by: Rachel Neumeister

As they were picking up trash on Fergus Avenue, Tim Chester and Brandon Meyers seemed to be overly enthusiastic about this particular piece of garbage.

by: Terry Ibele

Yet another phenomenal video by Terry, this clip artistically shows God’s hand in creation.

by: Julie-Anne Wideman

We all get forwards from people. Some of them are cheesy, some of them are inspirational. Some of them make you cry, some make you laugh so much that you nearly pee yourself. The forwards that I really enjoy getting are those that make you think about things that matter in life. I received one such forward a few weeks ago. Here is the main part of it.
Would you run?
*Ask yourself the question “Would you run?” after you read this!!!*
 
Imagine this happening to you . . . One Sunday morning during service; a 2,000 member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying submachine guns.
One of the men proclaimed, “Anyone willing to take a bullet for Christ, remain where you are.”
Immediately the choir fled, … the deacons fled, … and most of the congregation fled. Out of the 2,000 there only remained 20.
The man who had spoken took off his hood. He then looked at the preacher and said, “Okay Pastor, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may begin your service. Have a nice day!”
And the two men turned and walked out.
Oh to be ‘in’ on such a scheme would be awesome! I would love to see the expressions on the remaining congregant’s faces when the two men walked out. But I find my mind wandering back to the other 1,980 who fled. What would their expressions be like when they found out it was a hoax? What would they feel? Moreover, how would I feel if I was in that situation? Would I have been part of the masses and ran for my life? Or would I have remained with the 1% who stayed in the face of what seemed to be certain physical harm?
When I first read this I found myself wishing something like that would happen to me. It sounds weird I know, but the way I was looking at it I figured it would help me to know where I really stood in my faith. When I think about people who have been martyred for their faith, like Stephen, I wonder “would I be willing to do that”? Would I be willing to take a bullet for what I believed? I have all too often talked like I would but I find myself doubting my own words. And words do not mean a whole lot without action.
Since then God has been helpful in showing me the answers to some of these questions. The situation is much like writing a test; we will never know what our final mark will be until after we have taken the test. However there are things that we can do ensure that we have the best results and that is to go in prepared. Just as you can study to prepare for a test, you can prepare for trials and persecution along your faith journey. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul talks about the armour of God. First, we need to know our enemy. Though the problems will be visibly physical, there is a greater spiritual battle going on as well and we need to recognize it. Second, we need to protect ourselves with truth, righteousness, salvation in Jesus Christ, peace, faith and the word of God. Thirdly, and the most important is our direct relationship with God through prayer. God, through his Holy Spirit, is the only way to endure trials and persecution. Prayer keeps us connected to him and helps to develop our relationship with him.
So we may not be able to predict exactly how we will react in a situation like that but as long as we are in a relationship with God we have the guarantee that he will never leave us through it and give us the strength to stand strong.

Dear Queen B,

What is the funniest thing someone has said to / about you?

The Comical Voice Committee

Dear CVC

One comment that I can recall was funny because it was so wrong.  This
person was put in a “mentoring” position with me, we meet once a month, and
as you’ll read this person does not know me well.  This person said to me
and about me “I’ve noticed that you don’t like talking.” I got a good laugh
out of that one.  Well, if you know me at all you know that this is not
true, I love talking!  The trick is that at times I am easily be intimidated
and will be a little shy, but I still love to talk.

Your Truly,

Queen B

FULL NAME: Jason Edgar
STUDENT COUNCIL POSITION: Encouragement Committee Head
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste Marie
CURRENTLY RESIDES: 100 Fergus Ave (Emmanuel Bible College)
HOME CHURCH: Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle / Highland Baptist
FAMILY: Mom Dad, Kristin, Jeremy, Trevor, Spencer, Michelle
PETS: One Lucky dog
HOW DID YOU GET TO EBC: My Dad drove me – twice… then sometimes by Greyhound over the breaks.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Highschool, Triads (by experience)
FAVOURITE BOOK AND WHY: The Do’s and Don’t’s of Audio Tech Equipment… Simply because it sounds good.
FAVOURITE FOOD: Meat and Potatoes with veggies with blueberry cheese cake for dessert
FAVOURITE BIBLE VERSE: Philippians 4:13
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON AND WHY: Rev. Marc Turgeon. He went from my pastor, to my mentor, to my best friend.
FAVOURITE CARTOON CHARACTER AND WHY: Goofy – self explanitory

DREAM VACATION: Either a month at a camp on a lake front, with few nieghbours during the summer in 22-28 degrees celcius or up in Northern Canada, during the coldest part of winter and simply chill outside and play hockey with my family (now or to be) on a home made ice rink.
COURSE YOU WOULD LOVE TO TEACH OR TAKE AT EBC AND WHY:

I’d like to take Documenting Justice because the homework is to watch movies, and to make one. PLUS, it’s a Luke Hill class. That means, I have a great chance of getting married agian!

IF YOU COULD CHANGE PLACES WITH ANYONE FOR A DAY AT EBC-WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY:

My roommate, so I could stare at my (or his?) newly beatufully cut beard all day long.

A QUOTE FOR THE MASSES:

Silence cannot be misquoted.

NAME YOU WISH YOU WERE GIVEN: I am quite content, thank you.

BLOOD TYPE: PSVO7Q Positive

FAVORITE TV SHOW (S): Seinfeld, The weekenders, and The Weather Network

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?

If I was in the middle of changing, this could be a very awkward question. Thankfull I am fully clothed in my Navy Blue Cargo Pants, with my Black Emmanuel Curling T-shirt, bright yellow slippers, and of course keys dangling from my belt loop. (Description of undergarments is not necessary.)
HOW DO YOU WANT TO DIE? At the age of 120, after doing all the work that I can do for God. I don’t want my body to slowly go, but simply for God to take me. When I die, I simply want it to be my time. I’ll go home good and healthy.

MOST MEMORABLE PUBERTY EXPERIENCE: Well, yesterday while I was out….

IF YOU COULD GO ON A DATE WITH ANYONE AT EBC, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Are you hitting on me?

BIGGEST LIBRARY/VIDEO STORE LATE FEE: Like $5, but my best buddy, Jayson had a whomping $156.23 fine… that guy, I tell ya….

EMBARRASSING STORY (50-100 words):

I have an embarassing story. My friend once said that she did not get embarassed, and that it would be impossible for me to embarrass her. So, I accepted her challenge. I waited about a minute or so until we walked into the main corridor of the busiest mall during the Spring Season. It was then when I shouted out in a loud voice to all 150+ people around “she’s my friend! I know Her! I’m her friend.” And then preceded to show her to people and making sure that everyone knew that she was my friend. Needless to say, I did not know a face could turn so many shades of red. It was great!

by: Stefanie Parsons

This is a diary entry entitled Youth Camp July 21-23, 2005 from when I was teaching English at Sammuk Christian Academy in Bang Saen, Thailand.  I write this in the Global Perspectives column as my own personal perspective into life in Thailand with Thai students.

In some ways I felt both full and empty.  I felt the sea wind on my face and the rush of waves against my body.  I could see the carved rocks, solid and hewn out of the earth by the never ending force of the ocean tearing away their history of when the land and sea were separated.  The rocks and hills and trees look as new as when the island was created, except for the erosion of the waves and the fragments of beach glass and garbage that gets washed up.  Everything is so calm but violent as well.

I swam with the students yesterday afternoon and the waves were so high and just pounding me.  It was very windy; almost all the time there and the water was rough on our way across to the island on the boat from Si Racha. I sat on top and got splashed many times but I’d rather be on top then in the stuffy seating underneath. 

We all were excited – but I only got excited when the guys asked me to take a picture of them even before they got on the boat!  They were so exuberant to be going out of school and to an island too.  (Not to mention they would also get to spend time with their ‘special friends’.) 

The whole ride to the pier I was with the M 4 and 5 girls (grades 10 and 11) and wondering what I was doing going to youth camp with a bunch of teenagers who don’t like me.  Sitting across from your enemy in an open, moving vehicle – I’m sure they could sense my apprehension.  Some girls are nicer and friendlier then the others who just have an attitude and think that I’m out to ruin their fun with their boyfriends. I was determined to stay away from the couples that I have been bothering in my teacher duty ways and keep to myself. The boys are easy to talk to and joke with.  Tammarat gives me a hard time in class but he’s really a great kid who just needs to be shown who’s boss once in a while. 

In the first worship session I felt really strange sitting near the front where everyone can see that I can’t sing the songs or understand the speaker.  I felt like a fish out of water or a crab without claws.  (Do they really ‘shed’ their claws when captured by a tall, lanky basketballer (Tanapat) and a short, bulky footballer (Chatchawin)?)

They all know that I’m no good at Thai; do they think I’m no good for anything?  Why do they think I’m here?  I kept asking myself that question and then I told myself to stop because it was making me sad.  Hearing all those voices singing about God and not being able to add my own really hurts and I don’t want them to think that I don’t want to share with them.  I want to show them that I’m interested in their lives, but most students can hardly speak basic English.

Gift is one exception in that she tells me her feelings very honestly in her limited vocabulary and I sort of fill in the blank spots when she’s out of words.  She told me the first night that she is sad because she keeps making the same mistakes and she can’t stop it.  I just tried to remind her that we are all going to keep sinning even though we are Christians and what is good is that God can take away our sins – his mercy is new every morning.  I told her that I sin too and I’m always asking for forgiveness but I know that God still loves me and will always be with me. 

Lord, God please help me to understand Thai more and be able to practice my letters with someone.