Parenting 101 v3 - the upchuck

Does anyone remember those "garbage pail kids" cards from the 80's? They were a play on the "cabbage patch kid" phenomenon and had pictures of kids with disgusting names. One of them was called "Up-Chuck", as in Charles. Anyway, that's the mental picture I got as I woke at 3:50AM to hear my daughter completely emptying her stomach all over my wife, bed, pillow, blankets, etc.etc. What is a parent to do when a newborn so completely soils everything when they barf? It ensures that sleep time has ended for the night, as everything needs to be mopped up before going back to sleep. After changing sheets, I'm now completely awake at 4AM! Does anyone have any good newborn barfing stories or advice on how to deal with this night-altering event?

Monday's hot topics - Sunday best?

Ah yes, that timeless discussion, usually between parents and children, continues to this very day on the forum, namely - "Daddy, do I have to dress up for church?" Weigh in with your opinion, or thoughts on what the Queen would prefer - here. As one person wrote:

It is not our responsibility to take you through every verse in the Bible to prove that the LORD doesn't require us to dress up for meetings. The burden of proof lies on those who wish to impose this rule. If they expect us to seriously consider their claim they will have to show us its BIBLICAL basis.

Sean O'byrne & Eminem?

Saw this post from missionary homey Sean O'byrne and wondered if he had any connections to Eminem??

The prayer of Jabez - live

Hayley and I got to hear world-renowned Bible teacher and author Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. He was speaking at Unionville Alliance Church and it was without a doubt the most life changing church service I have ever been to. I wrote a bit about it
here, however in all honesty i am still digesting it all.

"Scarborough Teens Speak Up about Gun Crime"

Here is another essay Cassie did about Toronto gun violence involving some of our youth, Clayon and Joel (left). If you remember there were 5 shootings in this area last year. Check out what these guys had to say - here

Random ministry pics v3 - Photo Essay

About a month ago a good friend of mine, Cassie Jeysman, asked if she could do a project for school....about me. Cassie is a journalism student at the University of Toronto, but more importantly lives 2 doors down from my parents :) Cassie took pictures and wrote about our ministry - here. Check it out! You can see pictures of some of the guys we've been working with, who have been coming out over the past few years to youth events, and on Sunday to church. Please pray, as we are now attending Leaside Bible Chapel's "Christinity Explored" course with them.

The sayings of Lukas V16 - story time

Last night we were sitting at the dinner table reading a missionary letter from our friends the Kline's in Greece. Their letter was about a boat trip on HM's mission boat, the Morning Star. Lukas then took the letter and began telling imaginary stories about how this boat was stuck in a storm....

Lukas: There was a big storm, and the boat was going to crash!!!
Daddy: Oh no, then what happened!!
Lukas: Then the boat turned into a helicopter and flew away. They flew and flew and flew until they couldn't see the storm any more. Then they lived in a place far away from any more storms forever
Daddy: Oh, like Chicken Run?
Lukas: Yes, like chicken run
Daddy: Great story Lukas. So did they live happily ever after?
Lukas: No they got old and died.

Wednesday prayer requests - The sign is up!!

"Prayer requests" are published every Wednesday and provide us with an opptunity to get up-to-the-minute requests and cry out to God on behalf of others
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This weeks request is extra special!! If you've been following along, I've been documenting our attempts to attach a huge gospel sign to the corner of the building here. Yesterday the sign finally went up!! Praise God! It looks amazing! Please pray for the thousands who will see this sign every day and that some would be drawn to the beauty of Christ!! Here are a few pictures:

George, the chief architect.

Up up and away!

Onlookers

From the street

One year anniversary!!

Well folks, after staying up till 2AM watching the election, I didn't really get a jump on posting anything today....but today is a special day!! It's the one year anniversary of the discussion forum! That's right, one year ago today, Jan 24, 2005 at 10:35 am the forum began to live. Since then it's been amazing to see the way God has increased our little site. Here are the stats:

Board started: Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:35 am
Number of posts: 11913
Posts per day: 32.55
Number of topics: 1447
Topics per day: 3.95
Number of users: 262
Users per day: 0.72

So on this anniversary I was thinking of doing some special contest, however at press time I was too busy chasing around my 3 kids. Instead I'd just like to thank everyone who has participated in making the forum great! Thanks everyone.

Monday's Hot Topics - Election day

Since today is voting day across this glorious nation, it's quite appropriate that today's hot topic is -> Who are you voting for???

Are you like Prescott, and 15 others, who are voting for the Conservatives, or like Imran who's leaning towards the Green Party? Whatever the case, don't waste that ballot, read over our athensBLOG election coverage, which is todays hot topic, on the forum, and make your informed choice! Cast your vote in our online poll and at the end of election night we'll see how close we came to the real outcome!

**Also, post your voting day stories - here

Need a title - V2 - Sylas

Remember Lukas and the toilet? Well here's Sylas and the finger! Let's see who's got the best title for this pic!

Harperescott

My good buddy and political pundit, Andrew Prescott got to meet Stephen Harper in Guelph today. Check out this shot of the skinny sensation shaking hands with the soon-to-be Prime Minister. Way to go Prescott

Watching a dream - Day 3 - Drilling

Well this morning it didn't look like things were going to work out! I woke up at 5AM when the power went out the first time and by 8:30 when I arrived at the chapel for the Men's meeting it was snowing and as you can see from the picture on the left, the power was still out all over Scarborough.




After the mens meeting George, Onez, Tony and myself were very pleased that the sun came out and we are now (it's 1PM) enjoying a beautiful sunny day!! Keep praying as this sign goes up over the next few days, that many would be warmed by thoughts of Jesus after looking at it. I'll keep you updated on how things are going from Gospel sign headquarters!

Watching a dream - Day 3 - The Sign

I'm not sure what all of us think of when I mention Gospel Signs, but the one we picked up is amazing! Soon I'll have a picture of the full sign, but for now here's a little glimpse. You'll notice a sunset behind the words "Jesus Christ". Plain and simple. For those who might want something similar for their chapel/church, contact Gospel text mission at 1-866-789-0230. I'll be posting pics tomorrow of the mounting! Thanks for your prayers!

Watching a dream - Day 2 - Location

For this segment of the journey, I wanted to highlight Bridlegrove's strategic location, and why this new gospel sign will be an amazing testimony for the Lord! I'll talk about the sign in more detail a little later, but for now I want to post some pictures so we can pray for all the people who will see it!




Since erecting a building in 1976, Bridlegrove Bible Chapel has been located on the corner of Finch & Pharmacy Avenue's in Toronto. This is a major intersection in a very multicultural area. On Sunday, the visiting preacher stated that "this is the most strategically placed assembly in all of Canada". In these pictures, you'll notice the chapel's location and the big empty space where the sign will be located. Please pray with us that this sign will be successfully attached to the wall and that many people would feel the warmth and turn to Christ!

Smiley girl

Well we've finally reached that adorable stage where Olivia is beginning to smile and coo. Here are a few pictures and a video of the cuteness

Watch as a dream becomes reality

I've been struck lately with a real streak of thankfulness. Thankful for my parents, my wife, thankful for my children, for democracy to vote. More specifically I've been very thankful for the ability God has given us to minister in this area of Toronto, thankful for the connections we have made with so many people, thankful for the progress that has been made, thankful for the supporters who read this site, donate, and pray for us. Over the past 3 years we have poured ourselves into this area, and something very special is about to happen on Saturday that I am very thankful for!

Over the next few days I will be posting a progression of pictures that will chronicle the mounting of the lovely sign you see on the left. Now this might not be a big deal to some of you, but for me, this is a DREAM COME TRUE!!!

You see Bridlegrove Bible Chapel is situated on the corner of a major intersection (Finch & Pharmacy) here in Toronto. Late last year I contacted the Gospel Text Mission about the possibility of placing a large gospel sign on our building. Right on the corner. So hundreds of people every day could see the gospel clearly portrayed! I'm pumped! Currently the sign is sitting in the main sanctuary at the chapel. I'll post more soon about the voyage from dream to reality.

CRUX rallies

CRUX youth rallies were born out of a desire to see Christ Raised Up (C.R.U.X) in the city. These rallies are organized by various youth leaders and groups across Ontario. The ethos of ministry is making Jesus the center, while explaining him in the language of the street. Friends are encouraged to bring friends to hear and experience (CRUX = Come Read Understand Xperience) what Jesus can do for them. The rallies are outreach oriented and city-based to encourage youth to move towards the kind of places where Jesus would have lived. The lonely places. The places with bad reputations, like Nazareth. CRUX ralies are held every few months so email me if you'd like to get on the mailing list.

Here are some pictures and videos of previous rallies:

CRUX 1 - September 2005 - held at Bridlegrove Bible Chapel - pics, videos

CRUX 2 - Decemer 2005 - Leaside Bible Chapel - pics, videos

CRUX 3 - February 2006 - Markham Bible Chapel - pics

CRUX 4 - June 2006 - Bridlegrove Bible Chapel - Gyasi Ferdinand, Videos, YouTube

CRUX VIDEOS on YouTube

Wednesday Prayer Requests - Suicide

"Prayer requests" are published every Wednesday and provide us with an opptunity to get up-to-the-minute requests and cry out to God on behalf of others
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Thought I'd post an entry from the forum for us to pray for today:

Is there somthing wrong with me?!I'm a born again Christian....but i'm so confused....and stressed...and depressed...and lately i've been having thoughts of suicide! tell me im crazy please! i've broken down so many times in the last week....i feel so helpless....what can i do?!?!?

Perhaps we could take a minute to pray for this person, as well as others listed in the prayer section

Monday's hot topics - Women's Roles

Well this Monday highlights the plight of women in brethren assemblies. Some believe that "women, who find it difficult to put on a headcovering (in church), love themselves more than they love Christ", others say that there is no place for women in brethren assemblies and have left over this issue. That's why "The Role of women in brethren churches" is this week's hot topic! What would a brethren site be without a debate about headcoverings! :) Click here to uncover the glory!