Straight, But Not Narrow!

Today is July 1st, the annual celebration of our nation's birth some 141 years ago to this day. Not too much is happening at work today. Usually on a day like today I can sit here and patiently watch as vehicles drive by, waiting for the clock to show 5:30. However, being that it is Canada day, there are very few cars driving by, and even fewer phone calls of some person looking for a convertible or a Hummer to entertain me. It's weird, you would think on a day like today, that some work would to do would be nice, but really, I don't actually want any work to do right now. I would rather sit here and let time pass by, being entertained by my own thoughts and sending text messages to my Fiancée. Is that bad?

On that note, It's actually Jessica and I's 4 month anniversary today! We've been together for four whole months! Four months! Time passes by pretty quickly and soon, before you know it, the kids will be graduating High School, and off to college. Gosh, when I think about that type of lifestyle, my guts turn inside out. Not that having a family is a bad thing, but being stuck in a giant rut of complacency is.

Over this past weekend, it was nice for Jess and I to escape St. Catharines for a night and go to Toronto to stay with my brother and celebrate Gay Pride together. It's nice that we (as believers) aren't so high strung with legalism, that we can just be there to love people and not be a part of the Christians who are protesting. You would never see Jesus holding up a sign saying "God hates fags" or something similar. Never in the New Testament do you see Jesus acting in such a way that contradicts his very own heart for the lost. Instead, He loves all people, only desiring a relationship with them, and wanting all people to recieve His love. It amazes me to find some Christians who are directly opposing the very God they worship by acting in such a way. I'm not perfect either, but I do have enough sense to know that God's heart is for all people, otherwise I myself would not be saved. Jess and I were mostly at the Gay Pride celebration to be with my brother, which didn't give us much opportunity to talk to people, but we managed to talk to a few. It's funny, the people that we talked to weren't even bothered by the protesting Christians, but on the contrary, they were actually entertained by it... And wouldn't you?

Just think, someone has nothing better to do, but than to be present at a celebration, and being far outnumbered, they wish for their small, insignificant voice to be heard in the masses of what looked like thousands upon thousands of people (who don't even really care anyway). Upon pondering that, I think it's actually quite entertaining too. That's why I'm so glad that Jesus actually allows us to be real people (not that we have any reason to think otherwise), so we can have an impact on society and give them something that, deep down inside, are thirsting for. I'm so glad that Jesus doesn't want us to live a complacent lifestyle and that we, being mandated with a purpose, are priveledged to proclaim the Kingdom of God into the lives of people who are desperately searching for it, but don't know where to find it. Rules never changed anyone's heart, and they never will. What changes people is the heartbeat of God.

Until next time, ta ta...

The Father's Blessing.

As most of you know, Jessica and I were in our second and final year of Celebration Bible College, and so the story goes...

It was Thursday of last week (April 24th), when Jessica and I headed to Pearson Airport to pick up my parents. As we were informed that my parents' flight had just landed, I felt a very firm grip on my hand and as time passed, the grip proceeded to my arm. I could almost feel Jessica's own teeth clamping and her jaw flexing as there off in the distance stood my parents, which Jess was about to meet for the first time. Waves of nervousness passed through her as she realized what the very thing we had been excited for for weeks was about to happen. So to make a long story short, we greeted my parents with armth and we proceeded to have dinner at Montana's. My parents warmed up to Jessica very quickly and we then proceeded back to St. Kitts.

The following day I was granted the priveledge of hosting Mr. John Brown (Jessica's father) at mine own dwelling for two nights. I wanted him to stay over for two reasons 1) to simply provide a blessing and 2) I wanted to make sure I had the opportunity for "the talk" (call it a hidden agenda, or ulterior motives if you will, but Mr. Brown knew it all along :) ). So it was, on Grad Banquet Eve., that as Jessica had her own reasons to be nervous, so had I mine. However my nerves were calmed by confidence in who I was (-disclaimer-in Christ), and knowing that Jessica and I would make a good couple, serving God together by teaming together, selling out for the Gospel. At the end of the night I was straight to the point, I wanted Jess' Dad's approval (or whatever you want to cal it). To be honest I was a little nervous when he told me he would pray about it, but I was glad nonetheless; no man should give his daughter's hand in marriage so hastly.

The next day John and I took a road trip to Toronto, and on the way back he gave me open opportunity to pour out my heart for Jessica and convince him what makes me good for his daughter. So I went on and on, not really in a pleading my case way but just in an excited kind of way. I find that, when it comes to Jessica, there is much to say (in a good way!), so I was a chatter box for at least a good 20 or 30 minutes. As I was explaining to John how Jess and I are both complete in the Holy Spirit, I was suddenly interrupted by his hand on my shoulder and him telling me that I had it... He needed to hear that we don't depend on eachother to fill a void, but that we are both two complete people in Jesus. To be honest it felt a little strange, I was thinking "should I just say thank you or do I keep going?" But overall I was honoured and still am honoured. We had a good time in the Holy Ghost for a few minutes right there in the van as we could both feel the presence of God and an overwhelming peace about the whole situation.

So there it was, I was given the father's blessing. Now, I was originally going to wait until Jessica's birthday to propose, but honestly, I was too excited and anxious... I couldn't wait! I had the ring, I had the peace of God, and her father's blessing... so I at least waited until our two month anniversary (May 1st). It was that night after a home cooked meal and in the candlelight that I first told her to close her eyes so I could suprise her with this beetle necklace (it's really cool!). I know we had told eachother that we weren't going to get eachother little gifts like that, and not get so carried away in materialism, but I couldn't just tell her to close her eyes, she would know in a second what I was doing, and it wouldn't be a surprise! So after I gave her the necklace (which was my little scheme to keep the proposal a surprise... now whether it worked or not I don't really know), I told her to close her eyes once again and in that time I knelt down quietly and pulled the bulky ring box out of my pocket and opened it up just as I told her to open her eyes. You should've seen the look in her eyes, I think she was a little surprised (which is good), and after I asked the question she answered me softly. It was a beautiful moment... one that I will remember for the rest of my life.

So there it is, the story of how Jessica and I are engaged. I hope you enjoyed the story :P. We're both still excited, anxious to continue our lives in ministry as one. The thought of advancing the Kingdom with Jessica just thrills me. None of this would ever be possible without Jesus. At the end of the day, He's the one who gets credit for every good thing in my life. Without Jesus, I would not be satisfied, because in Him is our joy, our peace, and our satisfaction. It wouldn't be a joy for me to pursue Jessica if I wasn't pursuing Jesus first. My relationship with Jessica would not be at all possible if it weren't for Jesus. In Him we have everything. As Paul quotes an ancient greek poet in Acts 17:28, In Him we live, and move, and have our being. There's no true joy in life apart from knowing Him and knowing His heart. God is always wanting for us to draw near to Him, to just come to Him without any agenda but just to come to Him so he can serenade us, and so He can pour out His love on us. Like I say, there's no joy in life apart from knowing Jesus.

Anyway... Hope you all enjoyed!

Instructions for Coping With Boredom

I kinda hope that it does rain tomorrow (Sunday, Apr 20th). There's supposed to be a car wash at NCC after the service, but I would honestly much rather go and have church with my fellow brothers and sisters at SSM... I miss them. As I saw one of those pop can poppers today as I was cleaning, and I thought about one of our bro's who collects them (I should probably go back there and pick it up so I can give it to him)

Anyway, not much else is new, Jessica and I are graduating soon, which means we're off to Korea soon, but not soon enough it seems. I'm definately going to miss a lot of people here, including some special people at SSM. But, the best is to be made with the time we have left. Amen????!!!!!! (emphasis added)

Evangelism 102

In 1980 a young man from Rwanda was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the following commitment which was found in his room:

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made- I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving & dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.”

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I wonder what us North Americans (who have suffered no persecution) would do if we were held by gunpoint, them demanding our renuncitation of Christ. Would we be bold enough to get shot and martyred for His sake? Your comments are welcome...