Well, we’ve gone and done it. We’ve hit 7 Billion people. According to the World Population Data Sheet, it only took 12 years to get from 6 to 7 Billion people. To put that into perspective, we didn’t hit 1 Billion people until 1800. It then took us 130 years to double in size to 2 Billion. Since then, the amount of time it’s taken to add another Billion people continues to shrink. At our current rate, we’ll hit 10 Billion people by 2100. That’s a lot of people!

The question is: what are we going to do with them all?

Some believe we are going to experience a crisis of overcrowding. They’re probably right. Although, living in a country with the amount of space that we have here in Canada, it would seem we could handle a few more people. Still, a crisis is looming.

But it’s not all bad news. I believe population growth also provides incredible opportunities. Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). There is a great harvest opportunity. It’s incredible to realize that God loves each of the 7 Billion people alive today. And, he knows each one by name. Wow.

Wow, I can’t believe how little I’ve posted in the past few weeks. Sorry about that. One of the things I’m finding is that so much of what I say can be done via Twitter or Facebook. So, if you have not yet done so, please follow me on Twitter or add me as a friend on Facebook.

Now, I realize that some of you cursed me a little when you read the title of this post. You don’t want to think about the fact that as of today, there is exactly two months until Christmas. Yes, that might seem like a long time from now, however we are about to see a deluge of Christmas advertising. Most stores will wait until next week — after Halloween — to set up their displays. But, a few have already begun doing so. As a result, I want to make these comments now.

What if we did Christmas differently? What if we made the decision to not allow ourselves to get caught up in the commercialization of the season? I’m not suggesting that we don’t buy our loved ones a few gifts, but what if we didn’t rack up credit cards, purchase totally unnecessary items, and made Christmas to be all about what we give to and get from others. What if everyone reading this made the decision that for every dollar they spend on gifts, they will donate a dollar to a charity in the name of their family? Radical, I know. But, worth considering, isn’t it?

We all know the true meaning of the Christmas season. It’s about God incarnate — being born a baby — so that we might come back into relationship with him. It’s about sacrifice, love that encompasses all, and giving everything. Shouldn’t the way we celebrate the season resemble that in some way?

Take some time now, before you’re smack in the middle of the craziness of the season, to decide how you’ll celebrate Christmas this year. I know I am.

How do you keep Christmas in perspective? Are there things you do in order to make sure you don’t lose sight of the true meaning of the season? Share your thoughts in the comments section so that others can read them.

When I was in Bible College, I had a course where I had to memorize 30 scripture passages. It was tough to do.

I can’t imagine doing what this preacher did … he memorized the entire book of Hebrews. I encourage you to sit and listen to him recite the book … sometimes the most powerful messages are the ones where the preacher just lets the words of Scripture speak for themselves. Seriously … wow.

My last post generated quite a few comments (and a couple of private emails). Many of you are curious to know more about what Pentecostals believe.

This past summer, The Meeting House, a church with a number of locations (mostly in Southern Ontario), did a series called “One Church.” They had leaders from various denominations come and share what they believed.

Dr. Van Johnson, the Dean of Master’s Seminary, spoke on behalf of the Pentecostal movement. He does an absolutely amazing job at sharing the story of the Pentecostal Church. It is worth watching.

Unfortunately, I can’t embed their videos. So, you’ll have to go to their site to watch it.

Here’s how to find the video:

Go here: www.themeetinghouse.ca

Click on “Teachings”

On the left side, find “One Church (Jun 11)”

On the right side, scroll down to “#7: Pentecostal (with Van Johnson)”

I would suggest watching the video.

Last weekend, we hosted The Man Conference. It was a powerful two days of teaching from Ken Graves.

We told the men that we’d make the videos available as soon as we could. Well, the first night’s talk is now completed. Yes, Ken Graves spoke for just under two hours. Yes, he kept the attention of everyone in attendance. Yes, it was that good.

The video is separated into two parts, each one hour long. See them below.