Two month break!

Wow, I can’t believe it’s actually been two months since I’ve made an update.

Well Christmas was great, pre-Christmas was great, the new year was also great.

Lots of games, finished some television shows, started others, spent a lot of time in Kingston, and also out of Kingston but within Ontario

Lots of discussions about growth.

I think a lot of my relationships are improving, but sometimes it seems like I’m not actually improving at all.

Financially, 2020 isn’t shaping up too great.

For physical fitness, 2020 is okay, but might turn out better if I do things differently. I might need to go to pjysio

I’m looking forward to what 2020 has in store for me, 

Church @ The Gathering 

Doug Caldwell speaking on Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes

We heard the song from The Byrds, based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-14.

Discussion about a time when we spoke when we thought we should keep silent or a time when we kept silent when we should have spoke.

Why do we feel this way? What told us we should or shouldn’t have spoken?

A gut feeling?

Experience?

Conviction?

A nudge?

The value in the altercation?

With a nudge, do you get judged once? More than once?

What if you don’t respond right away?

“Why are you bringing this up now?”

The moment is fleeting

Is there a touch of fatalism?

Another reason why I find it helpful, Jesus said “my hour has not yet come “ (in John particularly) 

Where does Jesus get this feeling? Where is he looking? Where is he not looking?

He’s not looking at his watch, he’s not looking at a calendar, he’s not looking at Chronos time

The Greek meaning of chailos 

...

Being aware of this time develops over a nighttime

Give it more credit, it’s more than you’re feeling.

Story about Law Students struggles.

Second year applying for a thing. An article publishing.

But God said to Doug, don’t apply. This is t the right time.

Third year came around and God still said No.

Then he applied in January, and he got in this amazing firm full of people who were the right people to know.

It was a change, but Doug listened to Gods timing.

How do you know that the people who are saying that you’re wrong, and you are right?

A gut feeling.

God is a god of new beginnings. He will create something different if you miss the first one.

He is with us and is for us.

The difference between discernment and decision making?

Announcements

Queens clubs

And

Young Adult Bible Study.

(Backup) Week 4/5 of November I suppose

November, uhh

Last weekend I went to New York City for Anime NYC, awesome experience but short lived because I basically went right back to work.

Church @ The Gathering

Week 5/6 with Bill Morrow

...

The Gathering's six-part Book of Job series led by the Rev. Dr. Bill Morrow (Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at Queen's School of Religion) continues this Sunday, Nov. 24.  

Part 5 in the series focuses on the question: "What is Yahweh's Perspective?" (Job 38:1-15). 

If you wish you can read Job 38–39; 40:6–41:34 ahead of time.  All are welcome.

...

Yahweh is

What is the point of job 38-41

How would a suffering person benefit from the Yahweh speeches?

1. Is the world truly anthropometric?

Are chaos and order irreconcilable opposites?

Does the crested order perfectly reflect the character of god?

Spot the differences

Is the same dirty is job chapter 2 and in job 38-41?

No Satan, jo return to discussion in heavenly court.

The 38-41 deconstruction does not help the overarching persona of the book as a whole.

This particular god in 1-2 is a god who cannot he trusted, even by the wholly righteous to not behave cruelly and arbitrarily.

Destroying his servants welfare to serve his own narcissistic interests.

We lose something through the divine presentation of Yahweh’s speeches

According to Yahweh:

Two perspectives

Job 1-2 consults wi tu members of his heavenly council

Has absolute power

Job 38-42

...

Suffering and the exodus

“After a long time the king of Egypt died, the Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to god. God heard their groaning and god remembered his covenant with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. God looked upon the Israelites and god took notice of them.”

Exidus 2:23-25

God is known as shadday, and reveals himself to Moses as Yahweh

The behemoth and leviathan.

Bill thinks that the mythical monsters that the people of the time believed existed in the world.

The creatures symbolize a certain degree of chaos in the natural world. Whether or not they exist the idea is important. These are the zenith of the argument that is in ch 38, Yahweh is taking responsibility that there is random and chaos in the world.

The differences of the ch 1-2 job god and the 38-42 job god.

These writers are trying to find an idealistic and aspect of gods. What is god and what is his repationsuop to suffering. What is his relationship in this world.

Sugfrstinf that job discovers new aspects of god.

Gods omnipotence is potential, it is not always realized.

In the psalms it is understood that god is always able to interfere with the world. These psalms would not make any sense if the assertion of divine creative power was not realized. Thus gods omnipotence is potential, it is not always realized.

God is clearly indicated that he limited him self in 38-41.

This doesn’t mean god is unable to override them, thus exodus reference.

Corporation universe works out how it works out

Questions:

Cinderella Question:

The concept of jobs god changes

To what extent is what happens to us in life the will of God?

That’s all for now!

First Gathering in October

Sooooo,

Another break in between different posts.

Umm, last week was Tanendenega reserve. That was an excellent opportunity and I learned a lot. I didn’t really write it down, also I need to copy the pictures from Lisa...

Other topical things, QAC Queens Anime Club is going well, my car is still broken, my bike is also still broken, I’m going to Brittney’s grandpas 80th birthday next week (😬😬), 

I had a busy week last week, lots of running to work, walking to work, etc.

Still haven’t fixed the car, I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix that in a reasonable amount of time. I might have to not have a vehicle for a little bit. Fixing the bike will solve these problems 

Watched some TV with the couple I hosted, That 79’s Show in Netflix.

Church @ The Gathering

Speaker: Meghan Louprecht

Personal Counselor & Social worker.

Reading from John

Shining light into darkness

Mental health and well-being resources at queens and beyond.

Continuum model of mental health.

The distinction between being mentally unwell, and having good mental health. And between hCinf no symptoms of mental illness vs a serious mental illness.

Statistics mental health in Canada

Fast facts from the 2019 Canadian national college health assesssment:

What is, and isn’t, helpful.

Not recognizing the seriousness, or letting people feel shut down when they come forward.

“How can I _____ when I feel this way?”

Coming from a place of fear

“In the beginning was the word...”

We, as Christians, need to step toward acknowledging people and their struggles.

Your mistakes do not define uou

You are not alone

It’s ok to not be ok

You matter

What’s going on?

What do you need?

Resources at Queens:

Online: SWS Site

“People are the experts of their own experience.”

Give them space and let them articulate themselves.

Giving them an audience for someone to listen.

Citing the Christian community as a place that connects you and gives you an additional protective factor.

Questions:

When have you felt or noticed “there’s a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in?”

When have you felt part of a community - what made that happen for you?

That’s all for now!

The Gathering

I basically just felt bad this week, rip

The Gathering

Frederick speaking Matthew and Amanda leading

Church @ The Gathering

Matthew: “something greather than the temple is here’s... for the son of man is the ward of the sabbath. Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath.

Basically the Pharisees trying to catch Jesus in his words.

Jesus healed the man.

“The oharisees went out and plotted how to...”

Speaking Amanda Fitzpatrick (Page)

Frederick Skyped in to do the reading.

“No rest on the Sabbath!”

Matthew 12:1-14

Reasons: introducing the inductive study

Structuring the sermon as an inductive study.

Observation, interpretation and application.

Sabbath, two things.

Disciples and Jesus getting framed

And the healing happening

The sabbath is for rest, ancient Jews experienced this but it was more in depth than that.

God recognizing our ability to work too hard.

God caring for his people.

Us hunbling ourselves

And us not claiming that everything is our own

Oharisees antagonists

Jesus and disciples protagonists

The means of applying the law to our daily life.

The disciples “harvesting” on the sabbath

The Pharisees trying to undermine Jesus authority

Again with the mans withered hand

Setting Jesus up to be accused

Pharisees are all about the letter of the law

Story about rules and childhood.

Asking us and discussing the rules we grew up with. Black and white rules.

How many people follow those rules as adults?

None of us.

At this point we’re adult enough to live good lives without the strict rules

We know the intention behind the rules and behave accordingly.

Jesus shows the Pharisees this by showing two examples of the rules being broken and it being okay.

David and his companions were hungry, 

“he entered the house of god and ate the bread of the presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to est, but only for the priests.”

“On the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless?”

Jesus tells us something greater than the temple was here, telling the phariseees that specifically.

...

Hosea 6:6

God telling his people that they want them to show mercy live compassion and forgiveness more than he wants his people to follow the letter of the law.

“There is more to the law.”

The laws are meant to care for gods people and to teach them how to live, don’t get bogged down with the words

Second story

Man with a withered hand in the synogogue

If a sheep was in a pit, would you not pull it out?

Common sense says of course,

Jesus says that it is lawful to do good on the sabbath

Jesus didn’t actually answer the question they asked, he bypassed that entirely and went to the root of the “issue” that the pharisees were worried about and totally beat then down

...

Live out the good things, be spiritually mature

What type of person are you?

Following the law with the letter? Or to hell with the law?

Usually one or the other.

What are some places in your life where you might want to be more center leaning?

Intention behind the law or following the wrong

That’s all for now!

Mid March @ TDWC & The Gathering

So life is going on,

Hung out with some people that my boy Tommy knew so that was a good time, it’d be nice to meet up with them again since we naturally have a lot in common because army.

So my house purchase is kinda at a standstill, the price range of houses that are in the area I want to live in are kinda out of my price range? But I also need to find out if I’m able to apply for this interest free Deposit, it’s worded like this:

“8.3.11 Interest on a short term loan

Core benefit

CF members are entitled to reimbursement of the interest on a short-term personal loan or a personal line of credit required solely to pay the minimum deposit on the purchase of a principal residence or a new house construction at the new place of duty.

The required minimum deposit amount must be in accordance with the written contract to purchase and shall not exceed the minimum amount required by the local market.

For new construction, when the building agreement describes a payment schedule or advance payments, the interest on those payments is not considered reimbursable.”

Anyways aside from that, I’ve been thinking about my upcoming move on or before April 27,

Basically the bottom line is I can probably store everything in the basement that my other stuff is in already.

I could ask one of my bosses to help me out if I need a room for a short term to sleep in basically.

I’ve already applied to CFHA, for a PMQ, I talked to the padre about my situation but I’m pretty sure I’m on the low priority list, so that’ll probably take a while to sort out.

Accommodations can get me a bed for $250 I’m pretty sure since I’m on P3 pay now.

Umm, so Jeri is almost through adopting Luna, which is super cool for her.

It’s obviously not the best situation from an objective standpoint, but I really hope that everything works out for Luna’s parents and their relationship. 

Honestly it’s kinda tough mentally for me to be physically removed from my friends and family, I only get to see them every so often, and when I do I usually have to focus on the most economically viable route for me, so Christmas flights and summer drives. I can’t believe I didn’t do that last year I really regret that, I should have thought ahead and found out more information about the entitlements that I get since my immediate next of kin is in Hythe.

Oh yeah I went out to the churches pancake night so that was a good time,

For my fitness goals I’ve got my forces test in April, I don’t know if I’ll be able to get platinum without a lot of cardio work. I want to talk to a psp person about it but I’ll have to make that happen.

There isn’t actually much going on in my life, but there actually is a lot going on in my life, yknow?

It’s weird, but I acknowledge that it’s my own frame of reference and having to move is a huge deal. It’s going to change my whole routine and that’s probably the biggest mental issue thing that bothers me.

I do have a huge amount of resources at work because of the freedom my work gives me, full hygiene facilities, washer/dryer, bbq and fridge, and nothing but time to cook some lunch and supper.

I don’t want to change my routine,

 I should make more of an effort to go into the base gym, that’s the biggest routine I should create, bringing shoes, gym shorts, socks?, and shirts to work.

Figuring out what time of day works best with my work routine, knowing what I’ll need to do afterwards, whether it’s cooking or packing for the next work day.

Kind of an aside, Horizon: Zero Dawn makes me ask philosophical questions, and I’m not sure if it’s fun or super lame, but I think the difference is alcohol.

Like when I was watching Rick and Morty while having badly mixed 

I can’t remember if I’ve decided a good place to put in new names of people I’ve hung out with but let’s just try to start putting in in between my personal thoughts section (start of each post usually) and the church section.

Whoa Jordan you’re making each post have sections? Bold of you to assume anyone else reads this ahaha.

So this week I met new people,

CAF: Hutley, his brother Who’re #1, Candice Post, Jon _____(3 syllable but I’ve seen him around before), I met the grey water guy Darcy _____, and his brother with the big gauge hoops,

Church: I met Johanna’s PHD friends totally forgot their names though, Jordan ____(part of the big church leadership family), Greg, 

Late since reasons.

Also it was daylight savings time, so my body gets a reasonable excuse.

I showed up midannouncement

Announcements:

Volunteers needed for the Youth Ministery/Kids Church

Young Adults Retreat May 30-Jun 2

...

Church @ TDWC

Apostle Armstrong(also known as Pastor Francess) (I’ve seen him around but I’m still working on names)

Kids dismissed, and worship

Guest speaker Service w/ TJ (the only name I heard anyone call him)

He’s an amazingly charismatic speaker,

...

Living stones, not broken stones

The letter kills but the spirit brings eternal life

Idk which verse we were reading from here,

Matthew 21:44?

...

The dominion of darkness

Gaining a new citizenship and revoking the old one

If your testimony does not align with the Bible

“The kingdom will be taken from you... whoever falls on this stone will be broken”

Acts 12:

Story about his pregnant wife,

God is a good father, he is angry at the wicked everyday

The difference between a sinner and a wicked person,

The drug dealer vs the addict, the wicked person embraces the evil things and promotes it to the innocent ones.

...

Popular culture references, cnn is bad, etc

...

Our pastor is one who torments demons

Story about the Nigerian minister,

A man who could not be controlled, but he got prayed for and spoke to him “Come our” and that was it.

‘With a word he cast out demons’ the centurion knew about authority and said speak the word and my servant will be healed 

...

Baseically the Sermon: the twofold plan of salvation

To deliver his servants,

And to render his wrath toward every wicked adversary of his servants

...

God will show that we are not alone in this race

Those who desire to live a godly life will suffer enormous persecution,

Some people battle things that don’t even exist,

Without the Word they can create mental things that are ephemeral

...

Daniel, shadravk meeshack and abednjgo, 

Refusal to bow to the religious system of the world,

...

Altar call.

Church @ The Gathering

Pastor Lisa Chisholm-Smith

Story about Lisa reading Jesus restoring a young girl to life,

‘Daughter, your faith has made you well’

Matthew 9:18-26

The fine print of the laws of the woman’s dire situation, concerning bodily emissions.

They are very egalitarian

Women in biblical times menstruated much less frequently, they were pregnant or Breastfeeding during their fertile years.

She is sick, socially isolated, and destitute.

Her courage to reach out, and trust in Jesus ability to heal her is very important

It also relates to the girl who Jesus told to get up,

By restoring both to new life, the daughter literally, and the woman socially and emotionally, Jesus shows that he cares for all.

Mark has a difference in that Jesus gives priority to the poor, he stopped to find out who touched him.

The girls father understood that Jesus had power over death itself,

Exstasis: used in marks version

Jesus cloak had four tassels, which were memory aides to recall Gods attributes

Matthew says take heart daughter, for your faith has made you well,

Daughter is used in all 3 synoptic gospels

“...Women were first at the cradle and last at the cross...”

-Dorothy Sayers

Discussion Question:

What is your favourite Jesus healing story and why?

That’s all for now.

Two weeks of church

It’s actually been two weeks since the last church so I’ve got a bunch of stuff to write about.

Two weeks ago 

Basically it’s been two weeks of learning about what house hunting entails, what things to look in a house when I’m walking through it for the first time

Also this week on Wednesday was the biggest story I’ll ever get to tell,

Highlights:

Dude puked on my couch,

Guy had the cops called on him

Everyone got home safe

Also some minor drama but that’s nothing to write home about

Church at The Gathering

Speaker, Christian ________

He’s associated with Queens, CBC interviewed him for Canadian Defense spending, etc

Topic on the 12 Disciples 

The 12 apostles in Australia,

In attrition, just like ours

Hammered by the tides and rough seas in their winter (North America’s summer)

The apostles weren’t just picked up off the street and dropping everything

There would have been a pre established relationships, they would have seen Him around, known him, etc

Jesus let them heal disease and drive out evil spirits

What authority did Jesus give you?

If you were sick you were an outcast, thought to be contagious, thought that you must have sinned, etc

Part of Jesus authority here was to be with people who society would have shunned,

Judas is an outcast, he is an Edomite, the others were from the house of Judah

He doesn’t fit in his worldview and understanding

Important to come with a skill set,

There more probably more women who ended up following Jesus, also men, but for historical reasons we don’t read about them

This eclectic team reflect the idea that we can’t be good servants without seeing the strength of others and their weaknesses as well.

We can’t do these things alone

WWJD, well we probably couldn’t guess

The instructions, go to the lost sheep of Israel

Proof of concept approach, 11 would have affinity there and would be able to mount a ministry with less friction than the other places mentioned

Learn to walk before you run.

You don’t need to go very far, go back to your own people

...

Take no gold or copper, take no extra sandals

Means to trust the Lord to provide

...

Protecting and understanding your own ecosystem,

...

Jesus gives Judas authority, knowing that he will fail, but Jesus knows that he has a different experience and he brought 

What authority has God given you?

What opportunities do you have in life where you’re able to walk away and leave something behind? Or where you are holding on to things where you should have left it behind?

First Sunday since I got back

Christmas is all over, I did get a chance to see all of my immediate friends and family so that was good.

I’m working on buying a house here in Kingston, realtors, mortgages and BGRS are all going to be taking up most of my down time I think.

Finances are on my mind a lot more since the bank literally dictates where I’ll be able to live now, so it’s all about making the banks give me as much money as possible.

My down payment is not going to be as high as 10% I don’t think, but I am for sure above 5% so that’s good for the future plans.

Church @ The Gathering

Refugee theme

Speaker - Mimi Merrill

Refugee Settlement coordinator of the diocese of Ontario refugee support DOORS

Jesus the refugee Matthew 2:13-23

...

Walking in the cold, refugees still do that in this day and age

V. 16 65.6 million displaced peoples throughout the world, only a fraction can arrive in a safe area

V.23 still a fear of the people in power, 

Mimi’s job working with refugees

Topic of government sponsored refugees

Make friends with them,

The things that are naturally understood for Canadians 

Myth questions

Do refugees take our resources? Only govt sponsored ones and only for the first year

Do refugees bring diseases? No, tests

Are refugees uneducated? Not the adults typically,

Is Trudeau too easy on refugees? There is a lot of paperwork to get into Canada

To be considered a refugee they need to leave their country, or else it is an internally displaced person.

Refugees finding people from their culture or language

Our meal is an international one.

That’s all for tonight!

Weekend in Toronto

Whoops meant to post this August 12 maybe my edit worked maybe not.

I just got back from Germany this week, went to work for one day, and now I’m back in Toronto for a weekend with mom and dad.

Germany was quite amazing, I probably won’t do a post about it because I’m lazy, but it was a short one day trip to come ridge, then the train rides to Germany, and then the wedding and touristy things.

I saw the dom cathedral in Cologne, the Beethoven house in Bonn, and the huge coal mine taubertham(sic) by Julich Germany.

This weekend I went to the Gideons banquet.

We had a wonderful supper and I met Joel the Cambodian missionary and Division leader, Andrew the Alberta Division leader, and two others whose names I have barely remembered.

I also met Michelle Dw____, and a bunch of other people who knew my parents through the Gideons

We watched a short doc about the 250 000 bibles that Samson documented and requested in India in the B____ region. It was put together by the long haired Max ____, the Gideons ceo(?), and filmed and edited(?) by Amy Kennedy.

Basically it was a huge call for bibles and ministry for the Indian rural area, takes 34 hours to walk to the nearest city, an ethnic cleansing and bible burning a few years ago in 2008,  350,000 new names since the 250,000 bibles had been handed out, 500 pastors making those bible requests

Called the Samson Project

Church at Calvary Church

Barry _______  Global development manager and indigenous ministries manager

Talking about his Gideons experiences

The Gideons is more than just handing out bibles: sharing stories, linking up with local churches and groups

Three main recognized indigenous groups

First Nations - Barry is here

Inuit - do not mistake with Eskimo

Metis - 

Story about a young orphan girl from north of Winnipeg 

Juan Carlos Gideon regional manager for Latin America 

Share word global internationally 

Talk about praying for the world

Why?

How?

Matthrw 9:38 version ?

So pray to the lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.

Work

Acts 4:29-31 NIV

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/jas.5.7.niv

Janes. 5:7 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/gal.6.9.niv

Galations 6;9 

How many of you believe in Jesus Christ? In his words? In doing his work?

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/rom.10.17.niv

Romans 10:17

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.””

‭‭John‬ ‭20:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/jhn.20.21.niv

The peace that comes from Christ

Communion

Pastor Shawn van de visch 

That’s all for now!

Kingston

Here in Kingston.

The course has been pretty awesome these four? weeks. Just finished our lineman week, those staff are pretty amazing. 

So far on course:

Climbed 70ft pole

Completed the PC (test) for mast setups

Did a week of crypto

Did a week of VP (voice procedures)

Got off indoc early

Had 3 full weekends

It’s been pretty good here, not goona lie. Learning about the four trades has been really valuable. With line week over I don’t think that one is going to move up my choices very much, the lack of career advancement isn’t offset by the job environment. Being a rad op sounds like a good time as long as I stay driven.

Lots of cool people on this course, not too many interpersonal problems but no course is perfect, and no one chooses their roommates either so that’s always fun.

The field exercise is going to be the most interesting portion, I think we’re 25 ish days away from that, and I don’t know who will be in my det either but I have a few hopes.

There were a few guys on the course ahead of us and they failed off their course so I think we’ll probably see them for at least our field portion, but no guarantees.

Been talking very very infrequently with people from back home, created a Christianmingle account but I obviously know how mobile an army lifestyle is so not too optimistic there.

Basically let’s see how my communication skills are and we’ll learn from there. Online dating can’t be that hard right?

That’s all for now.

Driving back East

I’m here at Bruce and Lisa’s place, I stayed a couple nights and I’m at the men’s bible study with Bruce.

It’s mostly bible study, less reflecting and more knowledge.

Bible study: The Life of Abraham

Genesis 17 The Covenant of Circumcision

Gen 17:1-8 Gods Promise:

Circumcision served as a reminder of the mother and fathers faith in the God of Abraham.

• A private sign
• Males only
• Distinct from baptism

Gen 17:15-16

Abraham’s response as a laugh of disbelief.

Not total unbelief, but such a huge impossibility

No substitute son was satisfactory. Only through Sarah could the covenant be established with Isaac.

Ishmael would have 12 sons/great nation

Gen 17:22-27

Abraham’s obedience

Took Abraham a lifetime to grasp the promise that only took 3 verses to record.

How long will it take us to grasp the riches of his grace?

A growth in Abraham’s knowledge, and also in his intimacy with God.

Later he would be known as a friend of God.

Even though God was silent for 13 Years he broke through to Abraham eventually.

Gods name change

El shaddai - almighty

Questions:

1. Gods use of el shaddai. Why is it significant at this time in Abraham’s life? What new name for God have we been given in the New Testament?

God is saying that He can do anything.

New name for God in the New Testament.

‘Our Father’ - in the New covenant we are made brothers of Christ and sons of God.

Hebrews 4 - discipline through trials, difficulties

2. Why did God choose circumcision as the sign of his covenant with Abraham?

A reminder of the covenant to each generations offspring. The seed coming through the man. 

3. What is significant about Ishmael having 12 sons?

Isaac had Jacob and Essau, and Essau would have 12 sons.

Common grace to all people.

4. In v.23 Abraham obeyed God ‘in that very day’. What other significant command did Abraham obey immediately and what commands should we obey immediately?

New Testament specifically, ‘as often as you do this’ communion.

Baptism, Matthew 4? Go forth making disciples and baptizing.

When Isaac was almost a sacrifice on the mountain. 

Abraham’s life defined by his relationship with El Shaddai.

That’s all for now!

(Backup) PAT Platoon

Aldershot is where I am and it's not too shabby.

Travel is obviously 🙄 the worst. Finding someone with a car and then organizing and not wasting time going there or coming back.

Now I've been much more social in the evenings and weekends. Doing stuff like slacklining, board games (resistance), watching anime (Samurai Champloo), playing games together (Until Dawn PS4), throwing the old football around as well.

There are a whole lot of us playing FTL now, which is pretty fun because I mean, it's a fun game. 

Church in Aldershot - Padre Mia B____

Last week I was here too, met a BMQ Reservist and a MSE OP reserving, nice people and I said to my friends at home that it was refreshing being back singing songs and talking with other Christians. It's like I'm back in the real world again - experiencing normalcy.

Reading Psalm 34

1 Peter 3:8-20~

Luke 5:1-12

Jesus causes the disciples to become fishers of men

That's all for now!

Aldershot

So now I'm posted to Nova Scotia, it's not too bad here.

I'm trying to remember most of what my BMQ was like, but it was a long wild ride.

I lived in 4 Section, Echo pod the whole course. So that was nice. Had a few good roommates that were good and drove me to better myself. Toews, Stevens, Yetman. All good guys who I graduated with.

Some key memories from BMQ:

Farnham was hella fun.

Falling asleep in class? Yeah I did that.

Got 92.61% final marks, second to top candidate, I was so proud of myself for that one.

Improvement in the first and second FORCES test, 9 points from platinum. Warrior test top 5.

Won the Section obstacle course with 4 minutes 53 I think?

Earned the nickname machine for a few days for my jumping jack intensity in class

Completed weapons drill first time with only one minor screwup which I fixed the second time around

Completed drill test on week 7 with 69/75

Earned the title 'Laundry King' for how much time I spent doing my sections and other people's laundry.

I enjoyed learning from our instructors, 4 Section commander Mcpl Boudrias was by far most people's favourite instructor. He gave us a lot of good advice for portraying ourselves, standing tall and driving ourselves for success in our careers. Never compromising and always learning and moving forward.

That's all for now.

Day before field exercise

So next week (tomorrow) we're going to Farnham.

Cleaning rifles, waking up often, sleeping outside on the ground, sllvthat to look forward to.

I'm packing my kit right now, I need to rebuild my rucksack because my fire team partner accidentally "ghost locked" her locker. Fortunately it wasn't anything that I did, but my FTP is still part of my responsibility. I was pretty lazy, when my FTP was right next door I checked out pretty often, now that Michaud is in he girls pod halfway across the floor I've been super lazy.

We also don't have the greatest relationship, even on a professional level we don't really communicate, and I don't really contribute anything productive to that. Just time and communication will help fix that, but I've been moving other priorities (including leisure ones) above my FTP, so I know that I need to do better in that area.

When 4 Section was reformed into what is colloquially referred to as the "remedial section" (not seriously, just in a meta and sarcastic sense) Michaud admitted that she took it personally, and her attitude in that was evident with the way she acted around the rest of 4 Section. The staff, Sgt Rubin and Mcpl Boudrias told us that we were a section that "needed extra help."

Yeah, ___ing ow.

Idk about my thoughts on that, it's been 3¿ weeks now and I feel like I haven't actually changed too greatly. (That's a lie I'm more disciplined, but that's neither here nor there) anyways I'm happy jay I haven't been moved from 4 section, I've been here since the beginning, I haven't even moved pods so that's pretty nice.

I'm basically going off on different tangents but I'm basically saying I wish things were easier here. It would be so nice if I was just able to relax every day, do the physical stuff at a proper pace, sleep every day, leave my kit the way I like it, leave my bed "good enough", have my phone on my all the time, etc etc.

But it's not. If I haven't had the rigid discipline I wouldn't have the habits I have. If I was cutting corners whenever I could my body wouldn't be able to be driven during drill.

PT wise I'm doing excellently. 12 points from platinum on the Forces test, I'm impressed at my own abilities and how easy it feels like it was. I now know I need to be pushed, and I need to use that inner drive to produce qualities that will not fail when subjected to stress.

Physically-awesome

Mentally-discipline is coming, laziness is being staved off

Emotionally-family and friends from home are on my mind when I have downtime, I have a very positive association with everything I do or have done and I think that is healthy

Spiritually-church is a semi regular thing, same with bible readings. Morally I feel like I am doing ok, I can always improve there, but acknowledging that this is a specific season of life gives me a chance to take a step back and focus on the moment, knowing that building bear habits and disciplining myself will result in the desired outcome of a fully-trained CAF member.

CCC friends were on my mind this last weekend, I really love those guys and I'm glad I have that church group, I don't know when I'll return but I'm going to put more effort into talking with them semi-regularly in the last month here at CFLRS.

Encounter YEG is another group I've been getting more into contact with, love those guys. Josh is always hanging out, so I'll probably text him more often. He's still looking for work so I'm going to have him in my prayers. (Haven't prayed too much recently, working on that)

Haven't talked with Alyssa, semi talked to Andy. Layden, izzy, Brennan and Ashley are also some people who I haven't texted or called, but they are on my mind.

Chapel at Saint-Jean Garrison

First Sunday after Easter "Second Sunday of Easter"

 

Hymn 464 "Come ye faithful, raise the strain"

Reading Acts 2:14,22-32 

psalm 16 

1 Peter 1:3-9 

Kids service

Hymn 463 he choirs of new Jerusalem

John 20:19-32

Today was more of a personal reflecting chapel for me. I'm glad for opportunities in environments such as this, it's truly a blessing.

I just need to remember to post my blog stuff

That's all for now.

Good Friday in Saint-Jean

Good Friday service at the Saint-Jean Garrison.

BMQ is basically everything I thought it would be.

Lots of running around, PT is a highlight usually.

Weapons classes are actually way cooler than I thought they would be, I did rally well in my exam, but at the very end I forgot to do the "For Inspection Clear Weapons," after the clear I didn't forward assist fire. I figured it out soon afterward, but it was odd for some reason, fortunately since I had done so well up to that point I succeeded on my second attempt.

Today I even passed the drill practice test, although I did learn that she. I salute I need to keep my thumb in line with my hand, and I need to watch out for the timing calls and I need to make sure to focus on doing everything in cadence, it doesn't matter what the calling person does if it's obviously wrong, as long as the parade reacts professionally.

4 section got moved around, now everyone who was struggling is in this section. Tensions are high but I feel like it's just growing pains.

That's the hope anyways, one individual in particular makes a lot of good points, but I don't really know how to present any alternatives, since it's accurate points, but I feel like there is a better way out there, it's just

Church at Saint Jean garrison

Story of Jesus resurrection

Hymn

Padre Irish

Matthew 26:20-35

"one of you will betray me" "surely not me"

Peter Denys Jesus 3 times.

We walked around the orange sector of the Mega.

7 stations ending in Matthew 27:50-54 Jesus Dies

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.

By your cross and precious death you have redeeemed the world."

Good Friday means focus on the cross.

That's all for now.

Going away at Millwoods

Last week after Tuesday was awful. I got sick with a cold and I've just been recovering since then, zero fun :(.

Aside from being laid up with sickness, i haven't really some anything since then. Huh.

Later tonight we're going out to Boston Pizza, I'm.

Church @ The Project

On The Spot

4 questions, guys opinion vs girls opinions.

Women asking out men?

Who should pay on the first date?

At what point are you "official?" Men take leadership.

Can you casually date more than one person at a time?

Brendan and Ashley video 💚

Three relationhsips, with God, with each other, and with our planet/environment.

Is tinder a good resource to meet your match? *snort*

What do I do when I don't get along or agree with my SO's parents?

If they're strange or odd, it's ok. There is a level of crazy that's fine and a level of dysfunction that is not ok. Measure it over time and figure it out, does your SO recognize those dysfunctions?

What if your SO doesn't believe in God? *check out my other post about this just last week, it basically said the same thing.* you cannot compartmentalize in a wise way.

When I ask out my crush and she says she will pray about it what should I do? *be ok with saying no.

When it comes to dating, how far is too far? Hard and fast rules, umm. Make a covenant to be naked in every single way and that you'll be there the next day. Marriage has many many facets, if you're only figured on touch and you neglect other parts? Not super healthy. You need people in your life who can watch your relationship. If your relationship ends will you have any regrets? How do I discover who this person is without my hands? You can have great ads but if you don't have good communication then... have a friend who can hold you accountable.

Emotional boundaries as well!

Is it ok to ask someone out of a date even if you're not looking for a relationship? What is your motivations, dating is a good way of learning more about other people. Dating is a skill, it takes time to learn who you are and it is possible to date with very little regrets. Dating in friendships, knowing a person casually as friends is one of the real thirst says to date. Blind dates can also be done well.

How do I tell anyone I'm 22 and I've never been in a real relationship and only a few dates? Just be honest, don't drop out baggage, but be wise with the baggage you have.

As a Christian, is casual dating wrong? Look at it as if you're married. 

If you're both Christians and someone is not pursuing Christ, what do you do? New relationships,kinda just watch it. Older relationships, didn't you talk about this when you were engaged? "I didn't want to rock the boat." "I noticed X, is this something you are concerned about or should I be concerned about it?" Ask the hard questions when you are dating. I value X and I don't think you value X, it might be a deal breaker, can we talk about this? Do they wanna be at church? Are hey involved in community? Are they falling forward (do they recognize their own past faults and are they dealing with it going forwards?)

Arguments and miscommunications are a part of any long term relationship, how do you know you're doing too much, when should you give up on it?

Like you said, they are always a part of the relationship. I think you should try everything before you give up on it. If your relationship is a chore? Seek some counsel. If you care enough about the relationship and each other then doing that is a very adult way of dealing with it.

Learning how to communicate well is so important. This is the longest relationship you will be in, so make that extra effort to do that well.

That's all for now!

Crunch Time

I just finished the last two basketball games that I'll be an official at before I leave Edmonton.

Definitely a garbage two days to start this career hold on. Yesterday my partner just three me for a loop for the first bit of the first game. Just an attitude/personality clash I think.

It did teach me a bit, I was able to look at myself with a more critical eye, seeing what habits I fall into and what I should be working on improving.

Today I got to experience a terrible coach. Gave him a technical, it was a game where I completely lost my voice afterwards (due to other factors as well but the game was the primary cause). It was a situation where a more experienced/mature official would have caused a different result, although if everyone involved (coaches) were less selfish it wouldn't have been a thing at all.

I just want to say that the whole thing is about the kids. They just want to play some basketball, and especially at this level (moderate/beginner) it is more important to look after the players: safety, fun, game involvement, sportsmanship etc.

Anyways my voice is gone but overall I did enjoy my refereeing experience and I look forward to improving myself in the future.

Young Adults @ CCC 

Pastor Dean & Laura Panel - Pastor John & Ana

How we met?

Church Camp and first kiss story.

What sort of activity should I have in the search for my spouse?

Hard to steer a parked car.

Let God direct you.

Be the best you you can be,

Work on you, God is grooming you for you future spouse.

No one perfect person, there are a lot of people for you, they are all people. God will take you to the flower garden and you shall pick one.

Things you should look for in your spouse, all sorts of shapes and sizes and scents and gifts and skills that you can look for and pick.

:D

Is it sinful to date a non christian, "missionary dating"? Flirt to convert

How can two walk together if.... Amos 3:3

Your spouse needs to be a lover of Jesus Christ.

Look for the fruit of it, look for their passion for discipleship, a teAchabld spirit, will they obey God in the hard things? Do they tithe (time, money, etc) don't expect they to change, would you marry that person as they are? Don't expect them to be able to change.

When you're dating you put your best foot foreword, you do things you want them to see.

Rose coloured glasses.

Should we always date with the intention of marriage? What should we be doing?

Dating is not a game, it should be used to find someone who you would marry. If you would never marry that person, don't date them!

If you don't intend to marry them you are really going into the relationship with the wrong reasons.

We are all wired sexually. The problem with just having a bf/gf gives you a big temptation to go into a deeper sexual relationship. Setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.

Developing soul ties with others who you have shared a sexual relationship with will create emotional baggage.

Be friends first before you jump into that romantic relationship.

Hang out in group settings, 

Common sense.

Promise each other what your limits are. Create boundaries and respect them.

Don't fool around with sex before marriage.

Did you see lifelong commitment modelled in your family of origin?

Laura - Yes

Dean - No. fighting every week, remarriage. You have a choice. You can become like your environment or you can make a conscious decision to avoid that.

So you accept conflict or view it as a threat? What does it mean to fight fair?

Will have disagreements: two lives blended together to be come one will be a union to work for. Conflict resolution is a key aspect in a healthy relationship.

Dialogue, discuss, treat with respect, avoid exaggerations (you ALWys, you NEVER, etc).

Time and a place, be prepared to talk. Create an environment where situations are well allowed.

In a good frame of mind. "To go to the person, not your mother, your friend don't take it to your people first. Pray about it, bless them and forgive them, right and work out the situation. With grace and without offence.

Don't listen to the incorrrct Counselor, at night when you're angry and questioning? That is not coming from God.

There will be a point where you think, "I married the wrong person."

There is no unicorn.

You will always disagree, you will find flaws.

It is a daily relationship development.

Grace and God's love allows you to choose to love someone. 

Emotions will trick you, feelings don't last. They will disappear, the goosebumps will dissipate. 

Marriage is choosing to love that person, better or worse. A literal vow. A promise, covenantal vow.

Pray for that person and let God give you peace on that.

Don't doubt in the darkness what God has revealed in the light.

Trust God's peace.

Marriage as the "end goal"?

False assumption is that marriage brings bliss.

Get to learn them, date them for at least a year before marriage.

That's all for now.

Third-last Sunday in Edmonton

It feels like I haven't seen anyone from CCC in a while, and that kind of is the case. I've missed a bunch of young Adults because of reffing basketball and other things (accepting the position in the Army). But I'm here now and that'll be great.

Church at CCC - Pastor Dean

Philippians 4:15 - Giving and receiving

Announcements

Pastor John - Young Adult retreat

Part 3, Conclusion of:

Declaring War on Selfishness

What is love?

This isn't love?

3 Misconceptions of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

1. "Love accepts people's lifestyle"

The truth is - Love differentiates between people and their opinions and lifestyle!

Examples with the homosexual lifestyle - need to be born again.

2 + 2 = 4 Absolute Truths. 

God or no God. No moral compasss, no order or compass.

Story of the adulteress woman. 

John 8:3

Jesus said "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone?" Wrote on the sand.

"Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

Many paths? "I am the Way" John 14:6

Freedom does not mean acceptance of everyone's lifestyle and practice.

Leviticus 13:22

Romans Chapter 1

2. "Love = trust"

Unless someone gives you jurisdiction over someone's life, you have no jurisdiction over other people's lives.

Don't criticize, point fingers, or go around telling that they'll go to hell in a hand basket.

If you do the same thing God will do the same thing he did to me.

Dispensation of grace. Eschatology. End time events. 

Revelation 2:18-20

What a good picture of a church! But nevertheless...

Love loves the person but rejects the sin.

If you ever forgive somebody with a string attached it's not forgiveness it's a dale.

Without expectations? That's a gift.

Forgiveness does not always mean trusting eberyone.

Because you haven't proven your trust.

Trust is built on faith, on a knowledge of something.

3. "If you love me you would do anything for me"

Selfish story.

James 4:2 yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Young girls-Boys and In Heat vs Love.

Men and pornography, conditioning our minds to create a perfect woman.

Women pornography, drama novels and soap operas. Built up a fake relationship with a false personality type.

Jeremiah Covenant with my eyes.

Menergy - 33 The Series

Why do we work?

This volume 4: Bigger Vision of Work

Conventional views of work and tension that we can feel.

What do you do?

Why do you do it?

What do you love about your job?

Do you work to make money?

What frustrates you about your job?

Tension

A Man and His Work

Work is a dominant force in the life of every man

Most of us have never engaged In a deliberate process

Work can be exhilarating, fulfilling, and purposeful.

Groundwork

1. What we want from work
2. Conventional responses to work
3. Historical eras of work

What we want from work

1. Success

Skill or expertise

Recognition for our work

1. Fake compensation

We want to be compensated

Lack of money creates tension

Paid fairly and on time gives us success

1. The right job fit

Matches our skills and personality

Not having that gives frustration

1. Know our work matters

Knowing this. More than success.

We want our work to be purposeful 

Conventional responses to work

1. Disengaged

Going through the motions

Work is the place where we put on a costume, we're just acting. Not passionate about what we're doing. Just a means to a pay check, I want retirement.

2.Disappointed 

Not expected pay, 

Less than half of us workers are satisfied with their jobs

A third are disappointed with the money they receive, 

Electrician vs senior manager vs high school football coach

3. Over-engaged

It has unfortunately become a respected behaviour in our country.

86% of American work more than 40 hours a week

Leisure sickness

Prioritized work over everything else in life

4. Underworking

Leisure is the goal of life

Never declare a career path

Dabble perpetually

At work, tempted to do as little as possible

Better at pretending

This response Springs from a lack of personal ambition or career vision 

The three eras of work

1.Agricultural era

Cultivation of Land for the production of food

The identity of a man was tied to bis family rather than work

Work was the same everywhere

In 1890 40% of us population listed their occupation as farming

Today less than 1% of us population lists their occupation as farming

2.Industrial era

Leave the fields and commute to cities to work factories

Emphasis of efficiency and profit

Employers view employees as a means for production

Micromanagement popularized here

Mass production enabled mass consumption

Work became the dominant way men defined themselves 

3.Informational era

Knowledge and creativity are prime commodities

The use of technology to replace workers

The informational era is defined by innovation

Tensions from the historical eras of work

A blurring between your leisure and your work

Miroslav Volf quote "lives today alternate between frenzied work and frenzied play"

Having to change jobs multiple times

Change has become the norm

Potential vocational tension between fathers and sons

Not as easy for a dad to be involved in a sons vocational development

We are going to take you through a deliberate process 

Gods original intention for work

Manhood definition

Reject passivity

Accept responsibility

Lead courageously

_______

Friendship is born at the moment one person says to another

What? you too?

I thought I was the only one

-CS Lewis

Discussion

Church at The Project

On The Spot: Pastor Tomas

Baggage

3 questions

What is baggage?

Your history, the good and the bad. Walking into life/a relationship with. Assume it has to deal with sexual history/your sexual past.

Bible/ being a Christian. We think sex is not just a physical experience, it should be enjoyed within the safety of marriage. It should be accompanied with a vow, a marriage vow. Without that safety net... It is a spiritual event, those two that become one should not be taken apart.

Church is bad about talking about sex.

Sex is an expression: all that you are, im not going to leave you.

Best case scenario is it happens within marriage.

Porn is another baggage topic, 

Tomas marriage and first Marital fight story. Bottle it up inside.

1 Corinthians "how can a believer be bonded with an unbeliever?"

2. At what point should I begin to worry about my baggage?

Very individualistic and situational. One person could deal ez pz, next guy is debilitated.

Proverbs: Wisdom literature.

3:21-25 "hang on to common sense and discernment...

When your baggage is all you see.

I feel like God is always at our door pointing out all that's wrong with us.

He says that all the work that needs to be done has been done for us.

If we don't deal with it we will identify our future with our past.

When there is an disunity caused by it. Especially between you and your significant other. Moreso with you and God.

3. At what point should I begin to worry about someone else's baggage?

Be careful to not identity someone else by their scrapes and bruises.

We want a unicorn. Someone of standards which we ourselves cannot meet.

Corinth had bad things. Sex mostly.

What's the difference between giving someone grace and having the wisdom to say "that Far but no further?"

The wiser people see that every decision is interconnected. If you are With someone who has some baggage, but are dealing with it? That will probably not matter in 20 years. If they have walked through it and have gotten healthy it will not matter. It has to be dealt with by both members of a relationship.

Perspective is a thing. If they're living a life where that is their constant habit? Do you want to have that be a thing for the next 20 years?

Should I be ok with it? No. Are you ok compromising that area of your life to be ok with it?

You will be the one to change.

Best indicator of future behaviour is past behaviour. If someone shows no initiatice, no dedication no commitment to changing? They will continue down that path until something in their life changes.

This far, no further.

Group discussion.

Laura, Andy and 

Hard dealing with past sexual sins in the context of dating. Will stuff resurface? It seems inevitable. Healing and wholeness possible while still dating?

Understanding that there is a past.

Steps to protect future marriage?

If I waited and they didn't? How do I accept and forgive that?

Everyone does sin, especially in our generation.

It is not the unpardonable sin. The church is guilty of this.

Do not rank sins. Find someone who you can talk to about this stuff.

Do marriage counselling before you're engaged.

Do I need counselling for my baggage or will God heal me?

Both, and.

Every young adult needs to see a Counselor st least once. <25 years old? Gotta do it.

Self awareness is really important. With social and cultural pressures without self awareness we will cave to pressure.

"God will help me" not the case, you need to be intentional.

When is a good time to tell your other that you weee sexually abused?

When do you drop the bomb? When you're thinking about a future with them.

Establish trust. If you know that you can trust that individual with very sensitive things? Yes. If they willl hear and validate your experiences.

Why do you want to communicate what you are communicating? They probably don't need details.

How do I get over the fear of being hurt if I've been hurt before?

Time. Trust takes so much time to rebuild.

To forgive someone you don't need to trust them for it.

Is it a pattern? Where is your sense of value? Sense of self worth?

Recognizing wher that comes from it leads you into healthier relationships where that individual values you.

Find people who can help you navigate this baggage.

It's not as simple as do X and you're done.

Philippians "I press on to possess that perfection that Christ possessed... I forget the past and I look forward to what lies ahead."

That's all for now.

The Calm Before the Storm

These past days have been quite active, I had the chance to meet with Jackie and Becky and play board games at their house.

They talked about the negatives associated with joining the Army; mental, emotional, sexual, traumatic stress, and those who are at home that will worry.

Anyways, I've got two weeks to think until I make my revision to join or not join the army.

CCC - Pastor Dean

Mark 8:35

Philippians 12:11

1 Cor 15:31 I die daily

Let God get involved.

Four Things:

HOw to Discipline the Flesh

Philippians 2:1-11

1. Give way to others (v.3-4)

2. Serve people (v.7)

3. Say 'Yes' to God and 'No' to the flesh (v.8)

4. ?

The best leaders and husbands?

Servant leaders and servant husbands.

Kindness and generosity = good relationship.

Church @ The Project

Tomas:

Wait it doesn't start until next week. I think I'm out asap.

I'll let you know.

Starting next week David and Tomas aren't doing anything for preparation for church.

That'll be interesting, but I think I'm outta here, sry.

That's all for now.