A Forever Body

Other people have risen from the dead. Even Lazarus was in the tomb for longer than Jesus. What makes Jesus' resurrection unique?

Christ rose from the dead in the body that He died with, but, when He arose, it was with a glorified body - a body that would never die again. Jesus did not leave this body when He left the earth. He will return to earth in that same body.

At His return, all who are waiting for Him in faith will share with Him a glorified, forever body. We won't become someone different or an angel. This body will be us, our body, but new, restored, perfected, glorified and fit for eternity in God's presence.

He is Risen!

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20

Because He has risen, we will rise.

Calvary Grace Conference 2012

We've had a great weekend with Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia. The audio for Friday and Saturday is up already. There is a Sunday School hour interview and a sermon by Dr. Trueman to follow, but the Reformation part of the conference is up. Here is the audio page for Calvary Grace.

What are We Doing Here?

It is January the fifth. I've been at work for three months, I will be installed as an elder at Calvary Grace on Sunday (Lord willing) and it is the beginning of a new year. It is a good time for reflection - and an update for my friends and family who follow this oft dormant blog.

God has been very good to us. When I couldn't find and job and the house wasn't selling after several weeks, I was getting worried. I was convinced that this move was the Lord's leading, so my prayer back in September was, "Lord, I am looking forward to looking back at your provision for these things...." God has graciously exceeded that expectation. He has provided - more than we expected!

First, I knew Pastor Clint, and working with him was a key reason for wanting to come here, but I didn't know the other elders at Calvary Grace, Paul and Jeff. I have been very pleased with their wisdom, ability as preachers and teachers and their heart for God and His people. It will take a while to get to know people here, but it is coming along very well. We are thankful for our new church.

My job is a good fit. The company is great - really people friendly and the work is interesting. The schedule couldn't be better and the pay is better than I was hoping for when I was submitting all those resumes in the summer.

We love our house. It is great for entertaining, accommodating for our daily needs, and has some very nice details. It is an easy drive to the places we need to go and it is in a quiet neighbourhood.

A few big things and a whole bunch of little things add up to more proof of the kindness of God to us. We are thankful. I had big expectations for this adventure, even though I thought it was crazy at times, but God in His kindness has worked things out better than I could have planned them.

We continue to be thankful for our time in Edson, but what we are doing here is what God has led us to do. It will be very interesting to see how things develop in the months and years to come.

Calvary Grace Conference 2012

Direct Link here for more information and an invitation from Pastor Clint.

Touching Base

Wow, it's been a long time since I've put anything here! This won't be much, but we are much more settled now and I have been thinking about posting. I'm afraid the blog is near the bottom of the list (though playing Angry Birds or X-Box is lower).

The job is going well. I'm getting to know the system and I have had some very good conversations with my coworkers. I'm trying to not get too used to handling mega expensive jet turbine parts.

We're very pleased with Calvary Grace (www.calvarygrace.ca). We're getting to know people and our family is a good fit.

More later. We're heading to Edmonton for a Bible Quizzing meet tomorrow. We're looking forward to that, but the weather? Not so much.

September 27

Today is the third anniversary of Emily's death. We are still so thankful to God for His grace to us in many, many ways. We miss Emily, but we know that we will see her again.

I never cease to be amazed at the people who tell us that they've been praying for us and have been thinking about Emily. As I've said many times, all of this is humbling.

So, dear readers, thank you for your prayers. We are doing well, by God's grace. We will keep on talking about Emily's legacy in our lives until we do see her again.

Rejoicing in God's Provision

This was a productive Friday. The house is officially sold and I signed a job offer. We have found a house we really like in Calgary, and a couple others that we could be happy with, so we are very thankful.

I won't say more about the job just yet (unless you ask me in person) because I do still have to do a medical exam before it is official. It looks very good, though.

In this relatively short time, I have had a taste of what being unemployed feels like. There are many people that have been looking and waiting for a decent job for a very long time. Economic conditions are quite good in this part of the world, but in many other places there are high unemployment rates and the "working poor" not quite making things work on too little income.

We do feel humbled and very blessed at God's good provision.

Mostly...

I've been waiting to post the big news about our house and the new job, but all I can say is that the house is mostly sold and I mostly have a great job in Calgary (Airdrie, to be specific).

More details very soon, I hope. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for our transition.

Last Day

Today is my last day as pastor of Edson Baptist Church. Tomorrow will mark 14 years. I started on September 1, 1997. Josh was 5 and Emily was 3. There has been a lot of water under the bridge here in Edson.

The church had a farewell for us on the 21st and my last Sunday was the 28th. Finishing up here feels strange, but God is good and we're looking forward to making the transition to Calgary.

I am still looking for work and we haven't sold the house. We're trusting that these things will happen in God's good time. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions regarding work contacts in Calgary, I'd be happy to accept any advice!

Quick Update

No buyer for our house, no job yet. We're trusting God and waiting on His timing.

In Search Of...

Lots of things, actually: A buyer for our house, a new house in Calgary, a job in Calgary and a new pastor for Edson Baptist church.

Any suggestions regarding potential pastoral candidates may be sent through the email at the church website. A search committee is being assembled and they will put together a profile regarding the Town of Edson and Edson Baptist. The website provides a simple introduction, though.

I don't know exactly what I'm looking for in a job in Calgary, but I'm really looking forward to finding a "regular" job after all these years. I'm open to suggestions. I have a resume ready to go (once I receive permission to use a couple of references).

These are interesting days and a good season to learn greater dependence upon God. I'd appreciate any advice or tips you, my faithful readers, may have. We certainly covet your prayers in this transition time.

More Calgary Details

Our house is listed (though there are still a few little fix-up things to do) and we are getting more used to the idea of moving to Calgary in about six weeks. It is much easier to talk face-to-face with people about the nature of our new ministry as there are still lots of unknowns and possibilities that will unfold after we begin. I don't want to go into much detail on the blog, but I do want to fill my few readers in on the basics.

The plan is that I will join the elder team at Calvary Grace Church of Calgary. The other elders (currently four, though one is relocating with his family for further education) have a diverse mix of employment besides their elder responsibilities and I will be looking for work as well. It will be a different model, but we like what we see very much and trust that God will use us for His glory in this new situation. Check out the church's website for more details.

We are praying for a suitable job for me and wisdom regarding where to buy a house in Calgary. We're trusting that God will provide a buyer for the house here and all that we need for next steps. We are also trusting that God will soon bring the right next pastor for Edson Baptist.