For Communities' Sake!

Last week I went to a Trauma conference...I know what your thinking..boring right? But actually it was quite interesting! However, that wasn't the most exciting thing that was happening there. When I first walked into the large room I found that I was not sitting with any co-workers at all...which at first I was disappointed in...I was, instead, sitting with a group of complete strangers. The cool part about it, however, was that there were people there from all different positions within the social service field. So we were able to make connections with different agencies/people in our area (geographically) which was pretty awesome. The even better part was that all these people were at this conference to serve the clientele that they support/serve. It was one giant community coming together to show support for the work that others did and learn how they can do the work that they do better!

While I was there I began thinking that we don't often do this within the church community as often as we should. Sometimes it feels that we're "competing for souls" within our communities. Should it really be this way? Obviously there are some communities that are already doing this sometimes, but not near enough of our communities are doing this. I think that too many churches are still stuck up and don't want to deal with other denominations, for whatever reason, which is depressing and truly sad. People are scared to commit to something as large and life-changing like this...why? Why are we afraid to be apart of a movement that can forever change people's lives?

I love community, and I feel that I'm lacking in it right now, mainly because I'm not actively involved in one church, however there are still other communities that I am involved in, and they truly bless my life and make it worthwhile. To be able to serve others and be served by others, truly nothing compares to the feeling! So why are we afraid to commit to being active within these communities? We say that we're busy as we flip on the TV, we make up various excuses (and we could all name 50) not to be involved in something that could potentially change our lives and the lives of people around us. I think one of the reasons is that people will truly to get to know aspects of our lives that we wish to hide from the people around us. We are frightened of showing our weaknesses and having people expose us for our faults. But how else are we supposed to grow? So get involved, be active, get off the couch, be outspoken, dare to be wrong, dare to be vulnerable!

Satan's a salesman

Ask anyone...I love a good deal...but who doesn't? However, getting a good deal can sometimes get me in trouble...for example, buying many things that I don't need and then coming home to my wife...oops!

Lately I've been thinking about the relationship between God and Satan. It's a pretty complicated relationship I think...but in order for me to think about their relationship, I first thought about who they are individually. The more I thought about it the more I think that Satan is an excellent salesman. He could easily sell cars, insurance...pretty much anything! Satan is probably the ideal salesman...he can make anything look inviting. For example...think of some of the "sins" in your life, why do you do them?

Satan needs to sell us things because that is his contribution in stalling God's kingdom. Without that constant temptation it would be a lot more joyful of a world don't you think?

take a breathe...

The other day I heard something amazing…want to know what it is? It was this line, “Every breath we take is God breathing life into us.” Isn’t that amazing? Think about how many breathes you take in a day…that’s a lot isn’t it? So every time you take one of those breathes God is breathing life into you. He’s providing you the life that you are living! Incredible don’t you think?

Everyone takes life for granted sometimes…we all are busy with our work, friends, social events…usually too busy. With this busyness we can often lose sight of the “smaller” things that are going on around us; The grass growing, the world turning, the breathes we’re breathing. When was the last time you thought about your breathing? It’s something incredibly small, but earth-shatteringly large!

We are still breathing because we have a purpose that we have not yet fulfilled. I don’t know what yours is but I think mine has to do with spreading the Word of God…I don’t always remember this purpose, and I don’t always live out this purpose…but if I think of all the times that God has breathed life into me (every day…every breath) I need to be a better lamb to my shepherd.

Sometimes I forget how important it is to breathe, it’s our survival, it’s our will to live. It’s something that we do without thinking, but if I stop to think about it, God is breathing life into us…and if God is giving us life, shouldn’t we be shouting that from the rooftops?

God gave me life today…how about you?

Summer Lovin'

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about friends. It's come to me that relationships really grow in the summertime. Why? Well let's talk about it!

One thing I notice with people is that they tend to "hang out" in the summer more often then the winter. First of all, the obvious reason, it's warm out. Who wants to visit someone in the dead of winter, when they have to sit inside and gab...but who doesn't like sitting out on someone's deck and "shootin' the shit?" I know which one I would rather do! To me there is nothing better then sitting on someone's deck/bar patio with a bunch of friends, having a drink or two and talking about life. To me, that's what life's about!

It also seems that people are more willing to drive around in the summer, probably because of road conditions (they feel more comfortable on the road) and also because they aren't freezing! This, of course, enables you to connect with more people as your willing to drive all over the country side to talk to the people you are visiting. This increases the amount of people that you come in contact with and thus increasing your friendship with those people.

Another big one is camping/cottaging/vacationing. Most people take vacations in the summer and many of us take these vacations with others outside of the family. This, pretty much, forces us to become closer with these people because we are with them a lot more then we normally would! You are also creating a history with people then, something that you can both look back on and tell stories about what happened that weekend.

So, in other words, summer is great...and I love it because I hang out with friends a lot more, and even family. I feel that I become closer with friends in the summer time and our community becomes tighter as a group. Do you experience this as well?

Better Late then Never...

So I finally got a new keyboard...before my space bar and my "b" button were messed up...but it's finally been replaced! So what's new and happening...work is keeping me crazy busy and it's summer time...so I don't spend much of my home time on the computer. However...that doesn't mean my mind isn't still pondering things...

Just the other day I was talking to a friend about ministry...and we were saying that just because you don't directly work for a church (or in a church) that it can still be something that you are called to do...in other words...ministry. There are many views out there, believe it or not, that say that if you don't work for a church then you are not in ministry. This is a very sad....and awfully misleading opinion. I have a friend who works in the 'jock world" and is currently bringing kids to Christ all through out Ontario by organizing camps at in collaboration with various churches. That's not ministry? I have heard the same things through where I work...people are in my business because they are called to it. I remember talking to a coworker and they said that this is where they have been called to...not working at a church....being a pastor or some other coordinator...but working with people that have disabilities.

So in other words...for you people that still have your head stuck in the mud...it is possible to be a Christian outside of the church...and it is possible to have God call you to a specific line of work...whether that's in the social service field, a trade, or accounting...God will use you where you are...and you will minister to those around you....that to me is being called to ministry...

A Quickie

So it's been a while since the last blog...and for that I apologize...life's been busy...but isn't that always the excuse? So how is everyone doing? I'm doing pretty well...I'm starting another course next week called Alternative Dispute Resolution. I was supposed to be taking Level 1 (3 days) and Level 2 (3 days) but due to me being unorganized I triple booked myself for the later half of the week and had to cancel Level 2....oops! Anyways I'm really excited about taking the first part of the course and diving into the mediation world again!

In other news, good friends of mine are going to be getting married this week! Hooray! I usually dislike weddings (true story)...but I'm really looking forward to this one! I will be playing at the wedding too which should be interesting...it's been a while since I've had to play in front of people so that makes me excited and anxious...should be good times!

Go for a Walk...

This past Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Burlington. Everyone met at one of the Compass Point Churches for the celebration...and it was a huge success! One thing really struck me as the celebration went on...one of our previous pastor's...I believe it was Pastor Kortel, mentioned that when the church started that they were focused on building relationships...and Kortel mentioned that he was glad that we had continued that focus. Why did this strike a chord with me? Well if you have read any of these blogs you'll notice that I thrive on relationships and think that they are extremely important in our lives. One thing that we tried to do at Faith church was constantly try to build relationships, both within our congregation and outside (with other churches, our surrounding neighbourhood, etc.). So it really made me get a warm, fuzzy feeling that an "outsider" noticed our focus on relationships...which makes me think....we're doing something right...

After the celebration I had the chance to talk to a few people. While talking to one particular person we noted that all Christians need to own a dog....strange right? Well, not really...what we were saying is that when you have a dog, you need to walk it through your neighbourhood (usually), and as a dog owner, your dog will usually approach other dogs...therefore you are probably having a quick conversation with that dog's owner. Thus, starting a new relationship with that owner...which leads us back to the importance of relationships....think about it...then let me know your thoughts...