And that is why I love my dad!
Thursday, 14 February 2013
A Good Dad.
I got a message the other day from my dad, Bob Walton. It reminded me how much I love the guy and how great a dad he is. Check this out!
Friday, 25 January 2013
Bored? Here is how you should actually read the bible.
How often do you hear in the Christian community how boring or unexciting the bible is? I imagine quite a bit if it is anything like my experience. In fact, I have thought it boring myself on more often than I would like to admit. I don't know if it is because of familiarity or lack of appreciation for what the bible truly is. For me it has likely been both.
Lack of appreciation.
This book called the Holy Bible is full of the most amazing preeminent being called God. It's about God. A God who isn't prominent among other great beings but preeminent. THere is no match and there will never be a match. He is unsurpassed in every way. All powerful and all knowing. The epitome of greatness. He is the only one that is due (deserves) praise. And He died for us. As my gangster friends would say, BOOOM!!!! Many claim to have a God who is powerful god, however, we have the only living and active God. Not only is our God real and living but He was willing to die for His creation in a demonstration of unsurprising love that was not deserved. The bible is the written record of His love, full of stories of His continued patience, grace, loving kindness, righteousness, holiness, mercy, and so much more. In it He teaches us, scolds us, encourages us, blesses us; all of which we never deserve. And yet we ignore this 'Letter from God to man' of sorts. So many times I have gone through life with His message collecting dust. It seemed familiar and un-needed. That needs to change. Now.
Read it.
Open it. Pray. Start reading. In the past I have tried to do the "Bible in a year" programs and various other plans. Those don't work for me. Reading the bible became another chore I had to get onto now for if I procrastinated it would just mean more work later. It becomes quite painful after a while. Haha. Instead I have begun reading two chapters a day. The first is the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. I have always thought whether or not that was God's intention from the beginning with making 31 chapters in the book of proverbs. I then go to another book of the bible and read one chapter. Right now I'm reading a chapter out of the book of John. That's a good place to start.
Question it!
Get this! When you are reading, have a journal. For the longest time I avoided this like the plague. Nothing could be worse. However, once I tried it I found it to be exactly the opposite. Here are some good questions to ask when you are reading:
Is there an example for me to follow?
Is there a sin to confess?
Is there a truth to understand?
Is there a comfort for me to embrace?
Not only does it really help you focus and dig up what is so great about what God is telling you in that passage, it gives you a place to go back to when needing encouragement. It is the reminder to you that God speaks. Clearly.
***Plan it!
God's gonna say something. It's gonna matter. Yet so often I walk away with the best intentions really believing I should get on that. Before I know it, I've forgotten what it even was and the day goes on like God hadn't said anything at all. The bible likens this to a man who looks in the mirror and forget what he looks like. It's like looking in a mirror, seeing there's ketchup caked around your mouth and thinking, "I should probably clean that off," and then walking away without washing it off your face. Make a plan to do something about what you learn! If God has convicted/encouraged you, act on it. Confess it. Then plan to do differently THAT VERY DAY!
Thank Him for it! Pray!
God Almighty just talked to you! Thank Him! Praise Him for being so awesome yet still even talking to you specifically and individually! It's amazing!
Share it!
Find someone. Share what God revealed to you. Do it often. It encourages you. It encourages them.
Why? Because God is awesome and not only does He deserve your time, but He has good planned for you if you are willing to accept it.
Lack of appreciation.
This book called the Holy Bible is full of the most amazing preeminent being called God. It's about God. A God who isn't prominent among other great beings but preeminent. THere is no match and there will never be a match. He is unsurpassed in every way. All powerful and all knowing. The epitome of greatness. He is the only one that is due (deserves) praise. And He died for us. As my gangster friends would say, BOOOM!!!! Many claim to have a God who is powerful god, however, we have the only living and active God. Not only is our God real and living but He was willing to die for His creation in a demonstration of unsurprising love that was not deserved. The bible is the written record of His love, full of stories of His continued patience, grace, loving kindness, righteousness, holiness, mercy, and so much more. In it He teaches us, scolds us, encourages us, blesses us; all of which we never deserve. And yet we ignore this 'Letter from God to man' of sorts. So many times I have gone through life with His message collecting dust. It seemed familiar and un-needed. That needs to change. Now.
Read it.
Open it. Pray. Start reading. In the past I have tried to do the "Bible in a year" programs and various other plans. Those don't work for me. Reading the bible became another chore I had to get onto now for if I procrastinated it would just mean more work later. It becomes quite painful after a while. Haha. Instead I have begun reading two chapters a day. The first is the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. I have always thought whether or not that was God's intention from the beginning with making 31 chapters in the book of proverbs. I then go to another book of the bible and read one chapter. Right now I'm reading a chapter out of the book of John. That's a good place to start.
Question it!
Get this! When you are reading, have a journal. For the longest time I avoided this like the plague. Nothing could be worse. However, once I tried it I found it to be exactly the opposite. Here are some good questions to ask when you are reading:
Is there an example for me to follow?
Is there a sin to confess?
Is there a truth to understand?
Is there a comfort for me to embrace?
Not only does it really help you focus and dig up what is so great about what God is telling you in that passage, it gives you a place to go back to when needing encouragement. It is the reminder to you that God speaks. Clearly.
***Plan it!
God's gonna say something. It's gonna matter. Yet so often I walk away with the best intentions really believing I should get on that. Before I know it, I've forgotten what it even was and the day goes on like God hadn't said anything at all. The bible likens this to a man who looks in the mirror and forget what he looks like. It's like looking in a mirror, seeing there's ketchup caked around your mouth and thinking, "I should probably clean that off," and then walking away without washing it off your face. Make a plan to do something about what you learn! If God has convicted/encouraged you, act on it. Confess it. Then plan to do differently THAT VERY DAY!
Thank Him for it! Pray!
God Almighty just talked to you! Thank Him! Praise Him for being so awesome yet still even talking to you specifically and individually! It's amazing!
Share it!
Find someone. Share what God revealed to you. Do it often. It encourages you. It encourages them.
Why? Because God is awesome and not only does He deserve your time, but He has good planned for you if you are willing to accept it.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Reunion in the Rockies Website
I am very excited to announce the launch of the Reunion in the Rockies website!!!!! At the Reunion in the Rockies website you can see all the details on what will go on over the course of the weekend, hundreds of pictures of Capernwray and Rocky Mountain House, as well as submit your registration form for the reunion. It's got everything you need in one place! It's even got Devos with Barry, a short devotional brought to you with love from my brother Barry Friesen. So don't wait! Check it out!
Thursday, 23 February 2012
(MOST RECENT) UPDATE: Reunion in the Rockies
So as I mentioned already, I am really excited about Reunion in the Rockies! This is a (another) small update for those who already know a little bit about what's going on, but I'll leave in the other info for those who haven't got the chance to check it out yet. For quite a while now Barry Friesen, Matt Robinson and myself have been trying to put together a reunion for the students of Capernwray Harbour. Well the pieces have come together and it's only going to get better from here!! So far this is the tentative plan.
All the Capernwray peeps join us Friday, May 18, 2012 for supper in Rocky Mountain House. I now hope that most people will have arrived for the 6:00 pm supper. More good news here as well! My mom (and several other fantastic ladies from the Rocky Alliance Church) has agreed to cook for us for the weekend!!! YAY!!! Not only that, but the Friday night dinner will be a fancier one in keeping with the idea that that Friday will be like a Capernwray Sunday! So there will be fancy food as well as desert, coffee, and tea!!! So basically there will be much feasting and rejoicing and fellowship. The likes which have never been seen (since your last Sunday at Capernwray)! After catching up there will be a great praise and worship time lead by Barry Friesen and his (very awesome) worship team. They will be joining us from a tour of their own so expect great things! After a great time of worship and praise I am excited to what the Lord has to say through Lawrence Jensen, a top notch speaker from Caperwray Harbour. After this will be a time of sharing what the Lord has spoken to you personally. For Friday evening, think Sunday night at Capernwray Harbour! After a great evening everyone will be joining different families within the Rocky Alliance Church body who have graciously offered us the use of their beds.
 |
Just west of Rocky Mountain House, likely around
where you will be hiking!
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Saturday will come and so will Matt Robinson's mountain expedition. Although it is optional, it will be a beautiful hike that will be an absolute blast!! Take your cameras! After a fantastic hike (with break and lunch provided) we will head back to Rocky Alliance Church for another great supper. Now this is where it is different from the last update. Up until this point I have been thinking about a possible movie Saturday night. After prayer and some thought, I thought (and others concur) that not only would it be a sidetrack from what we are hoping to accomplish this weekend (hear the LORD speak, encourage each other, celebrate in fellowship) but there is a better option! Coffee house!!!!! So get your musical acts (and all other acts) together 'cause it's gonna be a great time! After all these fantastic events the plan is to crown the day with a Tim Tam Slam Party! Woot! For all those who haven't enjoyed a Tim Tam Slam, you've missed out. This, by itself, would probably make a trip from Germany, India, or any other far off land worthwhile! Of course all along there will also be multiple Timmies trips, essential to every Canadian and amazingly refreshing to everyone else!!
Sunday, after breakfast, the Capernwray worship team will again lead us in worship and song and Lawrence will speak again to cap off a great weekend of fellowship and renewal. My mom will then demonstrate why she is so awesome and cook us another fantastic lunch! This will be an amazing time so come join every one else! Just incase you need more convincing, here's a clip I made! Enjoy!
So there are a couple different ways to ask questions and confirm you are coming. Probably the easiest way would be to check out the event on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/142055702581897/
Otherwise, if you want to ask questions feel free to do so in the comments or email me or Barry Friesen at...
P.S. Additionally, if you have some music or a skit or anything else (maybe you even have a CD that you would like people to check out) please contact me or Barry. Thanks!
Should A Man See
Should a man see only popularity, he becomes a mirror, reflecting whatever needs to be reflected to gain acceptance. He is everyone and no one.
Should a man see only power, he becomes a wolf — prowling, hunting and stalking the elusive game. Recognition is his prey and people are his prizes. His quest is endless. As a result, he who sees only power is degraded to an animal, an insatiable scavenger, controlled not by a will from within, but by luring from without.
Should a man see only pleasure, he becomes a carnival thrill-seeker, alive only in bright lights, wild rides, and titillating entertainment. With lustful fever he races from ride to ride, satisfying his insatiable passion for sensations only long enough to look for another.
Seeker of popularity, power, and pleasure. The end result is the same: painful unfulfillment.
Only in seeking his Maker does a man truly become man. For in seeing his Creator man catches a glimpse of what he was intended to be. He who would see his God would then see the reason for death and the purpose of time. Destiny? Tomorrow? Truth? All are questions within the reach of the man who knows his source.
-Max Lucado
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