...from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional

What time is Christmas this year? You find the answer in four statements the angel said to the shepherds at the first Christmas (Luke 2:10-14).

1. Its time to release your fears! The first thing the angel said was, Do not be afraid! Fear is your greatest barrier to knowing God and fulfilling his purposes for your life. Fear is a self-imposed prison that keeps you from living the life God intends for you. So whatever you are afraid of - Christmas is the time to let it go. The Bible contains 365 "Fear nots - one for every day of the year! Its time to stop worrying and start worshipping. Stop tensing up and start trusting God

2. Its time to renew your faith! Next, the angel said I bring you good news with great joy, and it is for everyone! The Good News of Jesus keeps getting better because the bad news of the world keeps getting worse. The Good News is that God loves you, he created you for a purpose, you can know God personally by trusting in Jesus, and he wants you to spend eternity with him. God has really long range plans for your life! Christmas is time to come back to God.

3. Its time to receive forgiveness! Next the angel said, Today a Savior has been born for you; He is Christ the Lord! If our greatest need was education, God would have sent a teacher. If our greatest need was health, he would have sent a doctor. If our greatest need was financial, he would have sent an economist. But our greatest need is forgiveness, so God sent a Savior. It doesnt matter what wrong youve done, Jesus paid for it on the cross. Accept his forgiveness.

4. Its time to rebuild relationships! Finally the angel said, Peace on earth, and goodwill to all people. Once youve accepted Gods forgiveness, He wants you to forgive everyone else. Who do you need to offer forgiveness to this Christmas? Its time to make peace!

Dick Nolan R.I.P.

...couldn't help but mention this one. Aside from "Aunt Martha's Sheep", my favourite is the Cod Liver Oil song which I guess was later recorded by Great Big Sea?

Also see here...

Dick Nolan, R.I.P. - He passed away at age 66 this morning. If you're a Newfoundlander of my generation, you know who Nolan is, perhaps because your parents have three or four of his old LPs in their collection. If you don't know who... [Daimnation]

First snowfall of '05-'06

Mother Nature gave us a windy blast last night, complete with 20 cms of the white "blessings" and the obligatory 5 or 6 hour power outage. Now they are calling for bucket-loads of rain overnight and into tomorrow. God bless Halifax weather...she's up and she's down...

click here for photos...

Oh me aching...

It's that time again...a little later this year because I've been away. The recent $500 oil filllup (75 cents per litre) was an eye opener. Time to get the old Vermont Castings Resolute belting out the BTUs...

Hope I can get it all stacked and stored before the snow flies...ya mule!!!

Blast from the past

Found this shot from the summer of 2001. this was taken by a keenly placed "moneygrabcam" in StoryLand, Glen New Hampshire. As you exit the ride, the photo is glaring at you from the big screen...pretty hard to say no thanks...one click by the requisite kiosk Goon and two sounds collide: the dye-sub printer, and the further emptying of one's wallet. (oh the bitterness)...