Over My Shoulder

This past week I went back over the year that was 2006.Here are my personal highlights (in no particular order):

· Retreat in January at Kananaskis
· Two separate visits with Pernell, Margie & the fam. My second trip in October was especially great as I had the opportunity of spending two overnights with them. Thanks guys - you made it an extra good-year (sure you haven't heard that before)!
· Several trips to Banff - I love that place. I saw Eddie Shack there a couple of year's ago.
· Two Hitmen games with my boyz.
· Watching Joel play his first hockey tournament in Edmonton during March break. We also made a trip to West Edmonton Mall that weekend to Galaxyland.
· Superbowl XL at Joey's with my other boyz.
· Taste of Chaos with As I Lay Dying stealing the show - good times w/Berkley.
· Watching Jacob at his first drum recital as he pounded the skins while his teacher plucked Seven Nation Army out on the bass.
· Getting to see my little ballerina in her big show debut.
· My buddy Phil & his girlfriend Ashley came to visit us - great to meet her & spend time together.
· Buying a tent trailer - wow, best purchase we ever made as a family! We created some great memories last summer - Kananaskis country, Radium, McLean Creek, Drumheller & Red Deer Lodge! I can't wait for this summer together around the campfire!
· Mom Burton's visit in the summer - we took her camping with us & the kids had a blast.
· Transforming Julia's bedroom from a dark dingy green to a bright pink blow deserving a princess.
· Our garage sale - stressful & sunburned yet worth the cash and getting rid of the clutter.
· Turkey Bowl 2006 - bigger crowd, fans & takin' a lickin' yet still tickin'!
· Calgary Tattoo Show & getting to catch up with Peel - I haven't had ink in two years simply because Peel's the man & I'm too far away - hurry up and come out west buddy!
· Breakfast with Rudy Carrasco a la Dave King. Of course breakfast was good with Dave too - thanks for the invite Dave!
· Going to see Of Mice & Men with my main squeeze for a little 'us' time.
· Two Flames games in four days over the Christmas break! First as a gift from my father-in-law to me (Canucks) and then as a gift to my father-in-law from me and my boyz (Kings).
· Underoath at Mac Hall & dinner with Bill of Silverstein - good times with Berkley & Graham, thanks boyz!
· Finally getting the opportunity to volunteer at the Y.
· Viewing 2.5 million lights at the Zoolights with my fam!
· Revisiting one of the gods of glam with Berkley & Graham (these guys are my concert buddies) - Bret Michaels! I was a huge Poison fan back in the day & this guy still has it.
· A Christmas Carol with my fam! What a great show! The theatre at Christmas time has become something of a tradition for us as a family.
· Mom Wiseman's visit while we went to Retreat last January. My kids are excited for her arrival this week.
· Christmas with my Father-in-law Gary & his wife Susan. It was somewhat of an extended family Christmas as Sue's daughter & her family live here in Calgary as well as Sue's son Adam came from Halifax to be here for holidays. We went on a sleigh ride together that was great fun!
· Countless coffees & conversations with friends.

I love movies, again in no particular order, here are my favs of 2006:
· Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
· Cars
· Superman Returns
· Happy Feet
· Click
· You, Me & Dupree
· Barnyard
· Flushed Away
· The Shaggy Dog
· 16 Blocks
· The Holiday
· The Ant Bully
· Lucky Number Slevin
· Rocky Balboa

Worst movie that I saw in 2006:
· Lady in the Water
This flick absolutely sucked. Mr. M. Night is a one hit wonder. Sixth Sense was brilliant & his problem is that everything he dreams up will always live in it's shadow. Good night M. Night it's curtains for you.

I love music, here are my top CDs in no particular order:
· Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
· Flyleaf
· John Mayer - Continuum
· P.O.D. - Testify
· Evanescence - The Open Door

Lowlights of 2006:
· Vince Neil in concert. I was once again visiting my glory days of glam. I went to see him in all his embarrassing glory. As he was sooooo drunk leaning over the stage for a high five with someone in the crowd, his marshmallowed carcass landed on some unsuspecting fan. The guy couldn't remember the words to his own songs, he tried to play a guitar solo and couldn't find the on switch, and on top of all that, the music had to be cranked to drown out what was once a good set of pipes. Time to hang it up bud.
· I got a parking ticket & I was innocent, innocent I tell ya.
Seriously, doing this has allowed me to see what a great & full year I've had & hey, I'm still alive.This year I have one goal: Knowing God more personally. Not knowing about God, not in a theological way but in a personal experience kind of way. I'll hash that out more in the year. I believe if I succeed on this goal it will impact every facet of my life.

It's early but in case I'm not chattin' with you - Happy New Year!

THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

behind trees aglow with radiant light
behind all those festive ornaments bright...

behind strands of tinsel—like angel hair
behind oversized stockings hung up with care...

behind presents wrapped up in colorful array
behind seasonal wreaths put up for display...

behind carols sung by a choir so sweet
behind mounded platters of holiday treats...

behind decorations of red and green
behind hand-carved miniature nativity scenes...

behind those cold-nipped cheeks so rosy
behind blazing yuletide fires so cozy...

behind all the frenzied hustle and bustle
behind the sluggish shopping crowd shuffle...

behind the rush of last minute details
behind the deadline to get the cards mailed...

behind the short tempers that sometimes flare up
behind angry feelings that suddenly erupt...

behind countless things still left undone
no wonder this season's not very much fun!

how could this season be much of joy
when I can't even assemble this new-fangled toy?

I wonder if anyone could honestly find
genuine reasons to be loving and kind...

and as I ponder this lack of joy in my soul
I realize I've forgotten this season's true goal...

because the true meaning of Christmas you see
was wrapped up in the babe of the nativity...

for unto us that night a Son was given
who would die for us all and open up heaven...

angels proclaimed the dear Savior's birth
reminding me clearly of this season's true worth...

for God gave the most precious gift he could give
the gift of his Son so that all men may live

a new life without end with joy so divine
that Christmas could be a more meaningful time...

so when the holiday strain gets too great
with gifts still unwrapped and the hour growing late

the Prince of Peace wants to calm all the fuss
and renew the right meaning of Christmas...in us!

by Joseph Ostrander

Homeless Partners

Got this link from Steve.

To Send A Caring Gift And Message To An Individual Homeless Person, Read Their Stories, Select A Person, and Follow The Steps at this link.

The Consumer Trap

This is a timely reminder.

Breaking Free

Breath of Life, breathe on me...
Wind of God, blow through me...
Spirit of Truth, rebirth me...
pull back the covers of my practical, logical world
and baptize my knowledge with the mystery of faith.
help me to believe and to stop trying to understand.
after all, how could I ever wrap my mind around something--
someone--
greater than the universe itself?

your presence doesn't make me comfortable,
but it comforts me.
your light isn't easy to look at,
but it reveals me.
the spiritual life is an absurd mystery.
help me to enter it,
as it enters me.
the first step isn't one of reason, but one of faith.
help me to take it. even now. even here. today.
amen.

Taken from "Never the Same", copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/ct.php?t=1053968&c=963688224&m=m&type=1&h=059FA55F9D00C41E69930F9D33013093

Are You Starving Jesus?

I read this book in the summer - very good.

You can watch a short film about the premise here.

Advent Thoughts

Check out this advent calendar.

Make Poverty History

The rate of child and family poverty in Canada has been stalled at 17-18% over the past 5 years despite strong economic growth and low unemployment, according to a new report by Campaign 2000. The 2006 National Report Card on Child & Family Poverty finds that 1,196,000 children - almost 1 in every 6 children - live in poverty in Canada. In First Nations communities the child poverty rate is higher: 1 in every 4 children.

"These disturbing findings demonstrate that we need political commitment to a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Canada with targets, timetables and funding. Countries like the United Kingdom have done this with success and Canada can too." stated Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator for Campaign 2000.

You can voice your concern about child poverty and call for government action by going to http://www.campaign2000.ca/ and click on Take Action to send a message to the Prime Minister.

We See What Most Don't

We see the heartbreaking effects of poverty, homelessness, abuse and addiction every day. And most importantly, we see the people who desperately need support and compassion. For us it's impossible to turn a blind eye to suffering. Last year in Canada The Salvation Army served 2.5 million meals to the hungry, helped 10,000 people with addictions and provided one third of all shelter beds each night. This Christmas we ask you to open your eyes and your heart. And give.

6 Things You Need to Know About Homelessness

1. Homelessness becomes a life-or-death issue in Winter

Humans cannot survive outdoors overnight in temperatures below -15 degrees.
Temporary shelters across Canada sometimes find it necessary to turn people away.

2. Homelessness is a growing problem in Canada

• In Toronto, the City’s first official homeless census counted over 5,000 homeless in the city in 2006.
• In Calgary, 3,436 homeless individuals were counted in 2006, nearly twice the 1,737 from 2002, and dramatically higher than the 447 people identified in the first such study in 1992.
• In Vancouver, a 2005 study showed that the homeless population had nearly doubled since 2002, to over 2,100 people.
• In Edmonton, a 2004 study found that 2,192 homeless were living in the city, up from 836 when the first survey was conducted in 1999.
  

Click here to read the rest of the list.

The Coming

To consider during Advent:

When we stop to think about the simple way Christ lived his life and his concern for "the least of these", celebrating his birth with a multi-billion dollar exchange of video games, designer jeans, and sports equipment, seems strangely inappropriate.

~Jean Coppock Staeheli

So how do we celebrate Jesus birth?
Do we know how to celebrate His birth in a way that is keeping with His life & message?
How foreign is this "less is more" concept to our gift giving, North American ears?

advent spirituality: prepare ye the way

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord in our lives. The questions below can help our inward preparation. They can be used during Advent, or perhaps over the holidays, as we start to focus on another year.

Am I content with who I am becoming?
Do my family and friends recognize the authenticity of my Christian spirituality?
Am I generous?
Do I have a quiet centre to my life?
Have I defined my unique ministry?
Is my prayer life improving?
Have I maintained a genuine awe of God?
Is my lifestyle distinctive?
Is my "spiritual feeding" the right diet for me?
Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes?
Is there enough celebration in my life?

From Steve Taylor