Reach

The committee process for a testy piece of legislation that would recognize Métis governments in three provinces has been extended until at least February.

House of Commons committee hearings about Bill C−53 have seen 65 witnesses testify and 274 briefs submitted that argue vigorously either for or against the legislation, which Métis leaders say would set the stage for treaties on internal matters such as child welfare.

Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato recently celebrated their 30th birthday.

It was on December 21, 1993, that Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, under Big Idea Entertainment, introduced the world to VeggieTales. 

In the series, Bob and Larry lead a variety of fruit and vegetable characters on adventures. They retell stories from the Bible while also biblically teaching life lessons.

The first episode of VeggieTales, 'Where's God When I'm S-Scared?" was released as VHS tape in Christian bookstores in 1993. It was later released on DVD and Blu-ray.

On Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, just after 1 a.m., Grande Prairie RCMP were conducting pro-active patrols in the Hillside area when a vehicle was observed driving erratically. Police attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

Shortly after fleeing, the vehicle lost control and came to a stop. As officers approached, the two occupants proceeded to flee on foot.

The two occupants were pursued and arrested.

A subsequent search of vehicle revealed the following items:

Angel Studio's Sound of Freedom ended off 2023 in the top 10.

The faith-based movie which debuted on July 4, 2023, shines a light on the fight against child trafficking. It is based on the true story of former government agent Tim Ballard who quit his job to rescue a little girl from sex traffickers in the Colombian jungle. In the process, Tim saved 123 people, 55 of which were children.

Psalm 19:13

Life on earth is really nothing more than a string of moments, one after another. And I do not want my testimony for Jesus Christ to be shattered by a single moment of indulging my flesh.

I don't want one moment of rage or pride or arrogance to cast a shadow over a lifetime of walking with my Lord. 

Frankly, I fear that possibility. And do you know what? I want to fear that possibility. When I stop fearing it, I am in grave danger.

Titus 2:11-12

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Grande Prairie Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign has exceeded their fundraising goal for the 2023 season.

They raised just over 659 thousand dollars of their 650,000-dollar goal.

The annual fundraising event is crucial to helping people in need including toy hampers, the food bank, hot meals, summer camps, clothing, counselling and many other services. The need for support continues to rise in the community, they estimate that 1 in 5 people are using the food bank and community kitchen.

The federal government is pledging to work with its American counterparts after the U.S. claimed parts of the Arctic sea floor that Canada also wants. 

The U.S. filed its claim last month with the United Nations agency that evaluates such requests.

As expected, it includes a large chunk of the Beaufort Sea floor that Canada also seeks to control.

A UN treaty gives countries rights over seabeds and their natural resources if they can prove their continental shelf extends past 200 nautical miles from their coast and is a natural extension of the continent.

One of the key stories in 2023 was the economy with higher interest rates and increased costs.

JP Gervais, Farm Credit Canada's vice president and chief economist says the 2023 crop was the most expensive crop farmers have  ever put in the ground with higher input costs and lower commodity prices as compared to 2022.

He says those factors had a key impact on farm profitability along with weather related issues.

Proverbs 15:32

People who are accountable usually have four qualities:

Vulnerability—capable of being wounded, shown to be wrong, even admitting it before being confronted.

Teachability—a willingness to learn, being quick to hear and respond to reproof, being open to counsel.

Availability—accessible, touchable, able to be interrupted.

Honesty—committed to the truth regardless how much it hurts, a willingness to admit the truth no matter how difficult or humiliating the admission may be. Hating all that is phoney or false.