On the Market

Our house is now on the market.  You can find our MLS listing here.  We are excited to have it on the market as that means we are that much closer to getting near Abby.  But this was our first house.  This February, it will be seven years that we have lived in this house.  It is filled with memories.  Logan and Abby were quite young when we moved in.  We had no idea that Justus, Emma and Faith were on the way.  My mom would come for visits from time to time and we even hoped to have her move in with us.  Every room I walk into, there are memories.  Little jobs I worked on with Justus.  Rooms I chased the girls around.  The room I first heard Logan speak clearly in.  We will miss this house.  But as much as we will leave behind, the memories come with us.  I think often of the house I grew up in and in my mind I can walk through it, knowing where everything was.  But those memories have come with me as well.  We look forward to selling this house, moving to a new place and creating new memories for our family.  Please pray that our house sells quickly.

Jeff Clarke

From time to time I like to highlight blogs of friends of mine.  Jeff Clarke is someone I know from our time at McMaster Divinity College.  He has also done an article for us in Hope's Reason: A Journal of Apologetics.  His blog looks at spiritual issues in society as well as general thoughts on theology.  I especially enjoy his Pentecostal perspective (as a former Pentecostal myself).  You can check out his blog here.

Outdoor Service

Woodford Baptist Church will be having our annual outdoor service on Sept. 25 at 3:30 pm (please note there will be no morning service).  Our guest speaker will be our former pastor Rev. Cliff Rummenie.  There will be a potluck following the service.  Everyone is welcome to join us for this special service.  It is rain or shine, as we can move inside in case of bad weather.  See you there!

A Big Change

A week ago, I handed out this letter to our churches Woodford Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Meaford.

Dear Church Family:


We are now entering our ninth year of journeying together in ministry and Christian service.  We have been able to support one another through this time.  We appreciate your prayers for our family, even as we continue to pray for you and your family.  
At this time, I come to you with a request, a request that I do not make lightly and one that is driven by circumstances close to my heart.  As you know, just over a year ago our daughter Abby went to live in a group home near Acton, Ontario.  This was an answer to prayer, as the situation at home was very difficult and this group home has been very good to Abby.  The problem is that Abby now lives 2.5 hours away from us.  While a tolerable drive for us as parents, it has become too much for Abby to come visit us and very difficult for our other children, who really want to see their sister.  Part of our agreement with the government is that Abby come home for visits twice a month.  Because of the distance, we have not been able to do that.  More importantly, we miss Abby very much and are not seeing her near enough, for all our sakes.  This has brought us to a difficult decision.
I have enjoyed my ministry at Woodford and First Baptist Churches and I would like to continue in this ministry.  However, I also need to live closer to Abby and become a greater support to her.  Therefore, I would like to ask the church’s blessing to allow me to continue as your pastor but at the same time allowing our family to move closer to Abby, likely the Guelph area.
How would this work?  I would like to propose that I work three full days plus the Sunday morning services.  This would be Tuesday to Thursday most of the time, but would be adjusted when there are special services or events that needed to be taken into account.  How would this affect the congregation?  Bible studies, meetings, visitation and other events would continue on without disruption.  Pastoral emergencies on off days would result in me coming up immediately, while I have another pastor support the person or family until my arrival.  I would keep my cell phone with its present Owen Sound number and so people in the congregation could get a hold of me without having to pay long distance.  I am aware of the weather challenges with regard to making it for Sunday services.  I will watch the weather closely and will come up earlier on occasion if needed.  I would work closely with the deacons’ board regarding accountability and any issues that arise due to this change.  I will meet with the deacons’ boards of both churches at six months to assess how the plan is working.  I would like to make clear that this is not a transition from full-time to part-time.  I would continue to work forty hours, it would now be compressed into three days plus a Sunday.  This plan will start, pending your approval, once our Meaford home is sold and we have moved to our new location.
I understand that this is a big change and I would not ask unless I believed that my daughter’s well being depended on it.  However, since this is such a change, I have agreed with the deacons to commit for one year.  At the end of that year, if you or myself discover that this arrangement is not working, I will agree to find a placement elsewhere.
Amanda and I have discussed this at great length.  We are both convinced that this is the best plan for our entire family.  Our greatest emotional strain is our distance from Abby and we know that we need to be closer.  We pray that you will sympathize with our situation and will give this proposal your consideration.


In Christ,




Steve Bedard and Family


Today both churches voted on our proposal and it passed.  What does this mean?  It is not my resignation to the churches.  I believe I can do a better job parenting Abby and be a good pastor at these churches.  What this means is that we will be putting our house in Meaford up for sale and once it sells, will look for a house in Guelph.  Then I begin a one year trial period of being a travelling pastor.  I do not intend on resigning at the end of the year, but I will seek the churches' feeling on the matter at that point.  It is an exciting but scary time for our family.  I am super excited about being closer to Abby but nervous about selling and buying houses.  However, God has been faithful and we are confident the details will work out the way they need.  Your prayers for our family are welcome.  I want to take the time to thank both churches for their support of our family.  You are awesome congregations!

Logan is Amazing

For most of Logan's life we have seen him have a rough time in the summer.  He seems to get stressed out. At first we thought his autism was regressing his development again.  But September would come and Logan would be way past where he was in the spring.  Well, it is September and Logan is doing amazing.  When he needs to go to the bathroom, instead of just doing a dance or mumbling "baffroooom," he now says in a very clear voice "I need to go to the bathroom."  This afternoon Logan came down stairs and I said 'hi' to him.  He waved to me and said 'hi' and then turned to Amanda and said 'Hi, mom.'  Not bad for a non-verbal kid.  Yesterday, the kids were watching Star Wars and Logan took a straw and started using it as light sabre, even making the special effects.  That is from a kid who has shown almost no imaginative play.  We have caught Logan lately playing appropriately with toys.  It is all very exciting.  Another reason why September is my favourite month.  

What's So Amazing About Grace?

Religious people often speak about grace but are not near as often known for grace.  The Bible is overflowing with teaching on grace but the church has sometimes found it often to focus on rules, to point fingers and to condemn those they disagree with.  Philip Yancey understands the contemporary evangelical church and has witnessed first hand some of its ugliest moments.  But there is hope.  God's grace is working in the hearts of his people.  We catch glimpses of grace and are challenged to go deeper.  In this modern Christian classic, Philip Yancey looks at the many sides of grace.  If you have tried church and were burned, check out this book and rediscover grace.

What's So Amazing About Grace? By Philip Yancey / Zondervan Grace is the church's great distinctive. It's the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a jaded world. In What's So Amazing About Grace?, award-winning author Philip Yancey explores grace at street level. What is grace? If grace is God's love for the undeserving, then what does it look like in action? If Christians are its sole dispensers, how are we doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy? In his most personal and provocative book ever, Yancey offers compelling, true portraits of grace's life-changing power. He searches for its presence in his own life and in the church. He challenges us to become living answers to a world that desperately wants to know What's So Amazing About Grace? Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award, the Christian Book of the Year Award, and the Retailers Choice Award.

Spotlight on John Dickson

You can purchase any of these books by apologist John Dickson from Christian Book Distributors by clicking the links below.

Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love and Leadership By John Dickson / Zondervan Humility, or holding power loosely for the sake of others, is sorely lacking in today's world. Without it, many people fail to develop their true leadership potential and miss out on genuine fulfillment in their lives and their relationships. Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership shows how the virtue of humility can turn your strengths into true greatness in all areas of life. Through the lessons of history, business, and the social sciences, author John Dickson shows that humility is not low self-esteem, groveling, or losing our distinct gifts. Instead, humility both recognizes our inherent worth and seeks to use whatever power we have at our disposal on behalf of others. Some of the world's most inspiring and influential players have been people of immense humility. The more we learn about humility, the more we understand how essential it is to a satisfying career and personal life. By embracing this virtue, we will transform for good the unique contributions we each make to the world.

The Best-Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips By John Dickson / Zondervan This book comes out of years of reflection, failures, and some successes in the task of reaching out to others with the gospel. Many Christians think of the task of mission as an entirely verbal activity, when perhaps the best kept secret of New Testament teaching about mission is that it involves a whole range of activities that explicitly promote Christ to the world and draw others to him, and only a few of them involve speaking. Without diminishing or downplaying the importance of speaking the gospel, John Dickson shows that, on the other hand, downplaying the range of activities that promote Christ to the world has its own set of problems. It can make those who are not confident about speaking---of anything, let alone Jesus---feel inadequate and self-conscious in the task of reaching out to others. Equally, it can make those who do have a flair for speaking feel as though they are fulfilling Christ's mission just by talking. But the reality is that the Lord wants our whole life, not just our lips, in the task of bringing the gospel to the world. Every facet of our lives can be used by God to promote the news of his power and mercy. In this practical guide to the biblical art of sharing your faith, John Dickson offers refreshing insight into the ways that all Christians can and should be involved in spreading the good news of Jesus. While not all Christians are called and gifted to become evangelists, we are all called to promote the gospel through a wide range of activities---prayer, financial partnership, good deeds, godly lives, public worship, daily conversation, etc.---with and without our lips. As readers engage with this book, grapple with its arguments and hear the stories of people coming to faith, they will be inspired to see the whole of life as significant for bringing the gospel to the world, and they will be liberated out of guilt and self-consciousness in evangelism into becoming perfectly natural promoters of Jesus Christ.

Life of Jesus: Who He Is and Why He Matters By John Dickson / Zondervan What really happened back in the first century, in Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee, that changed the shape of world history? Join historian John Dickson on this journey through the life of Jesus. This book which features a self-contained discussion guide for use with the Life of Jesus DVD, will help you dig deeper into what is known about Jesus' life and why it matters.

Christ Files: How Historians Know What They Know about Jesus By John Dickson / Zondervan Uniquely among the world's religions, the central claims of Christianity concern not just timeless spiritual truths, but tangible historical events. At the heart of the of the Christian faith are things that are meant to have happened in Palestine between 5 BC and AD 30. It's as if Christianity happily places its head on the chopping block of public scrutiny and invites anyone who wants to come and take a swing. Some of Christianity's claims are so spectacular that they provoke a firestorm of questions, scrutiny, debate, and misinformation whenever they are discussed. The popularity of The Da Vinci Code and the frequent airing of TV documentaries delving into the darker uncertainties of Christianity show that such skepticism flourishes in the Western world today. In The Christ Files you will learn how historians know what they know about Jesus. Historian John Dickson embraces the need to examine Christianity's claims in the light of history, opening readers to a wealth of ancient sources and explaining how mainstream scholars---whether or not they claim Christian faith personally---reach their conclusions. Christianity arrived on the historical scene at a time of great literary activity. While many texts penned by ancient philosophers, historians, poets, and playwrights can reliably inform us about Jesus himself and about the culture in which he lived, others are not so credible. Dickson skillfully highlights both types of sources along with the historical methods used to study Christianity's claims. He also shows how historians asses the reliability of available data, and provides an honest but informed perspective on where historical issues are clear-cut and where personal faith comes into play. The Christ Files is a must-read for those looking to expand their understanding of early Christianity and the life of Jesus.

Investigating Jesus By John Dickson / Lion A fascinating introduction to the life of Christ and his world! Exploring the historical basis for Christianity, Dickson draws on the latest research on the Gospels, ancient pagan and Jewish writings, and contemporary sources to present a solid case for the historical reliability of the New Testament.

A Spectator's Guide to Jesus: An Introduction to the Man from Nazareth By John Dickson / Lion Books The aim of A Spectator's Guide to Jesus is to provide readers with an introduction to the major portraits of Jesus found in the earliest historical sources. John Dickson attempts to present Jesus in such a way that is strictly historical, without fogging him with skepticism or religiosity. Using biblical and extrabiblical resources, Dickson contends that Jesus is utterly unique and cannot be neatly fit into one categorical box; he is Teacher, Healer, Christ, Judge, Friend, Savior, and much more. Who was Jesus? Dickson attempts to tell his story. John Dickson is a historian, musician and best-selling author. He is an Honorary Associate in the Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia), and he also teaches a course on World Religions for the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute. John is currently co-director of the Syndey-based Centre for Public Christianity.

Jesus: A Short Life By John Dickson / Lion Books Recent controversies and fictional creations have blurred the image of Jesus for ordinary people. The popular imagination has been captured by conspiracy theoriesproposed by accounts that are loosely connected to Gnostic writings. Modern culture needs a straightforward account of Jesus, rooted in scholarship and the Gospels, the most reliable documents we possess.In eleven chapters-which cover the historicity of the New Testament, Jesus' birth and family, his historical context, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and subsequent appearances-John Dickson clears away the mists of speculation and fantasy, revealing the founder of Christianity in sharp focus. In the epilogue he considers the real significance of Jesus for thetwenty-first century.

A Spectator's Guide to World Religions: An Introduction to the Big Five By John Dickson / Lion Books More of a gazetteer of the world's major religions than an apologetic for Christianity, this Spectator's Guide, written by a Christian, examines each faith in the light of the author's Christian faith. But what he does is to approach each religion on its own terms, making this book different from others that either treat them in Christian terms or else put all religions on the same level (including Christianity). Each religion is dealt with in multiple chapters, thus letting each aspect to take the space it needs to accurately inform the reader.

If I Were God, I'd End All Pain By John Dickson / Matthias Media In If I Were God, I'd End All The Pain, John Dickson, a popular Christian author in Australia and the U.K., looks honestly at the question of suffering, and provides some compelling answers. He examines the alternative explanations for suffering provided by Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Atheism, before turning to what the Bible says about God, justice and suffering.

If I Were God, I'd Make Myself Clearer By John Dickson / Matthias Media Written from a Christian perspective, this books struggles honestly with a dilemma facing 'believers' and 'unbelievers' alike: With so many religions on offer, can one of them be considered true? Or are they different paths up the same spiritual mountain? And how can any one person sort their way through the maze of claims?

The Narthax

A friend of mine named Andrew Scholl has an interesting blog called the Narthax.  Andrew is one of our deacons at Woodford Baptist Church and does some preaching for me as well.  He is currently doing his MA in English Lit through the Mythgard Institute.  I suggest you check it out his blog.

Contagion

Last night, Amanda and I went to see Contagion.  It had some pretty big names in it and sometimes we worry that is a mask for a really bad story.  That was not the case in this movie.  It was a great story with great acting.  The basic premise is that new super bug is spread around the world leading to a devastating plague.  What made this movie scary was not special effects (there were no heads exploding or anything) but rather how realistic it was.  It looked like something that could actually happen.  If you are looking for a good solid movie that will really grip you, I recommend Contagion.

Happy Birthday Abby!

Today is our daughter Abby's ninth birthday.  This is hard for me as I will not see her today.  One of the hardest parts of our life is that fact that we had to send Abby to a group home over a year ago.  We went down on Saturday to see Abby and to give her birthday presents.  It was great to see her.  We wish we could see her more often.  With her living 2.5 hours away makes that very difficult.  Our prayer is that one day we will be in a position to be a greater presence in her life.  Abby, we love you very much and love you lots!  Happy Birthday!

Ten Years Ago...

September 11, 2011.  I was trying to get myself ready to go to work.  It was a hectic morning as a bird had gotten into our house and we were trying to get it out.  I just about had myself together when Amanda started to talk to me in an excited voice.  But what she was saying didn't make sense.  She was saying that a plane hit the World Trade Centre.  The only thing that I could figure was that a private plane accidentally clipped one of the towers.  But the smoke billowing from the tower looked like more than that.  Then I saw a replay of the massive plane smashing into the tower.  It took me a moment to realize that I was not seeing a video replay but was watching live as the second plane made its impact.  It felt like a nightmare.  Was this really happening?  Not only were we witnessing the death of thousands, we were watching the transformation of a worldview.  It is not with exaggeration that we speak of a post-9/11 world.  We have all been touched by this tragic event.  While Canada was not as directly affected as the United States, many Canadians also lost their lives.  This event has brought us closer to the United States, to the point where our troops have been fighting side by side.  I have had family sent to Afghanistan and at this time, I have three friend serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.  How should we respond to the events of the past ten years?  We need to pray.  We need to pray for the families of the victims.  We need to pray for those working to protect us from further acts of terrorism.  We need to pray for the groups that have been responsible for the terrorism, that their minds and hearts would be opened to the errors of their ways.  But we must also fight fear with hope.  The point of terrorism is not to create damage but spread terror.  We must live in hope and not fear.  “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18 NIV)  May God continue to be with those in the United States and around the world who were touched most deeply by the events of 9/11.

Sarcastics Anonymous

Study Bibles

Study Bibles can be a great help, both for new Christians and those who have been around for a while but want to dig deeper.  Here are a selection of Study Bibles that you may be interested in and that you can purchase below from Christian Book Distributors.

ESV Personal-Size Study Bible-hardcover By Crossway Books & Bibles The ESV Study Bible, Personal Size compresses nearly all the features of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a smaller size for easier carrying. This Personal Size edition retaina all of the original's 25,000 study notes, 240 full-color maps and illustrations, charts, timelines, and introductions—more than 2 million words of Bible text, insightful explanation, teaching, and reference material. To conserve space, some of the extensive articles have been removed from this more compact edition and moved online for free access. Enjoy the comprehensive resources of the internationally best-selling ESV Study Bible, now in a convenient and portable smaller size! Features Smaller, more portable size Single-column Bible text (7.7-point type) double-column notes (6.3-point type) Black letter text 25,000 study notes 240 full-color maps and illustrations througout 80,000 cross-references Complete introductions to every Bible book Extensive concordance Printed on finest European Bible paper Smyth-sewn binding Free access to the ESV Online Study Bible. 8.25" x 5.75" x 2.00"

NIV Archaeological Study Bible, Hardcover By Zondervan An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture, The NIV Archaeological Study Bible sheds new light on the Bible. From the beginnings of Genesis to the end of Revelation, this new study Bible is filled with informative articles and full-color photographs of places and objects that will open your eyes to the historical context of the stories you read and the people you meet in Scripture. From kings and empires to weapons of war to clay pots used for carrying water, the archaeological record surrounding God's Word will help contextualize and inform your personal study. Features: 4-color interior throughout Bottom of page study notes highlight and add further explanation to passages that speak onarchaeological or cultural facts included in the Scripture Articles (520) covering one of the following five categories: Archaeological Sites (Hazor, Ugarit, Arad, Ephesus) Cultural and Historical Notes (ancient seals and scarabs, perfume and anointing, the missionary journeys of Paul) Ancient Peoples and Lands (the Persian empire, the history of Egypt) The Reliability of the Bible (the question of the Psalm superscripts, the reliability of Judges, the ending of Mark) Ancient Texts and Artifacts (the Mesha Stone, the Prayer of Confession) Approximately 500 4-color photographs interspersed throughout Detailed book introductions that provide basic, at-a-glance information Detailed charts on pertinent topics In-text color maps that assist the reader in placing the action 8-point text Single-column format Side-column references Section headings Book introductions Timelines Hardcover

Holman Christian Standard Bible Apologetics Study Bible, Hardcover By B & H Publishing Group Real Questions. Straight Answers. Stronger Faith. The Apologetics Study Bible will help today’s Christians better understand, defend, and proclaim their beliefs in this age of increasing moral and spiritual relativism. More than one-hundred key questions and articles placed throughout the volume about faith and science prompt a rewarding study experience at every reading. 2240 pages, from Broadman & Holman. The Apologetics Study Bible features valuable contributions from a who’s-who of modern apologists such as Chuck Colson, Norm Geisler, Hank Hanegraaff, Josh McDowell, Albert Mohler, Ravi Zacharias, J. P. Moreland, and Phil Johnson. Other features include: The full text of the popular Holman Christian Standard Bible® translation Two-color page layout Introduction to each Bible book focusing on its inherent elements of apologetics 10 point text Double-column format Book Outlines Translation Footnotes Articles on ethics, science, archaeology, philosophy, and non-Christian belief systems Study notes that explain "problem" passages Sidebars on Scriptures misused by cults Profiles of historic Christian apologists from Justin Martyr to C. S. Lewis Plan of Salvation Hardcover 6 3/4" x 9" x 1 1/2"

NLT Life Application Study Bible - Updated Edition Hardcover By Tyndale House One of today's best-selling study Bibles—the Life Application Study Bible—has been updated and expanded. Over 300 new Life Application notes, nearly 350 note revisions, 16 new personality profiles, updated charts, and a Christian Worker's Resource make this best-seller even better. New Features: Over 300 new Life Application notes and significant revisions to nearly 350 others 16 new Personality Profiles Most charts revised to clarify meaning and importance, plus eight all-new charts New information on the intertestamental period Christian Worker's Resource, a special supplement to enhance the reader's ministry effectiveness, includes: How to Become a Believer, How to Follow Up with a New Believer, Mining the Treasures of the Life Application Study Bible, So You've Been Asked to Speak, Taking the Step to Application All this is in addition to the excellent collection of features that have made the Life Application Study Bible a best-seller. Thousands of Life Application notes help explain God's Word and challenge readers to apply the truth of Scripture to life Personality profiles highlight over 100 important Bible characters Book introductions provide vital statistics, overview, and timeline to help readers understand the message of each book 200 thumbnail maps highlight important Bible places and events 260 charts help explain difficult concepts and relationships Cross-references Harmony of the Gospels built right into the text of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Dictionary/concordance Words of Christ in red letter Daily reading plan Additional features: Presentation Page Family records section Single Column Format Side-column cross references Index to Notes Index to Charts Index to Maps Index to Personality Profiles Dictionary/Concordance Scripture Text: 8 Point Notes: 8 Point 16 pages of color maps & diagrams 6 3/4" x 9 1/2" x 2" Hardcover

Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Personal-Size--Hardcover By Zondervan The Zondervan NIV Study Bible is the #1 bestselling study Bible in the bestselling NIV translation. And now it includes for 2008 a 25% revision to the over 20,000 in-text study notes and a library of study resources at your fingertips.  This edition also includes a 130-page topical index for more in-depth study. Excellent for home school use. The NIV Study Bible’s 20,000-plus study notes and other features have been updated and improved. Unmatched in any other study Bible, these notes have been crafted to reflect the most current conservative Bible scholarship. Other study features place at your fingertips a treasury of instant commentary from today’s top evangelical scholars. Icons highlight notes of special interest in the areas of character study, archaeology, and personal application. Simply put, you won’t find study notes as complete, up to date, helpful, and easy to use anywhere else. Features include: Over 20,000 in-text notes 75 in-text maps and charts Comprehensive book introductions Icons that highlight notes concerning: Archaeological information Personal application Characters and people groups NIV comprehensive concordance NIV topical index Words of Christ in red Notes index 7-point type

NRSV New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha, 4th Edition By Oxford University Press The premier study Bible used by scholars, pastors, undergraduate and graduate students, The New Oxford Annotated Bible offers a vast range of information, including extensive notes by experts in their fields; in-text maps, charts, and diagrams; supplementary essays on translation, biblical interpretation, cultural and historical background, and other general topics. Extensively revised—half of the material is brand new—featuring a new design to enhance readability, and brand-new color maps, the Annotated Fourth Edition adds to the established reputation of this essential biblical studies resource. Many new and revised maps, charts, and diagrams further clarify information found in the Scripture text. In addition, section introductions have been expanded and the book introductions present their information in a standard format so that students can find what they need to know. Of course, the Fourth Edition retains the features prized by students, including single column annotations at the foot of the pages, in-text charts, and maps, a page number-keyed index of all the study materials in the volume, and Oxford's renowned Bible maps. This timely edition maintains and extends the excellence the Annotated's users have come to expect, bringing still more insights, information, and perspectives to bear upon the understanding of the biblical text. Features The renowned New Revised Standard Version Bible translation, the scholarly standard for study of the Bible Wholly revised, and greatly expanded book introductions and annotations Annotations in a single column across the page bottom, paragraphed according to their boldface topical headings In-text background essays on the major divisions of the biblical text Essays on the history of the formation of the biblical canon for Jews and various Christian churches More detailed explanations of the historical background of the text More in-depth treatment of the history and varieties of biblical criticism A timeline of major events in the ancient Near East A full index to all of the study materials, keyed to the page numbers on which they occur A full glossary of scholarly and critical terms 36-page section of full color New Oxford Bible Maps, approximately 40 in-text line drawing maps and diagrams 10-point type Classic but not stodgy, up-to-date but not trendy, The New Oxford Annotated Bible: 4th Edition is ready to serve new generations of students, teachers, and general readers.

Labour Day Memories

For most holidays, it really does not matter where I live.  Christmas is Christmas.  Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving.  But for me, Labour Day is not the same away from Merritton.  Labour Day weekend was always a highlight of the year.  We would all go to the carnival, which was right across from the tracks where we lived.  We would often work the hot dog stand at our church St. James Anglican during the Labour Day parade.  I am sure if I went back, I would find things different, probably smaller than my memories.  I am thankful for the memories.  You can never go back.  But you can build new opportunities for memories.  For those of you who live in Merritton, hope you had a great weekend!  

Outdoor Service

First Baptist Church Meaford will be having an outdoor service and barbecue on Sunday, September 11 at 11 am.  This is an informal, relaxed service on the property beside the church with a barbecue to follow.  If you are in the Meaford area on that day, you are welcome to join us.

Thankful for Halo

Yesterday we had a mini-family reunion yesterday for Amanda's family.  I must confess that I was a bit nervous, especially for Logan.  Logan easily gets stressed out, even at Nana and Papa's house.  With extra people there, I was not sure how that would go.  We decided for the first time to bring Halo to Amanda's parents house.  It was amazing to watch.  For practical reasons we could not have Halo in jacket or the two connected for the entire time.  But even just having Halo out of jacket, laying at the feet of Logan made a huge difference.  He was way calmer than he usually is.  Of course we did put Halo to work and had a nice walk, but Halo's benefits go way beyond what he does in jacket.  We are thankful for Halo and for National Service Dogs that brought him to our home.