who's tough now

When we were teenagers, we always use to make fun of our friend Owen. He would always talk and act tough . The joke was, that whenever it was dark out, thats when Owen would rev it up. "It's dark out guys, watch what you say to Owen, hahaha"

Well, my friend Owen, just competed in his first MMA fight over the weekend.
I guess the title of the blog says it all.

Great job bro

Me...Mature?

7 weeks

7 weeks and counting.

7 weeks til the air gets more cool and crisp
7 weeks til there will be snow on the ground
7 weeks til drivers will continue their routine of forgetting how to drive in the snow
7 weeks til Christmas songs will be sung loudly and proudly

In 7 weeks I will become a father
In 7 weeks I will be responsible for a life other than my own
In 7 weeks I will need to mature instantly (or not...)
In 7 weeks my life will change for the better

Acousticals

My brother-in-law, just started a  job at a new church.  The building is only 3 years old, so its quite year 2000ish.  However, when he told me that they don't have a "real" worship centre, just a Gynatorium, I was really feeling for the FOH sound operator.  Acoustics in a gym are horrible for sound.  So much reverb, that it washes out what is being said, or sung.  I had the opportunity to visit the church last week.  I immediately wanted to check out the gymnatorium.  Well...the building designer definitely knows about sound.  Now, I don't believe there is a building that is acoustically "perfect", but this gym was amazing!  The top third of the building had 6-inch thick acoustic paneling, and they have three very large acoustic pads on the roof just over the worship platform called "clouds".  You would never believe that this was a gym.  A properly designed room, no doubt,  makes the sound operators job a little easier.

Family

Growing up with siblings is such a blessing.  I have a twin brother, and a younger sister.  Amanda, has 4 sisters...she loves it.  When we got married, we would always talk about how many children we would have. Amanda wants 5, I want 3.  I think we compromised at 4.  

Well, the counting has started.  We found out the we are expecting our first.  The Lord is so good! We are stoked, and scared all at the same time. 

ETA is Dec 7, but we will have a better idea when we have the first ultra-sound.  We went back to our hometown of Sarnia last week, and told the family.  They were excited.  It is my mother's first grandchild, and she was excited to tears.

This, being our first, we want to know what the gender of the baby is...and don't worry, I will post the answer.

Circumventure

Me and my brother Matt, were fortunate enough to drive to Moncton, New Brunswick, a few years back. Nothing like 17 hours in a car with your bro. We were supposed to do it with a few other friends, but that didn't end up happening...and those friends were a little bummed. So, we started talking about driving somewhere again. NB is not in the picture cause Matt and I have already been there. We were throwing around some ideas, and this is what we landed...Why not drive around the Great Lakes? It will prolly be one of the most scenic routes you can drive.
It's about 3600kms. We will drive around Huron, Michigan, and Superior...and inside Ontario, and Erie. Major cities we hope to hit are: Sarnia On, Detroit Mi, Toledo Oh, Chicago Il, Milwaukee Wi, Green Bay Wi, Duluth Mn, Thunder Bay On, Sault Ste Marie On, Sudbury On, GTA, then back to Sarnia. My wife says no, but really she means yes.

Muskoka Woods

Wow.
I recently attend the FEB Central Sno Camp, at Muskoka Woods.
My band, Lifted Face Down, provided the worship for the weekend. And what an amazing weekend it was. Full of good times and great oldies and over 350 students.
The Friday night was a little rough, but after some prayer, and God's guidance...it started to get better. Saturday night was the best night. Now, I grew up Baptist...and we never really show that we are excited about what God is doing in our lives. The special speaker did sort of an altar call...and about 3/4 of the kids stayed after, and re-dedicated themselves to Christ! I was blown away. Never have I seen so many teens, who want to change the ways they're living.
The session on Sunday morning was amazing. You could feel this...energy... as we started the worship...hands were lifted high, kids were singing as loud as they could. I was smiling the whole time.
God is truly amazing!
We are doing it again this weekend, and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us.

Although quite beautiful...snow is frustrating. Breaking your back shoveling the drive way...freezing while brushing the snow off of your car...and the drones of people that forget how to drive. The exact same road rules apply...whether it snows or it rains, or its an amazingly breathtaking summer day.
Come on now, lets keep it appropriate.

We Finally did it

Since starting here at Harvest Oakville in December, I have been commuting from Hamilton. It's only about 40kms, but because of the AMAZING Gta traffic...the drive takes up 45min, and the drive home 1-1.5hours. How people can do that for their entire professional life is beyond my comprehension. And when it sprinkles rain, or a light flurry of snow, the people of this wonderful province of Ontario...seem to have forgotten how to drive.
My wife, Amanda, and I finally moved into Burlington. What a trooper she is. It was a monday, so all of our friends were working. Amanda and I Packed a 17" u-haul truck FULL. My wife is an incredible person.
Now instead of a 45min drive...it takes about 8 min. Praise the Lord!

Backstage Christians

“Ya, we are all Christians in this band, but we are not a Christian Band, and we don’t want to be associated with the Christian music industry”.
WHAT?!? How many times have I heard that said, even by some of the bands that I love and respect? These artists are looked up to by young eyes and ears…and for them to hear that their favourite band is Christian, but only when the stage lights are off, sends a very wrong message. This is not ok. Some of the bands will say that not enough people will hear their music if they state their Christianity, or they will not make enough money. Have a look at Relient K, Switchfoot, Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay…sure, some have signed with major labels, but from what I’ve heard from the music they still put out, being on a “major” has not hindered the way they write.
These bands have announced their Christianity, and all have sold over 1 million records. They have also, all, seen mainstream rock radio play. Read Proverbs 16:2-3 “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed”
So saying that you won’t succeed, as a Christian band is a cop out. What you really mean is, if you said you are a Christian band, you won’t be perceived as cool
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Don’t hide you talents in the sand like the head of an Ostrich, give them back to the One who gave them to you. You should be rejoicing and eager to give them back...So grow up and do it!