Don’t Tempt Me with the Ho’s

Ok, so I do recognize that I often talk too much. Case in point, a nice light hearted and Mike-embarrassing story.

So I was at Gulliver’s on Wednesday night with some friends and I put my foot in my mouth with a joke, which will never be uttered again ever. The second time is when the topic of the conversation changed to food and how late it was. I said, “I won’t be eating out anymore tonight.” instead of my intended, “I won’t be eating out anymore this week.” So my buddy Jeff says, “Unless of course we go to Tim Horton’s after this.” To which I so tactfully responded with, “Oh no, don’t tempt me with the ho’s.” Everyone, here is a little advice from the massively expansive experience of Michael Boorman (not!). When you say something like that, expect VERY strange looks to come your way. Man oh man oh man did I feel like an utter tool. We had a good laugh and I was pleasantly humbled by everyone’s relatively quiet acceptance of my well-intentioned but poorly said comment.

The reason I shared this? Because I thought it was funny. What is the deep theological meaning/lesson to be seen here? No lesson, at least not intentionally. I just thought I’d share a funny story. ☺ Blessings everyone!

Not To Worry

Ok so I figured it was probably a good idea to post something on here. I realized that my last blog may have left everyone kinda wondering what to say or do. Well folks no worries. As always, God has been more than faithful and my time to mourn has kinda long passed. My bad for not posting that earlier. Anyway, it’s not that I still don’t have regrets and the sort, but I must press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (from the song “Hold on to Jesus” by SCC). So yes, God is doing some exciting things in my life and I wish I could give more detail. Some of you are thinking, “Mike, you do that all of the time!” Yeah I know… and to be honest… I like doing that :D. Oh yes, I also have 3 or 4 different blogs in the works so hopefully you’ll be seeing more activity in the near future. Blessings you guys.

A New Man-*WARNING! This is not an easy read!*

Well everyone, I must admit, I'm not the same person I was 5 days ago. Actually, on Sunday I could've said, and actually did say, that I wasn't the same man 24 hours ago. Partly I think, because I wasn't man before. Sure physically I'm 'full grown' but that is a very minor thing when it comes to manhood (don't worry, this isn't going to get weird or uncomfortable).
I have been sick for the last couple of days and I think it has partly to do with the events that have transpired over the past 5 days. I saw something very dramatic change in my life and I must admit it wasn't that great. But through it all, God has used it to change me, in such a dramatic way that I'm not sure I'll every fully know the extent. I have never prayed so much as I have in the last 5 days. On Sunday morning (very early Sunday morning) I prayed for around 3 hours. Now before you start saying, "Wow Mike! What a prayer warrior!" or "Whatever Mike, stop bragging." let me explain. I'm not a prayer warrior. Prayer is one of the things I've struggled with for quite sometime. Not that I don't like praying, or that I can't do it. But I've never been able to pray for long periods of time by myself. I get distracted. My mind wanders. It's not good. But I truly believe I was 'praying in the Spirit.' Not speaking in tongues or anything like that, but being compelled by the Holy Spirit to pray, and pray, and pray.
God desires communion with His children, and He and I hadn't communed through prayer in a long time. I have wept many a tear this week everyone. This has been by far the hardest week of my life. And the crazy part is, it's looking like it's going to be the hardest month and possibly longer. But the amazing part is that God has allowed this to happen so that I would draw near to Him. And after all these years of letting Him down, I don't want to disappoint Him this time.
But I have to again thank one person in particular for being used by God. You will remain nameless here, but I've already thanked you for what you've done and consider this another thank you.
Everyone, I don't know how to express what has happened to me! I'm not a very emotional guy, those who know me would agree. I'm passionate, but not really emotional (and yes I know you could probably debate if there is really a difference).
I have said time and time before that when finite beings such as us are confronted with the awesomeness of an infinite God it will, without question, produce an emotional response. That is the place emotions have in worship. I have been extremely emotional this week, as I believe I have been confronted with a trial I am terrified to face. But face it I must knowing that the testing of my faith produces endurance, which when it has its perfect result will make me perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3,4). According to James 1:2, I'm supposed to consider this all joy. I could've probably honestly told you that I had considered my trials up until this point all joy. Sadly, I cannot say this anymore. This sucks. I'm glad that it will continue to draw me closer to God. But I don't like it. I don't like it at all. I am ashamed that God has had to bring me to this point to break me. I have not had a humble spirit.
Not to scare anyone, but right now I would be quite content with the Lord either coming back or taking me home. No, I'm not thinking suicidal thoughts or anything like that. But with the pain and hurt and sorrow that I'm facing right now on a regular basis, I would much rather be home with my Saviour. I suppose that is a good thing and I hope and pray that after this trial has passed that my desire to be home would still be just as strong.
I have so many lessons to learn in the next little while. Pray for wisdom please folks. Wisdom that the Holy Spirit, the Great Teacher, would not allow me to act in ignorance any longer. That I would live according to the spirit of power, love, and discipline that I have been given (2 Timothy 1:7).
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 says, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance." I wish it wasn't so, but right now I'm afraid it is my time to weep and to mourn for so many mistakes made and blessings squandered, one blessing in particular.

But I won't fear, and I pray I won't grow weary. For my time to laugh and my time to dance will come again.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Thanks for listening everyone.

A Race Yet to Run

Ok so I was driving home tonight completely exhausted. Thankfully not like the spiritually exhausted I was the other day. I was partially exhausted in that respect but I was completely exhausted mentally and physically. So started to pray about it, just thinking things through with God. And He brought to mind 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” It made me ask the question, “What am I running for?” In 2 Timothy 2:5 it talks about competing as an athlete. So in this race of life, what am I running for? What prize am I seeking to gain?

At the end of the day, when I drive home, can I say with pure conviction and clear conscience that I have done the will of God for my life? Sadly friends, I haven’t had many days like that in the past short while. Not to say that I am completely out of the will of God, far from it. But I question certain aspects of my life as to whether I am doing it in my own strength (which is no strength at all) or in the strength of Christ, where my weaknesses are laid aside. But in the craziness, and sometimes brutality, of it all I ask myself, “What is really pushing me on?” Well there are probably a few reasons, but to stay with my theme I’ll stick to this one…

I love to run! Despite the torn ligaments, sprained ankles, broken bones from falls, I still love to run for my Lord! There are days that I don’t really feel like it but that’s usually in the midst of the trial or tribulation, during the harder parts of the course. But the good parts of the course drown out any and all bad parts! I hope and pray that I will continue to run fervently and passionately for my Lord Jesus Christ. Bit of a different blog for me, but I hope you like it.

Blessings.

But if not...

So I was reading in Daniel this morning in my quiet time (along with a brief Daily Bread commentary) and in the D.B. is said the phrase “But if not!” I was reading in Daniel chapter 3, the story of Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah. Known by most as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, these guys were threatened with being thrown into the fiery furnace. And their response had always caused a burning question in my soul, “Would I do the same?” Let’s review….

17"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18"But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

WOW! Oorah! So here’s my web log… I came to the conclusion a few weeks back that I’m truly tired of doing things the world’s way. I am going to stand up for God’s truth, nothing is more important than that. Now, I’m not talking about evangelism. Truth be told, that’s a part of my ‘salvation’ that I’m still working through. But when it comes to blatant disregard for God’s Truth, I’m not going to be silent anymore. Just a few weeks ago I crossed out an evolutionary teaching in the science curricula I am teaching. Could I get fired? Oh possibly. Do I really care? In a sense yes, I would like to keep my job. But if I had to choose between losing my job and agreeing to those things that I know to be a lie, would I still have done what I did? Absolutely!

There are other jobs out there (though this one is a great ministry opportunity). But I want to focus on what really matters, eternity. And what I do here greatly effects what happens in my eternity. Now don’t get confused. The reality of my presence in eternity is already guaranteed, Christ did that for me. However, for lack of a better phrasing right now, the quality of that eternity in heaven will be determined by what I do here on earth. This I know to be true, I want to hear the words, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

God can always rescue me from my trials and tribulations. He can even rescue me from my fiery furnaces.

But even if He doesn’t, let it be known to you, O world, that I am not going to serve your gods or worship the golden images that you set up!


Blessings

Shadows in the Dark

I went for my morning jog this morning and as I started to head east I noticed something I hadn’t much lately… I saw my shadow. Now that isn’t really the intriguing part, as I have seen my shadow many times before. What made this time particularly interesting? It was dark outside. The sun hadn’t even begun to come up yet I could see my shadow almost like it was mid-day. As you may know, the moon is full now and the radiance of the moon this morning was incredible! The light reflected created a “full detailed” shadow.

It got me thinking… God is so incredible that His creation allows for such things! Now yes, there is a perfectly scientific reason for it, and yes I know the gist of that reason. But it got me thinking about how radiant the sun is, that it’s light could be reflected so strongly off of another celestial body. Then I thought about Revelation and the new heavens and new earth and the holy city. In there it says that there is no sun as the Lamb of God is the light for the city. That’s amazing! The sun is an incredible testament to the power of God and it fails to compare to the awesomeness of our God. Incredible! Hmmm… I think I’ll write a poem.

Shadows in the dark, reflections of You
Of all that You’ve created, of all that You do
The world that you’ve created,
Upheld by Your great hand

A testament to You, O God
Indeed You’ve left Your mark
The heavens declare Your majesty
As do these shadows in the dark

Blessings all

GSAR - To Seek and to Save

So I was at the Manitoba Emergency Services Conference this weekend. It was most interesting and fun, especially when I found out that I had been bumped from Vehicle Extrication (which I had signed up for b/c it was better for the dept) to Ground Search and Rescue (which, not so secretly now, was actually what I wanted to do). I passed the course and did a practical exercise on Saturday. So I can now proudly wear my long-sleeve GSAR Search and Rescue shirt! If you’re ever lost, I’ll come find you!

But just in case you’re wondering that is not nearly the end of the story for me, as I have this slight tendency to think a little too much. So here’s where I went from there…

The point to Search & Rescue to is to go to a usually remote area and seek out a person who is lost and, essentially, save them. Got me thinking even more about Jesus Christ who came to earth to seek and to save that which was lost. I find it incredibly ironic that I am now trained to do on the physical side what Christ came to do spiritually almost 2000 years ago. I also find it amazing that I, who am now Search & Rescue, was once (spiritually) the one who was searched for and rescued. To that I say, “Thank You Lord Jesus for finding me when all my hope was lost!”

So now, on to practical application as none of my blogs, short or long, is complete without). I am a search & rescue member both in the physical and spiritual sense. I am called to both search and rescue a person’s body (GSAR) as well as their spirit (Matthew 28:19, 20).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:19, 20 –

Remember, the nations in Matthew 28:19, 20 are all lost… every last one of them. Including the ones we live in (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, etc.).
We are part of God’s Search & Rescue Team. We point them to the only One who has the power to save, Jesus Christ.

We are GSAR (God’s Search & Rescue). We are here to seek and to save those who are lost.

Blessings