tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887340457575015202024-03-07T19:02:09.635-08:00Tim BitsBetter then a Tim Horton's donut hole, nourishing your mind and soulTim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-20607234963672247242018-07-22T18:06:00.003-07:002018-07-22T18:49:19.491-07:00Time & Rest<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TViZhOgzkWs/W1UfRgEAFzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/o1Q6N64NB1EJWTZ54oPN4ugdwv1oQLX-ACLcBGAs/s1600/time%2Bhand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TViZhOgzkWs/W1UfRgEAFzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/o1Q6N64NB1EJWTZ54oPN4ugdwv1oQLX-ACLcBGAs/s1600/time%2Bhand.jpg" /></a>Time is a funny thing. Some have said that time is fleeting.
Probably because it is here one minute and gone the next. 😉😉 Today is Sunday July
22, and here I sit writing my first blog post in…. how long? I forget! But
alas, I find myself sitting at my computer, nursing a cold on a Sunday
afternoon, and typing up some thoughts about time; and subsequently, rest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I’m bored, but last week I was rejoicing. Last week,
was my final 14 hr day, scanning tickets down at the stampede grounds. I’m
grateful for the work, but after doing that for 6 days straight, my body was
craving rest. Rest and being able to wear shorts again. HAHAHA!!!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jk_WW2gWl8/W1UhWNFTZCI/AAAAAAAAAl4/SRG7RU2Th-UT_lLGwcjKXMJUGq4W3CnMgCLcBGAs/s1600/rewind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="256" height="153" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jk_WW2gWl8/W1UhWNFTZCI/AAAAAAAAAl4/SRG7RU2Th-UT_lLGwcjKXMJUGq4W3CnMgCLcBGAs/s200/rewind.jpg" width="200" /></a>Rewind to a month ago, the middle of June, I was again
craving rest. I have been going nonstop since January and at some point in June,
I was starting to feel tired. I had been getting enough sleep at night, but
during the day, I felt as though my mind was always working. I was in charge of
The Outpouring, a once a month worship service for the special needs community
at centre street church; I was co-leading a bible study once a week with a
fella connected to URSA; I was part of a team of people helping plan a
disability ministry conference, and I have recently become a part of <a href="http://capernaum.younglife.ca/" target="_blank">Young Life</a>, with plans of working with them starting sometime in the fall. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tulrYnPXrto/W1UwIRhE7eI/AAAAAAAAAnk/z19AUz79AGs4PwozpMh3VmTEIsGLLEbAgCLcBGAs/s1600/busy%2Bmind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="219" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tulrYnPXrto/W1UwIRhE7eI/AAAAAAAAAnk/z19AUz79AGs4PwozpMh3VmTEIsGLLEbAgCLcBGAs/s200/busy%2Bmind.jpg" width="149" /></a>So if I wasn’t sleeping, my mind was buzzing with ideas for
one of those things. Which, I don’t mind<o:p></o:p><br />
doing (and I’m actually quite excited
to be doing those things once again after the summer is over).But if your mind
is going all day everyday like that for 6 months, your energy level starts to wane.
Now I’m 6 days into my season of rest, and I’m bored. Reflecting on this, it
reminds me of the Israelites after they left Egypt. In Egypt, they worked
themselves to the bone for 400 years, complaining and praying to God for some
relief and freedom from such oppression. A few weeks into the freedom they so
desperately craved, they didn’t like it and wanted to go back. (Exodus 16:1-3).
HAHA!! I guess it’s true what they say: history repeats itself. 😛</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9szJf9YjgxE/W1UmclT71ZI/AAAAAAAAAmY/IWvUMfRbCs05KSLUlCapO86i7YcX5OdjQCLcBGAs/s1600/schedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="300" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9szJf9YjgxE/W1UmclT71ZI/AAAAAAAAAmY/IWvUMfRbCs05KSLUlCapO86i7YcX5OdjQCLcBGAs/s200/schedule.png" width="200" /></a>That said, I’m not going to just sit on my butt twiddling my
thumbs until September waiting for things to start back up again. Instead, I’m going to fill the time with stuff that will breathe some new life into these bones. The website, <a href="https://everydaywithgod.com/" target="_blank">Every Day With God</a> has a series of devotionals on resting
and other Sabbath related posts. I’m planning on reading those once a day
starting tomorrow. My fitness coaches, <a href="https://balancefitness.fit/" target="_blank">Jackie and Jamie</a> are running an 8 week
fitness challenge using <a href="https://www.beachbody.ca/" target="_blank">Beachbody’s</a> new workout program, <a href="https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/ca/b/fitness/liift4" target="_blank">Liift4</a>. That started
this past week, and I plan on following through to the end.</div>
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With my involvement in Young Life starting in the fall, I was
planning on attending my buddy Erik's<o:p></o:p></div>
“dreaming about and planning for the
future” thing him and his wife are hosting next weekend, hoping it would give
me some ideas for young life in the fall, but after some prayer and reflection,
I decided to not to attend. Young Life may already have things in store for me
when I get there. So ill just grace Young Life’s doors with a “ready to learn”
attitude instead. Also, my best friend and I are planning on spending a few
days in Edmonton this summer too.<br />
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Those are just MY plans. Who knows what other adventures I’ll
encounter during my season of rest. The proverbs do say, "A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span class="text"> (Proverbs
16:9). </span></span>Whatever happens, I’m ready and
willing to embrace it, head on. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-25299713661805957442015-02-10T03:22:00.000-08:002015-02-10T03:23:22.511-08:00Forgiving Our Debts<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">I heard something
interesting last week. In an attempt to boost their economy, The Croatian government is cancelling the debt of over 60,000 of its people. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMz6TM7f45I/VNnk6ahtJDI/AAAAAAAAAbk/KtVGDjyOjR0/s1600/no%2Bdebt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMz6TM7f45I/VNnk6ahtJDI/AAAAAAAAAbk/KtVGDjyOjR0/s1600/no%2Bdebt.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Croatia’s
Deputy Prime Minister says those sixty thousand people, “</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">will be given a chance
for a new start without a burden of debt." In <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/croatia-wipes-out-the-debts-of-thousands-of-its-poorest-citizens-in-fresh-start-scheme-10016484.html" target="_blank">the article</a>, an economist
says this move is exceptional, and that he couldn’t think of anything to compare
it too. But I can. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">Deuteronomy 15 says we are to forgive people of their
debts once every 7 years:</span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">"</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">At the end of every </span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">seven years you must cancel debts. </span></span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span class="text">This is
how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a
fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own
people, because the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></em><span class="text"><em>’s time for canceling debts has
been proclaimed."</em> <span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">-- Deuteronomy 15:1-2</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The
last part of that verse, “the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">’s time for canceling debts has been
proclaimed” reminds me of</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"> these lyrics from the song, Jesus Paid it All: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em>Jesus paid it all, <br />
All to Him I owe;<br />
Sin had left a crimson stain, <br />
He washed it white as snow.<br />
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And when before the throne <br />
I stand in Him complete,<br />
Jesus died my soul to save</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">When I compare my
life to that of my Savior’s, there is nothing I can do but admit defeat. Sin
has made it impossible for me to have an intimate relationship with God. But
Colossians Chapter 2 says different:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em>"When you were dead in your sins and in the
uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you<sup> </sup>alive with Christ. He
forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,
which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to
the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public
spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." </em>--Colossians 2:13-15</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;">That’s why I'm so
thankful for things like communion. It reminds me of everything Jesus has done
for me. Like the people of Croatia, I am </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;">given a chance for a new start
without a burden. It helps my soul move from a posture of “woe is me” to one of
shouting as loud as I can “O Praise the one who paid my debt and raised this
life up from the dead.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-33746649715864167472014-03-05T19:42:00.000-08:002014-03-05T19:42:44.027-08:00My Infamous Walmart Story<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">It has long been suggested I write some
sort of biography about my life and the crazy scenarios I, out of sheer
happenstance, get into. Like the time I got a ride to church in the back of
police car. Or the time that I was late for a bible study because I was nearly
abducted and hit on by a seemingly homeless drunk at the train station. (Those stories
each deserve their own post at a later date.)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">I don’t have any plans to write such a book
in the future, but if I did, the following story would make one of its chapters.
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<span lang="EN-US"></span>_______________</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">My Infamous Wal-mart Story</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">For those of you that don’t know, Wal-mart
has this sticker on the door that says if you have a disability and need some
help shopping, simply pay a visit to customer service and they will find
someone to help you. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">So anytime I go into Wal-mart that’s what I
do. I wait in line at customer service, and ask them to find someone to help me
do my shopping. Well, this one time I did that and got some… resistance.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Wal-Mart employee:</strong> “<em>Hello sir, welcome to
Walmart. How can I help you today</em>?” </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Me:</strong> <em>“Yes, I was wondering if I could get
some help doing some of my shopping today”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Employee:</strong> <em>“I’m sorry sir, we can’t do that
today. In fact we don’t do that here.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Me:</strong> <em>“But you have a sign on the door that
says if you have a disability, like me, and need some help, like me, I’m supposed
to stand in line at customer service, like I’m doing now, talk to you, and
you’ll find someone to help do my shopping.”</em> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Employee:</strong><em> “Okay, hold on a second, let me
get my manager.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Manager:</strong> <em>“Yes, how can I help you today?”</em> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Me:</strong> <em>“Hi, I was wondering if I could get
someone to push a cart for me, or reach for things I can’t while shopping in my
wheelchair, please.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Manager:</strong> <em>“I’m sorry sir, we can’t do that
today. In fact we don’t do that here.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">At this point, I roll my eyes and wonder if
I have to repeat myself. Reluctantly, and a little annoyed, I do. To which the
manager responds with:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><em>“I can’t
do that sir, I just don’t have the man power. If I do that, I will be a man short.
But I do know what will work. Follow me.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">The manager’s alternative was to stick me
in one of their electric scooters with a basket on the front. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8bMtOdKN4/UxfuKMVC8dI/AAAAAAAAAZI/oSiRkwyTQr8/s1600/walmart+scooter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8bMtOdKN4/UxfuKMVC8dI/AAAAAAAAAZI/oSiRkwyTQr8/s1600/walmart+scooter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">It wasn’t what I
asked for, but she figured I could go around the store, grabbing the things I
need and put them in the basket, solving the problem at hand. I cooperated, got
in the scooter, left my chair with customer service, and away I went. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">Down the milk aisle I grabbed my first item
and success! The lady’s idea was working…. Until I started the scooter again. I
drove the scooter no less then 50 meters and the battery had died. Great! Now
what do I do? I was the only one in the aisle and nobody else wandered down
there for quite some time. Knowing my ride home would be coming soon, if I
wanted to get my shopping done I couldn’t just sit there. I pulled out my cell
phone and called the store. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTweVhXPME0/UxT_pbFVccI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/NA6bCFmxJnM/s1600/ringing+cellphone.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTweVhXPME0/UxT_pbFVccI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/NA6bCFmxJnM/s1600/ringing+cellphone.bmp" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong></strong></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><em>“Hello, thank you for calling Walmart,
how can I help you today?”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Me:</strong> <em>“Hi there, this may seem a little odd
but, I’m in the milk aisle of your store sitting in one of your scooters and
the battery is dead.”</em> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Wal-Mart:</strong> <em>“You are? Oh dear! That’s
horrible! Okay I will get someone to come find you right away.”</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">I thank the person on the phone and a few minutes
later, a Walmart employee finds me and offers to go grab the other scooter so I
can finish my shopping, only to return with news that the other scooter also
has a dead battery, and both are out of commission. After we both laugh about
it, he offers yet another alternative. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Wal-Mart employee:</strong> <em>“Sir? How about I go get your
wheelchair, come back with a cart and be kind of like a personal shopper? You
tell me what you need and we will go around the store getting it? Sound like a
good plan?”</em> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">I agree, and as I wait for him to come back
with my wheelchair, I laugh about it and think to myself, that’s what I asked
for IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">_______________</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">This happened at least 3 years ago, and I have
yet to return to that particular Walmart. But there you have it. This is one of
the crazy but true slapstick comedy situations that happen to befall me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-73025538657051785102014-03-03T16:43:00.000-08:002014-03-03T16:43:06.336-08:00The Doors of Hope?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I took one of those Facebook personality quizzes the
other day. This particular one showed you a picture of 10 different doors. When
you pick the one you would most likely walk through, it will reveal something
about your personality. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BttG0uE7Mwc/UxUYjpqDohI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Djs6j_uxrXo/s1600/IMG_0629.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BttG0uE7Mwc/UxUYjpqDohI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Djs6j_uxrXo/s1600/IMG_0629.PNG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I picked door
number 8; and here is what it said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>Your fun and playful personality keeps you young and
youthful. Although you are easy going, you tend to have lower self-confidence
and anxiety about specific things in your life. You are usually unorganized;
yet don’t even know where to start to help yourself to fix the messy problem.
You are a proud individual but you need to learn to love yourself more. You
need to take the time to find yourself through self-expression. How are you
currently expressing yourself to the world? Remember that there are people
around you that can help you, but you need to let them know you are willing to
receive help. Life is easier when you let people in.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The accuracy of the personality description had me genuinely
surprised. I constantly make jokes about the things happening around me. Whether
it be laughing at conversations overheard while enjoying lunch in a public
place, turning the name of a restaurant or business into a pun, or tickling
others ribs by sharing one of <a href="http://tims-bits.blogspot.ca/2014/03/my-infamous-walmart-story.html" target="_blank">my slapstick comedic adventures</a>, that’s my fun
and playful personality traits... possibly inherited from my goofball father. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75yzI0LKLKc/UxUdTL0tTJI/AAAAAAAAAY0/d1bHaXaLpY0/s1600/MY+GOOFY+DAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75yzI0LKLKc/UxUdTL0tTJI/AAAAAAAAAY0/d1bHaXaLpY0/s1600/MY+GOOFY+DAD.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What’s also true is my lower self-confidence and
tendency to worry about stuff. The lower self-confidence probably explains why I
get excited about being asked to do things, especially by God. It tells me that
someone sees something in me, that, for some reason, I don’t. I constantly
think about what life after 65 is going to be like. It’s something I have
wrestled with for ages. It took what seemed like forever for me to settle on a
savings plan for retirement. And I still wonder if I did the right thing. My
confidence in that is shaken when I read passages from my bible such as Matthew
6:19-21:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><em>“Don’t store
up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and
where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths
and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your
treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I worry about life after 65, but am reminded that
God's word says not to worry, but to instead, pray <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+4%3A6-7&version=NIV" target="_blank">(Philippians 4:6-7).</a> And
when I do, the Holy Spirit, and my confidence in God to keep his promises
of looking after his beloved restores, or makes up for my lack of confidence.
YAY?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s not hard to see that I’m messy. The cleanliness
of my apartment can attest to that fact, tenfold. But unorganized? I would say
not completely. What’s definitely true is not knowing where to start cleaning
up a mess. When I clean up my apartment, I have the attention span of a three
year old. For example, I’ll put some dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, I’ll
turn around, see the microwave, and then grab a cloth and start scrubbing the
inside of the microwave. When I’m half done, I’ll see an empty milk jug, stop
cleaning the microwave and put the milk jug in recycling. After a quick stop in
the bathroom, ill clean the dirty bathroom sink and notice the cup in there
needs to be cleaned. I’ll take the cup to the kitchen and pick up a few pieces
of garbage on the way. Put those things in their place, turn around and see the
microwave is half clean and finish what I started with the microwave half an
hour ago. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s no argument about me being a proud
individual. I think I wear that like bumblebees and zebras wear stripes. I think
it would be fair to say that it’s sometimes a fault. Which goes along with my
need to ask for help. I know help is available but my parents raised me to be a
stubborn tryst. As in, try something first. If you need help after trying your
best, ask. But not before trying it yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Doing this has peaked a curiosity in me. What door
"matches" the people of the bible? Are the personality traits of
people like Moses, Adam, Abraham, john the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, the apostle
Paul or the like, listed here? It might be a fun pet project to read one of the
character descriptions in my study bible and see if they match the descriptions
listed in this Facebook personality test. Would any of you who read this blog,
like to join me in doing so, and explore how God’s matchless power accomplishes
more then we can ask or think, despite our weaknesses? If so, leave a comment
here and let me know, blessings, Timbitz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6efG0E_ekmA" width="560"></iframe></span><br /></div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-37362746544226245852013-04-22T03:56:00.000-07:002013-04-22T03:56:28.491-07:00Feed His Sheep<br />
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One of my favorite videos of late is <a href="http://www.skitguys.com/" target="_blank">The Skit Guys’</a> retelling of the
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2021:1-17&version=NLT" target="_blank">conversation</a> Jesus had with Peter, after His resurrection, on the shores of <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>:<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EhoFEuw2GPA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Feeling true sorrow for <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A66-72&version=NLT" target="_blank">his denial</a>, Peter beats himself with
regret for betraying his Lord. The Gospel of John says that if Peter loved Him, Jesus
only had one thing to tell Peter that day: Feed His sheep. Jesus’ composure both
in scripture and the video is something I admire. Jesus isn’t mulling over the
fact that Peter betrayed Him. Nor does He continually draw attention to Peter’s
downfall, repeating it over and over again like some angry mob boss trying to “teach
him a lesson he will never forget.” Jesus’ response is simply “Feed my sheep.” </div>
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In the video, Peter says his actions on the night Jesus was
arrested is unforgiveable. As such he doesn’t deserve to be with Jesus any
longer. He deserves to be punished, and suffer in some way for abandoning his
Lord, when Jesus, perhaps, needed him most. </div>
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In the video Jesus says “Enough with this line of thinking!”
and reminds Peter that His death changes things. Through Jesus’ one act of
Grace Peter can get back on the horse by simply “feeding Christ’s sheep.” </div>
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This is something I need to remind myself. When I betray the
Lord, give in to temptation and sin, beating myself up over it is one of the
worst things I can do. I’m better off to fess up to any wrongs I may have done
and, like Peter, get back on the horse and “feed Jesus’ sheep.” </div>
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Am I alone in feeling this way, or am I on to something that
others, like you, can latch on to?</div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-59404249209352034422012-12-07T14:28:00.001-08:002012-12-07T14:28:19.181-08:00Made for Something Great
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUVBKdKC3h4/UMJskatk-nI/AAAAAAAAAUs/m2QXPRilC_Y/s1600/mother+teresa,+steve+jobs,+martin+luthur+king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUVBKdKC3h4/UMJskatk-nI/AAAAAAAAAUs/m2QXPRilC_Y/s400/mother+teresa,+steve+jobs,+martin+luthur+king.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I read an interesting quote recently: "You were made by
the God who made Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa, and Steve Jobs." -- Donald Miller<br />
<br />
Consider the contributuions these people made to the world during their time on
earth. If that same God lives in you, how much of a contribution could YOU be
to the world? <br />
<br />
You are not a waste of time and/or space, you were created to make a
contribution to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> for the world that
is God’s. Pursue God and live out that contribution. Blessings as you Chase
After Him.</div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-23505989284972726712012-12-07T10:27:00.000-08:002012-12-07T10:27:08.982-08:00Called to Greatness?<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<span class="userContent">In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet says: “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”<br /> <br /> The Lord was calling Isaiah to something great, and before knowing what it was, he stepped up and said, “I’ll do it!”<br /> <br /> Thinking of how you pursue God, what might He be calling you to? Whatever the answer, keep in mind that the work you do, isnt about you, or your glory it is about the work of God, His Kingdom, and how He might be glorified through you.<br /> <br /> “Jesus answered, "If I were trying to glorify myself, my glory would mean nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'” -- John 8:84 ISV<br /> <br /> “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” </span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<span class="userContent">-- Romans 9:16 NASB</span></div>
<br />
</span><br />Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-86167914109336346342012-12-07T10:02:00.005-08:002013-01-15T14:44:19.536-08:00PRESS RELEASE: Calgary Author Launches New BookFor immediate release<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Chasing After Him: Calgary</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> Author Launches New
Book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span>By Tim Schmidt</div>
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Published by Tim Schmidt</div>
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ISBN <span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">978-0-9876806-1-7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"></span>Price $14.95 + GST</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mpz5X6rpvU/UMIvFaneOkI/AAAAAAAAAT8/OBem2tIR6ro/s1600/Chasing+After+Him+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mpz5X6rpvU/UMIvFaneOkI/AAAAAAAAAT8/OBem2tIR6ro/s320/Chasing+After+Him+Cover.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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Do you long to make more room in your life for God? Does
your heart ache to be closer to Him?</div>
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</div>
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Most of us do... but sometimes it seems so complicated. Or
it feels like another task to add to our To Do list.</div>
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</div>
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Chasing After Him: 30 Days Pursuing the Heart of God, by
Calgary author Tim Schmidt, helps you do exactly as the title suggests – pursue
a closer relationship with God.</div>
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</div>
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But these short, simple chapters don’t make it a burden.
They don’t weigh you down with To Do’s. They help you see God more clearly,
shining light on simple steps you take to move closer.</div>
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</div>
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As you move into a new year, Chasing After Him will renew
your peace and recharge your hope.</div>
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</div>
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Chasing After Him ia available for purchase on <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0987680617" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3544918" target="_blank">Blurb</a>
or through Tim’s website</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://tims-bits.blogspot.ca/p/books.html">http://tims-bits.blogspot.ca/p/books.html</a></div>
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Learn more about the author at <a href="http://tims-bits.blogspot.ca/">http://tims-bits.blogspot.ca/</a></div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-11257617555384955482012-11-23T16:03:00.003-08:002012-12-03T13:53:32.483-08:00Lighten The Trod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKwGq1LhgN0/ULAQ9Z_mejI/AAAAAAAAATs/U8oDnvPE3E4/s1600/lighten+the+load.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKwGq1LhgN0/ULAQ9Z_mejI/AAAAAAAAATs/U8oDnvPE3E4/s1600/lighten+the+load.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent">When you ask God to carry your load, the Holy Spirit moves. Once drowning in sorrow the floodgates of God's mercy and grace now overcome you. Lightening the trod on your path toward holiness. <br /> <br /> May you pursue Him today with your whole heart, mind and soul. Today, tomorrow and forever, amen. <br /> <br /> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” <br /> <br /> Matthew 11:28-30</span>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-30573862036678803062012-09-22T21:46:00.000-07:002012-09-23T00:10:52.009-07:00SERIOUSLY?!?!?!<br />
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Yes! Seriously! At least that’s what I have been challenged
with lately: Taking Jesus Christ and my relationship to Him more seriously. </div>
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I like to joke around. People have suggested that I be a
stand up comedian. I considered it at one point, working on a few jokes I might
share on amateur night at a comedy club. Then I stumbled on to a problem ... My
quick wit is at its best laughing at situations. I make jokes about the world
around me. Most often, I’ll see someone do something, and spin 4 or 5 jokes
about one situation.</div>
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Sometimes this tactic impacts my approach to Christ. I will
take something serious about Jesus and turn it into a laughable moment. On Easter
morning for example, instead of basking in the seriousness of the Saviors Resurrection,
and its impact on the world, I will make jokes about it being rabbit hunting
season and we should all head to the forest, weapons in hand and let the
killing begin.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnCJ4kvK97Y/UF6MOSfKHbI/AAAAAAAAASQ/M5mZ1KLHdDU/s1600/ds%5Bdfr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnCJ4kvK97Y/UF6MOSfKHbI/AAAAAAAAASQ/M5mZ1KLHdDU/s1600/ds%5Bdfr.jpg" /></a></div>
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In moments like this, people don’t laugh. They boo me and
ask why I don’t take Jesus more seriously. And Rightfully so. Jesus is more
then just a get out of jail free card. In the world of science fiction, if I am
John Conner then Jesus is my Terminator, taking bullets from the evil T-1000
who only wants to steal kill and destroy my life.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ccue5bYsuU/UF6Tnx9jO3I/AAAAAAAAASg/VJUZA3N5nx4/s1600/T2+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ccue5bYsuU/UF6Tnx9jO3I/AAAAAAAAASg/VJUZA3N5nx4/s320/T2+bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wonder why I don’t take him
more seriously. What about you? What comes to mind when you think about the
person of Jesus Christ?</div>
Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-43641978824775960332012-08-06T11:16:00.001-07:002012-08-06T11:22:49.614-07:00From Him, Through me, to YouI’ve known for quite some time now that one of my spiritual
gifts is intercessory prayer. I don’t know why God chooses me to pray for the
people He lays on my heart. I just know it happens. I also know there are 2 things I could do with these random urges to pray
for people: <br />
<br />
1. I could
drive myself to the brink of insanity trying to figure out why OR
<br />
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2. I could
simply enjoy the fun of watching the Holy Sprit urge me into prayer</div>
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<br /></div>
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Like the time I was lead to pray for someone in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:place></st1:state>. </div>
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<br />
It was wing night at a pub; me and my buddy Cliff decided to
meet there and chow down a pound or 2 of wings. Earlier in the day, Cliff
managed to cross paths with an MRI repairman from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state>. After some small talk, cliff
invited the man to join us and make it a trio. As I got to know the
guy, he told me he was sent by an MRI company to tinker with one of their
machines at the university. <br />
<br />
For some reason, meeting this MRI repairman immediately
brought to mind a friend and her husband living in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:place></st1:state>. What an odd connection, I thought.
Why is an MRI repairman from <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state> reminding
me of friends I have in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:place></st1:state>?
WeIrD!!! </div>
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<br />
I didn’t understand the connection, but I still prayed for
my friend’s husband. </div>
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<br />
The next day, while talking to them over Facebook, my friend
Michelle tells me her husband needs to get an MRI done on his shoulder and asks
me to pray that things will go well when he’s at the appointment. A bit
shocked, I tell her about what happened at the pub and the Lord’s
already got me praying and will have a better prayer time now that know more about their situation. </div>
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<br />
Recently the editor of my book went to <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Russia</st1:place></st1:country> on a
short, 6 week mission trip. Prior to her leaving we built a rapport and she
shared some details about her going. I told her if the Lord lays it on my
heart/mind to pray for her while in the land of borscht I would. <br />
<br />
I recall one time The Holy Spirit did so through the mouth of a barista in a <a href="http://www.secondcup.com/" target="_blank">Second Cup</a>. </div>
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<br />
While filling an order for a French Vanilla Latte, the
barista makes an interesting observation:</div>
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<br />
“What’s the deal with French vanilla? Is it any different
then regular vanilla? Why does all the fancy stuff have to be named French, what’s
wrong with calling it Russian Vanilla?” </div>
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<br />
The word "Russian" triggered a memory of that promise of prayer support for Jeanette, my book editor. this lead me to prayer on that
occasion and many others during her 6 week adventure. The prompting to pray
often accompanied her requests for prayer via her <a href="http://jeanettemorris.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> or Facebook page. As a
thank you, Jeanette sent me a fridge magnet and a picture from the
time she spent there with a note saying that my prayers often lifted her
spirits during that time. </div>
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<br />
I responded in an email saying it was a pleasure, and that
my prayers are merely a blessing from God, through me, to you; and that He
deserves some credit too. </div>
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<br />
Maybe that’s (in part) the point of a spiritual
gift. Whatever the gift may be, prayer, hospitality, an edifying word, it is God’s way of blessing someone through you. </div>
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<br />
So if your befuddled with the “why me?” question, remember
this simple little phrase. It’s a blessing from Him to someone else through
you. </div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-12205706366038562092012-06-13T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-13T17:53:27.888-07:00Who or What is Piloting Your Life?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy2Db83Gx0E/T9kdNz6mT0I/AAAAAAAAARI/uOqqkseX274/s1600/pilot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy2Db83Gx0E/T9kdNz6mT0I/AAAAAAAAARI/uOqqkseX274/s320/pilot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
An airline pilot’s main job is to get people from point A to point B safely. When you
call <a href="http://westjet.com/" target="_blank">West Jet</a> to book a flight, one of the first things they will ask you is
where are you going? And you might say, well its November, and I don’t like the
cold so take me somewhere warm, like Cancun <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:country-region u2:st="on">Mexico</u1:country-region></u1:place></st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Then they’ll take all your information down, charge your credit card a
bazillion dollars and save you a seat on a flight to <st1:place w:st="on">Cancun</st1:place>
in November. They will pass that information onto the pilot who will then map
out a route to Cancun and make sure him and the rest of his crew get you there
safely and, (if weather permits) zero turbulence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlzLtpve4M/T9khm_Nu4LI/AAAAAAAAARU/5huhoYcpPvI/s1600/in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlzLtpve4M/T9khm_Nu4LI/AAAAAAAAARU/5huhoYcpPvI/s200/in+flight.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
People have things piloting their life everyday. People may not be Boeing
747’s filled to the brim with passengers and luggage, but we all have things,
like the air line pilot that guide us down a path to a certain destination. I
hope to inspire you today by asking who or what is your pilot, and where is
your pilot leading you?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RqXEQ6yw5I/T9kiIQmfzVI/AAAAAAAAARc/M03xJkozlIA/s1600/drug+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RqXEQ6yw5I/T9kiIQmfzVI/AAAAAAAAARc/M03xJkozlIA/s200/drug+woman.jpg" width="133" /></a>For example, I heard a story the other day about a mother who was addicted to crack
cocaine. She had no money, no steady job and would spend her nights seeking
floor space in homeless shelters so her son wouldn’t freeze to death at night.
Any money she had, she would use it to feed her drug addiction. At one point
she got so desperate for money, she gave her son up for adoption in exchange
for a weeks worth of drugs. By doing so, she gave him a better life, but now a
mother has to live everyday with the guilt of treating her only child like a
simple trading card.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l88F1yPwNvk/T9kjJXk9uZI/AAAAAAAAARk/tq6r1U3NpbI/s1600/woman+crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l88F1yPwNvk/T9kjJXk9uZI/AAAAAAAAARk/tq6r1U3NpbI/s200/woman+crying.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is an example of a bad pilot. In this story, the driving forces behind
mom’s decisions were selfish. She cared more about scoring drugs and where to
get her next high, and then she did about a life together with her son. As a
result she’s now in a lonely depressive state, bearing a pain that no one
should bear. Drugs were piloting her life and lead her down a dark, lonely
path. <br />
<br />
What about your pilot? Who or what is your pilot? Is it leading you down
a dark path, or is your pilot directing you with purpose and vision like Rick
Hoyt? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Piloting Rick’s life are his parents Dick and Judy Hoyt. Born in 1962 with
cerebral palsy, doctor’s advised Dick and Judy to put their son in an
institution. Against doctor’s advice, they kept Rick out of the hospitals
vowing that he will live a full and happy life just like everyone else. And
that’s whaRick did, entering public school in 1975 and graduating from
university in 1993. </div>
<br />
Graduating from university is great, but it’s not what Rick is known for.
Rick Hoyt loves competing in marathons. He did his firs 5 mile road race in
1977 and loved it. He loves it so much that he has now competed in over 1000
marathons, including a few triathlons. All thanks to his pilot. His father and
friend, Dick Hoyt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pf05hcENGA/T9kj97y2bKI/AAAAAAAAARs/qeswupDjA6c/s1600/TEAM+HOYT.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pf05hcENGA/T9kj97y2bKI/AAAAAAAAARs/qeswupDjA6c/s1600/TEAM+HOYT.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Whether he’s pushing Ricks chair down the path, or swimming his son across
the river in a small raft, Dick Hoyt guides his son from point A to point B as
safe as he can. Dick and Judy Hoyt are piloting their son’s life, making choices
that put a smile on Ricks face, and joy in their hearts.<br />
<br />
I started by asking about you and your pilot. I’m also going to finish by
asking about you and your pilot. Who or what is piloting your life? And where
is it leading you? Is it an addiction, forcing you to make bad decisions
leading you to a lonely and desperate place? Or is your pilot an adventurer
guiding you down paths and across rivers of excitement? Who or what is piloting
your life, and where is it leading you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jCkqhDRwoM/T9kkeH4TSuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/FSg8iTpaYAU/s1600/confusing+directions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jCkqhDRwoM/T9kkeH4TSuI/AAAAAAAAAR0/FSg8iTpaYAU/s200/confusing+directions.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-18546359511297133292012-05-17T17:53:00.000-07:002012-05-17T18:43:21.217-07:00You're Not MosesI am six weeks into my membership with a toast masters club.
I have been going since January but have been reluctant to join. When you join
you get a couple workbooks; one that teaches you about the leadership roles necessary
to run the club smoothly and another is filled with assignments that guide you
in formal speech delivery and preparation. Some examples of roles in their leadership manual include
a time keeper. Someone to monitor the amount of time you spend speaking to the
crowd. Another role is the head toastmaster, or emcee of the evening. Their responsibility
is to host the crowd and provide smooth transitions between each portion of the
meeting.<br />
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The workbook with speech assignments give you tools to
become a better public speaker. The first assignment’s goal is to build your
confidence in public speaking. It’s also designed to show you how easy it is to
find content for your speeches.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I became hesitant to join after looking through the
assignment book. My hesitation was due, in part, to the fact that I already
know the basics of public speaking. I know that opening with a good hook, or
catch phrase captivates your audience and if successful, you have lured them in
wanting to know more. With approximately a decade worth of public speaking experience,
instead of building on the skills I already have, I was afraid I would be
digressing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also considered Moses who wasn’t the most eloquent
speaker (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%204:10&version=NIV">Exodus 4:10</a>), yet led an entire nation of people in revolt against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s pharaoh (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%203:7-10&version=NIV">Exodus 3:7-10</a>)</div>
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These are two reasons that slowed my obedience to God in
becoming a public speaker. I eventually swallowed my pride, listened to the
Lord’s promptings, joined, and as of this past Tuesday, completed my second
speech at toastmasters. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been obedient in joining a toastmasters meeting, but
there are still times I catch myself asking why, if I have experience speaking
before crowds, am I at toastmasters, revisiting the basics of speech
preparation. Until this week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Possibly my greatest roadblock to being obedient to God's call
of pursing public speaking was knowing that Moses wasn’t the most articulate speaker, yet
he was chosen by God to transform <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s prime labor force into a seperate nation. If Moses wasn’t the best with words, why must I go
through this training that forces me to revisit and reuse skills I have had for
years? The answer came in two parts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First and (perhaps) foremost, Moses wasn’t the one that
spoke to the Israelites. His brother, Aaron, spoke to them<em> for</em> Moses. Comparing
myself to Moses was irrelevant. Moses barely spoke to the crowds if at all. This
comparison could never disqualify me from having to be part of toastmasters.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The second part of the answer had to do with name sakes. If my
life was a carbon copy of Moses’ life, I’d still have to go to toast masters,
or at least take part in some formal training for public speaking and relearn
the basics. Why? Because <em>I’m not Moses, I am Tim</em>. I’m not some adopted son of a
pharaoh living as a sheep herder in the <st1:place w:st="on">Middle East</st1:place>.
My name is Tim and I live in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Calgary</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Alberta</st1:state>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So comparing myself to Moses and insisting
I don’t need to climb the ranks as a public speaker is just goofy, because I’M
NOT MOSES.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And unless your living in the ancient middle east and share
the same name, occupation, and lifestyle of the characters in the bible, perhaps
your just like me: <em>you’re not Moses</em> (or any other biblical person for that
matter), so don’t be surprised when God calls you to do something that no other
biblical character has done, regardless of your likeness to any Biblical
Patriarch, because, like me, YOU’RE NOT MOSES!!!</div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-46801318143304118662012-04-05T23:32:00.000-07:002012-04-05T23:32:42.693-07:00A Speech I Gave at Toastmasters This WeekI joined a toast masters club about a month ago and gave my first speech at this weeks meeting. Below is a copy of the speech I gave. I titled it, The Epic Journey of Tim Schmidt and contains snippets of my life story... so far! I hope you enjoy it, and please don’t hesitate to comment and let me know what you think of it, blessings, Tim<br />
<br />
____________________<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Good evening Mr. Toastmaster, fellow members and guests. I hope you all feel welcome here today. As mentioned in the introduction my name is Tim, and I would like to spend the next few minutes telling you a bit about myself. Because today’s theme has to do with story telling and fables, I want you to listen closely and then afterwards tell me when I was being a mother goose. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The first question people ask when they meet me is: what happened? How did you end up in the wheelchair? I usually respond by saying I was born. Wheelchair and all. That’s why my mother had a C-section when I was born. They couldn’t get the chair through the birth canal.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Okay, really, I was born with cerebral palsy which is the doctor’s way of saying I was born with brain damage. Because of this I use the wheelchair. But having this chair doesn’t mean I just sit there all day, these wheels take me places and I hope to share bit of my journey with you here today.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My fondest memories start at the age of 15 when I discovered a passion for cooking. Earning top marks in foods class filled my head with dreams of going to SAIT and being a chef. Sadly, I never did fullfill that dream. I may not be the sharpest knife in the kitchen but I can still make an orgasmic chicken soup and turn chocolate haters into chocoholics.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">my plans for going to SAIT changed when I attempted suicide at 19. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this I made a life altering decision to go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bible</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">College</st1:placetype></st1:place> and be a youth pastor. It was here that I earned the nickname globe trotter as I embraced a new passion for travelling. If I wasn’t in class I was en route.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For 5 months in 2002 I juggled school work while travelling to the following places:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">the country of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Belize</st1:country-region>, <st1:city w:st="on">Ottawa</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">Ontario</st1:state>, <st1:city w:st="on">great falls</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Montana</st1:state>, <st1:city w:st="on">Lethbridge</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Medicine Hat</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Edmonton</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">red deer</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Grande Prairie</st1:city>, <st1:placename w:st="on">Pine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype>, Taber, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Regina</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">Saskatchewan</st1:state></st1:place>. I’ve even seen the towers <span style="color: black;">of </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Isengard and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Doom</st1:placename></st1:place>. </span><span style="color: black;">The </span>last stamp in my passport was in 2005 when I traveled to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Poland</st1:country-region></st1:place> for 2 weeks. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I think it goes without saying, that after that I cooled my jets, stayed home, and studied. I graduated in 2009 with a bachelor of religious education and since then, my adventure continues. I moved out of my parent’s house, and into a one bedroom apartment in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Inglewood</st1:place></st1:city>. I help lead a small church in McKenzie town and am 2 thirds of the way through editing my first book.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I still like to travel and on Boxing Day in 2009 I took the greyhound to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hamilton</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">Ontario</st1:state></st1:place> and back. Never do that! That was a LOOOONG trip. That’s 2 and a half days one way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this past summer I was a counellor at a camp for people with disabilties and a guest speaker at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">camp</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Chestermere</st1:placename></st1:place> in august.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Mr toastmaster, fellow members and guests, there you have it. I hope you’ve enjoyed my trip down memory lane and that I have been a good host. there is more to my life then what I’ve shared here today and I look forward to sharing it with you in the days to come. I also hope that I have kept your interest and you’ve been able to pick out my fables. </span></div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-9844105474111574172011-12-08T13:21:00.000-08:002011-12-08T13:31:49.124-08:00SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!“Hey Tim?”<br />
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“Yeah Ed?” <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">“Thanks for doing this –”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>“No problem Ed”<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">“I was able to breathe a sigh of relief when I read your response to my email…” Ed was expressing his gratitude to me for agreeing to share the workload, of preaching to nearly 200 kids at Camp Chestermere. Heading east on the 1A highway out to Chestermere, Ed continued as we approached 52 street. “When we get to camp, I’ll introduce you to the Camp Director. He’s a close personal friend of mine. Well, more like family. You see, Tim, his uncle married my mother less then a year ago. But that’s neither here nor there; I was thinking of speaking to the 10 o’clock crowd and having you speak to the younger kids at 11. And tomorrow we’ll switch. You speak at 10 and I’ll do the 11 o’clock service.”</div><br />
Being in front of crowds is familiar territory for me. As far back as I can remember I have graced a stage in one way or another. The very beginning of school – kindergarten – for example, I was part of the school choir. If we weren’t rehearsing for some school assembly, we were practicing for trips to senior centre’s to provide the meal time entertainment. In Grade 5 I was fortunate enough to join a small group of grade sixers for reader’s theatre. While my fellow classmates were trying to earn gold stars for reading through their “choose your own adventure” books; I was whisked away to the grade 6 room, to practice for a reader’s theatre competition at the jubilee auditorium.<br />
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In grade 7, I played the trumpet in the school band. In Grades 8 and 9 I took a performing arts class. It was here that we’d put on plays, either for our classmates or performed song and dance numbers at school assemblies. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While kids in high school were either shooting hoops, or hanging out in the smoke pit, I hung out with a group of guys who, with the help of a teacher, formed a cover band. We’d get together over the lunch break and cover Tom Petty tunes.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7WwxI3RwB0/TuEm-x4bxlI/AAAAAAAAAQE/-6L0edS6kHI/s1600/tom+petty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7WwxI3RwB0/TuEm-x4bxlI/AAAAAAAAAQE/-6L0edS6kHI/s320/tom+petty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> or we’d be perfecting our performance of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Child. </div><br />
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Just in case you’re wondering, due to fire regulations we weren’t allowed to set any guitars on fire.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S13thLrvL2Q/TuEja85JckI/AAAAAAAAAP8/5lYNi_1pbhw/s1600/jimi+hendrix+guitar+fire.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S13thLrvL2Q/TuEja85JckI/AAAAAAAAAP8/5lYNi_1pbhw/s1600/jimi+hendrix+guitar+fire.bmp" /></a></div><br />
We were also constantly reminded by teachers that our teeth were NOT ideal guitar picks. <br />
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In college, I had grown quite comfortable with speaking, teaching and preaching, and my near decade career as a college student afforded countless opportunities to speak at churches, and take on various teaching roles. This past summer I was even fortunate enough to share pastoring duties at a camp for people with disabilities. But speaking at Camp Chestermere was different. <br />
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When I walked on stage I was greeted by the coolest sound EVER!!!... 200 kids, all chanting, “WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!! WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!! WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!!” <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Q4tzq4iH8/TuEjKhUs48I/AAAAAAAAAP0/DxlNrPZbf3M/s1600/cheering+crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Q4tzq4iH8/TuEjKhUs48I/AAAAAAAAAP0/DxlNrPZbf3M/s400/cheering+crowd.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br />
Another first for me happened after one of my speaking engagements that week. Two kids asked me to sign their bible. I didn’t know what to say, I’ve never been asked to sign anything other then a check before. I was able to blurt out some sort of “yes” type response and wrote an encouraging remark on a blank page in 2 people’s bibles. I’m not going to lie. I left that camp feeling like a rock star! <br />
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My friend and Pastor, Ed, asked me to speak a total of 4 times that week. And although the chanting and 2 person autograph session are top notch in all things cool, I will admit it’s not the greatest thing to happen that week. The best part of the week (as far as I’m concerned) is that my words made a difference. I was used by God to change someone’s life. That’s the point of ministry. To impact peoples lives with the Gospel of Christ. Through word or deed, everyone has a need for the love of Jesus. <br />
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A few weeks after camp, I was invited to a leadership meeting with my pastor, friend, and ministry partner, Erik. As Erik, his wife bonnie and I chatted over dinner Erik challenged me to find ways that I could contribute to the leadership of Expressions. This summer proved to be a busy one. In July and august I had taken on leadership roles at 2 different camps. Armed with nothing but my bible and a servant’s heart, I was able to speak to hundreds of people and spur them on in their pursuit of righteousness and holy living. I left that meeting with an attitude of prayer. What was it that God wanted me to do – not only in expressions community, but perhaps with the next stage of my life? As I lay down at night asking God these questions, I find myself in situations where God’s answer is clear. <br />
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As the summer ended, I had an interview with an old employer about possibly working with them again. When we got to talking, she encouraged me to get into public speaking; particularly paid speaking engagements. Some of my Facebook friends would post links to various public speaking groups. Whenever people asked me about my dream job, I would tell them stories of being a keynote speaker at some sort of conference where I would not only get a fee but all transportation and accommodations are paid for. But the clincher came just a few weeks ago during a coffee meeting with another pastor friend of mine, Dallas. <br />
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Dallas told me I have a way with words. Not only is my writing an apt tool, but my abilities as a public speaker proved to be an effective ministry as well. He then encouraged me to get into the realm of public speaking. In the days leading up to this meeting, I had been thinking again about Erik’s question posed to me in the fall: how do I/can I best contribute to the ministry of expressions community? My thought was some form of public speaking. But I wasn’t sure if that was something God wanted me to do. In fact I remember saying: “God I think I’m hearing you say go do public speaking, but I’m not 100% sure. Could you be more direct? Like someone telling me: Tim you should do this.<br />
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The speaking opportunities I had over the summer were tons of fun. I was extremely humbled and thankful for the opportunities to speak. In pursuing this public speaking route, is it my goal to become world famous, selling out the like of the O2 Arena, the Houston Astrodome or speaking to crowds of 50,000 chanting ““WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!! WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!! WE WANT TIIIIIM!!!!!” in unison? Absolutely not! If it happens along the way, that’s great! But the reason I’m taking this route is to bring glory and honor to God. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.</em> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Psalm 34:2</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-74535558602061877302011-09-04T06:07:00.000-07:002011-09-04T06:16:29.254-07:00Bringing Faith to LifeThe book of genesis tells us that in the beginning the earth was empty. A formless mass; devoid of anything but God and His spirit. And then He spoke. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Day one, “light.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wCYdCWtwb0k/TmNvzSvteII/AAAAAAAAAO4/8StFnypoXac/s1600/God+speaking+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wCYdCWtwb0k/TmNvzSvteII/AAAAAAAAAO4/8StFnypoXac/s320/God+speaking+light.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Day two, “sky.”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxso3hGtB34/TmNw9__7aiI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QZSDTGDB5e8/s1600/God+speaking+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxso3hGtB34/TmNw9__7aiI/AAAAAAAAAO8/QZSDTGDB5e8/s320/God+speaking+sky.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On day 3, “I command the water to separate,” and this reveals the land. Then God speaks seed bearing plants and trees into existence </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--OAt1qpdFnc/TmNylEQkKfI/AAAAAAAAAPA/pCmj9BvZz30/s1600/reveal+land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--OAt1qpdFnc/TmNylEQkKfI/AAAAAAAAAPA/pCmj9BvZz30/s320/reveal+land.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Day four, God sets the stars in the skies. Spoken into existence, they are to be a difference maker. Stars and varying kinds of light are to keep night and day separate. Their second purpose is to mark a change in the seasons. Before standard time, people would look to the skies and determine whether it was time to plant crops or to harvest; to grill steaks outdoors or use their oven for the night’s meal. To toss a ball back and forth with your good buds wearing shorts or to light a fire and snuggle with your sweetheart as the snow falls on a chilly winter’s day. Whatever the activity God set the stars in the sky to help us determine the day’s activities. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jk6L7RHB_g/TmNzQm7ocWI/AAAAAAAAAPE/EuedjozlWiA/s1600/fish+in+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jk6L7RHB_g/TmNzQm7ocWI/AAAAAAAAAPE/EuedjozlWiA/s200/fish+in+lake.jpg" width="200" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next day God said, “The waters need some life in them. I didn’t create them to be desolate and stagnant, but to teem with living creatures. So I shall fill them with fish and other waterfowl. I’ll set some in a random lake and let them reproduce. That way, they will fill the earth and I can enjoy watching them as they populate this planet.” After filling a lake with fish and watching them for a bit, God smiled. His fun continued as he filled the land with livestock and the sky with birds. Thinking about the next days work, day passed into night and soon day 6 began. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Day 6, God’s creativity culminates with his greatest creation: mankind.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-rIewR80WY/TmN0wp97hmI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wOV9HcEXUHk/s1600/Sand+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-rIewR80WY/TmN0wp97hmI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wOV9HcEXUHk/s320/Sand+Man.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Genesis 2 provides some detail on exactly how God did it. Genesis 2:7 paints a picture of God in a sandbox saying he took some dust and formed it into a shape of a man. But it didn’t end there. When God was finished shaping his sand-man, he was lifeless until God breathed life into this sand-man. “Now that this man has been brought to life, he needs a purpose. What shall I have him do?” thought God, “I’ll put him in charge of everything I have created! That way he – and those that come after him – won’t wander around aimlessly.” God’s time of creating ended on day 7 with a time of rest. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What captures my attention in this story is the importance of God breathing life into mankind. Prior to that, the inaugural human being had been just like the earth on day zero. Devoid! Or, if I can use a different word here, lifeless or even dead! Genesis says that God’s greatest creation was otherwise dead and lifeless until God breathed life into it. I wonder if the same could be said of a person’s faith. It is dead, lifeless and devoid until God breathes life into it. At least that’s what I find myself learning these days. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKQiEiluUPs/TmN3M0rW1NI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Usjk4M3DEj8/s1600/breath+of+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKQiEiluUPs/TmN3M0rW1NI/AAAAAAAAAPM/Usjk4M3DEj8/s320/breath+of+life.jpg" width="209" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are things that I say I believe but when rubber meets road, living out what I believe becomes a real challenge. I trust God with my life. I am convinced that His plans for me are far better then mine. Yet His timing can frustrate me. Take for example this publishing contest. In May I discovered a free publishing contest for authors. Having written a book but not published it yet, I decided to take a chance and enter the contest. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As far as I know, the manuscript is still floating around their office climbing the ranks and etching its way ever closer to the finish line. But I find myself getting impatient and growing restless with not knowing what’s going on with my manuscript. Daily I fight the urge to pick up where I left off and continue towards self publishing. It’s so tempting and leads to frustration but I continue to wait. As my patience is being tried I find my confidence in God growing. The feeling of trust and confident assurance that comes when you trust a tangible person is welling up within me. As I think about unknown territory my fears and worries for the general future feel more secure. I’m becoming more optimistic. My pessimism is wading away. For this I am thankful. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPeO-Xao0CQ/TmN3tC5TMiI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Z_0vn2UQoDc/s1600/God%2527sBreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPeO-Xao0CQ/TmN3tC5TMiI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Z_0vn2UQoDc/s320/God%2527sBreath.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-59259021540097230772011-06-24T12:19:00.000-07:002011-06-24T12:19:46.546-07:00Survey Says: Prayer is Like SuperglueI thought this was an interesting article and a good follow-up to my <a href="http://tims-bits.blogspot.com/2011/06/best-intentions.html">last post</a>, as it compliments and reinforces some of the ideas I previously mentioned. The original article can be found <a href="http://www.canada.com/topics/lifestyle/relationships/story.html?id=e3568117-267e-43a4-b576-d467fef6f8db">here.</a><br />
<br />
Fourteen days -- 336 hours. That's how long Eddie Murphy's latest marriage lasted to film producer, Tracey Edmonds. David Letterman quipped: "They started to drift apart during the ceremony. The legal question now is who gets custody of the cake."<br />
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The star-struck couple entered the New Year with a flourish, exchanging vows on a private island off Bora Bora in French Polynesia on Jan. 1. They were the picture of perfection; dapperly dressed, sunshiny smiles and bodacious bodies honed by exercise and diet. Probing paparazzi captured faces aglow with the radiance of love. Or was it merely the beginning of sunstroke? That at least would explain the insane antics that followed.<br />
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The marriage headed south faster than a Canadian snowbird in November and they pulled the plug just days into the adventure. Apparently "till death do us part" is translated differently in French Polynesia. Eddie and Tracey discovered what most people instinctively know: enduring marriages require more than picturesque beginnings, fame or even fortune.<br />
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Flourishing relationships grow in the greenhouse of commitment, nourished by copious communication and persistent prayer. Traditional wedding vows are meant to usher in delightful devotion to a spouse. Stubborn commitment is pledged: "For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, and faithful to you alone, till death do us part."<br />
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The Bible calls this a covenant and it was never meant to be broken. To sever such a relationship is the equivalent of ripping our tongue off on the playground slide in the middle of a Canadian winter. Not pleasant and downright bloody. No wonder God says He hates divorce. He is the outstanding Father of all time; watching His children experience such pain is nothing less than heart-wrenching.<br />
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Commitment can prevent much of that pain, forming the banks in which the marital river freely flows. If commitment forms the banks, then communication is the current. It ensures the relationship retains freshness and vigour, combating the staleness that grows in quiet waters.<br />
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Relational silence is not golden -- it is an eerily accurate forecaster of dark storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Wise couples dispel these clouds in three ways:<br />
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- They expose secrets. Alcoholics Anonymous suggests that we are as sick as the secrets we keep. Marital secrets need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the light, where they die of exposure. The heart of marriage is meant to be transparent.<br />
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- Healthy couples deal with their disagreements. They follow St. Paul's advice and "do not let the sun go down while (they) are still angry." The right time to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness is always the present. An oft forgotten bonus is that making up can be a whole lot of fun.<br />
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Perceptive spouses frequently express their love. Spoken sentiment is a gentle breeze refreshing the soul. It is a spring rain watering seeds of love sown deep within. Couples who excel in the language of love need never fear failure.<br />
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A 1997 Gallup Poll unearthed a noteworthy nugget of marital insight. It discovered that when a couple consistently prays together its chances of divorce plunges from one-in-three to one-in-1,152.<br />
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Wise couples pay attention to such findings. Fools alone discount a practice that increases the odds of success this dramatically.<br />
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The poll issues a clarion, if unconventional challenge to all. According to these findings, marriage counsellors should be clambering to arm clients with prayer manuals, couples should be flocking to churches and enterprising employers wishing to maximize employee emotional health should consider initiating prayer workshops.<br />
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You don't have to be religious to pray -- just smart. Don't worry about a formula, God appreciates simple sincerity. Try the "sorry, thank you, please" format. Express what you are sorry for. Thank God for the multitude of received blessings, including your spouse. Then discuss requests with the Divine. <br />
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Magazines littering the grocery checkout aisles proclaimed the tragedy of the Eddie and Tracey breakup. But the greatest tragedy is unheralded; that two mature individuals have yet to grasp the keys that will unlock an enduring and fulfilling relationship.<br />
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Perhaps the one redeeming factor in the entire sordid affair is the opportunity we have to glean and grow from their marital mishap.We can choose to stay true to commitments made. We can open our hearts and mouths, rejecting the lure of silence when communication is desperately needed. Persistent prayer can bind us to the One who is an artesian well of wisdom and an unending source of love.<br />
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When we live in such a way we rise above a myriad of gifted individuals who choose a lesser pathway, including two rich but lonely movie moguls who left their hearts in Bora Bora.Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-49370347591104447382011-06-23T11:28:00.000-07:002011-06-25T11:39:08.464-07:00The Best Intentions?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My parents just celebrated their 35th anniversary. I joined them this past weekend for a surprise party. It was a great plan my dad had in store for my mother and put together by him and their fellow campers. Saturday was a fun night filled with a potluck dinner a wild party, and if you know my dad at all, very rambunctious. As the night wound down and the crowd dwindled from about 50 people to 4 or 5, someone asked my parents the secret to staying together that long. My mother responded with: GLUE! The key is to stick together no matter what! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0452l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0452l.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="288" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But what about single folk like me who want to be married but haven’t found someone suitable yet?</div><br />
Before she graced the stage of NBC’s The Voice, Raquel Castro took on the role of Ben Affleck’s daughter in the movie Jersey Girl. After walking in on Raquel and her friend playing doctor, we next see Ben sitting the two on a couch as the protective parent asking the boy “what are your intentions with my daughter? Do you plan on marrying her?” later on the role is comically reversed when Raquel catches Ben Affleck in the shower with Liv Tyler. Raquel then asks Liv her intentions toward her dad. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jO1V47HFXKc/TgOEQZRcvCI/AAAAAAAAANA/8tCSojCSmCI/s1600/protective+parent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jO1V47HFXKc/TgOEQZRcvCI/AAAAAAAAANA/8tCSojCSmCI/s200/protective+parent.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I can relate to being in that proverbial hot seat getting grilled by either a protective parent or friend looking out for their bestie. Lately I’ve begun to wonder if that’s the best question to be asking. I am a form believer that God has a purpose and a plan for everyone alive. I also believe that God brings people into our lives for particular reasons and specific seasons. With this in mind I wonder if instead of asking someone: “what are your intentions with this relationship?” wouldn’t it be better to seek out God’s intentions for the relationship? If your goal is to have a long lasting and durable marriage; in your relationships beforehand – or even during the marriage – wouldn’t it be wise to ask “what is God’s calling on my spouse’s life, and how can I help fulfill that calling”?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Here’s another thought: What would it hurt to ask a combination of all three?<br />
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**** EDIT**** this article became headliner at The Daily Helpers Newspaper!!! =D see the link <a href="http://paper.li/~/articles/819534103">here.</a>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-17015500801305322142011-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:002011-06-21T15:19:10.279-07:00Does Forgiveness Mean Lack of Control?I heard a story recently about a woman named Charlotte. At the age of 6, her parents followed their cultural norm and pre-arranged her marriage. By age 19 the date was set. A week before her big day, everything was set to go. Charlotte had her dress picked out, the bridesmaids were all flown in, and both the stag and stagette parties were had. The only preparation left were the wedding rehearsals. This would be the first time Charlotte would meet her husband, Dennis. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFzsM9OE8VU/TgEUaDjdVCI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Du1eCudimVU/s1600/reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFzsM9OE8VU/TgEUaDjdVCI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Du1eCudimVU/s200/reception.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Her first impression of Dennis was quite pleasing. He seems like decent guy. Holding down a job as an engineer in the petroleum business, Charlotte feels at ease knowing that money will be a less likely concern. Watching Dennis mix and mingle around the room Charlotte notices his people skills are top notch. She imagines her and her husband greeting guests into their home at one of their many dinner parties as part of their married life together. As the two sit down at the dinner table they hold hands for the first time. Charlotte eagerly kisses Dennis on the cheek in front of those at the rehearsal. Dennis accepts the kiss with a smile on his face and a twinkle in the eye. She rests that night knowing things will be alright; that she can trust this man whom she just met to love and cherish her all of her days. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAyHVwdPJTI/TgEVZjIU62I/AAAAAAAAAMw/lUXik4VBT7g/s1600/woman+crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAyHVwdPJTI/TgEVZjIU62I/AAAAAAAAAMw/lUXik4VBT7g/s200/woman+crying.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It’s now 11:45PM. Dennis and Charlotte have confessed their love for each other sited their vows, and been blessed by a priest in front of 250 friends and family in attendance at the wedding; and are now in the back of a Lincoln town car en route to their hotel for the night. As soon as the two were alone Charlotte was caught by surprise when Dennis raped her before the day had ended. Sadly, this was just the beginning of 10 years of abuse for Charlotte. Daily the beatings would continue. When Charlotte appealed to family for help, Dennis would turn the argument back on to her. Calling her mentally unstable, Dennis would manipulate Charlotte’s parents to make them think she needed psychiatric treatment. Then one day Charlotte found refuge in an unlikely hero. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT8apFOCc0Q/TgEW9oxPSAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/UG4NS7hn-Aw/s1600/pollice+visit+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT8apFOCc0Q/TgEW9oxPSAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/UG4NS7hn-Aw/s200/pollice+visit+school.jpg" width="200" /></a>One day Dennis decided to beat Charlotte after their three children went to bed. Their eldest son Mason had grown accustomed to hearing his parents shout and fight as they tried to sleep. But this time was different. Mason’s third grade teacher Mrs. Swanson had a special visitor do a presentation to her class during Safety Week at school. Mrs. Swanson brought in Constable Hudson from the local police department to teach the children all about how the police keep people safe. During his presentation, Constable Hudson told them about 911. Mason and his classmates learned about the people who work at 911 and how they are trained to help people in trouble. Hearing his mom crying, Mason used the phone in his parents room to call 911. When 911 answered, Mason listened to the gentleman on the phone as he told him how to keep his brother and sister safe and that help was on the way. The police showed up minutes later and took Dennis away to jail.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Charlotte saw this time as a chance for freedom and sought new life on a different continent with her three children. Now a quartet of Christians, Charlotte and her family enjoy life on the Canadian prairies. Still in touch with her family back home, Charlotte learns that Dennis’ life hangs in the balance as he suffers a coma during a riot in prison. While praying for his safety, she is led to scriptures that speak of forgiveness. Confused, she ignores the scriptures and continues to pray for Dennis’ life. Soon it becomes abundantly clear of God’s asking Charlotte to forgive Dennis of all the abuse he’s given her during their marriage. Charlotte decides on forgiving her husband and makes plans to visit her homeland.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHR_AN57log/TgEYjJIzxCI/AAAAAAAAAM8/WYifRYTBZ3Q/s1600/coma.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHR_AN57log/TgEYjJIzxCI/AAAAAAAAAM8/WYifRYTBZ3Q/s200/coma.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During a vacation back home, she visits Dennis in the hospital. When the two are alone, she contemplates pulling the plug and taking Dennis’ life in return for her years of abuse. Then she quickly remembers why she came – to forgive Dennis for all the abuse Charlotte incurred over the years. In between the beeping and hissing of the machines that keep Dennis alive, Charlotte talks to Dennis for nearly 45 minutes about all the pain and the hurt he is responsible for. Before the conversation ends, Charlotte is able to utter words of forgiveness. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As she leaves the hospital a new sense of freedom encompasses her. Now she can let go of the past and focus on the future without fearing the abusive Dennis will find her, her children and abuse them again. The five years since charlotte and the kids left, charlotte was living in fear that Dennis would go looking for them with nothing but vengeance on his mind. Even though they were continents apart, Charlotte’s fear of Dennis controlled her. But because she was able to forgive Dennis from 10 years of abuse Charlotte no longer has to cower in fear or frantically look over her shoulder at men who even look like Dennis. Because of forgiveness Charlotte is now free from any grip Dennis still had on her and her children five years after the fact. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Maybe this is one reason why God asks us to practice forgiveness. Without it, our abusers – those who have done wrong to us – have some element of control in our lives for years and even decades after the incidences. By forgiving our abusers we release them of that control and we walk in freedom in more was then one. Not only are we free of any reoccurrences, but we no longer walk in fear. Cowering at the mere site of our abuser is not a posture we need to assume because it is gone and perhaps long forgotten. The only action we have from the point of forgiveness is rebuilding the bridge that was once burned. Rebuilding that bridge isn’t always mandatory, but it is an option one could take. I believe God will honor whatever action we take regarding that burned bridge. If we choose to rebuild it and make amends, the Lord will help us. If we choose otherwise, God will respect our decision and continue to direct those involved down different paths. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>HHHHHMMMMM.................Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-51814665305878711972011-06-06T15:01:00.000-07:002011-06-06T15:01:16.486-07:00Busy Busy BusyHey everyone! I know it’s been over a month since I’ve blogged but I have been rather busy this last month. <br />
I attended <a href="http://www.cschurch.ca/event/2011-03-18-the-outpouring-an-inclusive-worship-experience/">The Outpouring</a> back in April, and during a “catch up conversation” with my good friend <a href="http://godsjugglers.blogspot.com/">Dallas</a>, he asked about the progress of my book. Telling him I have 1 more devotional to write then I can work on getting it published, he offered to host a book release party for me this fathers day weekend. <br />
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Almost immediately after hearing the news about the book release I hit the pavement hard and threw as much energy as I could into having a printed copy in hand in about 2 weeks from now. When the final devotional was finished, I immediately began editing my work. On a side note I HATE editing stuff. Doing so was more tedious then I’m used too, and was way more time consuming then I thought. But doing so turned out to be a good thing as I was able to come up with a title and introduction to the book. I then contacted the <a href="http://www.bdc-canada.com/">Business Development Centre</a> in Ontario regarding the copyright for my book. The money they charged me was nearly unaffordable. But God was good at providing the funds to do so. After a night of praying how I would afford the $160 to get the copyright registered, someone donated the money to me. I now have a silent partner in my venture. Yay for them coming into my life and blessing me with this opportunity. <br />
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My book was originally going to be solely an Ebook, but after speaking with a number of people requesting an ACTUAL book – one that they can hold flip pages of and keep on a shelf – it became quite clear that I should look into binding options. My initial meeting with a printing agency didn’t fare too well. They asked me a whole bunch of questions I wasn’t really prepared for. The sales staff hit me with all kinds of questions. I had to choose the kind of paper, its thickness, size, and texture, the font style, etc etc. Whether I wanted a hard or soft cover. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdUu_-onTjE/Te1JMkRERJI/AAAAAAAAAMc/ldoFp-e_gWM/s1600/overwhelmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdUu_-onTjE/Te1JMkRERJI/AAAAAAAAAMc/ldoFp-e_gWM/s1600/overwhelmed.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div>They had various types of binding and a whole list of questions regarding that too. In the end, they did have some books on display that I liked but they couldn’t do it on site. They had a book on demand service they referred me to that can give me a book for a cost of $3-5 each. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jCGAW8t754/Te1K0BY5qEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qws83El6veA/s1600/charlie+brown+sigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jCGAW8t754/Te1K0BY5qEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qws83El6veA/s1600/charlie+brown+sigh.jpg" t8="true" /></a>Next I had to think of a cover page. I had a few ideas that I initially thought were great but had to scrap. Once I decided on a suitable graphic, I decided the best way to do it would be to design it myself by gathering up the items that would be on the front cover and take a photo. Then I could tinker around with it using Photoshop until I had what I wanted. Amidst preparing to work on the cover page, I ran into an old friend who has a photography studio. I told him what I was doing, and he volunteered to do the cover page photo for me. I was like Praise God because I’m flying by the seat of my pants here. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I heard that a publishing company in Winnipeg called <a href="http://www.wordalivepress.ca/">Word Alive Press</a> is currently running its annual publishing contest for Christian Authors. The winners get a pretty sweet publishing deal for free. Shortly before this I had been praying about how to get my books onto the bookshelves of stores like <a href="http://www.blessings.com/">Blessings</a>, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/">Chapters</a> and <a href="http://www.scottsparable.com/">Scott's Parable</a> up near Red Deer Alberta. About this time God had also been teaching me about stepping outside of our comfort zones and the benefits of taking risks. So I decided to postpone my book release party and put everything else on hold to enter this contest. Up until last week I have been running around trying to get things done for my book and/or this publishing contest. I find out in august if I win. But if I don’t, I’ll just pick up where I left off. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1QnSZlRJrg/Te1NaW9qi-I/AAAAAAAAAMo/VW6Ddrhbs4I/s1600/bible+study.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1QnSZlRJrg/Te1NaW9qi-I/AAAAAAAAAMo/VW6Ddrhbs4I/s200/bible+study.gif" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Things are finally starting to slow down for me as I’m in the waiting period regarding this contest and I’m glad they have slowed. I’m not quite sure how much longer I could have gone on like that. I also threw my name in the hat to be a bible teacher at a bible camp this July through <a href="http://www.rehoboth.ab.ca/">Rehoboth Christian Ministries</a>. I haven’t heard back from them yet but if you don’t see many posts here in July that may be why. That’s all I wanted to share for now so until next time, be blessed! </div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-29917078461513112212011-04-18T13:03:00.000-07:002011-04-18T13:03:02.100-07:00Michael Ignatief & The Canadian LiberalsIn 2 weeks today Canadians head to their voting stations as we once again decide on who serves another term in office in a federal election. To inject a bit of humor amid the political bantering, I decided to share an email I got regarding Michael Ignatief’s leadership of the Canadian Liberal Party*. I hope you enjoy.<br />
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_____________________<br />
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While suturing up a cut on the hand of a 75 year old farmer, whose hand had been caught in the gate while working his cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to "Michael Ignatief" and how he got to be the leader of the Liberals.<br />
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The old farmer said, "Well, ya know, Ignatief is just a Post Turtle."<br />
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Now not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked, What's a "Post Turtle?"<br />
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The old farmer said, "When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a Turtle balanced on top, that's a Post Turtle." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtHJ-PFXQ14/TayXEHtmKII/AAAAAAAAAMU/MLZCr0p_ots/s1600/post+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtHJ-PFXQ14/TayXEHtmKII/AAAAAAAAAMU/MLZCr0p_ots/s320/post+turtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The old farmer saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain, <br />
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"You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, he sure as hell isn't goin' anywhere, and you just wonder what kind of dumb bastard put him there in the first place."<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">*please note that this is not an endorsement for and/or by any political party whatsoever, its just a bit of fun as I make up my own mind on who to vote for. Be blessed, Tim Bitz</div>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-43269524622261616732011-04-15T16:35:00.000-07:002011-04-19T15:58:20.930-07:00Denied“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.” (Mark 1:40) NLT. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WquUwocWj4/Ta4S8XK0x6I/AAAAAAAAAMY/JI_zQcb07ro/s1600/Jesus+healing+a+leper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WquUwocWj4/Ta4S8XK0x6I/AAAAAAAAAMY/JI_zQcb07ro/s1600/Jesus+healing+a+leper.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I read this verse a few weeks ago, something struck me. Here the leper asks Jesus to make him clean, but only if He wants to. The following verse tells us that Jesus is willing, so He reaches out His hand touches and heals the man. The Leper is overflowing with joy. He then spreads the word about the great and mighty work that Jesus had done and he’s possibly praising God because of it. But Jesus only healed the man because He was willing to do so. What if the leper asked Jesus to heal him and He said no?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is a reality I am faced with daily. Born with a disability I find myself echoing the words of the leper. “Jesus, I know that you can heal me, so please take this disability away.” In the face of my plea I wake up each morning with the Lord denying my request; and living life the same as yesterday. Limited in my physical abilities and having to navigate my daily functions with an unwanted challange. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I take comfort knowing that I don’t face this alone. Scripture calms my mood when God refuses to heal my legs; especially these words from the apostle Paul: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. ” Here, Paul confesses to having a thorn embedded in his flesh. Not wanting to deal with this ailment, he too gives voice to the plea of the leper. “Jesus, if you are willing you can make me clean.” Yet Jesus withholds His healing touch. The leper praised God and spread the news of his healing, but Paul’s testimony tells a different story. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In 2 Corinthians 12:8, Paul tells us that he cried out to God, pleading three times to make his life easier by removing the thorn from his side. The Lord hears his cry and responds by saying no. Paul doesn’t need to be healed. As the thorn remains, God is shown to be bigger then healings and miracles. By keeping the thorn in his flesh, anything Paul does to advance God’s Kingdom is merely God’s Holy Spirit using Paul’s weakness to His advantage. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>“…God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”</em> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yet in his next letter to the Corinthian church, Paul is boasting about his weaknesses. This is an act of God’s grace. The fact that people are praising God in lieu of Paul’s weaknesses gives testimony to God’s power. No one can say that they are the only reason Paul’s ministry is thriving. Paul’s weakness is so debilitating that the ministry would suffer if he didn’t depend on God to give him his daily needs. This is why he boasts in his weaknesses. For when he is weak, God is strong. Without the thorn, Paul would rely on his own strength to see the ministry to survive. Giving him this thorn keeps Paul humbled. By solely relying on God’s strength, He gets all the credit. When someone praises Paul for his success in ministry, all the apostle can do is thank God for being an instrument of God’s grace. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Every day I wake up and realize that God denied my request to walk on my own. Consequently I’m forced to answer this question: what benefit does today’s challenge bring me? Most often the answer is humility and encouragement to those around me. When people see what I go through in a day they are humbled. Putting on socks is an example of little things that most people take for granted. Because of my disability I struggle with this task. Four or five attempts later, those socks are warming my toes. When people watch me do it with a smile, they are blown away. I’m not frustrated or beating myself up because I can’t do it or is so hard. It puts them in a place of humility. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In this example, all I’m doing is putting on a pair of socks. But some people see God in what I do. People see me struggle yet I’m not depressed or getting sad about it. I have joy! I’ve been told on countless occasions people are inspired by the joy in my heart and the smile on my face. Jesus gave me that smile. As I wake each morning, I receive the grace I need to face my challenges head on. Bringing glory to God in the midst of my weakness; praising God for His grace that is sufficient. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Earlier I shared about answering the question: what benefit does today’s challenge bring me? Think about some of your own challenges for a moment. What might some of them be? How might this approach to the challenges you face change your attitude about it? How does it help you see God in the situation?Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-27082332482077630432011-04-09T12:25:00.000-07:002011-04-09T12:25:09.648-07:00Woohoo!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here is another article from the <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Inglewood</city></place> newsletter. This one is simply called Woohoo! It’s about the benefits of another person's company. Have a read below or download the entire newsletter <a href="http://www.icacalgary.com/media/files/ICANewsletterAPRIL2011.pdf">here</a>.</div>_________________<br />
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One of my neighbors likes to fiddle by doing odd jobs around the house. The tasks are minor things like organizing stacks of paper, making grocery lists or cleaning silverware. Whenever I visit her, she like to serve me coffee. Watching her grab the cup, lift the pot, and pour the drink, she squints. Arthritis grips her bones and makes simple movements like this a daily challenge. Seeing her struggle to serve me I offer to help and usually get shunned away. I’m told to stay seated and relax. <br />
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Puttering around the house, inviting people over for coffee and tea allows her to keep busy and take her mind off the difficulty arthritis has made her daily life. Doing so lifts her spirits and keeps her mind from travelling down a dark road. No surrender is her attitude. She tells me no matter how bad things get, she’s got to keep a positive attitude. This is best accomplished by keeping busy and getting her mind off how bad things are.<br />
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As I work with people with disabilities I have come to learn a big part of what we do is help the person accentuate the things they can do. For example, when working with someone who may be deaf, we don’t ignore them because “they can’t hear us”. Instead we ask their opinions using sign language, because they can still grasp the concepts and participate in the discussion. We may have a poker night with someone who can’t hold cards but they can still play if they lay their cards face down on the table. So in prepping the game table, we would leave extra room for them to lay out their cards. I know for myself there are a number of places I go that don’t have a ramp for my wheelchair, so I leave my chair at home because I can go up and down stairs using crutches. <br />
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I have a neighbor who often tells me that I’m often the light of his day – an answer to his prayers! His day is filled with doctor visits, appointments with social workers, and trips too and from the hospital. He delights in any chance to turn on his coffee pot, open his door and invite people in. It’s a change from the some times mundane and predictable routine of his life. It also gives his mind a break from dealing with doctor talk. Ask any mother who deals with screaming toddlers twenty-four hours a day. The highlight of their day is when other adults are around. I hear this from single parents all the time: “There is another grown up around! I get to have an adult conversation! No more baby talk! Woohoo!!!” So never under estimate the power of your own company. You just might be the “Woohoo!!!” of someone’s day.Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-37594025806264053542011-04-09T11:42:00.000-07:002011-04-09T11:45:29.637-07:00Pots, Pans & CutleryI have been rather silent on this blog recently, but that doesn't mean I haven’t been writing. One of my avenues for writing is the Inglewood Community Newsletter. It has a limited circulation and as such doesn’t get around to ALL Calgarians. I also have a few fans that are outside of <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region></place>. So for their benefit here is a copy of the article I wrote for the March edition. It’s called Pots, Pans, & Cutlery. If you want a PDF version of the newsletter in its entirety, the link is <a href="http://www.icacalgary.com/media/files/ICANewsletterMARCH2011WEB.pdf">here</a>. <br />
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In college, I took a class called Building Community. We spent four months looking at the dynamics of a great community and were challenged with what it takes to create a sense of belonging. Every week we were faced with the question: if given the task of creating a placewhere people could feel at home, how would we do it? What might that look like? In other words, our task was to create an environment where people felt like they belonged to something significant.<br />
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Years after critiquing the reasons behind the methods of creating community, I never would have guessed a sense of belonging could be found in something as simple as one’s dishes. Pots, pans, cutlery, plates and cups are five simple things one can use to create a sense of belonging.<br />
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Moving away from my parents’ home wasn’t something done out of necessity. Moving out is something I had planned to do when I had finished college. So when all my college fees were paid off, I began to get things I would need once I lived on my own. This proved to be a wise move on my part. I didn’t spend a single day crafting a dining table out of cardboard boxes; I had everything I needed. At the end of “move-in” day, I had a fully furnished place to live.<br />
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Leading up to the big move, I slowly bought the things I needed. Scouring the weekly fliers, I was on the lookout for great sales. A complete pot-and-pan set for 50 percent off meant I could invest more money into a bedroom set. My birthday and Christmas gifts included things like tea towels and ladles for my kitchen. If people were replacing furniture, I’d barter with them for the old stuff. I distinctly remember working out a deal with my mother regarding cutlery.<br />
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She wanted to buy me a set of cutlery that had six of each item. Ideally, I wanted to have 12. The same went for dishes. I wanted to have two sets of plates, cups and bowls. What’s the reason you ask? I like to entertain. I thoroughly enjoy cooking for others. So when people come over to check out my new “pad,” I’d like to have the means to offer everyone a drink. If my friends want to bring their four kids, each person can have their own beverage.<br />
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As I built friendships with others at Alice Bisset Place, some of us took turns hosting the other for tea and coffee. When the holidays approached, we would plan dinner parties to commemorate the upcoming occasions. We’d take turns hosting the dinner, but because my kitchen was well stocked with supplies, sometimes the neighbors would ask me to bring a few extra plates as they would only have dishes for two or three, and not 10.<br />
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Getting together like this brings back memories of my college days. Sitting in a classroom, mulling over some of the best ways to create authentic community; exploring the what, and why for of each scenario. I look back on those days and think, why are we sitting in the classroom talking about this? It’s as simple as gathering our plates, cups and other utensils, inviting people over and enjoying one another’s company.<br />
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Now I want to ask: what are you waiting for. Put down the paper and start making a guest list for your next get together.Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688734045757501520.post-77118485148035674352011-03-17T13:54:00.000-07:002011-03-30T02:03:57.738-07:00Trying<em>I'm not a perfect girl. My hair doesn’t always stay in place I spill things a lot. My friends & I sometimes fight. I sometimes have a broken heart. But when I take a step back I realize how truly amazing life is & through it all God still loves me ♥</em><br />
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My friend Crystal has this posted on her Facebook page, and I love it to bits – no pun intended. It makes me laugh a bit. But it’s also true of life in general. If I had a chance to re-write it for myself this is what it might say:<br />
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My mouth gets me into trouble a lot. I speak before I think. Sometimes this happens in unhealthy doses. It rubs people the wrong way and I find myself in hot water. I make mistakes. Sometimes I do what I think is best and end up regretting it a moment later. I Find myself in vulnerable situations asking the question: how is me being here a good thing? All these lead me to a place of prayer. Knowing that I’ve made a mistake I find myself pleading for God to turn things around and make those mistakes into tent pegs that would expand His kingdom. <br />
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You might be reading this and wonder why I ask this of God. Like the apostle Paul, I believe that God <em>can </em>turn things around. In Ephesians 3:20, Paul writes that God can do an infinite amount of things to bring about his glory in a situation. The ways in which God does this is so mind boggling, words don’t do it justice. We are left staring blankly like a deer caught in the headlights. Our jaw hits the ground and our tongues roll out as this work unfolds. Humbled, the only words we can muster as a response is WOW! If not that, then some other form of incoherent mumbling finds its way past our lips. <br />
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If we believe God can do immeasurably more then we can ask or imagine, why not ask him to do so?<br />
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If you were to re-write something like that about yourself, what might it say? Would it sound something like this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YAk4HolquVE?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Tim Bitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12995007121283046804noreply@blogger.com0