An Early Greeting

I know this is a day early but HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!

My Past Weekend

I just spent the weekend with my family and had a very good time. It was nice to see my sister and her husband again as well as everyone else. It was also a great meal that we had.The only problem I had with it was it went by to fast as it always does. I also went to a Presbyterian church on Sunday and meet a nice man who introduced me to other members of the congregation. He is originally from indonesia and I got to talk to him for a while.I also got to stay for lunch and had a good time. I almost felt bad that I had to leave to return home but it was a great experience.

A Year Older

Today I turn the age of 34 and while not exactly old I'm not amazed how fast that time goes by. I guess this quote is true.
"Life goes by very fast and if you don't stop and look around once in a while you will miss it"
Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Heatwave Coming

Just looking forward to the heatwave coming our way next week as the weather is very sunny here. Also, looking at another weekend of work.

Finshing Well

I did a message last Sunday on this topic and it got me thinking now easy it is to start in the faith but is much more difficult to continue in it. Like the parable of the sower Matthew 13:1-9 many receive the seed which represents the word of God but it either takes no root or if it does take root it withers up and dies quickly. Only a few of these seeds take solid root and grow into healthy plant life just as a small amount of believers grow into productive and faithful servants right to the end. People get sidetracked into the cares of this world,liberal theology or just neglect Bible reading and prayer and fall by the wayside. It is said that less than 1% of people who commit their lives to the Lord at a Billy Graham crusade become committed Christians for life. It makes wonder has the church failed in it's teaching or has a secular world blind many from the truth and have stirred others in the wrong direction.
There is the story of John Stephen Aquara a marthon runner from Tanzania who was injured in running a race in the 1968 Summer Olympics. Despite, he injuries which left him barely able to walk let alone run he continued in spite of having on chance to win. When asked why he continued he said" My country sent me here not to start the race but to finish it".
Are we here to start the race or finish it.

Killing Time

Not a whole lot going on except summer is finally here at least today and I'm just killing time between shifts. I would like to work closer to home but right now it is good as I find on this library computer that I can focus more than I would at home. Anyways, I promise my next blog will be more exciting.

Busy,Busy,Busy

The title says all as I am doing a shift today and working at the factory tonight. Then I go to my in-laws for a Birthday bash for my nephew and father-in-law. I will be staying the weekend there and then I will be preaching Sunday night. At least I get a few days off and it may not seem like a lot but time doesn't seem to be an ally of mine.

Waiting For Summer

There is nothing new going on except that I am home today after having worked the weekend looking at the gray (or is it grey) weather outside. I am anxiously for summer to arrive and the weather that comes with it.

My Return To Blogville

I'm back. Part of reason I haven't posted in so long is that I have had minimal access to the interest until now as I haven't had Internet at home for a long time. I have also moved twice in the last six months. So things have been chaotic lately but now that I am settled in I hope to finally post here more often.

Keeping Busy

I have been busy lately between work, the wedding and the move. I was hoping to blog more often but things haven't gone as planned on the blog front. At least I have been able to keep people posted for the most part. 4 more days to go.

Happy Canada Day

Just wishing all you out there HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

Update

What is the latest? Well I'm less than a month away from a trip down the altar. I have also picked up a new contract at work so I will be working full time for Christian Horizons for the summer. The contract will give me 41 hours a week for July and August and most with it being a floater I will be mostly working days and will be working every Thursday and Friday. With my upcoming marriage I will be moving as well. Mercifully it will only be 15 minutes away from where I'm living now. Also, I am enjoying the summer although I would like the rain to stop and to see the sun more often. Anyways, I will be quite busy and hopefully I can post more frequently.

Birthday Blog

A happy birthday to me. I'm once again a year older and hopefully a year wiser. At least I have the day off today.

Great Weekend

My parents came up for the weekend and got to see Muskoka in all it's beauty. They got a very good look at Huntsville and the surronding area. It also didn't hurt that the weather was great. I now get to visit my future-in-laws and it should be a great time as the weather is nice and I'm in a great mood.

My Return

I'm back and it looks like I may have more time to actually post these days. Anyways, I am patiently (and nervously) awaiting the big day. In the meantime I hope to return to posting regularly.

A Brief Gripe

Been enjoying my day off but I am not enjying the snow outside even if it is wet snow. At least spring is around the corner and this white stuff will finally go away.

Happy St.Pat's Day

To you all out There HAPPY ST.PATRICK"S DAY!!!!

My Vow To Post

It looks like I will have more free time on my hands in the next couple weeks so I hope to post more often here in that time.

Just Some Things

There's not much going on right now but we are encountering some weird weather as it is raining up here in the north in Feburary. I also have been busy with my course and with my upcoming wedding. I just wish winter would end already as I am getting cabin fever and I notice many around me are getting the same way. Anyways, I get tomorrow off the new Family Day holiday which I would have had off anyways as I usually have Monday's off. Anyways, I will enjoy myself tomorrow and hopefully have some more to keep this blog going.

PEACE

A little poem from Max Lucado:

PEACE

When you wonder if there will ever be another peaceful day for you,
open your heart to the God of peace and to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
They will envelop you in a peace that trandscends understanding.

Time Files

Hard to believe in about six months I will be a married man. It seems like only yesterday that I got engaged. Also, is it just me or has this winter flown by so far.

Finally

I know it has been a while since I have been here. Anyways, my holiday season went well although I had to work a lot during that time (even Christmas day). I also been keep busy with my courses and with the big day around the corner I have been getting ready for that as well. Also, I got enjoy the brief thaw we had as it looks like winter is back somewhat. At least I have been able to keep busy which is important.

A Brief Message

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE OUT THERE!!!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have had quite the week as I look to put in close to a 60 hour work week and I have also been working on my course. Also, I have been doing my Christmas shopping. Amazingly I have not had to pass out from exhaustion yet ( HEE HEE).

Just A Lot Of Snow

Other than the pile of snow we have gotten here over the past week there is nothing really new to report. This is why I have not been writing very often here.

A Christmas Tale

Here is something my fiancee sent me.

>> An early Christmas tale.... In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone.The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries. Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either. nothing about it I scrubbed the kids until they looked brandnew and then put on my best homemade dress, loadedthem into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck.The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince who ever wouldlisten that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job.Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in t hat had been converted to a truck stop.It was called the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11at night until seven in the morning.She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could startthat night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for findingMommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel. When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar ofmy tip money-- fully half of what I averaged everynight. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistenc of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? Iwondered. I made a deal with the local service station.In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office.I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires. I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started prepairing for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon theywould be too far gone to repair. On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine.The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up. When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door,crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans,sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes.There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes.There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, piefilling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and onebeautiful little doll. As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning.Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop....THE POWER OF PRAYER. I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer: 1. "Yes!"2. "Not yet.3. "I have something better in mind."God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar. You maybe going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that you cannot imagine. My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me. This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards

Nothing New

Just worked another weekend and am resting today. Also, nervously waiting for winter and already experiencing the colder weather up here. The sooner the snow stays away the better.

A Pittance of Time - Terry Kelly

YouTube - A Pittance of Time - Terry Kelly

A little something for Remembrance Day today.

Just Another Rant

A few nights ago I watched the Rick Mercer report as my finace moved into a new apartment minus cable and all she gets is the CBC. I got to see how bad CBC programming really is these days(Hockey Night In Canada excluded). Actually it wasn't the Mercer report that was awful but the other shows on primetime (although the political jokes got old real fast and I don't find Mercer very funny). One was After Mercer and Before the Tudors formerly known as This hour Has 22 Minutes which sucked and the Tudors which was unwatchable. All I have to say is thank goodness for DVD's.

An Almost Post

I wanted to post something here as I received it on my Facebook profile as it was on YouTube but for copyright reasons I can't anymore. Somehow, it doesn't surprise me at all. It was a motivational speech given by a cancer patient on Oprah who basically says live for today. So true, so true.

Cold And Windy

Spending a quiet day here at home today as I have the day off after working the weekend. I would have gone for a hike accept it is cold and windy out. But as I have said a few times before it is nice to do nothing once in a while. Besides with winter being around the corner I better get used to the indoors.

An Untitled Rant

Not much new here but i am beginning my program in November so we will have to see how it goes. Also, this cold weather is starting get to me and means only one thing. That winter is around the corner.

Lazy Day Today

I got a chance to have a lazy day at home as I had the day off after working a six day week.. I got to catch up on some reading and work on a sermon for next month. Other than that I got to just hang out and relax. I could get used to this.

Briefly....Some News

I have spent the past weekend at work and got some much needed help from the Lord as He helped me combat some stress I was having. I'm also hoping to be starting an accounting program that I will be taking through Ontario Learn and the first course I'm taking is to start next month. Other than that there is not much going on.

Thanksgiving

A late Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I had a great weekend as we got to go home and have a turkey dinner with family and hang out with them. Also, I got to enjoy the hot weather and Monday which needless to say was shortlived as things are now what they should be weatherwise. I'm thankful all went well.

Indian Summer

There is not much going on right now in my life but I'm going back home this weekend for Thanksgiving and in enjoying this nice weather outside as I have been walking some of the trials in this area. Hooray for this Indian Summer!!

Weekend Recap

I got to check the new Walmart Superstore in Bracebridge with my finance yesterday. I have to say there are a lot of good things in it and it is big and I mean BIG. It is larger than some of the Walmart's I've been to in the GTA. We also went to a show on Saturday night called Canada Rocks which a musical by a troupe that sings Canadian rock songs throughout the whole show. I enjoyed it and it is my finance's way of introducing me to musicals. I just hope there is no High School Musical or Grease in our future. I got to relax as well and am enjoy having days off for a change.

Invictus

Here is an old poem by William Ernest Henley:

Out of the night that covers me.
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

I am the master of my love
I am the captain of my soul.

New Interest

I got a book when I was back home last weekend containing my family tree. Apparently, my ancestors on my father's side of the family arrived in North America in 1820 where they settled in Lanark County which is now located in Eastern Ontario near Ottawa. This is just the tip of the iceberg as I still wil like to do more reaseach on the matter and find out more about my ancestors. This hopefully will be something to keep me occupied.

Untitled

I got to go back home for a few days which was very nice. It was great to see the family and to actually have a weekend off for a change. I also had yesterday off and did next to nothing which nice to do once in a while. I go back to work but by the looks of things it will be a pretty easy week for me.

Nothing New But I'm Still Standing

I finally have some time to make an entry in this blog. Last month was chaotic work wise. Come to think of it the whole summer was. Anyways, I have the day off and I'm going to chill and get caught up on a few things. I hope to make more entries in the future and get this going once again.

Very Brief Update

There is not much going on right now as I have been very busy with work among other things. I hope to able to post more often in the future. For now there's not much.

Day Off

Just enjoying a day off today as I had to work the entire long weekend. I actually had a day where I did nothing and I loved it. I go back to the grind tomorrow but I'm enjoying myself while I can.

A Brief Update

Been very busy lately with work and all. That's why I haven't been on this blog much lately but I will return very soon.

Free At Last

Finally, I have a day off today. What will I do with this time? Well, I've got several things I need to do so I will keep myself busy. I will do my best to enjoy it as well

Another Day, Another Dollar

Just got home a while ago and listening to the sounds of Midnight Madness which is going on downtown which I live close to. I have another day tomorrow which I need to get to sleep soon but doubt that I will be able to. Not because what is going on outside but just that i have been having trouble getting to sleep at night lately. Anyways, it will be another day, another dollar.

The Latest

There is nothing new but it looks like I didn't get the position which I have mixed emotions about. On one hand I could use the guaranteed income but the hours were less then ideal (weekend nights) and I'm struggling with wheter I'm cut out for that kind of work.So stay tuned. But it looks like I might get a few more hours a week. Stay tuned.

The Interview

The interview went very well today but I am not so sure about the written part of the interview. Anyways, it was a pretty normal day otherwise and I am still full from a plate of pasta I had at the Family Restaurant that I went to with my fiance. Anyways, I get the results within the next few days and I hope for the best.

The Next 48

I have a big 48 hours ahead of me as I work overnight and then have an interview with the home I work for tomorrow afternoon. It is a chance to pick up another contract I hope to get it but the interview sounds like it will be tough as I will be interviewed by three people and will have to do a written part. I hope top get the position but it will be tough.

Busy As Usual

Been really busy lastly as I had to work and deliever a sermon in church. I also will be work working all week. But to look on the bright side I have some time to get caught up with my blog and keep it up to date.

For All Americans

To all you American readers HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!!

Just Some Musings

I got to spend a couple of days down home earlier this weekend as I got the last of my birthday gifts. I used some money that I got for my birthday to purchase a book Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M.Pirsig. i know it is not an ideal book for a Christian to read but I heard a lot about it and it looked interesting. Plus I have gotten into Philosophy over the last few years and am constantly looking for things to read.

On another note this day is double signifanct for me as it is not only our great nations birthday but it is the one year anniversity of my move up here. How time flies. And I wish you all a HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!

I Am Mostly Canadian

Here the results of a test I took online.

80% or 90% Canadian!!
Wow, you've got it all, kid! You've lived here all you're life, you know what hockey is, (and probably who every player on the Toronto Maple Leafs is), you've eaten a beaver tail, and you've seen "Talking to Americans"! There's not much more Canadian you can be!
Take the"How Canadian are YOU?" Quizby Daestwen

I Have A New Pet....Sort Of

I got to go to my future-in-laws place yesterday afternoon for a joint celebration as it was for me and my future father-in law's birthdays. Anyways, I had a great time and my finance got me a unique gift which I was not expecting at all. She got me an i-cat that groove with I-Pod and music in general. It also meows and purrs when you pet it and hiss when you touch it's tail. Anyways, too prove that I have a little too much time on my hands I named him Winston and have him on my lap as I write this. It is either I miss having a pet or I have been working a lot of hours lately. Maybe both who knows?

A Year Older And... Maybe A Year Wiser?

Today I turned the great age of 32 years young. I didn't spend the day quite the way I wanted as I had to work most of day and my finace is out of town. But on the bright side bought myself a DVD set Volume One of The Hilarious House Of Frightenstein as kids show from the 1970's (but the humor can be over most kids heads at times) so I will check that out. Looking back I would like to believe that i have learned a lot over my 32 years and have gotten wiser. I hope if nothing else I will not repeat the mistakes of the past and can look forward to the future.

Goodbye Spring,Hello Summer

Today is the offical first day of summer however we seemed to get coolest day that we have had in a while. Anyways, it's nice to have the long days and warm weather. Bring it on!

Doing Nothing And Loving It

I have the day off today and am not doing a heck of a lot just surfing about the net here. I had planned to go out but the heavy rain has put a stop to it. Anyways, I think I will just chill here for now and rest.

The Peace Of Wild Things

A poem from Wendell Berry

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least souns
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Maybe I Do Have A Report

I had a rather busy weekend. I worked both Saturday and Sunday and in between I attended my fiance's nephews birth party at my soon to be in-laws place. I also got to delieve a sermon on Sunday night on the subject of prayer using Luke 18:1-8 as my text. Maybe I did have something to report after all.

Not Much To Report

Not much to report just another busy week at work and finding time to work on a sermon I'm doing tomorrow. I will have more later ....hopefully.

How Did We Survive?

My fiance sent me this the other day. It rings so true.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a tin, and didn't get tested for diabetes.Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking .As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.Riding in the back of a van , loose was always great fun.We drank water from the garden hosepipe and NOT from a bottle.We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.We ate cakes, white bread and real butter and drank pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem . We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound,No cell phones, no text messaging, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet cha t rooms....WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents .We played with worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out any eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!Local teams had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learnedHOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good. and while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!PS -The BIG type is because your eyes are shot at your age

The Week Past and Weekend Ahead

As it turned out I picked up a couple of extra shifts this week which helped out a lot. I'm also going to be going home to celebrate my sister's birthday and have my finance show off her new ring. It looks like the weather will be nice so it should be good times ahead.

A Slow Week

I had an exciting weekend with the big news and everything plus I worked all weekend. Now it looks like I will have a relatively slow week as I haven't got as many shifts booked as I need but it's just as well as I need some rest plus I'm fighting a minor cold right now. Also, I get to go home this week which will be good.

My Announcement

For those who are wondering I am engaged to my girlfriend of 16 months. I popped the question last night at dinner. We told family before that we would be getting married as we picked out the ring together. The date is set for July 2008.

Coming Soon

Just to let everyone out there know I will have an announcement coming in the next few days. Some of you will know what it is already.

An Awful Joke

This was sent to me a while ago.

THE WORST JOKE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD
A man is dining in a fancy restaurant and there is a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. He has been checking her out since he sat down, but lacks the nerve to talk with her. Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket towards the man. He reflexively reaches out, grabs it out of the air, and hands it back. Oh my, I am so sorry, "the woman says as she pops her eye back in place. "Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you," she says. They enjoy a wonderful dinner together, and afterwards they go to the theatre followed by drinks. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens. After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap and stay for breakfast. They had a wonderful, wonderful time. The next morning, she cooks a gourmet meal with all the trimmings The guy is amazed! ! Everything had been SO incredible! !! ! "You know, "he said, "you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet? "
"No, " she replies. . . . .
" Wait for it . . . . .
It's coming. . . . . . . . .
The suspense is killing you, isn't it? She says: "...but you just happened to catch my eye." (oh shut up, and just forward it!)

I Feel Drained

I have worked 7 consecutive days and counting and I'm starting to feel it. i had a bad day yesterday and if not for the prayers of a co-worker I would have collapsed. I also got some bad news in the mail which I won't get into. I still feel tired but at least I'm still alive. Anyways, I just thought I would vent a bit.

An Online Survey I Filled out

My
Last Cigarette: Back in 1997

Last Alcoholic Drink:rye

Last Car Ride:Back from my girl's place a few hours hours ago.

Last Kiss: From my girlfriend a couple hours ago.

Last Good Cry:no comment

Last Library Book:Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

Last book bought:Irish Myths and Legends

Last Book Read:See Above

Last Movie Seen in Theatres:Hoodwinked yeah it has been a while

Last Movie Rented:The Departed

Last Cuss Word Uttered:hmmmm

Last Beverage Drank:Water

Last Food Consumed:A Puff Cookie

Last Crush:My current girlfriend

Last Phone Call:To my friend Ken

Last TV Show Watched:Deal Or No Deal

Last Time Showered:Yesterday

Last Shoes Worn:Black reebok sneakers

Last CD Played:The Best Of lighthouse

Last Item Bought:A Bag Of Sugar

Last Download:????

Last Annoyance:Pain In Back

Last Disappointment:hmmmmm agian

Last Soda Drank:Caffine Free Diet Pepsi

Last Thing Written:i

Last Key Used:House Key

Last Words Spoken:Bye

Last Sleep:Seventeen hours ago.

Last Ice Cream Eaten:Gold Ribbon from Kawartha Dairy

Last Chair Sat In:The one I'm sitting in now.

Last Webpage Visited:Blogger

Not Much To Report

Not much to report on this side. Will be working the entire weekend and will be visiting my girlfriend's family on Saturday night as it's her sister's birthday coming up. But I guess I will just rest in most of my spare moments.

A Little Poem

Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transfigured
By the indwelling life of the Son of God?
God's ultimate purpose is that His Son.
might be manifested in my moral flesh.
Oswald Chambers

My Long Weekend

I had a great long weekend. I got to spend the day yesterday in Barrie doing some shopping with my girlfriend. Today I got to go to Faith Baptist for the first time in ages and spent the rest of the day resting. Not to mention the weather was perfect as I got to do some walking as well. It's back to the gird tomoorow but I had a lot of fun the last three days. It was a great weekend.

A Long Weekend

I get a long weekend this weekend. I have to find ways to enjoy it as it will be the only weekend I get off for a while. The good part is the weather is supposed to be awesome as well. WHOOOO!!

Saying Grace in a Restaurant

I have been sent another awesome e-mail by my significant other.

Saying Grace in a Restaurant! Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!" Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!" Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied. Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes." Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

Busy And Now Relaxed

Quite a busy week between working seven days and battling an illness it was eventful to stay the least. I got to enjoy the weather today however by going for a walk with my significant other check out her town in a rural town which was nice and very relaxing. Also, we got to sit and just chat which was nice as well. Hopefully the weather will stay like this so I can go for many more walks like the last one.

Slow Dance

Here is a cute poem my girlfriend sent me recently.

SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
!
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

I Think I Need Help

I am quickly becoming a Facebook addict. For those who don't know it is a website that you can put a profile listing where you live, where you went to school etc.. and try to meet old friends and/or people from your past. Anyways, I got home from home over an hour and have spent most of my time on Facebook searching for people from my past and people I currently know. I have been doing it a lot lately and I need to slow down as it's taking up my free time. I think I neeed a support group or something.

This Is More Like it

Finally, after waiting a long time for the winter to end we get some decent weather. I know it is too early for summer and the weather will probably cool down soon but it is nice when it happens. Enjoy it while you can because I know I will.

More Words To Live By

To renounce what one has is a minor thing.
to renounce what one is, that is asking a lot.
Gregory The Great

A Bit About My Day Yesterday

I started a new position at another group home last night and I had to hit the ground running as what was supposed to be an orientation turned into an actual shift. Mercifully the residents were easy to get along and I had few problems. I just have to get used to working these weird hours.

Time for God

Here an e-mail my girlfriend sent me the other day.

Read only if you have time for God . Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end God, when I received this e-mail, I thought... I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate for this company and during work. Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today. We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning... Maybe, Sunday night... And, the unlikely event of a midweek service. We do like to have Him around during sickness... And, of course, at funerals. However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play... Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own. May God forgive me for ever thinking... That... there is a time or place where.. HE is not to be FIRST in my life. We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us. If, You aren't ashamed to do this.Please follow the directions. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father." Not ashamed? Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT!! Yes, I do Love God. HE is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13) This is simple. If You Love God... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you... Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you! Now do you have the time to pass it on? Make sure that you scroll through to the end. Easy vs. Hard Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie? Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up? Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e-mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones? Of all the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one.... There are no costs, but wonderful rewards... GOD BLESS! Notes: Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God). Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing? Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me. I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire address book, they will be blessed by God in a way special for them.

The Brick

Here's something that was sent to me a while ago which will make you think.

THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down

when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown The angry driver

then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against

a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop...." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

Some Interesting Facts I Found

Because I have nothing better to do right now. I took an on-line intelligence test on
web.tickle.com/tests/uiq. The results were 124 IQ.

Your Intellectual Type is Inventive Inquisitor. You have the unusual distinction of being equally good at math and verbal skills. This means you are a creative thinker and are uniquely good at teaching others through experiences. You are also a great improviser and very good at handling change.

I found this interesting as I have seldom been able to handle change and my math skills have declined over the years. But it does explain a lot about my thought process and what makes me tick. Also, it shows you what you can do when you have a lot of time on your hands.

Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL!!!! I pray you all remember the season for the day the risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Happy Good Friday

Here are some words to remember this good Friday.

But God commendth his love toward us, in that, while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

But I'm Still Standing

A bit of a rough day as I did another overnight shift and only got a few hours. Then woke up and felt cold I'm fighting got worse and then I had to go sign a contract for a new position. Then after that I had to work for 9 hours but I still managed to survive. I feel awful but I'm still standing. At least I could look forward to a good night's sleep.

On Facebook And Time

My sister got me to sign up on Facebook and I have spent the last hour checking it out. I have got to budget my time better as I feel I wasted the last 30 minutes(The rest was put together a profile and looking for friends). Anyways, I will see how it goes and find something to do the rest of the night.

What's New ...Well

I went for orientation today at my new job and it went well as it was shorter than I would of thought. I also have an interview for a part-time position at the place I work at now.Plus, I have a bunch of night shifts scheduled this week so it looks like I'll be busy which is a good thing. I had like to see the sun come out as it has been very gray the last few days and I hope that snow we're supposed to get on Thursday and Friday won't arrive.

A Rare Friday Night

Tonight is a rare night for me as I'm by myself at home here. My girlfriend went up to her parents place and I have some sleep to catch up on as I had a couple overnight shifts at the paper mill and have had a rather busy week. at least I don't have to worry too much about what to do with myself.

A Word On Prayer

I have a case of writer's block but found this poem on prayer:


Prayer must always remain quite ineffective, unless
we do everything we can to make our own pryaers come
true. It is a basic rule of prayer that God will never do
for us what we can do for ourselves. Prayer does not do
things for us; it enables us to do things for ourselves.

William Barclay

Not Much Going On

I got back from home yesterday as it was nice to see friends and family. I have a big week ahead of me as I do a couple 12 hour shifts at the paper mill and some work with the SIL program and group home. In the meantime, I will try to keep myself occupied.

Primary Wonder

Since I have nothing new to write about here is a poem by Denise Levertov:

PRIMARY WONDER

Days pass when I forget the mystery.
Problems insoluble and problems offering
their ignored solutions
jostle for my attention, they crowd its antechamber
along with a host of diversions, my courtiers, wearing
their colored cap and bells.

And then
once more the quiet myserty is present to me, the
throng's clamor recedes; the myserty
that there is anything, anything at all, let alone
cosmos, joy, memory, everything
rather than void: and that, O Lord,
Creator, Hallowed One, You still,
hour by hour sustain it.

Spring Is Here

Today is the first day of spring and the best part is we are going to have spring weather to go with it as it is supposed to get to 7C today and tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. i have been waiting for this for a while as winter drags at times and I tend to get cabin fever. It will be nice to finally see more of the outdoors.

Some Food for Thought

This morning I heard a very good sermon at church on the topic of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Isaricot. The pastor used Luke 22:1-6 as the text and show how Judas betrayed Jesus. it was thought provoking in so many ways as one of the points of the message was how there is a little Judas in all of us.

The motive of betrayal was bought up as was it greed as Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, was it that Judas wanted to overthrow the Romans and reestalibsh Jewish rule, that he never really believed in Jesus or just that He wasn't what he wanted Him to be. It is not known for sure but greed is at the top of the list.

The idea of us having Judas in us scares me but makes sense. We see it with people who cheat on their spouse, backstabbing at work, gossip in the church or even not being true to one's principles. There was also the idea of what Judas would be like if he were around today. He would be the one who attends church maybe is very active in it. Has a family and nice home maybe even sucessful at his job. But deep down is out for his own gain and is really insincere.

It was a good message to hear and remember in establish my faith but making sure I'm sincere in what I believe.

Facts About St.Patrick

On St.Patrick's day I figured I would post this on the man himself.

www.answers.com/topic/saint-patrick-saint-holiday-figure

Saint Patrick, Saint / Holiday Figure
Born: c. 385
Birthplace: Bannavem Taberniae, Britain
Died: c. 461
Best Known As: Ireland's most famous saint
St. Patrick is revered by Catholics for establishing Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century AD. The precise dates and details of his life are unclear, but some points are generally agreed: as a teen he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, and six years later he escaped to Gaul (now France) where he later became a monk. Around 432 he returned to Ireland as a missionary and succeeded in converting many of the island's tribes to Christianity. Late in life he wrote a brief text, Confessio, detailing his life and ministry. His feast day, March 17, is celebrated as a day of Irish pride in many parts of the world.
A popular folk tale says that St. Patrick chased all snakes from Ireland, but there is no historical basis for this story... Another folk tale, that he used shamrocks to teach about the holy Trinity, is also generally agreed to be a myth... In Gaelic the saint's name is Padraig.

With that happy St.Pat's day to you all.

Last Night

I worked at the paper mill last night and then got home and watch the second half of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? It was pretty good but personally I would never go on the show just because I have the fear of looking foolish on national TV. Then for some reason I watched the movie Saw which was on one of the movie channels. It was as gruesome as I have heard it was but I found it rather uninvolving as I didn't any connection or sympathy for any of the charcters. Anyways, I got a slow day today and I hope to get a few things done.

New News

I just got hired for a new position yesterday with Community Support working as a support worker on an on-call/casual basis. Granted, it wasn't exactly the position I wanted but I'm happy about it. Plus, it is a matter of getting my foot in door and even better I can kiss seasonal work good-bye as I have grown tired of it.

It looks like spring is around the corner as we have been getting some warm weather the last few days. It is nice but I feel we will probably get one last dumping of snow. But I will enjoy this in the meantime.

Funny Isn't It

Here is yet another poem I found online:

Funny how a $10.00 bill looks so big when you take it to church, but so small when you take it to the mall.

Funny how big an hour serving God looks and how small 60 minutes are when spent playing golf, fishing or shopping.

Funny how long a couple hours spent at church, but how short they are watching a movie.

Funny how we get thrilled when a football game goes into overtime, but we complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible and how easy it is to read 200-300 pages of a best selling novel.

Funny how we believe what newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how people scramble to get the front seat at a game, but scramble to get a back seat at church service.

Funny how we cannot fit a gospel meeting into our schedule with a yearly planner but we can schedule for other events at a moments notice.

Funny how we need 2 to 3 weeks to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust it for a social event at the last minute.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning a simple gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and explain gossip about someone else.

Funny who we can't think of anything to say when we pray, and don't have any diffculty thinking of things to talk to a friend about.

Funny how we are so quick to take direction from a total stranger when we are lost, but are hesitant to take God's direction to be found.

Funny how people are so consumed with what others think about them rather than what God thinks about them.

Funny how so many churchgoers sing "Standing on the Promises" but all they do is sit on the premises.

Funny how people think they can get more accomplished in a lifetime without God than in an hour with Him.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven, provided they don't have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything.

Funny how we all need to read this.

Cold And Cold

I'm still battling this bloody cold and it worst week to do so as I have quite a busy schedule. Not to mention that winter is back in full force as it back to -30C with the wind chill. I actually makes me miss when it's snowing because at least it is somewhat comfortable out. At least spring is around the corner and this cold weather will go away soon.

My Weekend

I had great weekend even though I had to work. I just a few hours working at the SIL program a few hours each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so it wasn't so bad. I also got to preach my first sermon at a church in Sundridge on Sunday night which went very well as I was asked to come back and do it again. The message was on Giving God Our Best and the passage I used was on Matthew 25:14-30.

But on the bad side I got a cold which I'm now fighting of and I don't feel 100 percent today but I do get some time to rest. At least, I didn't have to spend the weekend fighting this cold. Also, it's not the dreaded flu virus I have.

Another Update

The interview went well the other day and so did my shift at the paper mill. We got the storm up here and it is still snowing heavily. We apparently had freezing rain last night but roads were snow covered so it was hard to tell. Also, my car wasn't covered in ice this morning. I have to work today but it is only for a few hours and it is very close to home so it should be to bad. I just hope the storm will stop soon.