They are not the greatest quality...but this is my kid! Say hello to baby-hagan! For whatever reason our Ultrasound-tech said their company doesn't email you a digital copy of the pictures they take!
Hello? Are we not in a digital age? My dentist even email's me pictures of all my cavities! And then writes nasty comments like how I should floss more!
Oh well, Charity and I are so exited to begin our lives as parents! I know that this blog will soon begin to morph into a place for me to share my thoughts/hopes/dreams/frustrations etc... about being a daddy!
2009 is going to change my life. Literally. There is so much that I look forward to with great anticipation. So much that I look forward to with a healthy amount of fear.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1st Cor. 2:9)
This verse has incredible significance for my life right now, and will be a verse that I will keep coming back to this coming year. Here are a few of the things that I am looking forward to in 2009.
1) Costa Rica Vacation: In February for 10 days Charity and I are meeting up with her parents in Jaco, Costa Rica! Her parents have rented a house for the entire month, and we are incredibly excited to get to visit them!
2) June 6th is my baby's due date! This single event is going to change my world forever! I am excited, nervous, freaked out, elated, joyful, and a myriad of other emotions when I consider the shear fact that I'm going to be a daddy.
3) 1 year at Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship: I can't believe that May will mark me being at ERBF for an entire year already.
4) My Wife on Mat-Leave: Can anyone say home-cooked meals! Ok, maybe this is a bit of a stretch, since she'll be home taking care of our child...but just the thought of walking in the front door to a home-cooked meal gets me excited.
5) Reading More: I have a ton of books that I would love to read this year. Somehow I am going to be more diligent with my time, and attempt to read 1 book per month. That's my goal.
6) ________________________________________
Truth is, that I leave number 6 blank because this list isn't finished. There will certainly be more events that will come to fruition this year that I'll be incredibly excited to experience. Reality is, if and when these events happen...chances are I'll blog about them.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
These prophetic words spoken by the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming birth of Jesus, and the incredible significance that this birth would have in the course of human history.
Today as you celebrate Christmas with your family and friends, I pray that with all the chaos of opening presents, and turkey dinners, and eating WAY TOO MUCH STUFFING, that you remember Jesus, his birth, and the incredible significance that this birth still has today.
So how will you celebrate the birth of Jesus today? How will your Christmas celebrations give glory to Jesus? How will his life and message change your heart this Christmas?
Christmas is soon upon us. And being on staff at my church does help awaken my heart to the what Christmas is all about. Perhaps it's all the "Christmas-y events" that we plan: Community Christmas Cafe, Caroling, Christmas Eve Service etc... or perhaps it's the fact that being a pastor almost forces me to come face-to-face every year with the true reason for the season.
It’s not hard to read a verse like Luke 1:31 “You[Mary] will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” and not get excited about the significance of the birth of Jesus. Personally this verse rings so true in my life since Charity is with child and we anticipate the arrival of our first born together in June 2009. There is great hope, great peace, great comfort and great joy all pieced together like a glorious mosaic when we come to celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel—God with us.
And I think that last sentence is what really gets me excited this year. There was so much excitement with the prophesied arrival of the new-born King. The whole notion of Emmanuel—God with us, has truly spoken to my heart this year. There is nothing that I look forward to more for this up-coming year then for the birth of my child! Likewise, there was no greater excitement 2,000 years ago then from the birth of Jesus--born to Joseph & Mary (who was a virgin!)
This is where the mystery of Christmas still exists. Born of a virgin? Is that possible? Many doubt it...many refuse to believe such a miracle could even be possible. Even Mary herself had difficulty grasping at such a notion!
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God...For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:34-35, 37)
Nothing is impossible with God! Not even Mary being with child and giving birth to Jesus--Emmanuel, God with Us. The baby Jesus, born in a manger...was God in human flesh! The image of the invisible God! What a great joy that was to those who knew the prophesy's, and who know believed--with all their hearts!
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you breath deep the comforting smells of Christmas, open your eyes to the beautiful lights that brighten up our cities, and pause—if even for just a few moments—and come to a place of peace where the significance of Christmas becomes strikingly apparent: that baby Jesus born in a manger would change the course of history...and change many lives forever...mine and yours included!
Yup...for those of you who watched my "Town Home Renovations" video you were some of the first to find out that--indeed Charity is "with child" (kind of a great Christmas(ish) reference there!)
We're going to be parents! And we are now broadcasting this to the world!
Thank you to all who have left comments and have been overwhelmingly encouraging!
Our bundle of joy is schedule to arrive on June 6th...just in time for Father's Day!
I am now convinced that middle school students can change the world!
I say this, because this past week I was completely humbled by an experience that I had at an event called "collide". This was a gathering of Coquitlam area middle school youth groups--the first of its kind.
The challenge myself and other youth pastors gave was for middle school kids to bring as much "stuff" to fill 25 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. So I admit, in my disbelief that this could even be done...I went out and purchased some "back up supplies" like pens, paper, crayons, socks, toys so that if we didn't have enough then at least the boxes wouldn't be totally empty and lame.
As middle school students began pouring into the church foyer, I noticed something. Bags and bags and bags of stuff! Yup...this was where God decided to slap me upside the head, and simultaneously kick me in the butt.
I gave a short challenge to students about their ability to make a change, to do something bigger than themselves...and even had a middle school student walk up to me afterward and complemented me on my message (does that really happen?) Yup it did...and it rocked my world!
Needless to say, students began filling boxes...even boxes that they brought! In total, that night we filled 40 boxes! But had so much stuff left over that there was enough to fill another 18 boxes. (which was done today by some great volunteers!)
That's 58 boxes! WOW.
I am now convinced that middle school students can change their world! They are a power to be reckoned with! They have all the energy in the world...and if more of us would realize their passion to rally around a cause bigger than themselves...we will stand in awe with what they can do.
The people have spoken. Change will "officially" happen on January 20th 2009 when Barack Obama gets sworn in as the 44th President of the USA.
Funny how parties were thrown, massive news coverage was given, t-shirts were worn, buttons adorned, and this was all in Canada. Oddly enough, I think I remember voting for our current prime-minister a few weeks ago...but not to the fanfare that this decision invoked.
History was made last night...and whether you voted Red or Blue...this change will affect everyone...even us Red & White folk "up north."
I am curious to see how Obama will bring about this "change" that was so clearly marketed through his entire election campaign. Sadly...through much of this fanfare, my neighbours to the south (Washington state) voted to approve Initiative 1000 "death with dignity" a.k.a. doctor assisted suicide by a margin of 59% to 41% making them the second state to allow this.
I can remember the riot's of '94 when the Canucks lost in game 7 vs. the Rangers. I have seen many more since then...but last night one incident stood out above them all.
Today I leave with the other 3 staff members from my church for 3 days to attend The Nova Experience in Kelowna. I am excited about the 4 hour drive there and back and for all the conversations that will take place...good and/or bad! And hey...we save the church $20 bucks since there aren't any tolls on the Coquihalla Hwy anymore!
What sucks is that I have to leave my wifey again this weekend! Thankfully I'll be home Saturday night, and that still leaves us Sunday/Monday to spend together.
I'll blog more possibly from the conference depending if they have accessible wi-fi. Otherwise I'll post something when I return.
Well it's been a few days since going up to Squamish, and wow...what an incredible weekend. We started off by driving up the notorious Sea-To-Sky Highway in low visibility and pouring rain! Even with their "improvements" the whole highway is freaking retarded still!
Friday night my buddy Matt Davies and his dad Glenn who are planting a church in Squamish welcomed us and shared their vision for why they're planting a church in the city of Squamish. Later on that night Matt shared from God's word and helped us become better listeners to God's voice. This was preparing us for what was coming up on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning we woke up (only getting about 4-5 hrs of sleep), and went out in two groups to pray over the city of Squamish. For three hours the two groups prayed over areas in the city like Quest University, the downtown core, various businesses etc... This was an amazing experience and many of the students shared afterward that this was an incredible opportunity for them to live out their faith.
The rest of the afternoon we spent time sightseeing at Shannon Falls and it was a beautiful sunny day. That night we had a great dinner at McDonalds, went swimming, and then learned that there is a cost in following Jesus. But the hope we have is that whatever the cost is... Jesus gave his life for us...and paid the ultimate cost for our freedom.
Sunday morning we joined Squamish Baptist Church during their morning service and were treated to a potluck lunch after. I don't think they were expecting 14 students to be eating all that food...so we gave them our lunch supplies that we had left to ensure everyone got something.
During that lunch I was introduced to three African girls who moved to Squamish to attend Quest University. What was amazing was on Saturday morning we prayed over that campus and asked God to raise up leaders on that campus to be a light. Getting to tell those 3 girls that we prayed for them just blew them away! I've already gotten an email from them saying how blessed they are to know complete strangers are praying for them!
Truth is this couldn't be a youth group missions trip without something crazy happening. This trip's "crazy" moment was how the Suburban I was driving was nicknamed the "Flaming Turd". I don't know this happened, but we drove around Squamish all weekend with this written in the dust on the back glass of the SUV.
I look forward to the next time we can get back to Squamish to continue partnering with Glenn & Matt and their church. To God be the glory...now and forever!
This weekend I am taking a group of our Sr. High students on a missions trip to Squamish, BC to partner with friends of mine in a new church plant currently called "Squamish Now".
I am so excited to see the things that God will do through the hearts of these students as they give up their weekend to serve, to pray, and love the city of Squamish.
I purchased a cd a few weeks ago by an artist by the name of Brandon Heath. Here's the first track off that cd...it speaks so clearly about asking God to give us his eyes to see the lost, the brokenhearted, the poor and to regain focus on what's truly important.
I heard this on the Team 1040 this morning and I thought I would post it for all of my Canadian friends, who may need a bit of a "primer" on the Elections today!
The guys on Team 1040 were comparing the candidates to recent NHL Hockey teams. Here's howit all went down (this is a paraphrase and written to the best of my recollection):
Stephen Harper (Conservatives): Stephen is likely the closest to the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes. Their surprising Stanley Cup Win was a shock to many, and there hasn't been many significant achievements since that win...but they'll always say "we won the cup"!
Stephane Dion (Liberals): Stephane closely resembles the 2006 Vancouver Canucks. They were a team that had much promise and great things were expected from them. But nothing really materialized from that "promising" franchise...and we've all seen the fall out since.
Jack Layton (NDP): Jack is like the Dallas Starts. No specific year to make mention of...but rather they're a team that is always tough and will always show up for the game...but in the end they're not gonna win anything significant.
Elizabeth May (Green Party): May is like the Washington Capitals of 2008. For many years people forgot that Washington even had a professional hockey team. Then suddenly in late 2008 the Capitals surgged towards the Playoffs! This year Elizabeth made the Debate, and proved that after a change in leadership positive things began to happen!
I never heard anything about Gilles Duceppe, but I figure that you could compare him to the Quebec Nordiques... a team that has a filled with accomplishements, but except for those living in Quebec...most people have forgotten about them.
So I don't know if this helps you in your decision to vote today...but I sure had a laugh hearing this!
I am so excited tonight to be heading off to the Passion:Vancouver conference at GM Place. Passion:Vancouver will feature Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band & Louie Giglio...and the most amazing thing is IT'S ALL FREE.
The Passion Conference is a world-wide conference that has chosen Vancouver as its ONLY North American stop. It is for University students ages 18-25 & their ministry leaders (eg: Young Adults Pastors).
So for all my readers out there in the rest of Canada and the USA...I'm so sorry that you're going to miss this. I'll hopefully throw some pictures up after tonight (so long as I get close enough to the front!)
I am very much looking forward to this weekend. Here's the run down on what's going on:
1) Eagle Ridge Elders/Staff Retreat @ Cedar Springs Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington - this is going to be a great time interacting with the other elders & staff, as well as taking time out from our busy lives to be still and listen to God. I am excited with the direction God is taking this church, and I eagerly anticipate this weekend to be an incredibly refreshing time for everyone. Sadly...Charity is working (someone has to!)...so she won't be able to come. 2) Shopping in the USA - yup...3 of us on staff here are playing hooky tomorrow and doing some shopping in Bellingham! I have a specific mission to purchase some Starbucks Energy Drinks for one of my students AND for a parent of one of my students in our ministry. If you have never had them before...these are what I'm talking about.
3) Lunch w/ friends on Sunday - Charity and I are really looking forward to going out for lunch with our friends Phil & Brianne on Sunday. They have the same last name, but had Jerry Springer run extensive DNA tests before they started dating to ensure they weren't related!
4) Canucks vs. Anaheim - oh baby I am excited for this. We were given free tickets to the Canucks game on Sunday night! Time to break out my Trevor Linden jersey and ensure my voice is ready for loads of screaming. I love the Canucks...and any chance to see a game is amazing! I am extremely grateful for the generosity of one man in this church for hooking me up with these tickets!
So yeah..that's my weekend! Pretty freaking sweet if I might say so!
Yup...I'm wearing shorts and it's October 1st. Thank you Richard Simmons for summing up how I feel about wearing shorts in October...but for the love of all things holy, please wear longer shorts! Mine are at least at my knees!
Sadly...I have a suspicion that I'm going to have to start wearing jeans again very soon.
With only a sleeping bag, piece of cardboard, and the clothes on my back I am going to join hundreds of other students across Vancouver who will gather at the BC Lions Practice facility, and come face-to-face with really what is only a taste of homelessness.
I'll be the first to admit my life growing up was privileged, and I truly have no clue what many men and women go through on a daily basis--living on the streets. I can only hope that tonight God awakens my heart (and the hearts of my students coming) and gives us all a passion to make a difference and to take action against homelessness.
I ask you to please pray for all of those who are going. I don't want you to pray for "no rain" but rather pray that there is an outpouring of God's presence tonight. Pray that hearts are changed.
I'll make sure to throw some pictures up afterward. And check out the news tonight and tomorrow...there are rumors that a news crew will be there at some point.
I'm selling my 30gb, white, iPod video. It's in great shape, has had NO issues, and has been in the apple protective sleeve for most of its life.
It just shows "regular use" with a few scratches, but that's life for an iPod. It comes with the protective sleeve, sync cable, and the headphones (yeah they're used...so if you don't want them I understand).
$100 dollars and it's yours!
Leave me a message, or email me at tchagan@telus.net
They are not the greatest quality...but this is my kid! Say hello to baby-hagan! For whatever reason our Ultrasound-tech said their company doesn't email you a digital copy of the pictures they take!
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