Saturday, October 27, 2007

Ghosts

I just told someone I believe in Ghosts. And it wasn't my shrink. It was some anonymous ghost junkie doing a poll online. Some 33000 people agreed with me while another 37000 did not. I find it wierd that I said I believe. I didn't really think about it I just clicked yes I believe in ghosts. But now that I'm thinking, I'm not sure I do. I mean I might, but I might not.

I definitely did when I was 7 and the lights were off and I was alone. I remember feeling so scared I would lie still as a stone knowing even the slightest twitch would alert the ghost and he'd show me his face and I would die of a fear attack. This stone lie would last for a few minutes until I threw back the blankets and made the courageous dash to the light switch. Because Ghosts can't survive in the light, ok. The lights would come on and I'd immediately feel better - even brave -and before I knew it this light would guide me to a sleepfilled night. This went on for 8 years until I learned mind to Ghost combat. You're not a ghost, you're a chair. Ghosts don't have suits hanging over them John. Just try to kill me Ghost, I've got God on my side. I lived the next 16 years worry free until one day I clicked yes I do believe in Ghosts.

Psychologists always tell us that our gut reaction to any question is what we truly believe. So do I? Do I believe in Ghosts?

Crap, I don't know now. Do I?

Do you?

John

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Roller Skating

I went roller skating last night. I saw pig-tailed 7 yr olds, Lesbians, cheesy couples and middle aged men. One such man was so into it he actually danced to the beat of the song whilst gliding around the dome. He was fast, I'll give him that, but still, I wonder if he knew others were present. And that he was dancing to Britney's newest. I mentioned the Lesbians. I'm not sure if they were the official card carrying type but they were decked out in shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee pads and a snarl that said "I will take you out." And not for a drink if you know what I mean. Every time they flew past me they grunted and I swear I saw smoke rise from their mouth. I steered clear.

The happy dancer and angry ladies were scary but it was the cheesy couples that did me in. Awww look, the girl doesn't know how to skate. Imagine that. Good thing she has her man to fondle I mean hold her. Some were more refined and just held hands, which would have been fine, even cute, but they insisted on ruining the moment with open mouthed smiles as if to say
"I love gliding beside you, I do, I do."

It was the music that threw me over the edge though. If your curious, go to imaflamer.com. It's available for download. And free if you have a roller skate membership.

Why go then John? I took the young adults, that's why. Problem was only 4 came. And they were the couples in love. Not the open mouthed ones mind you but still, its awkward, especially when I'm the youth minister and they're in love.

The night finally came to an end. We went for cheesecake after and I almost ordered an Appletini just because. I'm going back next Sunday. Taking the teens. Having ourselves a little Halloween party. Guys dressed up in costumes wearing makeup and girls dressed like meat eating carnivors. Hmm.

I think I deserve a raise.

John

Saturday, October 13, 2007

We think we need things

Guess I should get married. All my friends are. Probably should get a cell phone. It is 2007 you know. Just got Facebook. Better, if I hope to have friends. Need a new pair of jeans. My other pair is dirty. Time for another vacation. Been working hard. Lets redo the kitchen. We have the money.

We think we need things.

I guess we do. Its just hard to know which things. Do I really need that or do I just want it? How is one to know? Dictionary.com tells us that a need is "anything that we lack that is necessary." Pretty good definition. Although, what's necessary? For many a cell phone is. Even a vacation. For others not so much but they have the money so might as well. I still don't have a cell phone. Many times I think I need one yet something keeps me from signing on. I'm not sure what it is. God probably doesn't care what I do. He's got other things to worry about. Although, he probably assumes I'm worried about those same things, which, I am. I think. I probably will get a cell phone, I am in ministry after all, and I'm over 30 which means by law I'm supposed to carry one on my belt, to the left of my fanny pack. Still. . .do I need it? If I haven't for 30 years, why would I now?

Maybe my needs have changed. They probably have. Although, maybe my wants have increased. There's a good chance. I have more money then I ever have at any time in my life. Isn't that what growing up is all about, increasing your net worth? Security's important I guess, but do I really need a $300,000 house, ten of thousands in RRSP's and a half a million dollar life insurance policy? I'm convinced I do, obviously, but does that mean I do?

3 Billion people live on less then $2 a day. They obviously don't need those things. Its not even an option for them. So they make do. Do I make do, do you? And then some.

What would my lifestyle look like if I just made do? I guess first I would have to sit down and make a list of my needs. Then a list of my wants. Then give away all my wants and tend to my needs. Man, biggest garage sale in history that would be. Sorry John, you don't need 100+ dvds. Or an Ipod. Ok, you can keep the new car but only because you spent $6000 on your last one and it still blew up.

This is hard stuff to wrap my mind around. Are my needs dictated by where I live (300,000 for a house is bottom of the market) how much money I make (I'm just below average) and security (I'm just being responsible)? Is security today's Baal? Do I need God if everything's been taken care of? Of course I do, what if I get a disease? (I answer quickly)

Tomorrow I begin my fall series with the teens. We're talking about, wait for it. . .Consumerism. Needs vs Wants. That kind of stuff. I figured I should probably decide what I think on the subject before I implore them to think for themselves.

I think I've decided. I need to keep thinking. Especially after reading this:

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (Msg)

John

Sunday, October 07, 2007

The Prince of Peace / The God of War

Thanks to Jordan for this. I definitely plan on seeing it. Go here for more: http://www.themovieblog.com/godofwar/

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Without a shirt

This past week George Bush said no to increased medical funding for low income children. No doesn't even do it justice. For the fourth time in his presidency he used his power to overide the Senate effectively vetoeing a bill the majority had supported.

A few hours ago my family and I were driving through NE Calgary delivering Thanksgiving dinners to those in need. One house in particular stood out to me. As Angie and Lex walked with the box the question of safety fluttered through my mind. If the house wasn't falling down it was barely standing up and the windows might as well been saran wrap for all the good they were doing. They knocked. I tensed. A woman not much older then us opened the door and next thing I knew Angie had handed over the box and a smile broke out. As Angie began to walk back with Lex skipping along beside, a little boy with no shirt and pants much too short called out. Angie turned around as the boy, beaming, handed her home-made cards with the words, Thank you, have a wonderful thanksgiving, scrawled across, then he bounded back inside.

Why the veto, Mr. Bush? Its not like they were asking you to anty up. Smokers would take the hit and in the end 4 million more children would be cared for. One could even argue that the same people being taxed would be the same people being helped as often smokers are the ones who can't afford the necessary insurance for their kids, the same insurance that their habit has made necessary. Either way, kids should never have to pay the price for the decisions of self involved adults, whether its their smoking parents or vetoeing president. To his credit, Bush did wish to help, but only to the tune of 5 billion dollars, a miniscule amount compared to the cost of the Irag war for instance. Note: Current estimates put it at 1.2 Trillion Dollars. The focus of the government ought to be to help poor children and to focus on poor children, said Bush. I agree. I just don't think he does, or else he would have agreed to the 35 billion his own Senate had approved.

Our deliveries continued with much of the same yet no house rivaled the emotion we felt by the shirtless boy bearing homemade cards. The last house I delivered to was 30 minutes away so I dropped Angie and the kids off, the kids had reached the crazy I'm bored stage, and headed off. As I drove sounds from Angie's pink ipod made the time pass quickly. I finally arrived and after a few minutes of banging unsuccessfuly I phoned eager to inform them that their dinner had arrived. I was never able to reach them, even though I had called before I left and they assured me they'd be there, and so I was forced to leave having wasted over an hour of MY time. The dinner sits in my freezer waiting to be re-gifted.

I feel I have been fair in my analysis of Bush and his veto. I have refrained from harsh criticism and cynical rants, it is Thanksgiving after all. That being said, I do believe God's appointed leader, Bush's words not mine, must be held accountable for misplaced priorities. Any President who places war above caring for his nation's most vulnerable is a man in danger of maligning the same God he seeks to represent. The critiscm has been swift as the Democrats have deemed him heartless while his own Republican party has openly expressed their concern that he may have crippled them heading into the next election.

I'll be honest. As I drove away from the last house I ranted about how "ungrateful and irresponsible" the people were. But caring for the needy requires sacrifice. It means in order for them to win a lot, I must be willing to lose a little. An extra 30 Billion is a little, an hour and 30 minutes more is a little. A healthy child feeling cared for is a lot. Yes, even if he is still without a shirt.

John

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Paul Potts singing Opera

Thanks dad for this one. I agree with Simeon. I didn't expect that at all. WOW!!!

Monday, October 01, 2007

Weak in Sports

What a week in sports. First off, the New York Mets completed the worst meltdown in the history of MLB. With a 7 game lead and only 17 to play they fell off a losing tree and hit every branch on the way down. Worst of all they gave up their right to play in October. For all you non baseballers, a seven game lead with 17 to go is large enough to drive a pregnant semi through. Somehow though, the Mets weren't able to do it and will now spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's day contemplating their loser ness. Ouch.

The team that squeaked in ahead of them was the Philadelphia Phillies, a team who had been written off by every analyst since June. As excited as they were they had to wait wondering who would be their opponent. All bets were cast in San Diego's favor but the Rockies had won something like 176 of their last several games so people were starting to get nervous - especially when Colorado forced a one game playoff, the first of its kind in decades. I just finished watching the game actually and in the bottom of the 13th, Colorado won it in dramatic fashion as Matt Holliday their MVP slid beside home plate yet the ump callled him safe. Note: Baseball usually discourages sliding beside a base. Anyways, the Phillies and Rockies will now play in the NLCS having both gotten there due to their brilliant play and the Mets and Padres choking to death. Who knew baseball could be this much fun?In other news, A Rod is guaranteed another MVP award after a fantastic 54 hr 150+ rbi season while the Jays will miss the playoffs yet again.

In the NFL, the Cowboys, Colts, and Patriots look amazing and at this point it's difficult to imagine anyone taking them down, apart from each other that is. I just watched some of the Patriot/Bengal game and gees, Brady is so relaxed he must have a hammock sown to his butt. And then there's the Aints. I mean the Saints. What's up with them? They were picked by many to Go All The Way, Chris Berman style. And the Bears? Grossman has thrown 7 interceptions and they're only 3 games in. They gave Rex the day off yesterday and they looked ok until, get this, they gave up 37 points in the fourth quarter and lost to the Detroit Lions. 37 points!?!?!? The Lions?!?!?!? Dang. That's awful. And then there's the whole Pats spying thing. I mean, cmon, spying? What, are we up in a tree with binoculars outside Sally Livington's house? Did you honestly need an advantage Bill? You've won 3 championships in the past 7 years not to mention ESPN reminds all its loyal listeners at least once a week that you're Jesus with a headset on. Why spy Bill? Leave Sally alone.

And finally we have hockey. The Oilers signed 2 -teenagers to contracts. Now granted, Gagner and Cogliano have lit it up as of late but still, signing 2 in one week is risky, which, is the Oilers way I guess and why I love them so much. Either way, I can't wait till Thursday. It should be an interesting season.

I didn't comment on the CFL because Montreal continues to falter without Calvillo, Sask continues their traditional mid season slump, the Bombers continue to look strong yet you just know their going to tank in the post season and BC looks to be a lock for the Cup. . .again. At least the cup final, I still have hopes my Bombers will pull it out.

So, there you have it, last week in the world of sports. I'm sure I missed zillions of other interesting things like Downie's 20 game suspension, the Flames impressive pre season record, LT's lack of TD's and Dutchie's continued over-use of lipstick but still, we've covered some good stuff and besides, its midnight.

John