Surveying...

Dictionary.com defines the word "survey" like this: to view in detail, esp. to inspect, examine, or appraise formally or officially in order to ascertain condition, value, etc.



When someone surveys something, they are searching it out in detail, they are examining all the parts of it in order to get a view of what it is...and if you are a good surveyer, you will also see what it means for that which surrounds it, if you will, the value of it.



As I was sitting at my desk today, I was listening to the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" as sung by Kathryn Scott. I was moved to the point of tears as I sat and listened to the words of a surveyor who managed to not only see the cross but more importantly the Saviour Jesus Christ who died on it. To say that the writer only saw the value of the cross to him is a gross understatement I think, as the words in the song convey a deeper message... one that begs all those who call themselves followers of Jesus to give undying devotion to Him.



As I survey the wondrous cross, as I look at it in detail, I realize that I do not formally ascertain the condition of it or Jesus, but rather the condition of myself... Then my gaze is thrust upon a love I can not fathom... and I am drawn to my knees by this kind of love; a love that truly does demand my life, my soul, my all.

so this is not me standing on my soap box, or me telling you how the world is... this is simply an announcement...

I am engaged. I asked dana to marry me on October 14th, and believe it or not she said yes!

We're both thrilled!

Strange calls...

As I was about to sit down and write this, I had an experience that just confirmed to me what I had been thinking about writing...

The phone rang, and I picked it up as normal, "Faith Covenant Church," and it was a lady asking for the pastor. Now, when you work for a church, you know that these phone calls are either people looking for money, or they are really strange...they are not usually looking for the start times of church on Sunday.

I told her that he wasn't here, because I was tired (coming from my job at Starbucks) and did not want to deal with her, but I said I'd take a message. Well I got more than I bargained for. This was her message,

"You need to pray for Canada. You need to pray for Canada and the U.S. Canada is in great trouble. There is a lady here named Cindy. It's short for Cinderella, and she a witch. She is here in Winnipeg and is practicing her witchcraft right here in the city. You need to pray for Canada, she's gonna kill everyone! She is going to kill both white and black people. You need to pray!"

How many of you want to be in church ministry now?

I'll tell you, it never ceases to amaze me the uniqueness of human beings. I told the lady that I would pray, but in my mind I was wondering "WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?"

Regardless of if what she was saying was true or not, there is a deep truth that speaks in a loud voice for me, the truth that I was planning on writing about before the phone call....

We need Jesus, people. We need Jesus!

As thanksgiving came this last weekend, we were all reminded of all that we have, and hopefully reminded that we did not earn all that we have...that we were given gifts gracefully by God.

We are fragile people in need of a Savior.... So yes, pray for Canada, pray for the U.S. and countries like ours in abundance, that we would not forget how fragile we are, how much we need God.

When we recognize our weakness, it puts us in a posture of thanksgiving and humility... and I believe this is the posture that frees us from the chains of autonomy, a state that leaves us dissatisfied.

There is freedom waiting for those who humble themselves and pray.

Lord, let me never forget all your benefits...may I never cease to give you the honor and praise always.

Whirlwind trip...

Last week, a friend of mine asked me what I was doing this week for a couple days...I said, "nothing," and so he proceeded to ask me if I wanted to go to Philidelphia to pick up a vehicle he bought, then drive to Columbus, Ohio to pick up another vehicle, then drive home to Winnipeg.

So, this was how it all shook down:
-Left Winnipeg at 7am and arrived in Philidelphia by 1pm.
-Picked up at the Phili airport and drove to Cherry Hill, New Jersey where we picked up the car
-Ate lunch in New Jersey
-Left and drove straight to Columbus, Ohio
-Picked up the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad Cab (which I drove the rest of the way)
-Continued to drive until past Indianapolis, Indiana
-Stopped at a reststop at 2am, slept for 5 hours.
-Hit the road again at 7am, arrived in Chicago at 8:30 am
-Drove on the Chicago skyway during rush hour with what seemed like three million other cars
-Drove the rest of the way home with a few stops here and there, arrived back in Winnipeg at 1am in the morning.
-Made it home and in my bed at 2am.

So we flew to Philidelphia and drove back in about 40 hours, as if we were just going to the store and then return right away.

It was intense.

Oh Lord, this is a serious request!

Kevin Glenn got injured tonight...
the world needs to pray that God's teams' quarterback get's better...

God, I recognize my need for you.
I recognize my need for you.

In the prayer room: September 12, 2007

I feel as though prayer in this room has not given me any kind of blatant yes, no, or wait answers... And for that I am grateful, for it spared me from taking the answer in my pocket and going on my way, alone. God has, rather, left me in nowhere, but he is here with me in nowhere...prodding me to "continue praying, my child..." as it seems to be his way of saying, "continue walking and learning with me, my child." I do not know where I am, but knowing who I am with has given me an unexplainable peace...

This is the grace of God to me today...Thanks be to Him.