Code Orange Revival | Re-Cap

January 23, 2012 in The Church with 0 Comments

For the past 12 days at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina they have been conducting what is dubbed “Code Orange Revival.”  Elevation is led by Pastor Steven Furtick and is one the  fastest growing churches in America.  Periodically throughout the 12 days I spent some time checking it out online and was tremendously blessed by each of the speakers I had a chance to see.  Here are a few videos of “Code Orange’ which I hope will bless you.

 

Code Orange Revival from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Winter Fun

January 20, 2012 in Family with 0 Comments

Living here on the West Coast of Canada we don’t always get to experience winter.  We are all too familiar with the rain but every now and again we get a little taste of the white stuff.  The past week has been incredibly cold with the frigid temperatures dipping down to negative 34 with the wind chill.  Man, is that ever cold!  Growing up in the Eastern part of Canada winter was one of my most favourite seasons especially because of hockey and snow castles.  With the snow we have experienced lately it has brought up a lot of childhood memories and it has allowed me to take two of my three kids outside and build snowmen and snow castles.  Here are a few recent pics of the kids playing outdoors.

Memphis

Nola

He's one cute kid!

On the look-out

Nola & Memphis

Keurig

January 19, 2012 in Just Random with 0 Comments

Coffee Goodness

Do you love coffee?

I know that I am one who would fall into this category.  I must admit that I am not a hard core connoisseur of coffee but I do enjoy a cup or two a day (sometimes even 3).  For years I have wrestled with finding the right machine until a couple years ago.  A friend of mine introduced the Keurig machine to me one night when my wife and I had dinner in his home.  I was blown away by the quickness and precision of the coffee maker.  One perfect cup of coffee in less than 15 seconds.  WOW! Not only was it quick, but is was a quality cup of coffee.  A few months passed by before I went out and purchased the machine.  Since then, I have appreciated the machine immensely (Emril’s Coffee is my favorite) and it has become a real conversation piece when we have friends over for dinner.  I think I have been responsible for 10 or more Keurig machines being sold and I have still yet to see any kickback from Keurig.  Oh well, I will continue to be a raving fan!

Here is a link to their website and I will allow them to explain their product, as they do a much better job then I could ever.  Go ahead and try one; it will become your best friend.

http://www.keurig.com

Enemies of A Dream

January 18, 2012 in Bible with 0 Comments

The other day I was spending time reading though the book of Nehemiah. I have to admit, it is one of my most favorite books in the entire Bible. It is filled with such hope! Nehemiah 2:12 is one of my favorite verses:

“Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.”

I love that! Nehemiah had a dream. His dream was to see the walls of Jerusalem restored. Not only did he want to see the walls restored, Nehemiah wanted to see honor and dignity restored the the Israelite people.

Have you ever had a dream in heart from God? I’m not talking about a dream that comes from you but rather from the One who created you. A dream so big, so real that it could only be God. That was Nehemiah’s dream. Unfortunately for Nehemiah, he had enemies of the dream. There was a force at work which would stop at nothing to abort the dream God had planted in his heart.

I am sure many of you know what I am talking about. We too have faced enemies of our dream. These enemies come in a plethora of forms, and will do anything and everything possible to destroy the dream. The Bible tells in John 10:10 ” the thief comes to rob, kill and destroy.” It can’t get any more clearer than that.

Enemies of the dream come in all shapes and sizes, and especially in all sorts of direction. Nehemiah was faced with people who openly mocked him for what he was doing. He even had to endure the possibility of physical harm because certain individuals were so angry with him. One of his biggest threats came from those who were helping him rebuild the walls. In life, sometimes your greatest adversary is someone who is the closest to you. You may even be your own worst enemy.

There were many other ‘enemies’ Nehemiah faced throughout the rebuilding process but what is probably one of the most incredible realities to this story was the amount of time it took to rebuild. Scripture tells us it only took 52 days for Nehemiah and the people to rebuild and restore honor and dignity to the children of Israel.

There is so much more to this story and so much more to mine out of it but I want to encourage you that the dream God has ‘placed in your heart,’ He desires to see it birthed. You are not alone – so take courage!

What ‘enemies’ is your dream facing now right now?

River Tov Sabourin

January 16, 2012 in Family with 0 Comments

Almost 6 months ago, River came into our lives.  One day I will share the story of River as he is truly a miracle, but for now I thought I would share a few photos of River Tov Sabourin.  I must admit, this is one cool kid – oh yeah, he’s pretty cute too!

what a miracle

River has an older sister and brother – Nola & Memphis

his nickname is Gene as he has a long tongue

just look at that face

one cute kid!

FASTER

January 15, 2012 in Addiction with 0 Comments

While working in the field of addiction relapse is always a possibility.  Here is an acronym that I came across which I have found to be a helpful tool for those struggling with the thought of relapse.  Relapse doesn’t just happen one day out of the blue, it is a process that begins in the mind.

F | forgetting priorities

A | anxiety

S | speeding up

T | ticked off

E | exhausted

R | relapse

A great litmus test to see where you are at.

What Does An Addict Look Like?

January 14, 2012 in Addiction with 0 Comments

You see them living on the streets, huddle in the doorways of dark alleys late at night.  They live under the overpass of the highway or in the slums on the other side of the tracks.  Or do they? I am sure we have all driven by a person before and said, “there’s an addict.”  Addicts are easy to pick out of a crowd of people, aren’t they?  Have you ever asked yourself, what does an addict look like?  Let’s face it, some addicts are obvious to pick out as they wear the years of abuse on the outside.  Their faces are scared and they often smell quite bad.  They walk the city streets pacing up and down looking for their next fix.  

I have been working in the field of addiction for nearly 10 years now and I was in active addiction for 9 years myself and I must say that not every addict is someone living on the streets or in the dark alleys of your community.  Addiction is no respecter of person.  People in active addiction come in all shapes and sizes and from all different backgrounds.  Doctors, lawyers, office professionals struggle with addiction.  Athletes, musicians and executives become hopelessly addicted to drugs and alcohol; even stay at home moms.  As much as we think we know what an addict looks like, I want you to know that appearances can be deceiving.  So the next time you make a decision to judge a person you see on the streets and say to yourself or someone else, “look at that addict,”  remember your next door neighbor or even your own child maybe someone addicted to something.  What does an addict look like to you?

Click here to read my story of overcoming addiction.

image credit POTSC

A blog about nothing…

January 14, 2012 in Just Random, Life with 0 Comments

I spent some very needed time on my blog last night and one thing became very clear to me as I surveyed it … I have neglected it!  There, I said it.  I have known for some time that this ‘blog’ is a ‘blog’ about nothing.  There is no rhyme or reason to when I post or even what I write about.  This makes me :( .

So what I feel to do is take some time and begin to contemplate the direction I want to take this blog.  For most people who consider themselves to be bloggers have a specific niche they are writing to or at least their blog serves a purpose in that it is a place for them to improve their writing skills or even an ‘online journal’ per se.

My commitment to this blog is as follows:

1.  To write at least three posts per week.

2.  Intentional development of an online community.  (I need to spend time on other blogs and engaging them and not just expecting everyone to show up to my blog and leave an obscene amount of comments.)

3.  To create specific content for a specific ‘crowd.’

4.  To continually improve my writing skills as a ‘blogger.’

How is your blogging coming along?

Quote

January 11, 2012 in Quotes with 0 Comments

Our goal is not to worry about being innovative or successful, but truthful and faithful to Jesus and His good news, and He’ll get the job done.   Mark Driscoll – Mars Hill Church

Everyone Needs a Mordecai

January 10, 2012 in Bible with 0 Comments

Have you ever allowed someone to speak into your life?
Have you ever sought out council or advice?
Who has helped shape you?

These are just a few questions to consider. One of the lessons I have valued has been the input and mentoring I have received in my life. the men and women who I have asked to speak into my life have helped shape me into the person I am and becoming. The other day my wife made a comment which has been stirring in my heart ever since. She said, “everyone needs a Mordecai.” Mordecai was Esther’s uncle, who was like a father figure to her as her parents had passed. During the time she became the Queen of Persia, he spoke into her life and helped guide her. He was Yoda-ish. He was wise, insightful, discerning, committed, and very protective of Esther.

I encourage you all to read the story of Esther which is found in the Bible and you will be able to see exactly what I am talking about. My wife is right, everyone does need a Mordecai.

Who is your Mordecai?

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