Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
It was in St. Catharines, Ontario. I arrived at Central Gospel Temple after a bad snowstorm that made it pretty difficult to get out of my parents’ driveway. I met up with Rev. Tony Sardella, former youth pastor at CGT. I was about to marry Amanda Peschell. I really had no idea of what life … Read More “Twenty-Five Years!” »
Two weeks ago when Amanda had her stroke, I did not know what life would look like for us. To be honest, I still don’t know. It could have been very easily been much worse than it has been. Amanda could have lost the ability to speak or become totally or half paralyzed. And yet … Read More “An Unexpected Party” »
Yesterday, Brookfield Baptist Church celebrated their 162nd anniversary. It is amazing to think that BBC has been around longer than Canada has been a nation. This year was also the 100th anniversary of our current church building. While the church is not the same as the building, the building is important. It is where so … Read More “Good News: Church Anniversary” »
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Of course it made me think of my own mother, who was wonderful and who I am very thankful for. But it also makes me think of Amanda and the incredible mother she is to our children. I know that Amanda hates being lifted up as “super-mom” and I will try … Read More “Good News: Grateful for Amanda as a Mother” »
Today is the twenty-fourth anniversary of when Amanda and I got married. Hard to imagine that it has been that long. The building that we were married in and had our reception at is no longer a church and the pastor who married us is no longer with us. It seems like a life-time ago. … Read More “Good News: Twenty-Four Years” »
For the past number of months, my wife Amanda has been on leave from Brookfield Baptist Church due to the ongoing struggles with post-concussion syndrome and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. This was initially an indefinite leave, with no specified return to work date. I never wanted to push Amanda as I agreed with her leave … Read More “Good News: The Return of My Co-Pastor” »
One of the best decisions Amanda and I have made was to co-pastor. This has been great on a number of levels, one being that our gifts complement one another. One aspect of co-pastoring that we did not anticipate is that one of us can take over for the other during injuries or illnesses. We … Read More “Good News: Pastor Amanda Returns” »
My Good News is good but also contains a lot of sorrow. My wife Amanda travelled back to Ontario a couple of weeks ago. This was not just for a pleasant visit but because her father was dying. Amanda had the opportunity to spend time with her father while h e was in the hospital … Read More “Good News: There and Back Again” »
Yesterday was the 23rd anniversary of when Amanda and I got married. Much has happened since that snowy day in St Catharines, Ontario. Even the building that we got married in is no longer a church. We have lived in many cities and a couple of provinces. Between us we have worked numerous jobs and … Read More “Good News: 23 Years of Marriage” »
In two days, Amanda and I will have been co-pastors at Brookfield Baptist Church for one year. We have been living in Brookfield, Nova Scotia for just over a year. It was a big step for us to move here for a number of reasons. One is that we had always lived in Ontario and … Read More “Good News: One Year at Brookfield Baptist Church” »
My Good News this week is something that has happened a little too often lately. Sunday morning, I woke up sick. While five years ago I might have pushed through, in a COVID-19 world (even without a positive test result) I am more careful with my public activity while sick. However, I was supposed to … Read More “Good News: Once Again to the Rescue” »
I have now entered the second week of my chaplain course at CFB Borden. It has been a great time so far. I am aware that it is difficult for some reserve chaplains to take these courses because of their church obligations. That is why I’m thankful for my co-pastor. My wife Amanda and I … Read More “Good News: Thankful For My Co-Pastor” »
Last night we had the induction service for Amanda and I at Brookfield Baptist Church. For this not familiar with that term, it is a special service where the pastor(s) is officially welcomed to the congregation and they commit certain promises to each other. It is really a celebration of what God has brought together. … Read More “Good News: Inducted at Brookfield Baptist Church” »
I have been privileged to witness the way God has been working in Amanda’s life and ministry. It was just a couple of years ago that she enrolled at McMaster Divinity College and then not long after, came on staff at Queen Street Baptist Church. When I did my seminary education in preparation for pastoral … Read More “Good News: Amanda Bedard, MTS” »
Amanda and I have been co-pastoring at Brookfield Baptist Church for a month now. We have shared many aspects of ministry during that time. But this past Sunday was Amanda’s first sermon at our new church. Amanda had preached for me previously at Queen Street Baptist Church. My only concern with that was that people … Read More “Good News: Amanda’s First Sermon at Brookfield” »
This has been a time of great transition for our family. One of the big changes is that Amanda and I are co-pastors of Brookfield Baptist Church. Amanda and I did work together at Queen Street Baptist Church in the past. Amanda was the Outreach Director/Co-ordinator there. While she did not have the official title … Read More “Good News: Proud of Pastor Amanda” »
My Good News is easy this week. I am so thankful for Amanda as the mother of our children. We have a complicated family. We have two biological children who don’t live with us and three adopted children that do live with us. This creates an interesting dynamic. Amanda is quick to reject the label … Read More “Good News: A Great Mother” »
For the past two years, I have been able to work with my wife Amanda at Queen Street Baptist Church in her role as our outreach pastor. Not only has it been a lot of fun, I don’t know how I could have gotten through those first months of the pandemic and the switch to … Read More “Good News: Amanda’s New Adventure” »
One of the best things about my experience at Queen Street Baptist Church is that I get to work with my wife. While Amanda doesn’t have the official title of “pastor,” she is definitely my co-pastor at QSBC. She has been a great help in general, especially over this time of COVID-19 and the shift … Read More “Good News: My Co-Pastor” »
I need to publicly say that I love my wife! Amanda is an amazing woman and a better wife than I deserve. Amanda is beautiful and intelligent and funny and gifted by God for ministry. We are soon to celebrate our 20th anniversary and I can honestly say that I love Amanda more now than … Read More “I Love My Wife!” »
My Good News actually comes out of some recent bad news. I have a disease called sarcoidosis. A few weeks ago I took a planned break from my medication. Unfortunately, this meant that my symptoms came back with a vengeance. That would be really bad news but I have an incredible supportive wife. On Sunday … Read More “Good News: Feeling the Love” »
Yesterday was the last day of my vacation. Most pastors don’t attend their own church when on vacation but I did. That was because we had a great preacher. That preacher was Amanda Bedard. Amanda is the Outreach Director for Queen Street Baptist Church. Since I get more vacation than she does, she is available … Read More “Good News: Pastor Amanda” »
My weekly Good News post is that Amanda is back from Lebanon. She just spent two weeks in Lebanon as part of a course she took in partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries. She had an amazing time there and learned so much about life in the Middle East. Although I survived my two weeks of … Read More “Good News: Amanda is Back!” »
Today is Amanda’s birthday (I won’t tell you which one). The bad news is that I didn’t get to see her. The good news is that is because she is studying in Lebanon for the next couple of weeks. What a way to celebrate a birthday! Amanda has blown me away over the past few … Read More “Good News: I Have an Amazing Wife!” »
In January 2019, Amanda came on as the interim Outreach Director at Queen Street Baptist Church. This was an interim position as we needed someone immediately to take over from the previous person. There were no guarantees that she would continue past the temporary contract. This week, Amanda was notified by the church that she … Read More “Good News: Outreach Director” »
When I think of Amanda as a mother, I think of the phrase “Mama Bear.” I think Amanda identifies with this as well, as she has a sweatshirt with that. She is a Mama Bear because she is extremely protective of our kids. Even when she is most exhausted by life, I have seen new … Read More “Good News: Mama Bear” »
This morning at Queen Street Baptist Church, Amanda completed her first placement for field education for her studies at McMaster Divinity College. We didn’t do anything to acknowledge it as Amanda is still our interim outreach director, so she will be working with us at least until the end of May. I want to say, … Read More “Good News: Amanda’s First Placement” »
Most people don’t get excited about meetings but we had an amazing meeting at church. It was not a business meeting but a town hall meeting. This was Amanda’s idea and she did most of the work for it. Not only did she make two delicious pots of homemade soup, she also facilitated the meeting. … Read More “Good News: Town Hall Meeting at Church” »
This has been a interesting week. Amanda was away for a week for her studies at McMaster Divinity College. That gave me an opportunity to spend time with the kids for the week. Thankfully they were good for me. The hardest part of this was that Amanda and I were not able to be together … Read More “Good News: The Wife is Back!” »
As I write this, we are just a couple of days away from Amanda and my nineteenth anniversary. It was a cold February day, just after a snow storm that we pledged ourselves to each other at Central Gospel Temple. Here we are back in St Catharines after so much change. Some of it difficult … Read More “Good News: I Love My Wife” »
At Queen Street Baptist Church we have two worship services. One is our Sunday morning service, which I give most of my time to. But we also have a Saturday night service. It is a nice, informal and intimate service. I really enjoy just being there. Others have given leadership to it and only recently … Read More “Good News: Saturday Night Worship” »
The Outreach Director at Queen Street Baptist Church recently resigned. It is important for us to continue these ministries and so we have hired an interim Outreach Director. That person is Amanda Bedard. Not only is Amanda a ministry student at McMaster Divinity College, she has natural gifts in these areas. Amanda will be giving … Read More “Good News: Working With My Wife” »
I’m so proud of Amanda and her studies at McMaster Divinity College. I respect her for doing this. I did my seminary studies while single and was living with my parents for most of it. I was also a bit younger (not that she is old!) Amanda is doing her seminary studies as a wife … Read More “Good News: My Student” »
I had a fantastic time at church this morning. And it was for two reasons. The first was that our congregation recognized pastor appreciation Sunday. While they gave me a nice gift, more than that, I felt their encouragement. Queen Street Baptist Church is such a great church and they work hard to support the … Read More “Good News: A Double Blessing at Church” »
Amanda recently began her studies at McMaster Divinity College. A part of her requirements is doing a field placement and she is doing that at our church, Queen Street Baptist Church. This week was Amanda’s first week doing the placement. We had the opportunity to do a couple of hospital visits together. This morning Amanda … Read More “Good News: Ministering With My Wife” »
Twenty-two years ago, I began my theological studies at McMaster Divinity College. And now my wife Amanda is beginning her own theological education. If you are wondering what happened to her studies at Brock University, there is a simple explanation. She was doing an undergraduate degree for the purpose of getting a Master of Divinity … Read More “Good News: My Wife in Seminary” »
I enjoy preaching but I also love listening to good preaching. And we had some great preaching this morning at Queen Street Baptist Church. Our guest preacher was my beautiful wife, Amanda Bedard. Today was Baptist Women’s Sunday and we had the ladies take over the service. We actually had a number of the ladies … Read More “Good News: Great Preaching at Church” »
This past week, Amanda finished her first year at Brock University. It has not been without challenges. Not only did our son break his leg, Amanda also had surgery. She had a lot going against her but she finished her year. I’m so proud Amanda for completing this year. It takes courage to go back … Read More “Good News: Proud of Amanda” »
My wife Amanda had surgery on Friday. The surgery she had was a gastric bypass, which is fairly serious surgery. Thankfully the surgery went well and Amanda is recovering. I haven’t seen Amanda since before the surgery and I’m eager to bring her home, but not until she has recovered enough for it. My Good … Read More “Good News: Amanda is Recovering Well” »
I have been experiencing a flare in my sarcoidosis in recent months. A month or so ago my respirologist increased my prednisone to try and knock it back into remission. While the prednisone has brought back my diabetes, it has not improved my sarcoidosis symptoms. In fact, my sarcoidosis is actually worse now than it … Read More “Good News: Blessed With a Great Wife” »
This spring and summer has been busy for our household. But I say this as good news and not bad news. The good news is that Amanda has started her studies at Brock University. This is not the first time that Amanda has done post-secondary studies. She had done some distance education through some other … Read More “Good News: Proud of My School Girl” »
My tendency on Mother’s Day is to focus on how much I miss my own mother, who died almost ten years ago. But in doing that, I would miss the incredible blessing of my wife Amanda. I don’t have the words to describe how much I appreciate Amanda. Amanda comes to motherhood with her own … Read More “Good News: My Wife is an Amazing Mother” »
Today is Amanda and my 17th wedding anniversary. Seventeen years ago on this day we were recovering from a snow storm that left me stuck in my parents’ driveway, while Amanda (wearing her veil) was pushing some other guy who was also stuck. Today, we have a very un-Canadian February day with spring-like weather. But … Read More “Good News: 17 Years!” »
I am so thankful for my wife and the way she is able to put into words our experience as autism parents. Amanda recently wrote a post on her blog, describing exactly what I have been feeling lately. Christmas time will always be a time of remembering for me. Our first child was due on … Read More “Confessions of an Autism Mom” »
I had a wonderful time tonight at my induction service at Queen Street Baptist Church. An induction is a formal welcoming of a pastor to a church, with commitments being made by both sides. It was a worship-filled service that really encouraged me in my ministry. There were many people involved to make this happen. … Read More “Good News: Queen Street Induction” »
This Monday, December 8th, I will be doing something I’ve never actually done before. I will be unplugged from the internet. I will be spending the day writing in my journal, praying for God’s guidance and fasting. I feel in this current struggle, in order to find some solace, I must seek God. I’m choosing … Read More “Prayer and Fasting | Ramblings about faith, hope and love” »
This Sunday is the first of the advent season. Growing up in the Pentecostal church, this is a tradition that I was unfamiliar with until Steve and I were married and I began to attend the Baptist church where he was a youth pastor. It was there that I found the Christmas season come alive … Read More “Advent Reflections. | Ramblings about faith, hope and love” »
I am very blessed with the people in my life. People who remind me to check in with myself, to be real with myself, to stop acting like life isn’t hard. Life is hard; it is demanding of all my being, to remain calm and aware of my own state of mind at any given … Read More “Looking After Yourself | Ramblings about faith, hope and love” »
One of the best bloggers I know is my wife, Amanda Bedard. She blogs over at Ramblings of a Mother. While she does not blog as often as I do, she blogs much better than I do. With the change of my blog to this site, I do not blog as much about personal things. … Read More “Ramblings of a Mother” »
Today, Amanda preached at First Baptist Church Welland. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Amanda’s parents and grandmother were there to support her as well. Amanda shared about our story, especially that of our children and the way that God’s grace sustains us. I hope to be able to link to the … Read More “A Preacher in Our Midst” »
