Hybrid Thoughts

Generating a QR code

2012-01-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

They are everywhere it seems. From the pages of magazines to the exterior of buses. QR codes have become a favourite to direct traffic to websites - and to communicate digitally. Scan this code and you'll come to my blog - but if you would like to create your own QR code here's an easy site that will do the job: QR Code Generator.

Ice Road - Yellowknife

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Looking out on the lake

These photos are from March 31, 2008, and a visit to Yellowknife. This part of the world is very pretty - a harsh climate that shines when the sun comes out and the snow gleams! The sky can be very blue here. We had time to go explore the ice road just outside of Yellowknife. The ice is thick - to say the least - of course trucks are on it.

The ice is dark too as you gaze into the deep water. Beneath the ice is some big fish - I love Artic Char though I've never done any ice fishing up here.

The Ice Road begins

From 2007 to 2011 I travelled a fair amount in the north - and I really came to love this part of Canada. I enjoy the people of the north too. They are the present day pioneers - they love a challenge and have hearts ready for adventure. When I talk to people in "the south" they sound like they are afraid of the north.

True the winters are long - the days dark, but equally during summer the days are long! Very long.

I'm so glad to have had this opportunity and am grateful for how this has informed my view of Canada.

There's an Ice Castle on the Lake

Houseboat in the Ice

Walking on the Lake

Cold but sunny - we love it!

Wendy grabbing a photo by the road

Looking thru the ice road

How thick is that?

Walking on the road

Here comes an Ice Road Trucker!

These are wide highways

Why I carry a camera

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Grandma R with Ruth and Wendy

I was going through some old photos and came across these of the Redbourne side of the family. Wendy's family loved picnics and celebrations - in fact they had many gatherings that were good fun - especially if Grandpa R was in the room. He had a multitude of songs and poems and jokes. He always offered me a "cold one" though he knew I wouldn't drink beer, and he always made us feel like they were delighted to see us. He was a very charming man....not tall but charming.

Barb listens to Ruth

A few people in these photos are gone now, and I did their funerals including Grandpa & Grandma R and Barb too.

We've lost a few family members - only natural of course - but they are not forgotten. Those we love live on in our hearts - and in the photographs we take. So you might wonder why I always have a camera with me, or almost always. Here's one reason as you look at these captured memories!

A hot day - seeking for shade

So let me encourage you - get out your camera - take some photos while you can. Photoshop is powerful software but it can't create memories you didn't capture!

Grandpa R's 70th birthday

Grandma & Grandpa R

Meghan & Adele - she's all grown up now!

Keith & Jean

A New Year's Day gathering

Grandma R

A family who loved picnics

Ruth with her Dad on a birthday

Mercy Seat from Montreal Citadel

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

From Montreal Citadel

In my quest to record photographically as many of the old Mercy Seats as possible, I have a photo from our trip to Montreal. This one isn't as old as some of the previous ones I have recorded, but it is still an important piece - dedicated in memory of Commissioner MacMillan I believe. Unfortunately I forgot to get a good close up of the plaque on the front!

Montreal Citadel has relocated from their historic site on St. Catherines Street. But I believe this Mercy Seat has followed the good folks to their new location.

If you're familiar with this one - let me know if you recognize the details on the front plaque - or if you know what it would say because you're familiar with it let me know- leave a comment or email me.

This precious place of prayer remains a reminder of God's forgiving nature - his deep desire to see all receive His promised abundant life - no matter who we are or where we come from - God is love.

The Global Village

2012-01-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Three big planes off to other parts of the world. We are a global village - that was the determination of Marshall McLuhan 40 years ago. The 3 R's have been replaced by the 3 T's...travel, technology and television. The third T might be replaced now by the internet. Did you know that Marshall McLuhan also predicted the World Wide Web 30 years before it was invented.

At the airport I looked out upon these three planes loading passengers for their journey. Where are they going? I suppose I could assume the Air Jamaica flight is going to Jamaica!

Me? I was going to Regina - a mild minus 18 when I got there. Not bad for mid January!

Regret lives a long time

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, after being a way for a few days I noticed that there was something living in the back of the fridge... well not really living. It had died while we were away. (I think I'll get in trouble for the opening of this blog) I pulled it out, tried to figure out what it had been. Yes it was definitely morphing into something to be used for medical research.

That didn't last long I thought.

Some things have a short shelf life - other things live for a long time. One of the things that lives a long time is regret. A bad decision, no matter how far in the past, can really live a long time. My dear Grandmother lived to be in her 90's and as a young man I remember she seemed to have many regrets. Too many.

I suppose we all have some regrets. Dickens lets us see how Scrooge works to overcome his regrets and how he worked to change his reputation! Of course Captain Schettino likely regrets taking his ship so close to shore - and perhaps even more he regrets leaving the ship! Saving his reputation is likely a remote possibility!

Ed Stetzer has a great blog posting on regret as it relates to reputation. Not all regret is about reputation - sometimes it's about internal matters - disappointment in self! Or the realization of loss opportunity. That's where most of us probably land. As we grow older we look back on time spent or mispent...we think about what might have been accomplished or achieved if our choices were different.

Life is short. Shorter for some than others.

Since, however, we are still here - still have time and health - what would you like to accomplish? What do you want to NOT regret in a year or two or ten?

Salvation Army to Everest

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Montreal for a weekend

2012-01-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

The DC watches Wendy get his car ready!

Hospitality is what we experienced on our visit to Montreal. And it came in so many ways - conversation, food, laughter, prayer, travel and good singing were just a part of it. While our arrival was a bit delayed due to weather, we received a warm welcome and we were made to feel very much at home. While the photos might lead you to believe we did a great deal of sight-seeing, we did also do a good deal of work. The charm of the city was evident even though the snow fell hard and thick.

Montreal City Hall

We would very much like to return to Montreal in warmer weather to see more of the sights, and to be able to walk the old city. We've done so in Quebec City and while larger, Montreal has it's own old world charm!

Old Montreal

Montreal Citadel

French first, English second, God above all

Kathryn and Kester are session mates!

Sunday morning - CCC - the worship team prepares

A lovely service led well

It's cold in Old Montreal

I see Habs stuff everywhere!

Cobble stone streets

Great restaurants!

Global TV must be interested in our visit

Maybe next time I can get to a game!

What do you believe?

2012-01-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jason

2012-01-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

The snow was deep, the day was cold and grey! Yet for Wendy and I the day was filled with warmth and joy! We were parents for the first time - a boy who was 8 lbs 4 oz...and healthy. What joy!

Listowel had another baby - the town went through a baby boom for a few years and thus the corps had many babies.

All these years later Jason is back in Listowel and today he turns 28. He's a husband, father, a good Christian man who has a heart of compassion! He's a very kind man. He loves the people he serves at Community Services. He's a very good organizer - and has great talent when his pen hits the paper or his fingers to the keys of a computer. We're very proud of him.

Happy Birthday Jason!

Hello Marleen...

2012-01-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Phil is driving home tonight...he's been two hours outside Fort St. John BC for the past week or so...a return to the oil industry. The difference of course is that he's there as a medic not a carpenter. He's not yet 25 and he's on his second career. I'm amazed. He has been able to re-invent himself in such a short time.

But what I'm appreciating is his demonstration of patience, kindness, goodness, and thoughtfulness.

For those of you who know Marleen - his Junior High helper - she would be thrilled. His grade 7 French teacher would be stunned.

Brother Andre

2012-01-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Bonjour - I must honestly admit that I really enjoyed being immersed in French for the weekend. Okay so it wasn't total immersion, but quite a bit of the weekend was in French, and of course the Sunday morning service was. I thought I followed along well, and though my high school French teacher would be amazed, I enjoyed the experience.

Monday, we had the opportunity to see some of old Montreal, ascend Mount Royal after which the city draws it's name, and to visit the home of Brother Andre - a remarkable facility. I've been trying to figure out the square footage of the building but with 8 levels and an enormous sanctuary it seems impossible to guess.

It was a most interesting day - and a most interesting view of a historic site!

L'Oratorie St. Joseph

At first I thought this was the chapel

The Chapel

Large pipe organs up high at the rear

The 12 disciples in wood - these are about 20 feet tall

viewing the altar from the side

...of Brother Andre

The altar from the rear

The pulpit

The altar

Mercy Seat - Rosemont

2012-01-16T20:13:00.002-07:00

Mercy Seats have been an integral part of Salvation Army buildings. Their intention is to give focus to a place of prayer where any/all may come for prayer. It is in the tradition of Jesus who called all His followers to declare themselves publicly, but it is also in the tradition of Christian accountability. Having made a commitment to Christ publicly it means that The Church - my faith family - are able to encourage me and hold me accountable so that my behaviour matches my declaration.

The Mercy Seat is also a place of private prayer however, and what is said - or not said - is between the seeker and God. We have also referred to this as the Penitent Form - a place of penitence where I could confess and find forgiveness.

This special place of prayer has traditionally had some saying painted or carved into the wood. This mercy seat is from the Rosemont Corps - known now as the CCC, and I was quite taken by it. If you don't read French it says God answers prayer...God responds...and yes He does.

Wendy and I had a wonderful time in Quebec, Montreal specifically with the Trims and their good team. I'll have more to say in the coming days - and more wonderful photos.

At the moment this stands as a reminder - God does answer prayer.

Laughter - is there a greater need

2012-01-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

Laughter, is there anything better, anything more renewing? Sadness drains. Laughter energizes.

Not everyone has a life that is filled with joy yet isn't that all the more reason or need for laughter? Seriousness has it's place but I need laughter to survive!

Maybe that's why Heaven is such a draw. I believe Heaven will bring lots of laughter. Just re-uniting with family will have me laughing for the first 10,000 years.

Looking back - 2006 Vacation

2012-01-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

How many words do you speak in a day?

2012-01-11T09:46:00.002-07:00

"He certainly has some strong opinions!" said my friend observing a third party. I had to agree. He doesn't listen well. I normally associate poor listening skills with the younger crowd, younger being anyone less than 40!

I've come to the conclusion words are like currency. The more there is, the less their value.

According to Richard Knox and his study "Men Talk Just as Much as Women, we all speak about 16,000 words a day. Yet some speak with great power, conviction and authority. Remember Jesus was noted as speaking as one "with authority". Have you noticed how often the person who says the least gets noticed the most when they are ready to speak? Their words carry more value.

It isn't of course just about how many words - it is also about what words get chosen. When I hear someone who can't get a sentence out without adding a vulgar phrase or two I immediately assume they have a poor command of the English language. Of course that's my assumption.

Back to my earlier point - I believe that people who listen well, speak well. Do you agree?

From another time

2012-01-10T17:30:00.003-07:00

Ottawa Street surprises us

2012-01-09T05:53:00.000-07:00

the hood

Friday I began to compile some of the data for our family tree. As I punched in dates of birth, marriage or death I was taken by how much of these family, life, events were associated with Hamilton. It is where my Grandfather came when he left England, it is where both my sisters and Wendy were born. It is where all of Wendy's grandparents were born, married and died. It is where Wendy's parents were married. It is where many of our roots go deep.

familiar ground

Hamilton is also known for Ottawa Street, home to many textile stores. We've been talking about going there for a while...and Wendy's dissatisfaction with Toronto's textile scene has added fuel to the fire! So Saturday morning we headed out fairly early. The day was warm and sunny which only added to the pure enjoyment of strolling this area.

It seems the Business Association has been spending time and effort to re-invent this old street. We found it to be a delight to simply walk along. Many great shops - many great artists - and Wendy was thrilled to find many great fabric stores. We loved the Italian eatery for lunch and the sun was so warm that many people were seen with their coats over their arms strolling along looking in the shop windows.

It's so nice out!

Of interest to me was the number and quality of the antique stores...being an antique now myself...it was nice to see the selection of items, many of whom I had not seen in years. (And others I had only heard of...really...!)

We came across a couple of nice coffee shops - no surprise to you perhaps but this is Tim Horton country - no really - the very first Tim Horton's is right around the corner. It even has a sign on it to acknowledge this is where it all started. Why didn't I get a photo of that? Hmmm, not sure. Next time.

even the plants have come out!

Wendy and I have lived in Hamilton once as a married couple, but we both lived their in our younger years. We find the city familiar and we wondered..."would this make a good place to retire?"....these questions will need to be answered in the years to come, in the meantime we simply enjoyed the weather, the sights and being with each other. I love holding hands with Wendy!

the locals

Thimbles mark the grarden

Spools line the park

Friends walk the sidewalk

Are there ever too many coffee shops?

Why is this store closed on a day like this?

Wendy enters a fabric shop

Ye Old Technology

2012-01-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

Corona Portable Typewriter from 1920s

Telephone circa 1940s

AM FM radio circa 1960s

Domestic circa 1940s

Ediphone circa 1920s

Wood stove circa 1930s

Can't believe he still had that food!

2012-01-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Can't believe he still had the dehydrated food we bought in 2002! Really? Here's Phil and Amanda from the summer - out where they love to be - in the mountains!

Hockey Night in Buffalo

2012-01-05T08:49:00.004-07:00

Usually through the course of a hockey season I attend two or three games...most often it has been, in the past, due to my office. Someone has taken me as their guest because I was their pastor, on their board, had some interest or connection with The Salvation Army. This week was a completely different case. I was the guest of family. What a great gift - to be able to go with my brother-in-law Terry and my nephew Noah to watch a game.

And what a game it was! Edmonton is proving to be a great young team, and after finishing in the basement two years in a row, they have been able to put their hands on some great young players. I really enjoyed watching Taylor Hall. He's going to be a great leader and play maker. He's got hands...as they say. He can handle a puck well and he got the first goal of the night on a tight shot from the left of the net.

In the end Edmonton lost...but it was a close game and was fun to watch.

It was fun to watch Noah too - he sure loves his hockey and he knows all the players and much of the data! It might have been a cold night outside but we enjoyed every moment! Being back in Ontario and so close to family has been a real joy this past six months. Thank you Terry and Noah for taking me. Thank you LORD for allowing us these days close to family.

Craig Oliver's story

2012-01-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

From 2007 to 2011 I worked with two of The Salvation Army's Advisory Boards. One was in Calgary, the other Edmonton. They could not have been more different. Calgary was driven and visionary, Edmonton was passionate and poised. Calgary saw The Army from our services in that city - Edmonton of course saw The Army as reflected there. The make up of those two groups was also different and to that end each meeting reflected who was in the room.

What they had in common however was this unending thread - that the wonderful, life changing work we did everyday remained hidden. They felt that we were proficient in being salt and light but far too shy, far too quiet about telling our story.

The Salvation Army has always been like that - in my opinion. We've always put resources to the front lines rather than to the marketing world. That might be changing a bit as our PR Department has been engaging the world in a more focused, direct campaign...but the details of ALL that we do does remain something of a mystery to the general public.

And then comes a story like this. Craig Oliver you will recognize as a very successful member of the media and particularly one associated with reporting from Parliament Hill. But did you know how The Salvation Army impacted his life one Christmas as a boy? Click the link and read how it remains a significant moment in his life even to today.

To know the mind of Christ

2012-01-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Devotions and prayer are a regular part of life at THQ...I think I've said that before. Today was our Departmental devotions and I walked away really blessed...again! Our theme was The Mind Of Christ. We used this prayer penned by Colonel Robert Redhead:

The mind of Christ, Lord dare I ask, that you would give to me,

The attitudes that marked your Son, his great humility.

The mind which says I'll do your will, whate'ver the cost may be.

When this is so, then I will know - the mind of Christ in me.

Two quotes also resonated with me:

"Kindness is a language that deaf people can hear and blind people can see." - Chuck Swindoll

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." - Mother Thersea

One final quote from The Bible....

"Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." - 1 Timothy 6:11

Sharing

2012-01-02T20:34:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite photographs from this past week based on one of my favourite photographs from 2001. I've just had to re-index my photoshop photos so I could find the original...yet.

At any rate - Meghan, Wendy and Adele share a cold drink!

Goals for 2012

2012-01-01T17:13:00.002-07:00

Day one...364 to go...how's your resolution coming? Here we go - remember intention doesn't lead to results just regret. Action brings affirmation of self!

We were off to church this morning - the crowd was a bit small but the service was good. I enjoyed people sharing about their struggles but God's faithfulness. I'm really liking this little corps.

I have a few goals for 2012. I'll be participating in the Arrow Program, Executive Leader stream from here to February 2013 and I'm already working on assignments and getting books read. So leadership development is part of my plan going forward. I'm going to be starting a regiment of exercise (but buying no exercise equipment...but I put new batteries in our Wii Fit. Thirdly - a plan to read through the Bible in the next year. I've done this one before and missed it in 2011...so back on the agenda it goes.

Also I've been thinking about our street. It's a real mix of people, race and religion and social standing but what has me thinking is the area to the south of us - 2 shootings there in 6 months. I'm asking the LORD to give me some insight into how "the church" could reach into that area and how I could be involved. Someone asked me if we would ask to move...but then salt is suppose to be salty where it needs to be.

May the LORD bless you as you enter into this new year.