Ever been Beaten up: Been over 6 feet since grade 7. You figure it out
Ever Shoplifted: no
How do you want to Die: In bed cuddled into Wanda
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: A Coffee shop owner/pastor
What country would you most like to Visit: South Africa
Number of Drugs I have taken: None
Number of CDs I own: 209
Number of Piercings: None (and probably too late to start now)
Number of Tattoos: None
Number of things in my Past I Regret: I was mean to my sister when we were growing up.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

I'm Addicted To Blog Surveys

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic

At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung

You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping

Your caffeine addiction level: high

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Leave a Comment


In reference to the church, I heard a great quote last night:

"It's not WHAT WE DO together, but WHO WE ARE together." - Mark DeHoog

Any thoughts??

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

I Don't Get It




There's something about this picture I don't understand but it really draws me in. i'm not sure I even know what it is. What do you think?

Monday, March 13, 2006

WORD OF THE WEEK (for me anyway)

Lately I have found great comfort from these words. It makes sense to share them with you, my friends:

Lamentations 3:22-25

NIV
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;


MESSAGE
22 GOD's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up.

23 They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!

24 I'm sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.

25 GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Coming Clean


At Conference On The Ministry I made the following statement:

"When you start something new in ministry, you measure success differently"

A friend asked me to unpack this statement a little bit and I thought I'd address it through a post just in case someone else heard me say that and needed an explanation:




I'm not sure why I made that comment because in retrospect I actually don't measure success any differently. I was probably saying it to make myself feel good.

OR, I have always measured success improperly. Maybe I've always cared about what I think success is. Maybe I've been too caught up with "closing the deal" with an unsaved person.

OR, success is a term that is totally incongruent with the gospel. Maybe the heart is not a measurable thing.

Or maybe I'm afraid of failing. Maybe I'm so consumed with the need down here that failing will absolutely devastate me.

I'm not sure.

Friday, March 10, 2006

A Word Picture Of My Mission Field - Part 1

The smell of dried urine / Suits / Canuck fans sad / Lions fans drunk / No sunlight / Beautiful mountains / "Hey baby, do you want to party?" / Good sushi / "Can you spare 40 cents" / "Nice place you got here" / Close to everywhere / 15 minutes to drive 3 blocks / "Hi how are you? Fine. How are you? Fine." / "Hey buddy watch where you're going." / Good coffee / "Where do we store this?" / Pay for parking / No grass / Justice for the oppressed / Faith for the faithless.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

What Have We Been Up To??


Well We've been around. We went to Alberta and helped out at a youth conference that some of our old youth put on in Slave Lake. Of course that meant we got to spend some time with family which is always good. We got back and headed right into a couple of conferences. We lead worship at Timeout which is a relationship first conference for next generation leaders. Then I was a presenter at our denomination's Conference On The Ministry. I got to talk about our downtown ministry and how life looks different for us.

Tonight I'm sitting at home and reflecting on the last 2 weeks. I'm not really awake enough to draw too many conclusions but here's a couple:
1. God's only measure of success is faithfulness.
2. The church needs to embrace it's community and investigate other ways of "GO"ing.
3. We are so blessed with great friends.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Posting Video


Video Sharing at DropShots.com


I think I found out how to post video. Here's a short video that tells a little bit about what Historymaker does. Thanks to Dawn Block for the tip.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Whew!! I'm OK??

You Are 16% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.