Animalia "Talent-O-Topia" (All Aboard Reading)

My son’s musings on this book:

Finding Providence! (I Can Read)

Another book review by my six year old!

Love and Respect

My wife and I watched a DVD last night called “The Crazy Cycle” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The DVD is based on his popular book “Love And Respect”. The foundation of the teaching is based on Ephesians 5:33:
“So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (NLT)

I can really relate to the notion that men and women each speak a different language in the marriage relationship. My experience in five years of marriage and three kids agrees that the thing I desire most from my wife, is to be “respected”. I think its safe to assume that most men would rather have his wife say or do something that sends a message that says: “You da man!” rather than a heart shaped box of chocolates! And likewise, the biggest desire of the wife is simply, to be loved and cherished and treated as important and beautiful.

You can check out more on this teaching at http://www.loveandrespect.com

Shalom!

The Gospel of Mark (observations about Yeshua)

I love the narrative Mark gives in his gospel. In this fast pace account of Jesus, we move from the baptism on the Jordan by John, right into the early events of Jesus’ active ministry. I am intrigued by the activities and the specific things Jesus does, and I am even more intrigued by the personality and style of His humanity.

In the first chapter of Mark’s gospel, there are five things that Jesus does.

The first is PREACHING.

Verse 14 and 15 say “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God and saying the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel”

Interesting. Here is God in the flesh. The same God of the Old Testament, standing on the earth and preaching the nearness of the kingdom, repentance and belief in the gospel of God. For an interesting study, you should research what the phrase “The Kingdom of God” meant to the Jewish audience of Christ’s day!

The second thing I notice Jesus doing is MAKING DISCIPLES.

Mark 1:16-18 says: “One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen. Jesus called out to them: “Come be my disciples and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and went with him.

Thirdly, in Mark’s Gospel chapter one, I see Jesus TEACHING on the Sabbath.

Shortly after arriving in Capernaum, (the would-be head quarters of Jesus’ ministry) it was off to the synagogue to teach from the scriptures. It is here that Jesus begins to gather public acclaim by teaching the scriptures as one “with authority” unlike the scribes of the day.

In the same setting, we see Jesus doing DELIVERANCE.

In the synagogue, a man with an ‘unclean’ spirit manifests and tries to blow Jesus cover. Verse 24 says that the man started shouting “Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One sent from God!” Jesus cut him short. “Be silent! Come out of the man.” At that, the evil spirit screamed and threw the man into a convulsion, but then left him.

This reminds me that deliverance is a very real part of ministry, not only for Jesus and his disciples in Bible times, but for us here and now. Spiritual forces are present and active, and we mustn’t be naive to their devilish schemes!

In verse 29 through 34 we see Jesus begin his ministry of PHYSICAL HEALING, starting with Simon’s mother-in-law in Capernaum. Despite Jesus’ stern warnings to the recipients of these miracles (which I find interesting and mysterious), fame begins to spread like wildfire, particularly for the miracles of demonic exorcism and physical healing.

Any preacher of this day and age would be ecstatic about this sort of overnight success, but verse 35 of Mark 1 gives us an interesting glimpse into this unassuming, and eccentric personality of the person of Yeshua. Read this next verse slowly….very slowly, savoring every word…picture him here in the morning hours. Picture in your mind’s eye the throngs of needy people who are ready to trample him with their admiration. Try to imagine the disciples who are potentially clueless to the fact that this Jewish Rabbi crashing on their couch is actually the Creator of the universe Himself.

‘The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. Later, Simon and the others went out to find Him. They said: “Everyone is asking for you!” But He replied, “We must go on to the other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came.”’

Shalom, more later….

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Washed By The Water (NeedToBreathe)

We’re gonna close with this one at B2B this year. My friend Curtis rips this one up!

I Like To Live The Love I Sing About (BB King)

This is one of BB best! I’m planning on doing this number at Blues Fest this year with the Chop Liver Band. Complete with a horn section..Woo hoo!

Mark Chapter 1

I’ve just begun reading the Gospel of Mark again, and it has taken me more than a week to get past the first chapter! I am trying to re-train myself to slowly digest the scriptures rather than quickly scan through the content as if I’m just reading some ‘ordinary’ book. I plan on blogging about some detailed thoughts from this chapter later, but I want to leave you with a few of the single words that I am ‘chewing’ on.

In verse 4 it says that John the Baptist was ‘preaching’. (speaking, proclaiming, explaining, declaring)
In the same verse it tells what he was ‘preaching’. The subject of his message was centered around the ‘baptism’ of ‘repentance’, for the remission of sins. It says in verse 5 that people from all aroud came to be baptized and they began by ‘confessing’ their sins.

These four subjects are my spiritual food right now. What does it mean to me today?

What is the role of ‘preaching’ in my life. Do I ‘preach’? Do I respond to ‘preaching’?

Baptism. What am I baptized in? What am I submerged in? Do I realize the depth of my commitment to Christ? Do I underestimate it?

Repentance. Am I walking in a way worthy of repentance. Is my response to the message of God’s salvation appropriate?

Confession. What is the level of honesty in my relationship with God. How intimate is the dialogue I have with the Holy Spirit? With my peirs?

Preaching. Baptism.
Repentance. Confession.

More later. Shalom!

Joan Of Arc (step into reading)

My six year old son was interested in doing a book review like dad. So, here is his riveting, brutally honest review of “Joan Of Arc”. A “step Into reading” book we picked up from the local library. Enjoy!

Reverence (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 5:1-2)

Hebrews 13:17 (NLT)

 ”Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”

 

The program of Teen Challenge has a huge emphasis on Christian education. A large part of the 1 year residential training is spiritual formation. We love to highlight the importance of developing character. Part of the curriculum is comprised of these lessons called “Character Qualities”. They are published by Teen Challenge International as part of the “Personal Studies For New Christians” course.

 

One of our students had a special assignment on the character quality reverence. His assignments included studying the biblical concept of reverence, applying it to his life with measurable goals, and he also had to design 5 questions with which to  interview several christian leaders.  

I was excited as he finally tracked me down and was able to ask me the questions he came up with. I’d like to share his questions because I found them interesting, I will also summarize my answers as well:

1. How do you show an attitude of reverence to those in authority over you?

One way I do this is by recognizing people’s titles and positions. I know some folks really have a hard time with titles, but I think that it is a God given order in which we can flow if we choose to be a blessing. You can call me old fashion, but I tend to call pastors “pastor” and older gentlemen “sir”, I will sometimes speak to older women as “dear”. I think it is respectful to treat everyone with the highest sense of value possible. I  do not think it is outdated to use terms like “Mr.” and Mrs.”

Another way I can show reverence to people in authority over me is by how I speak or think of them when I am not in their presence. Speaking well of leaders, and others who are appointed as authorities brings a blessing to us. The bible speaks plenty of this type of reverence, whether it is royalty, government leaders, civic authorities, spiritual leadership, elders, etc.

2. Do you think there are people whom you do not need demonstrate reverence towards?

Lets keep in mind that the bible also reminds us all to submit to each other. Although titles and positions of authority have a very relevant function in society, we must remember that a person’s role and responsibility do not reflect that person’s value. Everyone is equal. Equality must be prevalent in the face of gender, race, religion, social status, morality amd worldview. The bottom line,  is that every person is a child of God , and should be treated as so.

3. Since the opposite of reverence is disrespect, how should you respond to someone who does not show reverence to you?

If ever I feel disrespect, or a touch of offence when someone does not show me the respect I think I deserve, my first response should always be to look at my heart. I should ask myself: Why am I offended? Do I have an unhealthy desire to be recognized as a pastor, or a leader? Am I guilty of what Jesus accused the Pharisees of in Matthew 23:7?        

” You love to be greeted in the marketplace and have people call you’Rabbi’.”

However, I think that there is a time when it is appropriate to discern whether there is a teachable moment in a person’s life. When one of the students at Teen Challenge demonstrates constant disrespect to leaders or those in authority, (including myself), it may be an attitude that could benefit from correction. After all, if we can learn to be reverent and respectful, it is actually ourselves who will reap a blessing!

4. Do you think that everyone should be treated with the sdame “level” of reverence or that certain people perhaps deserve more than others?

Good question. My first response would be “no”, as everyone is equal in God’s sight, and worthy of the same rights and dignity any human life would deserve. However, in terms of the “type” of reverence shown, I think there exists a relativity. for example; chances are, I am inclined to speak more bluntly, or even sarcastically with a pier with whom I have been freinds with for sometime. Joking, and sometimes brutal truth telling may exist because through relationship and trust, we have earned the right to speak boldy into each others life. Also, as a pastor, I am to be careful as to how speak to people of different ages: The bible says in 1 Timothy 5:1-2:

” Never rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,l older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.”

Obviously, I will use a different style of communication with a bro or a close friend, than I might use with, say, a grandmother, or a dignitary, or an older man.

5. How do you continue to show revernce (or don’t you) to a person in authority over you when they make a decision you struggle with or think is wrong?

Another great question. I think that obedience to authority is essential. I know there are differing schools of thought on this, but i am a firm believer in Hebrews 13:17:

 ”Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive. For they watch out for your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joym, and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

That is a loaded verse! What I can take from that is the simple truth that, unless it is a sin, I can obey. Period. Whether I disagree with my leaders, or have a personal struggle with their style or beliefs  I can still serve them willingly. Of course, if there exists a forum in which I can speak my mind, and if the leader is open to having me speak into their leadership, by all means I will engage in as much communication as I can. But, at the end of the day, I will intentionally be serving my leader. Whether it is king Saul, or king David, I can serve by sowing a  humble spirit, and in turn, I will reap a blessing!

Shalom!

Breakfast Jam!

Wednesday morning at Port Kells

It ended up raining, but the morning was a lot of fun nonetheless. I was privileged to come out and jam with some of the fellows from BC Teen Challenge, and some folks from the BSIA (Building Suppliers Industry Association).

Darrell Lahay and “The Chop Liver Band” took the stage to do some blues music, and some gospel as well, for a small crowd, while the men from TC served breakfast at this annual event. Teen Challenge has recently become the charity of choice for the BSIA, and we are beggining to partner with them in events like this. All in all, like I said, the weather turned out to be a little soggy, but we made some music, shared the faith, and a good time was had by all!

Shalom!