Mental Mode

Child Soldiers

2007-02-12T11:09:00.000-05:00

Stolen kids turned into terrifying killers - By Ann O'Neill, CNN

(CNN) -- Warlords are forcing children in conflicts around the world to become killing machines -- nothing more than what one child advocate calls "cannon fodder."

Some children are kidnapped from their schools or their beds, some are recruited after seeing their parents slaughtered, some may even choose to join the militias as their best hope for survival in war-torn countries from Colombia, and across Africa and the Middle East, to south Asia.

Once recruited, many are brainwashed, trained, given drugs and then sent into battle with orders to kill.

There is no escape for what the United Nations and human rights groups estimate are 250,000 child soldiers today. These children, some as young as 8, become fighters, sex slaves, spies and even human shields.

eBay

2007-02-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Spiders

2007-02-05T15:34:00.000-05:00

End Slavery

2007-01-11T07:56:00.000-05:00

Slavery. Many people think it's a relic of the past. But as you're reading this, the number of slaves in the world exceeds 27 million people.

Today we're working to end modern-day slavery. The movie below is brought to you by The Amazing Change Fund and tells the story of modern-day abolitionists and gives you easy ways to get involved.

Check out this video and then become part of the campaign to end slavery in this world:
The Amazing Change

Looking Forward to 2007

2007-01-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

It's been five months since I last posted. We had a strange year (2006). In the summer I had surgery to remove part of my bowel where the cancer had been. That took a while to recover from. While the surgeon was in there she noticed a spot on my liver. It was very small and she removed it. It turned out to be cancer. Thankfully it was removed, but unfortunately that changed things for us. It meant that it was now considered a stage 4 cancer. The doctor figures the cancer got there by travelling in some mucous in my abdomen. I figure that's better than having travelled through my blood or lymph nodes.

I started an aggressive chemotherapy in August. It's been fairly manageable, but the fatigue can be tough. I have three more treatments to do and then...who knows. We'll just have to wait and see if anything ever comes back. My last CT scan came back clear. We were pretty pleased with that. I imagine that for the next few years I'll be having many CT scans.

This has been a long and tiring experience, but God has been good. I've been able to work and I've been able to find some new clients, one of which has been very faithful in sending me work. If anyone reading this is looking for a graphic designer feel free to check out my website at www.gdevitt.com.

Looking forward to a better 2007,
Greg.

Sparks fly upward

2006-08-09T10:35:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness really bad news only happens to other people—a missing child, a serious accident, or illness. We always know someone who has suffered or is suffering deeply, but rarely do we ponder the possibility that we will become someone else’s “other person” story.

Have you heard the one about the young father who went to the hospital to have his appendix out and discovered that he had cancer? I’ll bet not in his wildest dreams did he think that he would be the “other person.” But it happened. Imagine moment when the surgeon delivers the news and you feel like you’ve been compressed into the ground with a ten tonne anvil—when you’re whole being is filled with fear, and dread, and regret. It really happened—to me.

On April 19, 2006 I became the “other person” for so many people—maybe for you. To be honest, it’s a distinction I’d rather not have. Famous among dozens is good enough for me. I really didn’t need the attention. But, sometimes you pray a prayer without really thinking of the possibilities.

“God, I feel stuck spiritually. Increase my faith.”

If you pray that, don’t be surprised when it gets answered. I have a feeling that’s one of those prayers that God always answers with, “Sure thing.”

Suffering is a part of life. Whether it’s because of our proximity to sin, or our pursuit of holiness, we will all suffer. That is the reality of living in a fallen world. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from suffering. We might be citizens of another kingdom but we’re still mucking around this place. God is in the redemption business, not the make-your-whole-life-turn-out-exactly-as-you-want-it-to business—and God can redeem suffering.

What good can possibly come from suffering, you say? Well, first let’s throw out the hackneyed phrases that roll off our tongue so easily, so often: “All things come together for good for those that love the Lord,” “Don’t worry, it’ll all work out fine,” etc. They sound really good and Christian, but let’s face it, when you become the “other person” they’re pretty hard to swallow. The truth is, you might never see any good come of it, and it might not all work out fine—at least not on this side of eternity.

So how do we see suffering as good or as James writes, “pure joy,” with this in mind?

I’ve discovered that James was not being trite when he opened his letter with those words. He was writing as a man who knew his God well. Did you know that in the first sixteen verses of the book of James over ten attributes of God are revealed? James knew that suffering takes on a different meaning when we see it in the shadow of the Almighty. But often, when your heart is wrecked and you fall on your knees and bare your anguished soul you discover that you barely know the God you’re talking too. Suffering reveals. It refines. It burns away the other stuff of life so it’s just you and God. This is where suffering is redeemed.

This is where the most desperate and desolate time of my life became my own personal Isaiah moment, “Woe to me!…I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips…my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

We can’t honestly consider suffering to be pure joy until we know the God who uses it for our sanctification—our glorification. And not only for ourselves, but for the community of Christians that surround us and enter into that suffering and show their deep love and affection, modeling Christ in their actions. To truly know God, to meditate on His attributes is the way of the psalmist and the way of the child of God who can say,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

A lot of people repeat those words in times of trouble as if they are some sort of mystical incantation—a last ditch effort to conjure the divine. What they are, I’ve discovered, is the declaration of a man who knew the object of his faith with great intimacy—a man after God’s own heart. J I Packer wrote in his book Knowing God, “What makes life worth while is having a big enough objective, something which catches our imagination and lays hold of our allegiance; and this the Christian has, in a way that no other person has. For what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?”

I like that idea. What makes life worth while is not our status, or our job, or our wealth, or even our health. It’s God—so simple and yet so easy to miss. I'm not suggesting that I would choose cancer over health. But I am grateful for the revealing work of God in my life. I am grateful for an answer to my prayer.

Strange

2006-04-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

This is strange. Since I stopped posting in November my traffic has actually gone up.

Things have changed considerably since my last post. I am now offically a freelance graphic designer. Feel free to head over to www.gdevitt.com and check out my portfolio. If you're in the market for a graphic designer feel free to contact me. I'd love to expand my client base.

I recently finished a web site for Murray Pura. Check it out www.murraypura.com. He's a great writer.

I had my appendix removed last week. I have a cool scar on my side now. I think I'll tell my son it was a knife wound when he gets older.
"How did you get that scar Dad?"
"Knife fight."
"Whoooaaaaa. Did you almost die?"
"Oh yeah."

Rate Your Profs and MDs

2005-11-01T13:22:00.000-05:00

I just came across a cool site called RateMyProfessors.ca. Now you can let the whole world know what you think about your profs. You can also link to RateMDs.com and give your doctor a checkup.

Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it, people like me.

2005-10-21T11:59:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from, The Overpraised American by Christine Rosen (it applies to Canadians too...just in case you're wondering)

Moreover, the self-esteem movement nascent when Lasch was writing has reached maturity, and its progeny - the children of Lasch's 19705 narcissists - are now forming their own families. None of them, evidently, is merely average. Many of them embrace an increasingly egalitarian family structure, uncritically and enthusiastically use personal technologies that alter the rhythms of private life and isolate family members from each other, and approach institutions such as schools and the workplace with a healthy sense of entitlement. They spend less time with their children than parents in Lasch's day, rely more on experts for advice about how to deal with them when they do, and begin building a resume of activities and test scores for them from an increasingly early age. When they seek religion, it is a heavily therapeutic kind of faith, and they avail themselves of rafts of advice and consumer products - from Suze Orman's relentlessly upbeat financial self- esteem directives to the ministrations of professional closet organizers - to help them cope with the "stresses" of their daily lives. It seems like a long time ago that Americans made much of their own clothing, grew their own food, had much larger families, and produced books, like one published in the U.S. in 1911, with titles such as Etiquette: Good Manners for All People, Especially for Those Within the Broad Zone of the Average.

If anecdotal evidence is any guide, the cult of therapy observed by Lasch also continues to exert its influence over religion. The "soft-core spirituality" Lasch saw as a sign of cultural narcissism thrives in offerings such as Mitch Albom's best-selling bit of pop spirituality, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and similar books. "The heaven that is apparently popular with readers these days is nothing more than an excellent therapy session," New York Times columnist David Brooks noted in 1004. "When you go to [Albom's] heaven, friends and helpers come and tell you how innately wonderful you are. They help you reach closure. In this heaven, God and his glory are not the center of attention. It's all about you."

Beware the Green-eyed Monster

2005-10-20T10:49:00.000-04:00

This is bizarre. Rick Warren has made Fortune's 2005 Envy List: The 25 People We Envy Most.

I think if I were a pastor that would scare the heck out of me...at least I hope it would.

Coincidence? I Think Not.

2005-10-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

Am I the only person who thinks that Tim LaHaye resembles an evil leprechaun?

Arrgh, matey!

2005-10-07T11:49:00.000-04:00

This is funny. Click on the image the read the entire commentary.
...I'm sure I've actually heard this conversation before...

ROBERTSON: I never let my children listen to songs with words. Except for John Denver.
FALWELL: John Denver was a very good singer. Of course, he's burning in hell.
LAHAYE: Of course.
ROBERTSON: You know I'm not too sure about this film. It almost seems like that girl is thinking positively about pirates.
LAHAYE: Kids are so wicked today. It's a sign that the end is near.
FALWELL: If it wasn't for those queer little Teletubbies, our kids would be a lot better off.
ROBERTSON: Oh brother—here comes another one of Jer's Telly rants.
LAHAYE: Both of you shut your traps and let's watch the movie.

Kirk Cameron is not a good actor...and other things

2005-09-29T08:46:00.000-04:00

Liberal media bias has become a hot topic for conservative pundits to bash around. From Michael Coren to the lastest article by Lorrie Goldsten there has been ample evidence to speak to this phenomena. Of course, it should come as no surprise. Universities, where most decent journalists are trained, most often lean to the left...the very far left. Conservative and specifically christian viewpoints (they are not the same thing) are not well-represented at that level. One also has to wonder if conservative and christian thinkers are not only underrepresented in the faculty, but also in the student body.

Are we encouraging our children to tackle careers that put them in places of influence? One has to wonder. Could it be that there is such a preponderance of opportunities for christians to work in very insulated environments that we are ceasing to be an influence on the culture around us. Type "christian careers" into google and you decide.

I also suspect that anti-intellectualism, which has seeped into the evangelical landscape, is also liable. For the past 40 years, we've been dumbing ourselves down. The monolith of cheesy christian romance writing and the unending torrent of end-times tomes speaks volumes to this problem.

(Isn't it interesting that we seem to be obsessed with hiding in our houses reading (and probably praying for) this fiery cataclysmic end-of-the-world scenario rather than working to redeem, not only people, but also the culture around us. I smell a self-fulfilling prophecy...)

I don't expect that we will all become academics and scholars, but why do we always seem to aim so low.

Flannery O'Connor and Mars Hill Audio

2005-09-19T07:58:00.000-04:00

Below is an excerpt from an introduction to Hillbilly Thomist: Flannery O'Connor & the Truth of Things published by Mars Hill Audio. Check them out, they will send you a free sample CD of their audio journal. It's good stuff.

...
Flannery O'Connor strongly disliked fiction that attempted to be uplifting or improving. She complained in one of her essays about fellow Catholics who wanted "positive literature," a desire that she felt was rooted in "weak faith and possibly also from this general inability to read." O'Connor was always nervous about fiction that was concerned about right belief but indifferent to the actual shape of lives being lived. She lamented that "When the Catholic novelist closes his own eyes and tries to see with the eyes of the Church, the result is another addition to that large body of pious trash for which we have so long been famous."

But Flannery O'Connor held herself and other writers to a high standard rooted in her religious convictions; she once wrote that for novelists, "Our final standard will have to be the demands of art, which are a good deal more exacting than the demands of the Church. There are novels a writer might write, and remain a good Catholic, which his conscience as an artist would not allow him to perpetuate." Art, in O'Connor's view, is rooted in the stuff of reality, and thus being a bad artist while trying to be a good Christian is no more excusable than being a bad plumber or a bad accountant or a bad driver while trying to be a good Christian. In all of these vocations, one can only be ethically responsible before God and toward one's neighbors if one is properly engaged with reality as it is, whether it be leaky pipes, arithmetic, traffic patterns, or story telling.
...

We should take heed of these words in evangelical circles and encourage fiction that is well written. We are becoming far too well-known for poorly written saccharine fluff.

Three can keep a secret if two are dead – Benjamin Franklin

2005-09-15T08:46:00.000-04:00

This image came from this site.

www.gdevitt.com

2005-09-14T21:31:00.000-04:00

I have finally overcome my web design inertia and created an online portfolio of my work. Feel free to check it out at www.gdevitt.com. I'll be adding more to the "portfolio" section in the near future, but I thought it was complete enough to launch the site. If you notice any problems or strange things please let me know. I'm especially interested to know if it works well on Windoze machines :)

cheers,
greg.

Gilead and Byzantium

2005-09-08T12:45:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to do a bit of reading this summer. Below are two books that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Gilead: A Novel
by Marilynne Robinson

From Publishers Weekly
...Robinson's prose is beautiful, shimmering and precise; the revelations are subtle but never muted when they come, and the careful telling carries the breath of suspense. There is no simple redemption here; despite the meditations on faith, even readers with no religious inclinations will be captivated. Many writers try to capture life's universals of strength, struggle, joy and forgiveness—but Robinson truly succeeds in what is destined to become her second classic. ...

This book is wonderful and has great depth.

Byzantium
by Stephen R. Lawhead

From Publishers Weekly
...[Stephen Lawhead] now tells the story of Aidan, a 10th-century Irish monk sent to take the Book of Kells to the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople. Separated from his fellow pilgrims, Aidan undergoes various exotic adventures, including capture by and life with Vikings, political intrigue in the Byzantine court, enslavement in a caliph's mine and loss of his all-important faith in God. Lawhead is a Christian writer, and here the Christian themes are integral and well developed...

This book is not as heavy as Gilead, but is very well-written and engaging.

Don't blame only feds

2005-09-07T17:35:00.000-04:00

Don't blame only feds By Michael Goodwin
...
The charge of racism-inspired foot-dragging isn't just nonsense. It's pernicious nonsense, as in destructive and malicious. You know that's a fact because loony Howard Dean, the Democratic Party boss, is now peddling it. He's joined by Jesse Jackson, who said the squalor in New Orleans "looks like the hull of a slave ship." Oh, please.
...

Conservative or Liberal?...How about Neither

2005-07-21T08:57:00.000-04:00

Breakpoint: Restoring Shalom - The Biblical View of Justice

...

Secularists, both liberal and conservative, fail because they see people as objects—either to be punished or to be serviced. Biblical justice is much grander, seeing people as humans made in God’s image. God seeks shalom, which in the biblical definition means, not just the absence of war, but also genuine accord and harmony, a society in which people care for one another.

...

State Control of Religion ... in Canada?

2005-07-20T08:38:00.000-04:00

Canadian National Public Radio Broadcasts Call for State Control of Religion, Especially Catholicism

...Just as Senate approaches the final vote on the gay 'marriage' bill, C-38, Canada's national public radio CBC Radio has aired a commentary by a retired professor from the Royal Military College calling for state control over religion, specifically Catholicism...

One Month!

2005-07-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

Wow. It's been exactly one month since I last blogged. This month has been very busy. My workload has been unreal for the past few weeks. We managed to get moved into our new house. Everything went well. Thanks to all who were able to lend a hand with the move.

I don't have much to post today, but I did receive an interesting email from a friend. I've posted it below.

From Vampires to the Boy Jesus
by Marcia Z. Nelson
Vampire chronicler Anne Rice is raising the stakes in her newest novel. Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt (Knopf, Nov.) is an autobiography of Jesus at age 7. Rice told BookLine the subject turnabout is no stretch for her fans--her books about vampires and witches have always explored good and evil. For research, she sank her teeth into extensive biblical scholarship. "If I can make vampires so real that people would call me up at home and ask about them, can I make them feel the presence of Jesus Christ?" she asked. Rice should find built-in interest in general bookstores, but will this new novel find acceptance in the CBA market? Knopf is working with WaterBrook, Random House's evangelical Christian imprint, to open the door into the evangelical network of stores, buyers and distributors. "We're going to lean on them a little bit," said Paul Bogaards, executive director of publicity at Knopf. WaterBrook will encourage key bookstores to host the author, sending them a letter to readers written by Rice. In the letter, the author, who has returned to the Catholic faith in which she was raised, explains her hope to make Jesus come alive through her story. Advertising and publicity will target both mainstream and faith-based media, including print magazines and online portals and blogs. Knopf aims big, with a first printing of 500,000.

Busy Days...

2005-06-14T22:13:00.000-04:00

We're moving in a few days so I've been too busy lately to post much, but below is a link you should check out.

Mars Hill Audio
MARS HILL AUDIO exists to assist Christians who desire to move from thoughtless consumption of modern culture to a vantage point of thoughtful engagement.

Mr. Ken Myers, president of Mars Hill Audio, was the featured speaker of a teleconference that I took part in with Chuck Colson's Centurions group. That session was quite good.

Breaking with Tradition

2005-06-07T08:25:00.000-04:00

CFRB Newtalk 1010 - Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Above is a link advertising a debate on same-sex marriage between Michael Coren and Mark Elliot. You can tune in tonight at 7 pm to hear the debate or drive on down and see it in action. There is also a link to a pre-debate debate that took place on the Bill Carroll show. It's worth a listen.

Political penetration

2005-06-01T09:52:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of responses to The Globe and Mail's article last week attacking Christian Tory candiates.

Discrimina-Tory — Ezra Levant, Calgary Sun

A front-page smear against Christians — Charles Adler, Calgary Herald

Single-issue candidates no stranger to democracy — Christie Blatchford, The Globe and Mail

"Protection" from What?

2005-05-30T12:39:00.000-04:00

Interesting and honest article about abstinence.

"Protection" from What?—Abstinence, fertility cycles, and sex education—by Kate Bluett

...Stop telling young women that babies are the only consequence of sex. Stop saying that condoms and the Pill will solve all the problems. Teach them to abstain—don't just say that premarital sex will send them to hell; say that sleeping with the wrong person opens the gates of hell in a very real, practical, personal sense...Hold off, both from pregnancy and from sleeping with someone you wouldn't want as the father of a child." Self-control breeds self-control...

Does Democracy Really Work?

2005-05-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

Below is an excerpt and link to a fascinating essay by Orson Scott Card. It makes me wonder about the logic of Canadian political parties enforcing party discipline on issues. Do we really get the best a democracy has to offer?

Does Democracy Really Work? — Orson Scott Card

(...)
The Democratic Party is in a groupthink haze right now, enforcing uniformity of thought with increasing rigor and therefore making ludicrous choices -- like Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean. Ludicrous, that is, if their goal is to achieve legislative goals or win future elections; perfectly sensible if the goal is to encourage fanatical extremist thinking and action that will continue to alienate more and more of the American public.

Historically, the political parties have thrived best when they "broadened the tent," making strong efforts to include people who are not "ideologically pure."
(...)

Liberal bias in the Canadian media

2005-05-25T14:35:00.000-04:00

Stephen, don't listen to media — Humourous article by Lorrie Goldstein

More liberal bias in Canadian media:
Canadian Media Up to Usual Tricks Following Toronto Marriage Rally

Skeptical Skeptics

2005-05-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

Famous Atheist Now Believes in God—ABC News

The article above is a bit old (Dec 4), but I think it's quite important. I especially like this quote:

Yet biologists' investigation of DNA "has shown, by the almost unbelievable complexity of the arrangements which are needed to produce (life), that intelligence must have been involved," Flew says in the new video, "Has Science Discovered God?"

Victorian Skeptics on the Road to Damascus—ChristianityToday

Former atheist Antony Flew's admission of the existence of God shocked believers and skeptics alike, but such a turnaround is far from unique. In the 19th century, many leading intellectuals who had once lost their faith ended up reconverting.

This link is a good article on skeptics who have become believers. Very interesting.

Same-sex Marriage — Letter to the Editor

2005-05-23T21:37:00.000-04:00

Let's hope same-sex marriage bill can finally passCarly Foster

Above is a link to an opinion column by Carly Foster, a regional reporter for the Oshawa This Week. The article was so bad I decided to send a letter to the editor. You can read the letter below. But don't stop there. If you live in the durham region send your own letter demanding intelligent, thoughtful writing in your regional newspaper. You can email them at newsroom@durhamregion.com and cfoster@durhamregion.com.

I was deeply disappointed with Carly Foster's May 22nd column on same-sex marriage. Aversion to same-sex marriage is not based on an irrational fear of homosexuality as Ms. Foster would suggest. The issue is a complex social experiment that has, according to public opinion polls, divided our country equally between supporters and detractors.

With so many people in Canada rallying for a traditional definition of marriage we should not be surprised to see Conservative, and some Liberal, MPs representing the will of their constituents. We should not forget that it was a mere six years ago that the Liberal Party of Canada voted to reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage.

To simplify this issue, invoking an accusation of homophobia, is a juvenile interpretation. Same-sex marriage is a challenging issue that will alter the social landscape of Canada and it behooves us to treat it in a mature and comprehensive fashion.

What’s the Matter with Darwinists?

2005-05-20T11:46:00.000-04:00

What's the Matter with Darwinists?

"...Many reporters could not resist comparing the hearings to the famous [Scopes Monkey Trial] that took place eighty years ago. But what most people don’t realize is that almost everything they think they know about the trial is false. That’s because most of what they learned about it was through a film that caricatured the trial called Inherit the Wind."

Nip and Tuck for Mental Mode

2005-05-20T11:17:00.000-04:00

Hello All,

I've made a slight, but important change to my blog. I'd like to draw your attention to the right-hand sidebar. If you scroll down you'll see that the Links section has been modified. I've separated it into two sections: Blogs, and Links. The new Links section will be populated with what I feel are helpful resources with a focus on excellent information pertaining to christianity and politics (particularly Canadian politics). Please use this section with abandon! The Blog section will focus on blogs that I enjoy reading. If you have any good links or blogs that you think I should know about please leave me a comment. I have an insatiable appetite for online information, especially for well-written blogs.

cheers,
greg.

Librano$

2005-05-19T09:15:00.000-04:00

I think this poster is hysterical. You can get all your Librano$ merchandise at Western Standard.

It's interesting to note that the canadian media has been giving quite a bit of attention to groups complaining that some Conservative MP's characterization of Belinda as a "whore" was inappropriate and demeaning to women. However, when Immigration Minister Joe Volpe compared the Conservative party to the Ku Klux Klan we hear nary a peep. No liberal bias there at all.

Joan Laid to Rest

2005-05-18T11:31:00.000-04:00

It had to happen eventually. Joan of Arcadia has followed in it's namesake's footsteps. With barely 2 seasons under it's belt, Joan of Arcadia is no more. While I admit the show was not perfect, I appreciated the fact that it swam in much deeper waters than most of its vacuous peers.

Instead, CBS will launch two new series that focus on the supernatural. "Threshold" features a team of experts called in when the Navy discovers aliens have landed in the Atlantic Ocean and "Ghost Whisperer," a show about a woman who conveys messages from dead people to the living.

Leslie Moonves, CBS chairman had this to say, "I think talking to ghosts may skew younger than talking to God."

How sad...

Would anyone notice if TV executives were to replace with, I dunno, baked potatoes?

Canada—the Joke (but who's laughing)

2005-05-18T09:17:00.000-04:00

The latest commotion to wash across the Canadian political landscape is, of course, Belinda Stronach crossing political lines to join with the Liberal Party. We should not be so surprised. Rick Bell of the Calgary Sun makes a good point when he writes, "What's with all the shock and awe? The Conservatives wanted her to spice up their party. The Liberals now need her to save their butts. As always, Belinda plays her cards with an eye to the best hand on the table."

As our government hangs in the balance we've gone from the NDP selling themselves to the Liberals for the price of $4.6 billion in budget concessions (where the heck did that money come from anyway?), to David Kilgour trying to sell himself to the Liberals for the price of 500 troops sent to Darfur, to a debutante bimbo selling out to the Liberals for the price of a cabinet post.

Canada must be the biggest joke in the developed world.

Femme fatale

2005-05-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

Conservative MP Belinda Stronach has sold her soul to the Liberals for the price of a cabinet post. Below is a link to a particularly good blog by Colby Cosh about the situation.

Femme fataleColby Cosh

greg.

Kingdom of Heaven

2005-05-09T09:50:00.000-04:00

With the recent release of Sir Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven I thought it might be a nice opportunity to take a look at the much maligned and misunderstood Crusades. Below are links to a couple of good articles.

How Could Christians Do This?

The Real History of the Crusades

cheers.

Facts & Fictions About Homosexuality

2005-04-26T11:25:00.000-04:00

Facts & Fictions About Homosexuality:
Debunking the Socio-Biblical Myths of the Religious Gay Community, by Linda L. Belleville

This is an excellent article, from Cornerstone magazine, dealing with homosexuality from a Christian perspective. If you don't want to read it all online I encourage you to print it off.

greg.

Muy Importante

2005-04-21T09:43:00.000-04:00

Here's a couple of important things that I wanted to share:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an amazing trilogy of five books (yes, you read that right) by Douglas Adams. If you've never read them, shame on you. The movie, crash landing in theatres on April 29th, looks to be quite good, but you must read the books.

I've been reading The Bible in Time, by Stephen H. Travis (Toronto: Clements, 2004 ISBN 1-894667-47-6). It's a great devotion-type book. I rarely recommend devotional books because I don't think most are very good. I think this one is good. It moves the reader through the developing story of Scripture in chronological order. It's a book for people who want a better sense of how the Bible fits together as a whole, who want an introduction to the basic themes of biblical faith, and who want to read the Bible regularly for themselves.

Check it out at Clements Publishing or Amazon.com.

BTW, we sold our house (yeehaw). The first person who went through it bought it. It was pretty amazing.

cheers,
greg.

We're Movin' On Up...

2005-04-06T09:23:00.000-04:00

We got the house! That's it above.

So now we have to sell ours...anyone in the market for a slightly used house?

House Hunters and Personal Space

2005-04-05T10:35:00.000-04:00

Well, today is the big day. This evening around 6pm we find out if we'll be the proud owners of a house that we feel is perfect for us, or if we're still "house hunters". I've been trying to write a blog for a few days now, but I've been too distracted by this looming deadline. Instead, I've provided a link below to a good essay by Gordon Atkinson aka RealLivePreacher.

Personal space by Gordon Atkinson

cheers,
g.

The Between

2005-04-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

For the record I just wanted to say that The Between were pretty good. They put on a good show for the Pregnancy Help Center of Durham. Unfortunately the bad weather kept people away and there was only a small crowd, but it was still a good night. Incidentally, the music of The Between will be available on iTunes in the next couple of weeks so check them out.

We found a house on Friday that we really like. We put in an offer and heard that they replied with a counter offer late last night. We'll find out what that is sometime today.

cheers,
greg.

Benefit Concert

2005-03-31T09:41:00.000-05:00

Hi All (I'm trying to be positive and believe that throngs of people read my blog),

This Saturday (April 2) The Between will be performing a benefit concert in support of the Pregnancy Help Center of Durham at Westney Heights Baptist Church (1201 Ravenscroft Rd., Ajax, ON, L1T 4K5) at 7pm.

Now I have to be honest...I listened to the music on their website...and they could maybe...just maybe...use a little vocal work. I'm hopeful that they'll be really good, but if you come and their harmonies make your ears bleed don't say I didn't sort of warn you.

Remember, it's for a good cause (actually it's for a great cause) and if you don't like the music you can always sit at the back and make injurious, yet witty comments...and hang out with Sandra and I.

PS. Don't forget to bring money...or stuff. I would guess that they'd be happy if you showed up with diapers, or baby food, or vitamins, or children's tylenol...

g.

Best Friends

2005-03-09T09:15:00.000-05:00

It seems I have nothing to say these days so I thought I would post this picture.

I'm the one on the left.

I'm not sure whether this photo is funny or sad. It's either the beginnings of a very strange sense of humour or a sad commentary on my ability to make friends as a child.

You decide. Feel free to comment your thoughts.

g.

Foy Davis Short Story

2005-03-02T12:02:00.000-05:00

RealLivePreacher - Came Grief and Compassion, a Foy Davis Short Story

Go to the above link and read the story. It's quite good.

cheers,
greg.

The Redemption of Science

2005-02-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

I had an interesting time last night. I participated in a webex video/teleconference with Chuck Colson and 90 members of his Centurions program -- a program whose aim is to "develop and equip an ongoing fellowship of [Christians] to shape our culture by thinking, teaching and advocating effectively the Christian worldview as applied to all of life."

Last night's topic was Intelligent Design. This is a topic I've been interested in for some time, but have never taken the time to study. Our speaker last night was Jay Richards, Vice President of the Discovery Institute.

Presently there seems to be a bit of a rift in the Christian community between the Intelligent Design group and the Creationism group. The main difference I can see between the two groups is that Creationism purposes to prove a literal interpretation of the bible true. For instance, a creationist would believe in a literal six days of creation and therefore have a goal to prove the young age of the earth.

On the other hand, Intelligent Design seems to be more concerned with the underlying philosophy that drives science and from that base encourages well-founded science. Science is invariably affected by the worldview or philosophy of life that the scientist holds. For instance, Christianity was a great motivator for early science because Christian scientists felt that if the universe was created by God -- an intelligent, thoughtful being -- then the natural world was knowable. This philosophy drove scientists like Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal to discovery.

Things changed, however, with Charles Darwin and his work The Origin of the Species. Darwin's worldview or underlying philosophy did not include God. He was an atheist and as such required a science that excluded the possibility of an intelligent creator -- "chance" and "self" were Darwin's gods. His work subsequently gave credence to the theory of materialism. Materialism suggests that "physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter".1 Famous Darwinist Ernst Mayr stated in his book Toward a new Philosophy of Biology, "It must be admitted that Darwinism has achieved acceptance less by irrefutable proofs in its favor and more by the default of opposing theories." In other words, Darwinists don't believe in a creator, and since there are now other options, evolution must be true.

That is a very telling admission and the primary reason that the underlying philosophy driving evolution must be addressed. Through a thoughtful challenge to evolution's underlying philosophies, science can become not an opponent of an intelligent designer, but a supporter. This revives for us Romans 1:20 which states, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

That's an exciting proposition. The idea that science can be redeemed has great implications. Currently a scientist who holds to theism is relegated to the periphery of science and rarely taken seriously. They commit professional suicide. If intelligent design is plausible and indeed possible a significant obstacle to faith in God will be removed and a scientist can once again recognize their creator without fear of reprisal. This may already be happening. It's interesting to note that the Director of the Human Genome project is Dr. Francis Collins. A once ardent atheist, he's been "surprised by joy". You can read a bit of his story on the PBS website The Question of God. It's a fascinating website, book, and video series and well worth a look.

Happy Birthday to Me

2005-02-21T12:21:00.000-05:00

I'm a year older today.

We had a nice little party on the weekend with my family. My daughter and son gave me socks and a travel mug, and as usual, my sister picked out clothes for me that I would never pick out myself, but that always look good on me. My parents got me a book I wanted very much, and my wife bought me an amazing jacket.

I had a great birthday.

So what pearls of wisdom have I learned this past year? What has impacted me the most, you ask? Here's a little something that I've been mulling in my mind for quite some time now...

In evangelical circles we often talk of God meeting our needs, of God blessing us (financially, materially, etc), and sometimes we tread in the area of the Prayer of Jabez where we ask God to increase our territory, etc.

Phil. 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

So what is a need? I believe that there are two types of needs. There are actual needs, and there are perceived needs. Some actual needs would, for instance, be air to breath or a job to support your family. A perceived need is something that we create. We treat it as an actual need, but in reality it is not a need at all.

The economics of capitalism thrives on the idea of perceived needs. Since capitalism's ultimate goal is to make (and increase) profits, people must be convinced to purchase goods or use services. However, getting people to part with their money is not always easy. It is much easier to sell something to someone if they think they "need" it, rather than if they just think that they "want" it. Enter the world of advertising.

Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry whose sole purpose is to create perceived needs for people. Advertising pervades every area of our lives. You cannot look anywhere without seeing some form of advertising. Advertising is also becoming very sophisticated. Data is being gathered by the truckload with the express purpose of allowing a company to market specifically to you in a very personal fashion.

Some people think that they're not affected by advertising. The truth is, advertising has become so subversive that we don't even realize its impact on our lives, decisions, etc. We are, to varying degrees, constantly being manipulated. I think this has grave implications in terms of our understanding of "needs", especially with respect to Phil. 4:19.

If we believe that we have "needs" and yet they are not actual "needs" then we place inappropriate expectations on God. We may think that we need a car, but actually, we only "need" the bus. That doesn't mean that having the car is wrong, but we need to have appropriate expectations of God.

That's not say that we shouldn't be thankful to God for everything. However, we don't want to become like a child with too many toys—completely numb to the blessings around them. It's important to close the gap between our actual needs and our perceived needs. In doing that, I think we'll find that the true blessings in our lives are small things— things that we easily overlook if we're focused on the new boat, or the car, or the house.

It's sacramental living. That's what I'm taking with me into year thirty-two.

cheers,
greg.

Sagan and the Biersteker

2005-02-18T21:08:00.000-05:00

The blog below was written by my friend Jaime as a journal reflection for his Christian Worldview program with Chuck Colson. I thought it was good and asked if I could blog it. He said yes, so here it is...

This week I am fixated on the ideas of Carl Sagan as I best understand them (particularly as evidenced through the movie, Contact). While differences in origins are a huge difference between his worldview and Christianity, it is interesting that both acknowledge that there is something wrong with the world.

In the case of Sagan, it would seem to be a predisposition to say that man has either misappropriated the technology he has at hand or a frustration with the fact that at present it doesn'’t provide the Nirvana so hoped for (in Contact Jodie Foster’s question about how the aliens survived the infant stages of their technology). In particular, this reverts back to a belief in Spaceship Earth, and the idea that the biggest problem we as mankind face is through ruining what they believe is the only hope and reality we as humankind have (environmentalists thus take on a religious zeal when it comes to protecting the planet). Realizing that they have a problem which may be beyond themselves, they do not turn towards God, but put their faith in a search for aliens, who they mistakenly believe hold the keys not only to the origins of life, but also for the answers for humankind to escape the torture that technology has inflicted on us (pollution). So what can we agree on?

First, we can acknowledge that there needs to be an answer beyond sinful, fallible man. Rather than aliens, and hope in the created cosmos, we look to an eternal creator, God for our answers.

Secondly we can acknowledge that there is something wrong in humankind. While they would attribute it to non-reverence for the earth, a Christian would certainly acknowledge that man'’s inner sinfulness is capable of great disasters, including that to the environment (though not beyond the scope of God’s power).

Christians need to get off the “Conservative” bandwagon and be willing to investigate that man’'s selfishness may in fact be having more of a detrimental effect then we are willing to admit. While there has certainly been untruth and propoganda within the environmental movement, there is also the possibility that we need to heed these people. They may be the vessels through which God is calling Christians to better acknowledge our failure as caretakers of God’s creation. This may be the way we build bridges.

I'm Worth More Than $6/hour

2005-02-17T08:52:00.000-05:00

Pet Peeve #101

Last night my wife went out and had coffee with a friend. I stayed home with the kids. I mentioned this to a woman I know. Her response was, "Oh, you're babysitting tonight!".

For the record, I was NOT BABYSITTING. I was parenting. There's a difference. Babysitting is what you do for kids that are not your own.

Teenage girls babysit for money to buy silly socks (that is what our babysitter tells me).

I am not a teenage girl and I do not have a problem affording silly socks.

I hate the implication that, because I am man, I am so significantly disconnected from my family that staying at home with my kids without my wife is considered babysitting. I am a father and I'm worth a heck of a lot more than $6 an hour (so my wife tells me).

cheers,
greg.

PS. I've had a blog meter running for a couple of weeks now that measures activity on my blog. It looks like people are actually reading this stuff. Thanks to everyone who stops by. Feel free to leave comments with the comment feature attached to each blog. I'd love to hear from everyone. --greg.

Return to Sender

2005-02-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a story that will break your heart...

"Fourteen years ago, Romanian-born Alexandra Austin was adopted by Ontario surgical resident Joseph John Austin and his wife Silvana di Giacomo. The couple is now divorced: he is a prominent doctor in Bellevue, Wash., near Seattle; she is a resident of Rome.

But after five months in the Austins' Ancaster home, Alexandra was driven to the airport and put on a plane for return to Bucharest. Shortly afterward, the Austins adopted a Romanian baby girl."

--------------

I blame this on Sears Canada's return policy.

As a culture, we've been conditioned to believe that everything is returnable if we're not 100% satisfied. I remember when I worked for Sears Customer Service, a guy brought back a 10 year old barbeque. He argued that, since it was still in it's original box and he'd never used it, he should be able to return it. Amazingly, he got his money back.

I think I'd be nervous having Dr. Austin as a surgeon. I'd like my surgeon to have a healthy respect for human life.

This is the link for the full story:
Toronto Star - "Rejected adoptee launches $7M suit"

g.

Graphic Design

2005-02-14T11:39:00.000-05:00

I have nothing especially interesing to write about today. I am just blogging for blogging's sake. I worked almost every day and night last week and I worked all weekend...and here I am again...working (with the obvious exception of this blogging break). I've been a graphic designer for almost 10 years and every year I get busier and busier. That's good, I guess, since I'm a freelancer. However, some things do tend to wear on the nerves a bit. When people find out that I'm a graphic designer inevitably they will say "Oh, that must be fun".

Being Paris Hilton is fun.

Pouring all of my time, creative energy, and experience into a job in order to visually communicate a client's message is not fun.

It's hard.

But I enjoy it.

Really, I do.

Today I handed over three cover roughs to a publishing company I work for. I have spent hours upon hours slaving over these covers. Here is the reponse I got, "We really got a chuckle out of one of the covers..." Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be funny. Fortunately they liked the other two roughs.

I guess that makes today a good day.

BTW, I hate it when people think that they are graphic designers simply because they have a computer and some pirated design software. OK, I've said my piece...I feel better now.

cheers,
greg.

The Best Home Theatre Ever...

2005-02-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

I got a phone call today at work from my three year old daughter. She said, "Daddy, you and I are going to watch a movie tonight—Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And we're going to have popcorn and turn out the lights—it will be just like a movie theatre!"

And so we did. We curled up on the couch and ate popcorn, shared a Barq's rootbeer, and watched Snow White. I enjoyed that movie in a way that I never have before—the artwork, the score, the humour—because I was sharing it with my daughter. She ran for it when the Woodsman pulled a knife on Snow White and whenever the Evil Stepmother was on the screen. I coaxed her back and put my arms around her for comfort. It was hallowed time. Something special we shared that, in a way, sanctified our little homemade movie theatre.

I have no idea how my daughter knows what a movie theatre is like. In fact, she knows a lot of things that my wife and I didn't teach her. She's going to turn four very soon and her world is getting bigger. That's a scary thought for me. I want to be able to protect my little girl from the metaphorical Evil Stepmothers of the world. The other day she called me "her superhero". I want to always be her superhero.

However, I'm not naive. I realize that her world is getting bigger and she's going to have to make her own way. She's going to have experiences and be shaped as a person. She's going to make decisions and sometimes get hurt. She's going to fall in love and probably break a few hearts. She's going to find out that I'm not a superhero. Oh man that's hard, but it's real.

So I commit her to God and pray that she knows how much her mother and I love her. And I look forward to every chance we get to share a bowl of popcorn and a little piece of heaven.

Wisdom Teeth

2005-02-04T10:43:00.000-05:00

My wife got her wisdom teeth out yesterday. She's feeling pretty rough right now. I've taken a couple days off work to be at home with the kids. I thought I might be able to get some work done at home—that is not going to happen. As it turns out, kids are a lot of work when you don't have any help. :) I once heard that a stay-at-home mom does the equivalent of two jobs worth of work per day. I have now tested that theory and believe it to be true.

I think I'll have to take my wife out for a really nice dinner when her mouth feels better—without the kids.

greg.

PS. Apparently I sent my daughter to preschool this morning with her pants on backwards. She wasn't complaining, but I may be out of the running for father of the year. :(

The New Mac mini

2005-02-01T11:18:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen the new mac mini, you need to. It's a great little machine and affordable (finally!). It's nice to see that macs aren't prohibitively expensive anymore. Now everyone can enjoy using a decent computer. :)

greg.

Pity or Compassion?

2005-01-31T13:25:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about the difference between pity and compassion? Here's the Merriam-Webster definition of both:

PITY implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress

COMPASSION implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare

In other words, pity means you feel sorry for someone. Compassion, on the other hand, is when you get down and get your hands a little dirty. Imagine if God only felt pity, "Oh those poor disgusting wretches." We'd have no hope. Instead, God Incarnate, the Christ, set up camp in this fallen world. He got down and dirty. He not only endured the suffering of the physical world, but also the weight of the sin of humankind.

How does your interaction with the world around you weigh up against that humility and love? Do you pity or do you have compassion? Think about it.

Euthanasia in Canada Part 2

2005-01-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

Toronto Star — Ottawa man plans to kill himself tonight (Jan 27th)

Above is another example that the euthanasia debate will be heating up over the next few weeks and months. Marcel Tremblay suffers from a lung condition that leaves him unable to breathe properly. So tonight he's going to kill himself.

"I can't think of a worse death than not being able to breathe." said Tramblay.

That's kind of ironic considering that he's going to put a plastic bag over his head and suffocate himself.

greg.

The Hours

2005-01-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

Last night I watched the film The Hours. It's a beautifully crafted film based on the novel by Michael Cunningham. It boasts a star-studded cast, was well-scored, and a pleasure to watch; however, it was also deeply troubling.

For our filmmakers, relationships and human connections are oppressive and caustic to freedom, and devoting yourself to another is for dimwitted empty people. Happiness is but a fleeting moment and any solace that the characters may seek in another are rebuffed. There is an encouragement to throw off the shackles of society, whether it be family ties and interconnectedness, or sexual taboos in order to experience freedom and happiness in one's self. What's more, the immoral choices of the characters are deemed heroic (suicide, abanding one's family). There is no room for moral absolutes in this film and secular humanism is tightly woven throughout the plot.

Salvation now comes from within. We are islands unto ourselves and any connections we form destroy our being. There is no external salvation, no external absolute in the form of an infinite and holy God in Michael Cunningham's world. Sadly, it is what our world is becoming

Success

2005-01-13T13:47:00.000-05:00

I have finally figured out how to write a comment for the "Voices" section of the Toronto Star that they will actually include online.

The Toronto Star — Voices: Liquor laws

Scroll down a bit and you'll see it.

g.

Euthanasia in Canada

2005-01-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

Toronto Star — "46% of severe preemies are disabled, study says"

This is a chilling article and probably good evidence that the euthanasia debate will be rearing it head in the coming weeks and month. Christians should be well informed on this subject. A humanistic worldview (ie. a worldview that begins with ourselves "I" and moves outward) is dangerous to our society. Operating without absolutes leaves the value of human dignity and human life to the whims of the Canadian illuminati. That is a frightening thought.

Learning to Fly

2005-01-04T13:03:00.000-05:00

When a young bird reached a certain age of maturity his mother told him that it was time to leap from the nest high on the cliff and learn to fly. "The wind will carry you", she said.

"Why, that's suicide!", exclaimed the bird. "There is nothing but darkness below. How could you ask me to do such a thing mother? "

"Because I love you", she replied.

The young bird was having none of it. How could his mother simultaneously love him, but also desire to push him over the edge of their safe and comfortable nest? She was clearly wrong. "I shall make a nice home here for myself", he thought. "What could possibly be out there beyond this nest that I need?"

Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. His mother continued to feed and care for her son. He grew fat and content. Then one day she said, "I am going to leave you now. If you decide to fly I will meet you in the sky."

"But mother!", he cried. "How can you do this to me?"

"Because I love you", she replied.

Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. The young bird was desperate. He had not eaten for some time and his only source of water was the occasional raindrop. He fell into great despair. "If only my mother were here to take care of me", he lamented. "I will soon die if she doesn't come back."

She did not come back.

On the verge of death the young bird realized that his nest; his safe haven would soon be his grave. "I have nothing to lose so I will leap from this nest!", he exclaimed. So he spread his wings and leapt to certain death in the great unknown below. The wind rushed past his face and he prepared for the end.

But no end came.

The rushing wind flowed under his outstretched wings and lifted him to new heights. He soared through the air. The darkness below was replaced by a lush valley full of life. "It is beautiful", he breathed. He saw his mother in the distance.

She flew to him, her heart overjoyed. He then realized that she had not wanted to hurt him. She had only wanted him to experience life soaring through the air—not a safe life, but a glorious life worth living.

Disaster Relief - A Christian's Responsibility

2005-01-03T11:46:00.000-05:00

Hello all. I'm back after a great Christmas and a happy new year. Unfortunately it hasn't been a great new year for all. There is a crisis in Southeast Asia with more than 160,000 people dead, homes and livelihoods washed away, and the terrible threat of disease looming. If you need anymore reason to donate to a relief fund for this area you should know that the Canadian goverment will be matching all donations up until January 11th. Those donations will also be tax deductible on your 2004 income tax.

World Vision Canada is a very responsible organization. I would highly recommend them. While you're there, why not sponsor a child. I don't think I know anyone who can't afford $30 a month...maybe you only need basic cable.
World Vision Canada

The Canadian Red Cross is another good organization to donate through.
Canadian Red Cross

So make sure you got off your bourgeois butt and give!

cheers,
greg.

Hell's Angels Gone Soft

2004-12-17T13:35:00.000-05:00

Canadians have always been known as mild-mannered the world around. Apparently even our gangsters have feelings...and gosh darn it, their feelings are hurt. They don't like being called murderers, pimps, thieves, drug dealers, thugs, and all around bad guys. It injures their delicate sensibilities and makes them feel sad.

Ontario's Hell's Angels have gone soft. I declare today "Rough Up a Hell's Angel" day. Kick a little sand in their face. It'll make ya feel good.

CTVNews - Hell's Angels Advertising

Christian Worldview

2004-12-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

Here's an interesting article on an important issue:

Worldview Boot Camp

Christian worldview is essentially a christian way of looking at all spheres of life. The evangelical church is anemic in this area. We teach, "Don't do drugs, or don't have premarital sex, etc", but these are specifics—empty rules.

The christian worldview is an apprehension of the world that stands on the absolute truth of God. It gives our existence meaning and provides us a track on which to run our lives. It underscores the fact that we are all made in God's image and that creation, though fallen, is still God's creation. It encourages us to be creative, expressing ourselves as only the image of God can. It encourages us to redeem society around us from it's fallen state. Rules and regulations don't do that. People chafe under the bondage of rules, but experience freedom through a coherent christian worldview.

Sadly, the evangelical worldview is often incoherent. We believe in the sanctity of life and rally to oppose abortion, but then wish AIDS on the homosexual community. We believe that all humans are equal and loved in God's eyes and yet sneer at and vilify an unwed mother.

Our inconsistencies do not go unnoticed. Shame on us.

Act of Worship

2004-12-13T15:28:00.000-05:00

I visited the Pregnancy Help Centre in my city today. I was dropping off supplies gathered by my sunday school class as part of our annual christmas project.

Many people were involved in this effort. There is Ken and Judy who lead our class and encourage us to live our faith; there is Angela who organizes the effort to meet the needs of the needy; there is my wife who gathered up the offerings for the centre; there are the givers, the folks who took the time to fill the basket to overflowing; and then there's me, the guy who gets to make the delivery.

There is no better job than making the delivery. I get to see the reaction. There are very few things as rewarding as showing another person that they are loved. I get to bask, for a moment, in the genuine and heartfelt thankfulness expressed. It stirs my social conscience. I feel like I brought a little of Christ there today, but not just me. My community brought Christ there today and it was our act of worship.

Matthew 25: 34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

RealLivePreacher.com

2004-12-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

Check out RealLivePreacher.com

RealLivePreacher.com is one of Salon.com’s top ten blogs and one of the most-read weblogs in the world. It's good stuff.

--greg.

Marriage in Canada

2004-12-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

This week the Supreme Court of Canada has given it's opinion regarding four questions posed by the government regarding gay marriage. There is probably no hotter topic in Canada than gay marriage. For moral conservatives this is yet another erosion of the traditional institution of marriage—an institution fundamental to the well-being of society.

However, as important as this issue is, I have to wonder if there are other issues regarding marriage that hold as much as, or more importance than gay marriage. For instance, in the 1970s moral conservatives dropped the ball regarding the easing of divorce laws in Canada. We were assured that this would be beneficial to those people (especially abused women) who need to get out of a marriage quickly, but that it wouldn't erode the idea of permenance within marriage. This has not been the case. Shortly after that ruling divorce rates spiked. Today, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. A full 80% of these divorces in Canada are based on a one-year separation. That is, if you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for one year with the idea that your marriage is over, then you can get a divorce. So 80% of divorces occur, not because of abuse or due to the unfaithfulness of a spouse, but simply because two people just don't want to be married anymore.

Marriage has become another throw-away in a fast food society. Unfortunately, there are serious social implications to this problem. As the family unit breaks up children are often the ones who suffer the most. They are shuttled between parents; custody battles often force children to take sides in their parents' war; parents may also suffer financially which in turn effects the children. It's a sad state of affairs. Unfortunately, since we have discarded the idea of permenance in marriage our future generations will continue to tie the knot with one foot in the marriage bed and one foot out the door. We cannot build a strong society if we continue to tear it apart at it's very foundations.

Divorce will always be with us, but if we make it a little harder maybe people will think a bit more before they take the plunge. Instead of relying on ever-changing feelings and romanticized ideas maybe they will take seriously the committments and covenants that they make.

'Till death do us part isn't always easy, but it's certainly worth it.

Oh Canada

2004-12-09T09:18:00.000-05:00

Today is "wear your hockey jersey to work day" in Canada. We're going to wear our hearts on our sleeves and our favourite teams on our backs today with the hope that it will woo our prodigal heros back to the ice.

Canada, this is pathetic. I can only assume that this initiative was put forth by a beer company. Let's face it, the only serious issue surrounding the hockey lockout is that hundreds, if not thousands of NHL support workers are now out of jobs as a result of millionaire hockey players fighting with billionaire owners.

We take hockey far too seriously. If we would promote education as vigorously as we do hockey our children would be geniuses. However, we prefer stick wielding buffoons. We prefer hockey moms who lift their shirts and shake their breasts to mock 11 year olds on the opposing team and who throw hot coffee at young players. We prefer dads who berate and abuse their children when they don't "hussle" on the ice and who resort to physical violence with other parents. We prefer shirking our parental responsiblity to raise our own children by sending them away at 15 and 16 years old with the hope that they can achieve the near impossible goal of making millions of dollars in the NHL.

Oh Canada, we need to get our heads out of our puck pails and turn our attention back to things that benefit and strengthen society, not tear it down.

First Blog

2004-12-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

So this is my first blog.

While watching the Michael Coren show the other night I discovered something important. Having both David Menzies and Andrew Krystal on the same discussion panel is much like adding together two numerically identical positive and negative numbers—it amounts to nothing.