A Full-Time Service

 Having spent 25 + years in the residential construction industry I acquired the needed skills for most home maintenance. I spent a majority of that time as a "Finish Carpenter", which means that I did the doors, window trim, closet systems, baseboards and many other special requests on custom homes. Many times I would be given a picture from a magazine and asked to recreate the item in the picture for a home owner. Sometimes it was a fireplace mantle, window valances, shelving etc. I did this work as a self-employed carpenter since 1997 and had a full work load until about 2008 when the housing market in California took a turn downward and continued in that direction.
 In 2010 I moved to North Dakota to build a home for a friend there and made plans to stay there afterwards as an Oil Boom was growing in that area and a shortage of housing was in effect. A good spot to be in.
 In February 2011, Ken, a friend and fellow Elder at Palomar Mountain Community Church sent me an email. Ken had been the Facilities Manager at the Palomar Mountain Christian Conference Center for about 10 years and had recently accepted a position as Director of the Guelph Bible Conference Centre, (GBCC), in Ontario Canada. He stated that the Centre was seeking a Facilities Manager and informed me of the responsibilities and said that he would never ask me again about the position, but wanted me to be aware of it. My wife, Holly, has known Ken & Peggy for at least 10 years and was eager to return to Christian Camping so I responded to the offer. GBCC flew us there in late April for a week to check the place out and to meet some of the Board Members. The meeting went well and I accepted the position.
 We returned to North Dakota and over the next 3 months prepared to move to Canada. I have never had any desire to travel abroad of out of the United States, (except after accepting Christ I do desire to travel to Israel), so moving to a foreign country was never even a thought. But God changes us over time. We arrived in Guelph, Ontario on July 28th and have begun working here at the Conference Centre. We are finally unpacking and settling into a house and yard, knowing that God is the provider of all things.
 I now serve the Lord full-time using the skills I learned over the past 25 years and being part of a team of believers who provide facilities for others to come relax, fellowship with old & new friends, and study Gods word in a camp setting.
 The next step for us is locating a home church and serving there too. I look forward to sharing my experiences here with you.

The Lord is good!!!

Are You or Aren't You?

 With the world spinning around as fast as it does, it makes me wonder, "How long do we have?". No one but God can answer that question correctly so we should simply do what Jesus asked us to do, keep spreading the "Good News". The good news is the Gospel of Christ, that thru faith in Him we can be forgiven of our sins, and have eternal life. And that eternal life begins the moment we accept Christ into our hearts.
 At that same moment we are "born from above" or born again and receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. It is this moment, act, gift from God that determines where we will spend eternity. Jesus told us that unless we are born from above we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. That's quite a statement!! Without this rebirth we cannot, will not, be part of the Kingdom of God. So it is the basis of being a Christian, being born again, that determines our future.
 I meet and know many people who say they are Christian, but are they born again? We are told not to judge others so I have to look at their "fruit" to see if they are truly born again. Do they live a life of a born again Christian or do they still follow the world? So rather that just not know, I've decided to do the simple thing and just ask them.

Are you born again?

 It is a direct question and if they are born again it should not be offensive to them. They most likely will be pleased that I cared enough to ask. But if they are offended I can assume that they are not born again and need to lovingly show them the way to God's plan of salvation.
 Many people older than myself equate being "born again" with some sort of hippie movement from the 70's. And that's OK. It tells me at least they have heard of what Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel were doing at that time, (and continue to do today) and are aware that it has something to do with Jesus. But to explain to them the true meaning of being born again can be a tough process. Many in that generation were baptised as baby's and have a false sense of salvation, And are quite insulted to be told that they are not saved. Jesus said that the truth IS offensive so at that point I know I am on the right track. But with patience and time and prayer I can plant a seed, water that seed or just take part in someone elses work and do my part to help in the harvest.

 So what about you, Are you Born Again?