Tim Bits number 27!!!!

So tonight I got curios what would happen if I googled Tim bits where my site would show up. It’s tough to pin point exactly. I googled it 3 times and this blog showed up somewhere between 35 and 25. But the last time I checked it was ranked 27!!! Sweet deal! I knew life was always better with a bit of Tim's lol!

Type Casting or Gifting?

My high school English teacher had the challenge of teaching us Shakespeare in a tangible way. Rather then just reading the script and answering the questions after each unit, we got to act it out and put it on film. Fortunately I had the same teacher for grades 11 and 12, so I got to do it twice!!! As a result, I can now say I played Romeo in high school! LOL!!!

When it got to grade 12, we decided to put the entire Much Ado About Nothing on film. It was AWESOME; we made costumes, got to help with set design, camera settings, lighting effects, sounds, fight choreography, and so on. The coolest thing was holding auditions for the parts we’d play in the film.

I landed the role of Leonato, the towns Mayor and father to Hero, who is engaged to Claudio. Since Leonato was an older man, I had to grow a beard to play the part. This made me the brunt of many jokes in the kitchen I was working in, but I was glad to do it. With no budget, we had to be creative in coming up with some cotumes, and improvise when it came to make up. I had the challenge of making my hair look grey. I decided to put white flower in my hair just before the camera rolled. Made for some interesting showers afterward lol! We even had a mock Oscar night where I won a plastic Oscar for best supporting actor =D put THAT on a resume =p

In lieu of all the fun, the director/teacher was hesitant to give me the part because of type casting. He didn’t want to give me the role because I had a wheelchair which helped create the “old man” look. Nonetheless, I landed the role and it ended up being great for more then just characterization. I won an award based on my acting… now if only I can get the REAL Oscar to notice me!

Fast forward to now… I’m out of college with a new vision or direction in life, completely different to what I expected: Encouraging people with disabilities. Finding this new direction wasn’t quick and easy like biscuit dough. It involved a lot of prayer and bible reading and seeking advice from friends. On numerous occasions people were encouraging I get involved in some sort of ministry with special needs people. Even though I am settling into the role as one who encourages those facing challenges, I can’t shake the wonder if God put me in this role as a form of type casting. That maybe I was given this task because of my disability and not because of my giftings talents and abilities. Is this all I will ever be? Ten years from now, is that all the church will see? Will I apply for pastoral positions in churches and get shot down “because I have a disability, I’d be a ‘better fit’ for working with a special needs ministry elsewhere”?

These are the questions thoughts and challenges I wrestle with while settling into my new role

Bread of Life

He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." Matt 13:33 NIV.

I went through a difficult time a few months after graduating college. My pastor and I weren’t getting along; I was applying for jobs and not having any success. Feeling stagnant in my faith led to thoughts of walking away from God and wondering if He was doing anything in my life. His lack of involvement dominated my thoughts in all I was doing. The only thing I felt I had done was move out on my own, and build relationships with my neighbors. But I was struggling to see the significance of that.

With no job and nothing but time on my hands, I decided to plan a vacation. Shortly after that, phone calls emails and requests for a “safe journey” or a “we’ll miss you” visit started to flood my mail boxes and plug up my phone line. It was my neighbors wishing me a safe and fun time. During these visits, they took this time to tell me, in their own ways, how I’ve blessed their lives and how I may be gone but not forgotten.

Rick McKinley says a situation like this is the kingdom of God like yeast in our lives. “Invisibly, silently, seemingly without power, seemingly absent, the presence of the kingdom is spreading through the flour until the flour becomes bread. But the miracle of the yeast is God’s work, not yours or mine.”

Unbeknownst to me God was at work in my life doing things behind the scenes that only He can do. So even though I didn’t see it at the time I now praise Him for the ways He’s used me to represent His Kingdom.

How is God using you for His kingdom?

Dancing With Jesus

For those that dont know, during the last week of 2009, I boarded one of these

and traveled across country to Hamilton Ontario. It was quite the trek, and although I enjoyed my time there I think I will fly next time I’m going anywhere east of Regina Saskatchewan. Before departing I had asked some people to pray for me in the hopes of learning something either about myself or God. I’m happy to report that the prayers did not go unanswered. During one of the church services I attended, I had a revelatory moment if you will.

There was a moment in the worship service when I wondered how special it would be to have the very first time I dance be at s wedding with my new bride. (If I ever find a lady special enough to marry.) Then a second thought popped in my brain. Saving my very first dance for my bride would be pretty special but how much MORE special would it be if I had that first dance with Jesus after I’m in heaven. (It would be easier too cuz then I wouldn’t worry about losing my balance lol)

Doing so might mean living the rest of my days on crutches but that’s ok, because God can use me either way. In fact, it’s been said that my witness for Christ is louder because of my need for crutches.


I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Haiti Earthquake Relief

One of my college buddies and his wife have been serving in Haiti for a few years now. So when I first heard of the earthquake in Haiti, I immediately thought of them. Today they were able to access the internet and let everyone know that they were safe and only by the work of God, they were out of the country the day BEFORE the earthquake happened. (for more on their story please click here. because I know someone personally effected and living in the aftermath of the quake, all my support is going to them. there are lots of ways to help the Haitian people so if you come across this and haven’t yet helped out but feel compelled to, please considering helping my friends, Ricot and Mandy Leon through Heart for Home Mission

Unexplained Absence

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. 2 reasons why: I went on vacation almost immediately after Christmas making the days leading up to it crazy busy. Now I’m back and ready to get into the swing of things again. In addition to it being the start of a new chronological year, this also seems to be the start of a new phase in my life.

This week I have a number of new things starting up for me.

I have a training session to start counseling teens and kids going through divorce, I also start with a new drama group this week, which includes the opportunity to write plays (and they will pay me too YIPPIIE!!!!). Something I have done before and am quite excited to start again. And last but not least, I start facilitating a group of teens with disabilities transitioning from teen hood to adulthood. :) <--- something I’ve been wanting to do for my internship almost a year ago, but now have the opportunity :)