Fight the Good Fight, Tell the World

OFFICER: We're running out of missiles, Sir. We're just not causing enough damage!

GENERAL GREY: They're getting ready to fire the big gun. You're going to have to find a vulnerable spot, fast.

Sure enough, the SCHISM is opening, preparing to fire the WALL OF DESTRUCTION. The President locks the SCHISM hatchway into the center of his HUD (heads up display). Just as he FIRES, Eagle 9 is BLOWN OUT OF THE SKY. It rocks the President, sending his missile off target. Off balance, the missile hits just wide of the hatchway and EXPLODES, rocking the entire ship.

PRESIDENT: I'm out of missiles! Eagle 2?



EAGLE #2 PILOT: I'm on it.

But before he can target, his fighter EXPLODES.

GENERAL GREY: We're out of time. Get out of there! Get as far away as you can.

PRESIDENT: Doesn't anyone have any damned missiles left?!

RUSSELL (O.S.): Sorry I'm late, Mr. President.

Russell ZOOMS past the President and alien attackers, barely missing their FIRE.

PRESIDENT: Who is that? What are you doing?

RUSSELL: It's okay, Sir. I'm packin'.


We SEE he has a large MISSILES. A light flashes ARMED. Russell heads directly TOWARDS THE SCHISM. Everyone is gripped to the screen as we see it get closer and closer to the closing bay doors. Russell attempts to fire the missile... but...

RUSSELL: It's jammed! Do me one favor... tell my children I love them very much.

Russell nears the SCHISM, a hail of alien firepower erupting around him.

MIGUEL: Dad! No!

Russell turns off his radio as he banks UPWARD towards the open SCHISM. Suddenly the bright lights VANISH and the beam begins to form. Russell's bi-wing just makes it INSIDE THE OPEN SCHISM and disappears from view. Suddenly, A GIGANTIC EXPLOSION, RIPS THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE SPACE CRAFT causing a CHAIN REACTION of explosion. The command room erupts in CHEERS. Everyone, that is, except Miguel.

GENERAL GREY: Miguel, you should be proud.

MIGUEL: I am.

Intercepting the celebration, General Grey moves over to a radio technician.

PRESIDENT: Let's get on the wire. Tell every squadron around the world how to shoot those suckers down.




I love movies. And I love when movies draw pictures of what the Christian life is like.

Often we find ourselves waging a battle against the sin that has taken over our lives, or a difficult time or burden in our lives... and it seems as if no matter what you throw at it... it just explodes all around you and the problem is still ever present. It can seem like you're out of time and you just need to get out, to run away.

Thankfully, Christ, from humble beginnings, just like Russell, loves his children. Such that he sacrifices his life for our salvation. In the light of Christ's death, sin is defeated. We are shown that our continued efforts to fight turmoil are meaningless without trusting the burden to Christ's sacrifice.

And we should be proud. Not of ourselves, because we did nothing, but of Christ. So much to the point that we feel the imminent need to "get on the wire" and tell everyone around the world how to take sin down.

The challenge: If all this time you've been wandering your life and not spreading the gospel, the message has never been more clear. Come and see, go and tell. Welcome to earth.

Worship - The Wonderful Cross

The Wonderful Cross by daphadillz

Recorded from MCBCSL Praise Night: Daphne C (lead vocals) / Matthew T (piano, vocals) / David C (acoustic) / Caleb L (electric) / Karwai K (electric) / Ernest N (bass) / Jeff P (drums, vocals)

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died

My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did ever such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Oh the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross

Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross

All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all

Oh the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross

Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross

All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died

My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride

Making a Big Salad

This year at Teen's Conference 2011, I found myself doing a lot of little jobs all week, despite having one main assigned job to do. My tasks ranged from finding massive amounts of duct tape, finding wandering teenagers, and hosting pictionary sessions.


On one particular occasion, I found myself making a run to the local Metro with Kevin from the REC crew. Our task was very simple... It was sandwich day... the signature Teen's Conference sandwiches have become a staple of what it means to eat lunch during March break. The first lunch had just been served, and I was told we needed 12 heads of lettuce and 24 cucumbers, STAT. So off Kevin and I went, down the block in a mad rush to buy produce for hundreds of starving kids. We got to the store, grabbed a cart and starting piling on the lettuce and cucumbers. Within minutes our cart was FULL of green vegetables. We briskly walked over to the cashier and began loading up all of our goodies.

Our cashier was a younger blonde girl... and she immediately gave us weird looks... two asian kids in identical T shirts buying 24 cucumber and 12 heads of lettuce. She didn't say much except for when she made a smug face and said, "...You guys makin' a big salad?"



Okay so I admit I was kind of laughing inside when she said it, but I remember just saying "Yep, huge."

So how is this relevant to anything? For the past two and a half years it seems like I've been going through some really rough times... and it seems like whenever I start feeling better, something bad will happen again to make me question what the hell is going on. Even just last night I got news of something that brought down several months of work trying to build myself back up again... But I've realized that trusting in God sometimes means not understanding what you see in front of you... like 24 cucumbers and 12 heads of lettuce that leave you thinking "WTH"... but there's a reason and a purpose behind it if you care to be patient enough to have it be revealed to you. I'm not yet at this stage yet... I'm learning, and trying to hear what God's trying to say... and trust that even IF God really is just making a big salad, it's going to be a really good one.



Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

The challenge: Are you at a point in your life where you feel like God has abandoned you? Do you question why or how He could put you in this situation? Ask God for patience so that you may learn to trust Him more.

When You Believe

On November 2, 1998, two of the great divas in the music industry released a duet performance of a song that would go on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. "When You Believe" was recorded for the animated film, "The Prince of Egypt," and was sung by these two, the most famous divas at the time, at the awards themselves. The performance was epic and is still mentioned today as one of the greatest musical collaborations of all time. The song not only was vocally challenging, but was quoted by Mariah Carey as having "a profound message of hope."


Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT)
Then Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. [22] You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it."

In the Christian volleyball league that I play in, one of the leaders from an opposing team shared the following story: It was time to plan a fundraising softball tournament. Up until the day of the tournament, all reliable sources had forecasted oceans upon oceans of rain. Nevertheless, this leader was adamant that the tournament would go ahead as scheduled. When asked why she was so persistent given the outlook, her response was, "because I prayed about it."



It is my strong belief that this type of faith, a faith that truly believes what is being asked for will come to fruition, is lost amongst nearly all adults. A comment that this leader later stated was, "if you ask for something from God but don't really believe He can deliver, then don't expect for it to happen to you." After all, there can be miracles when you believe:

Luke 7:2,6-10 (NLT)
At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. [6] So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. [7] I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. [8] I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it." [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!" [10] And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

For the record, it DID in fact rain that morning... The leader fervently prayed through the rain, asking God out loud to cease the rain so that she could raise the money to benefit His kingdom. The rain stopped. The sun came out. The tournament went on. No lie.

The challenge: What are you praying for right now? When you do so, do you REALLY believe God's going to deliver? Do you blame him when it then doesn't work out just how you wanted it?

Worship - Heart of Worship

Heart of Worship by daphadillz

Recorded from MCBC Good Friday 2011 Service: Daphne C (lead vocals) / Rebecca L (piano, vocals) / Karwai K (acoustic) / Beverley C (cello) / Jeff P (drums, vocals)

When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song for a song in itself is not what you have required
You search much deeper within, through the way thing appear - You're looking to my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship - it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it - it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express how much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours - every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song for a song in itself is not what you have required
You search much deeper within, through the way thing appear - You're looking to my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship - it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it - it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

Words Speak Louder than Actions...

Remember this rhyme from when we were kids? (Okay, I'm still a kid.) "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." I have to say that it really is an ingenious little poem that teaches kids to ignore what people say... however... we all know that names can hurt like hell. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure with enough kinetic force behind them, sticks and stones can hurt very much, but really, I'd choose them over harsh words that have little to no physical momentum. (Nerd.)


When I was in middle school, I was the only gifted kid (see above re: nerd) to make it on the basketball team. I had no friends on the team, and was seen as the weird outcast girl. I wasn't cool, and I wasn't popular, so I got picked on every practice, by this one girl in particular. I'll blog about her again one day, cause it's a good story, but the short of it is that she would pick on me. At first it was little things, like she would whip the ball at me... Dude, we're on the same team. So my mom said that I should ignore it and maybe it was just her actions... But she didn't actually feel that way... Then she started cussing at me, and made fun of my late puberty-ness. Yea, not fun changing after practice. Then it was incredibly clear, that not only did her actions hurt my body, but her words crushed my spirit. Mean girl.


In some way, words speak much louder than actions. In the book of Matthew, Jesus was questioned as to what kind of foods people should eat or not eat. His response:

Matthew 15:10-11,15-20 (NLT)
Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. "Listen," he said, "and try to understand. [11] It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth." [15] Then Peter said to Jesus, "Explain to us the parable that says people aren't defiled by what they eat." [16] "Don't you understand yet?" Jesus asked. [17] "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. [18] But the words you speak come from the heart-that's what defiles you. [19] For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. [20] These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you."


A few of the kids that I had to mentor in the past asked me a question about drinking. Newly heading into university, I was nervous for them, and wanted to be able to tell them the right answers. To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing in the bible that says Christians should not drink. (I'm not a pastor or seminary student, but I don't think I'm wrong.) It doesn't say that you shouldn't swear either. However, it does say that from a good well, good water flows, and from a bad well, bad water flows. So. If Christ really is within your heart and this is something that you proclaim, then theoretically, certain behaviors should not come naturally. Those who cuss left, right and center ought to question if their behavior is indicative of the incredible changing power Christ has caused in our lives.

In the same way, faith brings about good deeds and good fruit. If we live double lives that ever leave those around us in doubt as to whether or not we have been changed, then really the answer is that we have not.

The challenge: Is it incredibly evident by how you live your life, by how you respond to situations, by your habits and your reputation, by your casual behaviours, by what you say and do, that you are a follower of Christ?

Worship - Mashup: Cannons / Glory to God

Cannons Glory to God by daphadillz

Recorded from MCBC Sunday Service: Daphne C (lead vocals) / Ernest N (acoustic, vocals) / Karwai K (electric) / Jared T (bass) / Jeff P (drums)

It's falling from the clouds, a strange and lovely sound

I hear it in the thunder and the rain

It's ringing in the skies like cannons in the night

as the music of the universe plays

We're singing You are holy, so great and mighty

The moon and the stars declare who You are

I'm so unworthy, but still You love me

Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Beautiful and free, the song of galaxies

Reaching far beyond the milky way

Let's join in with the sound, Come on, let's sing it out

As the music of the universe plays

We're singing You are holy, so great and mighty

The moon and the stars declare who You are

I'm so unworthy, but still You love me

Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Glory to God, Glory to God

Glory to God forever

All glory, honour, power is Yours, amen

All glory, honour, power is Yours, amen

All glory, honour, power is Yours, forever amen

We're singing You are holy, so great and mighty

The moon and the stars declare who You are

I'm so unworthy, but still You love me

Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Harmonious Change

I remember it clearly. I had just got home from an 8 hour long night shift, and was crawling into bed utterly exhausted. At 7:30 AM in the morning on a cold fall morning, the rest of the world was just beginning to wake up. The fumes from cars warming up was beginning to float over dew-covered driveways, and the birds sung their last few songs before they would depart for the winter. I slowly made my way into my bed, prepared for a long day of catching on lost sleep... when all of sudden, I heard...



BRAAAAAAAANNNGGGG, BRRAAAAAANNNNGGG, BRRRAAANGG... If there was ever a time where I cussed out loud and actually meant it, that was it. Not only was I incredibly exhausted, but the sound of the alarm blaring RIGHT ABOVE my bed made me want to throw concentrated acid on my ears just to stop hearing it.



When I relayed this story to a friend of mine later that day, I briefly mentioned something about wishing that they would play a song like "Staying Alive," instead. (BTW, for you CPR savvy people who want to remember what the tempo is for 100 BPM to do CPR to, apparently Staying Alive is the tune that best fits... and pun intended.) Said friend looked at me and asked, "Are you sure a super loud song would be better?" UH YES.

What makes music is the change in pitch. A single note held over a long period of time not only is NOT music, but is rather annoying and is just NOISE. It's that change that we're looking for, that makes real music.

Much like how a faith without change in a person is meaningless. It's just words or actions, or worse yet, RELIGION. Just like change in pitch can make all the difference between noise and music, so does change in a life make the difference between religion and real faith.

Matthew 18:1-3 (NIV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [2] He called a little child and had him stand among them. [3] And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 2:28-29 (NLT)
For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. [29] No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Take it one step further. When we allow God to lead the way in our lives, he writes a melody to match our notes and makes harmony. There is a difference between singing your own melody and expecting God to do harmony over your notes... and allowing God to pick the leading line.



The challenge: Are you trying to be the writer of the music, instead of following the Composer's lead? Is it leading to meaningless sound, or harmonious music? Is it evident by the change in your life that that your eyes are the Conductor?

Worship - Mashup: Unashamed / Amazed

Unashamed Amazed by daphadillz

Recorded from MCBC Sunday Service: Rebecca L (lead vocals, keys) / Daphne C (piano, vocals) / Keith L (acoustic, vocals) / Bonnie W (acoustic) / Dan K (bass) / Jeff P (drums)

I have not much to offer You, not near what You deserve

But still I come because Your cross has placed in me worth

Oh Christ my King of sympathy whose wounds secure at peace

Your grace extends to call me friend, Your mercy sets me free

I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy to call upon Your name

But because of grace, because of Your mercy I stand here unashamed

I can't explain this kind of love - I'm humbled and amazed

That you'd come down from Heaven's heights and greet me face to face

I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy to call upon Your name

But because of grace, because of Your mercy I stand here unashamed

Lord I'm amazed by You

Lord I'm amazed by You

Lord I'm amazed by You, how You love me

Here I am at Your feet in my brokenness complete

Here I am at Your feet in my brokenness complete

I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy to call upon Your name

But because of grace, because of Your mercy I stand here unashamed

How wide, how deep, how great is Your love for me

How wide, how deep, how great is Your love for me

Christ's Love and Basketball...

I remember the first big crush that I ever had - he was one of the most popular boys at school in grade 6, and he was good at everything. He was smart, he was athletic, musical, and cute! Alas, I was smitten. Of course, my grade 6 mind couldn't possibly imagine telling him or ever letting him know that I had a thing for him despite the fact that we had some classes together and we sat right next to each other. So for years, I never let him know that I was head over heels for him. (Even to this day, we are good friends and that grade 6 mentality still tells me to never ever let him know... Actually he probably figured it out in grade 6... I wasn't very stealth haha.)


But don't get me wrong - I found ways to interact and do things with him, hoping all the while that he would never find out that I liked him. He was athletic, so I joined all the sports clubs and teams that I could. In fact, I picked up basketball because of him. At the time, there was a sports club that you could join, and knowing that this was the type of thing he would join, I picked up basketball and learned to get really good at it! Sure enough, he joined the club haha. Within a year, I loved basketball. It was my favourite sport, and even going into high school, it was my primary sport up until my knee injury. By that time I'd forgotten the real reason that I'd picked up the sport because I loved the game.


Such is the story of how many people find Christ. Often people will go to a conference, or an event for very wrong reasons (i.e. lots of people join Christian softball leagues in order to find a girlfriend or boyfriend), but often God has a greater plan than that and we end up finding Him amongst our wrong motives - and we come to love Him and form a real relationship with Him. It doesn't mean it's right, but it means God's plan is greater than our small intentions.

But it doesn't stop there. Christ's changing power demands that once we have engaged in a relationship with Him that we make our future decisions intentional for His purposes... no longer should we involve ourselves in activities for our own motives (a boy we like for example haha), but now that we have been transformed, so should our motives behind our decisions. Christ should now consistently be the reasons behind our actions. If we truly attest that we have experienced Christ's love, then it should only be natural that we abandon our own motives to strive for His alone, in confidence that God will provide for those other things that He knows we need.


2 Corinthians 5:13-17 (NIV)
If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. [16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

The challenge: What's motivating you? Do you make decisions for yourself, or for His glory? What's your life's mission statement?

Unrecognized Footprints

I'd tell you to close your eyes for this exercise, but then you wouldn't be able to read it. So. Here goes. Imagine where you live. Perhaps it's on Bayview Avenue... Bayview Avenue... is just really a street, in the city of North York. North York is a tiny part of the Greater Toronto Area. The GTA is really a city in the province of Ontario, which is one of many in the country of Canada, on a continent called North America. North America is one continent on the Earth, which is part of the milky way, in the Solar System, in the Galaxy. Get the point? If you don't feel really small right about now, maybe you needed to do it with your eyes closed haha.


Romans 1:20 (NLT)
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

This verse has really stood out to me. God drops big anvils on us to remind us that He is Lord, and yet we accept what we see as the norm, and forget to give Him the glory. When was the last time we had to think about taking a breath, to hope that if we jump, that we'd land back on the ground? All of creation is balanced in this perfect system... and yet we aren't amazed?


God also gives us little hints that he's around. At a time where I was going through a really tough time, I remember putting on a really good act, trying to pretend that everything was okay and that I wasn't upset. Inside, I was drained, and felt like following God's commands was not only a thankless, lonely, and difficult work, but that God wasn't going to be pleased with my offering or that I was failing by being so tired and drained by life's stresses. That day after service, a complete stranger came up to me in the foyer and said, "Keep up the hard work, because your efforts are appreciated. Good job." I nearly bawled my eyes out right then and there.


I remember once praying: "God, are You even hearing me?" And it took me a long time to realize that it was I who wasn't listening to His response.

The challenge: Perhaps it's the little things that count more, but whether big or small, God demonstrates His presence every second of every day. Question is... did you catch it?

A Chance to Meet a Hero

My mom is a pretty extraordinary woman. Despite the fact that her and I have had our share of differences in the past, I definitely respect her for how hard she works and cares for the people in her life. This comes out in her work. At her job, she's won this very prestigious award 7 times in a row, and as a result, for the past 7 years, she's had the chance to go on all inclusive trips to amazing countries with beautiful resorts. This year was no exception. The resort booked this year was in Las Vegas... and she got to dine with... wait for it...


Yup! "The Great One" himself, Wayne Douglas Gretzky, the most famous and awesomest player in the NHL. So much to the point where no other NHL player will ever wear his jersey number ever again! Wow.

When my mom returned from her trip, I eagerly asked her, "was it awesome?!" Her reply astounded me, "He was a nice guy. He signed a puck and gave it to me. Do you want it?" OH MY GOODNESS. My mom's complete lack of enthusiasm prompted me to ask her, "do you even know what team he played for?" It took her about 4 tries before she guessed "Oil," which my dad corrected to "Oilers." I asked her who he then played for... and after a few hints, I let her get away with New York.


Don't get me wrong. I am NOT a hockey buff. In no way do I really have a favorite hockey team. In fact, I tend to cheer for everyone - a very frustrating fact for real die-hard hockey fans. However, I do appreciate really good athleticism, and as such, I consider myself well informed about Wayne Gretzky, and couldn't believe my mom was so nonchalant about meeting him! What a once in a lifetime event!


But we get the chance to meet with a real Hero every day. He's so famous that there's no one else like Him, and He plays on anyone's team if they're willing to have Him. Meeting with Him every day, even for 10 minutes means that on a day when you really meet Him face to face, you will know Him. You won't be uneducated. He won't say to You, "I don't know You." If you had a chance to meet a real Hero today, right now, wouldn't you?

“Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy... You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

Psalm 69:13,30,32,34 (NLT)
But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. [30] Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. [32] The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. [34] Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.

The challenge: God is always desiring to meet with us. Will you show, or will you bail?

Step off the Boat!

Back in my prime (haha my older friends will argue I'm still in it), I competed in several national beauty pageants. Before this story goes any further, don't imagine me as your typical pageant contestant. I was probably the goofiest and most misfit contestant of them all. Not only did I have to take a makeup lesson before I entered, but I cared not about who won (I didn't obviously haha), and I didn't know the ins and outs of pageant lifestyle. I was completely out of my nerdy athlete element.

In preparation for the biggest pageant that I participated in, I competed in a smaller one and made it all the way to the final question. That dreaded final question. How nerve-racking. As I pulled the question out of the bag, I told myself, "Just don't say 'world peace' and you'll be fine." The question was read, and I cracked a joke to give me time to think. I really don't remember what my answer was, but I did avoid world peace, and ended up landing a first runner up position. Neat. (But also, NEVER AGAIN lol.)


Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. [23] After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. [24] Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. [25] About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. [26] When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" [27] But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" [28] Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." [29] "Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. [31] Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" [32] When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. [33] Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.


1. If you want to walk on water, you need to to step out of the boat.

I was challenged by a message a couple of years ago to step out of my comfort zone, in order to realize Christ's power. I was asked to completely step out of my element, and show a vulnerable side of me that would make me feel incredibly nervous and put me in a place I know I would otherwise choose to be out of. And yet, through it, I was able to impact others' lives and to see the fruit of His efforts. And years earlier it would never have dawned on me to enter beauty pageants, but I was able to fulfill my goal of raising the money for a children's charity... Peter was called to step out of the safety of the boat in order to walk on water. For some people this means going on international missions, for others it means changing the style in which you serve. Make yourself vulnerable if you want to see real Strength.


2. When we are discouraged, our true nature shines through.

Someone once blurted out something extremely offensive and insulting to me during an argument, and although the sentence was later retracted, I felt like I had seen what was truly in this person's heart. When Peter was walking on water and saw the waves crashing around him, he freaked out and started sinking. It is in our times of despair that our faith (or lack thereof) can reveal itself. When we are caught in a moment of nervousness, needing to provide an answer to a final question within 30 seconds in a beauty pageant, we often reveal what is really within our minds, what we really think or how shallow we really are. (World peace lol) When the storm is raging, when you are put into a tough situation, what will people see when the real you is shown?


3. Jesus saves.

Despite all of this, Jesus saves. And it is in that moment of salvation that sometimes we come to that realization that He really IS the Son of God, and we can only worship Him as the winds around us calm.

The challenge: In a moment of despair, what is your natural response? Are you stuck in a place of comfort? Step out of the boat! Be not afraid of sinking, for Jesus saves.

Where's my Muffin, Bitch?

One summer, while in university, I worked in the downtown Toronto financial district. My parents' house is right on the subway line, so I would bus down to King subway station every day. A homeless man would be there every Monday morning, holding open the station door, with an empty cup in his hand, and every Monday afternoon, he'd see the bankers back to the trains through the same doors.


Right next to the King subway station doors, was a muffin bakery. This store made the best muffins every morning, hands down. They were made fresh, and they came in about 15 different flavors. They literally served them to you out of the muffin tray! The lineup would go out the door of the store, and would only grow as open store doors wafted the smell into the subway station. I was hooked. Every morning: carrot muffin, with butter.


One week, I decided I would buy the homeless man a muffin. I passed him on my way out of the station, bought two carrot muffins with butter, and returned into the subway station to give him one. For nearly two months, I bought the man a muffin every Monday morning, when I bought mine.

On the second last week at my job, I was running late. By the time I actually got to King station, I was already 10 minutes late, and it would take me another 10 minutes to get to the tower and up to my floor and to my desk. Knowing I didn't have time to get a muffin that day, I rushed past the homeless man, and scurried up to my office.

At the end of the day, stayed 20 minutes late and then headed down into the subway to go home. I walked past the man holding the door open again, and thought nothing of it until I heard, "Where's my muffin, bitch?"

Yeah whatever response you just had... is the one I had. I couldn't believe it! After all this time, I'd bought you at least 8 muffins, and now, on the day when I had a legit excuse for why I couldn't, you cuss me out? Not to mention those muffins are NOT cheap! I was floored. I flashed him a disgusted face and angrily boarded the subway home.


People cannot control HOW they feel when they're confronted with a problem like mine. If it was within everyone's power to always feel happy simply by choice, no one would ever choose to be upset. You can't control how you FEEL when insulted. You can however control how you're going to respond to a comment like that, and the difference in response can sometimes indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit within someone.. I vowed that on the next Monday morning, I would buy him a muffin.

Except life also has a funny way of telling you that you shouldn't waste the little time that you have. On that last Monday of working downtown, Muffin Bitch man was not there, and I'd lost my chance to show the evidence of God's presence in me.

The challenge:

1. Out of faith comes good deeds. Exercise yours.
James 2:20-22 (NLT)
How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless? [21] Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.

2. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive - for you have been forgiven for much more. Your response to being sinned against will demonstrate Christ's impact (or lack thereof) in your life.
Matthew 5:39-42 (NLT)
But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. [40] If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. [41] If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. [42] Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.

3. Don't waste time. God gave it to us to use efficiently. Act now while it is within your power to do so before you lose your chance.
Proverbs 3:27-28 (NLT)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. [28] If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you."

Instant Patience

Last year for Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law bought my mom a Blackberry. At first she wasn't very impressed with it, or if she was, she didn't really show it, but once we started showing her how to use Blackberry Messenger, she was pretty convinced that Blackberry phones were good things. Except there was a problem. As you can imagine, my mom isn't the most technically savvy person out there.

As my mom fiddled around with her new phone, I recalled a night several years ago. My mom was in her bedroom, and from my own bedroom, I heard her frantically calling my name. I ran into her room, expecting to come across some horrid and dramatic scene, only to find her sitting calmly on her bed with her laptop opened up. Without looking up, she asked, "How do I BOLD this line?"

Yup. This woman now has a Blackberry. Oh dear. Okay to be fair, she did eventually get the hang of it, but with grumbling and groaning.

Here's a Blackberry Messenger crash course for you iPhone fans. When you send a message, it puts a little checkmark next to it, and then letters will show up next to it. So "D" means that the message was delivered, as in your friend with the blackberry HAS a data plan and the message successfully got to him. "R" means that the message has been read, as in your friend actually has seen it and acknowledged having read it either by pressing enter, or by typing something in response. When said friend is typing their response, BBM tells you that "FRIEND... is typing a message."

So here's what a typical BBM conversation goes like with my mom:
Me: Hi mom! (R)
Me: Just wanting to know what time dinner is at... (R)
Me: Cause I have to plan to drive to your house straight from work. (R)
Joanne: "...is typing a message."
Joanne:
Joanne: "...is typing a message."
...
...
...
(3 hours later)
Joanne: "...is typing a message."

How annoying! Just give me an answer! And there's no way you've been typing a message for the last three hours! Push the send button, man! And don't pretend you didn't get my message, because the little R's are there! And to make it worse, she'll call me when I'm clearly messaging her because I can't talk on the phone!

I imagine this is how we react to God's voice sometimes. We pray to God, and we expect this immediate answer back, especially if we believe that He's heard the message. Why won't you just message me back?! A few things to ponder:

1. It is a blessing to know that with God, He's read our message.
2. We should be patient and trust that God is writing out our lives.
3. Sometimes we should be prepared to not get the response that we expect, perhaps in the form of a call to do something else. When He calls us, we cannot be too busy to answer it, and only accept the instant responses to our prayers.

Also... tell your mom to press ENTER after she types her message.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! [36] Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

The challenge: What are you being impatient about? What response are you demanding from Him? Is He speaking to you in another way?

Resolution to Rest

It's that time again... New years resolutions time. Yup. Mine this year is to do more for myself, and that includes rest. I don't mean sleeping and being lonely at home... I mean things that keep me sane, things that I enjoy doing, things that don't give me UNrest. Sure it sounds selfish, but someone told me that you sometimes have to serve yourself so that you can better serve God and others.

Exodus 31:17 (NLT)
It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.'"

Stepping back: As leaders, we tend to over-serve. I don't just mean in a church setting, though that's also included. We serve others all the time if we are real leaders... Just that it's not always front and centre stage. I know for me I have a lot of extracurricular activities, and I've resolved to scale back on some and focus on a select few. Here's why: in volleyball, you get no points by over-serving (out), or under-serving (net). Find the balance. If you take a few steps back from over-serving, you'll get it right in the court. Even God rested on the 7th day.





Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, [25] or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Purging: Sometimes we surround ourselves with toxic people. Sure, Jesus associated with sinners, but that never caused Him to sin. From a toxicology standpoint, when associating with toxins that get into your system and poison you, it's time to step away and distance yourself from them. I'm trying to purge my life of things that I know poison me. By allowing the investment of so much of myself into them, I turned the poisons into false idols. Time to step away.





Romans 2:6-7 (NIV)
God "will give to each person according to what he has done." [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Persistence: I have vowed to spend more fun times with my friends. It's my equivalent of that resolution people make to go to the gym: they always say they'll do it but don't. In light of the tough things that have ruined so much, I'm going to try to be that fun person God intended for me to be. It's going to be tough... But like the gym, the small efforts every time go towards both emotional and health benefits. And laughing builds abs!




The challenge: this year, do you need to take a step back from something and trust instead? Are you poisoning yourself? Do you need to endure through something? Every second is a chance for resolution with Him. Make His will your resolution.