NYC Hankering

Leslie has been talking alot about New York City lately. That talk, along with a post by Jordon, has me in the mood to watch a flic with a whole lotta NYC in it! Any suggestions?

All Aboard?

Institutional churches are a lot like trains. They are going in a certain direction and they will continue in that direction for a good long time even if all hands try to make them stop. As with trains, the options for turning the direction of institutional churches are limited at best. If a switch or siding is available, the train could turn. Otherwise, it just follows its tracks. So everyone aboard had best hope that he is on the right train headed in the right direction.

Organic churches, like those in the New Testament, are different. They are not trains, but groups of people out for a walk. These groups move much more slowly than trains--only several miles per hour at the fastest. But they can turn at a moment's notice. More importantly, they can be genuinely attentive to their world, to their Lord, and to each other.

Like trains, institutional churches are easy to find. The smoke and noise are unmistakable. Organic churches are a bit more subtle. Because they do not announce their presence with flashing lights at every intersection, some believe that churches like those in the New Testament died out long ago. But nothing could be further from the truth. Organic churches are everywhere. I personally have been part of one for more than twenty years. Still, groups like ours are quietly walking together, not bothering to call undue attention to ourselves. We are simply pilgrims together.

Once you learn how to spot an organic church, you will soon discover groups of people everywhere meeting just like the New Testament church--as bodies, families, and bridges, rather than as institutions.

Organic churches are groups of people walking with God. The trains pass them by all the time. Sometimes the people on board wave. Sometimes they cannot because the train is moving so fast that people going a few miles per hour just look like a blur. If you are one of the trains whizzing by, it may be a bit surprising to find out that some of those blurred patches of color outside your window are groups of people walking with God. That thing you just passed was an organic church.

by Hal Miller

Sexual Trafficking

Human Sexual Trafficking is a form of slavery.

Marta’s Story

My name is Marta. I am 17 years old. My dream is to be a Hollywood actress and to live in a mansion. Back home, I saved up money to take an acting class in the city. In the class, a friend showed me an advertisement for a modeling job overseas. He said he had some connections and could get me in. He also said the money was great, and that his cousin got a TV commercial through this job that year. I was so happy. I got my passport and my friend held on to it and organized all of my visa paperwork. It was my first time on a plane. I watched a movie and pictured myself in it. My dreams were coming true.

When we landed, I was tired and confused. We went to a hotel and I was locked in. Two hours later a stranger came in and told me the new arrangements. I would be a nude dancer at this man’s club. Initially I stood up for myself but then I was beaten and he burned me with his cigarette. He showed me a paper with my family’s name and address written on it and threatened that he would kill them if I did not cooperate. I am helpless.

Trafficking in Canada
The R.C.M.P. estimates that 800 foreign women are bought into the Canadian sex trade each year by human traffickers. Another 2,200 newcomers to Canada are smuggled into the United States from Canada for work in brothels, sweatshops, domestic jobs and construction work. It is widely believed that only 1 in 10 victims in trafficking report to the police, so the numbers are likely much larger.

Somebody tell me how I can do something about this...

Metabolism

Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.

~Eugene Peterson Eat This Book

It's Official

I went to Starbucks this morning, placed my order, handed over my partner card - it was handed back to me "Partner Number Not Found". Smallish tear & brief quivering upper lip (not really but added for effect) - after 6 months I am no longer a partner.

It was fun while it lasted!

Stop Doubting and Believe

I just got off the phone with someone I was anxiously awaiting to hear from all week.

Good news!

As I sat at my desk having hung up the phone from sharing my previous call with Leslie I remembered...

This morning I saw the kids off on the school bus. As the bus pulled away and I walked back to the house to get in the car & head to work, I was talking to God. As we walked and talked, I told God I'd really like to hear from someone today. I asked that it be possible.

..As I sit at my desk smiling God warms my heart. I'm drawing closer to the God that has always been here - not so much because of the phone call that He made happen but because of what that represents... ..God is in control & He's close - He cares about me!

Life With God

Leslie & I were having a conversation last night about the closeness of God's presence.

One of the things that I got out of The Shack was the reminder of how close & ever/always present God is.

I don't believe the right question is "Where is God?" or the adequate complaint "God is not close."

Don't read too much into this, I'm speaking about myself. God knows (truly) that I've asked that question and had that complaint more often than I care to recollect.

Here's the thought: What if the truth is that God is always close to me (Emmanuel) and the real question is 'Am I willing to be close to Him?'

I'm not referring to working up the feeling of God's presence through some religious contribution of my own. No amount of religious ritual or practice can replace the freedom & contentment of living in the truth of God's presence. Sometimes we have to take His word at illogical face value.

For Whom The Bell Tolls

I was there last night when the clock struck midnight and was fouth in line to pick up the new Metallica CD.

The new disc was being played as we waited in line - it's unbelievable!

For those long time hardcore fans of Metallica who salivate over the gritty, head banging, fist pumping, drum pounding, insane guitar wizardry, heavy, fast, crunchy, tight, delissioso feast that Death Magnetic is - THIS IS QUITE TASTY!

Can't wait to see them in December!

God on the Radio

God is in control...

On the night before his execution, Peter slept like a baby. Here he was, chained in a room full of soldiers, James's blood still moist on the ground, and though he could only assume this was his one last night before his own torturous death, he was not afraid. So peacefully did he rest, in fact, that the angel had to prod him to wake up, and even while he was walking, he questioned if he was dreaming. Meanwhile, the believers had dropped everything and gathered together to pray. Was this the thought that kept Peter at peace? That his friends and family were on their knees all day appealing to God for him? Maybe. But certainly Peter trusted that God was in control. A church that started with 12 people was now over 8,000, and God was blessing the world through these people.

Taken from The Dust off Their Feet (Chapter 12

God is in control.

It's both a sobering and intensely comforting truth.

Perception really is not reality. That's bullshit. Perception is not based in truth. It's largely based in false assumption which in turn creates a false reality.

I can lean towards impatience. I've also been known to question the truth of God's presence & control based on the false reality I've created when I assume God isn't around and is unconcerned with my life. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Monday I was on my way to work, weaving through rush hour traffic, when I heard some news on the radio that came as God speaking into my life.

This morning I read the above from Acts 12 regarding Peter's escape from prison.

I have just come back to work after a midday appointment at the doctor's office. I was to book a follow up that I need within the next week (I was actually hoping to have everything taken care of today but it didn't happen, however, I'm not concerned because I have a little time). The Dr. said, "I'll try to get you in ASAP if I'm not booking too far in advance." However, I heard her talking to the receptionist and it didn't sound promising. I heard something about not before 1 month away. But when the receptionist looked for an appointment on her computer she turned to me and said, "You're lucky - she has had a cancellation next week." I'm in!

Luck had nothing to do with the radio announcement, my reading this morning or the appointment due to cancellation next week... ..God is in control.

God, forgive my lack of faith at times. You know it will happen again. I invite your reminders.

Pastor Driven Church

Frank Viola names some of the struggle Leslie & I have had over the past several years as paid pastors.

HOW THE PASTORAL ROLE DAMAGES CHURCH BODY LIFE

The unscriptural clergy/laity distinction has done untold harm to the body of Christ. It has divided the believing community into first and second class Christians. The clergy/laity dichotomy perpetuates an awful falsehood--namely, that some Christians are more privileged than others to serve the Lord.

The one-man ministry is entirely foreign to the New Testament, yet we embrace it while it suffocates our functioning. We are living stones, not dead ones. However, the pastoral office has transformed us into stones that do not breathe.

Permit us to get personal. We believe the pastoral office has stolen your right to function as a full member of Christ's body. It has distorted the reality of the body, making the pastor a giant mouth and transforming you into a tiny ear. It has rendered you a mute spectator who is proficient at taking sermon notes and passing an offering plate...

..By his office, the pastor displaces and supplants Christ's headship by setting himself up as the church's human head. For this reason, nothing so hinders the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose as does the present-day pastoral role. Why? Because that purpose is centered on making Christ's headship visibly manifested in the church through the free, open, mutually participatory, every member functioning of the body. As long as the pastoral office is present in a particular church, that church will have a slim chance of witnessing such a glorious thing.

HOW THE PASTOR DAMAGES HIMSELF/HERSELF

Most pastors are expected to juggle fifteen major tasks at once. And many crumble under the pressure.

1. Casting Vision
2. Identifying & Training Leaders
3. Preaching & Teaching
4. Raising Money
5. Serving the Needy
6. Providing Strategy & Planning
7. Organizing Church Activities & Programs
8. Overseeing All Administration
9. Managing Staff & Volunteers
10. Resolving Conflicts
11. Representing the Congregation in the Community
12. Providing Congregation Care & Counseling
13. Evangelizing the Unsaved
14. Administering the Sacraments
15. Discipling Individuals

..Jesus Christ never intended any person to sport all the hats a present-day pastor is expected to wear. He never intended any one person to bear such a load...

..It is "lonely at the top" because God never intended for anyone to be at the top--except His Son!...

..The contemporary pastor is the most unquestioned fixture in twenty-first century Christianity. Yet not a strand of Scripture supports the existence of this office.

I challenge & encourage (even dare) you to pick up Pagan Christianity? and give it a thoughtful read. Be warned: it is not for the easily offended and narrow minded. But, if you are open to questioning all that you hold dear in your heart and mind with regards to your Christian faith & practices - this book is well worth wrestling with.

Save Me From Myself

Album dropped today!

Check the vid..

FLUSH - BRIAN HEAD WELCH -- THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Champagne

Today Joel turns 9 on the 9th - born 9/9/99!

It's your champagne year buddy - happy birthday!

Don't ask me why he's shirtless

The sleepover gang!

Our football game got rained out so the boys resorted to wrestling on the trampoline.

Rock Band was the game of choice!

Joel asked for a Stamps jersey - he dream is to live in Calgary & play for the Stamps someday!

Live the Life

I've had this Matt Redman song stuck in my head lately.

Many are the words we speak
Many are the songs we sing
Many kinds of offerings
But now to live the life

Help us live the life
Help us live the life
All we want to do is bring you something real
Bring You something true

Now to go the extra mile
Now to turn the other cheek
And to serve You with a life
Let us share your fellowship
Even of your sufferings
Never let the passion die...
Now to live the life...

Livin' the dream baby...livin' the dream

God speaks...books, dreams, songs, people, scripture... ..on & on...

I'm living in an awareness of his presence. Feeling the love. Knowing he's pleased with me no matter what because I'm living close to him.

I have lots of friends and family who are part of church as I knew it for so many years. Good friends & close family. So, I'm not knocking them when I say - church as I knew it that way is no longer right for me and my family.

Leslie & I have been feeling the rub & tug tension since moving back to Canada from Bermuda in 2000. God's been nudging and we've wondered at times 'is this God or our own sense & feeling?' I've personally wondered 'where is God - why isn't he showing up?'.

I've been slow to put the pieces together at times. Lack of faith, slow to understand, readily disbelieving and focusing on myself & personal limitations. God has been right here the whole time & with a smile on too!

We know we won't be part of an organized church again (period). Personally, I have little to show for a relationship with God after spending my whole life in the man-made system of organized church.

I once believed myself better than the lost, more loved by God and enjoying a place of privilege. I once believed my denomination to be supreme and although all Christian denominations believed Jesus to be the son of God - Salvationists were ahead of the pack because of the things we did & didn't do. I once believed I was a good Christian because I attended church at least once on Sundays (back in the day I went three times on a Sunday before the evening worship gathering was canned and Sunday school moved to during the pastor's sermon). I once believed my relationship with God was airtight based on time well spent in the church and answering to its schedule - giving my time & talents. My relationship with God was based on the church schedule. I segmented my life cutting God in and out wherever I decided.

God wants my whole life. God wants me to model something different for my kids, family & friends than the life I've been living handcuffed to the church. I want my kids to have a relationship with God that isn't dependent on & held together by the church & its system. I want my kids to have an awareness of God & his pleasure no matter where they are 24/7. Leaving the church system has been helping us live that life.

We haven't lost our calling, we're following it. We haven't lost faith, our faith is growing. We're not looking to do church better, cooler or attempting to ride the next trendy wave - God's calling us to live the life. We're planting a lifestyle & he's watering it and making it grow!

Where it leads, who it affects and how long it takes to grow - that's all part of the wonder of doing life together with God, our family & our friends!

The Shack

Mack paused, searching for the right words. "You're talking about the church as this woman you're in love with; I'm pretty sure I haven't met her." He turned away slightly. "She's not the place I go on Sundays," Mack said more to himself, unsure if that was safe to say out loud.

"Mack, that's because you're only seeing the institution, a man-made system. That's not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs."

Mack was a bit taken back to hear Jesus talking about "church" this way, but then again, it didn't really surprise him. It was a relief. "So how do I become part of that church?" he asked. "This woman you seem so gaga over."

"It's simple, Mack. It's all about relationships and simply sharing life. What we are doing right now--just doing this--and being open and available to others around us. My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can't build it. It's my job and I'm actually pretty good at it," Jesus said with a chuckle.

For Mack these words were like a breath of fresh air! Simple. Not a bunch of exhausting work and long list of demands, and not the sitting in endless meetings staring at the backs of people's heads, people he really didn't even know. Just sharing life.

Conversation between Mack & Jesus in The Shack (you have to read it to appreciate the above)

Mindless Trivia

I hadn't listened to Appetite in a while when Rocket Queen came on via shuffle. The solo sounded like another song. I knew it was a U2 song and had a feeling it was Bullet the Blue Sky. If you are fans of both and have both tracks, listen to the solos in each and see how amazingly similar they are - or is it me? Both released in 1987. Though The Joshua Tree came out first, Rocket Queen is an old Slash & Duff track from the Road Crew days. Geez I feel like Alan Cross.

Calgary Tattoo Convention 2008

Dawn of the dead

Freehand pinstriping - this guy has an amazingly steady hand.

Jake snapped a pic of Berk standing in front of this custom bike.

This year 16 teams competed for the coveted dodgeball trophy. I gotta get me on a dodgeball team!

The J-man standing beside a hot car!

Last year the roller derby must have been a friendly demo version because this year the girls were out for bruises! Seriously, the medic was called out three times and bodies were constantly flying off the track. It was awesome!