Happy Chaos

So my wife is back working, my kids are kids, there are still renos, I can't sell my cars, I need cash, I'm supposed to be sleeping now so that i can do tomorrow's work, but I''m not, I'm writing, working now-why? Because I have chaos....Too much to do. The ends are everywhere the means....somewhere. There are so many things that are simply uncontrollable, things that can crush, and things that can have no answers and.....I am happy.

I of course know that I am not the only one who has been in this place. Reading Todd's blog I get comfort from the fact that minutes to opening an national political debate there was no audience.....stress! I read in Ken's blog that the the local church now has global pastors and I ponder the death of the local church. Hmmmmm. It makes me happy. why?

Because i have just been asked to follow. That is it. Even in my failures I know that God salvages things. I am constantly believing that out of ashes God can raise things to life.

So in the chaos, the stress, the total insanity.....Can you still hear His words......

Put it on God's Tab

So, don't you think living beyond your means is irresponsible? At what point to finances dictate the will of God? I am so far from a prosperity gospel having lived for so many years 'doing' ministry. Reality is you need money to survive and you need to feed your family. Or do you?

I have been contemplating this as i have been trying to sell either or both of my vehicles. Crazy thing is I have been spiritualizing my prayers to God saying....'well you know I need to so help me!' You would think that I having lived now for many years exceeding my income for the sake of ministry would teach me. Every year being a miraculous endevour. A few years ago we literally had cheques dropped by our door every day for 2 weeks. Should I at this point doubt that God can provide?.......k i'm slow.

I recently filled out a survey for one of 'those' financial advisors. One of the questions was, 'how long can you feel comfortable with a negative income? one day, one week, one month......' I realized suddenly that I had an entirely different perspective on the subject than most people. In fact I was happy when i realized that I might actually be one of those crazy's who would sell everything.

BUT HERE IS THE THING:

If there is no money.......shouldn't i get the hint?

If we have exhausted all our options, maybe God is interested in a life change!!

So often we spiritualize when times are good about 'what would you do for god.' Happy to go home to our big screen TV's and our....microwave ovens (give me a break it just came to me). WE also FEEL like we throw out our faith when times are lean- because we gotta get a job, gotta feed our family. I think feeding our families might be spiritual.

Trouble is where do how can we tell when we are being spiritual and when we are just concerned about our cash?

cheers

OVV

Sunday we are off to Ottawa Valley Vineyard. Should be great. It is a reunion in so many ways. It is great to preach in your hometown, it is great to share with family, it is also cool because churches gather people. People who love Jesus. Join the reunion.

http://www.ovv.ca/

I have ONE life to live....

Okay now here is a great organization. Adventure Junkies beware, all your playing around on a skateboard, fishing, cycling, kayaking could actually give purpose to your life. Here is an organization that takes adventure travel and uses your brawn, and adrenaline to raise money for charity.

http://www.ventureexpeditions.org/

I love that they have an online community that helps people join in, and share their story. This is the very heart of pilgrimage. Becoming Human! Creating avenues for anyone to join in the mystery of life through journeys.

One blogger quotes Jimmy Carter saying.....

"have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I'm free to choose what that something is, and the something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands -- this is not optional -- my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.- Jimmy Carter

So, what are you planning....how do you want to impact the world.....JOIN IN! Last summer one of my favorite authors Donald Miller took the challenge to raise money for drinking water. He biked across the US to do it. read about it here...

Ventures motto is "Benefit the world....Discover your soul."

So....if you had one life to live, seemingly no extraordinary gifts to offer world poverty, just a bike, and a love of riding.....what would you do? How could you change the world.....


Awesome

Value Added

well I am back. and catching up with stuff....like blogging.

I have noticed something about blogs. The great ones have information you just can't track down. They are the genius behind the genius. A catalogue of thoughts and ideas. Some pimp their own products, books, thoughts....and why not!

Have you heard about the conference of the century? DEEPERYC.COM check it out! Oct. 10,11

But I am loving the blogs that also add something more. FREEBIES! BLING! and the great thing of VALUE ADDED!

Keep a look out for some awesome freebies....once i figure out how to add them.

School

Well it is now officially fall. Leaves have been turning colour, but as we all know the first sign of fall is children with backpacks. This year my own child has her backpack on. This is tragic! I can't believe my baby is going to school.

It has me thinking about influence. How am I to be an influence to her at school? How do I help her navigate the new things she is going to experience, the first bullies that she meets? Well I can't directly. I have now given up some of the parenting to others. A position I am not entirely happy with. I think some aspects of growing up are equally difficult for the parents as they are for the children.

So I am left, watching the packpack disappear into the school hoping,

and praying.