Stormy's Potential

This is what our dog could do:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=167323503080

Some Swell Paperbacks

This is an excellent commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism written by Kevin DeYoung, a conservative RCA minister. Sinclair Ferguson's description on the back cover: "A crash course in life-changing biblical teaching, a wake-up call to the slumbering, a blood transfusion for the spiritually anemic, a solid meal for the mature -- and much more: conversational, cutting where needed, gospel-filled -- and clear"



















David Murray has recently written a short book on depression. This newest book "How Sermons Work" (just published this year) provides an excellent refresher for experienced preachers and a reliable guide for those just starting out. Easy and enjoyable to read.









Dale Ralph Davis has writtena number of excellent redemptive
historical commentaries on the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel
and Kings. This also another interesting book in that same vein.















Peter Jones' book provides an excellent anaysis of the difference between the two world views presented in Scripture, particulary set out in Romans 1 (the chapter that most of this book is outlined by). In his preface Jones says that he was a personal friend of John Lennon, the famous singer of the group The Beatles. While Lennon came to America to deeply influence culture, at the same time Jones came to America to write up it. He married Rebecca Clowney. He is a great gift for evaluating worldviews and understanding our present battle against unbelief. Recommended.

More on the Conference

Last one on this conference. We promise!! There are just a few details that were not yet mentioned in Cher's previous post. There were close to 70 in attendance. 13 URC pastors, most of them brought their wives, one of those couples coming from as far as Winnipeg (who'd that be? hmmm.....) :) 20 CanRC ministers also were present with their wives. Most of the addresses were given to the entire group. We had four messages on "the privilege of pardon," "the privilege of preaching," "the privilege of praying," and "the privilege of pastoring." These were delivered by Prof Alan Strange of Mid America, who did an excellent job. The women sometimes broke off into their own discussion groups first to talk about books that are useful for Bible Studies and personal reading. The men also did the same, to discuss books that have been valuable to them for ministry. The women also had a session on "growing in prayer". This also was a very special time for them as pastor's wives as they have a very unique place in the church and, are often, along with their children, in the forefront of ministry. Hands and hearts were strengthened. (Rich)

Ministers Conference - including the wives!!

I never quite know how to word this......"Ministers and Wives Conference" sounds like the ministers all have more than 1 wife. But "Ministers and Wife Conference" sounds like 1 poor woman is married to all those ministers.........when we all know full well that just 1 minister as a husband is hand-full enough..... ;)

Our wonderful trip started off with all the family goodbyes we had to make before we could even head out the door. This part always hits me harder than it does Rich - especially when my little Corin, while kissing me goodbye as I put him in bed the night before, says, "Mommy, (sob, sob) this is the last time I'll hear your voice." I made all kinds of promises - to phone him when we got there, that Caleb could set up an e-mail account for him so he could e-mail me.......all while we both wiped our tears and hugged each other. Lots of drama. That's me and my kids :)

Anyway, we did get off the next morning, with Dad A. bringing us to the airport at about 6 am. Mark and Christy picked us up at the Vancouver airport a few hours later, and it was so good to see their faces! I quickly whipped out my phone and called Corin. And what did he say? "It's ONLY 3 days, Mom!" All in a voice that said, "Why on earth are you phoning me? I'm fine......" Go figure.
One of the first things we noticed, even from the plane, was all the gorgeous red fall colours! Things were at peak there, and Stanley Park was a great place to enjoy the outdoors. We took a nice long walk through forests (and huge Redwoods!) and also along the beach, braving the sea breeze and the spray along the walking trail, talking up a storm, catching up.

I just love mountains!

We found a tea house along the trail and stopped to warm up and have a coffee. It wasn't quite open yet, but they let us come in anyway.

View from the front of the tea house. Place where I somehow lost my scarf. Thanks for replacing it, Christy, with the early Christmas present! I just need to find a matching hat......(for some reason the hat that was in the scarf/gloves/hat set was about Yvetta's size :)

Very cute and cozy inside!

The outdoor patio was decorated for fall/halloween.

After M&C took us out to The White Spot for lunch we went across the border to their house. What fun to see where they live and enjoy the girls for a while! Early morning saw us cozied up on the couch taking turns reading from 101 Dalmations :) They have a very lovely home, complete with their own chickens, rabbit and a barn converted by Becka into a Little House on the Prairie playhouse. My sisters and I would have loved that when we were Becka's age!

The next morning Mark treated us to a full breakfast - waffles, eggs, bacon, coffee - delicious! And then we headed off to Deception Pass for a walk and to enjoy the view.

And we saw seals from the bridge!

Back to their house for a while, then off to drop some kids off, have tea with Melanie (a friend from the old OCRC days :) and then frantically race to pick up the guys b/c we'd lost track of time while chatting and were VERY late. Which surprised Mark and Rich b/c that kind of irresponsible behaviour is completely out of character for Christy and I.........or not....... ;)

And then..........off to the conference! The place itself (a Christian conference centre) just oozed relaxation - there was a bench or chair in every possible spot, just beckoning you to come and sit down and veg for awhile.

The views were spectacular. And the food was great. And there were cats. And cats. The less said about that the better, I'm thinkin' b/c they brought out some very "un-pastoral" behaviour in some of the men....... :)

Our room was on the lower level right next to the bench. Like a little haven. The first thing Rich and I both did when we got into the room was think (without even saying anything to each other) about which side of the bed would be best for me since I'd want to be able to get to the kids quickly in the night if anyone needed me :) Nice to not have to worry about that!

Love these 2. Thanks for a great time, Mark and Christy! This picture will always remind me of the conversation we had here about preaching :)

We came away refreshed and feeling ready and eager to continue serving the Lord in the capacity of pastor and pastor's wife. The speaker, Professor Alan Strange (MARS), spoke in a very pastoral, fatherly way, bringing us to see again the priviledge of preaching. Reminding us of the glory of the work - the greatness of handling God's Word and serving His people. Of the excitement of finding our identity, first of all, in being a sinner saved by grace. And living in the knowledge that we are what and who we are b/c God put us here - not b/c we got here by any skill or greatness in ourselves. Like a turtle on a fencepost. Completely dependent. On a God Who is completely dependable.

Turtles on a Fencepost

What is the first thing you think of when you see a turtle on a fencepost? You ask, "How did it get there?" It didn't climb or fly there. Someone had to put it there. The same is true of ministers of the gospel, and all who are called by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Someone put us here. We are sinners saved by God's overflowing grace. (I Timothy 1:12-15). (Illustration used by Prof. Alan Strange. Pictures from A Pol.)

The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism

In Washington......

We're here in Washington!! We flew to Vancouver and took a walk thru Stanley Park. Beautiful day. Beautiful views. The best of company :) Tomorrow we head to Sumas, WA for the conference. We'll catch ya'll up later!