Finding direction

28 September 2003

Weekend of ministry…

I’m going to tell you a little about our ministry weekend. Last week I was reading someone else’s blog, and they were saying that you should write something about once a week, or else people lose interest.

I’m not sure I had any interest in the first place, but I’ll try to be a little more frequent if I’m able!

We had a really good time on Saturday night, at Chad and Wanda’s house. We had a dessert night and shared a bit about our ministry and made some new friends. It was a really good time. So good that we’re planning to do it again in October!

This morning we were at Lake Chaparral Community Church, a very friendly group in south Calgary. We shared briefly in the service, but were primarily with the children in Sunday School. Today was part 1 of their training to be Mexican missionaries (we’re going to be back in November). They learned Spanish, learned how to share Jesus’ love, learned a little about Mexican culture, learned about what God says about sharing the Gospel in other cultures . . . *phew*! I guess they learned a lot! And the children and adults were all a great encouragement to us. Someone even gave us this picture (they must have meant “Shari” not Cary – don’t worry, I was there with Shari and Hannah, not with anyone else!).

Now we’re home for some semi-relaxation. Actually I’m getting ready to leave on Tuesday for Saskatchewan, where I’ll be spending some time at Briercrest Schools representing CAM and visiting some friends and supporters. So the fun just never stops around here! Every once in a while I wish it would stop for a while! But the last few days have been really good times of ministry with the Lord that we wouldn’t trade for anything.

Shari and Hannah are just recovering from some flu bug or something that was going around (I can hear a few of you saying,”Oh yes, it was going around here too!”), so hopefully all this action won’t cause a relapse. Tonight I’m going to make everyone a delicious (I hope!) Mexican dinner, so that should cure their ills, right?

That’s all for now! Have a great week!

8 September 2003

More newspaper logic from Reginald Stackhouse

Jim News and current issues 0

I don’t want to do a series on strange news stories, but I couldn’t resist this one. This one is from the opinion section of the Globe & Mail, featuring former MP Reginald Stackhouse. Mr Stackhouse is an Anglican priest, principal emeritus of Wycliffe College, and a member of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Wow.

The topic of the article is embryonic stem research, which Mr. Stackhouse supports. One would expect some thoughtful discussion from him. Instead, his whole article basically hangs on one statement, which he uses to counter the “sanctity of life” argument (in other words, a embryo is a person, and therefore we should not be selling them for parts).

Here’s what he says: Although an embryo contains all that will become a human person, that does not make it a person. That’s it. That’s his argument. And most people on both sides would agree with him.

What Mr. Stackhouse apparently fails to realize is that by the same logic, he himself is not a person! Think about it. He also contains all the ingredients of a human person (the only difference is that no one would say he will “become” a person, but that’s not important in his argument). My printer contains all the parts needed to make a printer. Does that mean it’s not a printer?

All he’s doing is taking a really ridiculous argument (would anyone opposed to stem cell research really use this as an argument??) and knocking it down. Nice work. Now can we get to some of the real issues?

But he never does. He hangs everything else on his now “proven” supposition that an embryo obviously isn’t a person, and forges blindly ahead. So much for thoughtful discussion.

You can read the article online now. Another example of something that sounds impressive, unless you actually think about it.

6 September 2003

Hannah cooks and sleeps, and a note about a new toy

Hannah Family 0

Hannah would like to tell you a few things, but since her typing skills are still being developed, I will share them for her.

First, I told her I would tell you that one of the highlights of her month (August ’03) was making pyrogies at her Aunt Tracy’s house. And I can tell you from experience that they were very yummy! In fact, we still have some in our freezer, but I can guarantee that they won’t be there for long.

For those of you who don’t know what a perogy is (yes, there are various ways to spell it), you can see some recipes here. We have had the great honour of seeing, in person, the giant pyrogy in Glendon, AB.

Also, Hannah is very pleased to announce that she’s now sleeping in a “big bed”. Her Grandpa Winger built it for her (many thanks) and her Mom gave it a cool pillowcase, featuring Dora the Explorer. She also has a new ladybug rug (see it here) beside it (try saying “ladybug rug” 5x fast…).

Speaking of children, have you heard the exciting news? A fabulous new action figure is about to hit the marketplace . . . it’s someone we all know and are fond of. Check it out here.

Just when I was about to post this entry, Shari went to get Hannah up, since she just woke up. Looks like the ladybug rug was up and buzzing around the room (with Hannah’s help). Ok, so she hasn’t quite got the concept that rugs are for the floor. But it’s just so much fun!

Today, by the way, Hannah is 3 feet tall. My my.

27 August 2003

New passport regulations

Jim News and current issues 0

This news story is kinda funny but useful as well!

Apparently, the Canadian Passport Office has just issued new, more specific regulations regarding passport pictures. So what’s new? Well, apparently the Canadian Government wants to prove that Canadians are not amused. That’s right, NO SMILING on your passport photo. Any passport happiness is now against the law and your picture will be rejected.

And before you start practising your frown, they don’t want that either. Just a “neutral expression”, thanks.

There is some good news to the few “happy Canadians” that are left. The government has declared a “smile amnesty” until mid-October. If you’ve already sent in a photo which is a little too cheerful for the feds, don’t worry, you should be safe. But don’t be too happy about it.

The other regulations are mostly common sense. Take off your sunglasses, remove your hat, and don’t wear the clown hair that you use to entertain the kids.

Apparently, with more standardized photos, new computer systems will be installed in airports which will automatically recognize your face, thus saving goverrnment officials the bother of having to look at you at all. What a relief for them! Don’t you wish you had one of those on your front porch? “ALERT! COUSIN EDGAR IS APPROACHING!”

Of course, it might not recognize him if he’s having a good day.

27 August 2003

Answer to prayer #1

Jim Practical matters 0

A few days ago I was asking you to pray about a couple of things we needed rather urgently. One had to do with a car problem, and the other had to do with an eye problem.

Thanks for praying! God provided for our car – the amount of $0.00. Yes, in this case the problem was quite minor and was fixed by our mechanics for free! Praise the Lord!

Keep praying about the eye wear that we need. I know God is listening!

20 August 2003

Websites and praying for miracles!

Jim Family, Prayer and Praise 0

Well, it’s been an interesting summer so far (remember, for those of us not going to school in the fall, summer isn’t over until September 23 or something like that!). One of the things that I did for a few hours this summer was build websites on the side, both as a service and to raise a few dollars to keep the fridge full over the summer (ok, so it’s a small fridge!).

Why not take a look? I’ve set up a new page of information in case anyone else wants something similar done. Visit iservices.

Last week we put out a new newsletter, which you should be getting soon.

There are a couple of things that we’re praying about right now, maybe you could join us! First, our eyes are not doing great because of problems with our eyewear. Shari’s is just old, and Jim’s seems to be malfunctioning (I’m simplifying things so that this entry isn’t too long!). Because we have no medical coverage for this kind of thing, and because Jim’s eyes are “special”, we’re looking at a cost of about $500 Canadian (US$350). So we’d appreciate your prayers about that.

We’re also dealing with a car problem, which is probably fairly minor, but has been dragged out because of a repair that just doesn’t seem to be solving the problem (excuse me again if I simplify to save space!). Tomorrow the car is going to be looked at, so please pray that if the car needs to have further work done that God will provide the money for that.

God has answered so many of our prayers so far, I’m sure He will do it again!

Meanwhile, we’re enjoying a visit from Shari’s sister Amy, who is here from England. Shari’s parents will be coming next week, and we’ll be celebrating Jevon’s dedication (clue in: Jeff (Shari’s brother) and Tracy’s baby is Jevon, and they’ll be publicly expressing their understanding that he belongs to the Lord).

We’re also busy planning for the next couple of months, which promise to be busy as always. Sometimes planning means planning to have a day off, because if you don’t plan ahead you won’t get one!

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