This is an exerpt from my brothers blogspot http://actofkindness.blogspot.com/ article January 17 “…a little distracted”. Its about my moms house and a little ordeal that my family is dealing with in Norwood. John tells the story better……..
Two days ago, on a freezing cold night, a 10 inch high-pressure water main broke, and rather then the water surfacing , it blew through the basement wall... with in about 4 minutes the basement was full to the top.... oil tank, hot water tank ... everything was riped from their moorings, that along with a couple paint cans and paint thinner has created a toxic soup that was forced through every crack and whole it could find..... even the electrical panel was completely submerged.... then as it was all pumped down every thing froze and caused more cracks and damage.
The hazard waste pumper trucks have just left, the power has been restored, and there are a team of inspectors and environmentalists there trying to decide the fate of the house... the foundation is compromised, the ground floors need to be hauled up and replaced, and the structural engineers are trying to determine whether the house can stand the necessary work.... The basement had a dirt floor, and now has at least a foot of contaminated soil in it. The inspectors asked where did they pump the first 4 feet of water... they then looked out into the yard that had been submerged.... Out came the camera's for more photos....
I missed the first part of the excitement as I was at the PI office at the time. My sister helped Mom pack her cat , parrot and bearded Dragon , along with her her Bible and work books that she uses to teach anger management.
Life can throw some strange curve balls at you.....I guess we just need to trust that God will remain true to his word when he says he will take every evil thing that has been sent to harm us and turn it around for his glory.... God this would be a good time to let your glory shine....
JW
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
....ever wondered
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Greetings From Germany
We got this Christmas card from family in Germany. I thought I'd share it because it made me smile. Thx!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Fun with Youtube
My band posted on youtube for the first time. It was fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf-rOgDPVvQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf-rOgDPVvQ
Sunday, January 04, 2009
What I Like about my Church
I really like the church I go to. I like the people and I like the leadership. I feel blessed to have known each and every person on the leadership team and in congregation. I like the direction we are heading. I like the acceptance that is practiced. Pastor Richard told us today that this is no bait and switch. This is the real deal. We are to form true relationships with all people, and most especially those who are in need. These relationships we develop with people that we would otherwise not associate with MUST be genuine. We are to throw away preconceived ideas and simply reach to those who are in need. This is to be done from the heart as a natural response, not as a show, but as a genuine reaction because we understan that very little seperates us.
We have a growing attendance of " Them". oh boy, first time I said "people like you" to my good friend Brenda, she called me on it...bless her heart. She made me stop and think about that word. That seperation that exists between...shall I say haves or have nots, or maybe those with homes and those without, or those with addictions and those without. Whatever the circumstance, we find ourselves lining up in our comfort zones and we divide each other. Lets face it...it can be awkward. People can be so differant. Yet when you associate or take interest in "needy people" ...doh...help me find a $&*%# correct word.....You find that they have value. The sum of ALL seems to be brought up when the least is cared for. I'm kinda wandering a bit because I am uncomfortable about the labels I am placing on the less advantaged people in our congregation. I am proud that they are accepted in our fellowship. I am proud that they are welcome. I am pleased that they are able to get up in the middle of a sermon to go for a quick smoke. I am pleased that no one looks down on them or passes judgement. We know in our hearts that some day they WILL be able to sit through an entire service without needed to go for a smoke. That will be on Gods time, not ours. I am pleased that that we have a light atmosphere with tables and gourmet coffee. I am really happy that a growing number of recovering people are attending our church and asking about God and wanting healing, deliverance, acceptance, growth, freindship.
I am so pleased that we continue to grow in numbers. Our numbers are growing with people genuinely seeking. People who knew God at one time but somehow got lost, people who know in their heart that our mighty God is worthy of the journey, people who have known God for a short time and people who have known God for a long time. All walks of life, poor, rich, middle, single, married, families. HHMM. We dont have many older people. That is a shame. We would benefit from elder people. They do however, have a number of churches in town that they attend. We are perhaps a little irreverrent or untraditional in our approach.. Oh and our music is maybe a little loud.
I love our Praise team! We have a bunch of really fine musicians. Today I led. The Theme of the day was Hot Seat Sunday. People have been submitting questions about our faith and our Pastor answers the questions. This was the second week and we have one more hot seat next sunday. I logged onto the CCLI website to pick the songs and there on the front page was CCLI Top 10 Worship somgs. So I picked the top 7. We had acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums and a vocalist. We rocked. The electric guitar player knows how to make that instrument sing! I love high energy worship! I know its perhaps irreverent to suggest that we "rocked" but the reality is, each and every one of us loves to worship in this way. We love to worship with everything we got. We love to express our love for God through music, using the talents He gave us. I guess it comes down to cultural or traditional values.
A large number of teens come on there own. I know that many have parents who attend some of the other churches in town. I know some felt led here with no prior church experience. I know that they seem to bring a lot of freinds. I am pleased that our atmosphere allowsfor these teens to experience worship without judgement. Piercings, tattoos, wild hair colours, intersting fashion statements.....they all add to the wonderful mosiac of us God followers. What a wonderful kalidascope of people. Kids are smart. We value kids. We hired a youth Pastor as soon as we could. He is admired by all the youth in town regardless of spiritual beleif. He is engaging them and they are talking. Its cool.
I love my church because we celebrate communion every sunday. Our communion is self serve and open to all who beleive. Its between you and God so we dont pass judgement on anyone who does or does not partake. I especially love that after service, the kids pour out of the program and straight to the communion plate for fresh bread. I love it that they are not scolded for this.
I love my church because I beleive that this is the place He has called me to worship Him. He said in His word that there would come a time when we would worship, not here or there, but in the spirit and in truth.
Today our numbers were over 100. Our meeting place is still under construction. Only half the buiding is usable and we are meeting amidst dry wall and 2x6's. We finally have one working toilet after several weeks of a very cold "johny on the spot" outhouse.
New people continue to come. I love meeting new poeple. I love to welcome people. I love to have coffee and converse with them. Oh and now when I say "them" I mean everyone! Them is becoming an inclusive word and I have found that I am one of "them"
We have a growing attendance of " Them". oh boy, first time I said "people like you" to my good friend Brenda, she called me on it...bless her heart. She made me stop and think about that word. That seperation that exists between...shall I say haves or have nots, or maybe those with homes and those without, or those with addictions and those without. Whatever the circumstance, we find ourselves lining up in our comfort zones and we divide each other. Lets face it...it can be awkward. People can be so differant. Yet when you associate or take interest in "needy people" ...doh...help me find a $&*%# correct word.....You find that they have value. The sum of ALL seems to be brought up when the least is cared for. I'm kinda wandering a bit because I am uncomfortable about the labels I am placing on the less advantaged people in our congregation. I am proud that they are accepted in our fellowship. I am proud that they are welcome. I am pleased that they are able to get up in the middle of a sermon to go for a quick smoke. I am pleased that no one looks down on them or passes judgement. We know in our hearts that some day they WILL be able to sit through an entire service without needed to go for a smoke. That will be on Gods time, not ours. I am pleased that that we have a light atmosphere with tables and gourmet coffee. I am really happy that a growing number of recovering people are attending our church and asking about God and wanting healing, deliverance, acceptance, growth, freindship.
I am so pleased that we continue to grow in numbers. Our numbers are growing with people genuinely seeking. People who knew God at one time but somehow got lost, people who know in their heart that our mighty God is worthy of the journey, people who have known God for a short time and people who have known God for a long time. All walks of life, poor, rich, middle, single, married, families. HHMM. We dont have many older people. That is a shame. We would benefit from elder people. They do however, have a number of churches in town that they attend. We are perhaps a little irreverrent or untraditional in our approach.. Oh and our music is maybe a little loud.
I love our Praise team! We have a bunch of really fine musicians. Today I led. The Theme of the day was Hot Seat Sunday. People have been submitting questions about our faith and our Pastor answers the questions. This was the second week and we have one more hot seat next sunday. I logged onto the CCLI website to pick the songs and there on the front page was CCLI Top 10 Worship somgs. So I picked the top 7. We had acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums and a vocalist. We rocked. The electric guitar player knows how to make that instrument sing! I love high energy worship! I know its perhaps irreverent to suggest that we "rocked" but the reality is, each and every one of us loves to worship in this way. We love to worship with everything we got. We love to express our love for God through music, using the talents He gave us. I guess it comes down to cultural or traditional values.
A large number of teens come on there own. I know that many have parents who attend some of the other churches in town. I know some felt led here with no prior church experience. I know that they seem to bring a lot of freinds. I am pleased that our atmosphere allowsfor these teens to experience worship without judgement. Piercings, tattoos, wild hair colours, intersting fashion statements.....they all add to the wonderful mosiac of us God followers. What a wonderful kalidascope of people. Kids are smart. We value kids. We hired a youth Pastor as soon as we could. He is admired by all the youth in town regardless of spiritual beleif. He is engaging them and they are talking. Its cool.
I love my church because we celebrate communion every sunday. Our communion is self serve and open to all who beleive. Its between you and God so we dont pass judgement on anyone who does or does not partake. I especially love that after service, the kids pour out of the program and straight to the communion plate for fresh bread. I love it that they are not scolded for this.
I love my church because I beleive that this is the place He has called me to worship Him. He said in His word that there would come a time when we would worship, not here or there, but in the spirit and in truth.
Today our numbers were over 100. Our meeting place is still under construction. Only half the buiding is usable and we are meeting amidst dry wall and 2x6's. We finally have one working toilet after several weeks of a very cold "johny on the spot" outhouse.
New people continue to come. I love meeting new poeple. I love to welcome people. I love to have coffee and converse with them. Oh and now when I say "them" I mean everyone! Them is becoming an inclusive word and I have found that I am one of "them"
Friday, January 02, 2009
Rolling the Dice
MLS listing
Google Map of Property
Google Map of Property
A River Runs Through It!
Humble Home 
This is a place I have been looking at near River Valley. It has come up for sale for the second time in a few years. The current owners cant afford to keep a second property and are selling. This place has everything I have been looking for. Sue told me to go and buy it BUT that she still wanted to stay in Erin for a while. UNfortunately, given the times, I am too afraid to own 2 places. I have chosen instead to roll the dice. If it sells, I lose and if it doesn't then I win. It has been for sale for several months now. I am praying that it will still be available late winter/early spring.
This place has almost a mile of river frontage, as the river flows in and out of the property and ownership is both sides in many spots. There are two sandy beaches and a small creek flowing through the property as well. There is mixed bush with trails throughout. I camped on the property a couple of years ago. It is a playground for sure. 153 acres!
Happy New Year!!!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
I wanted to take a moment and wish all my friends and acquaintances a very happy New Year. I really mean it!
2009 will prove to be a very intersting year in my life. There will be some very significant changes this year in the life of my family. I continue to pray for patience and selfcontrol....two virtues that have eluded me......
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
I wanted to take a moment and wish all my friends and acquaintances a very happy New Year. I really mean it!
2009 will prove to be a very intersting year in my life. There will be some very significant changes this year in the life of my family. I continue to pray for patience and selfcontrol....two virtues that have eluded me......