Exploring the Arts and My place in Creation


Exploring the Arts and My place in Creation - - - - - - - - Please visit my art blog at www.digidoodle.me


Wednesday, November 30, 2005

A Heart Warmed by the Fire of Friendship

My heart was warmed by the fire of friendship today.
It always nice to hear from a friend!
We didnt have much time to talk,
but that doesn't really matter.
Just knowing that we are both still here
and there is a wonderful thing!
So we go about our business knowing
that there is at least one more person out there
that we need to be thankful for....so
I join with my friend when I say
"Thank God for friends!"

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Patience...is that all?

Here is an exerpt from a previous blog I wrote
on wanting patience NOW!...........................
"I was recounting the fruits of the spirit and
how that has really blessed me.

Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control, Faithfulness, Gentleness.........but wait a minute....where's Patience. I think God forgot to grant me patience"

So now I'm thinking....Self Control?
Thats another gift God neglected to give me.

So then I got to thinking.
I have many of the gifts...but not all.
Obvious questions or observations arise

1. Do the gifts come as a package deal or are they individually aquired?
2. Can we obtain the gifts or virtues on our own through hard work and practice?.
3. Are any of these gifts more important our rate higher than another?
4. Are any of these gifts or virtues here today, gone tommorrow and back the next day?
5. no more questions...yet (inside joke..because I think in 5's)

So I am going to ammend my prayer.
Lord please grant me patience NOW!
And Lord please also grant me self control
or I'm going to kick my cat
or eat an entire box of chocolates.

....there I go bargaining again!

Friday, November 25, 2005

Come Lord Jesus,Come

While listening to the Old Testament on CD
I am struck by the number of times
a passage reminds me of Jesus.
I find my self saying thngs like
Is that You Jesus?
Come Lord Jesus.
or thankyou Jesus.
Be it prophesy, forthtelling,
foreshadowing, types or likeness
I can see Him from the beginning until the end.

Here a passage I heard this morning.

Job 9
32 "He (God) is not a man like me that I might answer him,
that we might confront each other in court.
33 If only there were someone to arbitrate between us,
to lay his hand upon us both,
34 someone to remove God's rod from me,
so that his terror would frighten me no more.
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him,
but as it now stands with me, I cannot.

Is that You Jesus?
Come Lord Jesus
Thank You Jesus

Thinkin about a Freind

So a Freind of mine had to/has to move this week.
She said that she had till the end of the week.
Not sure if that means today or Saturday.
Moving can be a drag, but it can also be a new chapter.
I pray that everything goes well.
It can be such a stressfull thing.
Its uncertainty that gets me,
and I'm sure there is al lot of that for her.
I guess its all part of the march
so I pray that God will be there with her
and provide comfort and strength and better still,
a place that will help her to continue her journey
as she persues a dream.
Lord please be with your daughter.
Comfort and guide,
Protect and build.
In Jesus name I pray
amen

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

So Maybe I was a little Harsh

I freind of mine was dying to know the names of these 2 worst books. She must be a real sucker for punishment.

Well here it is
1 An Introduction to the Old Testament by Dillard and Longman
2 A Biblical History of Isreal by Provan, Long and Longman

I felt kinda bad after my tyrade and give this all some further thought. It was fun trashing these books but they did serve their purpose.

I am not big on apologetics or understanding historical conflicts that differ from my understanding. I have taken the Word as truth by faith and frankly dont give a rats ass about trying to prove anything.

I am the kind of person who likes practical rather than theoretical. I dont want to sit and talk about stuff. I like to just do it. So the whole time I was reading all this argument, I was thinking about my freinds the crack addicts, my freinds with a broken homes, my freinds without parents, my freinds that are lost without understanding of God.

While its easy for me to scorn the educated or the historical researchers, I guess we owe some gratitude for what they have accomplished. I guess it is important for me to see that there are many differing opinions regarding our God and our history. I guess it is important that a certain group of people have decided to make a life long persuit to put all these descrepencies into a context we can study or try to understand. I guess they stand in the background and serve as a foundation for people who work the streets for the gospel. I guess we all arent scholars. I know I'm not.

So in a sick sense, these books set out to accomplish their task. I have a greater understanding now of their importance in the grand scheme of things. While I would have prefered to look at the Old Testament passages and stories themselves, I guess I need to be thankful for the broader overview on conflict of thought regarding the Old Testament.

So there it is. I swallowed my pride and accept this phase of my teaching as useful and important. Despite my objections with the books, my Prof Mark Boda remains an important teacher to me.

I had the good fortune to meet with my Old Testament Prof from Bible College at a party. These 2 fellows are so different and yet they are so alike. Both men have this passion for the Old Testament that I now consider to be personally uplifting and have served to ignite and retain my love for Gods word.

So there it is... a retraction of sorts

dw

Sunday, November 20, 2005

UnWanted Dead or Alive

Ok so I've finally finished reading my Old Testament Course text requirements.

I have to say, without a doubt, that these were the worst 2 books I ever read! So both of these books definately get the golden raspberry awards. If you ever see either of these books on a book shelf, I would recommend you quickly exit the library. I dont think I'd even recommend going back for youer belongings.

If these books were a color, they would be the color of puke. If they were an emeotion, they would be bordom. If they were a ship they would be sunk. If they were treasures, they should be buried in a place that not even a plumber would find.

I have a vision of hell, whereby Don misses the blessings and gets sent to Hades only to be greated by an old librarian holding 15 copies of each.

If I went to the doc he might say, Don I have good news and bad news.First the bad news....you have one week to live. Now the good news....I'm going to perscribe that you read these 2 books. It will make the one week seem like eternity.......no thanks, I'll just take the death right now. Oh and if you wouldnt mind, death by hot pockers in the eyes sounds more pleasant than another sentence from either of these 2 books.

Since they make such a big deal about plagerism these days, be it known that I will never quote from either of these books as long as I live.

And thats all I have to say about that....I'm gonna go back a read Leviticus again and try and get the pleasure back in my life.

dw

69 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

I was talking to my mom(hero) about new life. We were lamenting the fact that we have a hard time letting go the past. Its like we cling to our dirty laundry and while doing so, deny ourselves the freedom. Jake put it well at EVAC today when he said we turn those old things into idols, that are designed to distract us from God. Jake also said that we could go along way, just by simply forgiving ourselves. Why is it that we can accept the forgiveness from the Master of the Universe, but we cant forgive ourselves? Whats that all about? Why do I do this? Why am I my own judge jury or referee? Holy Cow, if it was up to me it would be...off with their heads......stone them. WOW.....stop it Don.

Anyway I wanted to tell you a neat story mom told me to illustrate.

So.....You've always wanted a 69 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. One day you find one in a barn. Its a mess. Its dirty and full off mouse poop. The windsheild is cracked and it needs a new front quarter panel. The wheels are all flat and it is a mess.

Somehow, you see through the mess and the work and you begin to imagine how great this car will be when you are done. So you get down to work. The job is bigger than you thought, but the dream keeps you going.
You work day and night on that car, sometime foresaking other things.
Your work is intense until one day you see that you've acheived the dream.

The car of your greatest imagination stands before you sparkling and spectacular. There in the room beside are the old broken car parts. The ripped apolstry, the dirty rags, the dented quarter panel and the broken windsheid. All the crap and mouse poop sits in the trash can in the corner.

Well, by this time you are pretty proud of your acheivement, and you want to show off your new car.
and here is where the rubber hits the road...........................

Do you show off the car or the rubbish?
Do you bring your freind directly to the crap and say...look at all this crap
or do you say. Hey lets take this baby for a spin.

Well Jake had fun with RAP today saying
"ya got junk in yur trunk and ya need ta take it to the dump"

Meanwhile, I got a bunch of car parts that I need to take out to the dumpster where it belongs. No I dont own a 69 Chevrolet Camaro convertible....but I wish I did!

dw

I am so RICH!

I am so rich that
1 I woke up beside a super model
2 I noticed that my peanut butter was Kraft Crunchy peanut butter.
3 I have cream and hazelnut flavour for morning bevvies
4 speaking of bevvies, my beer was imported from Ireleand
5 I have croutons for my salad
6 I have 3 cats that lie around and live my dreams for me
7 I have a flatscreen LCD monitor
8 I have 2 ply toilet paper thats as soft as a babies bum
9 I get to chose which guitar I want to play
10 my sock and underwear drawer are over flowing
11 I drink bottled water
12 I own a shirt that I only wear on special occassions
13 I have a new toilet that flushes in seconds and only uses half the water
14 I have 2 vehicles and I bike
15 my children just finished with the braces
16 I have a 12 foot harvest table and hosted a great thanksgiving dinner party and I didnt even have to cook

I am so rich I can hardly stand it
oh ya

17 I have a cell phone that even takes pictures
18 I have a computer in every room in the house
19 I burn wood for the atmosphere, even though I have a furnace
20 I have a pool and a hot tub

Holy cow I am rich. oh ya

22 my mayonaise is Hellmans
23 my cats eat Gourmet cat food
24 my son has T-MAC4's
25 I own about 10 bibles all in different versions
(all but NKJV...a freind of mine just got one and now I need to go get one.....biblegateway just wont cut the mustard anymore)
speaking of mustard.....
21 my mustard is dijon

I am so rich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need to husstle my butt to church this morning and give thanks.
I am so rich that I have a great place to worship, a great pastor to teach me, great mentors to follow, a great family to support me, a great job that feeds me, a wonderful book to guide me and the number one top ten reason I am rich is this.
Jesus loved me so much, that He died for me so that I could truly know the living God.
Am I rich or what?

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Baptism Night

What a great evening! We had 3 people get baptised tonight.
It is always awesome to hear their testamonies and share the moment with them.

One thing I noticed was the reference to the fact that baptism in itself is not a saving act. No baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality.

For many of us who were baptised as children, we struggle at first with the need to have an adult baptism. What I heard tonight was the same thing I went through. There is a desire inside that builds. This is a desire is to be obedient and do it like Jesus did.This builds to the point where its no longer about should I or shouldnt I, but more so, something we want to do.

The congregation was supportive as always. Its such a great night that no one wants to miss it. Also, worship this evening was great. Poeple really came out to Praise and to Worship Gods goodness and grace. Nothing like a great occassion to bring us all together. There was a real spirit of love and fellowship. I am certain that God was with us tonight. His Holy Spirit and grace was abundant for us.

Praise be to God for His provisions for us!

an email from a freind

I got the greatest email present from a freind.
Good news is so.....so......so...good.
I must of read it about 15 times.
I'm so neurotic.
Well maybe not completely neurotic, but pretty close.
Its just nice to wallow in happy news.
Lord knows if I turn on the TV, I'll get bombarded with bad news.
So I'm just going to the best thing and
stay right here and read my email again.
Then and only then will I load up my truck and go to the dump.
Beleive it or not, the dump is another happy place.
Thats the place where I always run into a freind.
Its like a communal meeting place.
Such is life in the rurals
and such is life for Don................riding on cloud nine!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Why I am Great!

I just finished the best sandwich I ever had.
I got to thinking about how great I am,
because I was the one that created such an awesome sandwich.
So this blog is definately all about me and how great I am.
Let me recap the ways.
I went to the German Deli in town and got
2 chicken shnitzels
2 slises of swiss cheese and
2 Foccacia Style buns.
I also purchase a nice link of hot hungarian sausage.
I skillfully drove home and prepared the sandwiches.
I put the buns in the oven for the perfect amount of time.
Not too long and not too short. Just perfect.
I sliced those buns in half with the precision of a surgeon.
To top it off, I put the perfect amount of newly aquired Pesto sauce.
Man am I good! Sometimes I just amaze even my humble self
We sat down, gave thanks and within minutes it was over.
I sat back, thought about how great I am,
and then ran to my computer
so that I could tell you all!

oh ya, Its my day off and I havnt touched a phone,
and I dont think I'm in trouble....yet
dw

Thursday, November 17, 2005

The More Things Change...The More They Stay The Same

Listening to my OT tapes I came across this passage in 2 Kings 17. I was struck by how much things just havent changed. I learned about a wonderful covenant that God made with His people. A covenant is a 2 sided agreement. God said He had plans to bless us and all we had to do was to love him. Seems easy doesnt it. Well? What went wrong? The blessings are still there for each and every one of us, but we remain stiff necked and untrusting. Why is that?

Here, read it for yourself and weep for humanity. So close and yet so far. Father forgive us!

"Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."
14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.


Ok so I read 100's of pages about blessings and curses.
Why didnt they get it? It was spelled out pretty clear.
Why don't we get it now?
Dont answer that question, think about it,
and answer that question in the quietness of your heart.
I cant give you the correct answer because I'm trying to sort this out myself.

Crosslinks and Crosswords

I was surfing the net and checked into my church's home page. I should visit there more often. While there I noticed a link to EVAC people blogs.
I thought, this is cool and clicked on blogs tab.

To my surprise, there was my blog spot.
Holy cow, I was almost panic stricken.
I immediately wondered if I've said something that I shouldn't.

I noticed a disclaimer on the EVAC page which is probably a good thing.
Its funny, I often get the thought that no one reads this stuff.
Its easy just to spill words and thoughts that come into your head without even considering the consequences.

I guess I should have a discalimer too. So here it is: "my opinions dont neccessarily reflect reality or even my own opinion. Course language may be used and names of the innocent might be changed to protect my ignorance"...or something like that.

Do I "govern myself accordingly" knowing that this is all read, or do I let it all hang out and just speak whats on my mind.
Do I care or do I have concern about how people may view me after reading this stuff.
Do I carefully contrive my blogs so that I can create some picture of a guy I wish people to see.
Do I just bare it all like it was a diary.
Do I hide my inadequacies or embellish my acheivements.
Do I paint a rosey picture despite the pain.
Do I share the pain despite the blessings.
Do I let my imagination flow like this was a scrap book of old thoughts.
Do I keep on blabbering, seeing how far I can draw the reader into this melodramatic world of blogging.....or
Do I just go to bed cause its 12:00 am and I gotta work tommorrow.

dw

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

From the Mouths of Babes

Kids from a Catholic elementary school were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. The following statements about the Bible were written by children. They have not been retouched or corrected (i.e. incorrect spelling has been left intact).

1. In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
2. Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.
3. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
4. Lead us not into Penn Station.
5. Samson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.
6. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
7. Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.
8. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments.
9. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
10. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
11. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
12. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
13. David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar, he fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
14. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 30 wives and 700 porcupines.
15. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.
17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
18. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head.
19. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you. He also explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone."
20. It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.
21. One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.
22. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

Wanker Deluxe Part Duex


We did this concert for the Acton Ladies Auxillary at the local Prebyterian Church.
What an awesome concert. CBC did the sound and they had video and everything. The show got fed on the local cable system. They even took a line off the board and made us a CD.
It was such a cool night! We even had people lining up for autographs...can you believe it?
It was another golden moment. Did I say....I love music!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Wanker Deluxe.....the band


Its been a lot of fun playing with Wanker Deluxe.
I've had opportunity to play a lot of cool gigs.
From private parties, to weddings, to concerts.
From backyards to bars to opera houses to churches.
Man its been fun.
We play for fun and fun is what we have.
We laugh so hard we almost piss ourselves.
We play acoustic bluegrass/folk/country.
We enjoy playing songs differently than they were ever intended
For example Freddy Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven
Stink Floyds Dark Side of the Barn
Its fun to play for an audience.
Especially when they are reved up
and looking for a good time.
The energy that permeates a building
with happy people is amazing
music is great.

World vs Don

I posted this blog a week ago. After reading it a few hours later I got freaked and took it off. Well after thinking about it for a while I decided to re post it. It is exerpts from various conversations I've had with the people and with God.

Don: I met a girl on the net
World: oh no. Dont fall in love with her.
Don: I have, but not the way you are thinking
World: What about your wife and family
Don: They know I told them
World: but how could you do that? You have everything you ever wanted. You have a wonderful faithful wife and excellent Children. I thought you were a christian
Don: I am a christian. That is why I love her. Listen to me world. You dont understand the meaning of love. You have been fed lies by the media, by satan and by each other. You think love is sex. Well its NOT!
World: love is sex, love is carnal, love is self fulfilling
Don: Oh world you are wrong. Were you not listening to Jesus
World: Whos He. Is He like Budda or something.
Don: No world. He is the very embodyment of love. God came to us so that we could know love. So that we could know Him.
World: Sounds boring. Well dont get hurt with this so called Love
Don: I cant get hurt because He is with me and I play by the rules.
World: Don people lie. Your little freind on the internet will lie to you and try to take everything away from you. Everything you have worked so hard to acheive.
Don: everything I have was given to me by God. He told me not to covet. He told me to share.
World: ya right. Dont send any money
Don: I have no money to send.
World: You got sucker written on your forehead Don. This will only lead to pain and loss
Don: Pain and loss begins when we dont love each other.
World: you are wierd. You dont belong here
Don: I know. I am waiting for Him to come and take me from here.
World: and give up all the wondereful things? wealth, sex, status, power?Don: what wonderful things. You lie, You cheat, you steal and you do not love each other. If thats what this world is all about then come Lord Jesus and rescue me.
GOD: Don, dont listen to the world. Listen to me. Love my children. and if ya hurt them in any way, I'm gonna tie a millstone around your neck and throw you in the deepest ocean. I will tear you from limb to limb and I will make life a living hell. I will send you back to the place where I rescued you from.
Don: please Lord, NO! I promise I wont hurt your children. I promise I wont hurt your sons and daughters.
GOD: I know Don. I will be your strength and I will be Your guide. I have put in you something special. I have shown you how to love. Now go home and hug your wife and your children. I will bless you and give you so much love that you will need to share it with everyone. Only be very careful to follow the commands I have given you. You have read about me in the Old Testament. Though my love is great, I am holy and I wont tolerate your dis obedience.
Don: I promise Lord. You recued me and brought me from the muck and myre. You breathed Your life into my dry bones. You know every hair on my head. You know my thoughts before they leave my mouth. Oh Lord protect me from this world.
GOD: I will.
Don: thank you God
World: you are an absolute moron. You live in a dream world. You do not belong here.
GOD: dont worry about what they say Don. I came and they rejected me too!
Don: but God, it hurts
GOD: I know it hurts...I cry too
Don: Oh thank you Lord. I promise I wont let You down
GOD: I know Don...now get back to work
Don: yes GOD
Don: oh God?
GOD: yes don
Don: I love you
GOD: then feed my children and go back to work. There is much to accomplish
Don: yes Lord
GOD: Don you dont get the last word. I do! This conversation is over.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Lord please grant me patience....NOW!

OK, so I was thinking about the fruits of the spirit. I was recounting the fact that God has blessed me with His Holy Spirit. I was recounting the fruits of the spirit and how that has really blessed me. Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control, Faithfulness, Gentleness.........but wait a minute....where's Patience. I think God forgot to grant me patience.

I now realize that I dont have patience. I wish I did. I try hard to be patient, but I always fail at it. As I reflect on patience, I understand why it is important. I understnd how it will enrich my life. I know I need patience and I need it NOW! And there I go again!

When I think of all the trouble I have got myself into because of my lack of patience, It makes my head spin. I'm thinking maybe my wife was right. I think now on the fighting and altercations and my mean spirit and it all points to one thing. My lack of patience.

OK, so now that this is out in the open, and now that after 44 years on this earth, I have failled miserably in the patience department, its time for a change. I need to be cool as a cucumber. I need to have and show patience to both my freinds and my enemies.

When I think about how much patience God has shown me and the entire human race, it makes my head spin. Time and again we rebelled and time and again God showed patience. I guess when you are an eternal being, patience must be pretty important. If God didnt have patience, he would have formed the world, created Humans and destroyed us, all in one foul swoop.

So anyways I find myself back at His throne of grace, seeking not only forgiveness, but also a do over.

Jesus, I wish I was more like You. I am faced with my own wickedness and it doesnt feel very good. I know You desire better for me. I know that You wait patiently as I dilly dally around the truth. Lord could you replace my impatience with patience. Could You work on me more. My soul is convicted of my shortfall here. I will work on it. But Lord I pray that You would help me here. PLease put a 5 second delay on all my actions so that I can reconsider what I say and what I do. Lord my humanity hurts and I despartely desire Your cleansing. I want to be like You, but there are things holding me back. PLease forgive me and help me. You are the great physician, able to do more than I could ever imagine. Thank you Lord for Your throne of grace and that you will listen to and comfort even a sinner like me.

amen

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Saturday, November 12, 2005

A First!

Something really really cool happened to me. You are probably gonna laugh when I tell you. But here it goes.

A friend wrote a poem for me! Ya you heard it right...a poem. How cool is that! I know, you are thinking wow Don. Why would you get so excited about that? I'll tell you why. Here I am, 44 years old and never had any body write a poem for me. Its like some kind of imortalization or a grand tribute. I know its just a bunch of words that rhyme, but it means more than that. Its a bunch of words created and compiled from the thoughts and imagination of someone who cared about a situation I was in. Some day I'll have the guts to tell the whole world. Someday, I'll have the guts to even post the poem. I wish I had the guts to share it with you right now...but I dont.

The thing is, this person knows something about me that very few people know. This person dealt with this issue in a most fitting and appropriate way. With words from the heart, they gathered up the pain and the hurt that this issue has caused me, and seemed to make it all right. No they didnt condone or make excuses for my behaviour. They came beside me and with funny and understanding words helped make the pain go away.

I know you are thinking, Don you are a little passionate arnt you. Well I guess. You see the person who wrote this poem has a bunch of stuff of there own they need to deal with. They have their own issues. If any body deserved the poem, it was them.

I got to thinking that it is like one of the fruits of the spirit. A spirit that cries out for someone else, even when they themselves deserve the support. I know, dont read too much into it...it was just a poem. Well to me, it was more than a poem. It was a sign that I'm not alone. Even though I have to do this for myself.....I dont need to do this by myself. Thank you freind. Thank you for caring about me. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for making my day.

God was really pissed at us because we just wouldnt love Him and we wouldnt love each other. Its like every man for himself out there. Every body does as they see fit. When someone shares the burdon of someone else, I beleive God smiles with fondness and says...well done, my good and faithful servant. When we share each others burdons with kindness and humility, we help each other limp our way to the cross. We help each other limp towards a greater likeness of Jesus, a greater likeness of Him.

I will have victory some day. And I can assure you, it wont be on my own strength. For if I have to rely on myself, I'll be back in the pit.

Thank you God, for bringing this person into my life. We all thank you...sinners, tax collectors, weak and wounded alike. We thank You.
I thank you.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Knowing God as Father

I was reading a blog yesterday where a very real point was brought up. How can someone know God as father when there own father was not a good example of Fatherhood. WOW what a great question.
As a father, it brings shame on us, when we dont model Gods intention for fatherhood. When we neglect our fatherly responsibilities, it has long, lasting and far reaching consequences on our children. In a sense, it impares their ability to see God in the way He intended.
so....I dug up a book that ny mom gave me called Knowing God as Father. It is written by Dr. James Robison. A copy of this book can be obtained by contacting Life Outreach International
P.O. Box 4000, Langley B.C. V3A 8J8.

I tryed to scan it into my blog, but it messed up all my formatting. Thats what I get for breaking copyright laws!

Monday, November 07, 2005

"cause I'm so Happy, so very Happy!"

All the music, all the praise, all the Love, all the worship, every great thing that ever happened to me is pouring out of my mind.
"i got joy joy joy deep down in my heart"
where?
"down in my heart"
where?
"down in my heart"
because...."this is the day, this is the day"
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, Yet Gods love shines forever. "can you feel the mountains tremble" they tremble with the awesome knowledge of God!
I feel like I'm driving down this big highway of love.
The wind is blowing in my hair!
The great ruah of God (spelled wrong....breath of God that brings life)
I feel giddy and almost drunk with thanksgiving and joy.
God's daughter is home. The angels are rejoicing.
Yesterday the clouds, the wind, the rain were so ominous.
Today, the sun, uh, the son is shining in my face.
I cant contain my thanksgiving/happiness/joy/peace/gratefulness to God.
Your daughters come home. Quick get the fatted calf.
Bring her the scarlet robe and the jewellery.
You will dress her as a princess. She is a princess cause she's
"His girl. She's an heir to the kingdom, she justified, glorified, by the cleansing of His blood" Shes a princess cause daddy(ABBA) is a KING. The King of the universe! The King who sits on a heavenly throne. No man can mess with Him. He will protect her.

Father thank you for this great day. Thankyou for your awsesome love. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Lord it is such an honor to kneel before Your throne of grace. You alone are God. Father, through this joy would you breath into Hanni your persevering spirit. Would You give her the strength it will take. Would You constantly remind her. If she goes astray Lord, bring her back. If she heads to the street Lord would You lock the door. If she sees a man, may it be a pastor, a priest, a saint or even You lord. Fill Her life Lord with good people. Good examples. Mentors Lord that can stand beside her. Father my tears of joy fall on my keyboard Lord and its all because of You. Praise You magnificent provider! "Praise You in the heavens and on earth. Praise you in the morning, praise you in the evening" Praise You in our hearts, praise you in our minds, praise you in our actions. Oh God, thank You for Your salvation. Precious Jesus You have surely accomplished what You set out to do. You have made it possible for us to truly live!
Glorious hellelujia and amen
- your guy dw

Sunday, November 06, 2005

I still Love my church

What a day! I still love my church.
The message at church today spoke directly to me.
I was a little bummed about missing communion with my friend this morning and guess what. The communion table was prepared at EVAC.
I was grateful to partake today. Jake had "an alter call" for the lack of a better term. I had a lot of baggage to drop at the cross today.
I bawled like a baby today. The elders and Jake prayed with me.
They are family to me. My sister Chris sat beside me and with me. She is such an encouragement and a great Kids ministry gal.
I suspect there were a few people at the cross today as heard someone say we were running out of room.
Any way, as I consider how much I am blessed by my brothers and sisters in Christ, I know that this is a good place for me. My tears and my joys are shared with so many people. These are genuine people who's hearts beat in unison with mine. I feel powered up and ready to face the world again!

Dear God thank you for the support. Thankyou for this congregation. Thank you that you let me be a part of it. Father, thank you that I can leave my burdons at Your cross. Thank you that You are so good at everything You do. Now please go to your daughter Hanni and fix things.
dw

some Bible passages....

Here are some bible passages for self paced study.
You can do them on your own time.
Thank you for coming to church with me.
Looks like I'm just as scarey as the others.
The Word is very powerful.
Who can stand before it?

2 Corinthians 5:17
Phillippians 3:12-21
Isaiah 43:25
John 8:34-38
Psalm 103
Isaiah 1
Prayers of Gods People
1 Acknowlegmnent and confession of our sin and desire for forgiveness
2 Our repentance
3 Seeking assurance

Here is how King David did it. It serves as a wonderful example of how we come before God. You can use this prayer, If you have a hard time putting your words in place. David was a man unto Gods own heart. He was far, far from perfect, yet he knew how to go to God and seek forgiveness. He had a relationship with God and He took great delight in that. Through good times and bad, he talked to God and God guided his path. God forgave David time and again. We know this because we have learned about Gods forgiveness.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Thank you God for your word. Thankyou for the time we have spent together. Father help me to remember You in all I do. Thank you for how You have blessed me, as my knees get dirtier a dirtier. Be with my freind Lord. I think she is upset. In Jesus name I pray.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Welcome to Church Friend

Thank you for attending Church with me today friend.
I know this is a little crazy, but yes we can go to church together, even though we are 1000's of miles apart, seperated by 5 timelines.

Here is a little reading for you in case you arrive before me.
Church begins 6:00 am Don time and 11:00am your time.

My mother read me this chorus from a song called
AND GOD RAN
It is based on the parable of the lost son.

The only time I ever saw Him run
Was when He ran to me
Took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest
Said,"My sons come home again."Lifted my face,
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice
He said, "SON, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise
He brought me to my knees - when God ran.


Did ya ever think about god like this?
This chorus gives us a glimpse of Gods heart for the lost and the repentant.
This chorus captures a small piece of the joy that God has when we return to him. We can see this joy in the following passages from Luke 15

PLease read.............Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Lost Son

11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[b]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

So this is where I'd like us to begin. If we could begin in the knowledge that God wants us to return. If we could truly know that God waits for us with open arms, then running to Him would not be difficult. Also, by knowing His desire for us to return to Him, we need not fear, but come to Him in confidence that He will accept us back and will hear our plea for forgiveness. This should bring great joy to your heart. It is at this point that the celebration begins.

Opening Prayer

Worship and Praise through Music
( listen to tunes that help us to peacefully reflect on Gods goodness)

Scripture Reading

Lets Talk Forgiveness
1 Acknowledgement
2 Confession
3 Repentence
4 Acceptance and Assurance

Prayers of Gods People
1 Acknowlegmnent and confession of our sin and desire for forgiveness
2 Our repentance
3 Seeking assurance

Communion
Scripture Reading about communion
1 the juice and the blood
2 the bread and the body

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Prayer

Worship Music

Final Prayers and Benediction

Hanni, thank you for joining me for church today.
My prayers remain with you as you face this uncertainty.
You will not face it alone.


Whats the shortest sentence in the Bible?

Whats the shortest sentence in the Bible?
John 11:35 says simply
"Jesus Wept"

I was talking with a freind today and made the claim that God cried for us.
She called me on that statement. She challenged me to find in the bible where God actually cries. I was gripped with wonder. I thought maybe for a moment I was projecting my wish and desire that God would care for us to the point of tears. You see, I made the claim that God was crying for her.
I am grateful that she knew that my statement needed to be qualified by the Holy Bible. Because of my inability to quote scripture and verse, I decided I had better sort this out. So I stood prepared to explain myself using Biblical proof, or, be prepared to appologize for not telling the truth.

So the first passage to look at is this passage in John 11:35

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews
who had come along with her also weeping,
he was deeply moved in the spirit and troubled.
34 Where have you laid him? he asked.
Come and see, Lord, they replied
35 Jesus wept

What strikes me about this passage is that Jesus brought Lazerus back to life. If Jesus was God and had the power to reverse death, why would he spend the time and weep with us? Ponder that.

Here was another instance
Luke 19:44
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept over it. Jesus knew what was going to happen and he wept for His people. He wept because the people were blinded and could not see. Jesus wept because they would not accept and recognize that God was with them. He wept because he knew the horrible consequences.

Weeping was not only an act of Christ.
In this prophetic staement in Isaiah 22:4 we see Gods weeping and anguish with the knowledge that his people would have to be destroyed.

4 Therefore I said, "Turn away from me:let me weep bitterly.
Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people."

OK so this is a tough one. Here we have God who is prepared to destroy His people for their wickedness and unbeleif. For their idolatry and their breaking of the covenent. So He plans to punish His people. Big, strong powerful. Just, wrathful vengefull. Strict punishment. WOW. So why the tears. Not only tears, but bitter tears. Bitter tears are even worse. God cried for what He was about to do.b He cried for what He had to do.

My mother related a story to me about my Grand Father. She recalls when he had to discipline my dad or uncle. She tells me that grampa would disappear into his room. He would pray and cry and agonize over the judgement that he had to proclaim. He would wipe the tears from his eyes, and rise from his "throne" and with sadness in his heart, pass judgement.

This picture is etched in my mind as a living example of the heart of God.
Gods judgement is just and true, but dont think for a moment that it is without pain, tears and mourning.

Theres Always Something to Sing About!


Theres Always Something to Sing About!
Blues artist sing about pain and sorrow,
Country Musicians sing about cheatin and ridin in Pickup trucks,
Gospel singers sing about how great our God is,
Rap singers talk, Yodlers yodle,
Banjo Players pick and grin,
Trumpet players trunpet and drum players drum.
Bag pipe players squeeze the cat
While accordian players do the chicken song.
Music...what a wonderful gift
because there is Always Something to Sing About!

Friday, November 04, 2005

My Hero, My Reward and My Strength

My Hero, My Reward and My Strength.
My Mentor, My Protege, My Friend.
My Past, My Future, My Present.
My Matriarch, My Prodigy, My Partner.
My Mom, My Daughter and My Wife,
Thank You God for this life.

Typing in Tongues

iksrhjf'qkejg L po
kwkgfr
hey look at me
nlqhd'lq `0 op;3qpkr r
w ka;ljfg
I'm typing in tongues!

Help me to pray please

I have a freind thats in trouble. My prayers appear to be just blowing in the wind. Its like I pray and the evil north wind comes and blows it all away. I know that God hears my prayers before they even leave my mouth, before they even leave my mind, but my hunanity fears otherwise. But its not about me and my worries or me and my prayers.
So what makes me think that my prayers are even relevent here. Why, because He told us. Jesus told me that if I prayed in His name, then the father would hear. I suppose God is working through things even though I dont see the results immediately.

I live in the here and the now. When I pray I want answers now. Its like I have no patience for time. I guess I fail to recognize that I'm living in Gods time, not my own. Here I go again with the ME thing.

PLease pray for my friend Grace. Please include her in your daily prayer. Even take a moment now if you wouldnt mind and call out to God. You may not know her or the trouble shes in. Trust me when I ask you to call out to God that He might reign Lord and Saviour in Graces life.
PLease pray that His loving kindness will lead to a real change.

I am struck by how sin in this world reverberates through our society like waves of tsunami's. The sin of one man Adam has caused an ebb and flow of trouble for us all. Our wickedness for not following Gods plan has certainly made a mess of things. That garden fiasco was like us all taking hot pokers and jabbing then in our eyes.

We read in Romans how we can trade the sin of one man Adam for the life that can be found in Jesus Christ. The only problem is that its hard for us to see with hot pokers jabbed in our eyes.

Dear God. Please be there for your daughter Grace in her time of struggle. PLease show her Lord, your presence. Lord when she closes her eyes, would You be there. Would You hold her in Your big strong arms and help her to see You and Your desire. Father help Grace to have a dream. Help Grace to make a plan. Lord with baby steps we march to You. Sometimes we got lost on the way. Lord give her a roadmap in her heart that she can follow. Be with her and encourage her by your very presence. Put a new song in her heart Lord. A song like we sing to you.

Her heart and flesh cries out,
to You the living God,
Your spirit's water for her soul.
She's tasted and She's seen,
Come once again to her,
I will bow down to You
She will bow down to You
We will bow down to You Lord,
to You, to You

amen

Thursday, November 03, 2005

How?

How could a day start off so great and end up in the crapper?
I got so much stuff to do I dont know whether to crap or go blind.
I think I'm gonna have to play hooky on a meeting tonight
and sit in my hot tub. Dont tell anyone.
I just dont feel social any more.
Have Ya ever felt that way.
I feel like gettin drunk, getting in a fight and waking up in the tank.
Well maybe I'll have some koolaid, kiss my wife and go to bed instead.
See ya tommorrow.
I just know it'll be a brand new day
dw

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Pitfalls and Traps

Pitfalls, and Traps

There was once a guy that fell into a pit. The pit was OK for a while, but he decided he wanted out. He called and called but it seems the others in the pit didn’t want him to leave, and there didn’t seem to be anyone who heard his cries for help. So he waited.

One day a guy by the name of Emmanuel came by and offered to pull the guy out of the pit. It was a struggle, but eventually the guy found his freedom. Emmanuel offered to go to church with him and to help him. So the next day, the guy headed to church, using the only route he knew. I guess he forgot about the pit and he fell in again. This time he knew who to call to. He said Emmanuel, please help me, I’ve fallen in the pit again. So Emmanuel came and pulled him out. Emmanuel said, ya gotta stop falling in the pit.
The guy said, I know, I feel so stupid because I knew the pit was there, its just that I forgot, and before I knew it I was back in the hole. Emmanuel said that’s OK. Here is a roadmap. It will help you find a new route.

So the guy was quite excited that he had been saved again and that he now had a road map. He took a look at the road map and it seemed so confusing. He knew the old way, but that usually resulted in falling in the stupid pit. So he got wise. He said, I’m gonna take my old route, only this time as I go near the pit, I will walk around it. Well he did that, only as he got near the pit he could hear his old friends crying out for help. So he went to the pit to help. He reached down to help his friend, only his friend’s weight pulled him back in the pit.

Embarrassed by the situation, he began to call for Emmanuel again. Sure enough Emmanuel came to him and helped him out of the pit yet again. Emmanuel said, Buddy, why do you keep falling in the pit. You know you don’t like it in the pit. The guy said Emmanuel, I’ve fallen in the pit so many times I feel like I belong there. Every time I go to see you, somehow I end up here. Emmanuel said “but I even gave you a roadmap” The guy said, I know, I feel so stupid. Its just that I couldn’t understand the map. Emmanuel said the next time you try to read the map, give me a call. I know that map inside out. I can help you.

So the next day the man got up out of bed, called on Emmanuel and Emmanuel came. Emmanuel said lets walk together. I’ll show you how. You have fallen so many times in the pit, I just need to show you the other way. So Emmanuel showed him a new way. The guy was thrilled and really enjoyed the freedom.

They now go to church and sup together. They are best friends. Its been many years now since the guy fell in the pit and the guy just knows that he should never take his old route again.

dw