thanks God...

It's been a while since I've posted a 'thanks God' comment.

Recently in a pretty tight budget and winter approaching the thought of NEW TIRES & RIMS we're haunting me. It would have been a 800-1100$ investment. I couldn't do it. Didn't want to land in debt over tires, but needed the saftey. I really prayed about this one - an honest, "God, can you please provide in some creative way here."

IN SHORT: I found a set of used rims and tires online that would last this season (rims to use in years to come). Listed for 250$, in the end I paid 150$. Total with installation, 180$. I can't help but be thankful for this one.

It's not always easy to trust and honor God with your finances. It's moments like these that remind me that God is the provider of everything and giver of wisdom (b/c it's not always a miracle that leads to better finances, it's often wisdom from him to creatively find a solution)

Thanks God!

Thanks!

I often force myself to think about things to be thankful about on my blog... but today's a little special... and I'm thankful for lots of things:

- playing with my kids outside this afternoon, loose time with no agenda is so important in our relationship
- Franca's BIG family who came over for thanksgiving dinner at our place yesterday - my sister in law Josie helped SO MUCH with the food... and my wife seems to always have everything together (on top of her regular stuff, teaching the kids at church, and putting up with my schedule last week)...
- in light of the last statement, I'm very thankful for my wife!!!
- anticipating a great dinner at Andy and Sylvia's today - thanks in advance for the hospitality
- a meaningful gathering with my church community yesterday; communion, worship, and a good message from our guest speaker (lots of in and out of town guests yesterday, a nice treat)
- some peaceful time early this morning while no one was up to read quietly in my living room - interesting it was a section on the Sabbath, work, rest, and discovering the wonder of God (by Eugene Peterson here)

thanks God...

... for a successful surgery on my son yesterday
... for incredible peace and courage that he had the whole day
... for a great friend who loves our kids so much they'd take a day off to watch them
... for your grace we experience in so many parts of our lives

thanks God...

...for beautiful weather this week...
...for a sense of searching I still find in people...
...for positive results at a routine medical check up for my wife...
...for the insurance money helping me in a big renovation...
...for some quality time with my kids yesterday on our day off...
...for Queen Victoria, and the day off we got from celebrating her...

thanks God...

for kids to kiss goodnight as they peacefully sleep...
for a country where my kids are not falling asleep to bullet shots...
for the beauty of spring and the opportunity to work on my grass and garden...
for a home where people feel comfortable to drop by and stay for a while...

from the inside

Today 4 people left our sunday gathering and headed out to different homes in the community with a problem that needed attention. The team (initiated by a couple) discovered a few unique, small, house per house needs and took the afternoon to help. I joined them on their last house to lend a hand and see where things were at. It was great to see the joy in the team's faces, the grace they demonstrated to these people, and the desire to just do it.
I don't mention this to bring attention to anyone, but somehow I was both encouraged and challenged. Encouraged b/c I love to see stuff like this happen from the inside out - an idea that comes from within our community and little push needs to be done to make it happen. Challenged b/c this sort of stuff isn't the big stuff, the in the news stuff, the glorious stuff, but it seems to be the way of Jesus.
From the inside is how God works. And inside gets lived out.

p.s. I was also encouraged today b/c I thought for sure our team was too slim to make everything happen at Westside. It was an off week for scheduling teams. But people came through, served, and gave their best. People that helped other people move the day before, people that put on a conference for 250 women the day before, people who served 2-3 weeks in a row, people who have a 4 month baby to keep an eye one, people who just pitched in b/c there's something to do. I love that!

thanks God...

again... for an uncle who's helped way more than I can imagine on my bathroom renovation...
... for kids that have been patient and loving during a crazy month; they deserved much more of my time...
... for the challenge that walking through Jesus' major teaching from a mountain side 2000 years ago has been giving me (Matthew 5-7)
... for 2 great people - Ian and Joanna - who just moved out west on Saturday; they've been a great part of our church community
... for prayers answered: dom and sonia's twins; christina's recovery; a successful operation on a friend's mom

There's tons to be thankful for when you stop and think about it!!

thankful for...

... a community of Christ followers that are increasingly getting closer to God, his scriptures, each other, and the world
... sunday night hockey, that gives me both humility and exercise and some time to spend with friends from Westside, other great guys, and 2 neighbors on my street
... a great deal on tiles over the week-end (more than 60% off)
... an uncle who helps me around the house (renovations) more than you can imagine

stuff, links, & thanks

haven't posted for a week...
...was away for a few days with some Quebec church leaders, with presentations and discussions mostly in French. It becomes apparent that you really don't understand a language - not necessarily b/c you can't understand the words being spoken, but even more so when you don't have the mental capcity to follow along.
My friends know how poor my french is, and so would the person at the counter of KFC.
...to my shame I oftne tuned out to do other work that was on my mind...

...the apparent TOMB of Jesus is now in the news... here's a 1st response from Ben Witherington (ht: Jesus Creed)
...you got to love the way they prepare the announcement, books, and TV/movie debuts all at the same time

THANKFUL FOR...
...for kids who are happy to see me when I arrive home after being away for a few days
...for the fulfillment that comes from making someone aware of the gospel for the 1st time
...for a wife that models love and servanthood for me and my family in ways to many to count
...for a good episode of HEROES to help you tune out for an hour (it was really good last night!!)

my son and daughter's 1st date... at 5 and 2!!

It's the day after Valentines, and this year we did something completely different. I brought my 2 year old daughter (Julia) on a date, and my wife (Franca) brought my 5 year old son (Andrew) on a date. This was actually Franca's idea, which originally came from a friend who plan's a special family night every Feb. 14th.

It was really cool.

Franca brought Andrew to Calories, a neat little Cafe/Dessert place, while I brought Julia to Chapters/Starbucks.

Julia and I immediately went to the kids section, looked at the toys, the games, and of course the books. She played a little, met some new friends, and we finally sat down for 2 story book readings (Strawberry Shortcake & Clifford the Big Red Dog; a little of Douglas Copeland... just kidding, we stuck to her favorites of course).
We then made our way upstairs to Starbucks for some brownie and chocolate milk... I had my 1st Jones Soda (Black Cherry).
We sat, and talked, and I told her how special she is... and then she told me back. She commented about all the pictures on the magazine rack behind us... and then kept talking....

IT WAS A BLAST!!

Franca and Andrew joined us, and on our way out I bought Julia her 1st red heart jewelery box, to remind of her 1st date with her dad. She immediately put hair elastics and a note pad in it now, but it's already beside her bed on her night table. She must like it. Hope she feels the same at 16!!

I'm thankful for these moments... it reminds how much more intentional I need to be to make them happen.

Life is good tonight.

thanks God...

... for my daughter's voice over the phone today asking me if I was close to getting home, what street I was on and ending saying, "I love you, dad," before she hung up.
... for my wife who made home made soup for supper tonight - it was really good!!
... for good conversation at my place with friends on my couch on Sunday night

thanks God...

... for an income that provides my basic needs
... for opportunities that stretch me to give outside of the needs of my church - and remind me even more how blessed I am (local missions, Darfur, other churches, the red campaign)
... for my (2 1/2 yr old) daughter who can make 5 different facial expressions on demand (i'll have to post pics in the future)
... for a wife is content with modest living (she teaches me lots about this)

thanks God...

... a great environment at Westside's Christmas Party Sunday night; lots of fun, lots of conversation
... after watching the movie 'Click' and being reminded (from all people, Adam Sandler) how important my family is, and how much I love them
... for a really good deal I got from Rogers today for a needed cel phone upgrade (my screen was almost gone)

thanks God...

... b/c my wife is recoverying well since last week's surgery
... for a meaningful gathering Sunday, ending an important series (Under Construction) and stirring me towards understanding your church a little better through it
... for snow in Montreal (a beautiful week-end)
... for the opportunity to serve under-resourced kids/families with 11 others from Westside at Welcome Hall Mission.

thanks God...

...for a great day off yesterday with my whole family, my son was home from school so we took advantage
...for a meaningful Sunday gathering with increased interaction around the scriptures/topic and for dedicated volunteers who make it possible to meet where we do
...for good enough weather to catch up on winter prep around my house
...because there's always opportunity before me (if I see it)

thanks God...

... for great neighbors who all helped me in one way or another split almost 3 cords of wood in my driveway (1 used his truck to pick up the splitter with me, plus helped me split for 60min.; 1 helped me split the whole time, for 3 hours; another helped me bring the splitter back with his jeep); what great neighbors!!
... for a restful, mindless Sunday evening with family... just hanging (after a long week/week-end)
... for a Canadian/Quebec government that still subsidize parents with child benefits (variably according to family income)

thanks God...

...for a day off that nourished my family, my home, and my soul
...for Psalms 119 that's growing my heart towards loving t he scriptures more
...for a great time with good friends who spontaneously came over Saturday