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God blessed me today. Okay, every time I take a breath, God blesses me with another, but he blessed me in a specific way today.

Let me explain. A few weeks ago, a friend sent me a message telling me to keep Tuesday night free. He had bought me a ticket to go see Henry Rollins (as I posted about last time). I knew who Rollins was, but doubt I would have bought a ticket on my own. In fact, I was looking forward to simply hanging with this friend more than seeing Rollins.

That is until Tuesday afternoon, when my phone rang. It was the wife of another buddy. She was calling to offer me tickets to Tuesday night’s Ottawa Senators game. As many of you know, I am a crazy, fanatical Sens fan. And these weren’t just any tickets. They were amazing seats. Lower level, near center ice.

I groaned. I cried. I yelled. She laughed. And laughed a little more. I considered calling my buddy and telling him I couldn’t go see Rollins. I even suggested to my friend’s wife that this was an integrity test. Would I stick to my original commitment or skip out in order to see the Sens play. She suggested I offer to take my buddy to the game. The problem was, there were three of us going to see Rollins.

Finally I declined the tickets. I suggested someone else who would enjoy the game and she gave that person the tickets. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my chest was pounding after I turned down the tickets. It actually bummed me out.

Eventually I shook it off and headed out to see Rollins. As I shared here, I loved hearing Henry Rollins. I am now a huge fan and wouldn’t hesitate going to see him again. The night was amazing, the company was perfect, and it was an incredible night in every way. I was so glad I stayed the course and went with my friends.

So today, I’m heading into the office listening to the sports channel on the radio. I have an opinion about what they are talking about, and so when I get into my office, I fire off a quick email to the hosts. Go figure, they read the email on air and award me the “emailer of the day.” The prize: tickets to the next Sens home game (this Saturday)!

The seats are no where near as good as the ones I gave up, but that’s okay, cause I’m going to the game. Oh, and along with the tickets to the game was a $40 gift certificate to the Lone Star restaurant (which, btw, is one of my favourite places in the city!)

So, it’s funny how it goes when you show a little integrity.

Yeah, I’m a blessed man.

I’m debating writing this post. Some of you will appreciate what I’m about to say, while others may not be very happy with it. In fact, I wont be surprised if I lose a few followers after this post. But, if I’m going to keep this blog honest and real, then I need to be honest and real with this particular post.

I’ve just spent three hours with an incredibly interesting individual. To be honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy it anywhere near as much as I did. To me, Henry Rollins was a punk rocker and a small time actor. Nothing more. Most recently, he played the part of a white supremacist on my favourite television show, Sons of Anarchy.

The last thing I expected was the depth of intelligence that I heard tonight. His humour, passion, and range of experience made every story he told come to life. I was on the edge of my seat for almost the entire evening. He spoke for three hours. Not once did he take a drink of water (or anything else). He never paused for more than a few seconds. As a public speaker, I was amazed that he still had a voice at the end of the evening, and yet he did.

I didn’t agree with everything he said, but I loved how he presented his thoughts. I kept thinking back to my last post, on opinions, and Rollins was exactly the kind of guy I would love to sit with and just discuss whatever. I thought of what I wrote on my “About Page” only a few days ago. Rollins is one of those I thought I had him figured out, but I was wrong kind of guys.

I wish I could remember some of the best quotes of the night, but it’s late and I’m drawing a blank. I think I need a few days to decipher all he said. I know I’ll be reading up on more about Henry Rollins. I’d encourage you to check out his tour and take in an evening with him if you can. Now, some of you wont enjoy his opinions. Some will strongly disagree with some of his views (as I do). But all will be challenged to think deeper after hearing him speak.

Again, some of you will be offended that I am saying such positive things about someone who uses colourful language at times. His music is hardcore, and his views on some subjects go against the traditional biblical view. I don’t think you have to agree with everything he says in order to be challenged with his passion to discover and learn from the world.

One thing Rollins did say over and over was “never lose your curiosity.” He challenged people to always be learners. That’s something I can shout a loud “AMEN” to.

I love a good debate. I love it when people are willing to discuss an issue with the desire to learn and discover more. My mom taught me to love learning. Growing up, she and I would engage in some pretty intense debates. We’d pick an issue, choose sides, and debate. Even though we usually held the same views on a subject, one of us would play the role of the opposition, and usually would become very passionate in defending that side of the subject. Outsiders would hear us debate and think we were having an intense argument. But we loved it.

While I love discussing an issue, I can’t start arguing. People who simply want to push their opinion without an openness to learn drive me nuts. People like that usually have no clue about why they hold the opinion they do, they simply have always felt that way and watch to argue until you admit defeat.

You see, that’s the difference between a good debate and just arguing. In a debate, you want to make your point, but you also want to gain understanding in the view of others. You want to learn. In an argument, you simply want to win. There’s no desire to learn.

I’ve watched in amusement at how many Americans are responding to Health Care Reform. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I know little about the issue. To be honest, it simply doesn’t matter to me. Health Care in Canada is … well … fine. It could be better, but it certainly could be a lot worse. The thought of someone having to choose between paying rent or seeing a doctor is simply foreign to me. There has never been a single time in my life where I have worried about money before seeing a doctor.

Yesterday, I spent some time reading up on American Health Care Reform. I flipped back and forth between a few channels on television to see what the pundits were saying. Then, I got frustrated and gave up. All I found were people wanting to argue. They would throw out these huge statements, like HCR would be the destruction of America.

At one point, I even whispered to myself, “Is there anyone willing to learn from the other side? Doesn’t anyone want to work together to simply make their country better – whether or not that includes HCR? But all I found were people defending their position, arguing to win against the opposition, and unwilling to actually dialogue. Even on Twitter, some of the statements were so extreme, that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I use HCR as an example, but the same is true of any topic. We are launching a new series this week at Bikers’ Church called Believe. As I’ll be pointing out this week, it’s time for Christians to stop defending their position by making extreme statements or by trying to win an argument. It’s time to dialogue and be willing to learn from those who criticize our beliefs.

At least that’s my opinion. What’s yours?

I realize that I am taking the Jefferson Airplane song horribly out of context by using it as the title of this post. That’s the beauty of blogging. You can do whatever you want! (Update: As some have pointed out, the song is from Buffalo Springfield. I believe it’s from both, but what do I know about music?)

As some of you know, I announced last Wednesday that I will stop writing the daily Oil Change once the current series concludes. That’s scheduled to happen in a couple of days. I’ve actually been done writing them for a week now. That means I didn’t have to spend some of Friday and all of yesterday writing Oil Changes. It was great! Mind you, I spoke at Greenbelt Baptist Church on Sunday, so that took up some of my day on Friday and a little of Saturday to finalize my message.

I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I wasn’t swamped before the week even started. Since I was still struggling with a cold I picked up on the weekend, I decided to lay low and do minor things. It was so nice out, that I ended up jumping on Heather’s bike and going for a spin. I ended up at a friend’s place and we chatted over coffee for about an hour. It was wonderful. The rest of my afternoon was spent reading a book that I need to review here on the blog (will do it later this week). At one point, as I sat on my front deck reading, my neighbour, Anne, came across the street and we chatted for a good twenty minutes. I hadn’t talked to her or her husband since last Fall. It was good to catch up.

As I sat, enjoying left over ribs from Sunday night, it hit me that no one is going to give me days like the one I had yesterday. If I don’t choose to make time to have time, I wont stop. I wont look around.

Perhaps you’re in the same boat. It seems like you’re always running. Always doing. Are you waiting for someone to stop the world so that you can find the time to enjoy it? If you are, you just might find yourself always waiting. You need to choose to find time to have time.

There’s a passage in the Bible where the author is describing chaos in the world. He describes a time where earthquakes are happening. Mountains are crumbling. Tsunamis are threatening. Nations are in crisis. And in the midst of it all, he writes these words:

Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10)

Notice that it is the listener who must choose to be still. Must choose to stop.

I’m not sure what’s going on in your world. But maybe there’s a sound that you are missing because there is too much external noise right now. If that’s the case, perhaps it’s time to stop and listen.

I’ve had a few people ask me how they can subscribe to this blog so that they receive updates via email. I thought it was straightforward, but perhaps I’ll need to tweak things a little.

It’s very easy. In the middle column, you’ll see the “Connect With Me” section. The first button is for those who want to subscribe using an RSS reader. The second button, the mail icon, is for those who want to get the posts by email. Don’t worry, you’ll only get one a day (max).

The other three buttons are links to my Facebook page, my twitter account, and the Bikers’ Church video account.

Since writing this post, I’ve changed the design of my blog. So, now, if you want to subscribe via email, simply click on the “Connect” tab at the top of the page and you’ll see all the links to connecting with me, including subscribing via email.

Hope that helps. I’ll begin posting more here later this week.

I know you feel neglected. I’ve focused so much time over at The Oil Change that I haven’t had any time left over for you. That’s coming to an end. I’ve picked you. It’s going to take a few more days before I’m done over at The Oil Change (the last post will go out on Wednesday) and I promise to spend more time updating you.

So, don’t go anywhere. It’s going to get fun here.

Wow, I’ve been trying to get this post out for about three days now. As much as I want to get fresh posts out a few times each week, I find it challenging to take the time to just stop and write. Not sure what that means. Of course, I am blogging every day over at The Oil Change. Anyway, hopefully I can figure out a schedule and get back to posting new stuff a few times each week.

It’s been three days since the Olympics concluded. As a Canadian, it was a rush. I’m not sure people from other countries could understand just how incredible it was to see the depth of national pride expressed in just about every city across Canada. We are a fairly reserved people, and to see so much nationalism was, well, shocking.

Of course, many in the media began to ask if this was a “new Canada.” Would we continue to be so outspoken in our Canadian pride? Every time I heard another personality ask that question, I would shake my head. No, it wont continue. In fact, three days after the Olympics are over, things have already gone back to normal. Again, it’s not the way we are.

The mistake many made was thinking that we are like our American friends. The U.S.A. is very outspoken about their national pride. I was amazed during my road trip at how many homes display an American flag. They don’t pull out the flags for Independence Day or select occasions. Those flags fly proudly every day of the year. It’s just the way Americans are. I think it’s great … for Americans.

But Canadians are not Americans. And our media would do well to stop comparing us to those south of the border. Many years ago, a friend of mine put me on to Michael Adams’ book, Fire And Ice. I highly recommend it. Adams suggests that rather than becoming more like Americans, we are actually becoming more and more distinct from Americans.

That doesn’t mean Canadians are not proud of their Nation. If anything, the Olympics gave us an excuse to display that pride in a very public fashion. But now, as it goes “underground” again, don’t mistake it for a lack of patriotism. It’s just the Canadian way. Challenge us, and you’ll see how quickly it rises to the surface again. You see, it’s there. It’s unshakable. It’s strong. We just don’t beat our chest declaring it.

These Olympics were very special for me. It was the first time my family came together to cheer our nation. Every night, my daughters would sit beside me watching whatever competition was taking place. When she could, Heather would also sit and watch (her concussion symptoms made it difficult for her to take in some of the faster moving events). We’d all scream and shout at the television when a Canadian was close to a medal. We’d cheer them on for the final lap, the last mogul, or the intense pressure in the offensive end of the rink. It was a coming together for our family.

It was a coming together for our nation. On twitter, I cheered along with Canadians from coast to coast. Many thanked others when the games were over for the opportunity to enjoy the Olympics with so many other Canadians. We felt connected. It was a great feeling.

So, now the games are over. Where do we go from here? I believe we simply continue being Canadian. We go about our lives, doing the things we love to do, knowing that when push comes to shove, that national pride will once again rise to the top. If anything, the rest of the world now knows what all of us in this nation already knew: O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

I’d love to hear your comments about the games and what you enjoyed the most about them.

I saw a shorter version of this video last week, but thought it was so good, I’m going to post it here.

Tom Brokaw explains Canada to Americans.

I saw this picture on Bradley Wright’s blog. I love it. If this cleaner was in my neighbourhood, they’d get all my business (not that I take stuff to a cleaner all that often).

Read the sign in the window.

Those who follow me on Twitter or Facebook know that I’m a huge hockey fan. My team is the Ottawa Senators. Our biggest rival over the years is our provincial counterpart, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The rivalry isn’t as intense these days because of a number of factors, including, the fact that the teams haven’t met in the playoffs for some time now, and the TML players we loved to hate (Tucker, Domi, coach Pat Quinn) are no longer playing with the team.

Still, any true Senators fan still hates the Leafs. And, most Leaf fans hate the Sens.

Having said all that, I do admire the Leafs GM, Brian Burke. He made headlines a week ago with being a part of the biggest trade of the year. In an era of “the salary cap”, that’s hard to do. And yet, he did it, and as a result, generated excitement in just about every NHL market.

But I admire him more because of an interview he did about a month ago regarding his 21 yr. old son, Brendan.

Brendan admitted he was gay. Now, that’s not usually newsworthy anymore, but it made the headlines because Brendan was working within a hockey environment. As with most sports, the NHL is not exactly the most friendly place to be gay. While hockey players will say it’s no big deal, the fact is, in a close locker room full of tough men, it is a big deal. By admitting he was gay, Brendan risked closing many doors in the hockey world.

Of course, the attention turned to Brian Burke. The tough, no-nonsense, say-whatever-he-wants hockey man. As the cameras focused on him, Brian simply declared his love and admiration for his son. In a nationally televised interview, Brian Burke proclaimed, “I’ve never loved or been more proud of my son than I am now.”

Now, this isn’t a post about sexual orientation. I’m not interested in your views about Brendan’s choices, so don’t bother commenting on that. It’s not relevant to what I’m wanting to say in this post.

This past weekend, Brendan Burke was killed while the vehicle he was a passenger in lost control on a snow-covered road. At 21, Brendan was dead.

All I could think about was that interview Brian Burke did on CBC. His public declaration of his love for his son. How he stood by his son just a few short weeks ago.

You never know when a life will be taken from you. You never know what your final words will be to an individual. You never know. Brian Burke and his family will grieve for some time over the loss of their son. It is a grief that you carry with you for the rest of your life. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know that I understand that grief first hand.

And yet, one thing Brian Burke will never have to regret was how he showed his son love. He stood with his son when he could have easily turned his back. He didn’t just support his son a few weeks ago, he publicly stood with him. He showed unconditional love and support. I’ll admit that when I saw Brian Burke’s interview with his son, I felt tremendous pride for him. I thought of my own children and simply prayed, “Lord, help me to always stand with my children, even if I don’t always agree with choices they may make.”

Parents: don’t miss the significance of this. Regardless of what your child may choose to do. Don’t give up on them.

Don’t risk a day when you’ll regret how you responded to your child.

I said a quick prayer for Brian Burke and his family. I also thanked God for allowing the GM of my biggest rival to remind me again of the value of family. So, thank you, Brian.

And yes, the Leafs still suck.