faith like a child

is it just me? is there anyone else out there in their 20's, 30's those years where we are seeking meaning, purpose, direction--anyone out there who's a little stressed, overwhelmed, heavy-burdened, lost, confused?

for many of us we've just spent the last 4-5 years cramming an infinite amount of knowledge into a brain that seeems to clearly have a finite limit of space. some of us are still cramming (i love you sweety & i'm really proud of you.) and in our overly educated culture there are words that don't seem to fit...yet they came from someone who i feel diffinately understood people, culture, the needs & wants...Jesus.

here's what he said:
"Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom"

what does this mean for us today? i can assure you that it's no stretch for me break out in some childish antics....i still enjoy living like a little kid...goofing around...making *noises*, and all that fun stuff. but the preasures of being an "adult" sure seem to suck to fun out of life sometimes. how do you deal with this apparent dichotomy? have you found a way of becoming elemental again like Jesus said?

maybe some of these pictures will help us become more elemental and re-focus our lives into the simplicity of a little child... pure... honest... real... blunt...




(click on the pictures to see them larger)

i think that i would pray more if i didn't still have these pre-conceived ideas that prayer was supposed to be some formally crafted--eloquent--rehearsed--perfect choise of words. ever felt this way? i ask myself if i can remember the last time that i just talked with God...can i remember that. can you? how can a relationship be expected to grow if there isn't communication? how else do we truly get to know someone if we don't talk, listen, spend time with?

i want to live a life that is real, authentic, random, somewhat chaotic. i feel that God wants us to live a similar life...one where we realize that all these "adult" stresses that we have are mere blips on God's radar...yet to us it seems like the end of the world as we know it.

i want to live a life like that of a child...Jesus help me figure this out...help us all figure this out. help us to become elemental and simple...teach us to live a life like that of a child again...

trying not to grow up...

ty

Fat Pastor UPDATE #3

It's always fun finding a picture using the Google Images Search engine to represent my current weight. So here's my latest update. I think I'll continue to post them once a month. Normally I would post this on the 1st of every month...but since tommorow is Saturday...I figured I might as well get it done with one day early.

Things are really going well between me and the gym. I have really come to love the Elyptical (spelling?) machine. Wow does that thing ever work you over! I am ususaly able to make it to the gym 3 days/week, sometimes 4. For anyone out there who is really feeling "fat like a freight train" may I suggest getting off your lazy butt and finding a gym to be apart of. I have found that I have substantially more energy during my days...often too much now...or maybe that's just the A.D.D kicking in? I can see a deffinate decrease in my gut size... and I am even able to yank my belt 2 notches less now!

Sorry if that last part was TMI (too much info) but I want to challenge those out there who are reading this who say "I Have No Time", that what you really mean is "I Don't Want to MAKE TIME". So we're just about half way there.... and I'm still not 100% sure if I'll make my 25lbs before 25yrs goal...but either way it's sure nice to be healthier again.

Hopefully next month I'll have broken the 200 barrier (less than 200lbs that it is.)

Peace:

Ty

i need these words

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
all to leave and follow thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition,
all I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.
Let the world despise and leave me;
they have left my Savior too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
foes may hate and friends disown me,
show thy face and all is bright.

"Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken" Henry Lyte

A Weekend Recap

***UPDATE: We have recovered my sermon (well 2/3 of it). So if you want to listen to it please leave me a comment and I'll send you the mp3 (it's just under 58mb). The transcript is still available if you want to know what I said in the first 1/3 of the sermon.***


Well it's been a really busy weekend for me. Let me explain...

1) Friday Night & All Day Saturday: One of my youth leaders (Todd) & I went to a Youth Leaders Conference out in Abbotsford. The theme of this weekend was called "Stumbling Towards Faith" which is also the title of our guest speaker--Renee Alston's latest book. She did a phenominal job especially after flying since 3am to get to the conference... I left really sensing God at work in my own life...and in my own story. At the end of the conference we had communion together (with bread, grapes, juice & even chocolate!). It was more of a feast really! After we took communion we were encouraged to take a rock home with us. Each rock had a unique work written on it. The one that I picked up had "chosen" written on it. This word was one of the central themes of the sermon that I preached on Sunday (more about that in a minute). I look forward to unpacking all that I learned in my break out sessions...and reading the book that I won.

2) Sunday Morning: At church on Sunday I had the priviledge of leading worship with my buddy Jeremy--and as well give the message. Let's just say that my week leading up to this was pretty crazy. The whole service went really smooth...no big glitches...and I was blessed at the end by so many people wanting to thank me, and saying they truly appreciated what I had to say. If you want an mp3 version of my sermon please just leave me a comment.

3) Sunday Afternoon: My parents came to church and then we went out to Milestones for lunch...mmm! I had these Thai Chicken Taco's with a peanut sauce & mango salsa! Dang! After that Charity and I drove her old' 93 Buick over to the Pontiac/Buick/GM dealdership and picked up our NEW 2006 Pontiac Vibe. Yup...it's a freaking nice vehicle. Fully Loaded, and oh does it drive nicely. We drove it around with our sunroof open yesterday and man did it feel good. Take a look for yourself...

4) Monday Morning: Well today is officially the 1st day of Spring....yeah!!! So to welcome in this new season my friend Jason and I...and his buddy Jer went golfing! Yup, for all thsoe people who read this and are shovelling snow....suckas!!! It was a gloriously clear-sunny morning...a little cool, but it warmed right up about half way through our game. I didn't do too badly since it was my first game of the season. I didn't even bother keeping score...I'll start doing that later!

So that was my weekend...lots happened, and now I find myself thinking about a nap. I hope your weekend was a good one too. That's all for now!

Peace:

Ty

SWITCHFOOT CONCERT

Yup...April 29th Switchfoot is here in Vancouver!

And just like my friend Andrew I won't be able to make it either...

We're supposed to be having a Car Wash that day and since the concert is at 3:30pm that's kinda right when we'd be doing it. I might just have to make an excecutive decision here really fast since tix go on sale tommorow (Friday Mar. 17th). We might just have to re-schedule this Car Wash...

Thinking...pondering...debating...

Ty

I've Been Tagged

This ones for you Jimi Law

7 Things I would like to do before I die:
1. Have Kids
2. Sky dive
3. Bungee-Jump
4. Fire a powerful gun
5. Go on a 2nd Honeymoon with my wife! (that might result in #1)
6. Experience Weightlessness
7. Drive a really expensive sports car (Ferrari/Lamborghini)

7 things I can’t do (yet) :
1. Multi-task
2. Stop on skates
3. Blink with my left eye
4. Whistle really loudly
5. The splits
6. Run a marathon
7. think of a last thing for this freakin' list

7 things that attract me to blogging:
1. Updates about my friends
2. Seeing Pictures
3. Getting my thoughts out to the world
4. Keeping in touch
5. Learning about others
6. Different opinions
7. Social interaction

7 things I say most often:
1. That's fantastic!
2. Blessings, (if you ever receive an email from me)
3. That's phenominal!
4. *%$# (only if I'm really upset)
5. BOO-YEAH (ever seen that Quest episode?)
6. I Love You (to my wife!)
7. Hello (doesn't everyone say this lots?

7 books I love:
1. A Generous Orthodoxy - Brian D. Maclaren
2. Blue Like Jazz - Don Miller
3. The Immitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis
4. Velvit Elvis - Rob Bell
5. Under the Overpass - Mike Yankoski
6. The Gospel According to the Simpsons - Mark I. Pinky
7. The Bible

7 movies I watch over and over:
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
2. Arthur (1&2)
3. Top Gun
4. The Terminal
5. The Notebook (Yes I cried!)
6. The Transporter (1&2)
7. Napolean Dynamite

MUST-READ Blog for Youth Workers

For all of you out there who work with students...this blog is one you MUST check out. He's a 33 year old youth worker who's gotten a school's full permission to allow him back into class for 2 weeks. He's gotta do homework, P.E. class, Art, etc...

I am so amazed at this guy for wanting to do something like this. What a fantastic way to get an eye-witness account of what's going on in local High Schools. I know that I've been out of school since 1999--that's a whole millenium ago! Anyways, I think all of us who are Pastors, Youth Leaders, Para-church workers etc... need to take a step back and realize that much of how our lives operate as adults...isn't necessarily how students lives are while they are in High School.

He's only on day 5 currently...so get caught up...and enjoy the rest!

To view the intro click here:
To go to the main site click here:

Ya gotta love these things called blogs,

Ty


(ht to Marko for this)

DRUM SOLO

Sometimes in life we just need a good drum solo...

Click here to watch this video...the kid is only 12 years old!!!

Enjoy,

Ty

thanks Corey for the link

THE MCPASSION !!!

I don't even really know what to write to describe this... just click here and let me know what you think. (The videos will take a few minutes to download)

I always wondered if there was some sort of link between those golden arches and heaven's streets being paved with gold!


***This video goes off the air April 15th***



(ht to Andrew Haak for this)

I've Gone International...kinda!

When I started this blog just over a year ago, I just thougth that it would be a chem (listen to episodes 3,4 & 5 & you'll get it) way to connect with friends and buddies from my days at college who aren't local. Just a way to check up on each other and read some stories...

Over the months I've set up links to the blog sites that I frequent often (one of them being the blog of Mark Oestreicher of YS.) Well let's just say I was quite surprised & thrilled to see that he'd checked out my site some time earlier today & linked a story/photo that I threw on my blog a few days ago. So this makes it official...I've gone international! Thanks bud!

So to any of you who are reading this because of the link off Marko's site...thanks for dropping by! If you want to get to know more about me...you can always read the profile--or you can catch me making a fool of myself in the QUEST video series. I'm the bleach blonde haired guy in a white shirt who wants to give Jesus a "BIG BOO-YEAH" Check out episodes 3,4&7.

So the photo isn't true...I've had it on my computer for a while but never knew what site it originate from! Thanks Mark again, and at least we can all enjoy a good laugh...hmmm, where'd that bag of chips go that I was just munching on?

Peace:

Ty

Fat Pastor UPDATE

Well it's been one month since I started my so-called "Fat Pastor" weight loss challenge. I am happy to say that I came in at 207 lbs. last night when I weighed myself at the gym. At this pace I am slighlty behind my goal of loosing 25 lbs. before I turn 25 on June 16th.

It's tough work to get the determination to hit the gym 3-4 times per week. I am hoping to meet with a personal trainer in the near future to discuss an even more specific game-plan that will help me with a more detailed work out & nutritional assesment. Even if I am loosing only 1 lb/week it's amazing how much better I feel, and how enjoyable it is when you set a goal like running 1 hr. on the treadmill...and then you accomplish it!

Stay tuned for more updates...I think I'll do one/month unless something monumental happens.

Blessings,

Ty

Church Marketing Sucks

Well, I very well might get mixed reviews from this blog posting...but that's ok. There is nothing wrong with stirring the pot a little bit!

It's not too often I stumble across a blog site that really captivates me. This one has! I recently updated my "good stuph"column on my own site, and had to put this one on there. If you've never heard of this site their motto is:

"The blog to frustrate, educate, and motivate the church to communicate, with uncomprimising clarity, the truth of Jesus Christ."

Brilliant! I couldn't agree more that as a church we know of the "good news" and how many times do we fail and sharing this with those in our sphere of influence (friends, family, co-workers). I know that I have been guilty at sugar coating/watering down the gospel--and I know that I am not alone in this matter. The words that come out of our mouths reflect just as much--if not more of our character than how we act/react.

How many of you have seen incredibly tacky sayings on church signs? Anyone? You can even design your own church sign online now! Click here to try it out. Here at my church I am in charge of putting up the new sayings on our large sign. (I am not the one responsible for choosing what goes up there--just to clarify). Here's a great sign that I am very proud of...

*Note* The church's name & phone number have been removed for privacy reasons.

Back to talking about the Church Marketing Sucks site. I have spent some good quality time reading some of these articles that are posted. Many are thought provoking and really do challenge your thoughts on how church's market themselves (both for good and for worse). One of my favourite articles on their site right now is this. There is follow up to the article that can be found here. Let's just say that it probably isn't a good idea when you use the words of Satan to be your church's welcome announcement on the header on your website...oops!

Enough rambling for now...I look forward to hearing your feedback on this one. I'll leave you with this...

Q: What's the worst saying that you've ever seen on a church sign? Or worst church sign?

I THINK THIS ONE IS PRETTY BAD!!!

READ THE FINE PRINT AT THE BOTTOM!!!

Blessings,

Ty

Happy Valentines Day

Nothing like paying homage to a great Simpsons episode and wishing all of you out there a Happy Valentines Day. I guess you could call that multi-tasking!!!

I'm heading out of the office here shortly to go cook a spectacular dinner for my amazing wife. Nothing huge planned this year...we both agreed on that. I sure have the best wife in the whole wide world...I love you sweety!

...for all of you who will leave me a message telling me otherwise please re-direct your comment to the wall behind you.

For those of you who forgot that it was Valentines Day...shame on you! Chances are after reading this you'll go to the local 7-11 & spend $50 bucks on the last bouquet of roses! Or purcahse the last box of chocloates that has a dent in it...but hopefully she won't notice! Ahh the joys...

Happy Valentines Day:

Ty

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

It was exciting news when my brother called this past Friday night. My brother (Terry) and his highschool sweetheart (Alisha) who have been dating for over 5 years got engaged! It's kind of wierd to think that my little brother is getting married, but when it comes down to it, they are extremely happy together, and Charity and I are extremely happy for them.

We don't have too many details at this time regarding date & location but these, I am sure, will come sooner than later, along with all the other details that come with planning a wedding! For any of you out there who would like to personally congradulate them, leave me a message or e-mail me and I will pass on their contact details.

Now to plan that bachelor party...

Ty

Fat Pastor

Yup, yesterday at the gym I finally stepped up onto the scale and these were the three numbers that I saw. This past year and a half has seen me go from the best shape I was ever in (right before my wedding) to the worst shape I've ever been in. Many of my newlywed guy friends have adopted the term "married ponch" to kindly "poke" fun at our belly buldge. Call it a belated New-Years resolution...call it whatever, but things need to change.

So as of today you are officially invited to join me on this journey towards getting back into shape. My goal is to loose:

25 lbs. before I'm 25

This means that I should reach my goal no later than June 16th. This gives me just about 20 weeks to do this in. I should see no reason why I can't pull this off. I know that I need to eat better, to hit the gym more (since I've had a membership there for over a year now), and to stop watching so much T.V.

I challenge any and all of my friends out there to do likewise, if lately you haven't felt all too proud of your "ponch." I might post some progress pictures, but I'll wait until I hear some positive feedback before I go ahead and potentially scar your virgin eyes!

Let's Get Physical:

Ty

I OWN A FERRARI !!!!

The sound of a fast revving engine...that brilliant red paint, styling that cannot be ignored, ya you know what a Ferrari is.

And I now own one. Well, you see this story is somewhat true. If you were even remotely thinking that I purchased a Ferrari on a pastor's salaray...give your head a good shake! What I do own now though, is a brand spakin' new Acer Ferrari 4002 WLMi notebook. My old computer here at the church died earlier this year (transistors on the MOBO began to leak stuff--and corrode), and so began the journey of sharing our church's other laptop. Now with the addition of another staff memeber, sharing this laptop became an issue.

So along came the task at finding the perfect laptop. After much searching and comparing numerous products out there, I found "the ONE". So now here I am posting my very first blog entry off of my new Ferrari. She's a nice one that's for sure. I am extremly grateful to everyone at this church for understanding my needs, and blessing me with this fantastic laptop!

Here's some shots of it:

So, it's even supposed to have the Ferrari engine sound at startup, but when I turned mine on it didn't do it. I think the guys who set this up, turned it off...but I'm desitined to have it revv everytime it's powered on.

Time to get to work...if you can call it work when you've got such a sweet laptop. If you were wondering where you can pick up one of these machines, go check out Answers Computers in Walnut Grove. They have been hooking us up here at the church for a long time!

Vroom Vroom:

Ty

Brickianity

Maybe I should get back to work...but last night I finally started to read "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell, and I really wanted to post something that I read...

Rob begins his first chapter with the comparison of our faith like a brick wall vs. a trampoline. It's his out-of-the-box ideas like this that really capture my attention. Rob begins to explain how in his lifetime in ministry & life he has noticed that so many "Christians" are far too preocupied with blindly following doctrine instead of following Jesus. Does that comment rub you the wrong way? In no way does Rob seek to dismiss doctrine, or the blind adherance to it: rather he is searching for a better way of living out our faith than what he calls...brickianity.

Is our faith so serious, so compartmentalized, so fixed that if we were to find out one small detail about the doctrine that we beleive to be true--isn't, would that one brick that falls crumble our entire wall of doctrine/faith/worldview??? Or can we begin to understand the idea of repainting the Christian faith? The idea that God IS--and we are the ones who change. Not that the Christian Faith should conform to the patterns of this world--but the idea that we need to look at the springs--the very things that allow us to bounce on this trampoline of faith.

Rob goes on to say (describing someone who is all about defending his doctrine): Each of the core doctrines for him is like an individual brick that stacks on top of the others. If you pull one out, the whole wall starts to crumble. It appears quite strong and rigid, but if you begin to rethink or discuss even one brick, the whole thing is in danger.

... ... ...

God is bigger than any wall. God is bigger than any religion. God is bigger than any worldview. God is bigger than the Christian faith....one of the things that happens in a brickworld: you spend a lot of time talking about how right you are. Which of course leads to how wrong everybody else is. Which then leads to defending the wall. You rarely defend the things you love. You enjoy them and tell others about them and invite others to enjoy them with you.The problem with brickianity is that walls inevitably keep people out. Often it appears as though you have to agree with all of the bricks exactly as they are or you can't join. ("Velvet Elvis: pg. 027)

So this is the thought that is in my head now...and the reason why I should be working but yet I'm blogging away. Has my faith of 9 years been about defending a brick wall? Have I been a follower of brickianity when I should have been a follower of Jesus?

Are we asking the tough questions about why we believe what we believe?
Questions. Questions. Questions.

Rob goes on to write:
Central to the Christian experience is the art of questioning God. Not belligerent, arrogant questions that have no respect for our maker, but naked, honest, vulnerable, raw questions, arising out of the awe that comes from engaging the living God. (Velvet Elvis: pg. 031)

I'll leave it at that. I encourage you to join me on this journey. Or at least start thinking about whether or not your faith is more of a brick wall or a trampoline.

Long-live the King:

Ty

I'm Busy...

Yup...deal with it.

I might post something soon.

Stay tuned...

Ty

IIHF World Jr. Hockey Game!!!

Last night my Sr. Pastor took me and two other guys from the church to go see the Switzerland vs. Slovakia game at the Pacific Coliseum. This game wasn't for any medal (they were playing for 7th & 8th place respectively) but it still was a great game. It ended in a 3-3 tie, and since they weren't playing for anything besides the last 2 positions they didn't go into overtime--both the 7th & 8th teams still qualify for next years tourney. Oh, and yes that is my ticket....we had GREAT seats!

One of the best perks of that day was that we also scored VIP Hospitality tickets that got us into a VIP lounge before the game and during the 1st & 2nd intermissions... this meant free pop, chips, chicken wings, cookies etc... No need to pay 8 bucks for a hot dog!!! The VIP tickets were cool, but what really got me excited were the other tickets that we got to go see the Stanley Cup!!!

They had this huge "Fan Fest" that was going on in the Forum building where you could wear a Team Canada jersey and pose with cardboard cutouts of last years Gold Medal team. Click on the picture and see if you can spot me. The other life-like guy in the picture is Craig who was another one of the guys who came with us. In reflection I should have gotten a picture with me picking Sidney Crosby's nose or something...oh well...I'm sure some other kid probably did it!

So once we got our pictures taken it was off to go see the Stanyley Cup...WOO HOO. I was really pumped at this time. We got into the building and they actually had ALL of the major hockey trophies on display. I went and took some pictures of the Clarence Campbell bowl with the Canucks Team name on it for 81-82 & 93-94. And then came the time to get my picutre with the greatest sports trophey in the world...


I figured for not sticking my finger into Sidney's nose, I'd better at least pretend to kiss and hug thet Stanley Cup. This was for sure the highlight of my night. It was a bummer that I don't get to go see the Canada vs. Russia game...but there is no way in the world I'm gonna ever find tickets for that game.

Thanks for taking the time to read this fairly long-winded post, but I just had to let everyone know...

Peace,

Ty

Spiritual Retreat at Westminster Abbey

Yesterday I had the incredible opportunity to go on a day-long spiritual retreat with my two best-buds Corey and Jason. It was a day of fasting, prayer, confession, sharing, and dreaming. The location of our retreat was the Westminster Abbey located in Mission, BC. This place is truly magnificent, and I encourage anyone to go and see it. We also had some time to wander through the many walking trails that the property has...and soon came accross the very beautiful lookout at the edge of the property...

We ended the day around 4pm and then drove back into Langley where we feasted at the China Kitchen...mmm....Chinese Buffet & then had coffee at the Wired Monk. It was a great day. One that I will remember forever. I hope that the three of us will be able to do this again very soon.

Blessings,

Ty

Merry Christmas

To everyone out there who reads this blog, or stumbles accross it...I want to personally wish you a Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, or however you say it. May God bless you and your family & friends today, and throughout the New Year to come. Enjoy your turkey dinners with all the stuffing you can stuff into your stomachs! Savour the quietness of a city who's shops are closed for this day...where we rejoice because the Prince of Peace has come. Cherish the gifts that you recieved, because God's gift of everlasting life to us is the greatest we could ever ask for.

Merry Christmas to all,

Ty

Pimp my Christmas Tree...

Just in time for the Holidays...um...err...I guess. This fun game allows you to decorate your Christmas Tree and its surroundings!

Click here to pimp your Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas,

Ty

A very prairie Christmas

Tommorow morning Charity and I are flying off to Lethbridge to see her family & friends for Christmas. I have already checked the weather forecast and it looks like we'll be having a brown Christmas...no real chance of snow. In a sad turn of events...I am doing something tommorow that I never thought that I would do...gasp...flying on Air Canada.

For someone who pledged allegiance to WestJet a few short years ago, this is a truly trying time for me. (some of you may think the last sentence was oozing with sarcasm, but I'm afraid not-I have seen and experienced first hand the atrocious service given to its passengers from this airline.) So in order to bring some Christmas chear to my flying experience I will be wearing my Santa Hat on the flight...unless security decides that it's a safety issue and isnt' allowed on the aircraft!

So I don't know how many posts I'll be able to write while I'm away for the next week. I hope to get at least one up of our Christmas time...and if I'm lucky I'll try to get the final part of Debunking Christmas posted (NO PROMISES!).

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, I pray that this time spent with family and friends refreshes you, comforts you, and fills you with an incredible peace. Charity and I will be home again for New Years...and we look forward to ringing it in with our friends!

Merry Christmas,

Ty


***UPDATE***

We made is safely to Lethbridge...and to my surprise all of our bags made it too!!! No snow here, they're having chinook winds so it's like 10 degrees above today! So looks like we'll be having a brown Christmas. I'll write more later.

Ty

Debunking Christmas: Part 2

ADVENT:

So much of what Christmas is truly about is wrapped up in this Latin word meaning "the coming."

If the years of your childhood are anything like mine then your first recollection of advent would be the first advent calender your parents gave you where you had 24 chocolates waiting oh-so patiently behind perferated paper flaps. Again, if you were anything like me, you tossed aside all logic of waiting 24 whole days to eat all the chocolates (instead you followed the rule of one-per-day for maybe a week tops and then decided to consume the whole lot of them in one sitting--usually hiding in your bedroom so mom or dad wouldn't catch you.)

Is this advent I ask you? Has Willy Wonka and his darn chocolate factory overthrown another holiday for the sake of consuming more chocolate? I certainly hope not...

Millions of churches embark on a four week journey of Advent in the month of December. Advent holds a special place in my heart: it was under a GIANT Christmas Tree back in 1996, on the 1st Sunday in Advent when I got baptized. But advent is still more than this. In today's culture the 4 weeks that precede Christmas mean extended holiday shopping hours at our local malls. But advent is certainly still more than this. Advent was originally meant to be a time when Christians reflected on the meaning of Christmas: four weeks set aside to contemplate what the coming of Jesus meant not only to the world but to every individual's soul. Advent was also supposed to be a time of personal retrospection and growth. (Sadly much of the growth we see in the advent season is our bellies from consuming too many Christmas sweets & our credit card statements as we spend spend spend...) Certainly advent means more than this.

Can we take a step back and look in a mirror and ask ourselves, "am I honestly contemplating the meaning of Christmas?...and what does it mean to me?"

Or do I simply go through the mechanical motions of going to Christmas Eve Church Services, and every now and then saying "Merry Christmas" without even thinking of what those words truly signify? My buddy's wife has started something on her blog that I think really captures the essense of what Advent is about. You'll have to scroll back a bit to read the previous postings... but it's encouraging to see someone grasp the concept of Advent.

I think that many of us evangelical Christians need to re-think how we approach the Christmas season: advent is still fulfilling its intended purpose, but are we (each of us as inividuals) taking time to reflect on what it meant for a baby to be born from a virgin in a manger 2000 years ago. It's not the Jesus that many of us think about: a baby that cried, filled his diaper with...um...er...deposits, and who was completely reliant on his mommy and daddy. But our Saviour came into this world, through a miraculous story, and I think that maybe we need to hit the pause button on our lives and reflect, ponder,contemplate, consider, mull over where our hearts our at, and what significance--if any--does Jesus have in our lives today. I'm not assuming that everyone who reads this blog believes in Jesus, but maybe....just maybe this Christmas you'll catch a glimpse of the miracle of Jesus' birth and come to see the real reason for the season.

Blessings to you all,

Ty

Debunking Christmas

So what is Christmas all about...really?

I'm not looking for that corny Sunday-School answer here, but what I am looking for is a deeper, more significant, true-to-the-Word, understanding of why we celebrate this thing called Christmas.

Part 1: Christmas & the Church

*Disclaimer: I love the church, not only because I am a Pastor, but I whole-heartidly feel that my life calling is to serve the church with all my heart, soul, and strength.

What truly breaks my heart as of late, is that numerous churches in the lower mainland are closing their doors on Christmas Day. How can this be? Call me "old-fashioned," call me "modern" call me "narrow minded" but just because Christmas Day happens to fall on a Sunday...means that we don't gather together to worship our God as a community? It's been 11 years since the last time Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, and maybe because of the cultural shift in values that is happening in today's churches...we've decided that it's too much of an inconvenience to have to get up Christmas morning, shower, change, and have to drive to church. This is bull. Sorry, to get a bit passiontae but I've been pondering the question lately...

Is Christmas about family?

Is it? I know it makes us all warm and mushy inside when we reminisce of our past Christmas mornings, spent with mom, dad, brothers & sisters infront of the tree...but is this Christmas? Something inside of me has to say NO. Christmas as we know it today, has only really been around for the past 200 years. Sadly, prior to 200 years ago much of the celebration at Christmas time happened for totally Pagan reasons. Only after Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822, now commonly known as "T'was the Night Before Christmas" & Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol in 1834 did Christmas begin to evolve into today's Holiday.

Celebrating Advent:
I think that we need to look more closely at this practice of "the coming" of Christ. Advent was officially established by church leaders in the 6th century. Advent was originally meant to be a time when Christians reflected on the meaning of Christmas. Advent was essentially four weeks set aside to contemplate what the coming of Jesus meant not only to the world but to every individual's soul. When presented in the proper way, the way the early church intended, Advent also plants the spiritual seeds that grow into an understanding of the true reason for this special season: the birth of Jesus Christ. Here is where we need to camp out for a while and enjoy the splendor of the Advent Season.

... ... ... ...

Thankfully my church, and many churches in the lower mainland do celebrate Advent. Churches do recognize the importance of preparing our hearts, and getting that often needed slap accross the face to be reminded that Christmas is not about us. But why then are so many churches preparing to celebrate the coming of Jesus, through Advent, and then on the "day" that has been given for his birth...do we not gather to celebrate as a community? To be totally honest, I think we are a very lazy culture, and one who sees going to "church" as nothing more than a once-a-week thing. The early church in the book of Acts looked nothing like many of our churches today...something that at times wants me to see us go back to the days of deep-rooted community, sharing and fellowship.

I don't profess to know how to see resolve come about regarding cancelling our church services on Christmas Day, but I hope that maybe you, duing the rush of this Christmas Season, won't solely focus on gifts, stockings, and even all that warm-mushy family time--but that you would take a few minutes to ponder the greatest event our earth has ever experienced:

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NIV)

So my challenge to all of you who are reading this is... Go to church on December 25th & celebrate the miracle of Jesus' birth as a community. I will be! Chances are it's only 1 hour out of your day, and if it were any-other-Sunday chances are you'd go. So what's the difference? REALLY?

***UPDATE*** Click here to read about American Mega-Churches who are also cancelling their Dec. 25th Sunday Services...


Blessings,

Ty

WORST NAME EVER

Again this post has zero intelligent thought...but I couldn't pass up this opportunity. I am sure many of you remember the name Gaylord Focker from the movie "Meet the Parents." But this isn't from a movie...this is real life people! This has to be the worst name ever...


...please click here:



(thanks to Marko for exposing this site)

If I were a cartoon...

I do not watch South Park, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make myself one of its characters...check it out!


If you want to join the cast just click here:

Not the most thought provoking of all my posts...but sometimes you just want a good laugh!

Blessings,

Ty

Tuesday Tea for Three

Today is Tuesday.

Unlike the rest the days of the week this day holds a special place in my heart: let me explain. 4 years ago when I was a freshman at Briercrest Bible College, God blessed me with an incredible roomate-Corey, and another amazing friend-Jason. The three of us soon became inseperable, and to this very day continue to grow in our friendships. You have to understand one thing about Corey, Jason and I...coming from BC we really didn't enjoy the butt-freaking cold weather in Saskatchewan. I don't know if this is the true reason why we started our little tradition of drinking tea together on Tuesday nights, but it sure helped to aleviate the bone chilling cold.

You may be asking why I am writting about this part of my life history now--4 years later--well just recently I have been reminded of how precious this threefold friendship is. It had been a few months since the three of us got together for some guy-time...and we genuinly felt sick that we had forsaken our tradition for such an extended amount of time. Tuesday night Tea Time allowed the three of us to escape from all the stressors of College life, dating life, major papers- due-the-next-day life, and gave us the time to spend encouraging each other, praying for eachother, and laughing together. This was a time of spiritual refreshment that could not be duplicated. I treasure these memories, and know that if it weren't for the wise counsel I received from these brothers in Christ--who knows where my life would be. These 2 guys mean the world to me...(I love you too Charity)...and for you reading this right now I ask you this:

Do you have genuine & deep rooted friendships where you gather together for the sake of encouragement, prayer and laughter?

I ask this because I know that far too many of my brothers in Christ live their lives without ever experiencing such close friendship. God has hard-wired us for a relationship with him, and for relationships with others. Yet far too often I chat with people who can only hope for such deep-rooted friendships like the ones I have with Jason & Corey. There is a book out called "The Company You Keep" that sheds far more light onto the topic of male frienships that maybe is worth a read if this is an area that "strikes your fancy" (apologies for using somewhat corny Old-English). The book oddly enough is written by 3 BC-Boys (much like the 3 of us) and one is actually my friend Jason's father.

We as men sometimes all get painted with the same brush that stereotypes us as "cold, un-caring, un-emotional, barbarians" when in all seriousness the threefold friendship of Corey, Jason and I is nothing the like. If we as men do not seek out meaningful frienships where we pray for eachother, encourage eachother, and laugh together then our lives will lack in a richness that only comes from time spent together. I'm not saying that you have to specifically drink tea--or that you have to get together on Tuesday's--but what I am saying is that Christian men need to spend time together, in conversation, in prayer, to see their friendship grow and to see their faith come alive.

*Thanks Boys for sharing your lives with me. I pray that as we grow old together we will have many more Tuesday-Night-Tea-Times. Blessings on you both...

Ty

lives transformed...

*Warning: It's a long one (but worth it)*

Somedays it's hard to channel the whirlwind of thoughts that fill my cranium through my fingers-to the keyboard-onto this blog. Living a life entrenched in Youth Ministry never allows for a dull moment...let me explain:

This past Sunday I had the glorious priviledge of baptizing one of my youth. This was the first time I had ever baptized someone, and I can assure you that the flood of emotions that I experienced will stick with me for a lifetime. It's for those moments that any youth pastor lives for: forget the piles of administrative crap that we all have to unfortunately live with-can't I just equip students to grow into mature followers of Jesus? The question that I am wrestling with is this:

How can we tangibly recognize that the lives of our students are being transformed?

You can throw out the Sunday school answer here and say "hey, did you not just baptize someone?...that's a pretty good sign!" But it's got to be more than that. Baptism at its litteral sense is someone getting dunked while laying in a luke-warm pool of stagnant water. It's not until we give meaning to the experience that makes it more than just taking a bath in church. We talked about this "giving meaning to something" at our Fall Retreat a couple of weeks ago at Camp Qwanoes. We had students write out their burdens onto rocks and then we gathered down at the beach and hurrled them into the ocean. The rock is just a rock--the ocean is just salt water--but with meaning they metamorphosize into something more!

It's this metamorphosis that I long to see in each of my students lives. But I still wrestle with how we tangibly recognize growth since each student has their own uique relationship with their Creator. One area of significant growth that every youth pastor longs for is when a student decides to stop living for the world, and to start living their lives for Christ. But how do we determine when that person "is a Christian?" Do they have to pray a prayer? Some of you may say yes...some may say no-I think you both have grounds to camp there. Maybe I need to direct you to someone who's recently been wrestling with the same sentiments as I have:

Thoughts on conversion... by Walt Mueller

Coming to faith and being transformed. . . . isn’t that what we hope to see happen in the lives of the kids we know and love? Sure it is. For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we facilitate this reality in our youth ministries. I know there are differences in how we all communicate the Gospel and invite kids to “make a decision” for Christ. Of course, then we spend time counting up the numbers so that we can judge our “success,” validate the effectiveness of our methodologies, and look good when we report back to our supervisors and church boards. Okay. . . . if you know me well you were able to read that last sentence understanding the appropriate measure of sarcasm in my voice. I think what’s prompted my thinking on this matter is a publicity piece I recently read regarding a youth evangelist who’s had “success” by leading over 1 million kids to Christ. Sorry, I just can’t take that too seriously. If he’s led over 1 million kids to Christ, where are they? Perhaps it would be better if we were just honest with ourselves and we reported back to headquarters with something like this. . . . “He’s convinced over 1 million kids to come forward or raise their hands.” Let’s be honest. When push comes to shove we ask for a lot of commitments to Christ, but have we really taken the time to warn kids about what a life of following Christ is all about, how difficult it is, and what it requires. Do we ever talk about the fact that following the God-man who was on the cross requires “taking up” a cross of our own? Do we ever get beyond the promise of heaven to talk about what life as a follower is all about here on God’s earth? Do kids really know that there’s a life of integrated faith to be lived between not going to hell and going to heaven? I hope my random thoughts here are making some kind of sense. I’ve always been skeptical of easy evangelism that requires a few minutes with someone lost, a formulated method, an invitation to pray according to a script, and a quick “goodbye” to move on to the next project (I mean, person) whether our prior project (I mean, person) has said “yes” or “no” to our invitation. Okay, so maybe we aren’t doing evangelism this way. But then again, maybe we are. Because something about this hasn’t been sitting right with me for years, I’ve tried to direct some large blocks of reading, thinking, and praying time in this direction. I’m currently reading Turning To God: Biblical Conversion in the Modern World by David Wells, one of my seminary profs back at Gordon-Conwell. Wells approaches this important subject (important because what we believe about conversion will impact how we do ministry) asking the most important question. That is, “What does the Bible teach?” rather than “What have past generations thought?” or “What sort of conversion experiences have people had?” Here are some of Wells’ thoughts on conversion based on what the Scriptures teach: “True conversion is not an isolated experience but one that is related to a life of discipleship. It is the point in time and experience at which we enter into such a life. Discipleship belongs to and should follow from conversion the way that natural life belongs to and should follow from live birth. Just as there is no life without birth, so there is no birth without an ensuing life, however long or short that life may be. And just as there is no discipleship without conversion, so there is no conversion without an ensuing life of discipleship that involves growth in moral maturity, a deepening faith, and loving service.” So maybe our numbers have been way off! I think so. Wells goes on to talk about our all too common measure of faith. . . . the testimony!: “Conversion is not an isolated event but is related to the entire life of faith that follows from it. It is the moment of birth into a new life. It is like a doorway into a room. A person is born to live, not to linger on the edge of the womb in a time limbo. A person opens a door not for the pleasure of standing forever on the threshold but to enter the room. The evangelical world has strangely perverted this truth. Evangelicals often make the test of spiritual life one’s willingness to testify about the moment of birth. Describing one’s sensations in passing through the doorway is considered proof that one is in the room! This shifts the focus from where it ought to be – the evidence of the Spirit’s renewing work in producing a God-centered life, a God-fearing heart, and God-honoring character and witness – and places it on a person’s autobiographical account of the conversion crisis. The only real proof of our conversion is an obedient and fruitful life.” And on the all-important “decision,” Wells says, “. . . . a decision for Christ is not the real measure of a conversion, although a conversion may occur in and through such a decision. Decisions undertaken with insufficient self-awareness, awareness of ourselves as sinners before God (however that awareness translates into felt needs), are decisions whose reality will be hollow. Decisions undertaken in the absence of a sufficient knowledge of God, his truth, and his Christ are decisions that will likely be malformed and so will probably lack direction and hence staying power. Decisions that occur in either of these ways are decisions brought about by pressures that should be considered manipulative: the crowd or circle of friends who exert psychological pressure or the evangelist who does a ‘hard sell’ and is so charismatic in personality or in presentation that the convert is drawn to the point of decision irresistibly. This person, let it be noted, is also being drawn foolishly and, perhaps, unethically. Decisions are not what counts. What counts is that there are men and women who, knowing themselves to be rebels and alienated from God, have sought in his Christ forgiveness and acceptance and, having sought and trusted, have been renewed by the Spirit and are impelled on to a life of truthfulness and love.” Hmmm. Maybe what we need to do to stop the epidemic of spiritual “still-births” and “birth defects” might be to add some serious “birthing classes” to our youth ministry efforts. Then, and perhaps only then, will spiritual births be healthy and followed by life.

*taken from www.cpyu.org

This stil leaves me with plenty of questions...but is deffinately helping me (and I hope you too) find some answers. I'll leave you with a verse that means the world to me: and I think is paramount in relating our love for Jesus with our love for students so that they have a similar love for Jesus.

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Finally we have proof

*BREAKING NEWS*

What once was purely speculation has finally been proven by a recently dicoverd photograph found in a previously locked metal case un-earthed from Einstein's former residence.

Scientists are flabergasted that Einstein himself humbly admits in this photograph that Tyler Hagan should be considered a Genius. One must note that Einstein himself lacked obvious elementary grammar skills as he himself mis-spells "Smart" as Smrt.

...REALITY CHECK...maybe because it's Friday...maybe because I feel sick (literal physical sickness/not the regular mental malaise)...or maybe because some days I just feel like being random, but I thought I would entertain you for a brief moment. Please feel free to create you own Einstein Quotes here:

Enjoy your weekends,

Ty

P.S. Thanks Haak for the link!

prayer for a fellow pastor...gone to be with Jesus

I ask all of you today to spend some time in intercessory prayer for a fellow brother in Christ who was tradgically killed this past Sunday. Pastor Kyle Lake of University Baptist Church was electrocuted to death while standing in the baptism tank of his church. Read the official posting from the church here: Many of you might recognize the name of this church, as it is the home church of the David Crowder Band.

The following is a small blurb from the blog of Mark O. from Youth Specialties:

Kyle was in the baptismal tank during the church service, and was somehow electrocuted (it’s a bit unclear how this happened, at this point). he shouted out for help and went under. doctors in the congregation immediately came up to try to help, and kyle was transported to a local hospital. but he didn’t make it — he passed away.

I can't imagine what Kyle's family is going through right now, as well as the entire church family at University Baptist Church. So in your comings and goings for the next little while, lift up Kyle and his family in prayer...that healing will occur, and that through the life Kyle lived...many will come to know Jesus as their personal Lord & Saviour.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ty

iBelieve

In what seems to be a sad turn of events for Christendom, yet another person is attempting to cash in on the already uber saturated Christian "kitch" market. Last week I mused over Rick Warren's quote soon to be found on a Starbucks cup, and I was generally satisfied with Rick's passion to share God's purpose for people's lives en mass.

This week I stumbled accross this site promoting the new iBelieve. This cross-shaped plastic cap replaces the standard usb cap for you ipod Shuffle. This appears to be the latest installment in the ever growing line of Jesus paraphanelia. Now instead of just listening to your "Christian Music" you can wear the gaughty white cross around your neck! I know for many of my peers who lived out their teen years in the 1990's many of us fell slave to the W.W.J.D fad that marketed almost everything on the face of the earth. This trend seems to not be going away, but rather is escalating on a daily basis. I understand that people need to earn a living, but I question why it seems that so many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ want to make a quick buck by selling their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ JUNK. Wearing a W.W.J.D. bracelt doesn't make you a Christian, neither does wearing the iBelieve, and neither does you eating at McDonalds make you a hamburger! You get the point?

It's at these times when I see this mass-marketing of Christian "kitch"that I am reminded of words to an old classic hymn...

"...and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love...and they'll know we are Christians by our love..."

or maybe we should just all look at what God's Word has to say about this:

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1st Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

I don't know if I'm the only one out there who feels this strongly about the overwhelming amount of Jesus-Junk that's out there, but before you consider buying anything from a Christian retail store, check the motives of your heart...because that's what God truly cares about...

Blessings,

Ty


P.S. For those who may be skeptical of this site and may just brush it off as a hoax, this is the personal site for the guy from devoted1.com (he lives in Portland). Click Here:

God & Starbucks

There are many things in this world that I love...and it appears that 2 of them are soon to "become one" so to speak. Nothing beats walking into the local starbucks on a cool fall morning, or during an evening snow walk in winter. That aroma of freshly brewed coffee warms your soul even prior to the first smooth sip. Though coffee may "warm my soul" nothing quite invigorates my life quite like that of my faith in God. As I aluded to in my title, it appears that God's going mainstream "a la" starbucks style.

In a news article from USA Today (read it here) Pastor Rick Warren, author of the book "Purpose Driven Life" submitted a quote for Starbuck's "The Way I See It" campaign that encouraged people from all walks of life and faith to submit a quote to appear on their cups. Pastor Warren's was one of the selected quotes and reads as follows:

"You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your real purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance and our destiny."
- The Rev. Rick Warren for Starbucks

Starbucks does go on to issue a disclaimer saying the thoughts and opinions expressed by these people do not necessarily reflect the views of Starbucks. I am happy to see that the Christian faith is alive and kicking in todays post-Christian culture. Too often I see many Christians "shy away" from pop-culture, feeling that anything we try to do won't get noticed. The Purpose Driven campaign that our church participated in last year did wonders for so many people. I applaud Rick Warren for submitting his quote (as I sit here and wonder how many other Christians submitted one...) As Christians we cannot even assume that people who are our neighbours, co-workers, even friends know really who God is. I feel that we need to use common language that speaks to today's culture, and that will engage today's culture in dialogue. I don't see much room for "Thou, Thee & Thy" and other outdated wordings, but take it from Eugene H. Peterson's "The Message"

Romans 9:25-26
I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies;
I'll call the unloved and make them beloved.
In the place where they yelled out, "You're nobody!"
they're calling you "God's living children."

So I as muse over this news article this morning (sans coffee unfortunately) I look forward to seeing Rick's thought's on my next Venti Cafe Mocha, and pray that it's not simply coffee that gives you that "perk" of energy, but rather God giving you life to its fullest as he promises.

Blessings,

Ty

mmmm...this just in!

Drivng to work this morning I noticed a sign in the vacant spot of land that is next to the White Spot Restaurant saying that there will be an Old Spaghetti Factory in Spring/Summer 2006. For those who do not know the geographical layout of 200th Street & 91A Ave. (Where my church is located) we are right next door to the White Spot. This means that now I will have a CHOICE when I want to go out for a lunch with someone! WOO HOO!!!! Stay tuned for more details and maybe even some construction pictures as the time gets closer to its Grand Opening.

Residents of Walnut Grove rejoice...for now we have a dinner choice!

--Ty

we're in the news

Our Youth Group made it into the local Langley Newspapers this past week!!!! Both the Langley Advance & the Langley Times had pictures and a brief blurb about us. We were at the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival on Saturday scooping the 10,000 pounds of cranberries that were for sale! This was an awesome opportunity for our youth to serve the community and connect with many unique people that make up the town of Fort Langley. We had a lot of fun, and realized that raw cranberrties are VERY tart and bitter. It was really fun watching little kids take and eat one, and then to watch as if their face was caving in! Praise God that it didn't rain!

I was so proud of our group for all their hard work. I really hope that we'll be able to come back next year and help out.

To read more about the festival click here & here:

Blessings,

Ty

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I absolutely love this cartoon!

I hope that for all of you out there (who for some reason read my blog), enjoy a spectacular thanksgiving with family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for this year...especially for my beautiful wife. Charity and I are off to my parents place in Ladner for our dinner tonight. mmmm....I love this time of year!


2nd Corinthians 4:15
"...And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory."

One questions remains...

White Meat OR Dark Meat???

Blessings:

Ty

BC Teachers Strike

Well today in the eyes of many students is one of the greatest days ever imagined: a teachers strike has started. But as many students are probably just waking up as it approaches 11am this morning many teachers have been on the picket lines since 5am. BC Teachers voted an overwhelming 90.5% in favour of striking. B.C. teachers have been subjected to imposed contracts four times since 1993, and are currently asking for a 15% wage increase (govt. officials are offering zero and frozen wages untill June 2006.

Much of this debate between the BCTF and Government stems from the legislation of Education as an "essential service." Jinny Simms, BCTF spokesperson had these comments:

"The United Nations and international bodies do not recognize education as an essential service under the industrial model," "But we do believe education is essential. It's because we believe it is essential for our students to get a quality education program that our teachers are prepared to take this very brave stand."

I have to mention that I do stand behind the teachers on this one. Mainly because my mom has been a teacher for almost 30 years! (Something I am darn proud of her about!) I have heard too many times the crap that she has been put through, and it's about time that our Government wakes up and sees how hard it is to effectively teach a classroom of over 30+ students. I hope that this ends quickly, but not through govt. imposed legislation...so that studends (especially those in Grade 12) can get back to school and receive the education that they need.

Links:
CTV News
National Post
A Parent Who Supports the Strike
BC Teachers Strike.com
BC Teachers Federation

Give a honk of support if you see teachers walking the picket lines!

Blessings,

Ty

Let down at Blessings...again

Many of you know my dissatisfaction with Blessings Christian Marketplace. Well today I went there bright and early at 9am when the doors opened to purchase the new David Crowder CD "A Collision" (Who wouldn't want this awesome CD?)

*Disclaimer*

The ONLY reason I went to Blessings to purcahse the CD, was because my awesome friend Andrew Haak snagged a $10 dollar Gift Certificate for me at the TFK concert that was in Abbotsford a few weeks back. (THANKS BUDDY!!!) So I figured...sale price= $12.79 - $10 Gift Certificate =CHEAP CD!!!

Well...I walk into the store, and ask the sales associate where their David Crowder CD's are. Her reply "We won't be getting them in for at least a couple of days" Apparently they've been misplaced. ARRRGGHHH. How can they do this to me? I look online at House of James and they've got 150 IN STOCK. Why can't House of James open a new store in Langley and make this Christian music obsessed Youth Pastor happy? Anyways, so now they have my number and will call me whenever it comes in. It's almost worth paying the extra cash to get it today...but then again I'm a poor pastor so cheaper is always better.

So I wait...maybe God is teaching me to be more patient...all I know is that it's going to be even fewer and far between before I shop at Blessings Christian Marketplace anytime in the near future.

Blessings, (pun intended)

Ty

UPDATE:
Spectacular news...Blessings somehow managed to find the "misplaced" David Crowder CD's and when our church secretary was down in Langley she pikced my copy up!!!! WOO HOO. Now I am a happy-musically-obsessed-Youth Pastor.

MY RANT

Hear me out folks...

The other day I was flippin' thru the TV channels and stumbled accross a little promo moment about Switchfoot's new album "Nothing is Sound." I purcahsed this album right at 9:30am last Tuesday at HMV for $9.99 (since our Christian store was selling it for $12.79) and if you read one of my earliest blogs about Blessings Christian Marketplace then you'll understand why I didn't purchase it there!

Anyways, back on track. The program that the album was getting some promo on was Much Music's "Much On Demand" co-hosted by Matte Babel. During the show he was giving a brief synopsis of the album for the viewers. I cannot say verbatim what Matte said but the words that he did say have rung clear in my head for days...

"This new album by switchfoot is filled with rock infused lyrics that ring out with teenage angst...blah blah blah...then he concludes his synopsis with saying that this album (and the teenage-angst-lyrics) will have you hating your parents by the end of it."

In the words of "the Champ"...I loose it...!

I could not believe that this was the promo that Switchfoot was getting live on air at Much Music! Immediately I began to pray for those who go out to purchase this album that God will grab ahold of them and serious work miracles in their hearts through the lyrics. I have listened to the entire album and cannot find much if anything that would stir up hatred for ones parents. This kind of review just makes me wanna scream!

In an interview done for Christian Music Planet magazine: frontman Jon Foreman said this "We have always tried to make music that resonates with the church and the mainstream," Foreman says. "That is what Switchfoot is about."

I agree with Jon whole-heartidly...and I hope that those who are devoted fans of switchfoot will continue to support this great band by purcahsing their CD. I don't wanna run on and on and on with this rant so I'm gonna cut it off now.

Thanks for hearing me out:

Ty

FOOD FIGHT !!!

On Friday September 9th...21 students gathered for what soon became the messiest, and stinkiest youth event ever imagined here at in.sight youth ministry. As the countdown went...3...2....1....GO !!! The students ran towards a table filled with food...and in a matter of seconds the food was FLYING EVERYWHERE.

It looks like Allison really enjoys mustard...but Tiana on the other hand seems to prefer good ol' Heinz Ketchup...that or she was just about to squirt Allison in order to give her that "perfect hotdog" smell...mmm!

You should have seen the colour of the water when we rinsed out the hair of Justin & Rebecca. These two deffinately went hard core...and smelt rotten to the core by then end of the food fight.

Here they all are...(well minus a few people who were desperate to change and clean off). Congratulations to everyone who came out and enojyed the nastiest...smelliest....groosest event we've ever had. I think we'll have to outdo outselves next year...any one interested?

*This coming Friday we're going up to Maple Ridge for the annual Water War. This year we're gonna have around 3 THOUSAND water balloons! It's gonna be a wet one...

If anyone wants to see more pictures of the event just leave me a message or email me at thagan@telus.net

P.S. If you wonder how we cleaned up most of the mess...I left it there for the birds to eat! They seem to love mushy cake, hotdogs, and piles of pudding!

Blessings,

Ty