Merry Christmas everyone! I wanted to throw up a quick post today. Christmas truly is my favorite time of year in so many ways. This Christmas was surrounded by a lot of change for Janna and I, and the business of it all has meant that this Christmas feels a bit different. I’ve prayed a number of times this past couple weeks that God would really speak to my heart of the ‘reality of Jesus.’ More than anything, that is what Christmas means to me. It’s been an awesome opportunity to be with family, and to remember the importance of Jesus in my life, the life of family, and through out the world.

One of my favorite new worship songs is a track called ‘Everything’ by Tim Hughes. It captures well the desire to give Jesus His rightful place and due worship in our lives. Check it out: Everything by Tim Hughes download the MP3
Merry Christmas from our home ot yours, and may the ‘reality of Jesus’ hit you in a life changing way.

If you don’t know this of me yet, I’m a Christmas nut. It’s as if I lose 30 years of growing up and become like a kid for a few days. I love the food, the games, the time spent with family, and I have to admit I really love the presents.

I attribute a lot of my passion for Christmas to my Grandma Ross. She too loved Christmas, and made it as special as possible every chance she got. I remember the excitement she brought to gifts (both the giving and receiving of them.) I also remember her steeling kisses from a young grandson who wasn’t so keen on the idea. Most of all, I remember the incredible way she brought such a comforting and reliable presence to Christmas without saying or doing much of anything at all. We always knew Grandma was there, and that our simple presence brought her incredible joy. She passed away this year, and so this Christmas is different for us as a family. It will be different in obvious ways; missing her cheering greetings, and generous gifts. More than that, it will be different in those subtle ways that could only make sense to those who knew her.

For many, Christmas is a time of not only joy and excitement, but of loss and grief. Those that are dearest to us make Christmas what it is. The memories and traditions we build together bring such an incredible sense of belonging and love to our lives that to be without them can be incredibly hard. My prayers go out to those of you who find Christmas to be a mix of joy and sorrow. I pray that the reality of Jesus will touch your lives in a special way. I pray too that those who feel loss would find fulfillment, those who experience regret would find forgiveness, and those who know sorrow would find deep comfort and peace.

In Jesus Name, Amen

 

A couple years ago, while in a 24-7 prayer room, I was overcome with a desire to connect with God’s heart for Africa. It was an intense experience that lead me into a time of passionate prayer. Since that night I have read a number of articles, talked with a couple of friends who have spent time in Africa, and recently read a couple of book about the continent that has grabbed hold of my heart in such a mysterious way. My interactions over the past couple years have lead me to a simple conclusion; the incredible injustice in Africa causes God much sorrow. Everything from the AIDS epidemic, to government corruption, to the recruitment of child soldiers leads me to believe that God must cry for this hurting continent and it’s people. To acknowledge the problems and suffering in Africa is merely the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. We need to ask ourselves what we should be doing to impact the situation?

Having never stepped foot on African soil, my understanding of the issues is limited to books and the stories of others who have. Perhaps that is why I find this constant nagging inside me to be so moving. Lately, not many days go by where I don’t think and pray for Africa. I am overwhelmed by every story, picture, and article that I encounter. Truthfully, my spirit is so engaged at moments that I am moved to tears.

Daily, parents are dying in alarming numbers due to the AIDS virus, war, and needless hunger. The death of so many parents has left millions of children without the care and guidance that most of us took for granted growing up. All over Africa children take care of younger brothers and sisters, and the "lucky ones" find themselves in orphanages with no hope of their situation ever changing. It’s impossible to imagine what it’s like, but I do feel that God is allowing me to connect with this troubled part of our world. One day I hope to go and meet the people that God has laid so deeply on my heart. I believe that this connection has and will continue to expose me to God’s heart for justice.

As days go by, I’ve made a commitment to cultivate the awareness that grows with every book, story, and leading of the spirit. I want to share some of these things via this blog in hope that you too can connect with God’s heart for so many… hurting and dying. I’ll start with this video, taken from the website of a true modern day hero Stephen Lewis.

This file is kind of big, so it may take a minute to load before it plays. Don’t worry, it’s worth the wait.

May of last year, Gary Best was in Calgary. (Gary is a friend who works with Vineyard churches through out Canada.) During a session where he was speaking, he used an illustration to describe our partnership with God. This illustration has been hitting me over and over during our move so far…

Imagine you’ve climbed up on to the platform of a REALLY high diving board. You get that "what am I doing up here" kinda feeling in your stomach, and being so high start to come to grips with the harsh reality that it’s just you, your thoughts, and God. Then, with a great deal of caution you inch yourself towards the edge of the platform, sliding on your belly. You peek over the side to see a pool that only looks adequate for ants, and just as you realize it’s empty you hear God speak; "jump and I’ll fill the pool".

As we were driving from Calgary to Comox, December 1, 2006, we received a call from our real estate agent. We sold our house, and the deal was final! The sale of our house was obviously key to our move from Calgary to Comox, and I’d be lying to say I wasn’t worried about the whole thing. Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand why God waits to "fill the pool" (it’s especially hard when the pool’s still empty). I am learning however, that it is His impeccable timing that builds my faith in Him. Ever since I was a boy God has been teaching me that He can be trusted in every situation. He is faithful, and I am learning to trust that every time I jump, I will land in a pool full of water.

Gary’s Book Naturally Supernatural is a great read. The diving board illustration is one of many stories and illustrations that can help us see God’s heart with incredible clarity.

Welcome to my blog! I’ve never had one before, but thought it’d be a good way to stay connected with friends/family, and to journal some of my thoughts, experiences, and learnings as I start this new chapter in life. January 1st 2007, Janna and I will be moved to Comox BC (Vancouver Island). The reason for the move is simple, but filled with unknowns. I know that I stand to learn much, and grow incredibly in this next season of life. As I step into more of what God is teaching me, I will use this blog to share the stories, lessons, and general musings of it all.

Ultimately, this is "Life As I Live It…"

Chad