Last Post of 2013

I won't be blogging again until January 1st 2014.
Have a wonderful time with your family and friends.
God Bless.

So Long to 2013 from Jib Jab

Even Rob Ford made the Jib Jab So Long to 2013 video!

Christmas Greetings from Jerusalem of Gold

Brian Kershisnik’s “Nativity”

I love using artwork to comment on Bible stories in my sermons. Donald Miller does an outstanding job doing both in a post about Brian Kershisnik’s painting called “Nativity”. Yes the painter did this work for the Latter Day Saints tabernacle in Salt Lake City Utah... but don't hold that against him, me or Donald. 

Defend Dignity Public Service Announcement

Here is a Public Service Announcement from Defend Dignity about the recent Supreme Court changes to the laws about prostitution in Canada. Please watch and participate.

Some "new to me" Christmas Poems

As a pastor i am constantly scouring my sources (Google mainly) for new material to use as illustrative or descriptive fodder for the next sermon or two or three that i have to deliver. Here are some Advent poems I found this year that i won't be using, but which i found very moving and beautiful.

Christmas Green by Scott Cairns 

Just now the earth recalls His stunning visitation. Now
the earth and scattered habitants attend to what is possible: that He
of a morning entered this, our meagered circumstance, and so
relit the fuse igniting life in them, igniting life in all the dim
surround. And look, the earth adopts a kindly áffect. Look,
we almost see our long estrangement from it overcome.
The air is scented with the prayer of pines, the earth is softened
for our brief embrace, the fuse continues bearing to all elements
a curative despite the grave, and here within our winter this,
the rising pulse, bears still the promise of our quickening.

Overshadowing by Scott Cairns 

Deep within the clay, and O my people
very deep within the wholly earthen
compound of our kind arrives of one clear,
star-illumined evening a spark igniting
once again the ember of our lately
banked noetic fire. She burns but she
is not consumed. The dew falls gently,
suffusing the pure fleece. Her human flesh
adorns its Lord, and lo, the wall comes down.
And -- do you feel the pulse? -- we all become
the kindled kindred of a King whose birth
thereafter bears to all a bright nativity.

CNBC's Art Cashin reading HIS version of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"

Twas the Night Before Christmas on Parliament Hill

Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner rekindles his holiday tradition in 2013 with a parody of Twas the Night Before Christmas aimed at the PM.

Chinese Non-Stop Train

I want this for Christmas.

Dang those Apple Inc. people... they do it again and again and again.

Apple Inc. gets you to cry at an advertisement for their products by stressing not their technology nor style nor logo but the impact their technology can have on you, your life and your family. They are masters of selling the "1/4 inch hole" not the "1/4 inch drill bit" genius of advertising as referred to by Terry O'Reilly of Age of Persuasion and Under the Influence.

Christmas by the Numbers

This Advent I've been preaching a series of messages i've entitled "Christmas by the Numbers". Sundays 10am at 6009 Valley Way in Niagara Falls to come hear and see the next in the series.

We've been looking at the numbers 14, 2, 6 and 3 and the significance they have for the Christmas story and message.

The number 14 and Christmas - December 8th

14 generations from Abraham to David, from David to the exile and from the exile to Christ. 

The number 2 and Christmas - December 15th 

2 birth narratives … Matthew and Luke
2 years old and younger killed by Herod - Matthew 2:16
2 parents of faith for jesus… joseph and mary
2 angels to joseph… joseph matthew 1:20 and 2:13
2 journeys of Mary … to see Elizabeth and with Joseph to go to Bethlehem
2 groups of visitors to the mangerside… shepherds luke 2 and magi matthew 2
2 blessings in the temple… simeon and anna luke 2
2 songs about his coming… mary and zechariah’s luke 1
2 miraculuous births… John and Jesus

The number 6 and Christmas - December 22nd 

Elizabeth is in her 6th month when Mary is told of God's plan for her to have a child who would become the Son of God. Luke 1:26

The number 3 and Christmas - December 24th 

Matthew 2:11

Gold

Frankincense

Myrrh

@glengatecma is also singing We Have a Saviour by Hillsong as our 2013 Theme Song

CCD Staff's Christmas Carol Greeting

The staff of the Central Canadian District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada singing "O Holy Night".

Publicly-funded Christian High School in Ontario - Eden High School

My daughter has in God's providence been given the opportunity to attend Eden HS in St. Catharines and participate in its great music program.

Jesus: Homeless or Homeowner?

Much is made of Jesus as a homeless person, particularly at Christmas.

It has to do with the climate... our middle-class consciences ... the Christmas story ("no room in the inn").

The passage cited to support the homeless-Jesus image is most often Matthew 8:20: "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Jesus said this in response to a man indicating that he was willing to follow Jesus wherever he went. It is actually part of a couplet of encounters between men with excuses - either voiced or implied - that Jesus challenges who don't -seemingly - end up following him.

The point in favour of the homeless-Jesus picture painted by this one encounter is that it does occur in the Galilean region. In fact it occurs in Matthew immediately after Jesus was specifically in Capernaum healing Peter's mother in law.

So if we are to take Jesus' words at face value then one is left asking the question "How can Jesus claim to have no where to lay his head, if he occupies/owns a home just around the lake from where he makes the statement?"

The homeless-Jesus idea is powerfully portrayed in Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz's statute which sits outside Regis College on the sidewalk in Toronto, Ontario.

Lots of pastors - of course - have taken this image to heart and go spend a night on the street around Christmas and then use their experiences to talk to their congregations about the realities of poverty in their community. Matthew 25 powerfully resonates with this idea of Jesus being the one we truly serve when we visit the imprisoned, feed the hungry, clothe the naked or care for the sick. 

Andrew Murray Quote for Week of December 15th

This week Andrew Murray's quote echoes what my good friend and colleague Brent Farquhar is often saying: We don't pray for things, we bring about things by prayer.

"It is by prayer, by unceasing striving in prayer that this grace must be sought for the Church." page 85

@glengatecma Men's Carolling Night - Thursday December 19th 4:30pm

Gentlemen... here is the schedule for the Carolling night on Thursday December 19th. If you can't meet us at the church at 4:30pm. No problem. Just catch up with us at one of our many locations that night and join in!

4:30pm Meet at the Church 6009 Valley Way

5:00pm Community Kitchen on St. Lawerence

5:45pm Eventide on Jepson

6:30pm Queenston Place on Valley Way

7:15pm Group 1 - Valley Park Lodge (beside Queenston Place)
or
Group 2 - Lundy’s Manor on Lundy's Lane west of Montrose

8:00pm Residences of Valley Way 6009 Valley Way

ALL MEN WELCOME

Thoughtful Christmas Message from the US President of the C&MA

John Stumbo video blog – MESSAGE No. 5 – December 2013 from The Alliance on Vimeo.

The Future of Detroit?

My childhood was spent listening to, visiting, watching and the city of Detroit. Its demise is very hard to imagine and handle. Detroit manufactured cars but it also spawned countless other innovations and companies... two of which are mentioned below.

2 personal stories... My mother tells the story of - as a teenager growing up in Kingsville, ON - getting on a bus in her old clothes and travelling by public transit over the bridge to shop at Hudson's in Detroit. There her girlfriends would shop and enjoy a Vernor's ginger ale. She tells about taking the elevator to the entirely refrigerated 8th floor which was exclusively used to sell fur coats. They would get off the elevator, be given a loaner fur and then tour around the floor trying on coats and feeling like a million bucks. Once their shopping adventures were done, they would put on their new clothes, clip off the tags, throw their old clothes out (to avoid paying the duty) and ride the bus home to Kingsville.

The 2nd story is my own. My father was a sales rep of some description for Canadian Fram in Chatham, ON and he received tickets to go see the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Detroit Red Wings in old Olympia Arena. Our tickets were right beside the Visitor's bench on folding chairs, if you can imagine. My mother was so worried about her hockey-loving son getting hit with a puck or a stick that she brought a towel... and every time the play came near she would lift the towel in front of my face to protect me. Needless to say i found it hard to watch my heroes Lanny MacDonald and Mike Palmeteer play with my Mother's towel in front of me every time the play came near. Mom...

Here is a hopeful presentation about what's next for America's largest bankrupt city.

WestJet Christmas Miracle: Santa's bloopers

17,000,000 views of the real WestJet Christmas Miracle. Here's the blooper real. Some funny stuff here.

Randon Israel 2013 pics

Communion Service with Dr. Charles and Hillary Price in the courtyard of The Garden Tomb in East Jerusalem, Israel. 

While on the way to the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross

we saw this crew making a movie. 

The "beautiful" mosaic that adorns facade of the Antonio Barluzzi's Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsamane. 

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is "ready" to rebuild the 3rd Temple. Here on display within view of The Western Wall but shrouded by 2 olive trees for modesty's sake. 

My Grandfather in Israel

Here is a picture i was sent with the caption on the back about my grandfather "at Sea of Galilee near Tiberius. Taken by a friend"

Israel 2013 - Day 10

Travelling to and from Israel is an interesting experience... even for those used to international travel.

Extra security steps, heightened questioning and a relaxed but focused intensity dominates the mindset of the security people you interact with while travelling to Israel. Don't be surprised if you're other travels to nations in the region or the fact you have friends or family in the region mean you get to enjoy what i call the "special treatment". That's when you are asked to report to the gate early at your departure point, be segregated from the other passengers and then be given an even more thorough questioning and screening. Don't freak out or be concerned. They're just doing their job. You'll get on the plane and have a great time.

Travellers from the Holy Land are advised to pack light in terms of souvenirs, be respectful and remember they aren't looking for you... in large measure. Be truthful, respectful and short in your answers. No worries. You'll be soon be through security and able to enjoy the best airport shopping in the world at David Ben Gurion airport.

Israel 2013 - Day 9

We spent all day driving down out of the Galilee to Tel Aviv to catch our flight early Sunday morning at 00:50am.

We visited Cana, Nazareth overlook, Nazareth Village, Caesarea Maritima and the ancient sea port and city Jaffa.

Israel 2013 - Day 8

The 1st of our final 2 days in Israel were spent touring Galilee. We saw Tel Dan, Casearea Philipi and the Mount of Beattitudes. We even ate St. Peter's fish (tilapia) on the shores of the lake.

It is hard to over-state the importance of "The Galilee" to understanding Christianity... 2nd temple Judaism and the modern history of this land, its people and their relations with the world.

Israel 2013 - Day 7

This was the 2nd of our 2 days of retreat with Dr. Charles and Mrs. Hillary Price on the Sea of Galilee.

Here is a picture on my Instagram feed of just how amazing this body of water is... particularly in this part of the world. This is the Sea of Tiberius taken from the shores of the village of Kefar Nahum... the Village of Nahum... where Simon, Andrew, James and John were all from and where the Bible says Jesus returned "home" to in order to minister, heal and preach in the region of the Galilee. 

http://instagram.com/p/hBKFUUPV1p/

Israel 2013 - Day 6

Israel 2013 - Day 6

So today was the 1st of 2 days of Retreat with Dr. Charles and Hillary Price at Ma'agdan Kibbutz. This kibbutz is on the south shore of the Sea of Galilee. For pictures of both Charles and Hillary speaking see my Instagram page ... jacobtwotwocan

http://instagram.com/p/g-lh1ivV-C/

Hillary spoke about going from bitterness (Luke 24:18) to burning for the Lord (Luke 24:32). She shared a wonderful quote from Hessian "Christianity is not about getting people into Heaven but about getting God into people." 

Israel 2013 - Day 4

Israel 2013 - Day 4

With a bit later start (830am) we were off in the bus to tour the Dead Sea region of Israel. We went from nearly 2500 feet above sea level to 1200 feet below sea level in less than 12 miles. We travelled past the West Bank city of Jericho which contains archaeological remains of continuous human habitation going back at least 11,000 years... making it one of the candidates for the "oldest continuously inhabited places" on Earth. It was along a route similar to the one we took, that Jesus' character from the Parable of the Good Samaritan fell among thieves. (Luke 10:30)

http://instagram.com/p/g3AEMDPV8-/

Israel 2013 - Day 5

Israel 2013 - Day 5

A travel day. We took 8 hours to make the 2 hour bus trip from Jerusalem to Tiberius in The Galilee stopping at Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24:24), Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), The Precipice Lookout (Luke 4) and Nazereth Village (Matthew 13:55) for some amazing vistas, experiences and opportunities.

Some "quick hits" about Caesarea Maritima:

• Herod the Great built this port city as his capital in hope that it would become a world trade centre... which it did. 
• Paul was taken there under guard after being arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 23:23) 
• Paul was imprisoned there by Felix for 2 years and used his imprisonment to preach Christ (Phillipians 1:11-14)
• Caesarea was conquered and ruled successively by the Byzantines, the Muslims, the Crusaders and then the Muslims finally in 1265 AD before being abandoned till the 20th century in large measure. 
• Madonna and Rihanna (i am told) have both performed at the rebuilt and reconditioned ancient Theatre which fronts the Mediterrean coast in Caesarea. 

Perhaps most importantly at Casesarea was found the only known archaeological evidence of Pontius Pilate. A dedication stone containing his name and title - as listed in the gospels - was found at Caesarea definitively supporting the Bible's claims about his existence and place in history. Jesus truly did - as the Creed says - "suffer under Pontius Pilate".

Israel 2013 - Day 3

Israel - Day 3

Today started with a trip to Yad Vashem... The Hand (meaning Memorial) of Names. Yad Vashem is the Israeli Holocaust Museum. Having visited the US Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and Yad Vashem twice I still never cease to be horrified at the darkness and inspired by the light human beings are capable of. There is really nothing to say about these places: their images, words and artifacts. They simply must be experienced and reflected upon personally.

When we were at Yad Vashem today, the President of France was about to visit as well. As a result there were plenty of soldiers, police and new recruits there getting the place ready for his arrival. I took a picture of several Amharic (Ethiopian) IDF members with our bus captain who is also Amharic and posted it on my Instagram: jacobtwotwocan Go there to see it.

We then made our way in quick succession to Mount Zion... the 3rd of 3 mountains that makes up the city of Jerusalem: Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah are the other 2. On Mount Zion are many important sites including The Upper Room (Luke 22:12), the House of Caiaphas (John 18:28) and the tomb of David (1 Kings 2:10). After seeing them we got back on the bus for the 1st of 2 highlights of the day... our visit to the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3). So much of Jesus ministry and teaching occurred on or around the Mount of Olives. He entered the city triumphantly from there. He was betrayed there. He was tested there. The views of the Old City and surrounding Judean countryside are worth the price of coming to Israel alone.

After lunch a lot of walking around the Old City we visited the Southern steps late in the afternoon where Jesus would have taught the people as they went in and out of the temple (Luke 20:1). There is a great picture and more commentary on the steps on my Instagram page.

After dinner and darkness had fallen we returned to the Old City by bus and visited The Kotel and the Western Wall Tunnels. The Kotel is sometimes called The Wailing Wall or more correctly The Western Wall. It is the holiest site that Jews can currently pray at in the world. The Isareli Antiquities Authority have excavated the entire 1860 foot length of the western retaining wall that bounded the temple complex constructed by King Herod. The tunnel(s) - yes there are multiple ones now - run under the existing Muslim Quarter of the Old City and are not only archaeologically fascinating but politically very sensitive. For more information about The Western Wall Tunnels read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall_Tunnel

Israel 2013 - Day 2

Israel 2013 - Day 2


Today - as has been noted in the comments - began at the "end" of my usual Holy Land trips with a service and communion with Dr. Charles and Hilary Price in The Garden Tomb (John 19:41). Wonderful, wonderful time of teaching and fellowship.

We then travelled by bus around to The Lion Gate on the east side of Jerusalem and walked all 14 Stations of the Cross ending at the Church of Holy Sepulchre. My favourite station is Station V - Simon of Cyrene carries the cross (Matthew 27:32). I love it because it shows the true humanity of our Lord... so overcome with spiritual and physical suffering he needed help to make outside the city to Golgotha (Philipians 2:8) but also because it shows us - as his disciples - that when we go through trials, there is no trial that we can encounter which our Lord cannot relate to (Hebrews 4:15). Along the very crowded streets of The Muslim Quarter we passed shop after shop and were jostled a lot by the thronging crowds.

Israel 2013 - Day 1

Israel 2013 - Day 1

Today we landed in Tel Aviv around noon after our 11 hour flight from Toronto.

Tel Aviv is beside the ancient port city of Joppa where Jonah caught and ship to Tarshih as he was running from God (Jonah 1:3).

We then visited Emmaus on the way "up" Highway 1 to Jerusalem (Luke 24:13).

"Waithood" - A key to understanding the real motivations of Terrorism

Fascinating talk about the connection between "waithood" (unemployment) and terrorism.

Stephen Colbert channels his inner Lincoln

Despite the satire, humour and many, MANY camera throws, Stephen Colbert's comedy can't hide the power of the words and message of Lincoln's finest address.


My favourite from that site is Jimmy Carter's.

Best "Trekkie" Car Commercial Yet

Fair, balanced, informative and wide-ranging CNN treatment of the #RobFord fiasco

Off to The Land with Living Truth

Thursdsay November 14th till Sunday November 24th I am in Israel with Dr. Charles Price and Living Truth Ministries. The trip is being planned and organized by Christian Journeys Inc. and my friend Brian Watt. I am going as a volunteer staff member for Christian Journeys Inc. My job is to help facilitate the trip experience for Living Truth's people by providing biblical teaching, spiritual encouragement, physical help and just general logistical support. Very excited. I'll be using this space to photo blog and journal about my trip.

Pizza Oven has new door! Plus Glengate Community Garden wins an award!

The community wood-fired pizza oven has a new lockable door! 

Fantastic!

Together with Project Share, Our Lady of Scapular Catholic Church and Glengate win environmental awards for our work on community gardens! 

Pizza Oven Training Day! 

The fire is lit! 

We have to use well dryed hard wood. This is apple donated by a local farmer that supports Project Share. 

Felix giving us instructions on how to get the oven going correctly. 

Pizza's ready!

Mushroom and Onion as well as Pepperoni pizzas cooking. 

Felix, Marino, Phillippe and Adreana posing with me for the team. 

Rick and Hope Reichert's visit to @glengatecma

Ray Peters introducing his classmates and C&MA International Workers Rick and Hope Reichert

Rick talking

Hope Talking

Bishop Atsango's Visit to Niagara Falls and Glengate Alliance Church

Bishop Julius Atsango from Eldoret Kenya visited Niagara Falls and Glengate Alliance Church from October 27th to November 11th 2013. Here is the facebook page of his ministry:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cornerstone-Assembly-Eldoret/275423635846470

Here are some pictures and descriptions of just some of his activities while amongst us...

With Elder David and elder Ray, Bishop Julius tours Galcom International in Hamilton. 

Bishop Juluis being interviewed at Galcom for their program Impact Radio. 

The Universe on a Knife-Edge? Sounds a lot (to me at least) like Intelligent Design

Ethan Metzger's poem "My Parent's Brainwashed Me"

Mac at Carleton Ravens October 19th 2013

MAC Game Haiku:

Overcast game, lost

Oh and Eight Fifteen Year Wait

Now, Work Outs Count Most 

Small Group Questions for John 7 - Sunday October 20th 2013

Can you be a pessimist and a Christ-follower?

Can you be a pessimist and a Christ-follower?

No you can't.

See John 6:1-15 and Hebrews 11:6

In the first verses Philip is "tested" by Jesus when asked what should be done to buy bread for the 5000 men coming to see him up on the mountain. Philip only sees the fact that "It would take 200 denarii to buy bread for all these men!" The glass was half empty for Philip.

Whereas Andrew says "Hey look, we've got 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish, but how will they feed so many?" Jesus showed them all how a "half full" glass could go when one has a little faith in Bread of Life.

In Hebrews we are exhorted that we can't please God without believing not just in "God" but in a God that "rewards those who earnestly seek Him." God is looking for ways to bring blessings into your life. How can you be pessimistic about your future, the future of your family, the future of your church etc,etc with a God like that on our side?

To say nothing of these verses as well Romans 8:28-39.

Teaching at Triple C again next summer

So next summer - August 24th to 28th 2014 - I'll be speaking at Triple C Bible Camp near Simcoe, ON again. A new addition this year is that my beloved Heather will be leading the worship at each of the 10 sessions! I am so excited to be ministering with her in this way.

So book your family into Triple C and lets study the Word together next summer. Here are some recent pictures from the camp of the improvements they have made to the children's play area and the pool.

Our fav welder Elder Jimmie S. standing beside the new play ground equip. Great work James! 

Small Group Questions based on the Sermon from October 13th 2013 - John 6

CU Ravens Football gave versus Guelph and their new TV Advert

7th game haiku:

seven down, one left
ran all over guelph, mac next
bird battle is on!

Ravens 1st lead in 2013. 

Pizza Oven in the Community Garden

The US Debt Ceiling and Your Finances

Speaker of the House John Boehner was quoted yesterday as saying:


"We can't raise the debt ceiling without doing something about what's driving us to borrow more money and to live beyond our means."


I mean without getting political - hahaha - that is exactly the place that every financially struggling family that comes to see me or talk to me finds themselves in: the bank or daddy or the loan store will lend them more money... should they take it instead of dealing with either a) their lack of income or b) their too high expenses.


What should the US do? I don't know. But is your family struggling with "money issues"? You aren't alone. Here are 5 or 6 tips from this lowly Pastor's desk to help:


1. Don't change anything, track your expenses and income for 30 days.

JUMP Study Questions - Exodus 20 Part 2

Couldn't make it to JUMP last night for our 2nd discussion on the 10 Commandments? No problem.

Here are the questions. Enjoy the podcast from Dr. John Piper.

Israel - Iran Dynamic : The Chances for Peace?

Back to Israel November 14 to 24

Well i am headed back to the Holy Land from November 14th to 24th as part of the Christian Journey's team supporting the trip organized by Living Truth Ministries - Dr. Charles Price.

I'm excited and looking forward to serving the team from Living Truth, working with my friends at Christian Journeys and - of course - hearing what God has to say to me from the Land and His Word as we travel around Israel for 10 days.

Andrew Murray Quote for the Week of October 6th 2013

"As the second Adam, Christ came and brought about a new nature for all the members of His body. This nature is His ow life, perfected through suffering and obedience. In thus being perfected Himself, His perfect life, is ours. And it is that not only judicially, or by imputation, but as an actual spiritual reality, in virtue of our real and living union with Him." page 79 of The Secret of God's Presence.

My Hope With Billy Graham Training Sunday - October 6th 2013

Here are the small group questions based on the My Hope With Billy Graham Training Sunday.

Exodus 20 Study Questions from JUMP 10/2/2013

The Panda Game October 5th 2013

Panda Game Haiku:

Fifteen years waiting
Adeleke, to the house!
No parking, what gives?

Tim and what's his name do a great job from SportsNet360... except tagging #13 with a hold late in the 1st half... but who's keeping track? 

Oh Canada sung in both official languages. One thing I noticed is that Gee Gee's field has no permanently installed Canadian flag... what? They have a large Ontario Francophone flag but no Canadian one. Hmmm.... 

Capacity crowd. Well behaved for the most part. Gee Gee fans are... a bit on the quiet side. 

Coaches coming out for the 2nd half. 

Players emerging for another half of battle. 

Lining up for the Panda presentation. 

Prayer after the game. 

35-10 for the GeeGees. Why don't they just call themselves Le Garnet et Gris like all the other Francophone teams? That's better than a GeeGee. 

#13 and his mom. 

Earlier in the day i was cycling in the Byward Market. I stopped by the same bake shop Obama did. I didn't buy an Obama cookie... but i certainly could have. 

I finished my sermon Saturday morning at the Montreal Bagel outlet in the Byward Market. They bake their bagels in a wood fired brick oven. Amazing.