(not actually Printer Dude)

Meet Printer Dude.
He installs printers and cartridges for me and my office.
He’s a raging alcoholic in complete denial.
He’s a soon-to-be twice divorcee.
His kids live between two worlds. “They’re okay with it though, they know dad loves them.”
Sure.

His first divorce cost him over $500,000, including the house in Oakville.  He expects the secord divorce will cost roughly the same.  He’s cheated on both wives, many times.  Of course, he isn’t to blame.

“I can’t control myself.  I’m different.  It’s hard in sales, you know?”

And besides, his wife IS 29- she’s getting a little old for his liking.

“You see Jay, women are like carpets- you need to throw them out when they get old and worn out.”

And so, for Printer Dude, it’s time for a new carpet.  I also think it’s time for a new heart.

Pray for his wife, his ex-wife, and his future wife. Pray for his kids, that they’d see Jesus despite the selfishness of their father. Pray for Printer Dude’s life, that he’s allow God to take control and give him a new life of love in Jesus.

And become a better man, one who can bear witness to the thing of Christ.

For that is our calling, men.

Jay

A 6-pack of reasons not to get drunk…lol.

At Aaron’s wedding this weekend there was a superbly drunk man who’s name I do not know.  He was 26 years old.  After seeing him staggering in the hallways, I asked if he had a ride home and what his plans were.

“I’m going up the street to Solid Gold baby!”  (Solid Gold if you haven’t guessed is a nearby strip joint.)

To which I replied:

Come on man, you gotta treat women with a little more respect, don’t you think?

He says:

Hey man, you gotta ride a couple donkeys before you find a princess right?

So I say:

Well, I didn’t have to. (Introduce my wife).  Neither did Aaron.  (Nor did his best man).  Gotta make wise choices if you wanna find the love of your life.

His last response before we left:

I find the new love of my life every Saturday night!

I’ve seen the other side- I had a conversation two weeks ago with a 22 year old who has been a stripper for 6 years.  It’s not fun.  It’s not glamourous.  It’s not pretty.  It’s degrading.  It’s embarrassing.  She’s sick of the hurt and pain. She wants out.

Then I meet this guy.  The DEMAND that fuels the need for supply (God’s daughters).  What do you say to guys like this?  How can we structure our society in such a way that behaviour like this stops?  How can we bring back respect for women?  How do we see marriage brought back as a great thing?  How can we see purity and right-living be the path of choice?  How can we see men and women saved from sin?

Jay

About 10 years ago I heard a song by the Newsboys (I think?) and the chorus said “when we don’t get what we deserve, it’s a real good thing.” I told my dad I totally disagreed and that it was a stupid song.  He asked me to explain.  I educated him in the fact that I should always get what I deserved.  He then reminded me what I actually deserved, in light of my life and my sin.  I’ll never forget it- it hit me like a ton o’ bricks.

Read this out loud…

I don’t deserve love.

I don’t deserve a girl.

I don’t deserve sex.

I don’t deserve intimacy.

These things aren’t rights.

I deserve nothing.

Scratch that.

I deserve death.

I deserve hell.

I deserve punishment for my sins.

But wait.

There is one who loves me.

There is one who can save me.

There is one who can wash away my sin.

There is one that can heal me.

There is one who can forgive me.

He name is Jesus.

And He offers a second chance.

A new life.

A chance at love, fulfillment, and intimacy.

It’s not a right.

I don’t deserve it.

It’s a gift.

And I humbly accept.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no man can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9-

“The same power that conquered the grave lives in me!”

How many people listen to Hillsong? They are an absolutely amazing worship band that came out of Hillsong Church in Australia, where God is doing some absolutely amazing things. Being a drummer with a lot to learn, you will frequently see me quoting worship lyrics in my posts. I noticed and loved this song musically when I first heard it, because of the build-up and the tense atmosphere that the song has …. the slow melody and soft rhythm slowly becoming engulfed in a driving beat leading armies of people worshipping God … and then the words actually hit me:

The same spirit that defeated sin itself is living within all of us.

The biggest and most amazing power is in you and in me. Guys, if that spirit is actually living within us, lust shouldn’t be a problem. When Jesus raised from the dead He put sin to death. We should have an astronomical passion for living like Jesus Christ; Your brain shouldn’t be dropping three feet every time you see a girl in a mini-skirt. Sin should be completely evaporating out of our lives all together.

Proverbs 10:9 says: “He who walks in integrity walks securely.”

I love you guys. I want the best for you, and God wants the best for you. But you have to be the best to get the best. Walk with integrity; Walk with God. It’s much better than by yourself. I’ve been on the other side of the fence. It’s a lonely road, and God doesn’t want your life to be a country song. Be Godly, be pure, live by integrity. Hey, man, God loves you. It’s worth the effort. Trust me.

Aaron

I got SLAPPED in the face today.

I read another “DANG” verse in the Bible.  You might not like it either…

Luke 3:8 “Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God.”

The big question God is asking me today: how am I proving that I have turn from sin and turned to God?

This morning I deleted more than a few female friends from Facebook just because I don’t want their to be a hint, not even a temptation, for me to go ‘looking at their profiles’ (it’s called LUST, and God hates it).  I had to get really honest- that I was leaving that door open just enough for Satan to drive a wedge in.  NOT WORTH IT.  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

I’ve started to give to the poor (verse 11 actually talks about that one).  The actual poor.  Those who need water and food and clothes and Jesus.  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

I read and pray daily, meet with an accountability partner weekly, even though it’s RARELY convenient for me to do either!  It’s just one of the ways that I’m proving that I hate sin and love God.

Have you REALLY turned from your sins?  Have you REALLY turned to God?  Seriously, stop and actually be honest- what would Jesus actually say if He looked at your life? I suspect that many of us would give ourselves passing grades, not realizing how BLIND we are to what really matters.

Most of the time, we act like we don’t even care.

You name yours…

…Addicted to masturbating

…Always looking at porn

…Flirting with a dozen different girls

…Being absolutely addicted to video games, movies, or the internet

…Cutting corners and short-changing our integrity, being a little less than honest

…Questionable morals

…Lazy, apathetic, unwilling to change and grow

…Self-centred, egotistical,

…Having our dream as our idol, our goals as our gods.

…Living like we are the only thing that matters in life.

Luke 3 is talking about God separating the wheat from the chaff.  The diamonds from the dirt.  The saved from the unsaved.  AM I GOING TO MAKE THE CUT???

We have a major choice to make dudes- you can either reject God, live comfortably, and keep on sinning, or you can put your money where your mouth is and prove that you love God by the way you live.

So what is it going to be?  HOW is it going to be?