This is it folks!

As I was browsing the various news sites (as in my daily routine) I came across this comment made by an anonymous poster:

"I find it more amazing that many think there is a god who really cares and that after we die we will go on to something better.

This is it folks....enjoy the ride!"

Simple, yet very true. If indeed there is no god than we would be well served to "enjoy the ride." Why is it then that I am one of those people who believes that there is a God who loves us and that we will go on to something better? Is it naivety? Blind faith? It has been said that just as no one can prove there is a God neither can anyone disprove His existence. I believe because I have experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in my life - Jesus is as real to me as my family & friends. Of course, the Bible tells us that most people will laugh and scoff at this. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:14)
I do not believe I can persuade someone to believe in God and the atoning work of Christ. Nor can someone change my mind that God does not exist. So shall I not even try and simply let people believe whatever they want. Hardly. First and foremost I can tell them about Jesus and how He has redeemed us. Then, I can pray that the Holy Spirit would work in their lives and change their hearts. Finally, it is up to me to live an exemplary life which personifies the Lord Jesus Christ. For if I speak of the work of the Holy Spirit and tell of Jesus' love, people must see it in me. (Matthew 5:16)
Which brings up the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is not about trying to do good things as if to curry favour with God. Rather it is built out of a desire to please my heavenly father. Just as I want to do well for my earthly Dad and show him honour and respect I want to do likewise for my Father in heaven. The work of Christ opened the doors for me to have a personal relationship with Him and be called His child (1 John 3:1). He gave us the Holy Spirit as our helper to provide encouragement, strength and counseling (John 14:26, Acts 1:8)
Everything I have is a gift from God. However long this “ride” lasts will only be the beginning of a far greater adventure.

Deutschland, Deutschland...

"Football is a very simple game. For 90 minutes 22 men go running after
the ball and at the end the Germans win"

And so it was true after an exhilarating match against Portugal. There is something special about being over here in Europe during the championships. As big as hockey is in Canada, it does not even compare to the passion & enthusiasm of Football fans. It would be no exaggeration to say that should the Germans win EM 2008, the country may declare a national holiday.