tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88917624398038250802024-03-05T05:21:59.724-04:00Sons Of ThunderA band of brothers changed by the grace of God called out to sing, play and serve.Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-89830902025365768432009-11-16T13:44:00.002-04:002009-11-16T13:54:17.204-04:00Sons of Thunder at New Minas BaptistHere's a clip of the Sons of Thunder at <a href="http://www.nmbc.ca/app/">New Minas Baptist</a> in the Annapolis Valley. We joined <a href="http://www.chelseanisbett.com/">Chelsea Nisbett</a> and <a href="http://myspace.com/cusackboys">The Cusack Boys</a> in concert to help celebrate the expansion of <a href="http://cjlufm.com">CJLU</a> (88.3 FM) in the valley. What a great night!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ap9OUL1JCA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ap9OUL1JCA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-85651200987153035042009-09-23T16:53:00.000-03:002009-09-23T16:56:38.511-03:00The Sons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VroXBAvcNenTTqgwDW_RT6Jd8tHClD6r-rcS5vJd6BDwmlZTWRiEp-FAjRxIZYQpEgoC91-Gy-EPndxEXW8ii6xQri8i_M0h-ouYR3mHwGgQ0Rbp9MCWjFWnHYLpMhBcLn5LaIqEYkY/s1600-h/SOT"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384754166392935218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VroXBAvcNenTTqgwDW_RT6Jd8tHClD6r-rcS5vJd6BDwmlZTWRiEp-FAjRxIZYQpEgoC91-Gy-EPndxEXW8ii6xQri8i_M0h-ouYR3mHwGgQ0Rbp9MCWjFWnHYLpMhBcLn5LaIqEYkY/s400/SOT" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-192792075040156732009-08-09T07:26:00.003-03:002009-08-09T07:40:34.342-03:00Brothers (thoughts from an only child)Sorry it's been so long since the last post. Crazy long in fact and that's not cool. We'll have to get more guys helping out and posting soon.<div><br /></div><div>Lots has happened since the last post. The band has had a few gigs, lots of practices, lots of prayers, ups and downs. In the end, we always recognize that we are blessed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to share an observation with you. It may seem silly but I think it is important because as men, we simply don't share this information.</div><div><br /></div><div>On July 22<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> the band played at Long Lake Camp, I thought it was one of our best sets. I felt really comfortable and as always, I feed off the encouragement I get from the guys and they were as encouraging and fun to jam with as ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after though I went to Ontario to join up with my family that was already there on vacation. What I've noticed over the last two weeks of really being out of contact with my Christian Brothers is that I miss them and I need them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that they are always there for me and I'm not in a place right now where I need them to carry me or help me with a specific problem. I just miss my boys and the fellowship that we have. As men, sometimes we are just "too cool" to say that. We don't need anybody right? Come on.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are my brothers and I guess it never really hit me until this past week just how large a part of my life they are. It's an amazing thing, to have a group of friends like this, it truly is. We don't talk on the phone everyday, we don't email back and forth all the time or even see each other much outside of band/church goings on BUT, they are close by if I ever need them and there is so much comfort in that. As men, we need to accept the fact that we cannot do everything, we need to lean on people, we need brothers. Even just knowing that they are there IF you need them can be what it takes to get you through whatever it is you're going through.</div><div><br /></div><div>My point is that we need to stop thinking it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">un</span>-cool to be a man and need your friends or miss your friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>To my Sons of Thunder Brothers, I missed you and thank God everyday that you are in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>David</div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-39055514675893528792009-03-25T08:34:00.002-03:002009-03-25T09:07:51.218-03:00Rock n' TalkI think each Church has the same problem. A lack of men. Now some people would jokingly say that's not a problem at all but in reality it's a very big problem.<br /><br />As men we set an example for our sons, our daughters, our wives and others. We may not think we do and maybe we don't want to, but let's face it we do. When I look around my Church, it saddens me to see just how many wives arrive without their husbands, how many sons and daughters arrive without their fathers. The men of the Church are a dying breed I'm afraid.<br /><br />I used to be one of those. I used to not want anyone to know that I went to Church. There were many many years where I didn't go to Church and I know all too well how after a few short weeks of not going, just how easy it is to stop going. The problem with that is, if I don't go, who am I to ask my kids to go. I don't want to be a hypocrite. Do you? If our kids don't go, then how long will it be before the Church itself begins to die?<br /><br />In an attempt to demonstrate to the men of various communities that Church isn't filled with non-stop preaching, stories of doom and gloom and being told we can do no right, the Sons of Thunder are hoping to start a Rock n' Talk series.<br /><br />Catchy isn't it?<br /><br />Our hope is to show the men who don't attend Church services with their wives or kids that there are many ways you can worship the Lord. For the SOT, one of those ways is to Rock. We crank it up and sing Praises to Jesus Christ and it is an awesome feeling. We truly believe it is also very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pleasing</span> to the Lord and that makes it so much better. No we don't get to play every Sunday, and that's not a bad thing but my point is that during the course of an 1 hour Church service, there is more to it than many think. Music, prayer, message, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scripture</span> and fellowship. There is something for everyone.<br /><br /><br />Our plan is to put on a number of concerts that have a few breaks in them for testimony, maybe a verse or two and a chance to talk with others about God. No pressure, no sales pitch, just a good time with (we hope) good music.<br /><br />Recently I have felt a strong pull, the Lord is telling me to share my story and that's what I want to do. It's nothing fancy, nobody is going to turn it into a movie or anything but of course that's not the point. We all long for acceptance and if each of us in the band can share with a group of men our story then there is a very good chance that someone else may have a similar story and realize they are not alone. We are a success story because we are saved. Each one of the SOT have come to the Lord and we are saved and that is how we measure our success. <br /><br />We hope to have more information soon as our plans are put in place but in the meantime, tell us what you think. Help us reach out and help bring others to Christ.Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-25791722364240547282009-03-05T02:18:00.003-04:002009-03-05T02:44:54.688-04:00Lately and UpcomingLately, we've had a couple of really fun gigs including a loud youth Coffee House at our home church - <a href="http://bridgewaterbaptist.com">Bridgewater Baptist</a>. Lots of great stuff including a passionate talk from Pastor Dennis Nickerson, The Green Reflectors, Bridging The Gap, Chris & Jonny, Ali and her mandolin, Greg & Erica, our excellent friends at Open Bible Church, the mom and her two sons who cranked out a few tunes on guitar and drums and Bub's Puppets. And, of course, our colourful pastor Rev. Sarah Scott who emceed the whole affair. <br /><br />SOT also played a full concert at Pleasantville Baptist at the end of February. Here's the set list: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa7-PU9Sv1oNZmJF2xEiaOcksd6yPyODd4KDN1JN16xj5ECYLdFLBe3zs5U0N82b5vYJ2G83miEFuTuPdoOKDwvkfdC0UnfzUM2uDWAC4ARDtHf5DUPzIfGyNkHrrG4wHTX6mQD882iY/s1600-h/set_list_pleasantville.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa7-PU9Sv1oNZmJF2xEiaOcksd6yPyODd4KDN1JN16xj5ECYLdFLBe3zs5U0N82b5vYJ2G83miEFuTuPdoOKDwvkfdC0UnfzUM2uDWAC4ARDtHf5DUPzIfGyNkHrrG4wHTX6mQD882iY/s400/set_list_pleasantville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309589990507931074" /></a><br /><br />There are a few things on the horizon including a "Kitchen Party" on March 8th at Bridgewater Baptist. We'll keep you posted.Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-29584766017659086182009-01-17T16:50:00.004-04:002009-01-17T16:55:47.745-04:00HomeToday we remember our friend Dawn. God needs her in heaven and so today she went home. For us it is a sad day but for Dawn it is the beginning of another journey. <div><br /></div><div>Take comfort my friends that there is no doubt that she is with the Lord. There is no question she is now where she wanted to be when her work on Earth was done. As tough as these times are, there should be some comfort knowing where she is. There is no guessing at that.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we mourn the loss of our dear friend please let none of us forget John, Matt, Adam, Paige and Bailey in our prayers. Please, when you are done reading this, ask the Lord for his hand on the Collins family as well as all the people who prayed so hard for Dawn. </div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-87334674534688490072009-01-16T15:26:00.002-04:002009-01-16T15:36:20.038-04:00A CallToday I am asking for all your help. We have a brother who needs us. All of us and no matter how busy you are, everyone can space 1 minute.<br /><br />I am asking everyone to take a moment and pray for our dear friend and brother John. John's wife is in need of a miracle and it just so happens that our Lord is in the miracle business. We will continue to pray for Dawn as I'm sure most of you who know them will but as we are all concerned about Dawn and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">desperate</span> for her recovery, let's now forget that John needs strength too.<br /><br />John is the kind of person who can put a smile on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">anyones</span> face. He will tell you a story, entertain you and make you laugh. He's the kind of person that make you feel tired just watching him running around Town working as hard as anyone I have ever met. <br /><br />These are hard times though and John needs us. We need to put a moment aside, ask God to help John, give him strength, hope and faith. We are all Sons of Thunder, in this together and when one brother is down we're all down.<br /><br />So before you leave work or go to bed today, ask God to help Dawn AND John.<br /><br />Our Brother.Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-81992991672318732102008-12-06T13:22:00.002-04:002008-12-06T13:25:17.574-04:00To AllI just wanted to put this out there.<div><br /></div><div> Anyone, everyone, no matter where you are from or what your beliefs may be, if you would like us to pray with you, for you or just need someone to talk to we are here. Leave a comment and we will be here for you.</div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-13629800313964600932008-11-30T22:17:00.001-04:002008-11-30T22:17:59.934-04:00Advent Conspiracy - (Canadian Version)<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MoYeeIW22xA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MoYeeIW22xA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />What if?Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-3492624497373028892008-11-30T18:55:00.003-04:002008-11-30T18:59:36.456-04:00The Secret Santa Knew the Real Secret of Joy<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Truth can be so annoying. If annoying truth was </span><a href="http://www.jeopardy.com/indexflash.php"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">a Jeopardy category </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">it might look like this…<br />“I’ll take Annoying Truths for $100, Alex.”This famous preacher said, “Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.”“Who is Billy Graham? I’ll take Annoying Truths for $200, Alex.”This missionary to India said, “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” “Who was Amy Carmichael, Alex. I am getting very uncomfortable with this topic so let’s take “Sins that make you worse than me for $100.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Money is an uncomfortable topic for followers of Jesus. One anonymous writer noted that a lot of people are willing to give God the credit, but not too many are willing to give Him the cash. Twenty-nine years ago a man in Kansas City made a choice to give away the cash. It was a choice that changed his life and the lives of thousands more. For the next 27 years until his death, a man known only as Secret Santa roamed the streets every December quietly giving people money. He started with $5 and $10 bills. As his fortune grew, so did the gifts. In later years, Secret Santa handed out $100 bills, sometimes two or three at a time, to people in thrift stores, diners and parking lots. He anonymously gave out about $1.3 million. It was a long-held holiday mystery: Who is the Secret Santa? Before Christmas in 2006, weakened from chemotherapy and armed with a desire to pass on his belief in random kindness, Secret Santa decided it was time to reveal his identity. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">“Santa” turned out to be Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit, Mo., who made his millions in cable television and long-distance telephone service. While Stewart also gave money to other community causes in Kansas City and his home town of Bruce, Miss., he offered the simple gifts of cash because it's something people didn’t have to "beg for, get in line for, or apply for." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">His story may be even more timely this Christmas season. Stewart’s epiphany happened just before Christmas in 1979. His circumstances were dire. For the second year in a row he had been fired just days before Christmas. He admits that he was wallowing in self-pity when he learned that giving returned an inexplicable joy. That simple discovery changed him, the entire city of Kansas City, and beyond. Let’s pick up the story as Stewart was nursing his wounds at a drive-in restaurant after getting fired once again. He describes that December day in his own words.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"It was cold and this car hop didn't have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, `I think I got it bad. She's out there in this cold making nickels and dimes,"' he said. He gave her $20 and told her to keep the change. "And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, `Sir, you have no idea what this means to me."' </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Larry Stewart was deeply touched. He decided to go to the bank that day and took out $200, then drove around looking for people who could use a lift. That was his "Christmas present to himself." He hit the streets each December every year after that Christmas. In January of 2007 Larry Stewart died died from complications caused by esophageal cancer. He was only fifty-eight years old. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.secretsantausa.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Even after his passing his mission lives on.</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> Stewart spoke often to community groups about his devotion to kindness and to inspire others to donate their time and money. "That's what we're here for," Stewart says, "to help other people out." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Larry Stewart learned the reality of money and possessions that was eloquently expressed by author Thomas Fuller. “Riches enlarge rather than satisfy appetites.”<br />As a follower of Christ I think Stewart has it half right when he notes that we are here to help other people out. The religious scholars asked Jesus what a purpose driven life should look like.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." (Matthew 22, The Message)</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The truth is that when I love and trust God with all of my passion and intelligence I have the freedom to allow God to love others through me. During this Christmas season I am challenging you to join me in trying Larry Stewart’s experiment. Go buy yourself a gadget or outfit or bauble. Note the reading on your personal joy meter. Then go give money to a desperate Mom trying to make ends meet. Or give some cash to an elderly couple who can’t pay the heating bill. Deliver a Christmas gift to children who would not receive gifts any other way. Check your personal joy meter again. Then note which action has given you real joy. Was it acquiring more stuff or meeting real needs in the lives of others? Larry Stewart learned that lesson. And the world is a better place because of the revelation he experienced on a cold December day twenty-nine years ago. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Pray about what you can give this Christmas. Remember that Larry Stewart started small. I pray that you will receive the kind of joy that drove the Kansas City “Secret Santa”. I pray that you will experience the chance to witness the surprised joy of a person receiving an unexpected and much needed gift. That is kind of like salvation given by grace, isn’t it? A gift of grace received only by faith. I unwrapped that gift almost forty years ago and it is still changing me today. That is the gift that Jesus brought to Bethlehem two millenia ago. And that is another gift we should be eager to share this Christmas season.</span>Dim capacity for wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378411173747946835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-43390389825701675812008-10-21T02:06:00.003-03:002008-10-21T02:11:56.587-03:00October Baptism ~ Long Lake Camp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH3GyjrCy708RRc4iRhiC8rid7peZoFkCoULhKaVS5KwXt2wX-gLh1u1BTnujRgu_0Zmy3PpET1sRG2fi75y31Au_aosJNFR2O2e9IzdpBKCIhc4YyqWAs9iRvEncr8F-cMFvVMhZGV8/s1600-h/S7302036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH3GyjrCy708RRc4iRhiC8rid7peZoFkCoULhKaVS5KwXt2wX-gLh1u1BTnujRgu_0Zmy3PpET1sRG2fi75y31Au_aosJNFR2O2e9IzdpBKCIhc4YyqWAs9iRvEncr8F-cMFvVMhZGV8/s400/S7302036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259470224625674514" /></a>Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-44619916044884616072008-10-02T08:55:00.002-03:002008-10-02T09:04:23.463-03:00I'll be the first to admit I am not very good at praying. I don't mean that I can't get the words or thoughts put together to pray, I just don't do it often enough.<div><br /><div>Most of us pray when we need help from God. "God please do this or God please help me with that". You know how it goes. What do you do when life is good? It is far too easy to take credit yourself for the good times and blame God for the bad ones. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take a moment now if you can and thank the Lord for your life, your family your friends and Christ. It only takes 2 seconds to say thank you but those two words go a long way. Think of all the times you did something for someone and they didn't thank you. I bet you remembered that didn't you? By the same token you probably remembered if they did and that made you feel pretty good. Why is God any different?</div><div><br /></div><div>With that I say Thank you God for everything, good and bad. It is Christ who shaped me, saved me and reserved a space for me in Heaven. Thank you.</div></div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-62268730043940054712008-09-09T19:19:00.005-03:002008-09-09T21:59:29.866-03:00It's Been Too LongI must apologize for the time between my contributions to the Blog. Between new jobs, studies and prepping for Municipal Elections I have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">neglected</span> to post. Not to mention the issue with my parents that had all but consumed our summer but more on that another time.<div><br /></div><div>The Lord will Provide. We've all heard that one before right?</div><div><br /></div><div>"Sure He will", most people would say sarcastically. I am here to tell you brothers and sisters that He indeed will. Without writing a 5000 word essay on "How the Lord has provided this summer" I will try to explain.</div><div><br /></div><div>There have been a number of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occasions</span> since I turned my life over to Christ where our family has wondered how we would weather certain "financial storms", especially the last few months during career changes for us both.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Trina was ending most days at work crying from the stress, the Lord put a dear friend on my path who presented our family with a chance for me to work full-time and my wife to leave her job and stay at home with the kids (I was a stay-at-home Dad for 8 years).</div><div><br /></div><div>When we were just about to make the switch, cutting our income almost in half, the Lord saw our need and let's just say, money arrived out of nowhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we needed to re-think our "vehicle situation", He guided us to a solution that just couldn't have happened any other way. </div><div><br /></div><div>To some, most maybe, it's coincidence. To me, to people who truly believe that the Lord is around us, watching us and helping us, there is no doubt His hand was there every step of the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe for you it will be time that He gives you. Maybe it will be money, a friend, healing or simply love. Whatever it is that you need pray, ask for help. He knows what you need but wants to hear you call Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Remember A Field of Dreams? "If you build it, they will come"</div><div><br /></div><div>To you I say, "If you need Him, He will come".</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Praises go Up, The Blessings come down...</div><div><br /></div><div>Always.</div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-46611388110528726112008-08-08T10:56:00.002-03:002008-08-08T11:00:20.787-03:00<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fearless Living</span></strong><br /><br /><em>“God wants you to have a blessed life. He wants you to reach farther than you have ever reached and to bless so many others” (Edward John).<br /></em>by Edward John<br /><p><br />It’s important to know that God wants you to succeed so you can live a rewarding and fulfilling life. On the other hand, you also need to be aware that the enemy wants you to fail. He does this by pulling you down and holding you back with fear.1) Here are some of the greatest fear factors that he uses to hinder you from reaching your destiny:<br /><br /><br />Fear of man<br />Fear of loneliness<br />Fear of failure<br />Fear of God </p><p><br />No one said it would be easy and no one promised us a ride on angel wings, but you and I can have the assurance that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to help us.2) According to the Bible, anyone who believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord has access to His resurrection power.3) Because the Holy Spirit resides within us, we can experience the energizing power of God to live life more abundantly.4)<br /><br /><strong>Fear of Man<br /></strong><br />As soon as we think we’ve got to measure up to what others think, the fear of man kicks in. To overcome this snare, we need to be more concerned about what God thinks instead. For it’s His opinion that really counts. No matter what others think or say, we can place our trust in Him by standing upon His Word, upon His promises, and upon all the things that He has said. Of course, we should love and respect people, but we must honour God first.5) He should always be number one in our lives. When you place your trust in Him – rather than in another human being – the fear of man will be broken.<br /><br /><strong>Fear of Loneliness<br /></strong><br />What a beautiful thing loneliness can be if you understand what God does in the midst of these times of solitude. Moses was out in the desert, all alone, when God appeared to him in a burning bush, announcing that he had been chosen to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.6) It was while confined in prison that God prepared Joseph to become one of the greatest rulers in history.7) David was out by himself in the pasture field caring for sheep when he was appointed by God – eventually becoming one of the most famous kings of the world.8) This leads us to Jesus Christ, the “King of kings and Lord of lords.”9) Often surrounded by people, Jesus would withdraw purposely and go to a quiet, solitary place.10) The “King of kings” knew that unless He spent these special moments alone with His Heavenly Father, He would never become all that He was destined to be.<br /><br />So don’t be afraid of loneliness and definitely don’t start complaining. Murmuring and complaining will just take you away from the presence of God. Rather, take time to enjoy being alone in His presence. Make this decision so you can move up to the next level and become all that He desires you to be. Remember, it’s important training ground.<br /><br /><strong>Fear of Failure<br /></strong><br />We are all so afraid of failing, aren’t we? Yet, as humans, we’ve all made our share of mistakes.11) But it’s the attitude of our hearts that’s going to determine whether we’ve failed in the eyes of Almighty God.12) If your heart is geared toward pleasing Him, He is going to make sure every mistake you have ever made works together for good.13) He also promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”14) No matter what you do – as long as you abide by the Word of God – you will always succeed.15) So friend, don’t be afraid of failure. Rise up, become like a lion on the inside and say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”16)<br /><br /><strong>Fear of God<br /></strong><br />Many people think that we need to be terribly afraid of God. Although the Bible does state that we are to have a reverential fear of Him,17) it is not to be confused with being frightfully scared. Rather it’s referring to our need to honour and respect Him as our Heavenly Father.18) The healthy boundaries He has set for us in His Word are not meant to make our lives boring or difficult, nor are they designed to make us fail. To the contrary, He lovingly gave them to us so we could avoid all the things that will sidetrack us from reaching our maximum potential.19) By walking according to His healthy boundaries, we’ll be able to abide in His love and peace.20) “God is love” – perfect love – and “perfect love casts out fear.”21)<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Endnotes<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">1) 2 Timothy 1:7<br />2) John 14:26; 15:26<br />3) John 10:10<br />4) Acts 1:8<br />5) Matthew 22:37-39<br />6) Exodus 3<br />7) Genesis 39<br />8) 1 Samuel 16<br />9) Revelation 19:16<br />10) Matthew 14:23<br />11) Romans 3:23<br />12) 1 Samuel 16:7<br />13) Romans 8:28<br />14) Hebrews 13:5<br />15) Joshua 1:8<br />16) Philippians 4:13<br />17) Psalm 11:10<br />18) Malachi 1:6<br />19) Deuteronomy 5:33<br />20) Romans 2:10<br />21) 1 John 4:8,18<br /><br />Born in Oslo, Norway, Edward John always excelled in sports as a youth, becoming one of the country’s top junior ski-jumpers and a promising professional soccer player. One day, while on the field, he heard a voice saying, “Are you going to run after Me like you run after that ball?” Edward knew it was a clear call from God, and decided to dedicate his life to Him. He has since become an exceptional artist, musician, author, TV host and speaker – touching audiences around the world with the Gospel. </span></p>Dim capacity for wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378411173747946835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-30651791399558754322008-07-22T09:36:00.005-03:002008-07-22T09:54:13.585-03:00Your Life is a Story: You Choose the Ending<em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><strong>Dim Capacity For Wings</strong> emailed this and I found it helpful and timely as it ties in with our recently completed EPIC study...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#660000;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#660000;">When prayer is our lifeline then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives</span></em>.<br /><br />by Margaret Gibbs<br /><br />In his book, <em><span style="color:#660000;">Know Your Story, Shape Your Future</span></em>, Dan Allender, writes: "You are a story. You are not merely the possessor and teller of a number of stories; you are a well-written, intentional story that is authored by the greatest Writer of all time, and even before time and after time.”<br /><br />Prayer is one of the primary themes in our story. We are impoverished if we regard prayer as a religious activity. When prayer is our lifeline - our spiritual breathing - then we partner with God and come into a greater fullness of fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives.<br /><br />The power of prayer is best seen in our daily lives. Prayer changes and transforms us. Prayer is far more than asking and receiving, it is becoming. When we pray, we create our own prayer atmosphere by our thinking and attitudes. Our attitudes are shaped by our thoughts. Our thoughts form our prayers.<br /><br />John Ortberg in his book, <span style="color:#660000;"><em>God Is Closer Than You Think</em></span>, writes: “Being with God is something that takes place primarily in our thoughts, our mind. To experience the closeness of God, it means a revolution of the mind.” Back in my teen years, when I fought insecurity, acute shyness and a limited purpose, my praying came out of my own insecurity. I approached prayer with trepidation. I battled questions such as: “Does God care for me? What do I have to prove to God to be accepted? Would God just drop me if I didn’t reach a level of personal goodness?” In those days, I felt I wasn’t being embraced by God. I failed to understand what was recorded in His Word. He loved me with an everlasting love and would never leave me nor forsake me. He was embracing me and lovingly calling me into His presence but my own thinking created a disconnect between God and myself. I was in a self-inflicted prison and only Word-based prayer could set me free.<br /><br />How we view ourselves is the most revealing commentary on our theology and can be the greatest hindrance in prayer development. In later years I kept an extremely busy schedule and battled the Spirit’s gentle call to prayer. I resisted because my mind and heart were elsewhere. At one mid-week church prayer meeting, I had a wake-up call when, surrounded by incredible intercessors, I found myself writing out my "to do" list.<br /><br />Multi-tasking and my demanding schedule pulled me farther from my heavenly Father. He seemed removed, unreachable. Only Word-based praying could transform my thinking and bring me into a place of spiritual hunger.<br /><br />A personal crisis was the catalyst God used to call me to intercession. Emotionally drained, I turned to God’s Word. The book of Ephesians became like a stream of fresh water to my parched and weary soul. I studied and prayed Paul’s prison prayers – word by word and phrase by phrase – assimilating God’s truth into my spirit. My prayer time steadily increased until an hour in prayer seemed like mere minutes.<br /><br />Prayer became an incubator for change. God’s Word came alive in my heart – my thinking was transformed! I finally saw God as able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine or think according to His power that is at work within us. I saw myself as chosen, called in partnership with God to fulfill His plans and purpose for my life. The plot of our stories could forever change if we prayed the Scriptures, allowing His truth to change our thoughts and attitudes, transforming our prayers by becoming a divine partnership – one page at a time.<br /><br />Hope this helps...Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-51946842281346703752008-07-10T07:02:00.002-03:002008-07-10T07:11:18.809-03:00Power of PrayerJust a short post today.<div><br /></div><div>I just found out I passed my Canadian Securities Exam and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. The failure rate for this course is 70%.</div><div>The day before I wrote the exam I asked a number of men (the large Sons of Thunder) if they would pray for me during my exam. Now I'll be honest, I didn't pass with flying colours. In fact, it was close but it was a pass, which is a high enough mark (it's not 50%). I'm telling you this to make a very important point though. I left the exam feeling like there was little doubt I wouldn't pass. Some of that was because of the fact I studied of course but a lot of that was because I knew God would take care of me. I knew if there were people also asking God to help me, I would be taken care of. There was that confidence I have mentioned before. My guys have got my back and so does the Lord. The path I am now on is the path God wants me on and because of that, because I know that, I am in good hands and He will help me the whole way through. </div><div>If you need anything, any help, we are all here to pray for you and that is powerful.</div><div><br /></div><div>David</div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-20706124388390602782008-07-06T12:23:00.002-03:002008-07-06T12:29:49.379-03:00Tombstone StoryHow do you want to be remembered? In our EPIC study, we've been talking about the "Story of the Bible" and our place in the story. Here's an interesting article by author/ comedian Phil Callaway, on a brief summary of your life - your tombstone story! Have a quick read. <br /><br /><br />TOMBSTONE EVANGELISM, by Phil Callaway<br /><br /> On the night of my 35th birthday, I tucked my ten-year-old into bed. He squinted at me. "How old are you?" he said. "Thirty-five, Son," I replied. "Wow!" yelled Stephen, "You're half dead!" I tucked him in calmly, went across the hall and removed him from the will. Actually, I got thinking about how fast these years have gone. And we pick up speed the closer we get to Home. So I decided to pick out a tombstone. There are some real winners out there.<br /><br /> One says, "He should have ducked." Another headstone reads, "Here lies an atheist. All dressed up and no place to go." A woman in Key West, Florida, married to a man who was known as a womanizer, ordered a tombstone that read: "Frank, at least I know where you're sleeping tonight." Such a horrible epitaph should cause us to ask ourselves: What are we leaving behind? What will be our legacy?<br /><br /> I asked some of the best-known Christians of our time those questions. I think you'll enjoy their answers.<br /><br /> Josh McDowell, the internationally-renowned apologist said, "When God called me into the ministry He never called me to be successful. He called me to be obedient. And I'd like to be remembered as a man who was obedient and faithful right up to the end. I want to take as many people as I can with me to Heaven, and enjoy life along the way."<br /><br /> Author Elizabeth Elliot had a simple answer: "I want to be remembered as a servant of God. Nothing else."<br /><br /> Popular singer Steven Curtis Chapman said: "I hope my children will say I was a committed father. And it would be nice if people remembered a song here and there, but that's pretty insignificant compared to my desire to know Christ and to make Him known."<br /><br /> And popular songwriter Gloria Gaither, whose song "Because He Lives" has been translated into almost every known language on earth, summed it up this way: "If I had to write my epitaph, it would probably say, 'She gave herself away for the things that last forever.'"<br /><br /> And what would I like on my tombstone? Simply this: "He found God's grace too amazing to keep to himself."<br /><br /> How about you? What would you like to be remembered for? Even when you're half dead, you still live your life on purpose!<br /><br />Phil Callaway is an award-winning writer and popular speaker.<br />Visit him online at <a href="http://www.philcallaway.com/">philcallaway.com</a>Dim capacity for wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378411173747946835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-52113610553254979662008-06-29T12:09:00.002-03:002008-06-29T12:17:16.911-03:00Cardboard TestimoniesHere's proof that testimonies can be brief.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvDDc5RB6FQ&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvDDc5RB6FQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-33311605036073951752008-06-20T16:58:00.002-03:002008-06-20T17:02:37.419-03:00TestimoniesDavid started this ball rolling. He was the first to add his testimony here and challenged the rest of us to do the same. The idea being that we take turns each month. The one who offers the thoughts benefits from the exercise of ‘writing it out’ and the reader gets the opportunity to hear how God has transformed a man’s life. It’s a great idea.<br /><br />When we lived in BC, I was asked to share my story at a Christian Businessmen’s Banquet. The organizers asked me to fill 45 minutes. 45 minutes! I can write and I can speak…but 45 minutes to say what’s on my mind is way too long.<br /><br />I somehow managed to pull it off but left the meeting feeling like it must have been dreadfully dry and dull. When I think back on that event…and consider what to say here I am struck by the fact that most men are never invited to tell their story. Nobody asks to hear it. When has someone asked to hear your testimony?<br /><br />What bugs me is that men are generally perceived to be not the ‘sharing’ kind. Consensus is that men do not want to share much of anything…maybe the odd power tool but heaven forbid a serious spiritual thought, question or response. I think that most guys are happy to be perceived in this light…wrong as it may be. Why is it easier and strangely more acceptable for a man to be a goof than a genius? Get too serious about life and you run the risk of being pegged a freak or a sap.<br /><br />Regardless, I think that every man wants to tell his unique story in context. He needs to share his heart, he needs to be understood and he needs to know that he is accepted as-is. It may not pour out all at once but over the course of weeks or years. So long as it happens. With trust comes a confidence and openness to share. So, let’s start asking for more of the story.<br /><br />“Father, thank you for the men this community of faith. Help us to share earnest support for each other by our actions; may we care enough to ask for more of the story, to listen intently and respond with the love of Christ. Amen.”Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-20442571410634205742008-06-14T06:54:00.002-03:002008-06-14T06:59:09.810-03:00See a Need, Fill a NeedIf any of you have seen the movie Robots then you'll recognize the title of this post. It's very simple yet something we don't always do. As summer approaches and we bring everything down a notch to try and relax a bit, let's keep that statement in mind. <div>Things in our Church, home and community still go on. A brother may need some help, an ear to listen or a verse to inspire. We not only need to keep moving forward, but to keep our eyes open and if we see a need........</div><div><br /></div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-82492671015627588692008-06-02T18:57:00.006-03:002008-06-03T06:12:32.204-03:00Behind closed doors<strong>"Most men live lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them" - </strong>Henry David Thoreau<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">One of my all-time favourite quotes. It’s a quote that can be interpreted several different ways, but if you research Thoreau, it appears his meaning applied to the masses who toil day after day at a job they despise, but do not have the means - or perhaps the courage - to walk away and do what it is they really want to do. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There could be nothing worse than living a life of quiet desperation. Yet it seems so many people do. To me, it relates not only to what you do in life, but who you are. Not that long ago, I remember waking up one day and thinking, “This is not my life. This cannot be my life. This is NOT what the rest of my life is supposed to be.” </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So I changed it. But it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t simple. It was kind of like standing on the edge of a precipice and preparing to jump, not knowing how far down the bottom was, or if you’d even land safely, or if there’d be anyone to catch you.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But I jumped anyway. Don’t get me wrong – there is nothing ignoble or desperate about working 9-5 to pay the bills, feed the family, maintain a roof over your head - all the things society and obligation and responsibility demands of us. But even if that is so, even if your livelihood is not your passion, then it behooves you to find passion somewhere else – be it in a hobby, a cause, your spouse, your kids, your friendships, whatever. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Do not settle, do not let your one shot at life be filled with moments of doubt and despair and regret over what might have been. Find your song, and then…sing. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">To those not living lives of quiet desperation, I salute you, I admire you. To those who believe they have no choice but to go to the grave with the song still in them, I feel your pain. I urge you to reconsider. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It was missionary Jim Elliot who said, "Until you find something worth dying for, you're not really living."<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life, lived to the full." (John 10:10) In one respect, as followers of the Master, we are called to live life in the extreme - this is so far from 'quiet desperation', behind closed doors, isolated and alone. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Let me leave you with another piece of classic Thoreau for your reflection: “When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.”</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">CP</span>Dim capacity for wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378411173747946835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-81664336856719647272008-05-30T11:51:00.002-03:002008-05-30T12:00:22.615-03:00The Power of ManLast Sunday the men of Bridgewater Baptist stood up to publicly show that we are united as men in Christ.<div><br /></div><div>This was a very powerful statement because, well let's face it, we're not always together as a group. We are all in different places in our life due to age, health, family situation, you name it there are differences. What is the same and is a constant is Christ. We may not be at the same place on our 'walk' with the Lord but the path ends at the same location. There is no reason why we cannot take this journey together. Last Sunday we told our Church, by taking our stand together, that is what we are going to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is going to be an amazing time for us all and I would invite anyone reading this to join with us. You may not go to our Church or even live in Nova Scotia but there is no reason why we cannot pray, support and basically be there for each other. Women have been doing it forever, we're just catching up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Formula1http://www.blogger.com/profile/07737959613382022937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-46329557526384035292008-05-22T09:45:00.004-03:002008-12-09T04:13:24.837-04:00Sons Of Thunder Study Beginning Soon!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qhnM8eBBuQLWHmsf5RgWtjhXGUGRTmo4KajBs-bHMouPs3rWBs5aCDcLGOVALDMHypPebtev_VhlmWg7hxRRrHBqUi-beiHcJ-XQ_J4l_-iwlRiiTHUNEwZIImB9EG1DASYahldl8_M/s1600-h/0068.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qhnM8eBBuQLWHmsf5RgWtjhXGUGRTmo4KajBs-bHMouPs3rWBs5aCDcLGOVALDMHypPebtev_VhlmWg7hxRRrHBqUi-beiHcJ-XQ_J4l_-iwlRiiTHUNEwZIImB9EG1DASYahldl8_M/s200/0068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203183456529695010" /></a>Many of you signed up to be included in a Men’s Study at the church. With nearly 40 guys on the list there will not be an ideal hour during the week that will work for everyone. And, having said that – there may be opportunity for a 2nd or 3rd group study…breakfast, mid-week…whenever. For the moment, I will get us underway on Sunday, June 1st at 7pm at the church. I hope you can make it.<br /><br />I’ve picked out “EPIC” – Discover the story that God is telling. It is designed to help reveal every man’s crucial role in the God’s Larger Story! I believe you will appreciate John Eldredge’s perspective. This is a short study – only 6 weeks, and that could be good as we head into summer. Format will be simple: Watch a 20 minute thought provoking, dramatic presentation on DVD and follow with some more thoughts, questions and reaction. It will be casual. <br /><br />Please know that by committing to this you will not be put on the spot in any way. I do not presume to know your personal story and you may be questioning, for the first time, what faith in Christ really means. At the same time if you’ve been a Christian for many years there is definitely a place for you too. Trust me, every man will benefit! So please come, feel welcome and comfortable! <br /><br />Oh, best part…you won’t need to buy anything – no materials required. Come as you are.Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-23229438975467491702008-05-19T23:08:00.004-03:002008-05-20T06:25:38.545-03:00Without PermissionI'm giving the author credit so I should not be sued for uploading this article. Corey emailed it to me and I thought...why not post it on the blog. There is lots to consider. Some strong talk here. Feedback is welcome.<br /><br />----------<br /><br /><div align="center"></div>The author is David Murrow, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/0785260382"><span style="color:#660000;">"Why Men Hate Going To Church"</span></a></li> You've heard it said that fathers are the spiritual leaders of the home. Now there's a study to prove it.<br /><br />Researchers from Switzerland examined whether parents' religious habits were transmitted to their offspring. They studied different variables, but one critical factor towered above the rest: the practices of the father determine whether children grow up attending church or not. And here's the shocker: the habits of the mother have almost no influence over their kids' future devotion.<br /><br />Consider these findings:<br /><br />When Mom is a regular churchgoer but Dad attends infrequently, just 3 percent of their kids go on to become regular churchgoers.<br /><br />When Mom is regular but Dad never attends, just 2 percent become regular attenders.<br /><br />Now, let's flip the chart. What if Dad is faithful?<br /><br />When both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 33 percent of kids grow up to attend regularly.<br /><br />When Dad is regular but Mom only goes once in a while, the figure jumps to 38 percent.<br /><br />Here's the real bombshell: when Dad is faithful but Mom never attends, 44 percent of the kids end up as regular church attenders!!<br /><br />Bottom line: in spiritual matters, kids take their cues from Dad. If Papa doesn't go to church, chances are very slim that his children will become regular worshippers. If the kids see religion as "Mom's thing" they are more likely to become disenchanted. But if Dad leads by example, children are twenty-two times more likely to become lifelong churchgoers.<br /><br />Curtis Burnam, a 20-year veteran of youth ministry has seen it time and again. "Kids who are taken to church by Mom but not Dad are harder to keep in church. They tend to drop out at higher rates when they reach adolescence. They are also harder to engage when they do come to youth group. This is true for girls as well as boys."<br /><br />Why are these findings so alarming? Because men are dropping out of North America's churches. Consider this:<br /><br />In 1952, the typical protestant worship service drew an adult crowd that was 47 percent male. Today that figure is 39 percent, or less -- and falling.<br /><br />On any given Sunday there are 13 million fewer men than women in the pews.<br /><br />Almost a quarter of married, churchgoing women attend services without their husbands each Sunday.<br /><br />According to Barna Research, men lag behind women in every area of Christian endeavor (except the senior pastorate).<br /><br />Few churches can establish or maintain a viable men's ministry.<br /><br />The majority of churchgoing men do nothing midweek (other than pray) to grow in faith.<br /><br />Two obvious questions come to mind: why are Christian churches losing their men? And why are churchgoing men so uninvolved?<br /><br />Jesus enthralled men. Rival faiths such as Islam inspire fanatical allegiance from young men.<br /><br />What's the difference?<br /><br />I studied this phenomenon for five years, and wrote my findings in a book titled, Why Men Hate Going to Church (Nelson Books, 2005). If I had to summarize my conclusions in one sentence it would be this: The modern church system is not designed to do what Jesus did: reach men with the Good News.<br /><br />No, today's churches, without even realizing it, create an environment where women and tots thrive, but men feel hesitant and restrained. How so? Without even realizing it, modern churches default to a feminine spirituality. For instance, we focus almost exclusively on Christ's gentle side. A good Christian is always soft, sweet, and sentimental, focused on family and relationships instead of goals and achievement. Common church practices such as handholding, sitting in a circle and sharing your feelings, public reading and singing make men feel uncomfortable or incompetent. Today's praise songs present Christ as lover rather than leader. I could go on.<br /><br />So men depart (or go passive). This in itself is a tragedy. But the greater loss comes years later, when the next generation turns its back on church, despite their mothers' superhuman attempts to grow them into spiritual champions.<br /><br />It's time to face the truth: if we're going to pass a lifelong faith to our children, we must re-engage men. No amount of Sunday school, VBS, or youth group will do the trick. We might as well fold up our flannel-graphs and go home. In fact, we might reach more kids by canceling the entire children's ministry and focusing our efforts on men. This strategy would, in the long run, produce more lifelong followers of Jesus.<br /><br />Kids need one thing: to see their fathers following Jesus. The question is: do we have the courage to transform the local church into a place where your average guy can connect with God?Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8891762439803825080.post-72558609691256760592008-05-14T11:42:00.003-03:002008-05-14T11:48:48.907-03:00A Rising TideOne time Irish Prime Minister Sean Lemass said, “A rising tide lifts all boats”. My dream is that men continue to grasp the exciting vision we share and join us. The tide is rising.<br /><br />The highest tides in the world are right here in our backyard in the amazing Bay of Fundy. Consider the impact of 1 billion tons of water moving in and out twice a day. The terrain is unmistakably changed. Do you see how we can change the landscape of our community? Pray for vision.<br /><br />And, pray for Rob travelling in Indonesia. Pray for Rob’s family here at home. Pray for Paul & Janice on their Alaskan Cruise. Pray for Sarah & John getting married in 2 weeks. Pray for Kerstin as he has decided to take on something huge! Pray for the young guys in our church. May the older guys be available and strong examples to all young men. Pray for the <a href="http://www.bridgewater.ca/images/documents/red_rally_2008.pdf"><span style="color:#990000;">Red Rally</span></a></li> that David has organized. Pray for our families – parents, brothers, sisters and children. Pray for Harry Gardner who will speak this weekend. Keep praying for Eric and the mission and vision in our church and the Capital Campaign that’s taking shape. Just keep praying.Legs and Wingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109916595853258092noreply@blogger.com0