A boat with out a captin

On Sunday Mal resigned as pastor of my church it came as a big shock. So now the future of Faith Comunity Church is up in the air are the other ministers and I going to decide that it is in fact Mal ratcliff's church or are we going to allow God's profacy about FCC growing by leaps and bounds to manifest itself. Guess we will know by the end of the week by wednessday to be exact. Part of me would like to ask for the opertunity to lead the church but I am totally not confident in my skills as a pastor yet. Although I know that it is God leading the services not me and all I need to do is let Him lead. One more herdle I see is the verse on a bishop our a head of a church and how he needs to have a wife and kids. I got kids that I don't raise but lack a wife. I do although have a proven track record with the church and helping people, does that count?

Ah I step beyond my boundries I appologize. The choice has not been made yet even whether FCC will continue or die with Mal leaving. I hope it continues Mal left us with a great base for a church and a solid foundation. He truely is a great preacher. I can understand the frustrations of hopes not realized and my heart goes out to you Mal, you are still my friend and my brother and nothing will change that.

Eric
A Bondservent of the Lord Jesus Christ

Friends, family, and other that read this blog

Merry Christmas!!!
Joyeaux Noel!!!
FelIz NavIdad!!!!

I think that covers all my friends except for my Cree friends in which case sorry my Cree isn't up to par anymore. Any who figured it was time to touch base with yous all again. I finally met the guy who composed half my DNA after 25 years. I was afraid and so was he, sounds weird that 2 ex Hell's Angels would be so afraid to meet. Yah you read right turns out my early adult hood was following mon papa's foot steps almost to a T. I was finding it hard to forgive him b4 I met him but now that I met him I understand a lot about my life and influences that shaped me. I also understand that both him and my mother are telling me the truth when they tell me what happened. It sounds like totally different stories but by knowing who he is it puts things into perspective for me. He does love me but doesn't show it the same way that we are used to seeing it. After being a biker myself I can totally relate to what he was saying to me.

It just donned on me what Mal was saying in his sermon last Sunday totally relates to this. Once you understand the giver you both apretiate and understand the gift. We serve an awesome God He knows what's best for us and most the time he will guide us through a storm instead of taking us out. That is what shapes us as Christians. Sort of like Rae Hill in the winter it's really slick if it's left without salt and car's would not be able to get up it at all, but if we put ice and sand on it our cars can drive up it even if the salt ends up eating away at our cars.

Tonight was a fun time with the gang from College and careers it was nice seeing both old and new faces during the Christmas break:'( (I wish I would have arranged something like that when I went to the peg for that week, but alas hind sight is 20/20 but fore sight is legally blind) Any who I am glad I had a chance to catch up with my family in Christ.

Usually Christmas is a difficult time of year for me because I miss my kids but this year it is bitter sweet I met my papa and went home to see mom and dad, saw val, Dave, Zach and Gloria briefly which was nice. Not only that I get to share the love that I received with the men at the good Samaritan inn ( the homeless shelter) in timmins and that above all else is what is making this Christmas the best Christmas ever seeing the faces on the guys when I attempted to make fudge. I guess it's fudge but it didn't harden for me the way it was supposed to LOL.

This is not too much like me but I should do this more often. Thank you mom for showing me love and how to care for others that is the best gift I have received from you. Dad(the one who raised me) Thank you for helping me build character and for guiding me to the joy of books and reading. Papa(The guy from PQ) Thank you for ignoring me until now I would not have been ready to meet you until this point in my life and I forgive you for everything you have done all of it. Thank you for looking for me and meeting me. To Val you taught me the gift of forgiveness after everything I had done to you you still loved me thank you sis. To Bev Thanks for being my sister and still talking to me after all I did to you too I know it wasn't easy being my sister but you are a good sister. Thank you auntie for taking me to Calvary Temple and sharing God with me some times against my will.

But Most of all Thank you Father for sending your Son Jesus to take our place and thank you for your love and correction

a Christmas of love

Well for people that don't know Brad is now designing airplanes for missionaries as I type this Mal and Brad are on route to Idaho and I am in Winnipeg at my mom's. Next monday, or Tuesday Mal will be picking me and my stuff and we will head to Dryden ON to crash a night at my sisters b4 continuing home to Timmins. Notice I said home to Timmins; Timmins is my home now. I am a stranger in my old city so much has changed and it will be a busy week of fixxing computers and visiting friends.

Well you guys are prob wondering how I got here. Well Mal told me he could pick up my stuff on his way back from dropping off brad but I needed some one to help load the truck. So I desided it would be me and I called my mom and told her I would be coming and that I just had to find the money to go. She told me that she was going to give me money for christmas and she would give it to me early. So my gift was a trip home and her's is to see me.

That gift however pales in comparison to the gift God gave us the first christmas. He gave us his Sonknowing that He would die and go through Hell both figuratively and literly. That is the greatest gift of all