Just look at the rainbow

Posted on July 22, 2007 by Troy

“Isn’t the rainbow beautiful!” The storm had just passed and Jim and Rick were outside under the brightest and most colourful rainbow ever.

“It sure is, Jim. Just look at that blue! It’s so… blue,” said Rick.

“Yeah.. and then the greens and reds.. Wow. The rainbow is just so big and bright and beautiful.. I want to touch it.”

“Sure, it is a nice blue.”

“Eh? Yeah, there is some blue, but there is so much more! Just look at it.. The rainbow is.. majestic,” Jim said in awe.

After some thought Rick said, “Hmm.. it’s ok. It is just blue to me.”

Taking his eyes off the rainbow, Jim is surprised to see that Rick is facing the opposite direction from the rainbow. “Rick, are you even looking at the same thing I am?”

When Rick turns towards his voice Jim is surprised to see that he is wearing a blindfold.

“Yeah, the blue rainbow.”

“Rick, take the blindfold off and stop fooling around. This is so amazing.. you gotta see it!”

“Oh, I see it. It’s blue. That is my favorite colour.”

“No no no… It.. it has blue, but there is so much more to the rainbow! Just look at it..” Jim says as his voice trails off when he returns his gaze to the rainbow.

“Mmm.. blue…”

“Seriously Rick.. are you just making this up? It is so much more beautiful than just blue.”

“But I like blue!” Rick said.

“What?! It doesn’t matter what your favorite colour is.. The rainbow has many colours. It’s amazing!”

“Jim, I know you have your ideas about what a rainbow looks like, but trust me, it’s blue.”

“How can you say that! It is right here for you to plainly see if you would just take the blindfold off.”

“Ok, Jim, I can tell you are getting upset. I’m happy with my blue rainbow. We are just going to have to agree to disagree about this rainbow.”

“Argh!” said Jim in exasperation.

_______

Sometimes I feel like Jim when talking to people about God.

God has revealed himself to us so clearly in His Word, the Bible. Yet so many people have their own made up god that has their favourite characteristics, with all their hopes for now and eternity based on nothing more substantial their own vague opinion.

If they would only take off the blindfold and see the full spectrum of God..

Ministry Update :: July 22 2007

Posted on July 22, 2007 by Troy

Naomi and I have been back in Owen Sound for almost two weeks now, trying to catch up on things after a three week absence. My time now is devoted to preparing for the start of the new school year (which is approaching quickly) and cleaning up some unfinished projects. At home Naomi has begun the process of packing our belongings as we prepare to move to Alberta this Fall. Much of our stuff will sit in storage for a bit until we can find more permanent housing, so that has to be taken into consideration when sorting things to pack.

While in the Maritimes we were able to visit with a number of supporters and churches and update them on our upcoming move and change of ministry to GoodSeed. Over four Sundays we shared our new ministry with five churches. Many people we talked to were unaware of what GoodSeed is, and we were very encouraged with the positive responses once it was explained. After the services many people stopped by our display to purchase books to give to family or friends, telling us about how they were excited about these Gospel resources and how they could use them. Another encouragement for us was that several people mentioned that they would begin financially supporting us or be increasing their current support. We rejoice in seeing how the Lord continues to provide.

We have a few pictures up on our site ( www.troyandnaomi.com ) of our time down East.

Troy & Naomi

Ellie at a very special park

Posted on July 21, 2007 by Troy

We wanted to take Ellie to a very special park while we were back in Sackville. It is a park dedicated to a man who would have loved Ellie had they ever had a chance to meet.. Unfortunately they never did, having missed each other on this earth by about four years. Nonetheless, we took Ellie to a place named for her grandfather, the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park.

The park is a kids play area located in downtown Sackville, New Brunswick, and features many kids rides, swings, and two play sets.

The plaque reads:

The Bill Johnstone Memorial Park
Bill Johnstone
January 30, 1949 – January 14, 2001
This park is dedicated to the memory of Bill Johnstone, a life-long resident of Sackville. Bill attended school, married and raised his children here. He worked at his family grocery store and eventually took over the business from his father. Bill operated the store for twenty-six years.

Bill was known for his sense of humor, generosity, strong commitment to family, religious beliefs and his constant desire to help others. A strong supporter of Sackville’s youth, he not only contributed to many organizations and special events but often worked quietly behind the scenes.

Bill touched the lives of every resident of this area in one way or another in a positive manner, and because of him our community is a better place to live.

Thank you, Bill.

I plan to continue taking my kids there to play whenever we are in Sackville. Next year Adelaine will be old enough to get on a few of the playground sets, and someday they will be old enough to understand the significance of what this park means to me.

Watch out for fake rocks

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Troy

When walking on a beach, be careful of your footing. What looks like sandstone may actually be a clay sink hole trap. Trust me.. I know.

There were four of us walking along this stony beach when I stepped on an innocent looking patch of sand and rock. Imagine my surprise when I took a step and my foot kept going down much farther than expected.

There was that wonderful sucking noise as I pulled my once white sneaker from the red clay depths.

I thought that this shoe was a goner. One white and one red shoe just ain’t my fashion style.. But after a couple of trips through the washing machine it was whiter than the “clean” one, so we ended up washing that one too.

Storms

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Troy

Since returning to the Maritimes we have been treated to several intense storms. This of course is simply an opportunity to get out, marvel at creation, and get some photos!

I have spent quite a bit of time driving around on the Tantramar Marsh trying to get pictures of the storms as they moved in.. sometimes as late as 2:30 AM (it is a vacation after all).

Jupiter, the Moon, and a storm over the Bay of Fundy.

One storm in particular (at 4:00 AM) was such that many people have said that they had never seen a storm like that here in New Brunswick. When that one was going over head there was almost constant lighting flashes from all directions with continuous rumblings and crashings as the thunder shook the house. A bolt of lightning struck on a tree near a relatives home and when they told me about it I had to go look.

So here is my photo essay:
Why you shouldn’t take refuge under a tree during a storm.

A piece of the destroyed tree is embedded in the ground some distance from the tree.

Ready made toothpicks.

A close up of the splitting done to the tree.

One of the first things you notice about the tree is how little bark is left on it. Over 50 feet away I was still finding bark shrapnel scattered across the lawn.

Even the roots were cooked. Any exposed root had the bark blown off, and where the big roots were underground the soil above was split, exposing the roots.
Lesson: Stay away from trees during storms!