Souljourn

Mr. Thumb?

I came across this picture and couldn't help but think that the guy at the bottom looks like a man trapped in a thumb.

What do you think?

My how far we've come

Take a look at this 1981 newscast about a breakthrough in journalism.   I love the statement at the end, '...it takes about two hours to get the entire newspaper on the computer...'.

Only in Canada

I love our Nation.  I'm thankful for the privileges we have, the freedoms we have, and our open door to the world.  I believe that our Nation has a significant role to play in the reaching of Nations for Christ.  I believe that the prophetic declaration made in the founding of our Nation from Psalm 72:8 "...and He shall have dominion from sea to sea..."  will be realized.

But sometimes I just can't figure out what it is about us Canadians.  Look at this story about a school that stopped singing the National Anthem because it bothered some people.  Hello?  It's our National Anthem, not a hymn at church or country song on the radio.  It expresses who we are.  Whatever ethnicity, background and faith expression, this is OUR SONG.  

What do you think?  Should we sing the National Anthem in school?  How else do we develop a National identity beyond our 'tribes' and foster a sense of civic pride/responsibility in our children?

My vote is with the mom.  

Here's more on the story.

It's all in your perspective.

Here's a funny email that Naomi recieved yesterday (thanks Jen).   It might not be quite as funny without the 'scrolling down' effect, but I think it's worth a laugh.

Life Lesson# 45893 =  Always check your child's homework before it gets to  school!
When asked to draw a  picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up,  second-grader "Sarah" turned in the lovely drawing shown  below.  Needless to say, the teacher was a bit surprised  -- Mrs. Smith had always seemed like such a conservative  woman.  So she sent a note home to the girl's mother  asking for clarification as to the picture's meaning.   (read Mom's reply below  the picture)


(Here's the reply the teacher received the  following day)
Dear  Mrs. Jones,
I  wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an  exotic dancer.  
I  work at Home  Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was  last week before the blizzard hit.  I told her we sold  out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in  the back room, and that several people were fighting over who  would get it.    Her picture doesn't show me dancing  around a pole.  It's supposed to depict me selling the  last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.
From  now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly  before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs.   Smith

living simply - part 2

I'm still thinking and praying about what 'living more simply' would look like.  Naomi and I had a great dinner time conversation with our kids the other day about the issue.  We're not planning any great drastic cut backs, but there are some steps we are going to take and we want our kids to have an understanding about why we are doing this.  Not only that, but we want them to be able to participate with us as well.

If God is speaking to Naomi and I about living more simply - and He is - then it stands to reason that He is wanting to say this to our children also (one of the ways God speaks is through delegated authority).  So we spent some time talking with them about why we are taking certain steps, and the heart that we believe God wants to develop to a greater degree in us all -- less focused on self and personal comforts and more willing (and prepared) to respond to God's call for justice.

As we continue to walk out what this will look like in our lives here are some of the areas we are taking action in: (no we aren't about to start making our own clothes)

• Making our coffee drinks at home instead of buying them.
• Stepping back from the lure of constantly upgrading personal electronics.
• Eating out less often.
• Re-evaluating our internet & television service (we just took some steps that will save us $700 this year).
• Stopping our home cleaning service (currently every 2nd week).

This isn't the entire list, but it does give you an idea of what we're doing.  This doesn't mean that we'll never go out, go to the movies, or buy a new item.   They are simply some practical steps we are taking in response to God's leading for our lives.

So let me ask.  Do you feel you are living a fairly simple life? Or, what could a more simple life look like?

Waste of time!

Here's another useless little timewaster that is quite addictive.  It's call Scriball.  You draw a line with the mouse to direct a falling ball to a certain point.  Go ahead, give it a try.

devotional thoughts

I'm working my way through Psalm 119.  I figured I would spread it out over a couple days instead of trying to 'get through it' (176 verses).  Here are a couple statements that stood out and demanded a second read and some thought:

• My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands. (I love the descriptive words and the imagery of great longing for God's Word.  I want more of this.)
• Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.  Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets. (This is easier to read than actually do in a world that is bent on materialism and the constant pursuit of MORE STUFF.)
• Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response. (Talk about giving God our YES.  What a way to characterize a life - a long obedient response to God.)
• I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. (Where do I find pleasure?  What does bring satisfaction?)

New sermon series

We start a new sermon series in two weeks (Feb 7/8).  It will be our second ever series on sex & sexuality. The world is constantly talking about sex.  Movies, sitcoms, music, and magazines give us a never ending education in the worlds view of sex & sexuality.  The only problem is movies, sitcoms, music, and magazines didn't create sex.  God did. (and He said it was good)  So it stands to reason He should know the most about it.

So many people struggle with so much confusion, disapointment, and pain in this area of their life because they are following the worlds wisdom (if it feels good, if it's love, etc.) instead of God's. 

It's going to be an interesting and informative four weeks.  Here's some of what we're planning to look at: 

1. Real purity, not just a technicality.
2. Homosexuality - what does God say about it?
3. Why did God create sex? (I'm thinking about giving a seven day challenge)
4. Why are sexual sins so damaging?

One of our own!

Ephesians 4:16 is talking about the local church and it says this...As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Here is a brilliant example of what that looks like in everyday life.

Well done Samantha!  Thank you for allowing yourself to get bothered enough to do something.  We all benefit through your efforts, and example. 

Thank you very much...now I'm sad

Over the last couple of days I have had different individuals share with me their delight in the health and life of our church family.  These are individuals who don't go to our church (or didn't when they arrived at that perspective).  I am always encouraged, and thankful, when I hear people make comments like that, and this time was no different.

What caught my attention as they shared their delight in the life of our church family was that it was coupled with an element of pleasant surprise.  It was not a surprise because of who we are, or where we are located, but rather a surprise born out of past dissapointments that had led to low expectations.  They recounted to me how they had been in many different churches where there was not a sense of health and life.  Where they encountered discouragement, an inward focus, and a dry sense of routine as services where conducted.  They were not being dishonouring in any way, simply relating to me the reality of what they had experienced.

So as I listened to their affirmation of our church family, and was thankful for all that God was doing in our midst, I was also saddened.  The normal church reality, in every community, should be one of great health, joy, and life.  People should live with a sense of adoration, expectancy, and a great awareness of the immediacy of Christ Jesus in their life.  The 'routines' of our faith should never become routine, and should always be filled with fresh life and relevancy by the power of Holy Spirit. 

When we encounter such a place we should certainly give affirmation and thanks, but it should not have to be coupled with surprise.  It should be the normal experience of everyone who walks through the doors of a church.

So we spent some time praying this morning for churches across our Nation.  That leaders and people would be encouraged.  That hurts and disapointments would be healed.  That forgiveness would be extended and received wherever it was needed and that the resurrection power of Jesus Christ would be on display.

Our Nation will not be reached with one or two good churches.  Or 100 or 200 good churches for that matter.  We need 1000's of vibrant healthy churches all across our Nation.  In big cities, small communities, and rural villages, there must be an active, vibrant, relevant, powerful, expression of Christ and His Body/Bride (the local Church). 

So today I am very thankful for the amazing family of faith that God is establishing at Northgate.  And I am reminded once again to not take for granted what God is doing, to not become complacent, and to continue in prayer for churches around our Nation (and world).