Black Friday... Cyber Monday... what else???

Just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier... we have Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday is where stores try to guarantee they will make ti in the black that day rather than operate in the red. Cyber Monday? Same thing... but online...

Now the craziness? Just look at below...

People lining up overnight at places to try and get that great deal! I saw news reports about how police and security alike in places in the USA and Britain were dealing with unruly shoppers. Cyber Monday? Watch out for your internet service! So many trying to get that great deal online!

How do we deal with these types of days as believers? Aren't we supposed to be content with what we have like the apostle Paul said? I'll admit I have been guilty of getting excited to see what the deals are for both days. The trick is to say - nice deal, but so I really need it? Or Nice deal, but is it worth trampling others in the process to get that gift for someone? 

Tough call right? 

Keep in mind God's word and what it means to be content in all situations, giving thanks in all circumstances. If you need to get a deal for your Christmas shopping because you want to get someone a gift and be financially responsible at the same time? Great! Do that. But don't go crazy!

Christmas decorations

So here it is Christmas season again. I have seen houses one by one putting up their decorations outside and in too. Some are modest, while some are over the top inflatable this and that and there's hardly a space left on their lawn and on their house. Sometimes it's a nice thing, sometimes... not so much. I grew up in Scarborough and there was a home that every year did a fantastic job of decorating with lights that moved and the more. It looked something like this... (not the actual house but you get the idea)

I often wondered how much their hydro bill was... It was tastefully done and the owner would actually put out a donation bin too. Great idea. Not many can decorate the way they did. Some would say, such waste. I can see that, but I can also see how Christmas lights still point back to Christ and the star that guided the wisemen and that bright host of angels singing to the shepherds. It was bright and some would say "over the top." Why not go all out to celebrate Jesus' birth? 

Romans 4:5,6 says, 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

We all celebrate in our own way. If someone wants to go all out and decorate their home in a huge way, let them I say! More praise to God! I'll be decorating our home this weekend.

The first snow of the winter season

So yes it's true, the first snow is here and more is coming daily it seems. Looks like winter has arrived at last. I get my winter tires on this week! 

So with the first snow we see how people remember (or forget) how to drive in snow! I saw this on the way to a training day for EA's on the PD Day. Some people thinking because they have an SUV or truck they can drive through anything at any speed... yeah doesn't work and they're in the ditches. Winter tires on cars don't mean we can just drive without care either! 

I had fun because I had only all seasonal tires on that Friday. I got stopped and at one stop sign it was "fun" to try and get going because we were on a slight hill, so I was spinning and thinking "Oh man the people behind me in that SUV must think I'm an idiot!" But I got going after adjusting back and forth between drive, first gear, and low gear in my 2007 automatic Pontiac G5. SO the lesson of the year is - be ready, drive carefully, and have fun! Be patient too when someone is slipping - it could be you!

Another year older...

So yes, another has come and gone, I'm another year older. 43 this time. *gasp* did he really post his age! Yes. It's okay, I'm good with it. My wife and kids tell me all the time (jokingly of course) how OLD I am! When you get to my age birthday cakes look like this...

Yes, they run out of room on the cake... So what have I learned from the past year? Patience in waiting on God's will for my life to unfold. Evaluating who I am, that what I do is not what makes me, but who I am in God - His child.

So now that my birthday is here, what are the plans? Well, working on air today, then tomorrow after service heading to Medieval Times Dinner Tournament in Toronto! Yes! I have never been! 

Can't wait! God has blessed me with a great family, a full time job this year as well as working at LIFE doing Ask The Pastor Wednesdays at 8 pm, and my Saturday gig 12 - 7 and importing features (shows). Still seeing what God has in store in terms of the ministry as a pastor somewhere. I leave it in God's hands and God's timing.

Embracing fall

So yes, today is the end of summer officially. Fall begins tomorrow! Where did that summer go? Did we really get a summer? That's an answer for another time! So fall starts tomorrow right? How do I embrace the fall? Enjoy what it has to offer! Crisp air and fresh walks, leaf piles, pumpkin everything from tea to coffees, pies, breads, and more! Sure we have to cover up our feet again, but that protects your feet when jumping into leaf piles! We don't have enough leaves around us so I'll have to borrow a neighbour's! 

The changing of the seasons and the colours show that even when nature is in the "dying mode" things can be beautiful, It shows the handiwork of God! So yes while I would love for summer to last forever, I guess I can embrace fall too!

Last week of summer before "normal" sets in

Yes here it is, the last week of summer before the "normal" life kicks in. 

Normal meaning of course, school, extra curricular activities, back to work, church activities and more. It doesn't necessarily mean summer is officially over though. There's still the Labour Day weekend coming up...

Then we have the usual things beginning but the heat could go into October if we're blessed enough. I have seen some trees starting to turn already so we'll see how that works out. The thing is we needn't fear the changing of the seasons or events of life, we're to expect this as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: so we should expect this. The challenge is how do we handle the change? Do we mope about and just keep wishing summer and fun never ended? Or do we take up the challenge and see how we can grow through it? That's what James 1 talks about, to make the best out of even the trials of life, to see how it can help us grow in our walk with God. So if you get the seasonal blues because summer is about to end and the regular routines are about to kick in again, don't worry, cast all your cares on Christ and see how the changes can help you grow.

Robin Mark 2014

What can I say, when I heard Robin Mark was coming to the are again, I just had to go! He has the new album "Liberation Praise" and the place was packed at Hi-Way Church! 

The night had the best songs from his first album Revival in Belfast, then songs from the recent Fly and others. He shared the secret of the story behind Days of Elijah and with his full band made it a night to remember especially when he closed with Lion of Judah and when the pipe player did the interlude in the middle, they did it once, then sped up and did it again, then again with more speed, and a fourth time with MORE speed! Needless to say the fingers were a blur and the amount of breath he used was incredible to pull it off! As a musician, I was impressed! I play piano and tuba and so to see the speed, and accuracy of the pipe player was amazing!

As always, Robin had his humour and inspiring night of music for all.

I first met him years ago at a worship conference in Toronto - the Unite in Worship conference series, then had the opportunity to play WITH him July 1 2010 with the Pinewoods Chapel worship team as we did an outdoor concert which LIFE participated in.

 

4 years later, I still love his music, maybe that's my Scottish heritage coming out in me that likes the Celtic style? But he is also a master at worship. When you leave a Robin Mark concert you have worshiped our God!

Always great, can't wait until next time!