Christmas Origin?

Well here's an interesting sign....

and all this time I thought it was a God thing... :o)

Phill Keaggy video

Okay, I have another video I found on Youtube.com for ya! This guy can jam! It's a little long compared to the normal video on the site (8:34), but it is worth it to hear the whole thing.




The song is titled "Salvation Army Band"

Thrift Store Video

LOL...I'm still laughing about this video! I found it just doing a random search of "salvation army" on youtube.com.



Maybe the ARC Command can use this as their next commercial. I think it would at least get peoples interest piqued! :o) Check it out.

change the script and crush the box

In his most recent post our former Territorial Commander, Joe Noland (see link to the right), wrote about a need to "change the script". I have always enjoyed his writings and preaching while in SFOT. And on a personal note, he gave my wife and I permission get married during our summer assignment. We will always be apprecitive. That is just one of the ways he "changed the script" while he was TC.

I wanted to comment directly on his blog, but he doesn't allow it...he knows he'd get bombarded (both good and bad). So if you know him, ask him to read my blog! :o)

After one of our recent transfers (we've already had too many already) we had to attend a "new officers orientation" for the new division we moved to and while there, the DC gave a speech. One of his statements will stick with me forever. He said, and I quote (I wrote it down that day because I was so taken aback), "There has been a lot of talk in recent years about thinking and doing things outside the box. That's not what I want. I want you (while pantomiming a box with his hands) in the box!."

Anyway, what i would ask him is this: with some in leadership still "leading" in this way and having expectations like that, how are we supposed to be "change agents" (another of his phrases)? My wife and i already feel like we have completely isolated ourselves from leadership just because we had to focus on our family. We asked for a slight break because our children needed serious medical care...mostly due to the quarters we were living in at the time. Graciously, we were moved to where we are now, but I honestly think that many in leadership positions think we were whiny at best. We were doing as much as we could keeping the corps open while trying to keep our family together as well. We both went into depressions because of the lack of assistance we were receiving. Not until we asked for and got moving orders did any help come. I did not expect a perfect relationship with every DHQ officer for my whole career/ministry, but I don't want to be completely ostricized for the entirety either.

I love the concept of being outside the box and changing the script, but many times it seems like we are powerless to do so.

what are your thoughts?

Do, Love, Walk

This is part of my sermon I preached today.

Micah 6:6-8

And what does God want of us?

The prophet Micah sums it up very well: do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Nothing else even comes close. He loves our worship, but only if we worship in spirit and in truth.

Do Justly

Love Mercy

Walk Humbly with your God

Do Justly: Those three things pretty much sum up the life of holiness. How are we promoting justice in our world. Obviously not all of us can do missions. Not all of us can bandage wounds in Darfur. And not all of us can live in the downtown eastside of Vancouver preaching the word. But we all have a little piece of the world that we live in that we are responsible for. What are you doing to promote justice and what does that mean? Do you use your right and privilege to vote? Do you speak out thoughtfully and logically (and with Grace) about injustice?

Love Mercy: Do you love mercy? We need to be completely loving. Jesus said love your neighbor and then explained that everyone is our neighbor (even those who we'd least expect). And then He also said to pray for our enemies, those who persecute us. He said turn the other cheek. He said there is no greater love than to give your life for a friend. And he also said forgive...is there someone you need to forgive? It is sin to hold that forgiveness back.

Walk Humbly: The first shall be last and the lsat shall be first. Only when we humble ourselves and go to God in the way He already sees us will He accept us. We need to be humble but this part of the three sayings also makes it clear that the life of holiness is not stagnant. It is an active life. We are to be constantly moving...walking with God.

Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.



In His Grip,
Dave

dancing to Tom Jones

Here is a classic cut from Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It was one of my favorite shows growing up. This is from the last episode and is Will and Carlton dancing to Tom Jones.

Kutless Video

This is an incredible song! I love it! Check it out. It's not one of their hardest rock songs, but it's not exactly "Easy Listening" either. :o) Sometimes I just need a good rock-out! Like right now. I found out not too long ago that it is official. Both my mom and step-mom have different forms of cancer. They were both biopsied on Friday and the results for both came back today. I don't know much more than that...no prognosis for either of them. Please pray for our family. It has been a very tough week.

In His Grip,
Dave




P.S. ENJOY!

Sometimes we just need...

Sometimes we just need some stress relief. Sometimes we just need to pop some bubble wrap! Well, here ya go!

I found this in my wanderings online tonight: Virtual Bubble Wrap

Enjoy!!

Blood and Fire Supply Co.

If you are reading this blog you may have noticed some additions to the links section. One of the additions will lead you to a website based in Australia. The concept of the Blood and Fire Supply Company is one of the reasons I love The Salvation Army. Sometimes, despite ourselves, we are still making a difference in this world. There are still people, in our Movement that can think and come up with life-changing and eternity-changing ideas. Obviously, "Fair Trade" is not a new concept, but this is the first time I have heard about from a Christian orginization...and to have it be The Army, all the better! I put in an order for a tee shirt and I hope you do as well. We need to support the Turbine program as much as possible. I'm looking forward to what they will be selling next.

Please support the ministry and pray for it as well. Pray for the workers in China and their families and the families of every person touched in the trade stream. I also pray for new ideas like this, new ways to reach the lost and reach the world's poorest. Give us wisdom, Lord.

In His Grip,
Dave

Under Attack

Well, it seems that our family is under attack this week.

Within the past week my mother had to go into the hospital for a biopsy for a lump on her neck (no results yet) and my step-mom had a biopsy done on a mass found in her lungs (she has lung cancer).

Then today I woke up with a very bad feeling. I told Trista I thought something bad had happened to my sister Erin and I was going to check the online newspaper for the town she's in now. I then called my other sister Carla and wished her a Happy Birthday. I didn't mention the feeling I was having, because I didn't want to ruin her day with my "craziness".

After the birthday wishes, Trista and I took the kids to the Central Firehouse so we could tour the building and the kids could "see the fire twucks". We all had a blast...sirens, lights, and kid size fire helmets. As we were loading up the kids in the car my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and it was Carla. I figured it must be pretty important since we had only talked a couple hours before. One of her dogs had been hit by a vehicle...that didn't stop. She heard the yelp, but by the time she made it up to the road, the driver was gone. We drove up and met her and my brother-in-law Jason at the animal hospital. Jade, the dog, was in very bad shape. They ended up having to put her to sleep. Carla and Jason live in a pretty rural area. There are only about 15 houses on her entire road and the only people who use the road are her neighbors.

Now, I'm not sure what is going to happen next, but I'm praying. I'm praying for peace and for that quiet calm in the storm. So far it's worked, but it definitely took some deep breaths today. The big brother in me wanted to drive up to her town and knock on everyone of her neighbors' doors asking for information. I am still very angry about it. There is just way too much irresponsibility in the world, way too much SIN and sins which all leads to way too much hurt in the world.

Please pray.

God, give me the words to say to minister...give me the people to minister to...and help me keep the LOVE of Christ in my heart.

New Layout

Well, as you can see I have changed my layout. I'm still trying to figure out how to add my other items back into it. Anyone have any suggestions?

crazzzy daddy

Well, my wife has been at a book-keeping and finance class the past 2 days so i've had the kids. We started to run out of the essentials so I had to make a run to the grocery store. Yes, I took all 3 of them!! Here is the picture I snapped just before checkout. Kayla was ready to jump out because Tyler was trying to beat her with the drinkable yogurts.














Fun was definitely had by all!