take a breath, jump over the side

2009-03-23T10:01:00.001-07:00

So much to do and my office is such a mess! Help!

2009-03-21T07:41:00.001-07:00

Whoa. Kael's Screaming has left Owen and I feeling shell shocked.....eeeech.

2009-03-19T19:03:00.001-07:00

I am in awe at the devastation one toddler can unleash on a home. Shocking..

2009-03-18T17:36:00.001-07:00

time to get a new iMac I think. Anyone looking to sell an aluminium/g6?

2008-06-15T16:10:00.002-07:00

Hilarious

This is Mike writing here. I couldn't resist it's just too funny not to share.

Jessi woke me up in the middle of the night last night shouting..."Mike, Mike ahhhhh, ahhhhh!" Then she leapt out of bed and turned the light on. I thought she had went into early labour or maybe her water had broke. Then she started saying "There's a spider in the bed. There's a spider...it fell on me!!" So naturally being the awesome husband I am I started looking for the nasty beast so I could destroy it and protect my bride. I asked Jessi how big it was and she said it was about the size of her hand...then I thought....she must be dreaming....is she dreaming? There is no way a spider of that size would be in our room. Then she went on to say that it had fell from the ceiling. Ahahaha lol yup she was totally dreaming. Its was hard not to laugh even at 2am.

2007-10-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Mute

Lately I feel like my life is on mute and I think its due to the absence of community. Its become increasingly clear to me that a lot of who we are is best expressed in community. We are designed to live with others, to interact, to serve and participate in other peoples lives. I feel like there is little opportunity for those things in my life at the moment. Outside of Jessi, Kael and the one friend I've made here, Jeff (Thanks Jeff for making the effort). I don't really have much of a community. I don't like that. It probably doesn't help that I work from home either. I need human interaction. I am not really sure how to change my life so I do have community. I probably don't even have time to change and find community. Blah... I heard someone say recently that "A life that is given in service to others is the only one worth living." Sounds good to me. God bring me a community.

2007-07-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Death, The fear of dying, losing control and surrender...

For the last couple of years I have feared death more and more. Not just death, but sickness, or the death of loved ones around me. I suppose they are all normal fears. I used to try and come up with reasons for why people were dying...oh they have cancer cus they were a smoker or he had heart problems cus he had a terrible diet, but then I noticed that perfectly healthy people got sick take for example Lance Armstrong who was diagnosed with cancer when he was an elite athlete. Those kind of cases blew my theory out of the water and fear crept in further, but God reminded/challenged me the other day to surrender myself, my health my everything to him again. Surrender isn't a one time deal. Its a continual choice or state of mind. There are so many things going on in my life right now that are out of my control that I would change in a second if I could, but I think that's why surrender is so great and so hard for us at the same time. We hate it when things are out of our control. My neighbours love to blast music...it drives me nuts, but I am even trying to surrender that to God because I can't control it. I remember when I had my genuine conversion experience. I knew that God just wanted me to surrender everything I was to him. The peace that came after I surrendered was the thing that I had craved more than anything, I just didn't know it. You can't put a price on that. I guess salvation and surrender are almost synonymous. We taste the beauty of salvation only after we have surrendered. I don't think we are supposed to carry burdens with us, that's God's role

So I felt like my fear of death left and peace returned when I surrendered again. Maybe we can always live in the peace that comes with surrender. That would be awesome. I know lately as I have become weary of religion/religious people I have cringed at the word surrender and probably missed the the true blessing and power of it. Thanks God for bringing me back.

2007-07-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

sojourner trying to settle down...

I've been in madison for 2 months now. Its taking some time to settle in. I feel frustrated about not having any solid friendships. Thats one of the bittersweet things about ywam. I have made some fantastic friends through the years, but now I'm lucky if I ever get an email from them. I am not mad at them...well maybe a little. I am not the best at keeping in touch either. Maybe friendships just come and go and thats just life. Are all friendships seasonal? Do we put too much stock in friendships? Why do we as guys isolate ourselves so much? Are we loners by God's design? I don't really want to start anymore friendships. I feel a little jaded almost like what's the point of having friends because they wont be around for long or I will be leaving soon. I have been trying to convince myself that I don't really need friends, but I know thats a dangerous thought. I know men get into trouble when they isolate themselves, I have seen it.

2006-08-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

and then there were 3

Kael Asher Oates was born at 3:13pm on August 24th weighing 8lbs 1oz after 39 yes THIRTY NINE HOURS of Labour (A c-section was the way Kael came into the world). Mother, Baby and myself are all doing great and glad to be home after 5 nights in the hospital. We are totaly delighted with Kael and incredibly excited to be parents.

for a few more photos check out www.myspace.com/mygoates

2006-08-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

3 days late

Baby Oates this is your father speaking...its high time you make like a baby and head out.

So it would appear that baby oates is very much like his dad, often a little tardy. Yeah he was supposed to have been born on the 17th, but he's Jolly well taking his time. Jessi isnt even having any pains or twinges yet. Well he's got us all waiting impatiently for him. my mum texts me daily to see if there is any progress. I feel like we have nothing to do, but wait. Come on son.

2006-08-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain

I read this quote the other day and thought it was pretty challenging.

Photo taken by me.

2006-08-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have just put another posting on my myspace blog entitled:

"I wish my boy would hurry up and come out"

I suggest you read it and comment. (on myspace or blogger)

once again you can click the link below to get straight to it.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&Mytoken=A41D110E-F0D9-4B7F-9D700A4F2DD094921180317671

2006-08-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

So um I have posted several blogs on my myspace site...please feel free/obligated to check them out... Check it go on, do it NOW! Mike's recent blog's

2006-06-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

goodbye blogger, hello myspace

well...I have finally hopped on the band wagon...I am now on myspace. I was a bit anti myspace for awhile, but it seems that myspace has a lot more features than blogger...so blogger...its been real, but we're done. My myspace address is www.myspace.com/mygoates

see you over there
M.

2006-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

I love this picture
I took it at at Notre Dame Catherdral in Paris. I think the guy holding his head is supposed to be John the Baptist...anyone know if its him or not?

"I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." Luke 7:28

Whats your interpretation on this verse? anyone?

2006-04-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Ready for Pensacola Beach
Yee Haw!
July '04

2006-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Belugas rock!

2006-04-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

My bonnie wee lass. What a doll!

2006-04-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

ME IN 83

2006-04-03T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hmm I am thinking about adding a new feature to my page. It will be called "Photo of the day"

I will display a random photo that Jessi or I have taken. If I am desperate I might add someone else's photo...

Photo of the day April 3rd

Cheers to Stefan!

Stefan co-led with us in Morocco and Scotland and He's a great guy it was a privilege to lead with him.
By the way he's drinking mint tea, its not an alcoholic beverage...honestly.

2006-04-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

A History Of Violence

Saw it last night. Hmm...Don't think I would recommend it. As the title suggest its pretty Violent.

It was an interesting story though. Original. Viggo did a nice Job.

Had fun with you, Leigh and Ang, even though the movie was a bit out there.

2006-04-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Confused

I am having a bit of a hard time lately. I haven't got a clue whats happening with this whole house thing.

We have been living out of the same back pack for the last 3 months. We really want to get settled and unpack our stuff thats been in storage since we left Vancouver Jan 1st. We are very greatful to Randy and Rita for letting us use their guest room, we just need our own space...soon.

I don't know if God's wants us to have a house. Are we supposed to hold out for some miracle? Should we write a bunch of newsletters asking for donations or should we just get an apartment? Ahhh so confusing. I need some answers.

2006-03-31T16:12:00.000-08:00

aaarggh!

We were supposed to find out the gender of our wee bundle of fun today, but they didn't tell us anything. It was so weird the doctor doing the ultra sound wouldn’t communicate anything to us. She didn't even tell us if the baby was healthy or not. She said it was too early to tell the gender. I wasn't allowed in the room with Jessi for the longest time. Jessi had to ask to see the baby on the monitor other wise I don't think the doctor would have shown us. I am mad...Its my baby tell me the gender...tell me its ok and fine and all of that stuff. They were more interested in seeing the baby for themselves.

We did get to see the heart beating. That was pretty awesome. It looks like a little jumping bean.

2006-03-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

WE NEED A MIRACLE!

Well as you probably know Jessi and I have been house hunting. We only started after we felt that God was prompting us to do so.

So one week later we are learning that we need about $200, 000 (£100,000) for the down payment...sweet huh?

Yes we do indeed need a miracle for this to happen. Trusting God for $2500 for outreach is hard enough reach never mind 200 grand. Wow. I suppose if we had never seen him provide for all of our outreaches that we wouldn't have the faith that he could do this.

At this point my faith is very up and down. I mean I know he could provide the money in a second if he wanted too, but the hard thing is knowing whether or not wants to.
A certain well known book title comes to mind "Is that really you God?"

Well we could really use your prayers and encouragement right now. So please throw some up for us.

Thanks

2006-03-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

I'm Back

So sorry that I haven't Blogged FOREVER. I have just returned to Vancouver from Morocco and Scotland.

Jessi and I had a great time with the dts...they were a fantastic bunch.

Jessi and I stayed in Scotland an extra 10 days after the dts team left so we could hang out with family and friends and sell all of our furniture that had been in storage.

Above is a picture of me with my favourite person and in my opinion the coolest Castle in Scotland its called Eilean Donan.

well i think thats enough for now i dont want to be over zealous.
more later...maybe.

2005-11-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

XBox Xtravaganza

I got an Xbox 360 today. For those of you not in the know its a video game system.

No I am not a video game junkie. I'm just hoping it might sell on ebay.

I was watching the news last night, right before heading to bed and they announced that the xbox was being released all over north america in limited quantities....hmmm I thought cha ching! $$$.

So I got myself up bright and early (4:30am) so I could wait in line and hopefully get one. I was the second guy in line, I felt a nice sense of accomplishment by 7:30 am (thirty mins before future shop's opening time) being second in line with nearly forty people behind me, knowing that there were only about 20 xbox's available. I haven't really done anything like that before. It was a real interesting study in human behaviour. It was interesting to see all the different types of people who also wanted to get their paws on the xbox. The guy in front of me was an apprentice chef who passed the 2 and half hours wait by smoking a joint sipping on vodka and watching a movie on mini dvd player. The guy behind me was a Scottish stock broker who was out to get an xbox for his son. And the rest of the people college students doing their homework standing up in line, mothers with their children. A young guy sending his girlfriend to starbucks to get some coffee so that he won't loose his place in line. It was fun to observe all of that stuff.

Jessi said that all the people who did manage to get an xbox have probably spent all day playing it while ours sits in the future shop bag completely unopened waiting for the ebay auction to end before its sent of to some other guy who didn't get up early enough today.

anyone know when does the play station 3 comes out?

2005-11-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

"Walk the Line"
Went to see the above mentioned movie last night. I thought Joaquin Phoenix did a great job. He had to learn to sing and play guitar for the role. I was curious to see how he would sound since Cash was known for his unique voice...and he really did sound like the man in black.

The flick was pretty good. I was a little disappointed that they didn't go more into the spiritual aspect of Cash's life. Which isn't really a surprise. He had quite a dramatic conversion, but that stuff doesn't sell in Hollywood. I recommend reading "When the man comes around the Spiritual Journey of Johnny Cash" (available for borrowing from your local Mike Oates). It's a great read.

2005-11-17T23:17:00.000-08:00

King of Scotland

The base is doing the angels and mortals game this week and my Angel dubbed me "King of Scotland" I even got a sweet crown and mini banner to boot.....nice eh? Anyways I am finding it quite difficult picking out a gift everyday, always feeling the pressure that It has to be really spiritual and creative...well I haven't given in to any of those pressures so far. I just have to purchase one more none spiritual/creative gift and I will be completely free from all pressure as the angels will be revealed tomorrow.

I just hope I still get to be King! "All Hail King Michael"...yeah baby I like the sound o that.

Another Kingly Pose:

2005-11-14T23:13:00.000-08:00

Dreams, you gotta fight for em!

I have been thinking lately that I really need to fight for the fulfilment of my dreams. I realise that my dreams always seem to drift into the background. I manage to bring them into the forefront for a little while and as I begin to move closer to them becoming a reality something gets in the way and I am discouraged, disillusioned. I allow thoughts that challenge my dreams and tell me they will never come to pass. Sometimes I wonder if my expectations for life are just too high. Surely God wouldn't put dreams in us that can never come to pass; surely he wouldn't tease us like that.

We must guard our dreams. "Guard your heart for it is the well spring of life" What are we without our dreams?

2005-11-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Wow it happened again. I bought these babies for $35 sold em for $300...nice.
Anyone need help selling anything on ebay? I charge 10% of each item sold.

2005-11-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

A lot like prison...

I now volunteer at the Trout Lake Community Centre. I don't have many responsibilities. All I have to do is tell people to put there name on the sign in list and ask if they have a membership and the rest of the time I get to play Basketball.

It’s mostly Asian’s that come, but this week there were Asians, Latinos and then Craig and I the "token white guys". The Asians where on one side of the court and the Latinos on the others side and Craig and I in the middle. I thought hmm this seems like prison everyone sticks with their own race, its safer that way I guess the easiest way not to get knifed or something like that. A good friend of mine told me "whenever there's tension people always go to where they are most comfortable" (there own culture). I also felt like we were the white missionaries trying to bring the two opposing tribes together. Didn't work out that way. Craig and I ended up playing on the same team as the Latino’s so it became the west (white guys and Latinos) versus the east (Asians). I was a little worried that the Asians thought that was intentional... Perhaps we will have to mix the teams next time to prevent World war III that almost happened this week. Right as I was leaving there was what appeared to be a near fistfight between to opposing team members...a near clash of civilisations.

2005-11-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

Laugh out Loud

Preschoolers laugh up to 450 times a day while adults laugh an average of only 15 times a day.

Whats in a laugh?
The neural circuits in your brain begin to reverberate. Chemical and electrical impulses start flowing rapidly through your body. The pituitary gland is stimulated; endorphines, which have the same chemical make up of morphine, race through your blood. Your body temperature rises half a degree, your pulse rate and blood pressure increase, your arteries and thoracic muscles contract, your vocal cords quiver, and your face contorts. Pressure builds in your lungs. Your lower jaw suddenly drops uncontrollabley, and breath bursts from your mouth at nearly 70 miles per hour.

2005-11-02T23:54:00.000-08:00

2005-10-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Prayer Station News.
Craig and I took the DTS out on tuesday. We prayed for 19 people. We had some very good conversations and learned a little bit more about how to do it.

It was really cool to see the students step out and offer people prayer, a few of them were pretty nervous to beging with.

Neat definition for Courage: Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing what is right and necessary in the presence of fear.

JESUS, Liar, Lunatic, Legend or Lord?
One thing that has stuck out to me recently is that its impossible to be cool and share the gospel. The gospel isn't fashionable and won't ever be. I have also realised that most people believe in God, they just aren't really sure about Jesus. Some think he was "a good teacher" which is really funny becuase they don't seem to know what he really taught and even if they do they don't believe it.....yeah ok. Think about this: every other belief system/religion is trying to do one major thing, devalue Jesus or do away with the need for him altogether. It really makes sense that this is where things are at for most people, becuase as Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me." John 14:6 msg "So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep." John 10:7 applified. This is where the truth gospel lies....THERE IS NO OTHER WAY HOME. Obviously someone is trying to hide the door from us.

Photo taken by my beautiful wife.

2005-10-17T23:55:00.000-07:00

Portland

Jessi and I were in Portland for the weekend attending a business seminar in the Rose Garden (home of the trail blazers). It was awesome. We were inspired and challenged to continue building our business. It was really encouraging to hear the stories of people who have done it before us and been hugely successfull. Another cool thing.....all of the people who have done real well in the business are Christians its nice to see so many Godly peeps who are out there influencing the business world.

We also go to stay at my friend Lacy's house.

Thanks so much Lace for letting us stay at your house, we really appreciated it and enjoyed hanging with ya.

2005-10-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Jamie Wins!

The shoes went for $133.49. I'm very happy with that. I made $100 bucks doing nothing....nice.
So Jamie's guess of $185 was the closest, but she shouldn't really get the five bucks, becuase I did say that whoever got within $5 of the final price would win, but I'm no stickler for rules. Jamie you're gonna get the mula. Well done!

2005-10-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

Prayer Station is a Go.
I took the Las Vegas team (from the traveling dts) out to Grandview park today to do the prayer station for the first time.

It was Awesome. We weren't there 20 seconds and people started coming up for prayer. We only had 45 mins out there, but we got to pray for at least 10 people. We even saw one person come to Christ (Joanna please pray for her). Awesome huh?

I was so surprised that it went so well. I thought it would take sometime before people would begin to get used to our presence on the drive. People are pretty hungry for prayer.

We did have one guy complain right at the very end though. He was pretty up set at Christians and made it clear that we weren't welcome there, funny how everyone we prayed for didnt seem to mind.

"Blessed are you when they have insulted and persecuted you, and have said every cruel thing about you falsely for my sake."
Sweet, I'll take that blessing.

Shout out to the Vegas DTS, they did great!

I plan to go out again early next week. So throw out a prayer for me us if you think about it.

2005-10-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

Apple

Another new I pod.......So predictable.

I knew it. I knew they would release another one that plays video.

They are definately milking the cash cow.

If you want to buy it dont just wait a week I am sure they will have another ipod that plays video that is even smaller and then one week later they will bring out an ipod that will access the internet and then one week after that they will make one that is smaller and then........

Okay maybe I am just jealous that they have a cool product to sell and I dont.

2005-10-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Let the games begin

Jamie Porter has the first guess of $185
Thanks Jamie for starting us off.
Anyone else have a guess?
oooh Dave and Heather counter with a smooth $191

Jessi has guessed $210
Angela has guessed a whopping $345 oh I hope you're right!

Now we're rolling.

2005-10-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

Shoe Update

Woo Hoo. I stuck the shoes on ebay last night (tuesday) with a starting bid of $0.99 and now (12.14pm wednesday) they are already at $113 sweet huh? Thats means I am going to make at least 3 times what I paid for them. If you want to keep an eye on the auction click on the link to the right.

Lets have fun with this.
This could be the most successfull auction I've done on ebay. Does anyone want to guess what they will they will go for? $5 to the the person who gets within $5 of the final price below or above.
I WILL PAY.

2005-10-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

"It must be the shoes!"

I used to be obsessed with shoes, not any kind of shoes, pretty much just sneakers. I would spend hours checking out the latest kicks sometimes paying up to £120 (A stinking lot of Dollars) for shoes....thats kind of embarresing to say. Well my past obessesion is paying off now literally. I dont care about owning the shoes anymore, I just want to find them and sell them to some other sucker that is obsessed. I really enjoy going to thrift stores and rummage sales and looking for vintage sneakers/anything that will sell on ebay......Its amazing what people get rid of. So I went to Value Village yesterday and found an awesome pair of Nike's (above) .....They are a total collectors item and some peeps are selling them on ebay for $300. So guess what I'm gonna do...post them on ebay. I have sold several pairs of shoes before. Once I sold a pair of shoes for $265. So any one have any vintage Nike's they want to donate?

2005-10-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Prayer Station

I am trying to set up a prayer station (a prayer station is where you offer free prayer on the street to anyone that wants it) here in Van and its going really sloooowly....I guess its always the same when you are trying to do any God thing though.

Anyways I am really excited to get going with it, I have to take out 2 teams next week so I really hope I can get everything ready by then. I think we are going to see some awesome things happen when we start to pray for peeps. The Prayer station idea originated in New York and they've seen healings and conversions and all kinds of stuff...gotta go for supper more later maybe

2005-10-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Suitcase Diaries

Well this is the first entry. Its a bit strange for me sharing my feelings with the world, but I'm sure it will be fun, maybe even theraputic.... yeah, theraputic would be nice. Maybe I'll start walking up to people on the street and just telling them how I feel. I wonder how that would go over on "the drive".

Well Jessi (my bride) and I have just moved to vancouver, bc and we are settling in very slowly. Its been pretty tough going so far as we dont have our own place yet, its been a little cramped and annoying living out of a suitcase. A think its been a bit harder for Jessi, but things are going to get better. We are going to rent a friend's appartment and we move in on wednesday. Ha---lay---looo----jah It will be nice to have our own space.