Saturday, September 27, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies Test (Part 12):

  1. What is a beaver tail?
  2. When do you stop for a pedestrian crossing the road?  If gonna hit them/ when in crosswalk/ when thinking about crosswalk/ 20 yards from
  3. Do you say, "I'm sorry" when: you physically run into somebody/ when somebody runs in to you/ when you almost run into each other
  4. Are we corn pops an oval or circle shape?
  5. What is a double double?
  6. True/ False: Roll-up month is practically a holiday.
  7. What is Roll-up month?
  8. What is a donair?
  9. What is Poutine?
  10. How do you phoenitically pronounce sorry: s-ully/ soar- ee / saw-ree/ su-dee?
  11. True/False: Although considered polite and apologetic, any Atlantic Canadian pedestrian reserves the right to get upset and give an angry stare or gesture at any driver that drives across the crosswalk while they are walking in it and consider the driver a jerk, even if it doesn't disrupt their walking speed or directly endanger them at all.
  12. Y/N: Does Canada celebrate their own Thanksgiving?
  13. Does Canada have two extra time zones in North America east of the US's (EST) including one half hour time zone change?
  14.  
  15.  

Monday, September 22, 2014

Sometimes I Question God's Voice



…when I’m not sure I want to listen.   

Saturday I just drove to McDonalds to get a coffee (and only coffee).  

As I waited in my car to order, 
a chocolate milkshake and a chicken sandwich somehow got added to the order in my head.  Right as this was happening, the verse that says, “Man does not live on bread alone…” came into my mind. 

So I prayerfully asked God, “God are you my center?” to which I heard, “No.”  I asked, “Well then how can I rely on You to be my center today?”  To which I heard, “Don’t eat today.”  Here is where I sometimes question God's voice and whether this was really of Him.
 
An important detail is that I had committed to be fasting from food Saturday, so the voice wasn't random.

The current predicament was this: I'm questioning whether the request is truly of God to order what I want and tell myself that it wasn’t that big of a deal.  We do this as humans.  I’ve done this.  I question it, I do what I want, then I shrug this not listening off as no big deal or nothing I could be certain of so that it was okay. 
https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.7250424,-65.5293591,3a,75y,60.91h,92.98t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sXGInSHlSF9qRAz3T7hw2hg!2e0
 
 The real hidden danger here is this:
A mistrust in God is the path to Hell. 

It hit me recently, that the fruit Adam & Eve ate that led to their death was “pleasing to the eye and good for food…”  
It was probably a better food choice than my McDonald’s order, yet it wasn’t good to eat.  Why?

I know what God’s voice sounds like in my life.  
Yet I can also be tempted to question it (especially when I want differently and the request sounds uncomfortable). 
Or I question whether I hear His voice if I keep questioning how He spoke to me in the past when I didn't listen and don't want to admit it.
But unless or until this voice in my head says something completely contrary to the Bible or His love, I need to respond and act accordingly.  I need to obey, if I want to grow closer to God by hearing and trusting Him more clearly.

When you hear what you believe to be God speaking in your head or spirit, you will be tempted to question whether it’s truly God or whether disobeying is really that big of a deal… IT IS!   

We are to live out of trust in God's words rather than question and live contrary to His requests; Even when they are less black and white like whether to eat or not.  Follow God’s voice.  Don’t give into the temptation to question God's voice… to question whether it's God talking or belittle what He is asking to the point of you not having to obey when you're a little unsure.

I’m not talking about having no room to ask and wrestle through your honest doubts & hard questions.  I think God desires for us to be real with Him.   

I’m talking about the moments He is speaking to you and you're questioning whether He is speaking to you so that you don’t have to respond or can do differently.  One is a discussion and dialogue with God about how life works, the other is questioning a request from God speaking to you so that you don’t have to listen.

If you question and don't act… the more you question and don't act… the less you will trust God.  The more you will become contrary or an enemy to God and His work.

Drinking coffee versus adding a chicken sandwich and chocolate milkshake....
It may sound like I’m making a big deal out of nothing.
I believe a chicken sandwich and milkshake from McDonald’s can be the goodness of God… It's accessible, I have the money, it reflects the goodness of God providing.  But in this case, not listening to God's voice would’ve been me trading trust in God's voice for disobedience and a mistrust in what I think I hear Him saying.

The same can be said of:
-The fruit that was "pleasing to the eye and good for food" from the tree of knowledge of good and evil
-The meal traded to Jacob for Esau’s birthright
-The bread Jesus could’ve eaten from stone in response to the devil's questioning

Listen to God's voice and don't question when He's whispering or telling you to do what's uncomfortable, like giving up the good accessible things in this world.

I just got coffee this morning and passed on the food.  Thanks God. 

“Satan will try to convince you that obedience carries much too high a price, but he will never tell you the cost of not obeying God.”[i]

[i][i] Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God: Day-By-Day (Nashville: TN, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997),140.

 

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 10): A Few Church Options in Atlantic Canada

  1. Moncton Wesleyan 
  2. Kings Valley Wesleyan
  3. Crosspoint Wesleyan
  4. Corbett Avenue Wesleyan
  5. Sussex Wesleyan
  6. Deep Water
  7. Island Wesleyan - PEI
  8. Atlantic Community Church
  9. Hillside Baptist
  10. Hillside Wesleyan

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 9): Religion


Here are some images to help you grasp the religious state of Canada and Sussex, NB:






Wednesday, September 17, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 8): Places to Visit



Places To Visit:

1.      Fundy National Park - this park is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places in Canada. The Bay of Fundy houses the highest tides in the world and what a sight to see! 
2.     Prince Edward Island - the red dirt, potatoes, Anne of Green Gables, and the beautiful beaches are just a few of the well known and beautiful sights of this unique island in the Maritimes.
3.      Covered Bridges - covered bridges are a historical and fairly common sight, especially in New Brunswick (home to 61 covered bridges). There's even a chip company named after them!
4.      The Tidal Bore - this natural phenomena can be seen in the city of Moncton, NB 
5.      Magnetic Hill - this "gravity hill" is an optical illusion that will have you confused as you go backwards up a hill in neutral. 
6.      The Hopewell Rocks - this world-renown sight has been sculpted by the highest tides in the world.
7.   Halifax Waterfront - walk the waterfront and see the beautiful harbour.
8.   Peggy's Cove - visit the picturesque lighthouse and dip your toes in the water.
9.   St. Martin's Sea Caves - walk the beach and explore the magnificent sea caves.
10. Kouchibouguac National Park - this beautiful park has 25km of sand dunes to appreciate as well as barrier island, salt marshes and much more.
11. The Cabbot Trail - this trail is a scenic roadway that takes you around the beautiful Cape Breton. It is one of the most famous drives in Canada and the sights will not disappoint you!

What places would you recommend in the Maritimes?

The photo above was taken at Dixon Falls, one of the many beautiful trails in Fundy National Park.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 7): Atlantic Canadian Universities


*These are approximates as university numbers flux regularly.


School Name Population Location

1.  Dalhousie University 18,564 Halifax, NS

2.  Memorial University of NL 18,464 St. Johns, NL

3.  University of New Brunswick 8,300 Fredericton, NB

4. Saint Mary's 7,740 Halifax, NS

5.  University de Moncton 5,673 Moncton, NB

6.  St. Francis Xavier University 5,168 Antigonish, NS

7.  UPEI 4,388 Charlottetown, PEI

8. Acadia 4,358 Wolfville, NS

9.  Mount Saint Vincent  3,859 Halifax, NS

10.  Cape Breton University 3,140 Sydney, NS

11.  UNBSJ 2,550 Saint John, NB

12.  Mount Allison 2,530 Sackville, NB

13.  St. Thomas 2,346 Fredericton, NB

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 6): Tim Hortons



Tim Hortons Canada Statistics
  • First Tim Hortons restaurant opened in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
  • The first U.S. restaurant opened in 1984 in Tonawanda, New York.
  • In 2008, the 500th U.S. restaurant opens in Detroit, MI.
  • In December of 2011, Tim Hortons opened its 4,000th restaurant.
  • Tim Horton, an NHL player, was a partner in the company until his tragic death in 1974.
  • The very first Timbit was introduced to its customers in 1976.
  • Tim Hortons began its annual Roll Up The Rim contest in 1986 and more than 31 million prizes have been distributed.
  • Only 56 percent of Canadians can roll their r’s similar to the company’s commercial.
  • Approximately two billion Tim Horton's coffees are sold every single year (as of 2011).
  • Despite having a population of just 64,128, the city of Moncton, New Brunswick, has a staggering 22 full-sized Tim Hortons franchises. That equates to 1 restaurant for every 2,915 residents.
  • Tim Hortons INC. total revenue in 2012 - $3.2 million.




http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/about/media-company-facts.html
http://caplibnews.com/12-interesting-facts-about-tim-hortons/
http://ca.askmen.com/entertainment/special_feature_100/146_special_feature.html

Friday, September 12, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 5): Moose & Driving Accidents


Moose Driving - Canadian Statistics:
  • New Brunswick’s motor vehicle registrations in 2000 were 562,563. Therefore, approximately 1 in 796 New Brunswick drivers will hit a deer and 1 in 2278 drivers will hit a moose. [i]
  • While accidents are reported year round, more than 70% occur between May and October. The three most critical months are June, July, and August.
  • The risk of an animal-vehicle collision occurring is 2.7 times greater during the peak versus the non-peak period.
  • The risk of a severe injury is 1.5 times greater during darkness than daylight.
  • The risk of a severe injury is 1.8 times greater at highway speeds.
  • The risk of a severe injury or death when involved in a moose-motorcycle accident is 12 times greater than for all other passenger vehicles combined.
  • 9% of injured occupants were not wearing seatbelts when the accident occurred (excluding accidents involving motorcycles). This group accounted for 29% of fatalities.
  • The risk of a fatal injury is 8 times greater for those individuals involved in an accident and who are not wearing a seatbelt.
  • According to an RCMP report in Newfoundland, the average estimated vehicle damage is $3,000.
  • The likelihood of injury is twice as high between dusk and dawn as compared to daytime.
  • Moose on the right side of the vehicle are avoided more often than those on the left because drivers concentrate more on the right. Therefore, it important to scan both sides of the road.
  • Don't let yourself be distracted. A driver who is alone and concentrating on the road is less likely to strike a moose, than is a driver whose attention wanders while talking to a passenger.
  • Remember most accidents occur on clear nights and on straight road sections, maybe because drivers are more cautious on curves or in poor weather.[i]
  • The New Brunswick Department of Transportation (NBDOT) analyzed accident data from 1995 to 2000 and found a total of 4,239 deer-vehicle collisions and 1,482 moose-vehicle collisions over the 6 year period (G. Violette, NBDOT, pers. comm. 2002). This represented 8.6% of the total 66,279 vehicle accidents in the province over those 6 years, and translates to an annual average of 707 deer and 247 moose collisions. According to Statistics Canada (2003), New Brunswick’s motor vehicle registrations in 2000 were 562,563, therefore approximately 1 in every 796 New Brunswick drivers will hit a deer and 1 in 2278 drivers will hit a moose. [ii]


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 3): Moose Facts


·      Moose live in every Canadian province (except for PEI as an island).
·      Moose have a life span of 15 to 25 years.
·      The average moose weighs between 550 to 700 kilograms. Up to 1800lbs.
·      It is estimated that there are between 500,000 and 1 million moose in Canada.
·      Moose are very good swimmers and can easily swim 16 kilometres (10miles).
·      Moose can run faster than 50 kilometres per hour (30 miles/hr). Humans run long distances at 5-14mph and sprint 14-23mph. [i]
·      Having poor eyesight, moose rely on their keen sense of smell.
·      A male moose is called a bull and a female moose is called a cow.[ii]
·      Their teeth are specifically structured for eating plants!
·      Height at the shoulders generally ranges between 6 ½-7 ½ feet (over 2 metres).[iii]

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

The Canadian Maritimes For Dummies (Part 2): Food to Try


Here's a list of authentic Canadian foods that you need to try when in Canada...

1.      Donair - A donair is made with it's own kind of meat and you can't forget the donair sauce!

 2.      Poutine - A poutine is one of Canada's best kept secrets! Crispy fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. So fatty, so delicious!
3.      Seafood - The Maritimes are especially know for the delicious seafood available, from lobster to clams and much more.

4.   Tim Hortons Coffee - You don't have to drive very far in any Canadian city to find one of these gems. Affectionately know as Tims, Timmy's, or Timmy Ho's, this place is sure to make any Canadian feel right at home. Always Fresh, Always Tim Hortons.

5.   Ketchup Chips - Although they may leave our fingers red and don't really taste anything like ketchup, there's nothing quite like a fresh bag of ketchup chips.

6.   Beaver Tails - A delicious fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar and toppings of your choice.

7.   Milk From a Bag - Canadians often buy their milk in a package containing three bags of milk. 
8.   Coffee Crisp - This tasty chocolate is another gem found only in Canada. If you enjoy coffee and chocolate, this is the treat for you!

9.   Nanaimo Bars - This yummy dessert which includes graham cracker, coconut, walnuts, vanilla custard, and chocolate, was created in the City of Nanaimo, British Columbia and is quite popular among Canadians. 


10. Smarties - These are different than what you may think. The Canadian version of Smarties are a tasty, colourful, candy-coated chocolate! 



11. Authentic Maple Syrup - there's nothing like some fresh maple syrup, candy, butter, or cream! This natural, sweet flavour will satisfy your sweet tooth for sure!

What Canadian foods would you add?