Chariots of Fire. Vangelis Soundtrack

One of the songs our family loves to sing around the table is this one written to the tune of the theme/score for the movie Chariots of Fire (theme/score written and performed by Vangelis). The movie is based on the true life story of the Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell, winner of the men's 400 metre at the 1924 Olympics and who was also a missionary who served in China! David Michell, another missionary to China, who as a boy knew Eric Liddell during the Japanese occupation wrote these words in memorial. (Liddell died in 1945 while still in the Japanese prison camp in China.)

We're destined for glory, far brighter than gold
In the race of a lifetime, swift, eager and bold.
Both eyes fixed on Jesus, His joy our desire;
Strong feet run to follow, like chariots of fire.

His pleasures worth more than wealth and fame
His truth about all
To hear God's "Well Done," and praise His name,
Our soul's highest goal.

We're destined for glory, far brighter than gold
In the race of a liftime, swift eager and bold.
Both eyes fixed on Jesus, His joy our desire;
Strong feet run to follow, like chariots of fire.

David Michell, author of A Boy's War, p. 122.

Fotolanthropy Film: "Unexpected Joy"

Wpg Zoo on a 25 Degree Day.... in March

Canadian Tale

When we used to go to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario as a family, we always went to their outdoor theatre. One night, they were taking requests from the audience for short films. Everyone wanted to see a 1953 film on the legendary mighty Ti Jean - a French tale from Quebec about a young boy whose feats were greater than the strongest lumberjack. We were talking about this film at lunch today b/c Luke is writing an essay on tall tales. Here it is (the link):

Ti Jean Goes Lumbering.

Why would everyone want to see it so badly? Well, there are some funny scenes in it that are a bit ridiculous. In particular there is a scene where the lumber workers are playing a game called "The Spider" (around the 5 minute mark). Keep in mind: this a lumber camp, where beans are the main staple... When we watched it in Algonquin, someone in the audience added some sound effects during the "Spider" scene, which got the whole crowd of campers laughing. That's probably the biggest reason why people in the crowd wanted to watch it so bad... :)

(Rich)

Sunday & Sports: some good thoughts

Rich Holdeman writes: "Our love for sports as both participants and spectators can swerve into idolatry in many ways. Perhaps none is more obvious than the effect that sports can have on the Christian observance of the Lord’s Day."

Read the rest: Sports and the Lord's Day

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
¹⁴ Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 58:13, 14

Sons of Korah- Psalm 3

Who Purchased Scenic, SD?

The Cult of Manalo did. This cult, better known as Iglesia ni Christo ("The Church of Christ"), was founded by Felix Manalo in the early 1900s. It is the third largest religion in the Philippines, behind Roman Catholicism and Islam. According to The Standard Bearer, the magazine for the Protestant Reformed Churches, in September 2011, this Filipino cult purchased 46 acres of land and buildings in and around the town of Scenic, SD (which is near Rapid City, not too far from Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands). This is of particular interest to Winnipeg. Our city has a population of approximately 60 000 Filipinos who reside mainly in the Maples, according to a recent article in the Free Press. There's already an organized Iglesia ni Christo meeting regularly on Portage Ave.. Here are some links which give similiar information (though you should know that wikipedia doesn't always give entirely accurate information on religions):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scenic,_South_Dakota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_ni_Cristo

Stormy: July 27, 2011 - March 17, 2012

This is our dog, Stormy. He was the result of much planning, researching and thanking God for opportunities. He was our pal, our companion, our friend, our confidant. He was always ready to play. Always longing to be a part of whatever we were doing. He was the best.

On Sat., March 17th, he was hit by a truck in front of our home and died instantly. We miss him terribly.

We miss how he seemed to think he was still small enough to sit on our laps - even though he took up so much room we could hardly stay upright. And could hardly breath. We miss how he'd run laps around the deck with a chewed up icecream container in his mouth, wanting us to chase him.

We loved how he would race across the back yard, flat out full speed, chasing a ball or one of us. How he was always at the fence to see us off when we left and always there again to greet us when we returned home.

If you needed to talk to someone, Stormy would always listen. If you wanted to just sit and dream for awhile, he was always game to join you. If you wanted to go for a walk, he'd was an enthusiastic walking partner. If you just wanted to know someone was in your corner, he'd quickly assure you that he was - and glad to be there.

We've spent a lot of time in the last few days trying to process this. Just when we think we've shed our last tear, we'll see his collar or his half-full bag of dog food, or the chewed up container on the back deck and our hearts will hurt all over again.

Is it right to hurt this much over a dog? The way I see it is God made us to love. And He made dogs lovable.....to some of us. So for those of us who attach firmly to a pet, the pain is inevitable when that pet is gone. We're thankful for the time we had him and for the help he was to us in our time of getting used to a new life here in Manitoba. He didn't know how much he helped.

Portraits of God's Grace to Us

That's what comes to mind when I go through pictures of things that have happened in the days gone by. When I see this pic of the kids enjoying a Skype session with G&G Anjema and some cousins (Isaac, Marybeth, Alison, to be exact :) I just feel so thankful. So thankful that we have extended family. So thankful that we get along so well and enjoy each other so much. So thankful for technology that allows this to happen. Even though there are moments when I threaten to throw the computer out into the snow :)

I'm thankful for good kitchen help........ :)

......for the smiling faces that surround me, bringing so much joy and prompting me to laugh even in the midst of the muck of life. For a church family that always cares and loves - and helps me see grace through a clearer lens.

Thankful for grace. The grace of God that makes good relationships possible and that extends hope when things go sour. The grace that tells me to mend fences even when I'd rather someone else holds out the "olive branch" first. Grace that makes me do the hard things and holds me tight while I do them. Grace that makes love all the stronger and laughter more precious.

And a good pair of boots. Can't forget the boots :)

Size Of The Universe

We. Are. Tiny. To read the full post, click here.

A Few Helpful Blogs

With the rise of facebook and twitter, and the decline of blogging, there are still many useful blogs out there, some that are listed on the right column. Here are few more:

Bill VanDoodewaard and his wife Rebecca's blog The Christian Pundit

Al Mohler's blog is also really good: AlbertMohler.com

There's also an excellent interview of Derek Thomas and Carl Trueman in Twinterview: Brits Abroad

Caleb's Mixed Up Galaxies

If you know Mario, you know what the above picture is all about. Super Mario Galaxy for Wii. But, what happens when you apply Caleb's humour to Bob the Builder and his brother Corin's favourite stuffed animal, the mole? Well, let's just say you get some strange imaginative stuff. Like...

Super Bob the Builder Galaxy, and...

...Super Mole Galaxy. As you can see, there's never a dull moment around here. Lots of laughter and fun. And a crazy kid with a funny sense of humour.