How do you survive the cold?

We have had record temps lately in parts of Canada that have been compared to the surface of Mars for how cold it is! Yeah, that's right, MARS. 

The average temperature on Mars surface? −55 °C.

The temp in northern Ontario yesterday and parts out west? −52 °C. 

So with these record cold temperatures, I have to ask... where exactly IS this whole global warming thing? We could use it right now! If there really were aliens flying by us and if they were to look down at us and see what we live in, I'm sure they'd scratch their heads and ask, "What's with those humans?"

At any rate, how do you keep warm in temps like these? Don't go out unless it's necessary, lots of blankets, long sleeved shirts and pants, hot drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Let the cars run a little before driving but not long and drive slowly when starting out as your car warms up faster when having to drive experts say.

I'm just glad that no matter what the weather outside is doing, I know who's got my back - our Lord Jesus Christ! But still - please God... shed some heat this way? Thanks!

Pastor Andrew

The real meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas

On Ask The Pastor, this comes up almost every year at Christmas, and people have asked me for this, so here it is... the real meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas...

It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact. The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed. 

If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, remember: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34) The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself. The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian. So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.

Funny Christmas videos

I love a good laugh, and there are some videos that make me laugh right now as we approach Christmas, here's my list:

Mr. Bean's Nativity scene

The Skit Guys The Brothers Marley

The Santa Clause with Tim Allen - it's the trailer, but the movies make me laugh! All 3 of them!

There are others, but these are my favourites. If you haven't seen the movies of the Santa Clause (yes all 3) and Mr Bean's Christmas? You have a lot of catching up to do!

Yes, I know Christmas is all about Jesus and his birth, there is some fun we can have too though. Merry Christmas!

Dealing with loss at Christmas

This thought came ringing true this week while I was on the air. A listener had heard the song by Chris Tomlin "I Will Rise" and called in about it. It was touching to him as he had just lost his mother within the past week. It reminded me that there are a lot of people this time of year who deal with loss - whether as our listener this week with very recent loss, or as others who I know are remembering someone they lost about this time of year in the past. 

Some churches have memorial services to remember those who have gone on before us at this time of year to help ease the pain of loss so that Christmas isn't a sad memory for them, but rather a celebration still of Jesus and of the life of the person they lost.

How can people have peace this time of year when dealing with loss? The loss of a loved one or a job or something else? We turn to God. Only we as believers have hope beyond the pain, it is a hope that only Jesus can give through the power of the Holy Spirit. As John 14:27 says, 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We are given a peace in times of trials and loss that the world simply cannot understand apart from Christ. So to those who are dealing with loss this time of year, of loved ones or employment or something else, may the Lord be with you at this time. I don't say that as a pat answer, but to encourage you that there is hope and peace that you can claim in Jesus today. 

God bless.

Giving Tuesday

We've had Black Friday, and we'll have Cyber Monday soon. But here's something new to try out... Giving Tuesday! I know... what? Giving Tuesday. I heard it on one of our commercials and thought what a great tradition to start! it's defined as (by Giving Tuesday.ca) "a new Canadian movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Cyber Monday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it is a day where charities, companies and individuals join together to share commitments, rally for favourite causes and think about others."

So why not start this with your home? I think we'll do it with ours! Sounds like a great idea, and very Biblical as believers we're called to look after those in need - widows, orphans, the poor and destitute. Giving Tuesday helps put Christmas back in focus after the madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

I like it! If you want to go to the Giving Tuesday website, you can donate to Life by typing in the charity name of Trust Communications Ministries, Barrie, ON, and you can enter any donation amount. We will be notified by them. Cool!

Christmas Flash Mobs!

I don't know about you but I love those Flash Mobs at Christmas time in malls. This one was great - right beside Santa Clause who sat there looking dejected while Christian Christmas Carols were sung all around him!

Here's another one...

And another...

So many great Christmas flash mob videos to surprise people! I once tried this with a few members of my college choir when I was at Word of Life Bible Institute. We were on tour for the Christmas show Ring the Bells and when we tried it we got told by security to stop. Even though they liked it, they said another group had booked the place.

So in order to do a Flash Mob you have to book it, you can't just show up and start singing. Too bad. I'd love to so this myself sometime! Anyone interested in organizing one?

Red Poppy White Poppy

Red Poppy White Poppy...

Hard to believe there's a controversy surrounding the poppy. Yet there is a group made up mainly of university students who try to say that the Red poppy "glorifies war." Seriously? Since when did the poppy become a symbol for promoting war? When I grew up it was always taught as the flower that was growing in Flanders Fields where soldiers died and they grew between the crosses where soldiers lay. How is that glorifying war?

Seem to me these "educated" students have learned the wrong lesson.

It has bothered those in the military because they have had this Red poppy as their symbol to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, and for those who still do. 

I live in a military community and this to me would seem like a sap in the face to them. "Your poppy isn't good enough... so wear the white one instead!" What a statement to make. Disappointing.

The Bible talks about those who have been killed in living out their faith for the Lord from the Old Testament (Able) to the New Testament (John exiled on Patmos) and we have modern accounts of those who die for their faith. Imagine someone said to us - sorry your symbol of the cross isn't good enough - use this instead because you're glorifying death? 

I have a lot of respect for the military and this just seems silly to me.

On Remembrance Day I'll be wearing a RED Poppy.