Relationships will end

A quote I read today...

"The dearest human relatinohsips must some day come to an end;

it is only the joy of heaven which lasts for ever,

and if we have it in our hearts,

nothing can take it away."

Wow, that is a tough idea to grasp - at least we don't want it to be so. The reality is that unless Christ comes back during our lifetime, one day, we will all die. At that time relationships as we have known them come to an end. Of course, we still love that person who has "passed on" and we have many memories.

For me... that means... enjoy the relationships I have and treasure the people with whom I have a relationship.

Update

I guess it is time to update what I am up to...

Yes, I am serving as associate pastor at Zion Church in Didsbury, Alberta, Canada. My primary responsibilities include overseeing the Worship and Life Group (small groups) Ministries. I also oversee the Newcomers ministry and the Adult Sunday School.

In a way, it is refreshing to be able to spend time with the worship ministry because I get to be involved in music - which I love to do. I lead a worship team, but am training someone else to take the leadership and I am moving more towards playing guitar and singing backup. It gives me a chance to work on my guitar skills. I also play guitar on another team where I get to dabble with playing lead guitar.

Recently, our worship team performed the Imperials song "Water Grave" at our church on the Sunday when we had a baptism. Watch the video here:

We've Moved!

On July 1st, Debbie and I moved to Didsbury, Alberta. On August 1st I will begin serving as Pastor of Adult Ministries at Zion Church in Didsbury. As much as we will miss British Columbia, we are looking forward to this new challenge and chapter in our lives.

Name Change

I decided to change the name of this blog. Seeing as it basically contains my ramblings from time to time and is not necessarily directly related to our church - Heritage Mountain Community Church, I may as well reflect my thots, not those representing the church :).

We are about to enter a New Year. That can be exciting. Although nothing has changed, except the last digit in our year, we tend to look at life differently. It is a time when we "turn over a new leaf," "start a new page" or whatever we want to call it. It certainly does help us make a fresh start from time to time - and we need that.

We also need a time when we look back and get rid of some baggage. Anywhere from forgiving those who have wronged us, to forgiving ourselves, to seeking forgiviness from others - and God.

I am looking forward to a new year.

God Knows

I wonder who watches the video I posted on Youtube?

I logged on to Youtube this morning and noticed that this video has surpassed the 1,000 times being viewed. I could not help but think of all those who had watched the video. Why do people watch it? What drew them to it? Who are they? What are they going through? What are their joys? Their struggles? What are their hopes for the future? What are their dreams?

Then I thought, God knows the answer to all those questions. He knows exactly who logged on at what time - and why. The Spirit of God is there with them as they watch the video - which is a psalm of praise. God was, is, and will be there as they watch. What an amazing thought. Even more, what an awesome experience.

So today, wherever you are, take comfort and courage from the reality that God is with you wherever you go. He is there to guide you into reality and truth. He is there to bring comfort. He is there to challenge you to grow. You likely cannot SEE him, but if you look around, you wil lfind Him! Enjoy!

Psalm 100 video

Good Gracious!

God is amazing! And surprising!

Many of us think of God as One who draws a line in the sand and you had better not cross it - or else! Crossing that line is called sin. The problem is that we have a hard time differentiating between the line that God draws and the lines that we as people draw. Is something wrong because God said so, or because we say so?

During the time of the Kings in Biblical times, God had laid down some pretty clear and specific rules for the people to follow. Among them were rules for how people were to prepare themselves to enter the "sanctuary." During the time of Hezekiah the people of Israel had been crossing the line God had drawn for them. The people began to return to God but due to the fact that they were unclean - according to the rules - they could not present their lambs as their sacrificial offering before God.

In 2 Chronicles 30:18-20 an unusual thing happens. Hezekiah took a bold step and prayed to God and said "May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God - the LORD, the God of his fathers - even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary." And Good, Gracious - God "heard Hezekiah and healed the people."

When you have crossed the line, God is still gracious.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Meeting God on the Mountain

Watching the sunrise from the top of Mt. Moses (Mt. Sinai) was amazing. Imagine Moses hiking up the mountain alone - to meet with God. Was he afraid? Was he excited? After all, God had summoned Moses to meet with Him and NO ONE else was allowed to join him.

As we watched the sun come up, there were a group of eastern European believers gathered at the edge of the cliff, singing and praying together. At first I felt distracted in the awe of the moment; however, I quickly appreciated the joy of what this group of gathered believers must be experiencing. Imagine an entire group of dedicated followers of God, labouring through the night (old and young) to gather together at that spot to commune with God - together.

Thinking of Moses meeting with God and experiencing the glory of God's presence was stunning. As I stood there, watching the sun come up, I could not help but think of the words to a song written by Paul Baloche which we sing in our worship services at HMCC.

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love
There is no shadow in your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne
Before the holy one of heaven
It’s only by your blood
And it’s only through your mercy Lord, I come

I bring an offering of worship to my king
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that You’re due
O Lord I bring an offering to you

© 2003 Integrity’s Hosanna Music

What is a Win?

Do you ever look back at the end of the day and wonder what you have accomplished? Was this a successful day? A successful week? How do we know?

I am presently reading the book, 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. The first practice of successful ministry is clarifying what a win looks like. A baseball team knows that it has won the game when it has scored more runs than the opposing team. During the game there are some smaller wins as players get on base, then advance the bases until they cross home-plate, scoring a run. Using this analogy, the authors identify that in ministry (and I would say in much of life) it is important to identify what a win looks like for us.

This is an amazing exercise. I now find myself asking the question as I enter the day, “What will it mean for me to have a ‘win’ today?” At the end of the day even my wife now asks me if the day was a win.

Try it. For more information pick up the book 7 Practices of Effective Ministry, by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones, ©2004 North Point Ministries, Inc. Published by Multnomah Publishers, Inc.

Thanks Jason!

I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Jason Krause for his awesome, enthusiastic and faithful service as Associate Pastor at HMCC. Jason has served with integrity and inspiration, often working behind the scenes – and of course often very publicly.

I will greatly miss Jason in his role as Associate Pastor.

Great Job!!

Congratulations to our Children's Ministry for an awesome performance this past Sunday. The musical drama written by Karen Friesen explored the meaning of Christmas using a Christmas Time Machine, dropping in on various fictitious characters. Ramona Krause directed presentation which was presented with energy and focus by kids from our Adventure X and Edge ministries.

I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the awesome preparation, time and energy put into this presentation. HMCC is proud of all of you!

Who knows best?

We have been taught to be self-reliant. We practiacally think we know it all. If we cannot reason something to conclusion it must be faulty. Our mind and ability to reason has essentially become our God – the standard against which we measure and determine truth. The problem is that our minds are limited. Our knowledge, is still limited. There is more to this world than what our rational, scientific minds can perceive and understand.

God is the one who created and sustains this world. He is the one who designed and created us. God still has the power to step in and affect this world beyond the natural laws of cause and effect which he has installed in this world.’

Does it not make sense therefore, to check with him on occasion?

In Joshua chpaters 6-10 we find the Israelites as they are moving in to conquer the land of Canaan. They defeat Jericho because they followed the Lord’s instructions. The way they won doesn’t make logical sense, but if it would, they might have become self-relaint and forgot about God. Later they were decieved into make a treaty with people God had told them to conquer. The reason? Joshua 9:14 “… but [they] did not inquire of the LORD.”

I wonder how often we make decisions and move forward without inquiring of the Lord? We simple “figure it out.” Yes, God has given us rational minds to solve problems and make decisions. However, we still need him to guide and direct us – in supernatural ways. Even today, we need to inquire of the Lord. Try it!

Why the evil?

A mother intensely grieves when her son is brutally tortured and murdered. A you teens discovers her older brother is shot because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. We might be apathetic to the news – until it happens to those we know and love. This is the world our daughter is facing as she works with kids in the inner city.

When I told a friend of mine about what is going on, he was greatly disturbed and wondered why as humans we were not progressing beyond such evil. Why would rational beings continue to engage in such horrific, evil behaviour.

I guess the answer lies in the pages of Scripture – the Bible. We are told that “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” and we all carry with us a sinful nature that left to its own devices is inclined to do evil.

The only true solution is found outside of ourselves. The solution is found in Jesus Christ who paid the price for our evil (sin) and desires to give us a new life. A new life where we receive a new nature. It is only when we receive that new nature and allow it to be in control of our lives, that we will begin to overcome our evil bent.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Interconnected

However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and me.

- Matthew 17:27

As always, the tax man wants his “share,” and though He could argue an exemption, this sort of bickering would interfere with Jesus’s mission. He therefore tells Peter to go catch a fish, which will miraculously have a coin in its mouth. This coin is to be used to pay the tax for both Jesus and Peter.

So, what’s the miracle?

Does Jesus magically make this coin appear from nothing as Peter catches the fish? Or did He create the whole fish, placing it right onto Peter’s hook? I think it’s a lot simpler, yet infinitely more complicated, than snapping one’s fingers and making things materialize.

Read on!

A Christmas Revolution

Hey hey! My first article (hopefully the first of many) for the Truthmedia division of Campus Crusade for Christ has come online. Have a read at http://www.mentodayonline.com/christmas/revolution.html and let me know what you think. Better yet, let Truthmedia know what you think. It doesn't pay anything, but it's a good gig!

As a result of this article's being placed, I'm starting to see some names pop up at my site, www.smallisthegate.com. I'd be all warm in my heart if you'd come by and say hello.

True Character

True character is often revealed in the toughest of times. At times when many of us would become bitter, disillusioned, angry or lethargic, there are those who rise to the occasion and respond in strength, integrity and positive impact.

As I was reading Deut. 31 I found myself impressed with Moses. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land which had been promised to the Israelites. His entire life had been dedicated to leading the Israelites out of slavery and into the promised land. However, due to his own actions he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Now, at the end of Deut. Moses is commissioning Joshua to take his place. Moses finished well.

How an individual handles the conclusion of a significant work, ministry, or whatever it might be, is a certain test of character.

When the food seems dry

In my personal journaling I have returned to where I left off in reading through the Bible. I like to read the Bible from cover to cover every once in a while. I started this when I was in Bible College and have read through the Bible 5 or 6 times since. I begin in Genesis and read 5 chapters a day. If I miss a day, or two or however many, I simply pick up where I left off. Sometimes I take a break to read other passages, but then return. Eventually I get through the Bible.

Anyway, I am in Deuteronomy right now. It is a review of the Law given to the people of Israel. There are many detail laws on how to deal with accusations of unfaithfulness in marriage, disputes between neighbours, etc. I confess that I find some of these laws somewhat less than inspiring. I read then none-the-less and celebrate the fact that we no longer need to live under the Law, but under the grace of God.

The Law demonstrated that none of us can keep the Law without failing. Therefore, we need God’s grace in our lives. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ we can experience forgiveness and freedom.

Stumbling block of stepping stone?

Romans 14:12-13 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

It almost sounds from this passage that the Christian life is a life of solitude and independence – that there is no inter-accountability among believers. Taking a closer look, I see that the author is virtually repeating Jesus’ teaching on removing the rainforest cedar from our own eye before trying to peck a speck out of someone else’s eye.

I am so inclined to look at others and how they ought to shape up, change their life, get with the program and get in line (enough clichés?) while at the same time leave my own life unattended. It is easy to judge others. It is much harder to live that life myself.

Lord, help me to slip out of my judges frock and into some sackcloth. May I not be an obstacle to my “brothers” as they find their way. May I help rather than hinder. May I not pass judgment, but pass along encouragement. May I not be a rock of stumbling, but a stepping stone on their journey upwards. Thanks for putting us on this journey together.

Why?

Sometimes we wonder why in the world God is allowing “stuff” to happen to us. “What have we done wrong? Why is he punishing us? What is he trying to teach us?” The Lord reminded me this morning that in these questions the centre of attention is “us” or “me.”

This morning I read In 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

When I face difficulties or dilemmas of any kind, whom am I depending on for strength and success? Am I doing what I am doing so that I might somehow get credit and acclaim from others? Am I trying to prove to God how good I am and what great influence I carry? “Look at me God! Are you ever lucky you have me!” I may not say that, but do I live and act like that?

I pray that my life will increasingly reflect God’s presence and God’s power. May He get the credit! After it is because of His work in my life that I am not totally wiped out.

Weed control

Okay, so it has been a week since I wrote in this blog…

In my journaling today I read 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. In verses 1-2 Paul writes, “Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”

As a follower of Christ, He has called us to impact the world in which we live so that others will have the opportunity to experience life with Christ. Paul identifies the fact that in doing this we will face obstacles and difficulties. However, we don’t give up because we know that Christ has called us to this ministry and the result will be worthwhile.