Here Comes Santa Claus...AHHHHHH!!!

My siblings used to torment me with that song (among others), as it used to scare the dickens out of me. Sounds funny right? I think it was a common sense thing. I never knew this "Santa" character...we are not supposed to talk to strangers or take "gifts" from them, so why is it ok when this joker comes knocking? I also had a phobia of beards. Yup, I did! I know that sounds strange but beards freaked me out as a kid. I have no idea why but it's true. But think about it...you aren't sure about this stranger coming with gifts to maybe lure you into his sleigh and people are singing about him invading your town and breaking into your house. Freaked me out dude! There must have been something about the tune that I found creepy too. That I am not sure about but it is just a guess. You can take it into account that I was probably only two years old and was extremely quirky but at least I grew out of it and had a little better understanding of Santa having the same handwriting as my mom. Hmmmm....then there was the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". That song really bothered me when I was older. I didn't get it was supposed to be some role playing game with mom and dad but thought mom was cheating on dad with an old bearded loser that was still doing B&Es. Of course by then I knew Santa was "Santa" but the principle of the song still frustrated me to no end. But as soon as I got the revelation that it was really dad then it was ok. Talk about therapy for the kid in that song though. Geez. I have nothing against the notion of Santa and having fun at Christmas but my focus solely lays on the true meaning of the season and why we celebrate it. Santa just tends to complicate things. Especially in a materialistic and greedy society. We should all be a little more Santa daily but more than that we should all be a little more Jesus every day to the people around us and those that have needs that we can meet. Then every one will be really happy to see that Santa is coming to town even though it is really Jesus dressed up like him wanting to spread love and joy to everyone around Him. Merry Christmas everyone!! See you at the gym next week to work off the treats and goodies we are already partaking in. :) Love you all and "God Bless Us, Everyone!!"

How Sesame Street and Snuffleupagus Messed with My Head...

Yes it's true. I had a really hard time with this and it disturbed me for years as a child. Here's a little back story....

I grew up without cable as it wasn't a high priority on our families expenses list (which I totally understand!). That was a good thing as I spent much more time playing outside and enjoying my childhood versus spending countless hours rotting by brain in front of the 13" Hudson's Bay crappy little t.v. we had. Needless to say though, I really enjoyed the couple of hours in the morning I got to watch Mr. Dressup, Friendly Giant and then Sesame Street. As we only had a couple of Canadian channels, I received the Canadian version of Sesame Street. I watched many episodes of Big Bird's hijinks with his possible imaginary friend Snuffleupagus who never seemed to cross paths with any of the other characters in the show. Gordon would drop by Big Bird's nest and Snuffy had just left! Maria would show up and low and behold, juuuuust missed Snuffy. So they didn't believe he was real. Ok so at my young age, I had come to grips with this scenario and all was fine in the world of Sesame Street. And then everything changed....

My grandparents had cable. This was an extreme luxury and treat when we would visit them. So many more channels and different shows to watch. So I am flipping channels and look what's on!! Sesame Street! Woo hoo! Jackpot!! Little did I know that this was the American version. Looked the same. Had the same characters on the show. Oh there is Big Bird and Snuffleupagus. Wait a minute....here comes Bob. HE'S TALKING TO SNUFFY!!! WHAT THE HECK!!! THIS IS WRONG!!! NO ONE KNOWS SNUFFY IS REAL!!! HOW CAN THIS BE!!! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY!!! I immediately curled up in the fetal position and watched the rest of the show, rocking back and forth trying to come to grips with this discovery. 2 Sesame Streets. One they know him, one they don't. I seriously had a really hard time computing his and rationalizing in my toddler brain. It wasn't until many years later that I realized there were the 2 different versions. I still prefer the Canadian version with the suspense and intrigue of trying to figure out if he is real or imaginary. But at the time it was quite traumatizing when you think of what is a big deal at that age. What's next? Ernie and Bert don't even live together? Oscar lives in a dumpster instead of a garbage can? No Sesame Street news with Kermit the Frog? He was replaces by Grover after he got his Super Grover rights taken away!! Geez. And for the record, I love the Aliens that "Yip yip yip yip yip yip, uh huh, uh huh!!" thing. They were cool!! "Brrrrrrrrring!!!" (phone skit the best). But all this to say, Muppets kick the crap out of Sesame Street anyway and was always my favorite. Can't wait to see the new movie!! Manah Manah!! Doo doo da doo doo....

Go West Young Man...

So it is official. We will be heading west....Vaughno's going back home!! Such mixed emotions on this rollercoaster!! I am extremely excited to be going back to the Comox Valley and being where we feel we are supposed to be. I am also very torn about leaving such amazing friends that have shared my life with me for the past several years. The good thing is that they will always be near and dear friends that will continue to be in my life. I am very pumped about the next leg of the journey and partnering with some amazing people that we will have a blast with changing a community upside down (I believe!).

Changes!! They keep coming whether we are ready or not hey! The questions is can you adapt and roll with them? It's going to be great reconnecting with old friends and hanging with new friends. I believe God is going to do some amazing things through us in the Valley and people are going to be transformed and set free. There is going to be a youth and young adult movement that stems from obedience and vision that is going to see a community impacted and talked about because of a move of God there. Come on!! Bring it!! God is going to do a new thing in the Comox Valley and I am so honoured to be a part of it. Here am I...send me!! See you soon Comox Valley Community Church!! Hang on, it's gonna be a wild ride!! :)

As Seasons Change...

It's been a long time since I wrote a post. Been pretty busy with life but I thought it would be therapeutic for me to write a few lines. We could be on the brink of some significant changes in our journey. Job changes, location changes, etc... The thoughts of these things are exciting and scary at the same time. I feel we have a "builder" mentality. We love building things. Programs, churches, people, etc... Not necessarily the physical aspect as far as boards, nails and that sort of thing. But more metaphorically speaking. I like taking something that needs work and building it up until it is hopefully flourishing. I guess that is why there is always that feeling of needing to have a sense of adventure. My wife and I were talking the other day and she said something that I found very insightful (she does that a lot). She said "I think we are people that feel called to where there is a need and where WE are needed." I found that very interesting and have pondered on that since she said it. My parents told me about when I was quite young and they were faced with a decision for my dad to take a PAOC National Office job in Toronto or move to Lacombe to a small town prairie church that needed help. My parents presented it to us kids who really didn't have much input really but my mother told me years later that it was like God spoke through me to them as I said "Toronto can get anybody. Those other people need us!", very passionately and firm. I believe that was the Holy Spirit speaking through me as I was only around 7 or 8 years old. But I do believe it is something that was wired into me that I am called to build, called to meet needs, called to serve where I am needed, called to raise up others to meet those needs, called to community, called to facilitate change.

So as I stand on the brink of some tentative major change that could happen very quickly, I quote Isaiah 6:8

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Vacation is almost here!!

I cannot wait. This time next week we will be in B.C. kicking it together and not a care in the world. My plan is to bring my camera and document some of our trip on here when I have access to wifi. If you are interested by all means, join along with us on this mini journey. It is a much needed break which I also believe will be a important time to reflect and look to the future as well. Nothing beats family time especially in the mountains, by the ocean, in all of God's glory known as British Columbia. How I miss you!! Stay tuned!!

Believing is Seeing

I awake. It's a fresh sunny morning and I can smell the dew on the grass. I hear he birds chirping outside my window and stop to listen. It's mornings like this I live for. An overwhelming sense of peace with only nature alive and vibrant. It seems like just yesterday I had no sense of direction. Had no idea where I was headed and what I was doing. Now I have strong belief in myself and who I am. Dreams pour out of me like a glass of water overfilled by someone not paying attention. Most people live the "seeing is believing" mantra which I understand. That doesn't require any faith. Faith is something people take for granted and a word used lightly that we miss the significance and weight of the actual meaning. I am trying to walk out "believing is seeing". I have believed. I have saw.
I take the first sip of my newly made coffee in my french press. My mouth savours every ounce as I am truly satisfied with the levels of flavour that cascade down my palate. It's going to be a good day. Why? Because I am believing it's going to be a good day. I continue my life long journey of learning to become a man. A good man. A strong man. The true definition of what a man is supposed to be. When will I become a man. I am. Why? Because I believe I am.

Seasons Change

Seems ironic to say that when it feels like winter will never leave us here in Edmonton. But seasons do change. Hopefully they will here soon too. But I am talking about seasons in life. Sometimes they are small changes, sometimes they are huge changes. We are having a small one right now. We are moving to the country for a year and slowing down a bit. It will be a slow transition but a much needed one. I am wanting to write more music, record the album we have been wanting to do for 2 years, shift some priorities around some, simplify! I know it is going to be an amazing little season in our lives. I also feel there is a huge season change coming on our horizon. I have no answers or definite direction of which it will be but I know it's coming and I know it will be outstanding! For me, I love to know the "plan" and have all the answers before hand but usually it DOESN'T work that way. I am reconciling that. I also don't want to keep looking past the season I am in and miss the fullness of joy I will have while in this season. That is pointless and then you miss the blessings of being where you are at. That is the process I am walking through in my life. It's a discipline thing. Yes, with Vaughn it is usually always a discipline thing!! ha ha. It's good though, until the day I die, I will always be working on shaping my character. I always want to grow as a person (except physically where I want to keep shrinking!). Anyway, that is my thoughts this morning as we hopefully start experience some season change in the weather we can all embrace the season we are in and live it for all it's worth while in it as there is always something to learn and grow from even if it feels like a winter season. Until next time...

vaughnarchy

Distant Thunder

So I tend to suffer from OCD symptoms. I even wrote a metal song about it. I thought it was pretty decent. So when I am faced with a dream, a thought, a possibility, an inkling, I tend to fall into some OCD tendencies. It is something that I really have to try and keep at bay in my life or it can throw me all out of whack and out of focus. So I DO have dreams and things that I want to see come to fruition in my life, but I do know that TIMING is EVERYTHING! There is nothing worse then stepping out to do something and being unprepared. I have seen some people fall flat on their faces by not exercising wisdom and heeding wise council. But there are times when you feel like you need to step out when it doesn't make sense and that is faith. But for me, I have to know that I know that I know I am supposed to step out and can't deny it anymore otherwise I won't set myself up for a fall. Confirmations are a great thing! It is wisdom and faith coupled together that makes for an awesome experience. I am a firm believer in common sense but also firm believer in listening to the small voice inside that directs you.

As MLK Jr. said "I have a dream!". I feel like mine is close enough I can taste it but it isn't even close enough to totally see it yet. i know that doesn't really make sense. The best analogy I have is that it is like thunder. You can hear it long before the storm is upon you but you can't always tell how long you have till you are getting pelted by rain. Could be seconds, could be many minutes. I hear the distant thunder of my dream. How long till I am in the midst of the action? I am not sure. But I want to exercise wisdom and timing. I want see the lightening so when I am in action, it will be ELECTRIC!! Bring it!!

- vaughno