More Than Words...

A friend of mine sent me an excerpt from Francis Chan's book Forgotten God as a reminder of two key factors that blind us to God's presence and activity in our lives: Comfort (a life that is too safe) and Volume (a life that is too noisy). Being on Sabbatical I've been struck by the amount of noise (What Chan calls Volume) is now part of our culture and how hard it is to get away from messages, tweets, updates, constant demands, and distractions.  Developing a healthy rhythm of work/rest that includes being still before God and turning off our devices is something we need to be very intentional about!   And it often means being willing to accomplish a little less and forgo some comforts in order to live more simply. I agree with Chan that we need some discomfort.  In a culture where comfort and convenience are of ultimate value, we often avoid the medicine required to cure the disconnect we feel.    Ironically, it is a family member's rebellious and pridef

Having some time off has given me the chance to think about 'being'.  I've been part of an ongoing conversation about how our culture is obsessed with productivity and how our churches are focused more on doing many things but not on 'being'.    The Martha and Mary text is often used to show that the 'better way' is to be at the feet of Jesus.  It is a good reminder that we can be so consumed with the task that we're missing out on the great things Jesus is offering us, but withdrawing from doing doesn't result in 'being'.  Being and doing go hand in hand.  I realize that it is because of my doing that I truly have grown in being with Jesus.   It is the doing that has driven me to my knees in prayer.  It is the pressure of responsibilities that has forced me to lean on the strength and guidance of God's word and Spirit.    I've watched several people withdraw from responsibilities in the name of 'being' and simply drift f

At the beginning of this week, I decided to tag along with my wife to the monthly Fairview Interagency meeting.   At the table were various social agencies and a couple of churches.  Issues such as affordable housing, refugees, and food security topped the list of lively discussion.   It turns out that our little church is the only group in our whole area that ever offers a cooked meal to the public (our annual Christmas dinner).    I was surprised to hear of how many refugee families are living in hotels in our area because there is no other housing available.  Turns out the Christmas dinner was the only sit down 'home cooked' meal that some families received after months of takeout.   Another issue is that all the soup kitchens and cooked meal programs available are downtown and transportation is difficult for new families to Canada, especially when it is very cold outside. The next morning sue and I met with an employee of the city who is in charge of promoting food se

Over the holidays we went and saw the latest Sar Wars movie.  Like any good fantasy, it captures some real things about living in this world which contributes to its popularity.   In one scene Rey peers into a dark pit, which apparently is a portal for peering into the dark side.   (spoiler alert!)  she can't resist the draw of this dark pit and ends up heading right into it.   I couldn't help but identify. This week I started reading the Bible again and the movie scene played over again in my mind.  In spite of a good God who created a good world, we chose darkness over light.    The truth is even the best of us love the darkness more than the light.    I'd like t say because I'm a pastor that I'm a good guy.  But it's not the evil out there in the world that is my problem but my own propensity to choose evil over good.  We are all a strange mix of amazing potential for good but a crippling love for the bad, the dark, the selfish.   Our problem is interna