Alright…why do I tell this story to my Sunday School class?  Remember, my favourite verses?  Proverbs 3:5,6.   The end of verse six says, “And He will make your paths straight.”

Looking back through my life, I can see where God has directed my path.  I honestly think that I made a covenant, or contract, with God when I said that I would never drink.  Maybe I was only 12 years old and maybe I thought I was only talking to my little sister, however, I think God was listening.  In my last post, I told the story about finding beer and tasting it for the first time when I was about 16 years old.  I recall not liking the taste.  Through the years, I have had opportunities to taste different alcoholic drinks…I have yet to taste one that I enjoyed.  Even at church when we had real wine for communion, I would often pretend to drink because I hated the taste so much.

God put a YUCKY taste for alcohol in my mouth.

One time, I attended a 25th wedding anniversary party where they had champagne.  I think I was about 19 years old.  I thought this drink was going to be the best liquid ever put in my mouth according to all the movies I had watched….oh man, was I wrong….it was terrible.  Another time when I was 23ish, I decided to taste beer again.  I hadn’t touch the stuff since my days back on the farm when I was sixteen.  I tasted two different brands and told the fellows I was with that their beer had gone bad!  They both laughed at me and told me that their beer was indeed delightful and refreshing!  What did I know?

The only conclusion I can come to is that when I said I was never going to drink alcohol, God put a horrible taste in my mouth for the stuff.  I had made a deal with Him and He was helping me keep it.  As I said earlier, I got to drive nice boats and nice cars, however, beyond that, I also stayed out of a lot of trouble.  I never had to worry about my parents catching me.  I never have to worry about police catching me.  I never have to try to remember what I had done the night before and worry that I had done something stupid.  I have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

How has God kept my path straight?  I recall my father telling us a story about when he talked a friend of his into having a beer.  The guy didn’t want one but my father insisted.  Finally the guy ‘gave in’ and really like it.  He had more and more and ended up getting drunk.  After that, the friend of my father’s went on drinking binges and, according to my father, ended up becoming an alcoholic.  My father blamed himself for starting his friend along the drinking path.  Now, I’m not saying that my father was right in his assumption that it was his fault that his friend became an alcoholic, I’m saying that I never will have to live with that guilt.  It doesn’t make me any better than anyone else, it’s just a way that God has directed me because I trusted Him.

My sister’s best friend was killed by a drunk driver when she was only 18 years old.  A friend of mine was hit head on by a drunk driver…this time the drunk driver was killed, however, my friend broke multiple ribs, both his legs, an arm, and had to have major reconstructive surgery done on his face….plus months of physiotherapy.  I can’t promise you that I’ll never be hit by a drunk driver, however, I can promise you that I will never drive drunk…and I think that is a nice path God has given me.

I don’t know if anyone cares about me not drinking, but I tell my Grade 6, 7, and 8 Sunday School class my story because I want them to understand that God is on their side.  He wants them to make covenants with Him.  He wants to make their path straight, also.

Your turn….leave a comment and let me know your story and how God is directing your path.

I left off my last post letting you know that I made the decision at 12 years old to never drink alcohol.  “And now, the rest of the story…”

Every year in my Grade 6, 7, and 8 Sunday School class, I do quiz.  One of the first questions I ask is, “What are my favourite verses?”  Of course the grade seven and grade eight students know the answer.  Proverbs 3: 5 and 6  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

Coke is kyteman's drink of choice...GO LEAFS GO!!!!

The drinking age in Ontario is 19, however, let’s be honest, teens younger than 19 drink.  Ok, so picture this…I’m living in Muskoka. In the summer there are some pretty rich kids from Toronto cottaging (if that’s a word) all around me.  I was friends with quite a few of them and they liked to party on their expensive, big boats.  It’s illegal to drink and drive a boat. Do you see where this is going?  I got to drive some pretty nice boats when I was 14 and 15 years old.  I don’t know who had more fun at these parties, the drinking to get drunk crowd, or the one sober designated driver getting to watch everyone else get sick overboard.  Oh, and by the way, the next day, I woke up without a hangover.  And another thing…I always got my “drinks” (Coca Cola, please) for free.  Side note:  If you decide to not drink, whether on a boat or at someone’s home, always get your beverage of choice in an unopened bottle or can…that way you’re guaranteed that it isn’t spiked…and believe me, your friends WILL try to spike your drink.

When I was 16 we moved back to Tillsonburg and lived on a farm just north of the town.  One day, I was out running with our dog and I saw a case of beer in the ditch.  There were 6 unbroken bottles in the case.  Hmmmmm….what should I do?  Well, I had heard that warm beer tasted awful, so, I took the bottles down to the creek and left it in the water under the bridge.  When Saturday came that week, I decided to stay home while everyone else went into town (sounds like we lived during “Laura Ingalls” days, eh), then my dog and I ran down to the creek to get my stash.  Off we ventured into the bush so no one would see.  I cracked open the first lid.  I’ll have to admit…I’ve always loved the smell of beer.  I got a tour of the Labatt’s plant in London, Ontario when I was 12 or 13 (thanks Mr. Kelly) and I think I got high taking in the fumes that day…I love the smell that much.  Here we go…I’m 16 and I’m going to taste my first beer!  Swig…YUK!!!!  I looked at Sugar, my dog, and cried out, “Ewwww….that’s gone bad!!!!”  And I proceeded to smash the bottle on a rock.  All six bottles were opened.  All six bottles had a swig.  All six bottles got smashed.  My conclusion…probably the beer had been in the ditch too long and cooked in the sun and had “gone bad”.  My first drinking experience was a bust.  Maybe I should have let Sugar try some….or not.

My last three years of high school in Tillsonburg brought many opportunities to party and many opportunities to be the designated driver.  There were also many attempts to spike my Coke and many discussions  about why I don’t drink….one time, during a band trip to Virginia really stands out in my mind…but, that’s another story.  Looking back, I know there were times when I came across as if I thought I was better because I don’t drink….and I think I did go through a stage when I may have thought that.  I was wrong to think like that, and I lost some friends because of it….and that’s not cool.

Alright…why do I tell this story to my Sunday School class?

I think I will leave that for one more post…

Your turn…do you have a drinking story?  I’ve seen a lot of stuff happen when people drink…and I remember them!!!!  Most of the time I thought they were funny…so let me know your story…or stories…I’m sure you have more than one.

kyteman

I teach grades 6, 7, and 8 Sunday School at Woodside Bible Fellowship in Elmira, Ontario.  Been doing that for 21 years now and I love it!  Every year I tell this little story….

When I was ten, actually 8 days before my eleventh birthday, my parents and my sisters and I moved to Port Carling, Muskoka.  I know, I know….COOL, eh!!!!  And to me, it was cool.  We lived just outside of town on Indian Cresent in a beautiful house facing Mirror Lake.  I didn’t know it at the time, but our family was kind of running away from life in Tillsonburg.  However, what did I care about that?  I was eleven and living on a lake in Muskoka with snow up to HERE!!!!  The only thing that was not cool about moving when we did was that the hockey season was already half over and therefore I didn’t get to play hockey for the rest of that season because I wasn’t registered in Port….but that’s for another story.

This is where I lived!!!!

The story I want to tell happened the summer I was twelve.  Having grown up on a farm outside of Tillsonburg and then moving to the outback of Muskoka, us Kyte kids were pretty sheltered.  We only got 3 or 4 channels on the TV in Tillsonburg, and only 2 channels in Port Carling…ok 3 channels if you count the French channel.  The point is, I was still a kid at twelve years old.  I didn’t know much about what was going on in the world.  My life consisted of hockey (of course), snowmobiling, and school, in the fall and winter…and swimming and canoeing to swimming lessons, in the summer.  What could be better?  I mean, really…I was living on a lake in Muskoka…playing hockey and swimming!  Life was great!

So, what happened when I was twelve?  Well, one Friday or Saturday night, my parents had a party.  My younger sister and I snuck out of the house to “watch” the party.  We went into the trees on the lakeside of the house so we could look into the huge windows.  Because it was nightime, we could see clearly into the house.  The party wasn’t anything rowdy that the cops needed to be called in….I mean, my parents were in their thirties with five kids…it was just a bunch of their friends hanging out having a few drinks and smokes (tobacco only!) and some music in the background.

Dea and I watched the “fun” for about a half a hour.  It was a very nice night and so we just sat there in the trees, watching.  I can’t imagine what Dea must have been thinking.  She would have been only nine years old…I guess hanging out with her big brother was cool…or probably she was just happy to be “up” instead of in bed.

I have no idea why, but I suddenly turned to Dea and said, “I’m never going to be like that.”  Plain and simple statement.  Dea looked and me and said, “Me either.”  She probably had no idea what my statement meant.  All I was saying was that I was never going to drink alcohol.  To this day I seriously have no idea why that popped into my head.  Believe me when I say that I was not judging my parents or thier friends.  I really didn’t know what they were doing, and I really didn’t care.  I just had this feeling come over me to say out loud that I was never going to drink.  I didn’t realize it at the time, however, I was making a statement that would make a HUGE impact on my life.  I didn’t say that comment to God, I said it to Dea, my little sister, but it was probably the first statement I ever said with conviction.  I hadn’t even become a Christian, yet….but that’s for another story, also.

We continued to watch for a while and then snuck back to our rooms.

I’ll continue with the rest of this story next time and I’ll explain why it was a life altering experience for me and why I tell it to my Sunday School class.

Leave a comment if anything like that has happened to you.

kyteman

“TO THE CLOUD!!!!”

Nineteen ninety was 20 years ago.  What a year.  My sister, Lori, got married on March 17th, 1990.  I got married on July 28th, 1990.  My father died on November 29th, 1990, and Steven, the first grandchild on the Kyte side, was born on December 20th, 1990.

Funny what dates stick in your mind, eh?

kyteman

1. Paul Brown, Doug Bauman, Mike Martin, Chris Godby, and myself went out for breakfast at Brox’s Oldetown Village.  I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much in one sitting…before or since!
2. Actually, Ken Martin might have been with us at breaky, because I’m pretty sure he was with us when we hit the links in Elmira for a really bad game of golf.  I play bad golf whether it’s my wedding day or not.
3. For some reason, I remember shaving that day.  I was sure I was going to cut myself and bleed all day…YEAH…no blood!!!!
4. Once the boys and myself were dressed, we all headed over to Woodside Bible Chapel (now called, Woodside Bible Fellowship). The ushers did their duties while Brown and I ducked into the board room.  Picture this long, narrow room with a large table with big comfy chairs surrounding it…y’know, a boardroom.  So, Brown and I are sitting in there chatting…a little nervous…and in walks Pastor Dave McClurkin.  Dave walks right to the head of the table, sits down, pulls out a cigar, proceeds to lean way back in his chair, puts his feet up on the table, and says, “Relax boys and enjoy the ride!”  We laughed and did the same as Pastor Dave, only without the ‘gar.
5. Everything was kinda a blur from there up until the time Pastor Dave said, “You may now salute your bride”…at which point I briefly considered doing the military salute thing, however, I always thought it was silly when other guys did silly things at their weddings, so, I “just” kissed Lori…pretty good FIRST kiss as husband and wife!!!!
6. We went to Bolander Park for pictures.  I recall that it was very hot and humid…and anyone who knows kyteman, knows how much I hate wearing suits…it was not a pleasant time out in that sun.
7. From the park, we went to McDonald’s…for one reason and one reason only…to get “Days Of Thunder” sunglasses!!!!  (almost the highlight of my day!!!!)  Dougy was pretty sick with mono or something, but he looked pretty cool in his bright neon “Thunder” sunglasses…he seriously could have passed for a young Tom Cruise.
8. Back to Woodside for the reception.  I don’t know if we ate too much at breakfast or if we were all still worked up because of the whole day, but hardly any food was eaten by the head table.  Even Brown just kind of picked at his plate.  I don’t know why the girls didn’t eat much, they weren’t with us at breakfast…nerves, too, I guess.
9. The speeches seemed to go on FOREVER!!!!  Keep in mind, I’m still wearing a suit.
10. This next memory didn’t happened until a few months later…but when my father died in November of the same year Lori and I were married, I remember seeing my dad sitting there with my mom at the reception and thinking that that was the last “Kyte Family” event we would have as a complete family (OK, one of my sister’s, Mary Ellen, couldn’t make our wedding because she was living in Turkey, or something).
11. After the reception, we changed out of our wedding clothes…man, I hate suits…and off we went in Barbara Lynn’s Chev down to Myrtle Beach…don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t get a sunburn when it’s cloudy…BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!  I will never get a sunburn again in my life after the burn I got while on our honeymoon!!!!  What number of sunblock does kyteman wear now?  SIXTY or higher!!!!

Hey! Were you at our wedding?  It’s been 20 years…my old man memory is sliding…if you have any memories of OUR big day, leave a comment.

kyteman

…therefore, here are all the Tweets I’ve sent since just before leaving for camp on Sunday:

Off to Christian Hockey Camp (HMI) for a week. I haven’t counseled for over 20 years…oh please pray for kyteman. 8:56 AM Jul 11th via TweetCaster

Heading to Bible camp for a week. I’m 45 years old. What am I thinking? At least there’s hockey at this camp…Christian Hockey Camps (HMI). 1:16 PM Jul 11th via TweetCaster

At Christian Hockey Camp (HMI)…I’ve a GREAT group of campers. All 15 or 16 years old. Dryland was fun this morning…for me to watch!!!! 6:07 PM Jul 12th via web

Foggy this morn…oh well, we’re at a Christian Hockey Camp (HMI)…no mist at the rink!!!! about 16 hours ago via web

Watching Canadian teen hockey players play football…Americans don’t have to worry about losing football scholly’s to us. about 7 hours ago via TweetCaster

Lights out…some of the “on ice” staff are making a McDonald’s run…chocolate sundae for kyteman…you know you’re jealous, Sky!!!! 9 minutes ago via web

I wish Rocman were here at Christian Hockey Camp (HMI)…we need goalies but I don’t want to ask if he can come…he’s only 15 minutes away. 8 minutes ago via web

Latest: The McDonald’s run by the “on-ice” counselors was a success!!!! kyteman got his Chocolate sundae…yes, that’s a capital “C”. Poor Skylar. less than 5 seconds ago

So, as you can read…I had nothing to be worrying about.  I am absolutely having the time of my life.  Yes, I’m missing my family.  I do call my wife at least once a day…something my campers highly recommended.  They really are a great group of guys…ALL Canadian!!!!  (although 2 of them like the habs)

Tonight we had the best Bible devotion right before “lights out”.  Adam Comrie, of the Guelph Storm came and joined our group and I asked him to lead.  He grabbed the reigns and led a great talk.  He laid the Salvation Story right out on the line and challenged the campers to give their lives over to God!!!!  This kid (19) has been a Christian himself for only two years and he’s stepping into this camp and giving out the Good News Message like a veteran pro.  There’s a good chance Adam will go to the NHL, or at least that is what he is working hard toward.  He’s been drafted into the Florida Panthers organization!!!!  How exciting is it for my campers to able to listen to a pro hockey player, who’s only 3 to 4 years older than themselves, give out Jesus’ Message of Salvation?

Former Toronto Maple Leaf, Mark Osborne, spoke at Chapel tonight.  He gave an example of God’s gift to us using a hockey situation.  He asked goalies if they have ever got a penalty before.  Of course!  When a goalie gets a penalty, is he expected to serve that penalty in the box?  No.  Who does?  One of his “out” teammates. The penalty gets covered by a teammate, just like Jesus dying for us to cover our sin.  There is nothing the goalie can to do to cover that penalty.  There is nothing we can do to cover our sin.  Just as a teammate serves the penalty, Jesus covers our sin!!!!  Pretty cool, eh!

I just went down to the “on-ice” counselors room.  They are all sitting around talking about what they want to talk about at devotions tomorrow!!!!  Are you kidding me????  These guys are like 17-20 years old and they are doing a sort of Bible study getting ready for tomorrow.  How I wish I was 20 (ok, 25) years younger.  Adam actually called me the old man yesterday…but, let’s face it, in this group of hockey players, I am the old guy.

Good night…I hope it cools down…oh, and if by chance someone from HMI reads this…I really do wish Rocman could come and fill in for one of the goalies who isn’t playing anymore this week.  I think he could do the job…but I am just too scared to ask…so….

kyteman

In no particular order:

Even though “The Meal” was to take place about 4 months ago, it actually got planned via Facebook on July 2, 2010.  The event took place on July 3, 2010.  The girls showed up to our home around 5:30pm…all giggles and fun!  There were secrets that kyteman was not in on.  One of them was that Sky had made the ‘amburger buns!!!!  Delish!!!!

After discussing with Lori what ingredients were in our kitchen and which needed to be purchased at the grocers, we made a list and off the 5 of us trekked.   Wally had to show us all how you get “electrocuted” when you touch a grounded hydro wire.

At the grocery store, we saw Bert’s brother, Sam.  I said hello to him, however, according to the girls, I didn’t do it right.  I’ve discovered that I don’t do anything right, according to them…whatever…at least I don’t WHINE 24/7!!!! (minus 5 points)

We got back, bbq’d and devoured  some AWESOME ‘amburgers, had some worms in dirt chocolate pudding (I love chocolate pudding), and some Coke (not Pepsi or Wootbeer).

After pounding down the food (all the ‘amburgers were the best), the girls went out and jumped on the trampoline until Wally’s parents came to pick her up.  Then, I gave the other three rides to their homes.

According to these four great girls, “The Meal” 2011 will be better.  They have already been making plans.  One regret I have is that we didn’t start “The Meal” back in 1990.  Oh well, we started it in 2010 with Gretch, Wally, Sky, and Bert…and I for one, loved every minute!!!!

I’ve been teaching Grade 8 Sunday School for about 20 years.  I love it!!!!  And I love “my kids”!!!!  Next year I will have both of my OWN kids in my class.  Can’t wait.

kyteman

Ok….I’m hardheaded about my music.  I’m definitely not one of those who say, “I like all kinds of music”.  Mainly because I don’t!!!!  In fact, I can’t stand MOST kinds of music.

However, when I get to likin’ an artist or band, I jump on full bore….kind of like the way I cheer for The Leafs….GO LEAFS GO!!!!  Need I say more?

It Is Well by Kutless

At Christmas, The Wang Kids gave me a couple of CDs.  One was by Kutless.  All I’m going to say about them is that I’ve jumped on the Kutless bandwagon FULL BORE!!!! These guys are the real deal. Seriously, go to their website and read their bios….unreal….here, I’ll make it easy for you to go to their bios: KUTLESS BIOS

Oops, one more thing about Kutless….I read this on Wikipedia: “Kutless chose their name because of a specific Bible verse. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NRSV). Because of this, the band says, “He took our cuts for us… leaving us ‘Kutless’.”  HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!  Even if that tidbit about how they found their name is not true, who cares?  It sounds cool!

The reason I say I’m hardheaded about music is because I had heard of Kutless before and thought they were just another “Christian” band for the youth, however, once The Wangs gave me an album and I actually listened to it and then did some research about them….uh, well….bandwagon.

The thing is, I like Switchfoot….however, there are a lot people who ask, “Do you really think they are a Christian band?”  Well, I do.  But when doing research about them, I have to admit, there isn’t much that “says” Christian.  They even admit themselves that they don’t want to be pegged as such….so….

Do the research on Kutless….they sure aren’t afraid of the Christian Band label….and I like that….but I still like Switchfoot, too!

Other artists/bands I “bandwagan” include: Larry Norman, Daniel Band, Rez Band, Switchfoot, and Keith Green.  There are probably more….but for now….

….who do you “bandwagon”?

kyteman