Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Pick your Passion

What are you passionate about? You have to be passionate about something. What is it that brings out the best in you or the worst? If you watch the news, it isn't difficult to find out what folks are passionate about: their causes and hobby horses. And sometimes those passions change depending on where we are in our lives.

My son is passionate about the environment and how the poor are treated. It doesn't take long if you are around him to discover his views. Last week in discussion with my daughter, I discovered that she is passionate about using cloth diapers and has no problem telling you why she uses them and why others should as well.

It was Winston Churchill who once stated, "A fanatic is someone who you can't change their mind and they won't change the subject." If someone was to classify you as a fanatic what would they say you were fanatical about? Politics? Sports? The environment? Your career? Your family? Not bad things, in many cases good things, but remember, Jesus told us to Seek first the Kingdom of God and all those other things would fall into place. But if you neglect the Kingdom, in the end you will lose it Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.


 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

On Second Thought


I recently read that Gmail has incorporated a "Second thought" button into their toolkit. We are all familiar with the "undo function" in Word and PowerPoint, where you can undo your last action, but the Gmail application allows you to take back your words, if you are quick enough.

Once you hit Send in Gmail, you have thirty seconds, during which time, if you have second thoughts about the words you have written, you will be able to pull them back before they are gone forever. And in most cases thirty seconds is plenty of time to realize that you have said the wrong thing or maybe the right thing at the wrong time.

I want a second thought button in life. Wouldn't it be great if we could take back our spoken words as easily? How often have you spoken words you immediately regretted? If only you had a "Second thought" button to retrieve your words before they were able to cause irreparable harm and damage. But really, isn't that why God created us with a brain? And if we actually stopped and thought before we spoke, there shouldn't be any second thoughts. But that would be way too easy. Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.


 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Shiver Me Timbers!

Penn of Denn
Arggh, shiver me timbers! September 19th be International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and bilge rats from all four corners of the globe will celebrate by talking like Long John Silver and Jack Sparrow. I wouldn't be lying, would I? For nigh on ten years land lubbers have been talking the way it was intended for them to talk.  And it not be act like a pirate day, only talk like one.
The day was started as a lark by John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995 (It became International in 2002) and has captured the imagination of people around the world. For more information, you can check out their website at www.talklikeapirate.com   I continue to be amazed with what can happen when someone has a vision and is committed to seeing it succeed.  
Now, you might not think that "Talking Like a Pirate" is all that noble of a vision, but that is probably because you didn't think of it.  But, just imagine what could happen in your life and in the lives of those around you if you became that committed to the success of whatever it is that is important to you. Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

That’s Stupid

Penn of Denn
People who call themselves Christians can be so stupid at times. Have you heard about the church in Florida that is planning a Qur'an burning? Seriously, the Dove World Outreach Center church is planning a "Burn a Qur'an Day" to commemorate the 9th anniversary of 9/11. Seriously!
The pastor, Terry Jones, has been advised by authorities that his bonfire will have repercussions around the world, inciting Islamic extremists and endangering Americans in Islamic countries, but he refuses to back down. Jones claims the Qur'an is an evil book that contradicts the Bible. If that is his criteria for burning books then he'd better build himself a bigger fire.
That is the same mentality that burnt witches and burnt crosses, they rationalize their actions but in the end, they besmirch the name of Christ and his church.
Jones has apparently never read Voltaire who wrote, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Or for that matter Jesus who said, "Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you." I don't know the Jesus that is worshipped at the Dove World Outreach Center but he sure doesn't look like the one I read about in the Gospels.
Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Oops

Oops, or something like that. If you've been following the local news you've probably heard Irving Oil mentioned a time or two lately. In early August, they discovered their high-test gasoline wasn't actually high test, so for a week they sold it at the same price as regular. Then they discovered the problem had been an ongoing one and they began issuing a 3 cent a litre refund to drivers who had purchased the premium brands since January 1. Now they have determined that the issue may date back to early 2008 and affected not only Irving gasoline but other brands that buy their gasoline from the Irving refinery. Oops!

I don't use premium gasoline but if I did I would be a little ticked and a 3 cent a litre refund wouldn't impress me much. After all, if I wanted to burn regular gas I would have bought regular gas.

But in the long term it really won't matter much. What will matter more will be those who have bought into the Devil's lie that what he has to offer is better than what God has to offer, and at the end of the day when people find out he lied there will be no refund, or even an apology. Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.