Free Art Friday 27/04/12 - a song for my friend Billy

I started a song a few months back and I thought I would share the lyrics today.
I have a friend named Billy Weir who once played drums for a young up and coming rock n' roll singer named Harold Jenkins who would go on to use the name that you might be more familiar with - Conway Twitty.  Billy played with him up until the point that Harold and the band, the Rockhousers, were developing quite a name and reputation.  With the growing reputation came more travel, and Harold was about to head to - of all places - Hamilton, Ontario Canada.  Harold would actually live at 111 Herkimer St. which is literally just down the street from where I live today.  Billy, however, was still in high school at the time and dropping out of high school was a non negotiable with his parents.  That, unfortunately, brought Billy's time in the Rockhousers to an end.   Billy did, however, have one more chance to play with Harold, who by that time was now Conway and a star.  Billy had by then switched to bass and had the opportunity to fill in as Conway played in Memphis.
It is always hard to capture a whole life and story in a song.  These lyrics don't try.  They do focus on the part about playing with Harold, and finally having one chance to play with Conway.  If some of the details are wrong I am sure Billy can correct me (although I used his book as a reference) but being a songwriter himself I am sure he will give me the grace of artistic licence!

I used to whip the skins in a rock-a-billy band

Cruising in a Mercury across the land

Drove fast and started late

Meeting girls right across the state

Flying back to Hume's for Monday morn.

The postmark it read 111 Herkimer St.

Much to far for a boy of seventeen

Before the Hawk had taken flight

Harold headed for the Northern Lights

A Hammer forging out the star he'd be

Then I played bass

In Conway's band

Pork Chop bass drum, Big Joe's bass in hand

Memphis Tennessee

On November 3

1968 and living out a dream

Coliseum with new boots on my feet

I still live in Memphis, Tennessee

Bide my time 'neath the limbs of a Gumball tree

Waitin' on a Judgement Day

Me and Luke we like to sit and play

Penning tunes of playing in a by gone day

When I played bass

In Conway's band

Pork Chop bass drum, Big Joe's bass in hand

Memphis Tennessee

On November 3

1968 and living out a dream

Coliseum with new boots on my feet

I hope to get a demo of this one recorded at some point in the near future...we will see how that goes.

Update Tuesday 24/04/12 - Honesty

To be honest, I was a little nervous.  I had already postponed our monthly outreach to the homeless due to weather the previous week and that was after missing the previous month altogether for unforeseen circumstances.  The postponement meant that our numbers were a little down and I did not know how we were going to enact our usual methods of delivering our supplies throughout the streets.  To top it off, the weather was still "iffy" at best.

George looking on as Kim chats with Jim

Kim chatting with Jim whom we have served before

George having a great conversation

 We arrived at Gore Park downtown and after setting up our coffee station we began to separate our supplies into bags, having decided that two of our adults would stay with the coffee (and the kids!) while two of us would go throughout the streets.  A strange thing happened as I was bent over separating our supplies into bags, I noticed a change in the shadows across the cement of the sidewalk.  The sun was beginning to peek through from behind the clouds, and in short order it managed to break through completely with the double effect of brightening the day and warming the spring air.  The afternoon ended up being a very pleasant, bright and warm April day.  With the warmth of a spring day comes more foot traffic in the park, and by the time I had the supplies sorted out there was already a line at the coffee station.  As it turns out there was no need to go and search the streets for those in need because they were all coming to us.  They came to us, and because it was a nice day (and there was a bit of a line) people we were serving hung around for a bit, allowing us many conversations throughout the afternoon.  We talked of life,  faith and even had the opportunity to share about our Fellowship extending invitations to a number of people who seemed interested.  As it turns out, there was little need to be nervous as once again God proved His faithfulness.
If I continue with being honest for a moment then I might share that it has actually been a tough couple of months around our house, and there have been more than a few moments of nervousness and discouragement.  Our oldest son has actually been in and out of the hospital for the last seven weeks as we struggle to figure out what lies behind some health struggles that he has been facing lately.  After weeks of of struggling to find answers (much of the time feeling that we were at odds with the hospital treating him) everyone agreed that a second opinion and transfer to a different facility was needed.  He has been transferred for more testing with a new team.  Although we feel more confident with this new team, and feel closer to finding some answers that will help us move forward with treatment options, we are still not quite there.
In the midst of this, we found a lump in the chest of our six year old daughter.  After an ultrasound last week, the doctors are fairly certain that it is not a tumour, and not cancer but they have no idea what it is.  We have been referred to some more specialists and the search continues.
My wife Kimberley, as well as facing the stress of these other two situations, has been dealing with questions about a lump that we discovered a few months ago.  After the initial tests it was determined to be just a common cyst, but since that time it seems to have changed in some regards and continues to grow larger.   She is scheduled for two more scans next week followed by a referral to a surgeon.
Things have been a little busy around here lately with many trips to the hospital, doctor's offices, labs and specialists.  Before any of this transpired, my son Liam had made a commitment to spend his twelfth birthday by putting a team together for the Spring Sprint, an annual fundraiser for the Brain Tumour Foundation.  This is a foundation that offered (and continues to offer us) so many resources and support while we dealt with Liam's brain tumour in 2008.  We were very proud that he would want to give back in this regard.  I thought that there would be more time and I would have more energy to invest in helping him with this goal and so I feel a bit bad that I have not been able to do more with and for him.  We have a great team, however, and I know that it will be a great event on May 5th.  With only a few weeks left we are slowly making our way to our fundraising goal.  If you think that you might be able to contribute towards this goal then please follow the link below:

Spring Sprint Sponsor Page 

In the midst of all the turmoil, it has been good to reflect back on that time with Liam in the hospital, facing the unknown and reflecting on all the things we learned during that time.  We learned a lot about faith.  We learned a lot about God- His faithfulness, His goodness and His promises.  We learned that in all things God really can work for the good of those who love Him and that He does in fact keep that promise.  Even though things have been a bit hectic around here lately, we also continue to see God move and work and we continue to look with hopeful anticipation to the things that He is going to do.  We appreciate the continued support and prayer.

      

Free Art Friday 20/04/12

Here is a piece I just finished this morning.  Is is a funky old door out back of an Indian restaurant in downtown Hamilton. 

UPdate Tuesday 17/04/12

As I write this week's update the sauce simmering on the burner awaiting tonight's fellowship meeting, and I am looking forward to the chance to be together again.  I am excited to begin to look at the Sermon on the Mount together and see what God has to say to us about kingdom living.
I spent this morning meeting with a group from North Carolina and Pennsylvania who are here on a vision tour of the GTA.  Toronto Church Planting is hosting them and giving them a whirl-wind tour of the area and a chance to here from a number of different church planters doing great things across the region from Pickering to Hamilton.  I appreciate the investment of time and energy of folks willing to come up here and see if there are ways that they might partner and support church planting efforts here in our area. 
I would also like to take the time to express our appreciation to all those across Canada and the US who have taken time to write us over the past month or so.  Since being highlighted as missionaries in the Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer we have been receiving up to ten letters (sometimes more!) a day, with warm wishes, encouraging letters and prayer.  It is very much appreciated.   There has been such a marked increase in our daily mail that our mail carrier has really noticed a difference.  It started with some surprised looks the first few days, a few comments over the weeks and a few actual conversations (albeit short-she is at work and on the move!) about who and why people are writing us so much.  She is very surprised but also interested in the fact that so many people, from so many different places, who we do not know, would take the time to pray and write to us.  It will be interesting to see where these conversations lead.  
I thought I might close with one rather random question that I will throw out to everyone.  Does anyone know of a good place to get felt characters for a felt board?  Maybe it is because I did not grow up in the church, but I think they are pretty cool and I would love to do a few experiments with them.  Let me know.
Blessings and thanks for the continued prayer and support. 

Free Art Friday 13/04/12

I just got back from the Art Crawl on James St. N in Hamilton where I took in some great art and a set by Kensington Prairie, a band that a number of my friends play in.  I was lamenting the fact that I missed posting for Free Art Friday when I realized that I still had just under a hour left of Friday, and I was staring at two very worthy pieces.
My kids participate in a Co-op each week at which they have been studying art.  They have produced some great work so far, and this week they each brought home their first foray into acrylic landscapes.  I know that I am partly having a proud dad moment, but I think their works are great and so I thought I would highlight them here.  Below are two paintings of the same subject, one by Caroline and one by Liam (you can tell them by the initials in the bottom right corner). 

Great job guys!
I have not had the chance to meet their teacher, but she did an amazing job this semester at walking them through different mediums and styles, helping them to create some amazing work and developing a real appreciation for a wide selection of works and masters.

Update Tuesday 10/04/12

In order to mix things up a bit and to have another voice other than mine for this week I thought I would post a link to an article in the Montreal Gazette pertaining to a recent survey about religion in Canada:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Religion+important+most+Canadians+survey+says/6421812/story.html

As for an update on things around here I should mention that this Sunday, April 15th, we will be hosting our next outreach to the city's homeless.  We will be collecting travel sized men's toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc.)  to hand out along with sandwiches and coffee.  If you are interested in joining us or donating any items just let me know.

Free Art Friday 06/04/12 - A Great Poem

Here is a post from about a year ago.  It is a great poem so I thought I would share it again here:

A Great Poem

I have been reading a bit more poetry lately and I came across a poem by Steve Turner that I just love.  It seemed timely so I have copied it below:


Christmas Is Really For the Children

Christmas is really
for the children.
Especially for children
who like animals, stables,
stars and babies wrapped
in swaddling clothes.
Then there are wise men,
kings in fine robes,
humble shepherds and a
hint of rich perfume.

Easter is not really
for the children
unless accompanied by
a cream filled egg.
It has whips, blood, nails,
a spear and allegations
of body snatching.
It involves politics, God
and the sins of the world.
It is not good for people
of a nervous disposition.
They would do better to
think on rabbits, chickens
and the first snowdrop
of spring.

Or they'd do better to
wait for a re-run of
Christmas without asking
too many questions about
what Jesus did when he grew up
or whether there's any connection.

Update Tuesday 3/04/12

This is the week that we focus on that pivotal event in history, the one that changed everything, those few days where one man would offer himself as a substitute for the sins of the world, hang on a cross to die, be buried in a tomb, and then...in a most incredible manner, be raised from the grave.  We celebrate that event that announces boldly and dramatically that sin is defeated and death has no sting for those who believe.  This is why we do what we do, this is the event that we long to share with the world and this is the message of hope that we labour to share. 
This is also the first Easter weekend that we will be celebrating as a fellowship in Hamilton.  We will be meeting together first on Good Friday as we reflect on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice.  We decided that for our Easter celebration, however, it would be the perfect time to go as a group to visit our sending church in Milton.  Our whole Hamilton gang will be going to visit, and for many of us to meet for the first time, our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Sanctuary Milton.  I am excited for those who sent us off with such love and support to be able to see and meet the fruit of their labour and sacrifice.  I am also excited to introduce our new Fellowships members to those who have been praying, labouring and sacrificing to see our new group established.  
Often times I am asked to share about church planting, what it is like, what it takes, how can people or churches be involved etc.   Lately, I have been sharing the story of The Sanctuary Milton because to me it captures so much of what it means and what it takes to plant a church.  Milton is itself a church plant of The Sanctuary in Oakville, Ontario.  Milton is about seven years old.  In the circles that I am connected with I have come to see it as one of the more mature, established churches but in reality The Sanctuary Milton is fairly young.  Milton can range anywhere from 60-100 people in attendance on a Sunday morning, but if we are being honest it is more often closer to sixty, it is not a large church.  When I had the crazy idea that God might be calling us to Hamilton to start another work, this young, small church made the courageous decision that they not only wanted to bless us, they wanted to walk with us and support us in very tangible ways.  As I begin to lead this new group here in Hamilton, I recognize the courage that it took to let my family, who represented almost 10% of the congregation, go.  Not only did they let us go, but they joined us in praying for this new work.  Members of that church would venture into Hamilton and into the neighbourhood that we had prayerfully decided upon, and prayer walk each street even before we had moved in.  They continued this for months leading up to our move, sometimes walking and praying in the pouring rain.   People continue to join us for events or outreaches as we serve here in Hamilton.  Another way that our sending church in Hamilton has continued to support this new work in Hamilton is by partnering with us financially.  Let's be honest, growth in this part of Ontario tends to be slow, and so the challenge of financially sustaining work is one of the greatest we face.  When it came time for the first budget that the Sanctuary Milton was to put together after our leaving for Hamilton, the congregation decided give sacrificially in order to support us financially.  They continue to provide $1500.00 a month, equaling our largest financially partner.  This is sacrificial giving.  Although they would never say, I know that this support means making decisions about what they must go without.  There are decisions about what is really needed, and thus decisions to go without new equipment for different ministries.  There are decision about staffing and the need for the laity to do as much of the lifting (both literally and figuratively!) as possible.  I also know that there is the very real possibility of a decision by the senior pastor that he may have to go without a paycheque, a decision that he has made numerous times over the last six years of planting and leading that church plant.   There is no real guarantee as to where the money for their own work will come from each month and yet they continue to give sacrificially to ensure ministries like our new group in Hamilton can continue.  I also know that they don't want to stop with one group in Hamilton, and even now they have invited a small group from Brampton into the fold with the intention of walking with them toward the ultimate goal of beginning a new work in that city as well in the near future.  To me, this is an example of the selfless and sacrificial giving to which Christ calls us.  It is not the easy road, ask any of the Milton members who have missed paycheques, lifted equipment or given hours of volunteer time to give in such a manner.  It is, however, living out the example of Jesus and the cross.  This weekend we will celebrate the willingness of our Saviour to give selflessly ans sacrificially to the point of death-even death on a cross, so that we might live eternally.  My family at the Sanctuary Milton are a clear example to me of how we might continue in Jesus' example and live selflessly and sacrificially that others in other communities might have the chance to learn of Jesus and share in eternity with Him.