Wednesday prayer requests - Thorncliffe services down but population has "doubled or tripled"

I found this article yesterday which accurately addresses the situation in Thorncliffe Park (and neighbouring Flemingdon Park):

"Resources aren't available," he said. "There are talks, but no follow-up and no conclusive results. In Flemingdon and Thorncliffe, services have gone down, but the population has doubled or tripled over the past 10 years. (The government) needs to look at where they are spending."

Please pray for this rapidly growing community, and for us as we seek to reach out and meet the needs of the people here.

Parenting 101 v11 - Milk

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our eleventh edition of Parenting 101.
__________________________


Last night we were driving our good friend Dave Osoup to the airport. In the car on the way, Lukas asked me:

Daddy, why is Milk white?

I wasn't exactly sure what to say. Any suggestions???

Monday's hot topics - KJV only "ill-informed"

What does KJVO mean? Perhaps you've heard of it. This movement states that the only *real* Bible is the English one translated by King James (in 1611). Right off the top there are major questions about how this can be, since the original Bible was written in Greek and Hebrew. On the forum this topic has arisen, and recently forum member IHA took a shot at this idea:

the entire KJVO movement has arisen, and every present-day KJV-onlyite is a direct spiritual descendant of these ill-informed men. And as the movement has progressed from one generation to the next, with each new generation arising from intellectually incestuous in-breeding, the views have become more radicalized and extreme.

What are your thoughts on the King James Version? Is it the only *real* Bible? Are KJVonlyists off base? Post your thoughs in the comments, or on the forum - here

Video of the week - My new favorite song

Lukas graduated from Bridlegrove's kindergarten on Thursday. I'll post some videos of the graduation soon. Friday was his very last day. He starts grade 1 at Thorncliffe Park school in September.

While I was driving to pick him up for the last time on Friday, this song came on the radio. I think it's about a relationship ending. I couldn't find the MP3 so here's the video. In many ways Friday was the end of our relationship with Bridlegrove. Sure there will be visits, but Friday felt like the end. Thinking over the time we spent there brought back many memories. So many people. So much time. Like any relationship, the end is sad even if there's something good to move on to. In many ways Luke's graduation felt like many other 'last days' I've experienced. Knowing it's time to move on. Not wanting to part with people and memories. Wishing it could last forever. Grieving the circumstances that brought it to an end. It's always hard to say goodbye. Why do all good things come to an end?

Thorncliffe Park - home of the 'perfect eyebrow'

I found this blog called 'The balancing act' which details how one woman's search for the perfect eyebrows led her to Thorncliffe Park's mall the East York Town Center:

Recently, a buzz started in East York ( my 'hood and home to many Indian expats especially in the enclave of Thorncliffe Park not far from my home) about a newly transplanted Mumbaite who did fantastic eyebrows from salon in the East York Town Centre. My sis-in-law and I went to check her out and see what all the fuss was about. With a stern look on her pretty face, Lailah asked me to sit down so she could do a "shape assessment". It was so official, and I was loving it - finally someone who took my brows as seriously as I did.

Ladies, it's just one more reason to move to Thorncliffe

Wednesday prayer requests - Gun toting Thorncliffe teen

Yesterday the Toronto Star reported that police where called to a 'building on Thorncliffe Park Drive':

Jun 19, 2007 03:13 PM - Justin Piercy

A 16-year-old has been charged with carrying a concealed handgun. Police say a young man was in the lobby of an apartment building on Thorncliffe Park Drive, near Milwood Rd. and Overlea Blvd. on Monday around 11 p.m.

A person walking past noticed what they thought to be the handle of a gun protruding from the boy's pocket, so they called 911. Police say when they arrived, the suspect ran and discarded something. Officers located a loaded .22-calibre handgun that they believe to be one stolen in a break-and-enter in Mississauga last year.

A 16-year-old boy — who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act — faces nine charges including carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition and failing to comply with probation.

The article doesn't specify which building but since we live in one of these buildings it makes you wonder. While Thorncliffe is not known for gun violence please pray as the summer approaches that there would be no shootings.

Monday's hot topics - 153 fish???

A member of the forum named In_the_Lords_army posted this thought provoking Bible question:

John 21:11 says: Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken

Does anyone want to try and explain why the number of fish that they caught is specified? I don't imagine anyone knows for sure...but all suggestions are accepted! Smile

waddyathink? Why 153 and not 154. Is there some hidden code or significance? Post your response in the comments or on the forum - here

Video of the week - Facebook rules (so does Paul...and Alex)

Man I love facebook. It's amazing to reconnect with people you haven't seen or heard from in years. Case in point is my old highschool friend Alex Hindmarch who I haven't heard or seen in at least 10 years. We used to be on the cheerleading team together, although he might not want that to be public knowledge now that he's a radio DJ with hard-rocking Toronto radio station Q107!!(click here) So after checking out Alex on facebook I checked out his blog - here - on the Q107 site and found this amazing video he had posted!! Three cheers for Facebook! If you're not on it, get on it.

So here's the video. Try not to cry too much everybody, and don't forget to listen to Alex Mondays from 7pm - 12am and Sundays 9am - 12pm:

Wednesday prayer requests (on Thursday) - Happy 614 day!!!

I saved the prayer requests for today (Thursday) because today is June 14th - 614!! Hope it's a good one, and don't forget to pray for all of us in the 614

Monday's hot topics - The everlasting Hell challenge!

Our resident heretic on the forum Drew Costen has put a challenge out there to all of us who believe in a real, everlasting Hell:

Demonstrate convincingly that the idea that "those who die without putting their faith in Jesus Christ alone to save them (apart from any works) will end up in a place of torment called hell forever with no chance of escape"

Now, I'll admit that arguing with Drew sometimes resembles trying to wrestle with a greased pig, but he does get us thinking about the afterlife and our eternal destiny. What if hell really exists? What if you end up there? What could you do to avoid going there? What will it be like? Do you believe in Hell? Do you know Bible verses that talk about everlasting torment? click on over to the forum and show Drew your stuff - here

He also raises a counter point in my mind - If we DO believe in Hell....what are we doing about it? Do you believe in Hell? If so then it's time to get warning people!!! So how about it, are you up to taking the Everlasting Hell challenge? Click here to post your thoughts on the forum

Video of the week - Stormy

Yesterday the weather man predicted some 'severe' weather. Here's a short video I took:

Athiest? Agnostic? Get paid to go to church!

I found this on the Drew Marshall show - http://drewmarshall.ca/blog.html:

The Drew Marshall Show is looking for a pagan/new age/agnostic/ atheist/whatever… someone with no church background, to partici- pate in a research project for our radio show. We need you to visit five churches in the Toronto area during the month of June with our host Drew Marshall. In return for your time and opinions based on your non-churched experience, The Drew Marshall Show will pay you $100 per church and invite you to be our guest during our July 7th show to share your experience. No catch, no proselytising, no pressure! We just need you to help the Church see itself as you see it!

Interested in participating in the experiment?
Apply online at www.drewmarshall.ca/fivechurches

Lego Bible - Book of Acts updates

Ever wondered what Paul the apostle would look like as a Lego figure? Click here for the latest Lego Bible updates

Wednesday prayer requests - Evey Dyck update

Last week we asked for prayer for a friend Evey Dyck. Just yesterday I received a very positive report:

After surgery on Tuesday, (8 hours) Evy spent 2 days in ICU, then 2 days in Step-down (less intensive ICU) then 2 days on the ward. Yesterday morning (Monday) the doctors came into Evy's room, and said that pending the outcome of her daily chest x-ray, they would let her go home. Evy felt a bit insecure about going (it is only 6 days after all), but by 12:00 noon we were on our way.

Praise God and please keep praying as she recovers at home.

Monday's hot topics - Church again - Ingredients vs. Recipe

I'm still chewing on this whole 'What is church' topic on the forum - here. Recently someone suggested that there is a 'pattern' or way that church should be done. The idea is that God gave us a sort of 'blue print' and we as Christians just need to follow it and then we will be doing chruch the way God 'designed' it. A recipe if you will. As I thought about this an analogy came to mind that I posted on the forum and wanted to share and get opinions on. Here's how it goes

If someone has an egg, cup of flour, butter and chocolate they could make cake. They could also make cookies. They could make various baked goods. Muffins perhaps.

When we talk about God having a 'pattern' for doing things are we talking about the ingredients that he has supplied (Acts 2:42 stuff are the eggs, flour) or are we talking about the recipe he has supplied us (Acts 2:42 is a cake, not cookies).

I believe they are ingredients. Too often I have seen an insistence on a recipe for cake

Have you seen this as well? Are we inflexible about our style of 'doing church'? Are we so used to cake that we are not flexible when cookies are suggested? Or did God really want us to only make cake? Does God have a recipe for church? Post your thoughts on the forum - here

The sayings of Lukas v36 - School

The other day at the supper table Lukas asked a curious question:

Lukas: Daddy who invented schools?
Shawn: hmmm...good question. You know I think it was the Greeks.
Lukas: No.....I think it started in China....they make everything

Pictures!

I uploaded a bunch of pictures on facebook today - click here, mainly of our neighbourhood, but also a few of the kids so I thought I'd post one cute one here...cause everybody thinks their kid is the cutest in the world! :)


DJ 'Livi' with the headphones!

Creation Museum open for business!

My good friend Andrew Prescott had a post recently on his blog about a new Creation Museum that opened up this week in Kentucky. You can see a video of founder Ken Ham cutting the ribbon - here.

The project was sponsored by Answers in Genesis, which had this to say on it's blog:

The guests and even the secular media expressed praise for the professionalism and quality of the exhibits. Rejoice with us for this historic day and please continue to pray as many more media descend on the Creation Museum, which has created a buzz in the secular media (and Christian media) worldwide.

Hopefully this will give everyone further reasons to believe in the Bible. As someone who believes that God created the earth it is exciting to see this Museum open it's doors.

Wednesday prayer requests - Evey Dyck surgery

I sent a prayer request to some of you on Monday about Evey Dyck who was going in for surgery on Tuesday. She had 2 operations yesterday, one to remove a tumor from her rib cage area and the other was open heart surgery to patch a hole in her heart. I just received word this morning that things went fairly well but please continue to pray!

Monday's hot topics - What is church??

Since moving into Thorncliffe we've been praying alot about how to go about starting a new church. I haven't met too many people that have started a church from scratch so the ideas about how it should be done vary. Add to this the massive cultural mix of non-christian-background folks in this area and the question of 'how to' becomes even harder to answer.

As I've been thinking about these things the nagging question that I keep coming back to is 'What is church"?? I asked this question on the forum - *here* and there have been some interesting comments and discussion. Here are a few responses I've received:

- Our small home Bible study group is to my limited mind "what church should be", much more than the Sunday morning service is.

- I can't help but wonder why people want to cling to the term "church." Can't you just do like the apostles and say "We're getting together to hang out" or "to discuss the bible" or "to pray"?

- so...Church as I understand it is not a thing, a thing we do, or a place we go, she is a person. The Church is the body of Christ.

- my response is "a bunch of morons" lol

- What is a church? It's a bunch of people that get together with a shared mission - to glorify God.

- I believe the time for what we generally think of "churches" has past. A manifestly failed experiment God winks at. I think it's time we stopped using the term too.

Seems lots of people are asking the same question. How about you? What do you think church is? What do you think church *should be*?? Post your thoughts on the forum - click here

Thieves and vandals in Thorncliffe

Breaking news from Thorncliffe - click here.

Over the three-day Victoria Day weekend, a number of businesses and homes were targeted by culprits. A construction trailer on Jamieson Bone Road was entered sometime over the weekend and a Yamaha generator and a Stihl circular saw were stolen.

A garage on Thorncliffe Drive was entered and a cordless drill, battery charger and a grass trimmer were taken...

Huh? A garage...wait a minute, there are no garages in Thorncliffe, it's all high-rises....lemme read that article again....

...Solar lights, a bird feeder and a large metal heron were damaged over the weekend at a Sumac Terrance home. Police say the metal heron was bolted to a nearby rock, however, the vandals managed to remove it and left the item lying on the lawn of the home.

...oh wait a minute it was Thorncliffe Drive in Bellville! Yikes, sounds like a rough place to live. I'd hate for my kids to grow up in that neighbourhood. Maybe people in Bellville should move to Thorncliffe Park drive where it's safe :) No bird feeder vandalism here!

Wednesday prayer reqeuests - Josh in Africa!

My friend Josh Duffy will be heading over to Africa soon with Iris Ministries!! Currently he's camped out in good old PEI after finishing up Bible school. Josh sent out this update earlier in the week:

In the first few months of my ministry in Africa I will be helping to staff a Missions School in Mozambique with Iris Ministries, this school will be raising up African missionaries who will reach their own people; Later in the year I plan to minister in Sudan, where the work is much more raw and pioneering. Children and evangelism are two of the main focus points there. These are exciting times for me as I venture out toward the call of God on my life.

Exciting indeed!! Let's pray for Josh and support him as he heads out (donations can be made through Iris Ministries - click here). May many more young people take risks like this to help those in need!

FEAST!!

This Sunday night, 6PM, Leaside Bible Chapel. Come and eat, sing and watch a compelling drama. It's like Medieval Times only better! Bring anyone that's hungry for food or for God.

'Living with Islamists' and the 'Incarnational Imperative'

A friend tipped me off to a recent article from Christianity Today that really resonates with me, especially since my trip to Pakistan and move to islamic-dominated Thorncliffe Park. As you'll see from the article the author spent 'A year in Pakistan' which 'gave me a glimpse of what Christian witness might look like today'. What might it look like in Pakistan? In Thorncliffe? In your neighbourhood? His conclusion about the 'incarnational imperative' is profound:

We also need to find ways to broaden the way we practice Christian witness in this post-9/11 world...I had been sold a bleak picture of the Muslim world so at odds with my experience of the Pakistani people. What also stung was encountering hundreds of Pakistanis who had never before honestly interacted with someone from my country or of my faith.

Never once in Pakistan did I bring up the subject of religion, yet somehow I was always talking about it. People flooded me with questions: What do you think of the clash of civilizations? What do Christians believe about the prophet Jesus? Do Americans hate Islam? And my favorite, posed by a rather baffled old mullah: What is premillenial dispensationalism? My Muslim Pakistani friends were gracious enough to interpret for me their world and their faith. In light of our incarnational imperative, we Christians ought to be more eager to do the same.

How will we 'interpret our world and our faith' to those around us here in Thorncliffe? What does our witness look like? What will our church look like? As we call people to live incarnationally and move into Thorncliffe, and as I read articles like this, it makes me think we are at least on the right track, asking the right questions so that our main objective is making sure that only Jesus shines through!!

The sayings of Sylas v4 - Tire swing

We were driving on the 401 the other day when Sylas piped up from the back seat:

Hey dad, if the wheel fell off that big truck...then... we could make a tire swing!!

(ps. Don't forget to join my facebook group and help - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2341259290)

Back from the 'Peg

Hey everybody! Thanks to everyone who's joined the facebook contest. We've got till Wednesday to get the biggest group. If you haven't joined yet, just click on the link:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2341259290

I had a great time in Winnipeg. My course paper is on how the early church (first century) dealt with converts from Judaism. If anyone out there has articles or books that they think would be helpful please let me know.

On the home front everyone is doing great and we praise God for the interest that many have shown to moving into our neighbourhood to help out with our new ministry! Please pray that we would be enabled by the Spirit as we seek to establish prayer groups the would resemble Acts 4:31.

Have a great Victoria day everyone!

Let's get Jesus on the radio!!!

Those of you who are already on my facebook list might have got this invite already. Those who didn't, I'm asking you to join my facebook group and get your friends to invite their friends to invite their friends. If by next Thursday I have the biggest Facebook group a local radio station will give me 7,000 bucks! More importantly we can get Jesus on the radio! Do it for me. Do it for Jesus. Just do it. Click here to join: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2341259290

Question of the day - from 'friendly' Manitoba

Well folks, I'm here typing this from Winnipeg! Land of the Blue Bombers and Winnie the Pooh! I'm here on a course and finding it a nice 'friendly' place (as the license plates say). I'll be processing alot of stuff over the next week on muslim history.

One question I recently has was about a little song kids sing in church - Peter & John went to pray...Question:

Why did Peter and John go to the temple to pray? Why didn't they meet with the other Christians to pray? Does it matter if someone coming from another religion still attends their place of worship, but simply accepts Jesus as the Messiah?

Video of the week - The Lukas beat!

Remember 'animal' from the muppets??? :)

You can also see a bit of our new apartment in the video.

What does 'incarnational' and '614' mean?

Since moving to Thorncliffe Park we've talked alot to people about 'incarnational' ministry and the '614 network'. I like the word network as opposed to church, but that's another post. Well, just what does incarnational mean? John 1:14 describes it best:

The word became flesh and dwelt among us

The ethos of incarnational ministry is actually dwelling among the people you are ministering to. It is intensely and intentionally missional. I know it sounds basic but in today's North America Christianity we are quite used to driving to church and being somewhat disconnected from the community of people living around our place of worship.

The other aspect of the '614' model of incarnational ministry is intentionally moving into the bad parts of town. The numbers 6-1-4 come from Isaiah 61:4 where God says:

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

This involves moving towards ruined cities, not away from them. Towards dangerous places, now away from them. Towards devestated people, not away from them. Starting to get the picture?

So what does incarnational ministry look like on a day to day basis? Well for us, it looks like living in an apartment instead of a house. It looks like sending our kids to the big huge muslim dominated Thorncliffe public school instead of homeschooling or Christian school. It looks like being surrounded by our neighbours in the elevator, park, mall and school.

Last night it looked like a fire alarm at 10:30PM. A friends kitchen was on fire. 15 fire trucks. Water and smoke damage in their apartment. No place to stay. A phone call to another friend. A pull-out couch. Comfort.

May this incarnational model spread to everyone in every church. Think about where you live, where you could move to and what impact you could make if you were the Jesus that moved into their neighbourhood.

Tonight on ABC at 11 - Christians vs. Athiests

Have you ever heard of the athiest group called 'blasphemy challenge'? Here's a link.

Have you ever heard of the evangelists Kirk Cameron & Ray Comfort? Here's a link

Tonight these guys will square off on ABC news over the existence of God - Here's the ABC news link

Why are Kirk Cameron, a preacher, and two self-proclaimed atheists coming together in a church this weekend? Because Cameron and preacher Ray Comfort claim that they "can prove the existence of God."

They'll take on the atheists in the first "Nightline Face-Off," a debate to be moderated by "Nightline" anchor Martin Bashir.

Don't miss this!!!

'Toronto Challenge'

I wanted to let my Christian friends in the GTA know about an amazing opportunity right here in our own backyard that I'm a part of called Toronto Challenge". Have you ever wanted to go on a missions trip, but couldn't afford it? Have you ever wondered 'How could I get involved with missions in Toronto, but didn't know where to start? Have you ever drove by a mosque or temple and wondered 'what do they believe'. If you have, 'Toronto challenge' is for you!

'Toronto challenge' is a missions trip to Toronto through Operation Mobilisation. Starting July 14th you can come for one week, two weeks or three weeks, whichever suits your schedule.

Participants will visit people from every religious background and every part of the world. Go to a Mosque, Synagogue, Hindu and Sikh Temple, receive training and actually reach out to people right here in the city! I'll be teaching a bit so it'd be great to see some of you there :)
For more information visit the OM site - here or download the poster and registration form online - here

Here's the write up from last year: Canadian Christianity Magazine

Hope you can make it!

Monday's hot topics - my god can beat up your god!

One of the things I love most about facebook is connecting with old highschool friends. It's been amazing reconnecting with people that I haven't seen in 10 years or more. One of those good old friends is a guy named norm who goes by the username phenormenon. He recently asked a great question on the forum:

what is the difference between the god that you worship and the one that catholics pray to, or the mormons, or the 7th day adventists, or the jehovah's witnesses? is there even a difference between these gods or are we all praising the same divine creator, we just call her by a different name and have different traditions for worship?

What do you think? Do you have an answer for norm? What is the difference? Post your response on the forum - here

Need a title v30

My cousin-in-laws in PEI (Ty & Lisa Stapleton) are expecting their second child. Recently I saw this ultrasound picture they had and had to post it. Can anyone think of a good title??

Prayer time

Thorncliffe Prayer meeting tomorrow at 7. Email if you want to come.

My sister-in law is cooler than your sister-in law!!

A while back I posted a music video from my awesome musician sister-in-law Cindy Davis!! Most of you thought Cindy rocked - and she does - but recently she got an amazing award to prove it! My awesome musician sister-in-law won best song of the year at the 2007 Vancouver Island Music Awards!!!

The 2007 edition of the Vancouver Island Music Awards moved up-Island to Nanaimo this year, where the winners were announced at a gala soiree hosted by David Gogo last Saturday night. Local winners included folkies The Gruff, who picked up Artist of the Year honours, while teen queen Christine Evans nabbed Album of the Year for her Push. Local gal Cindy Davis got Song of the Year for “Clumsy”

Congratulations Cindy!! Check her out at http://myspace.com/cindydavismusic

Wednesday's prayer requests - Thorncliffe cross-walk

The Toronto Star ran an article on Thorncliffe's busy cross-walk yesterday - here. While the issue itself is no shock to those of us who live here, notice the people who are more frequently crossing the street and what this tells you about the community and it's future.

Few places in Toronto are more densely populated than Thorncliffe Park, where dozens of highrise apartment buildings line Thorncliffe Park Blvd.

A focal point for residents is the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre, at 48 Thorncliffe Park Dr., which also has a branch of the Toronto Public Library in it. People are coming and going all the time.

To get back and forth across the street, there's a pedestrian crosswalk right in front of the community centre's main entrance that slows traffic on the heavily travelled street enough to allow people to safely get to the other side.

Helena Guan, who lives in the area, emailed to say the flashing yellow lights above the crosswalk – which are supposed to switch on when a pedestrian pushes the activation button on the posts at either end – have been on the blink for a month or so....

We watched for about 20 minutes yesterday and counted upwards of 100 people using the crosswalk – mostly kids and women pushing strollers – while many others ignored it and crossed wherever it was handy

Spring in Canada?

Someone said to me the other day that April is having an identity crisis, not sure wether to be hot or cold. Well in honour of the end of April I thought I'd post up this picture someone sent me.Good bye April, hello Spring!

Monday's hot topics - CNN - Real Noah's ark ready to set sail??

A friend forwarded me this story about a life-size version of Noah's ark that is ready to set sail!!

SCHAGEN, Netherlands (AP) -- The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday -- you could say it was the first time in 4,000 years -- drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder.

Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark, built by Dutch creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.

Reckoning by the old biblical measurements, Johan's fully functional ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.

There is a video and everything to show the dimensions. This replica makes a powerful case for the validity of the Bible story of Noah and the flood. I didn't grow up believing but for me the story of a global flood makes just as much sense as an 'ice age' theory. I would challenge you to investigate Noah and the flood for yourself so you don't face the same fate as those who scoffed at the first Ark :) Post your opinion about Noah, the flood or this story on my discussion forum - here

The sayings of Lukas v35 - Heaven

Every meal time I read Bible stories to the kids. We have a children's picture Bible and it's lots of fun to go through the stories with them. They quite enjoy it, but lately they've been really keen as we try to finish up the whole thing!

Well this morning we finished!! At the very end of the Bible there is a picture of Heaven and how great it is, and we were talking about who can get into heaven. Lukas was saying that he doesn't do many bad things, but I reminded him that we all do bad things, and that it's about Jesus taking the punishment for our bad things on the cross and us choosing to believe in him that gets us into heaven. I told the boys that I couldn't make them choose to believe in Jesus, and they have to make that decision for themselves. Lukas piped up:

Lukas: I'm going to make that decision!
Shawn: That's great Lukas
Lukas: Well not now...after I get my factory!!

I had a good laugh at this because Lukas has this fixation with owning a factory. Hopefully he won't put it off for that long :) Jesus told a story about people who put off believing in Him because of lame excuses. Hopefully none of us put off making that decision to believe in Jesus and assure ourselves of a place in heaven. Any one of us can make that decision today - believe in Jesus, have your sins forgiven and be sure of heaven. What are you waiting for?

Prayer meeting tomorrow

Tomorrow night we'll be holding our second prayer meeting here in Thorncliffe Park. If anyone needs prayer please let us know. If anyone wants to attend just let me know and I'll tell you the location. If you can't be there we'd really appreciate your prayers as we get started

PS. More pics of Saturday click here and here

More Verwer

Well the pictures and videos are all in from Saturdays 'Launch event' with George Verwer:

Pictures 1 - click here
Pictures 2 - click here
Jerry's pictures - click here

Videos - click here

Here's a video I took from Saturday while George was speaking:


Thanks again to everyone who attended and for your prayers as we get started here in Thorncliffe

Wednesday prayer requests - the 'Weeping Willow'

As we are settling in here many people come across our path from a specific war-torn country that has been in the news. Just recently Hayley has befriended a lady from this country, we'll call her the 'Weeping Willow'. Each time she sees Hayley she breaks down in tears, sharing her deepest needs and how she is praying and praying to God, and how Hayley is the answer to her prayers each time.

Just yesterday when Hayley called her up the lady said: "Last night at midnight I cried out to God and today you called me and I know that you are the answer to my prayer". Please pray for this lady, as Hayley prays for her in Jesus name.

First Verwer-fest videos

Thanks to the ever helpful Jerry Bolton we have a few videos from Saturday! I have a few of my own I'll post up soon but for now click here to see Jerry's collection.

Monday's hot topics - Funny church stories

Leave it to a guy called 'Newf' to start a topic on the forum about 'Funny church stories':

On Saturday, there was some kid's program at the church, and someone (not me, I don't think) let a helium-filled happy face balloon float up to the ceiling of the sanctuary. Sunday morning at the BoB, as the annoucements were being given, that balloon started to float down behind the announcer, and hovered just behind his head. The congregation, in fits of laughter of course, saw the balloon but he didn't. (this next part, I don't remember, but it was recounted by someone else in attendance) Then, the balloon at head-height, rotated so the happy face was 'looking over' his shoulder.

Click here to post your funny church stories on the forum

All ready to party!!

It's about 7AM here on April 21st - the day we've all been waiting for. Late last night I took this video at Leaside Bible Chapel while we were setting up!

Today is another fun day of running around like a chicken with it's head cut off but tonight is party time! The prayer walk starts at 4PM then the kick-off rally at 7! See you there!!

4:20 challenge

While most of the world celebrates 4:20 (April 20th) in a different way I thought I'd put a challenge out there to Christians to redeem the day!! Post your favorite 4:20 bible verse in the comments, or on your blog! Here's mine:

Philippians 4:20:

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What's your 4:20?

Monday's hot topics - Why do volunteer work??

On the forum 'Mark P' raises a good question about why we should even be involved in volunteering to make society a better place:

Many people judge me and say I should be spending more time helping with the community or giving back to society. For what? I don't remember society giving me anything...Where does one(you) draw a line between giving back and taking care of yourself? Do you consider this to be selfish? So what do you think about this?

Interesting question. What's your reason for helping out and volunteering?

All prayed up!

Last night we had our first prayer meeting here in Thorncliffe Park! Kinda. A very nice lady has been having a prayer meeting here for about 3 years and we tagged along with some friends who are interested in what God's doing in this community. In total there were about 30 of us (kids and all) which was very encouraging to see as we prayed for different people around the world. Thanks to those who sent in prayer requests - keep em comin! Our next Thorncliffe prayer meeting is Friday, April 27th and everyone is welcome. If you're in the area we'd love for you to come as we get more specific about the needs of the people right here in these highrises! If you're not able to make it but want to pray please let me know and I'll send you a list of people we're praying for.

Now we're in full-tilt Verwer mode, preparing for next Saturdays 'kick off' event at Leaside Bible Chapel! Please pray for this event as it very well could be standing room only. The prayer walk starts at 4PM and if you're coming to that please let me know. If not, make sure you get to the chapel early to get a seat. As I mentioned previously please park across the street from the chuch at the Future Shop/Canadian Tire parking lot situated on the corner of Eglinton & Laird.

Once again here's the poster incase you need directions! See you there!

Nerds who shook the world v1 - George Verwer

Recently I found the Moody Bible Institute yearbook from the 1960's. I remembered that a certain George Verwer had attended Moody and while leafing through the pages found this amazing but grainy picture of George and other 19 year olds anticipating what God would do through their little group. They probably had no idea OM would get as big as it is. They probably had no idea how many people they would influence. They simply trusted God and did amazing things. For me, this is exciting to look back, as well as look forward. History has not yet been written, what can we do if we simply trust God and go for it!?

This is the first in a series I've called 'Nerds who shook the world". Looking back on people who were very influential and how they got started. May this be an encouragement to all of us, wether young or nerdy, to trust God and do amazing things. Next Saturday at the kick-off of our new ministry George will be sharing more about how he went from a 19-year old at Moody to a world missions leader. You won't want to miss it! 7PM, Leaside Bible Chapel, Saturday, April 21st!

Wednesday prayer requests - children

The longer we're here the more we begin to understand the unique needs of a community like Thorncliffe. As we've mentioned before, the local elementary school receives 10 to 20 new children each week from many countries and backgrounds. We want you to pray especially for these children who are new to the country. Their experiences are very different from those of us who grew up in Canada. One example being a girl who is not yet 16 but talking to Hayley about arranged marriages :) Also, don't forget to keep sending us your prayer requests for the Friday the 13th prayer meeting here in Thorncliffe Park!

The sayings of Lukas v34 - boogers!

On Sunday we were getting out of the car when I spotted a booger on the back of Sylas' car seat. Here's how the conversation went:

Daddy: Hey Luke, there's a booger on the seat, where you saving it?
Lukas: Yuck, no way daddy that's gross
Daddy: I thought you loved eating boogers
Lukas: Ya....but I don't eat leftovers

Monday's hot topics - Christians and Alcohol

Recently on the forum there has been some discussion about how Christians should treat alcohol:

I'm kind of surprised that this topic hasn't been tackled yet. So, what do you all think about being a Christian and drinking alcohol? Should it be totally prohibited? Only for special occasions? It's ok if you don't get drunk, so anything goes beside that?
I personally don't find anything wrong with having a glass of wine to celibrate a special occasion or to drink with a nice meal.

While this has been debated before, the discussion has focused on how prohibition and other Western cultural influences on the debate. What's your opinion? Post it on the forum - click here

Xristos Anesti!!

Happy Easter everyone! Tonight I strolled out in front of our building at midnight to witness the Greek Orthodox Easter celebration at St. Demetrios here in Thorncliffe. It brought back alot of memories of when we lived in Athens, except they didn't have any fireworks here :) The street was completely packed out, which kept the parking ticket attendant busy. Greeks with candles lined the streets greeting each other and making the sign of the cross.

Easter was extra special for us this year because our Greek friends Alex & Joann Macris are here staying with us this weekend! We've had loads of fun staying up late and catching up on what God is doing in Greece. Alex & Joann are missionaries in Greece with Hellenic Ministries. They take the boat called The Morning Star from island to island unlocking the truth of the gospel for the Orthodox faithful who still haven't found the Jesus painted on their church walls.

So tonight I wanted to bid you all a Greek Easter greeting:

Christos Anesti!!! Happy Easter!!! Jesus is risen!!!

The sayings of Sylas v3 - bath time!

Last night I figured I'd spend some quality time with the kids and jump in the bath with them! It was pretty squished and during bath time Sylas blurted out two hilarious statements. First off Lukas asked if I would get in the bath with them and when I said yes Sylas said:

-> Mommy, are you going to baptize Daddy?

(we had just recently read about John the Baptist and Sylas has been very interested in this idea of baptism). Then when I jumped in the tub Sylas looked at me and said:

-> Daddy, your booboobs are almost fully grown

I guess it's time to get a membership at the gym :)

Wednesday prayer requests - Friday the 13th!

Next Friday is the ever so scary Friday the 13th. To celebrate we will be holding our first prayer meeting here in Thorncliffe!!! We figured it's a great symbolic day to ask Jesus to turn the tables on the powers of darkness and kick Satan where it hurts. If anyone needs some prayer, let me know and we'll put your issue on the agenda. If anyone wants to come and pray, let me know and I'll reveal to you the location of our top-secret-holy-huddle.

Need a title v29

This picture was taken at Ryan & Cindy's wedding in BC. What exactly is Lukas doing you ask? I'm not sure, but can anyone think of a good title?

Monday's hot topics - Best Credit Card

I've always been very skeptical of credit cards. We have never had any debt and I don't like the idea of owing money or getting in debt at all. However It's almost impossible to function in today's society without plastic. Currently we're looking at getting a credit card - but where do I start? What credit card is good? What rewards are best? I like the idea of Air Miles but can that actually get me any flights? I've posed the question on the forum - here - and now I need your help. Post a story on the forum about the credit card you have, or post a comment below on which card you think is best!

It's official!

We've been waiting for a little while now to make the announcment, but after Hayley's doctors appointment yesterday it's official! We're pregnant again! I've posted some 3D ultrasound pictures on the forum - click here. Thanks for your prayers as we prepare for an even fuller house!

*EDIT* APRIL FOOLS :)

Refugee rights week kickoff in Thorncliffe!

Next week, April 2nd to 5th, is Refugee Rights Week. And what better place to kick the week off than Thorncliffe Park!! Here's the media advisory

Councillor Janet Davis will join community organizations to launch Refugee Rights Week on Monday, April 2 at 5 p.m. at the Thorncliffe Youth Centre located at 45 Overlea Blvd.

I'll be headin over, wanna come with me?

Q1 SHOUT online!!

Wow, it has really been a roller-coaster ride for us since we sent out our last newsletter. We've been to PEI and back, I was in Atlanta and Pakistan and now I'm very excited to report that God is faithful and we've landed on our feet here in Thorncliffe Park!

Click on one of the links below to read our first quarter report for 2007, and don't forget to 'McPray' as we get started here :)

Word document (709KB) - click here
Adobe Acrobat PDF file (782KB) - click here

If you haven't received one of our prayer magnets yet, please email or leave a comment and we'll get one to you right away. Now that we are back on the ground just email or come visit, we'd love to see you :) Thanks again to everyone for all your love and support! We've really appreciated it!

The sayings of Lukas v33

The other day we were walking when I heard a sad little voice:

Lukas: Daddy, I wish Grampy (from PEI) was still here
Daddy: Oh Lukas, we'll see him again soon don't be sad
Lukas: No, not because I'm sad! Because he has the Clifford game on his computer!

Donation station

Just a quick note for all those who have been asking about 'how we're doing' financially. As of April 1st donations can be sent to Leaside Bible Chapel for our personal support! We're pretty excited about this as things are...well...getting a bit tight. We have appreciated everyone who has supported us in the past and soon I'll be sending out some long overdue thank-you cards. Thanks to everyone for hangin in there during this transition. Here's the details:

Leaside Bible Chapel
826 Eglinton Ave, E.
Toronto, Ontario
M4G 2L1

Make cheques out
TO: Leaside Bible Chapel
FOR: 'Cuthills personal support' in the memo line

More Thorncliffe

Dave just sent me this article -
click here- about the challenges Thorncliffe Park School has to deal with each day:

Rallying about 1,700 students under the age of 12 into a school every day doesn’t sound like an easy feat but Canada’s largest elementary school is finding ways to successfully curb traffic congestion and safety issues on a daily basis....About 97 percent of the student population lives on Thorncliffe Dr., and half of them are scurrying across the street each day, said Pfeffer...School assemblies will generally occur three times in order to accomodate every class.

Wednesday prayer requests - Shooting in Thorncliffe

Last night a man was shot here across from our building in the parking lot of the mall. 680 news reports that he is expected to survive.
Please pray for this person, as well as the area, that shootings would not increase as summer approaches. It seems that as the temperature goes up so does the violence in these inner-city neighbourhoods.

*UPDATE - here is the Toronto Star article

My new favorite song - 'Have a little patience' by 'Take that':

Monday's hot topics - Co-habitation

A question was posed on the forum:

Is co-habitation against the bible?

That is a tough question considering the implied promiscuity involved in today's culture. Some have posted saying co-habitation is allowed in some circumstances, like when Elijah lived with a widow. Others take a hard stance and say that we should be beyond reproach and never be in this situation. I've personally known friends who lived together before they were married and claim 'nothing happened'. What do you think? Post your thoughts here on the forum!

Parenting 101

Driving in the car today Lukas spoke up:

Mommy, why do we have to wear shoes on our feet when we're outside?

Can you think of a good answer?

Wednesday prayer requests - Happy Norouz!! (Persian new year)

Happy Persian New Year everyone! When we lived in Greece I vividly remember attending a Newroz/Norouz celebration held by many Persians who had fled Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan. These dear friends in Greece had recently embraced Jesus as their saviour and they were enjoying their first new year as a little church. This trend seems to be sweeping the Persian world. Just recently I received this email:

IRANIAN IMAM RECEIVES CHRIST, ESCAPES COUNTRY

One of Iran's top Islamic leaders accepted Christ after watching Christian satellite TV for two years. Pastor Elnathan Baghestani, who with his wife provides 24/7 Christian programming into Iran and the Middle East, says the imam contacted Iran for Christ counselors and prayed to receive Christ in early February. "This man knows all the verses of the Koran by heart. After he began watching, doubt began in his heart about the Islamic faith." The man then spent 9 months in prison for questioning the violence of radical Islam. Now, after numerous death threats, he has escaped the country. He believes several other religious leaders he knows may follow suit. While it is illegal to own satellite dishes in Iran, many hide them on their roofs or other locations. Notes Baghestani, "God is shaking the foundation of Islam in Iran." [ANS, 9 March '07]

Pray that many Iranians would welcome the 2007 Norouz (new year) with a new life from Jesus!!

Monday's hot topics - Are you a Be-Leafer??

Here in Toronto we have the curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the greatest and worst hockey team all rolled into one. You see, the leafs have not won a Stanley Cup for 40 years now. While many of us hold out hope, the current season is drawing to a close and the Leafs playoff hopes are dwindling. A poll on the forum asks "Will The Leafs Win The Cup In Your Lifetime?". Currently 87% say no. How do you feel about the Leafs? Do you think the leafs will make the playoffs this year? Are you a Be-Leafer?? Click here to post your thoughts on the love/hate relationship with the Leafs

Sunday Sudanese ceremonial singing

Here's a video Hilary took on Saturday night here in Thorncliffe. Hilary was staying with us over her March break and we were at Eid's house for the 'blessing' of his new baby Amit. The party erupted into singing as Eid whacked on the coffee table to create a sweet beat...

See if you can count how long Mohammed holds the one note for

Fill in the blanks - Volume 1

Lying in bed tonight I thought of a new feature for the athensBLOG called - Fill in the blanks. It's almost midnight now, so it might take me a while to develop this feature, but here's the idea. I'll take a common Bible passage and remove some key cultural details in order to make a 'blank' for you my readers to 'fill in', in order for the passage to have more of a modern, cultural context. Make sense? Here goes:

John 4:20-21:

20-Woman: Our fathers worshiped _________ (insert location #1),
but you ________ (group of people) claim that the place where we must worship is ___________ (location #2)."

21-Jesus: "Believe me a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither ________ (location #1) nor in _________ (location #2).

23-True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth

Think you can come up with something to go in the blanks? Just click on 'comment', retype the passage and 'fill in the blanks'!

The sayings of Lukas v32

This past Monday Lukas resumed Kindergarten at Bridlegrove! I drove him up for his first day and we started talking.

Daddy: So Lukas, are you excited to see your old friends again?
Lukas: (smirking) Stephen and his gang will be destroyed! Muhahahaha

Can't wait till he's a teenager!!

Wednesday prayer requests - Funding & Pakistan

Found this picture on Josh Duffy's blog - here. Made me think about how much (or little) I give to those who are working for God.

Also, Imran gives a very interesting perspective - here - on the emotions involved in someone who leaves Pakistan for another country. Pray for those who are adjusting to life in Canada, especially in the Thorncliffe Park area.

Lego Bible updates - click here

Monday's hot topics - Why was Adam alone?

I had a thought the other day which I posted on the forum - here. Was marriage and the family unit included in God's original design? If so, why did he create Adam alone then say it wasn't good that he was alone and then create woman? Thoughts?

Need a title v28

Snapped this picture down by Sick Kids hospital. Can anyone think of a good title?

Facial hair vanishing act

Alright, I'll admit it. The facial hair post a few days back prompted an outcry. I had no choice but to unleash the scissors on my months-old beard and moustache. It's gone. All gone. Are you all happy now??? :)

Wednesday prayer requests - the Blind mover and the Arabic lady

As I reported last week we have moved into Thorncliffe Park here in Toronto. We are adjusting to this sweet neighbhourhood, and on Saturday it was moving day. This was the first time a blind man had helped me move! Quite an experience. I've posted a video of us stomping the ice to make a path for the moving truck. Please pray for us as we move in and connect. Already people are coming across our path. Last night we were at the food court of the mall and a lady spotted Hayley's necklace that I bought in Pakistan. "I can read that!" the lady exclaimed "It's in Arabic...It says Isa, or Jesus in English". Pray that the name of Jesus would spread in this neighbourhood.

More missionfest!

Well the hot topics will have to wait until we're all moved in. Things are going well but we don't have phone/internet at home so I'm blogging here from my parents. I wanted to add a story from MissionFest that I thought was pretty cool. Next to our booth was the Freedom Village booth. Freedom Village is home for troubled teens in the states - click here. Standing there I looked over and saw on the front of one of their brochures the face of one of our old Bridlegrove youth Andrew!!! Andrew is featured on the Freedom Village website - click here to read his story. He used to live down the street until he ran away from home. You can read about him in our Q2 2004 report. When he did run away/get kicked out, he left us his basketball net that some of you may have seen outside of the house at Bridlegrove. This is an encouragement to all of you who are working with kids who you're concerned about. God has a way of finding them. Just pour in loads of love and pray hard. You never know what God will do :)

Bolton at the Booth

Before I could even get the pictures loaded on my laptop, Jerry Bolton has posted pictures and videos of missionfest on his blog - here. Jerry came down to help at the booth, promoting the George Verwer event on April 21st as well as helping us move in! It was quite a weekend and I'll be posting videos soon but for now check out Jerry's blog - click here.

Early wednesday prayer requests - "I was born and raised in the ghetto"

Tonight we move to Thorncliffe Park. As I reported last week Thorncliffe is a neighbourhood in Toronto that is inhabited mainly by new Canadians from Pakistan and Afghanistan. 30,000 people. 34 high rise buildings. The biggest elementary school in North America. It's a different kind of 'ghetto' than the Steeles-Lamarouex/Chester Le area we lived in for the past 3 years working at Bridlegrove, but it's still a ghetto. I wanted to post a video that you can watch until we arrive in Thorncliffe. It's about ghettos in Toronto and those who grow up in them. It's strange to think that my kids qualify for that category.

The video was sent to me by Geoff Ryan, my Salvation Army officer friend who is doing an awesome work in the legendary Toronto ghetto - Regent Park. I'm excited to be working with Geoff, who will be helping and coaching me in Thorncliffe.

I love the 'hook' for the song..."I was born and raised in the ghetttoooo". I'd challenge you to watch the video at least 5 times until that little hook penetrates your soul and mind with empathy. It gives me shivers listening to it and thinking of all my homeys that we worked with at Bridlegrove. I miss those kids a whole lot. I made a photo album on facebook. Lord, be gracious to them.



While we are driving the 18 hours from PEI I'll be praying that more and more people will be like Jesus and move into the ghettos. These 'bad areas'...like the one Jesus grew up in. Jesus was a kid 'born and raised' in a ghetto called Nazareth, where 'no good thing' could possibly happen. Maybe that's why he loves these kids so much. As you watch this video, say a prayer for all the kids in the ghettos in Toronto.

Monday's hot topics - Vote for the goat and don't trash the 'stache

We move to Toronto tomorrow. Sad to say goodbye, but it's good to know we can always come "home". PEI is an awesome place and we love everyone very much. Please come visit us. We might not have oceans, beach and friendly people in Toronto but we do have the Leafs and Blue Jays :)

So since we're moving back we have to make many important decisions. One of those being - should I shave?? I've been growing my facial hair for over a month now (yes a month, stop laughing!). It came in quite handy in the middle east, but the question now is - should I keep it? Other than the fact that I look a bit like the devil and/or Guy Fawkes I like it. Kids hate it. I like it. Hayley's putting up with it. What do you think? Should I keep it or shave it? Make a convincing or nasty comment and it might just sway me to bust out the Mach 3. Vote now!

I think I'm switching banks

Listening to the radio last night here in PEI when I heard an ad for job postings at Resolve, a call center here in Charlottetown. The ad was announcing that Resolve had landed a big new client and was taking resumes. The client? Presidents Choice Financial. PC Bank!! My bank. My personal info. In the hands of people making 9 dollars an hour?? Wow.

I'm pretty sure this is the job posting - click here - but that didn't calm my fears when I read:

Skill Requirements:

Education: Completion of high school
Credentials (certificates, licences, memberships, courses, etc.): Not required
Experience: Will train

Sweet. No experience required. Oh well, at least it stated:

Security and Safety: Enhanced reliability security clearance

....Whatever that means.

The question I guess is how secure is any of our personal info? And do you really want Resolve employees like Sally Cinnamon, DaiDreamer, and others handling your personal banking info? It's not so much the people per se, as it is the idea of a bank *outsourcing* it's data, instead of having *internal* employees. Maybe that doesn't make a difference, who knows. But I think I'm switching banks.

English is not the first language for 93% of the 1,571 students

My mom sent me this article about the elementary school Lukas will be going to in September - Thorncliffe Park Public School - the largest elementary school in North America!

For those who don't know yet, next week Hayley and I will be moving our family to an area of Toronto called Thorncliffe Park. This extremely diverse community is near the Ontario Science Center in Toronto's neighbourhood of East York.

The Toronto Sun article - here - goes on to highlight some of the demographics of the school in this amazing area:

THORNCLIFFE PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL BY THE NUMBERS

1,571: Number of students (largest in North America)

1,453: Number of students whose primary language is not English (93%)

1,147: Number of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 students (Lukas' friends)

47 countries represented

97% of the students live in highrise buidlings (we are moving into one of these)

Please pray for us as we make the move and connect with those in the neighbourhood! Click here to read the entire article

Wife wins right to leave smelly house?

I'm still having fond memories of my trip to Paksitan. When I boarded my first Emirates airline flight to Karachi, through Dubai I picked up a paper to see what made the news in the middle east. Here's the front page story:

Wife wins right to leave smelly house

By Adel Arafah
28 January 2007

ABU DHABI — The apex court in Al Ain has allowed a woman to stay away from the stinking accommodation provided by her husband.

The Federal Supreme Court, upholding a ruling issued by an appeals court, also declared that bad smell is psychologically and physically harmful.

The woman had filed the lawsuit in Al Ain Shariah Court of First Instance against her husband seeking a ‘proper accommodation’, claiming the one provided by her husband was not fit to live in — being quite old and in dilapidated condition with horrible smells.

Counter lawsuit

In return, defendant husband filed a counter lawsuit in the very court demanding his wife to obey him, and take his permission before going outdoors.

Click on the article to see the judges interesting statements.

Monday's hot topics - Homosexuality and the Church

One of the most awkward dialogues going on right now is between the gay community and the christian community...that is if it ever actually takes place. Many from both camps have deep rooted opinions about the other and many times sparks have flown. Recently on the forum a topic was started titled - Thoughts on Homosexuality and the Church:

I believe that people are "born" homosexual inasmuch as homosexuality is one of many outflowings of our sinful nature and total depravity. To explain and extend what I mean by this: One might rephrase the common by saying that, due to their sinful nature, they were "born" with a tendency to seek sexual fulfillment outside of the Biblically prescribed (and blessed) covenant heterosexual monogamy.

Later on the discussion heats up as church membership is discussed:

(Are you) suggesting that a church should accept into its membership persons who are overt (as opposed to "closet") practitioners of homoerotic behaviour, fornicating behaviour, adultery, pornography, etc.?

How should the church handle this? Should churches take a stand against homosexuals, or accept people into the church the way they are? Should churches accept gay members or not? Weigh in with your thoughts on homosexuality or how the church has handled the subject on the discussion forum - here

The sayings of Lukas v31

Last night I was kissing and snuggling Lukas into bed with my new beard/moustache.

Lukas: Ouch...Daddy, you need to cut your beard before other people get hurt!

McArabia meal

And what did I order at the McDonalds in the middle east you ask? The McArabia meal of course:

The new sandwich, which continues McDonald’s tradition of catering to local markets, is made of Arab bread, grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and Arab sauce.

What now?

Hopefully as you have been watching the videos of Matt & Ruth, God has been moving your heart to ask important questions like:

* Wow, when could I visit them?
* When could I move over there?
* What do Matt & Ruth need?
* I'm so far away, how can I help?

I've been asking the same questions and wanted to make a few suggestions:

1. Email them. Sounds funny but it was always amazing to see Matt's eyes light up when he got an email or comment on his blog from someone back home. Add him on facebook and leave a comment. Let them know they aren't forgotten.

2. Pray. Ask God to help them as they continue to adjust to life there as well as adjusting to parenting.

3. Give. As you can see from their house, Matt & Ruth are not enjoying many of the luxuries we have, so let's dig deep and send them some stuff to make life easier. Here's a brief list:

a) A personal little DVD player for Joseph would be excellent. Also, he's getting a bit tired of the Bollywood movies they let him watch so sending some kids videos would be great.
b) You can send them money via MSC.
c) Pictures. Matt & Ruth have a grand total of 4 pictures on their fridge.
d) Nothing too big. While I was there I was struck with the 'little things' that they needed, not big things like a dishwasher. One example would be Matt's mom who sent sandals for Joseph which was very special. Be creative.
e) A digital camera. Matt & Ruth would love to be able to take videos.

**THEIR ADDRESS IS**

Matt & Ruth Cook
c/o Rev. Devraj Joseph
St. Peter's Church
M.A. Jinnah Rd
Sanghar, Sindh
Pakistan

4. Listen. I am scheduled to speak at a number of churches so if you'd like the complete, unedited version of the trip feel free to email me about a time to visit and share.

5. Visit. If you would like to visit Matt & Ruth I would like to go back and visit them, either this summer (easier for students) or in January 2008 (easier weather-wise). Let me know if you're interested in a group visit.

Hopefully Matt will also comment on this list, but let's get shakin people, God has blessed us over here in North America so we can give, not so we can get more stuff for ourselves!

So much to say...

I've been getting caught up on stuff since arriving back in Canada, but one thought keeps haunting me....

Why are you not back over there?

This thought/question/conviction has been going over and over in my mind as I think about my time in Pakistan. Why haven't I made the move overseas? Why are more people not willing to sacrifice simple luxuries to help those in need? How can I sit here on a laptop with money in the bank when I have seen the lives of those in need?

The excuses become pretty pathetic when you boil it all down.

Back from Pak. I want to go back

Back on Canadian soil here. I got in last night at 4PM. Thankfull only one piece of luggage remains in transit. More after a shave and shower. I'm an uncle and have pictures to prove it :) Here's a video of the lovely Pakistani kids waving goodbye to me:

ps. seems my facebook account got deleted? Has this ever happened to anyone?

Pakistani prejudice

My Pakistani friend Imran has chronicled another case of Pakistani prejudice on his blog - here:

# Sent $100 to aunt in Pakistan via westernunion.ca on Jan 27. I go to western union agents all the time but it was cold so what the hell. As they say, simple as 1, 2, 3. No mention of showing any ID. CC was enough.
# Right after I sent, got an email to talk to them else money will not be transfered, I did. They said money is sent.
# Aunt in Pakistan went to collect on weekend and was told money is not available.
#Ten minutes later, spoke with a lady who said email my place of birth, photoID and MTCN (Money Tranfer Control Number) number @ govsanctionsresearch@westernunion.com. My name in some list of ban list (Probably terrorsits!) prohibited to send money from America.

Oh and this guy isn't in Pakistan, he's in Toronto. Brutal.

Need a titlev27

Here is a picture from Karachi. Can anyone think of a good title?

Karachistan

I'm here in Karachi ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachi ) typing this
from a sweet internet cafe. Should be a fun weekend of shopping and sight
seeing. I don't think I'll be able to upload any videos before I get to the
airport in Dubai. Again I have to mention how overwhelmed I am at how easy
it would be to live over here. I would highly recommend everyone coming for
a visit to see this amazing country. By saying 'easy' I am taking into
account the challenges that are associated with living in any foreign
country. Little tiny sacrifices like only having 3 McDonalds in a city of 14
million. But seriously, can we not sacrifice a little of our Western comfort
for the greater good of the world. Isn't that the example Jesus left us?
Let's put our comfort aside and get down to business!!

MOV to AVI

Just uploaded a video snippet of a compilation I'm working on. Here's a sneak peak:


Having some trouble converting files from .mov to .avi . Can anyone recommend a good program that would be fairly small and easy to download?

Bribing vs. tipping?

Someone today had an interesting perspective on the Pakistani cultural
phenomenon of paying 'bribes'. We might have an easier time accepting this
if we looked at it as a 'tip'.

In other news some friendly muslims let us visit their mosque last night. I
uploaded one video. I have also been taking videos of us asking local
Pakistanis what they think of 'Canada' and 'Christians'. Those might take a
while to upload as tonight is our last night here before spending the
weekend in Karachi. Homesickness has definitely set in. Hurray for no
diahrea. My beard is growing in nicely. Someone mistook me for a Pushtun the
other day. I went to the store and bought some milk and detergent on my own.
Feels like home.

Pakistan is not what you think

Sunday was the superbowl. No one here knew what that was. Nobody. Wasn't
even on the all-sports TV station (yes they have an all-sports station). The
Karachi bowling league got more coverage. Thinking of all the difference
between our countries Matt & I decided we are going to do an experminent:

We're going out on the streets of Pakistan with a camera asking people what
they think when they hear the word Canada and Christian.
After I get back I'll go out on the streets of Toronto and ask people what
they think of when they hear the word Pakistan and Muslim.
Should be *very* interesting.
I'd say that all my misconceptions about Pakistan have been obliterated by
this trip.

Terrorists? Nowhere.
Food? Amazing.
Restricted Freedoms? I preached at a church on Sunday
Muslims mean to white Christians? Always offering for us to sit in their
shops and buy us tea/pepsi and try out their English
Difficult place? Anyone could come over here to teach. Anyone.

Hopefully the videos
(http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=shawncuthilldotcom) are also helping
YOUR perceptions.

What do YOU think of when you hear the word Pakistan?

The worst part of the trip was when the goat on the bus peed on me

Hi everyone, just back from a weekend of churchin it up in Sanghar! I'll
have some videos and stuff later, but first I have to rest my rear after
another 5 hour marathon Pakistani bus ride. As for the goat, he (and his
sheep companion) where actually riding on the roof of the bus we were in and
dribbled down my window. Shower time!

'Local' means a location, not a denomination

One of the doctrines I am currently questioning is the idea of "local"
church. I understand that people were bound by their *location* to a certain
group in the New Testament, however I'm not sure they would be bound to one
certain church or denomination. I don't see the same level of exclusion
between churches in the NT as we see today. Where in the Bible does it say
we can only be members of one church at a time? The question arises "Which
church was Paul a member of?" If Paul could work and "fellowship" with
everyone from Jew to Gentile believer, Asian or European, Corinthian to
Laodecian then why can't we? Why have we created a doctrine of the "local
church" which keeps us from fellowshipping with other believers in our
cities?

Perhaps it's the stark contrast and lack of churches in countries like
Pakistan that makes us realize how petty we can be. This weekend I will be
travelling with Matt & Ruth to Ruth's father's church which is 4 hours
away!! These people are travelling 4 hours to meet with other believers and
we in the West can't get along with people at the church down the road
because they worship a little different than us? What a joke! Will heaven
not be an eclectic mix of all believers? If we really believed in the
doctrine of the 'local church' maybe we should decide to only have one
church in each city. After that one 'local' church was established we'd move
on to the next place, instead of ammassing churches of different kinds on
every corner. That way countries like Pakistan wouldn't be neglected as
terribly as they have been while we fight for the scraps that fall from the
denominational table. Could you imagine if all the churches in your
city/town actually worked together for the furtherance of the gospel,
instead of the propogation of their own denomination/doctrines?
Hmm....Wow....that's actually exciting to think for a minute of the
potential if Pentecostal, Brethren, Methodist, Baptist, Alliance,
Presbyterian, etc. all worked together to reach out, instead of against each
other. Hopefully none of us *want* to wait until heaven to experience
this...cause in heaven we will all be together...so why can't we get along
now??? :)

Please pray as we travel to the church. We will be in packed out buses,
rickshaws, taxis and who knows what else. I'll be preaching on Sunday. I
think it's actually an Anglican church. Aren't I a heretic. Someone asked
Matt once if there was an "assembly" in the area. He replied that the
closest assembly is 8-10 hours away. Countries like Pakistan kind of stretch
our thinking a bit, eh?

Also, I've uploaded a few more videos - Matt & Ruth's little Joseph walking
through town, Matt teaching and a wild ride on the back of a rickshaw!
Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=shawncuthilldotcom