Shifts

I've been asked to contribute to a discussion regarding youth ministry (more specifically addressing why youth are leaving the church & our denomination).

I've also been asked prior to the discussion to submit my vision for youth ministry. Below you will find some thoughts. I welcome your thoughts, additions and questions for clarification.

You can go here to fill out a survey that will help us along.

A Possible Vision for Youth Ministry:

1) A shift from youth pastor as church babysitter & social co-ordinator to missionary (from “in here” focused to “out there” focused).

2) A shift from short term bandage solutions to long term process (journey) requiring study of immediate context & culture as well as much prayer.

3) A shift from ‘I am an island’ mentality to embrace the larger movement of Jesus, transcending religious & denominational barriers and doctrinal differences (why reinvent – get on board with where Jesus’ Spirit is moving).

4) A shift in the way we measure success recognizing both the culture and the church are working against us. The culture because it believes church is for church people. The church because there may be less programs at the church for youth & the youth pastor may be spending less time at the church (this doesn’t go over well with some parents and church staff). Prepare for a lengthy process. (long term disciple making vs. short term attendance at programs/events with little or no fruit to show for it)

5) A shift from the youth pastor as the lone evangelist to teaching & equipping students to be missionaries too.

6) A shift from stale curriculum to cultural investigation & relevance.

7) A shift from the average 18 month life span as a youth pastor to longer stays that see a group of kids through Jr. High and/or High school.

8) A shift from large group focus to the few. From more, more, more (events, programs, kids getting saved) to scale things back to the few.

9) A shift from teaching using words to teaching by example. Inviting the youth into your home, running errands with you, etc. Letting them see how you live and how Jesus plays out in your real life.

10) A shift from the church and youth pastor as responsible for spiritual formation of youth to a greater emphasis & focus on home, family and parents/guardians as foremost responsible for spiritual formation of their youth with the church as a supplement.

I realize this is sketchy and I’m prepared to clarify any of these shifts for those inquiring. If nothing else, they represent good starting points for discussion.

That said, I don’t believe the mission of the church & subsequently youth ministry will ever be accomplished by just adding to the present structure. We need to scale things back to a foundation and begin again.

Organic

“An organic church is simply a church that is born out of spiritual life instead of constructed by human institutions and held together by religious programs. Organic churches are characterized by Spirit-led, open-participatory meetings and non-hierarchical leadership. This is in stark contrast to a clergy-led, institution driven church.” ~Frank Viola

The Black Crowes

Pagan Christianity?

Picked up a new book today. Visit Frank Viola's site here.

The teaser:

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.

Now, go get the book!

Who Cares

Mike made a post about hearing Stephen Lewis & David Suzuki speak in Vancouver this past weekend.

In another post he says:

I'm tired of Stephen Lewis caring more about God's Children than do the People of God.

I'm tired of David Suzuki caring more about God's Creation than do the People of God.

Here was my comment:

I don't think it really matters where the caring comes from as long as there is care. Now ask me is it a shame that those who claim to be believers aren't modeling this care - definitely. I believe that's what God's judgment is reserved for - those who know better & have the means but don't care enough to act.

Here's a little more on my comment:

Instead of getting down on the lack of motivation by Christians to act Christian, why not celebrate the good no matter where or by whom it is expressed or what their beliefs are.

If 11 years of full time ministry have taught me anything it is run where God is moving, even if it means moving away from so called believers who should know better & act better but don't get it. Too much energy & emotion (supposedly all in the name of Jesus) has been expended trying to convince the crowd and they just will not (and likely may never) get it. If God is moving your spirit to some kind of action, I suggest you get on board with what He's doing - no matter its origin.

Post Secret

Skid Row

I pulled into the Delta to pick up Dave, who I hadn't seen in many, many years, and I notice these long haired guys hanging around a couple of limos. I say to Dave, "Are these guys a band?" He responds, "Yeah, Skid Row."

I took a look across the group - no Baz. Skid Row without Sebastian Bach simply is a group of long haired guys catching a limo to the airport.

So back to Dave Woodland...Leslie & I had breakfast with him on Friday morning. We hadn't seen him in about 15 years.

Dave & his wife Gloria were our camp directors & bosses way back in 1989 when Leslie & I started dating. Though it was just one summer together, they meant a lot to us & still do - good people.

Fergalicious

I'm Fergalicious (so delicious)

My body stay vicious

I be up in the gym just working on my fitness

Ironically I was hearing this song as I was reading these Rob Bell words:

You don't have to give yourself away to earn a man's love. You're better than that. You're already loved.

When you give too much of yourself away to quickly, when you show too much skin, you're not being true to yourself. When you dress to show us everything, then in some sense we have all shared in it, or at least been exposed to it. There is a mystery to you, infinite depth and endless complexity.

As the woman says in Song of Songs, "My own vineyard is mine to give." In the ancient Near East, a vineyard was a euphemism for sexuality. She is saying that she doesn't give herself to just anyone. She is fully in control of herself, and she is not cheap and she is not easy.

Your strength is a beautiful thing. And when you live in it, when you carry yourself with the honor and dignity that are yours, it forces the men around you to relate to you on more than just a flesh level.

You are worth dying for.

Being sexy is less about being so comfortable in your skin that you flaunt it in the face of others & more about loving the you that God loves and created.

Monster Jam

An afternoon out with the fam - a good time had by all!

We be movin' on up!

After a ten game losing streak and going from 2nd in the conference to 9th (out of a playoff spot) my Flyers have turned it around!

Last night against Buffalo a shoot out win for the Flyers and especially sweet for Biron & Briere (who after being booed for the duration of the game won it for them in the shoot out - stick that in your pipe and smoke it!)!

Roll Up The Rim (to rarely win)

Ok, so it's that time of year again. I gave up caffeinated coffee at the beginning of the new year. As a result, I don't drink coffee at home in the morning & I haven't been buying it leisurely with the exception of meeting friends at the local watering hole for chats. Buuuuut, you just may see me stopping by Tim's tonight as I head to Joel's hockey game (decaf only)!

ps Did you know there is "no purchase necessary"? Tim's will mail you a cup if you write them and pay the postage. What's even more unbelievable is that I came across the blog of someone who actually did that!

The View From Here

Campfire at Fish Creek

We went to Fish Creek (an oasis in the city) today for a campfire, hot dogs on the open fire & marshmallow roasting. Calgary has been experiencing plus temperatures all week. Much of the snow is gone or going & the kids are getting spring fever - hence the bikes.

Good times, good times!

Back on the bikes & lovin' it!

Jake showing off his sweet skills!

Grandma & Grandpa Frampton enjoying the campfire & sunshine!

Passionate Spirituality

I was at a workshop yesterday where the group was asked, "What does passionate spirituality look like?"

I was squirming in my seat as story after story was told about someone 'inside' the church. "John came to church & at first was aloof then after a few months wanted to help out in Sunday school." "Rich & Sally showed up at church as we were leaving the building one Sunday. They said they were looking for a church home. They began coming, started teaching Alpha and turned the church around."

I wanted to ask (and should have) doesn't anyone have a story of what passionate spirituality looks like 'outside' the church? Are we so narrow sighted that our understanding of passionate spirituality is linked only to Christians carrying out church duties?

What about the story of the woman who has faced numerous adversities? She gets knocked down only to get up & getting knocked down again. She hasn't become critical and cynical, in fact, she lives out what is attractive about Jesus in her life as she continues to put the needs of others before her own and does so with honest joy.

I could be more skeptical of others but I don't measure passionate spirituality by what I experience in the church at a typical worship gathering or during a weekly church program. In fact, (sad as it may seem) I lean more towards what I see and hear at those gatherings as exaggerated and often masking a hidden reality. Jesus in the everyday life of a believer - that's a beautiful & attractive thing.

So, passionate spirituality - what does it look like?

Spiritual Direction

Leslie & I have been visiting Spiritual Directors. Leslie had her second visit yesterday & I have my second visit tomorrow.

It's a first for us both & at this early stage I'd have to give it two thumbs up.

God is speaking & saying things that are both encouraging & terrifying; comforting & unsettling.

In this process of receiving spiritual direction I've found a sacred space here in the city...actually, I'm going to keep it to myself for fear it take on the bustle of the rest of the city!

Missional Journey

My buddy Pernell resurfaced today after a blog break - welcome back Pernell!

From his blog I picked up a link I'll be checking often: Missional Journey.

Watch my sidebar for an upcoming list of "Missional Thinkers & Practitioners" who influence my life & thinking.

Called Up

It's a long weekend here in Alberta & as such one of the Atom teams in our community was short players. Joel is a Novice 3 player and was asked to play for an Atom 5 team. Despite being a little nervous and having had ice time last night and this morning 2 hours before the Atom game - he rose to the opportunity.

Joel scored the first goal, taking a sweet pass from his winger in the corner & sliding it under the goalie!

The team was down 2-0 at the time. Joel made it 2-1. They then went down 3-1 before coming back in the third period to tie it up 3-3. Joel's teammate also played D today and did a great job as well.

Great job Joel & Robbie!

Fringlish

We had some new friends over for dinner last night. They moved to our cul-de-sac last fall from Quebec.

They are a couple with two little girls 5 & 8. The girls speak no English! Our kids speak no French! Yet, they played and had a great time. Sometimes there was translation, most of the time they just winged it!

Our new neighbour friend, a young mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas. She had surgery last month & will soon be having chemo. We will be supporting our new friends through this time as best we can.

If you are a praying person, keep this young mom (her husband & two young daughters) in your prayers - ask God to heal her body from any trace of cancer.

Giving Things Up is so Last Millenium...

People don't give up stuff for Lent much any more. I once went to a luxury chocolate shop and asked them whether they sold less chocolate during Lent - they noticed no difference.

We ran a poll on Christian Connection, 40% said they didn't believe in doing anything for Lent, and about 20% said they tried to give things up, and another 20% tried to do something spiritual. That's apparently active Christians - so for the other 90% of the population, it's probably even lower.

Continue reading

I missed Shrove Tuesday

I wasn't paying attention and missed Shrove (aka pancake) Tuesday & Ash Wednesday. Thanks to Mike's Facebook I steal his post:

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

That's one reminder worth coming back to!

Disturb Us

A friend shot me this prayer:

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too well pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we have dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wider seas

Where storms will show your mastery;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back

The horizons of our hopes;

And to push into the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

attributed - sir francis drake -1577

Thank God for friends in my corner!

Another year older

I got older this week. Leslie & the kids gave me Brian Welch's book - I'm super stoked to start it! My good buddy gave me a Flyers flag for the van (even though he's a die hard Canucks fan)!

Joel is in the middle of a hockey tourney where they are 2 & 1. They've won the last two games with Joel scoring in both of them! Final game on Saturday.

I read three books this month: Prince Caspian, A Heretics Guide to Eternity & Hitman

All three books are great. I especially enjoyed Bret Hart's book, an incredible story telling of his life. If you grew up watching wrestling, this book takes you into the real life of a real champion. Context, politics, the Hart family legacy & influence and the huge part that Calgary & Canada plays into the evolution of wrestling.

I saw three good movies: Bee Movie, Michael Clayton & 3:10 to Yuma

I hadn't seen a good western in a long, long time - 3:10 to Yuma more than made up for the hiatus.

I met with my Spiritual director and I have good feelings & am excited about getting closer to God through this experience.

After spending a week sick Leslie & I (with a little help from our friends) managed to clear out of our space at the community center where our church had been meeting. Mixed emotions.

I'm looking forward to February!

Blessed

For the second day in a row I spent the day home sick with all three kids home from school sick too. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.

It's funny how different things can make one think.

We were watching Cars today and the Porsche was talking to McQueen about why she chose to stay in Radiator Springs instead of going back to the hustle and bustle of lawyering in L.A.

As they looked out over the rolling hills I got to thinking about where we live - with the Rocky Mountain backdrop each morning we wake up and just minutes drive away. It's great to live in the city but it's also great to be able to drive less than an hour away and experience wilderness, wildlife, running streams & rivers, breathtaking mountainous scenery - and the best part of all, being able to share in that as a family!

I started thinking about how much I love Leslie & my kids...I started getting all choked up watching Cars for frig-sake! I gotta stay off the Neo Citran for a while.

What goes around comes around

I'm experiencing one of the worst bouts of a head cold that I've had in years. It was only a matter of time before someone else in the house came down with it...both Joel & Julia are home with me today.

Needless to say, it's hampered some of my work. Despite it I have some time deadlines that I'm working under, one of which is to get all of our church stuff out of our present rental space. The first three days of my sickness last week (Wed, Thurs, Fri) I spent going through our stuff and taking junk (three loads) to the dump. I figure that's why I'm still not feelin' that great this morning.

New Look

It's been a while since I posted - been busy & sick (cough).

Huge thanks to Phil Marriott for designing this new look for me! Phil, you're the man! Great job!

My home phone & internet are down until Monday. So, if you want to contact Leslie or I, hit us up on our cell phones.

Michael Frost

I got these vids off Johnny Laird's blog. They are a bit lengthy but well worth the watch. Take half a day and consider it a couple of sessions of a personal conference.

Blokus

Blokus is an excellent board game but if you have no one to play it with this online version is the next best thing!

Gondola to Sulphur Mountain overlooking Banff

Going up!

Looking across to Sanson's Peak (the kids counted 368 steps X 2!)

Lake Minnewanka (where I plan to take the kids this summer!)

Looking across with the town of Banff down in the left hand corner

We made it!

A Prayer

Dear Jesus,

help us to spread your fragrance

everywhere we go.

Flood our souls with your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly

that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.

Shine through us and be so in us

that every soul we come in contact with

may feel your presence in our soul.

Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.

Stay with us and then we shall begin to shine as you shine,

so to shine as to be light to others.

The light, O Jesus, will be all from you.

None of it will be ours.

It will be you shining on others through us.

Let us thus praise you in the way you love best

by shining on those around us.

Let us preach you without preaching,

not by words, but by our example;

by the catching force -the sympathetic influence of what we do,

the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you.

Amen.

prayer of mother teresa

George, George, George of the...

I was driving with my three kids on Tuesday when Jake asked what the 21st century meant. We began a discussion about century being 100 years and that it's been over 2000 years since Jesus was born. From there I tried to explain a little about BCE & CE (maybe a bit much for the kids to take in).

The conversation went from era to death. The kids began to ask me about Bible people and if they were dead or not. We got into a discussion about OT & NT.

From the back Joel chimes in and asks, "Is that guy George the baptizer still alive?"

Good times!

Grace

Not too long ago I was sharing with some people that to say one doesn't like another person says more about one's love maturity level than it does about the love-worthiness of another.

God's love of people is not based on whether they are love worthy or even whether they deserve it - it's based on His character/who He is.

Whether we choose to love others or not says more about us than others. It speaks to our character and whether or not we are maturing people of love.

I recently heard someone say that one of the lessons a recent set of events has taught her is to love more, forgive more & judge less.

At the beginning of a New Year, these are admirable resolves that would begat deep character qualities for a better life, better relationships & an overall better year.

Looking Over My Shoulder

Here are my personal highlights (in no particular order) as I reflect on what was '07:

• Sitting in the hot springs at Banff while the snow fell around us
• Retreat at Kananaskis
• Coffee with my buddy Andrew who was visiting from TO
• Superbowl party at Cody's place
• Receiving a copy of Furious Pursuit from Tim King himself
• Sledding with my kids
• Going on a personal retreat at Kingsfold
• The adult fellowship murder mystery
• Going to see 300 on the big screen with a few of the boys
• Joel's hockey tournament in Edmonton where they took it all on a goal by him
• Game 5 playoff hockey between the Flames & Wings, it went to double overtime - unfortunately the Flames lost
• Beginning a mentoring relationship with Kevin (he has been a huge help to me)
• Blue Elephant & Porn Sunday
• Golfing at Turner Valley with the guys
• Being front row center for Julia's ballet concert
• Jacob drumming at his recital as Berkley accompanied him on guitar with "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
• Camping at Salmon Arm, Shrek at the Drive In, picking cherries in the Okanogan, visiting my friend Sean at his cafe & the Dutchmen Dairy
• Spending the day with our good friends Jason & Sarah after not seeing them in 12 years and getting to meet their miracle baby, Abigail
• The Millarville market
• Camping at Lake Louise, visiting Moraine Lake, driving up through the mountains to walk on the glacier & visiting Jasper - all with Leslie's mom during her visit
• Camping in Kananaskis
• Camping with our church fam
• Peel & Sarah moved to Calgary
• Tattoo convention
• Rekindling a relationship with Bram & Anita
• Beginning a mentoring relationship with Keith (this guys has meant more to Leslie & I so far then he knows)
• Receiving the Volunteer of the Year award with Leslie for our work in Deer Run with DRCC
• Seeing the Flyers beat the Flames in the home opener with Joel at the Saddledome (I've never seen the Flyers play in all these years as a fan)
• 3rd annual Turkey Bowl
• Road trip to Edmonton w/Berkley to see In This Moment, Rob Zombie & the prince of darkness himself - OZZY
• Conference in Ottawa w/Leslie - getting to spend some time with Pernell, Mike & a few other good friends
• Seeing Sid the kid with Jacob at the dome vs. the Flames
• Meeting Bret Hart with my kids & getting his book autographed
• Spending time with the Bailey fam
• Going to see "The Sound of Music" with the fam
• Meeting & getting to know Ron & Toni
• Getting a cake from Phil & Amanda as a thank you for our 3 years at South Meadows
• Countless coffees, meals & conversations with friends on the journey

Fav movies of 2007 (no particular order):

• TMNT
• Transformers
• Pirates 3
• Shrek the Third
• The Bourne Ultimatum
• Simpsons Movie
• Spiderman 3
• 300
• Beowulf at the IMAX
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Gone Baby Gone
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Fav music downloads of 2007 (no particular order):

• David Crowder Band - Remedy
• The Cult - Born into this
• In This Moment - Beautiful Tragedy
• Ozzy - Black Rain
• Billy Talent - 666
• Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
• K-OS - Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

Fav books read in 2007 (no particular order):

• Hitman
• The Present Future
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Furious Pursuit
• Spiritual Direction
• Divine Nobodies
• Exiles
• An Emergent Manifesto of Hope

Lowlight of 2007:

• The closing of our church. This was the hardest year for me personally in ministry. Sometimes misunderstood, misbelieved & working under the destructive tension of trying to live the way I believe while attempting to minister in an opposite way I don't buy into any longer.

God, it's been a good one! Here's to the next one...

Puritan New Year Prayer

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desireto show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbor, (with) thee, O Son, at my helm, (with) thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer me, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilize.

May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.

(From The Valley of Vision, p.112)

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GUESS WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO

Many Christians stress out about making a decision because they wrongly believe they have to find God's one "right" answer to the problem. They spend countless hours struggling to determine God's "perfect will" for their lives--something God never told them to do.

"Perfect will"--the idea that God has a specific plan for us and that if we miss it, then we're living "Plan B"--is not a concept that's supported by Scripture. Our responsibility is to make sure we follow God's moral standards. Beyond that, we're free to choose the path for our life.

That's a difficult concept for many Christians to grasp. We want to believe that God must green-light all of our decisions--that he has a perfect will for each of us--one that we must find for ourselves. But is that really consistent with God's character and his interactions with us?

Throughout Scripture God presents himself using the analogy of a good father. Even if you don't have the best biological dad in the world, you know what a good father should be like.

I feel blessed because I do have a great father. My dad is an architect by trade, and his personality suits his chosen career. He's a very orderly, structured, and intentional person. If he weren't, then it would be hard for him to get anything built. (And if he weren't meticulous, then the buildings he designed would most likely fall down.) I see my dad as a significant creator who possesses many of God's attributes of orderliness, purpose, and imagination.

Yet as good a father as he is, my dad doesn't expect me to depend on him to make every decision for me. Can you imagine what my life might be like if he did?

"Hi, Dad, it's me. My friends want to go to lunch. Should I go with them?"
"Yes, son, you should."
"Where should we go?"
"You should go to Wendy's."
"What should I order?"
"You should order a Spicy Chicken Sandwich meal."
"Should I biggie-size it?"
"No, son, you must not biggie-size it."

I think you get the idea. It would be ridiculous to expect my father to have a firm opinion on all of those decisions. My father taught me how to tell right from wrong and how to make good choices. Therefore, I'm free to make decisions within those parameters without getting into trouble.

God, the best Dad we could ever hope for, has done the same thing for us. He's given us the boundaries of his moral standards and the freedom to make our own decisions within those boundaries.

**
Taken from "Wisdom On... Making Good Decisions" by Mark Matlock, copyright 2008, Zondervan/Youth Specialties. Used by permission. Release date January 2008.

Closure

Our church had its last formal gathering today. It was a tough and emotional one.

This was our third church. We've moved on twice before leaving the church to the leadership of those who would succeed us. This however was different. It was much harder having the last word & searching for that last word to conclude with.

I hope the time we spent together this morning helped bring us a little further in the direction of closure. Of course I'm sure we will each wake up next Sunday feeling a little empty & displaced as it hits us that our corporate gathering no longer exists as it once did.

I have confidence that God is as much in this now as He was when He opened the door for us to come here three years ago. I have confidence that God has a plan now as He has been working it through the past few years. There have been times in the past 5 years where I had almost rushed God's timing; where with my impatience I was trying to push His hand. Looking back I realize how different things would have turned out if I had gone on emotion & my own personal steam instead of trusting God, even though I didn't know what He was up to.

I still don't fully know what's happening tomorrow. I can feel self doubt creeping in there. I'm looking for logical answers. Despite how I feel - at my core I am confident that God is doing something & right now I'm where I should be.

Love, gratitude & prayers go out to those who have journeyed with us these past three years as part of South Meadows. For some we were your pastors, for others you've gone beyond that to embrace us as friends. Thank you all.

‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)

Things

I got a new game for Christmas & it is hands down the best game I've come across in a dang long time - Things! The game is a blast. We had seven of us playing it and I think the more people the better.

Here's the write up:

Want a Good Laugh?Well it's as simple as opening the box and playing THINGS...™ the hilarious new game that presents players with provocative topics, like:

• THINGS...™ people do when no one is looking.
• THINGS...™ your parents forgot to tell you.
• THINGS...™ you can never find.
• THINGS...™ dogs are actually saying when they bark.
• THINGS...™ you shouldn't tie to the roof of your car.

...and allows each player to say whatever comes to mind. Pick a topic, get everyone to write a response, read them out loud and then guess who said what. There are no right answers. There are no wrong answers. Just a lot of fun.

You won't believe the THINGS...™ you'll hear.

Merry Christmas!

From my blog to yours!

The Chimes are Changing?

More realistically, the times have changed!

Listen closely. The sound you may not be hearing this holiday season as you stumble from mall to mall is the tinkle of silver bells.

Of course if you live in a big city like Toronto, you may not be able to hear much of anything over the din of harried holiday shoppers and the incessant sound of cellphones with their Babel-like ringtones.

But listen some more. It's a subtle thing. Where is the chingle, chingle, chingle of the Salvation Army bells?

The Sally Ann bell-ringers themselves are there — in most of the big malls and by the subway stations and liquor stores — with their distinctive red kettles.

But check out their hands (it can be easier, sometimes, than looking them in the eye). Most have no bells. No little leather belts of jingling chimes to draw attention to their existence.

Finish the article here.

For the record, I hate the annoying sound of those bells and have NEVER rung them while volunteering on a kettle!

Be Kind Rewind

Traditions

One of the many things I love about our family is our purposeful time spent together. Leslie & I have created or adopted traditions for our family that happen at various times & seasons throughout the year. One of those traditions we came by unintentionally our first Christmas season in Calgary when we were given theatre tickets to see "Treasure Island".

Last year we decided we'd take our kids to see a production of "A Christmas Carol".

Today we once again took our kids to the theatre. This time it was to the Storybook Theatre production of "The Sound of Music". We had never been to Storybook Theatre but I must say it was quite good. We all enjoyed ourselves. As a youth, year after year avoiding my older sisters invites to annually watch "The Sound of Music" when it came on TV - today I delightfully sat through it!

P.O.D. Christmas Greeting

Who could ask for anything more!?

I was waiting in the Doctor's office last week and I was flipping through a magazine. I came across a VISA ad that listed probably 25 things the man pictured in the ad wanted to do before he died - bungee jump, ski in BC, etc. etc. I began thinking to myself - what would I like to do? I couldn't think of anything. I have no list.

I began to wonder - am I boring or dreamless? Why no list?

As I thought on this some more I realized there is truly nothing I want - not because I'm boring or dreamless but because I'm satisfied. I've been to Europe, Bahamas & South America; I've lived in Bermuda; I've lived both inland & on the coast; I've lived in some of the greatest cities & towns in Canada (the rest I've visited); I've been to the greatest city on Earth - NYC & that at the greatest time of the year, Christmas; I've cruised to Mexico; I've attended hockey games at some of the greatest arenas in the game - The Forum & Bell Centre, Maple Leaf Gardens & the ACC, MSG, Mellon Arena, the Saddledome; I've seen Gretzky, Lemieux & Crosby play live; I've met Ron Hextall, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Steve Shutt to name a few; I've seen P.O.D. 3 times, Ozzy, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, even ZZ Top; I've vacationed with my wife & kids in some of Canada's most picturesque National Parks - Algonquin, Banff, Kootenay, Gros Morne - & the memories we've made in the mountains & on lakes either out in our tent or tent trailer, priceless - SERIOUSLY, the list of blessings goes on & on!

I've been, done, met & experienced everything I've wanted to.

I have the greatest family in my wife & 3 kids and I've got friends in all of the 12 places I've lived to date - with a few close friends to boot.

I really can't think of anything else I'd like to do - God, don't take that as I'm ready to go coz' I ain't yet!

12 Days (like you've not heard it before)

Holiday Outflow Ideas

Random Acts of Kindness - good year-round!

Micro Phonies

This is hands down my favorite Stooges skit. My brother & I mocked this one for years - still do!

Bret Hart

My boys have become huge wrestling fans. Today I waited in line 2 hours (they joined me after an hour & 45), snuck a Christmas gift from the house & had Bret Hart sign it!

Bret Hart is the real deal. A true Canadian & local icon. He (and the Hart Foundation) were a favourite growing up.

The Excellence of Execution - the best there is, the best there was & the best there ever will be!

Here I'm asking him if he wants to go. He says - don't have me come across this table. Seriously, I'm not that dumb - he'd easily slap the sharpshooter on me.

btw - started reading the book while in line - I definitely recommend it, the Hitman is a great story teller

Happy Bday Leslie!

My lovely lady continues to get more beautiful each year!
Hope you have a great day!

What Would Jesus Buy?

Who Will Save Christmas?

Advent Conspiracy

spend less - give more - love all

Christ tends to get overlooked at Christmas. Let’s be honest. December comes and you think, “OK, this is the year.” This time you’ll swear you’ll slow down and take it all in. Make the most with family. Help the needy. Zero in on what it really means to be a Christ follower during this holy season.

What if you could inspire your church, your family and yourself to avoid being consumed by commercialism this Christmas?

ADVENT CONSPIRACY

Happy Bday Jake!

My buddy hits the double digits today.

Do They Know it's Christmas?

A Homemade Christmas

Check out familyfun for some inexpensive Christmas gift ideas.

The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Flames, Penguins & Hitmen

Jake & I were blessed enough to snag tickets to the much coveted Flames/Penguins game this week. Friends of ours won game day tickets too - we had a blast together! Here's a pic of Harvey the Hound catching site of Jake decked out in his Pens hat & Crosby jersey. We were in the first row of this section. Harvey grabbed the railing, stood over Jake & put Jacob's head into his mouth.

Here's the opening face off. The game went to a shoot out - Pittsburgh won 3-2. Jake was thrilled. Although Crosby was held off the scoresheet he was quite something to watch. He has great hockey sense, very smooth & strong on his skates.

The warm up!

The whole fam attended the Hitmen game last Sunday with Joel's hockey team. The game featured the annual teddy bear toss. Fans bring teddy bears to the game to toss on the ice after the Hitmen score their first goal.

The Hitmen scored within the first five minutes of the opening period - the rain of teddy bears began and continued for 1/2 an hour!

When the bears were all collected they totalled 26,919 (a new record) which the Hitmen distributed to local charities & hospitals.

Ron Hextall the Great

Twenty years ago today Hexy became the first goalie to shoot the puck down the length of the ice & into an empty net!

You can read more in this article or view it here.

Bend it like Beckham

Had dinner with friends last night who lent me Bend it like Beckham & said I had to watch it.

I wasn't interested in watching in before this but I must admit, now having seen it, it's a good flic.

It reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (from the perspective of appreciating our diversity across cultures).

There is so much we can learn from one another if we'd only take the time to listen lovingly & respectfully to each other.

The Middle

Heard Jimmy Eat World on the radio today. What a great song!

Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.

True dat! True dat!

Doing December Differently

Here is a free downloadable sample of the book which includes this fresh take on some old words:

Genealogy by Nicola Slee

Matthew 1:1–17

He came from a dysfunctional family.

And I’m not just talking about his mum and dad

(thepregnancy out of wedlock,

the pronounced age difference)

No, it went back much further than that.

There were more than a few skeletons in his cupboard.

Take great King David,

the one they all wrote and sang about, eulogised in the histories,

the family’s pride and joy.

He wasn’t all he was cracked up to be, believe you me.

He might have been Jesse’s golden-haired youngest,

but later, he was conniving and horny,

spying on his officer’s comely wife from the palace balcony

and taking her for his own,

sending soldiers to do away with unsuspecting Uriah

returning victorious from battle. Some victory!

Prostitutes and foreigners aplenty scatter the litter:

women you’d not want your daughters taking after,

even if you can’t help admiring that plucky Rahab.

Some came to a very sorry end.

That poor Tamar! It makes me shudder to even think of her.

Don’t let your children read her story,

it’ll keep them awake for nights on end.

Best not to ask about the ones

whose names have sunk into obscurity,

for fear of what you might uncover:

what unimaginable sleights of hand, sexual perversions,

brutal slayings or tortures.

Who now thinks of Nashon or Asa,

Uzziah, Joham or Jeconiah,

Matthan, Azar or Eliud?

Don’t disturb their memories with your inquisitive fingers.

Keep going back and you end up at Abraham,

another one no better than he ought to be and a whole heap worse.

Right bastard, if you’ll pardon my English.

Played off his wife as his sister, he did,

had it away with his slave girl to get himself a son

and then didn’t lift a finger in her defence

when Sarah sent her packing into the desert

in a fit of jealousy and rage.

Worse of all, he was ready to kill his own precious Isaac

on some highfalutin whim of the Almighty.

That story has been causing trouble for generations

down the family line,

still keeps the menfolk and their offspring fighting.

No, not what you’d call a promising pedigree.

Not surprising he didn’t turn out a happy family man.

Little wonder he stayed single.

Sally Ann sees what most don't

The Salvation Army sees the heartbreaking effects of poverty, homelessness, abuse and addiction every day. And most importantly, they see the people who desperately need support and compassion. It's impossible for The Salvation Army to turn a blind eye to suffering. Last year in Canada The Salvation Army served 2.5 million meals to the hungry, helped 10,000 people with addictions and provided one third of all shelter beds each night. This Christmas why not open your eyes and your heart. And give.

Redeeming Christmas Decorations

I love Christmas! I love the symbolism, the traditions, the family & friendly gatherings, the food, the music, the spirit, the extra concern for the poor - need I go on!

Many people say, "Christmas is becoming too commercial... too many decorations." In some ways I agree with this statement. But when it comes to decorating I like what Jack Hayford says in Come & Behold Him. One of the chapters is entitled "We'll Dress the House." In it he gives three suggestions when decorating:

1. Be assured, this is righteous - Decoration of the house at Christmas is neither a surrender to pagan traditions nor a capitulation to commercialism.

• if God commissioned angels to roll back the night and fill it with blazing light,
• if God provided a mighty celestial choir to serenade a few startled shepherds,
  
• if God graced the heavens with a miracle star,
• if God arranged such a memorable entry point as a feeding trough in a stable,
• if God went to all this trouble to open our eyes to His entry into our world, then we needn't apologize for festooning our home with a few seasonal reminders!

Since the Light of the World has come, lights strung across the roof only "shout it from the housetop". Candles and candelabra, stars and starlight, gifts and giving, songs and sonnets, lights and light-heartedness, angel cookies and wisemen ornaments - all are consistent with what transpired on our little planet two thousand years ago.

2. Since it is right, sanctify it - Present your decorating and decorations to the Lord as a tribute to Him.

• Pray before you decorate.
• Worship as you decorate.
• Give thanks after you decorate.
• As Paul writes it, "Do everything heartily and freely to God's glory."

3. Invite others to share it with you - When you "dress up", you usually "go out". But since our homes are fixed locations, the only alternative is to invite others in. It is a witness to our neighbours when they see a believer actually happy about life! So many in the world think us uptight and sour - incapable of genuine gladness. But when these neighbours and relatives encounter a home filled with true happiness, a light-hearted spirit of fun, and a warm, generous welcome, it can be utterly disarming. It paints a whole new portrait of the "Jesus life."

**Adapted from a long ago edition of "The Calling" & originally written by Sue-Ann Hicks

Dino Town

I headed out of town today to help my buddy prepare for some of the Christmas rush that is a big part of Salvation Army Xmas ministry.

For lunch he took me to Bernie's for the hamburger experience of a lifetime - it was awesome!

I can't imagine scoffin' down the mammoth burger - enough to feed a family & costing $20!

The record time is 13 mins & 52 seconds!

The Road To Life

I came across this site after seeing a billboard on my drive this morning:

Allow us to direct you to a place offering an unmatched work life balance. A place where you will feel at home, safe and secure. A place filled with opportunities. This place is Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Come to life launched an ad campaign this week in Toronto and Calgary to help point expatriate Nova Scotians in the RIGHT direction. We want to remind expatriate Nova Scotians about their home and what they left behind: the ocean, family and friends, a less hectic life and yes - donairs.

That last line got me - and yes, even donairs!

Do you ever look at life and wonder where it went and what you have to show for it? I do.

Coming soon...

Minimalize

Been doing a lot of thinking around simple church. There is a book of the same title but I don't own it & haven't read it (maybe someday).

Ironically the concept of simple church really goes against the institutionalized church culture we've come to embrace - even to the point of being willing to fight to the death for it. Ironic because in the beginning...it was so simple, it was real & it was invaluable. Why wouldn't we want to get back to that?

At times last week while listening at Imagine, there were sometimes contradictory messages between Church Growth & Kingdom Growth, depending on which session & who the speaker was.

We've been seduced by the church growth movement to think that the church is the end instead of the true end being Kingdom growth. We measure success by attraction instead of the biblical measurement of giving ourselves away (true evangelism Jesus style).

I like what I heard one speaker say: Every person given the opportunity to experience the good news through a trust relationship.

I like that because it makes Jesus' life about everybody & not just the church. Who knew!?! Also, because it's about relationship, process, time, and going out.

That missional statement reminded me of when I heard Brian Mclaren state the mission of his church: To be and make disciples in authentic community for the good of the world.

I like that because it gives validation, perspective & a good kick in the pants for what the church does "in here" is for the greater purpose of what's happening "out there".

Every flavour of church (even the trendy emergent versions) are being pushed to re-evalute the "why" questions of mission.

I believe a missional move forward will see the return to a time of:

• minimal reliance on buildings
• minimal reliance on programs
• minimal reliance on staff

The above big three have become huge contributors to the church we know & have come to affectionately embrace. What could a church minimalizing the emphasis on these three look like?

Simple Message

Got this simple message smokin' me between the eyes recently:

OBEDIENCE - obey God & leave the consequences to Him
CALLING - where God calls - He equips
PROMISES - there will be bumps & challenges along the way, embrace God's promises

i.e. Matthew 16:18 NLT "upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."

..and... ..

Hebrews 13:8 NLT "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Anger Burns

Been looking at the book of James, in particular chapter 4.

Verse one asks the questions: What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

What happens on the outside is a picture of something deeper that's happening on the inside.

We so easily get offended & upset over the trivial. If we could only learn to get angry over the true injustices of the world as God does..

...few of us do. Round and round we go taking shots at each other with our venomous words that attempt to assassinate character.

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." ~Buddha

60th

My 60th post is my first in a long time.

I've so much to say & these are interesting days for me & mine.

I've just gotten back from a week away at a conference.

I'll hook you up when the weekend is through!

Beyond Doing Church Better

The church stands at a booth in front of a river. At the booth they attempt to sell bottled water to people who pass them by and jump in the river. The church scratches it's head and wonders, "How can we get this bottled water into the hands of the people? Should we change the label? What catchy phrase can we place on the label to make it more appealing? We need a gripping brand..." Meanwhile, it matters not how they change & dress up the product. The bottom line remains, people aren't interested in what they are packaging. Word to the church: LEAVE THE BLOODY BOOTH & JUMP IN THE RIVER WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE!!!!!!!

See "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeal.

McNeal says there is a wrong question the church is stuck on trying to answer and a tough question the church isn't attempting to answer but must.

WRONG QUESTION: How do we do church better?
TOUGH QUESTION: How do we deconvert from Churchianity to Christianity?

An easy, practical read worth looking into.

What is a Friend?

I was looking back through an old journal of mine to discover that my oldest son lost his first tooth three years ago yesterday. I also came across a quote I had given to my best friend:

What is a friend? I will tell you. It is a person with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with him. He seems to ask of you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. He does not want you to be better or worse. When you are with him, you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on your guard. You can say what you think, so long as it is genuinely you. He understands those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you. With him you breathe freely. You can avow your little vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meannesses and absurdities and, in opening them up to him, they are lost, dissolved on the white ocean of his loyality. He understands. You do not have to be careful. You can abuse him, neglect him, tolerate him. Best of all, you can keep still with him. It makes no matter. He likes you. He is like fire that purges to the bone. He understands. You can weep with him, sin with him, laugh with him, pray with him. Through it all - and underneath - he sees, knows and loves you.A friend? What is a friend?Just one, I repeat, with whom you dare to be yourself.

~C. Raymond Beran, in Bits and Pieces, September 19, 1991, pp 3-4.

Silence

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls." ~Mother Teresa

The word listen contains the same letters as the word silent.

Appetites

I recently finished this great book by Steve Arterburn. It's an easy and quick read.

In it he talks about the 8 God given appetites we embody:

1. The Appetite for Food (Genesis 1:29)
2. The Appetite for Sex (Genesis 1:28)
3. The Appetite for Authority & Power (Genesis 1:26)
4. The Appetite for Pleasure (Genesis 2:9)
5. The Appetite for Work (Genesis 2:15)
6. The Appetite for Companionship (Genesis 2:18)
7. The Appetite for Fellowship with God (Genesis 1:29-30; 2:15-25)
8. The Appetite for Gaining Wisdom (Genesis 3:6)

As you can see, Arterburn points out that we've had these from the beginning.

He says, "Our appetites motivate us to seek fulfillment, but they must be managed or they will lead us into a world of regret and tremendous emotional pain. When an appetite intended to help us survive is managed incorrectly, it may become a deadly trap. Until we give ourselves and our appetites completely over to God, we remain trapped."

Satisfaction & Obedience

"The question of how to satisfy our appetites becomes instead a call to seek to obey God in all circumstances and through all appetites and desires. That means making the necessary choices to satisfy our appetites in a manner that honors Him. When we do, true fulfillment is our reward."

I give this book two salad tongs up!