Real Authority

This morning in our meeting the topic of deliverance came up. This always leads to a discussion about the authority that we as followers walk in, or don't.

Jesus has given us all the authority that we need to carry out our commission here on earth, it is a matter of whether we choose to walk in it. Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. Do we truly believe that. If so, then we need to do a whole lot more butt kicking to the "dark side". We often find ourselves stuck in the mud of lies that the deceiver tells us and we so eagerly believe. I suck, I am weak, I can only do so much, I can't... All lies.

We need to get into the habit of listening to the truth, which is what God says. It is so easy to believe "the lie". Ask yourself, "what does God think about you"? Do the thoughts in your head match up with The Book? With God's character? If we are to make a difference in this world we need to put the "dark side" in perspective and walk like God actually is bigger than you know who. Because, He is.

Peace,

K

It's the little things...

Last Saturday the boys got together to take Frank out before his impending wedding. We were downtown outside Hurley's when I bump into Rich. Rich worked in the store across the street from the original "Vault". He used to come over all the time and ask questions about what we did and why we did it.

One day Rich came in and asked me to pray with him. He wanted what we had. Our "prayer" was an impacting event for him. he said he felt God put His arms around him and hug him.

Well, 12 years later we bump into each other and the first thing Rich does is thank me again for the time I took with him that day. He says it has made a difference in his life.

No offence to Frank, but this was the highlight of my night. I barely remembered the event, but, Rich has never forgotten it. It is the "little things" that God seems to use. I pray that my eyes would be open to the "little things" God puts before me.

Peace,

K

Busy, busy

Since June 14(the On Rock Golf Tournament) life has been moving pretty fast. We have been busy with the aftermath of the tournament and regular life to boot. It was a good tournament. We made about $20,000 for On Rock.

This week is a short one. Tomorrow we go to Family Camp at Frontier Lodge. I am looking forward to it. A few days of hanging out, fishing and a whole lot of nothing.

I have been thinking alot about spiritual warfare in a redemptive community, about staying alert and walking expectantly, like God is actually going to do something.

Peace,

K

Second Chances

I was reminded this week of a time when I totally blew my "testimony". God called me when I was 18 to go work in the Eastern Townships with retarded adults. This was confirmed by a few other respected sources at the time. I was supposed to be a light to those I lived with. Instead, I proceeded to party my face off. Within 5 months, god "removed" me. I got fired. I spent the next couple of months getting my head straight. About 3 months later, I bumped into one of my party buddies, at a Christian camp. I asked her what she was doing there. She proceeded to tell me that most of my party friends had gone to a rally and decided to follow Jesus. That hit me like a ton of bricks. These people I partied with were ripe for the harvest and I totally ignored it because of my own selfishness. God, in His mercy put the touch on them anyways.

I am so thankful that God is a God of second chances. he did not write me off because I was a bad representative. He disciplined me, loved me and put me back on the front lines. The "enemy" would have us believe that when we blow it, it is over. Our integrity is finished we are useless. This is just not true. That is not the God that I serve. He is far more forgiving than I am. I have to learn to forgive myself the way He forgives me. Unconditionally, without condemnation. A hard road...

Romans 8:1

Peace,

K

I am Encouraged

I have had a very encouraging week. her is why, people have been asking questions. All week I have been in the company of people who are seeking God. Most of them have a relationship already and are seeking to go deeper. So, they are questioning, reading, and talking about what it means to be in relationship with a loving God. They are not just accepting the Sunday school answers, they want more.

This to me is exciting and fun. Sometimes the question is more important than the answer.

Peace,

K

Breaking the "Religious" Bone

We all have it. It comes from the socialization we experience through Church. I knew a guy who was a dealer type street kinda guy. You know, leather jacket scruffy, long hair, etc. he met some Christians and started his relationship with God. Started going to church. two months later he was in casual pants, polo shirt, cut hair and speaking a language that was foreign to him, but he was catching on quick. the lingo was Christianese. I bumped into him at a concert in a local church and didn't recognize him. This is an extreme example to make the point.

last night we were talking about Creed and their song "what's this life for". It is a great worship tune, except that Scott says "God damned" in it. It is in context, true, etc, but we have learned that there is something wrong with putting those two words together, no matter what the context. That is religion at work. Not true religion, but man made religion. We spent the evening talking about interpreting or sometimes reinterpreting what we have been taught about some scripture. We are so sure we know what the bible says, but do we. We tend to read it so 2 dimensionally. All those verses we read are part of a story, about an amazing God. If we can't see God's character in the the broad sense, we will never get the details right.

I am constantly questioning my "immediate" reactions to situations I deal with. Is this God's heart, or something I picked up in church?

If we are going to be Christ-like, we need to be vulnerable, humble and willing to change.

peace,

K

Porno Night.......

I am headed to Kingston this weekend to speak at NEXT church. I am speaking at Porno Night and then again on Sunday on practical evangelism. If you are the praying type, I would appreciate your cover.

It will be good to see J-$ and Dogsucker again, as well as Kat and the little man.

By the way, if you are wondering what Porno night is,.... keep wondering.

Peace,

K

Words & Action

I have been struck this week by how brainwashed we are about evangelism. Remember the saying, "actions speak louder than words"? Apparently the church hasn't picked up on that little tidbit yet. We haven't really picked up on Jesus' example either, because He was much more into action than words.

His actions were that of love, compassion, and kindness. He almost always blessed people before talking about who He was.

In conversations I have had this past week it seems there is still a large group of us who would rather focus on condemning peoples sin and demanding they live like followers of God, even though they aren't "followers". Why do we feel that practicing condemnation is pleasing God? We say we "love the sinner, but hate the sin". really? Most times it looks to me like we pretty much hate the whole package. Often, in an effort to "take a stand", we do not exemplify the "good news".

I think we need to go back to the life of Jesus and really take a look at how He interacted with people. If we are truly trying to be like Jesus, we need to spend more energy on speaking and acting out the GOOD NEWS, and less time taking stands on issues and condemning people groups for their behaviour.

Peace,

K

Impressions

Last night Frank and I went to Jerry Mercer's wedding reception. it was held at Pete's Smoke Meat. It was a good time. The music was awesome, it is fun to watch musicians who love what they do. Jerry played with The Buzz Band and they were amazing as usual.

I almost didn't go. I was tired, I injured my foot yesterday, etc. Syl kind of pushed me to go. I figured there would be alot of people there, Jerry would be surrounded with people who wanted to talk, etc. When Jerry saw me, his whole face lit up, he threw his arms around me for a big hug. He told me more than once what it meant to him that I showed up.

I had no clue that he would be so happy, encouraged, blessed that I would show up. Sometimes we under-estimate what our presence, kindness, encouragement can mean to other people. I am glad we went.

Peace,

K

Internet Radio

Today I got to experience internet radio. There is a Christian station that runs out of Montreal, called eJNM.net . Don Alexander (Open Arms Cafe) and I went in to talk about On Rock and The OD. It was an encouraging time.

Gene Kelly, interviewed us. he was very encouraging. As we explained the ministry we are doing he asked, "How come I haven't heard about this, this is amazing".

The interview replays tonight around 12am, for you night hawks. Gene was encouraged and so were we. God is doing a good thing through us.

I pray that He continues to do so.

Peace,

K

The big one-eight

Syl and I celebrated our 18th anniversary yesterday. We had a glamorous day of running errands and scrubbing our deck to get it ready for sealer.

Last night we went out for supper. What a great time. We went to this quiet little place on The Main called A L'OS. I had ostrich tartar and caribou. Syl had lobster.

Syl pointed out that we have been together for over half her life,...
God is good.

peace,

k