POLL: What should be the next Canadian city to host an Olympics?

Hello Canada,

So the Olympics are over.  It was a great time of unity and patriotism across Canada.  I don't think we can ever say that Canada isn't patriotic.  I didn't buy it before the Olympics and I certainly don't buy it now.

There's one question that's ringing in my mind.  "What should be the next Canadian city to host an Olympics?"  Québec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton?  You tell me.

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Tom Brokaw Explains Canada To Americans

Hello Canada and beyond,

I just saw an interesting video on YouTube called, "Tom Brokaw Explains Canada To Americans".  It's very insightful.  Enjoy!

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Is Québec separatism out of style?

Hello Canada,

The Québec separatist, or sovereigntist, movement was dealt a blow yesterday when the former Premier and leader of the Parti Québecois , Lucien Bouchard, addressed a crowd in Québec City yesterday.  The retired politician expressed concerns over the increased radicalism of the movement as it seeks to protect the province's interests against outside forces including religious and cultural groups.  He also expressed that he didn't think he would see an independent Québec in his lifetime and that politicians in La Belle Province should focus more on education and economic policy than separation.

One of the comments that peaked curisosity was that the Parti Québecois had broken away from the welcoming spirit of its founder, René Lévesque.  History is filled with movements that started with great intentions, but ended up drifting away from the original motivations of its founders.  I've been doing some of my own personal study on the history of Québec and I would say that these separatists have also strayed from the original beliefs of men like George-Etienne Cartier and Samuel de Champlain.  Is this the Québec and Canada they worked so hard to build?  These men were nation-builders, not destroyers.  Samuel de Champlain worked hard to build a land where the French and First Nations would be one; where his sons would marry their daughters.  Out of that vision we now have the Métis people.  George-Étienne Cartier worked hard to build a land where the English and French would co-exist.

In my humble opinion, the people of Québec need a new champion. They need a leader on the national stage who will rise up in the spirit of Samuel de Champlain and George-Etienne Cartier to help bring this country together, not separate it. The sad thing is I don't see a knight in shining armour on the horizon.

POLL: Has the Toyota and Honda recalls made you consider buying North American vehicles?

Good morning, good afternoon, and good night (depending on where you are in the world),

This morning on the radio a commentator raised a good question.  Do the Toyota and Honda recalls mean a comeback for North American automakers?  A return to the glory of the 1970's where the North American vehicle was king?

So what do you think?  Has the Toyota and Honda recalls made you consider buying North American vehicles?  Cast your vote!

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Ottawa Living: Day 156- "Finding Stability in Instability"

Hello Canada,

For family and friends, and all those who are interested, here is another update on life in Ottawa.

Stability has come

Koliah and I have entered our most stable time yet in Ottawa. Last week I received my first pay cheque as an intern, a lump sum payment, that really put us over the top financially. We instantly went from making "just enough" (and sometimes "not enough") to "more than enough". When we left Toronto we were in a pretty good place financially; at least we were up to date with our bills. Seeing that Koliah and I didn't have income for two months after moving we fell behind, but with my first pay cheque we were able to get completely caught up. We actually had enough money left over that we were able to afford the InStyler so my wife can do her hair; she hadn't been able to straighten her hair consistently since her flat iron broke in the middle of last year. We were also able to go out for dinner at Coaster's in Byward Market, and even buy a DVD. It's so rewarding to feel normal again and not underprivileged; like you have choices in life. When you don't have money you want everything you see, but when the money comes you actually realize you didn't really want the things, you just wanted the ability to choose. You wanted the ability to decide not to get something because it wasn't necessary, not because you're limited.

When you're used to not having money it's hard to spend large sums of money on yourself; you feel guilty. When I mentioned to my wife that we should by the InStyler so she could do her hair, I could sense some guilt in her heart at spending so much because we were so used to being limited. I told her that earlier that day I felt God challenging me. We always talk about the people we see ourselves becoming in the future; our ideal self. The way we will dress, the careers we'll have, and our overall image. God was speaking to my heart that if we never take the baby steps towards the people we see ourselves becoming it will never happen. That may mean buying one piece at a time. It's torture looking in the mirror everyday and not being pleased with what you see, especially as a woman.  It's torture knowing you have so much more potential in life and not making any steps towards it.

So I told my wife to not see this as simply spending money but as an investment in herself because she was worth it and it's important to take small steps closer to the woman she envisions herself to be.

Hill Watch: Anti-prorogation rally draws thousands to Parliament Hill

Hello Canada,

One of the most controversial subjects in the Canadian politics is the fairly recent prorogation of parliament.  Today as I went on the Hill so my wife could check her e-mail I stumbled on the anti-prorogation rally.

One of the first voices I heard was the voice of a woman talking about democracy and making anti-Harper statements.  "I know Stephen Harper is in Ottawa so maybe if we shout loud enough he can hear us."  She led them in shouting, "No!"  As I heard these words something in my heart and stomach was rattled.  Like the feeling when you're going to be sick.  I don't know what it was.

After my wife checked her e-mail we stepped back into the brisk yet sunny Ottawa cold to the sound of Jack Layton speaking in broken French.  I made out that he is drafting an anti-prorogation bill to limit the powers of the Prime Minister to prorogue parliament.

This rally reminded me of everything I hate about politics, eventhough there are other aspects that I love.  I hate that there is no absolute truth and truth is subject to public opinion, the media's opinion, and the party's opinion.  I hate that issues are politicized and that the people are caught in the middle and are often used as puppets.

Citizens all around the world have issues with their government.  The control of information and the media by the governments in China and North Korea.  Certain African governments stealing from the people, getting rich while the people get poorer.  In Zimbabwe if you speak against the government you go missing.  A few Middle Eastern governments oppress women in the name of religion.  In Canada our government prorogues parliament... Pause and think about that.  When you compare the issues we have to face with our government compared to other nations, prorogation doesn't seem that bad.

Ottawa Living: Day 142- "Living Under An Open Heaven"

Hello Canada and beyond,

It's been a while since I've given an update on our new life in Ottawa, mostly due to the fact that nothing new was happening.  That changed two Fridays ago.  A few months ago we talked with the friends we are living with and we came to an agreement that my wife and I would move in February.  That seemed far off so we expected things to change before then.  We had expected that I would move on from my internship to a full-time position, and as a result, would be in a position to move into our own place.  Not so.

For some reason we were under the impression that we would be staying where we are until mid to late February, but two Fridays ago, we realized the agreement was for February 1st.  So February 1st we needed to be in our own place, which gave us two weeks to find an apartment, and we had NO money.  At work that day I immediately felt pressure.  What are we going to do?  I told my co-worker, who is an elder at our church, about the problem so we decided to pray with my wife on speaker phone.  From that moment forward we felt a supernatural joy that we couldn't explain.  We didn't know where we would be living in two weeks but we couldn't stop laughing.  My co-worker gave me a Scripture that would take my joy to the next level. 

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Isaiah 55:1-2.

This Scripture is important for a few reasons.  First, God began to teach me some important lessons.  What stuck out to me was "you who have no money".  How can people buy without money?  In the world's system you acquire through money, but in God's system you acquire by his word.  The world says, "You can have what you can afford", but God says, "You can have what you say" and what God says.  This would prove to be a life changing lesson.  In God's economy you don't need money to acquire; all you need is a promise (or word) from him.  If God says it's time to acquire or do something you don't need the practical means; you need a promise and faith to believe it, and the practical means will follow.