Spring 2021 Book Reading List.

 So what are you reading?

So How does a Canadian end up in the US ministering?

 So How does a Canadian end up in the US ministering?

I get this question a lot.

Long Story short: God. I grew up in Canada, went to a church as a young man and was thinking ministry (Due to the influence of the godly men and women from my home church included several families like the Hoovers, Donovons, Kindys, Sevenpipers, Mrs.C, The Ladies Group, and of course Terry Tanner). I was looking at several different schools - then this one from NC came. I didn't have any $$$. They just said - come, God would provide. (And HE did). So I ended up on a campus I didn't even see, and going to school with people I hardly knew except by this Choir Tour.(The school originally was called Roanoke Bible College now Mid Atlantic Christian University)

Originally my plans was to be a youth minister - and go back to Canada. But God had other plans. When I was at school, I was probably the class clown ... but also wanting to do what was right. In my Junior Year, I met my future Bride. We married 4 years later.

I had my first ministry in Ohio and went from student to youth minister and Religious Worker. (According to the then INS) then I went back to school and took some seminary classes at Anderson University's School of Theology. From there I ended up in Virginia as a Associate/Youth Minister with a Christian School (Now called Compass Christian)... and then my last youth ministry as the Youth and Family Minister at Cary Christian in Cary, NC. Now called the Point Church

Several times I had tried and applied to positions in Canada but God had shut those doors. Including contacting Canada Church Growth, Impact Canada, Maritimes Church planting, our 2 Bible Colleges there etc. This last time, God shut the door Big time. I wanted to try to minister in Ontario, but was told the timing was not right. I was in Maryland for several years.

Somehow God lead me to the ministry I'm currently in. It truly has been a God thing. I've been married almost 24 years and 3 kids later. The Church I serve now is where God wants me to be.

Serving a small church, and helping with a Christian school aftercare (where Valerie teaches)

I get asked a lot ...so what is your current status? I came here legally, I have some final paperwork to hear back from; and going through the final hoops after years of work. My children can be dual citizens.

Sometimes I joke about being a Canadian missionary to the States. Ultimately my citizenship is in heaven.

So in answer to the question "How does a Canadian end up in the States ministering?" Only by the Grace of God. I'm still amazed He allows such a messy disciple and jerk like me to be serving. Thanks for His indescribable gift.

Preaching Jesus Through the Gospel of Mark

 In 2021 I'm preaching through the Gospel of Mark. A chapter a Sunday. Here are some good reasons to preach through the gospel of Mark:

1.  Gives an Introduction to Jesus.

2. Shows Jesus as God's servant.

3. Gives insight to the ministry of Jesus.

4. Shows the teachings of Jesus.

5. Shows the reason why Jesus came.

6. Shows how we can be servants like Jesus.

7. Gives us Hope in a world that needs Hope.

8. Shows us what Jesus suffered for us and what He went through.

9. The Servant's Resurrection.

10. We have a story to tell  ....

Welcome

 

Working on the Blog for 2021

Trying to blog more this year ...

A Prayer

 

Came across this written prayer recently: May it be yours.

Humility in Service

Mighty God,

I humble myself for faculties misused. opportunities neglected.

words ill-advised,

I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,  my broken resolutions, untrue service, my backsliding steps,

my vain thoughts.

0 bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus' blood

and let no evil result from my fretfuJ temper; unseemly behavior, provoking pettiness.

If by unkindness  I   have wounded or hurt another,

do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation;

If 1have turned coldly from need, misery, grief, do not in just anger forsake me;

If I  have withheld relief from penury' and pain, do not withhold the gracious bounty from me.

If I have shunned those who have offended me,

keep open the door of thy heart to my need.

 

Fill me wi h an overflowing ocean of compassion, the reign of love my motive,

the law of  love  my. rule.

 

O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful, more humble;

Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness arising from

the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,

my unimproved  advantages, thy commands violated by me.

With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember that I have reason for sorrow and humiliation;

0 give me repentance unto life;

Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,

that faith may adhere to him more immoveably,

that love may entwine it elf round him more tightly

that his spirit may pervade every fibre of my being. Then send me out to make hi m known to my fellow men.

Illustration on Conflict.

 

A lady was arrested and hauled into court to face the charge of murder of her third husband.

The prosecutor took aim at this rugged lady and said, "The report says here that your first husband died of mushroom poisoning. Is that true?"

"Yes, sir, that's what did it;' she replied.

He continued, "And the report says that your second husband died. How did it happen?"

"Well, he also died of mushroom poisoning", she replied without batting an eye.

The prosecutor then roared back, "Your third husband died of a blow to the head. Just how do you explain that?"

Without wincing, she replied, "He refused to eat the mushrooms." Ok.

At least she was honest.

February Reading List