Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Because . . .

I wanted to do something fun with the kids today and let them get out of the routines of life. We went to the mall, went to see a movie, and then got a bite to eat. We saw Because of Winn Dixie. This is not a great movie, but it is a very good one and it relays some good theology about true community. And you Dave Matthew fans will enjoy Dave's role in the movie where he does a bit of playing and singing.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

A site to see

Soul Searching: cool design and content. Check out the video clips of peoples stories. I like that uk accent.

How can my ministry promote the kingdom ? not the other way around.

Mike Pilavachi speaks to the issue of giving up our lives in Confessions of a middle aged youth worker.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Things people won't say when they see a Christian bumper sticker or fish on a car

From John Dekker's Journal
Things people won't say when they see a Christian bumper sticker or fish on a car

7. "Look! Let's stop that car and ask those folks how we can become Christians."


6. "Dad, how come people who drive like that don't get thrown in jail? Can we get a bumper sticker like that, too?"


5. "Stay clear of those folks, Martha. If they get raptured, that car's gonna be all over the road!"


4. "Oh, look! That Christian woman is getting a chance to share Jesus with a policeman."


3. "No, that's not garbage coming out of their windows, Bert. It's probably gospel tracts for the road workers."


2. "Don't worry, Billy, those people are Christians. They must have a good reason for driving 150 kilometres an hour."


1. "Quick, Alice, honk the horn or they won't know that we love Jesus!"

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Is life fair ?

"to live is Christ, to die is gain"

I had an interesting conversation with my wife this week. We were diligence about when we get tired and the issue of "Is that fair?" comes up. I had to clean the house this week and you didn't have time to help, was that fair? I realized "Is that fair?" is not a question a Christian asks. The more appropriate questions is "God, What is your will in this?" When I ask is that fair, what I'm really saying is "Is this a fair deal for me ?"

Just because something isn't fair doesn't mean it isn't right. To serve another is not a fair thing, but it is a right thing. To bless your enemies doesn't seem fair, but it is right. To forgive doesn't seem fair, but in God's economy it is right. In this life I pray I will die to my expectations of fairness and embrace what is right: serving God which translates as Christ living through us.

And right isn't always fair. It wasn't fair that Jesus had to die and take the burden of the sins of the world upon himself. It wasn't fair that God has mercy on me even though I demean His holiness by my sin.

Monday, February 14, 2005

The mystery of His presence

The past two Sunday mornings at our house gathering, there has been a very real and encouraging sense of Gods presence among us. Our father loves to build up His children.

This Sunday we had a time where children and adults did a playdo sculpture to signify something they knew about God's nature. Teryn, one of our preschoolers shared her sculpture of a mouth with sores on it and told us how it reminds her that God "fixes us when we're broken". I think every adult in the house was moved by that.

We later partook together of the richness of Romans 12. We were reminded that the body of Christ is connected not only with adults but with our children. And that we need them as part of the body. Another comment was how digestive systems are needed as much as shiny hair. Those behind the scenes giftings are just as valuable and needed.

On both occasions we have ended in soaking prayer for one or another of our community.

This morning I was reminded of a Vineyard song of a few years back and find it being my prayer today.

Come walk among us
Come walk a-mong us Jesus
You know that we need You
You know that we need You Jesus

You see our hearts
You know that we're but dust
Its You who made us
Lord in You we choose to trust

Come Lord,Come Lord

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Artistry rules

Daniel Pink says:
Logical and precise, left-brain thinking gave us the Information Age. Now comes the Conceptual Age - ruled by artistry, empathy, and emotion
Read Revenge of the Right Brain in this months Wired.