Maddison just brought a homemade invitation to me and asked what I thought. Seems her and her friends are putting on a little party tommorow. Best invitation I've ever seen. I especially love the last line. Ha Ha Ha, what a character.
Your invited to a friendship party. When tomarrow at 3:00 Pick the children up before dark You can drop the children off or stay with them. if you don't mind it will be supervised By children. if the children don't behave they will have a timeout for five minutes
THANK YOU!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Spring is slow
What's up Calgary, the name's spring. Hey, nice to finally meet you, I've heard such great things. Yeh, sorry dude, I was supposed to be here in March but I kinda got hung up in the mountains. Yeh, that's what I heard. Well at least your here now. How long are you staying? Well, I plan to stay right till summer but who knows, you know how those mountains can be. Not really Spring, although I might if I were a pansy. A pansy? You calling me a pansy? Wow, your amazingly quick for being so slow. Slow? What's your problem man? No problem, all I'm saying is I don't let anything determine who I am. Oohhh, I see, I get it, because I allow the moutains to affect my timing that makes me a pansy. Did I say pansy, I meant a little girl with pigtales. A little girl eh. Well Mr. Tough guy, how would you like to step outside and we'll just see whose the little girl. We already are outside you moron. Good, so lets go then. Go where. Fight you idiot, lets fight. Why? What do you mean why? You called me a pansy then a little girl with pigtales. Yeh, so. So, I want to fight. Oh, but, don't you think you should take out your pigtales. Yeh, good point, heyyyyy. Oh spring, you're so slow.
So yeh, spring's here. Finally. Its pretty sweet actually. I just spent some quality time in the backyard, enjoying the bird chatter and the flames at my feet (not those flames, the real kind). Nothing like reading a great book by the fire. So good. The fire and book. I highly recommend both. Speaking of fires and books, I can't believe book burnings actually existed. This book is the most banned and burned of all time. No idea why. I thought it was great. Silly uptight people.
Anyways, besides reading and finishing up school, done next Wed, I've been enjoying the playoffs, even without my Oilers. I'm in a couple pools this year and I actually made it through the first round without losing any players. I'm in second and I've picked the Sharks to win it all. I think they will.
Superstore close in 10 minutes. Angie wants chocolate.
Bye,
John
So yeh, spring's here. Finally. Its pretty sweet actually. I just spent some quality time in the backyard, enjoying the bird chatter and the flames at my feet (not those flames, the real kind). Nothing like reading a great book by the fire. So good. The fire and book. I highly recommend both. Speaking of fires and books, I can't believe book burnings actually existed. This book is the most banned and burned of all time. No idea why. I thought it was great. Silly uptight people.
Anyways, besides reading and finishing up school, done next Wed, I've been enjoying the playoffs, even without my Oilers. I'm in a couple pools this year and I actually made it through the first round without losing any players. I'm in second and I've picked the Sharks to win it all. I think they will.
Superstore close in 10 minutes. Angie wants chocolate.
Bye,
John
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Extreme Grid Blog
Growing up I was always enamored by my dad's tatoo. It's located on his left calf. It was a picture of Hitler on one side and Ghandi on the other with the word Truth in between. For you artists out there, the word truth was written like an arrow. Apparently he got it when he was younger to remind him that "between two extremes lies the truth." Speaking of the truth, I lied about the tatoo, although growing up my dad did say that statement an awful lot. So much so that it kind of stuck with me.
I've recently recognized that I tend to be a bit extreme. My thoughts, feelings, behavior and beliefs are often not what one might deem "normal" or even "cool." I used to think I redefined cool now I'm bald and don't know how to download itunes. Still, I do what I can.
Which brings me to our Grid Blog topic - Earth day. Doing what we can.
Kelly, our preacher, agreed to give me 5 minutes this morning to talk about Earth Day with the church. I was grateful and miraculously only took 5min and 45 seconds. Speaking of extreme, I spend most of last night trying to decide what to say. "You already know what you want to say, so just sit down and watch the movie." I must admit, I had to agree with my wife but was still distracted. The way I see it in my mind is I've been given 5 minutes to change people's opinion of the earth so I better plan something good. I know, extreme. Extremely prideful, to think I could change them at all, and extremely anal to think it comes down to what I've prepared.
I ended up deciding to let the earth speak for itself. So I showed a 4and a half minute clip of Sacred Planet, showing the best our earth has to offer accompanied by beautiful music. After the clip I read part of Psalm 104 then said this: "Earth Day is not about elevating the earth to the status of God, its about elevating God as we use the earth."
The way I see it, this day should transend all the moronic extremes: tree hugging hippies vs. rapers of the planet. This day is about one thing, the truth.
And here it is: The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, so don't abuse it.
John
I've recently recognized that I tend to be a bit extreme. My thoughts, feelings, behavior and beliefs are often not what one might deem "normal" or even "cool." I used to think I redefined cool now I'm bald and don't know how to download itunes. Still, I do what I can.
Which brings me to our Grid Blog topic - Earth day. Doing what we can.
Kelly, our preacher, agreed to give me 5 minutes this morning to talk about Earth Day with the church. I was grateful and miraculously only took 5min and 45 seconds. Speaking of extreme, I spend most of last night trying to decide what to say. "You already know what you want to say, so just sit down and watch the movie." I must admit, I had to agree with my wife but was still distracted. The way I see it in my mind is I've been given 5 minutes to change people's opinion of the earth so I better plan something good. I know, extreme. Extremely prideful, to think I could change them at all, and extremely anal to think it comes down to what I've prepared.
I ended up deciding to let the earth speak for itself. So I showed a 4and a half minute clip of Sacred Planet, showing the best our earth has to offer accompanied by beautiful music. After the clip I read part of Psalm 104 then said this: "Earth Day is not about elevating the earth to the status of God, its about elevating God as we use the earth."
The way I see it, this day should transend all the moronic extremes: tree hugging hippies vs. rapers of the planet. This day is about one thing, the truth.
And here it is: The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, so don't abuse it.
John
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Earth Day Gridblog by Angie
So, it's Earth Day. I like Earth Day because I have some cool pictures of the earth, looking happy but exhausted, wiping her forehed (which I believe is somewhere in Northern Canada, for you Yellowknifians) with a hankie. I photocopy this and let the kids colour it on Earth Day. Also John and I end up talking about how we can do things better in the coming year. It's not a planned, let's sit down at 2:30 with a pen and some graph paper sort of thing, although if that works for you, go team. This year we really noticed packaging. We recycle it all, but for those of you who know the three Rs it's reduce, reuse, recycle and which comes first? That's right. So, we'll definately do more bulk shopping. Costco sells in bulk, but it can get tricky because it's three loaves of bread in a whole other bag. Or two sour cream tubs in a whole extra cardboard cover. Very uncool, Costco. We'll still shop there because it's cheap and we eat like pigs, which leads me to our second change of the year. Stop eating like pigs. For the most part, except for the odd Friday night when we're craving hot wings even though we're not hungry. But eating more than your body needs is taking from the earth and from others, ultimately.
I don't ever want to be one of those militant, sign holding, deoderant not wearing, leg not shaving (except in the winter when I just don't feel like shaving my legs, but that's not for environmental reasons) extremists. I'm really not too worried about that happening, but I feel good when I choose organic over poison infused (sorry, that was a little extremist), or walk home from Superstore with a pyramid of food balanced on my arms because I chose no bags. I would like to lessen our footprint so we're not using up 3 1/2 earths, and I don't think that's extreme at all. If anything, using up more than our planet can give is extreme. So.
Oh, this is cool. Maddie wants to plant trees for her birthday party this year. And no, we didn't prod and hint and leave pictures of clear cut forests around the house until she came up with the idea. It was on her own. So, if anyone knows how exactly one goes about doing that....
Ang
I don't ever want to be one of those militant, sign holding, deoderant not wearing, leg not shaving (except in the winter when I just don't feel like shaving my legs, but that's not for environmental reasons) extremists. I'm really not too worried about that happening, but I feel good when I choose organic over poison infused (sorry, that was a little extremist), or walk home from Superstore with a pyramid of food balanced on my arms because I chose no bags. I would like to lessen our footprint so we're not using up 3 1/2 earths, and I don't think that's extreme at all. If anything, using up more than our planet can give is extreme. So.
Oh, this is cool. Maddie wants to plant trees for her birthday party this year. And no, we didn't prod and hint and leave pictures of clear cut forests around the house until she came up with the idea. It was on her own. So, if anyone knows how exactly one goes about doing that....
Ang
Friday, April 20, 2007
How big is your foot?
Take this Quiz. It only takes 5 minutes. It'll tell you your "ecological footprint" or how much of the planet's resources you consume. Respecting the environment is a huge value of mine yet based on my answers, if everyone lived like me, we would need 3.2 more planets. I consume 5.7 hectares. The average Canadian consumes 8.8.
Part of me feels relieved that I'm at least below average but the other part of me feels ashamed, as obviously there is much more I need to do, or not do.
Grid Blog post will be forthcoming. . .
John
Part of me feels relieved that I'm at least below average but the other part of me feels ashamed, as obviously there is much more I need to do, or not do.
Grid Blog post will be forthcoming. . .
John
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Grid Blog Topic - Earth Day!!
Hey folks. Notice I called you folks. Friday is National Marijuana Day (420) and Sunday is Earth Day, so I felt "folks" kinda fit. Sounded hippyish.
I vote that we ressurect the Grid Blog this week by posting on what we think of the earth. Earth day is Sunday so try and write it before then. I realize that Tim, Dave, Blair and Chelsey kind of started the whole Grid Blog thing, but it was intended to involve as many as possible. So please, write.
Contrary to popular believe, you dont' have to be a hippy or a tree hugger to respect God's creation. You just have to want to.
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
John
I vote that we ressurect the Grid Blog this week by posting on what we think of the earth. Earth day is Sunday so try and write it before then. I realize that Tim, Dave, Blair and Chelsey kind of started the whole Grid Blog thing, but it was intended to involve as many as possible. So please, write.
Contrary to popular believe, you dont' have to be a hippy or a tree hugger to respect God's creation. You just have to want to.
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
John
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Virginia
I was working on my paper at Starbucks (my second office)when Vince, a friend I met there, asked me what I thought about the shootings. Vince knows I'm a pastor. All I could say was, "people are imperfect." Vince's response was classic -"Hmm, I expected you to get all spiritual on me."
The fact is, how is one, even a pastor, supposed to react to the tragic loss of people so young? What is one even to say? The world's messed up, the guy was a complete whack job and 30 families just experienced the worst night of their lives. My heart aches for these families.
God, we need your peace and healing. . .
John
The fact is, how is one, even a pastor, supposed to react to the tragic loss of people so young? What is one even to say? The world's messed up, the guy was a complete whack job and 30 families just experienced the worst night of their lives. My heart aches for these families.
God, we need your peace and healing. . .
John
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Some things
1. If a lizard ever jumps on your head while your on the can, try this. At the very least read that blog as often as you can. Guaranteed laughs.
2. We watched Pleasantville last night. An oldy (98) but a goody. Rent it, it'll make you think.
3. Apart from Christmas and Easter, this may be the most spiritual day of the year. Do your part! In fact, I hope you already are.
4. The Habs did not make the playoffs. Calgary did, but shouldn't have. The Oilers need God, at the very least a quality defensemen, God's strength is in net, making timely saves.
5. My God analogies could be viewed as cheesy. But that's only because they're nacho analogies.
John
2. We watched Pleasantville last night. An oldy (98) but a goody. Rent it, it'll make you think.
3. Apart from Christmas and Easter, this may be the most spiritual day of the year. Do your part! In fact, I hope you already are.
4. The Habs did not make the playoffs. Calgary did, but shouldn't have. The Oilers need God, at the very least a quality defensemen, God's strength is in net, making timely saves.
5. My God analogies could be viewed as cheesy. But that's only because they're nacho analogies.
John
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Grid Blog - Consumed
I've been consumed with a lot of things lately. School for one. Actually, that's the main one. In 3 weeks I will complete my final course for my duh gree. I know what your thinking, 'meh'. I hear ya, I feel the same. Still, I've invested so much time and $ into this thing - it would be irresponsible not to finish. So I am. I hope to Graduate next spring.
I was doing some research for my paper tonight and came across this article called "Why the Devil takes Visa: A Christian Response to the triumph of Consumerism." It immediatly caught my attention as I was sure the big D was an American Express guy. I ended up reading it, which took up most of my evening, but it was well worth it. The guy struck a deep chord with me as I've been thinking about consumerism for some time now.
One of the quotes he cited came from the Thompson Red Book on Advertising, ya that one.
"Advertising aims to teach people that they have wants, which they did not recognize before, and where such wants can be best supplied." Anyone feeling duped? If not read again, slower this time.
Another stinger - "No one has ever in his life bought a mere piece of merchandise--per se. What he buys is the satisfaction of a physical need or the gratification of some dream about his life."
These 2 gems were only the tip of the iceberg. By the end of the article I was ready to throw out all 100 of my Dvds, oh yes, I really do have that many, as well as the dozens of other needs collecting dust. Here's the thing, most nights when I sit down to watch something I inevitably surf. Why do I surf? Well, there's nothing on any of the 75 channels we pay for. What about the Dvd's? I've seen them all, in some cases more then 5 times!!
Still, I like to think I'm not a consumer type. After all, I only drive one vehicle, I still don't own an Ipod and I haven't bought new clothes in over a year. Blows your hair back, doesn't it?
What is wrong with me? What is wrong with us? How can we think the way we live is ok? 150 years ago 6 out of 10 people lived completely off the land. Today, we moan because we have to drive to Superstore where the lineups can last more then 15 minutes!!!!!!
How can we escape Consumer living when we live in Capitalist Canada? For us not to consume we'd have to move to a commune, or be . . .Castaway.
What is left for citizens to do when their continent, country, city, community, culture, church, Christianity and yes even their Christ have become things to consume instead of treasures to cherish? I know Dave, 11 c's.
Should we revolt, give in, surrender, take up arms? None of those sound right. So what? What are we to do?
Consider this a Grid Blog. Please, weigh in.
John
I was doing some research for my paper tonight and came across this article called "Why the Devil takes Visa: A Christian Response to the triumph of Consumerism." It immediatly caught my attention as I was sure the big D was an American Express guy. I ended up reading it, which took up most of my evening, but it was well worth it. The guy struck a deep chord with me as I've been thinking about consumerism for some time now.
One of the quotes he cited came from the Thompson Red Book on Advertising, ya that one.
"Advertising aims to teach people that they have wants, which they did not recognize before, and where such wants can be best supplied." Anyone feeling duped? If not read again, slower this time.
Another stinger - "No one has ever in his life bought a mere piece of merchandise--per se. What he buys is the satisfaction of a physical need or the gratification of some dream about his life."
These 2 gems were only the tip of the iceberg. By the end of the article I was ready to throw out all 100 of my Dvds, oh yes, I really do have that many, as well as the dozens of other needs collecting dust. Here's the thing, most nights when I sit down to watch something I inevitably surf. Why do I surf? Well, there's nothing on any of the 75 channels we pay for. What about the Dvd's? I've seen them all, in some cases more then 5 times!!
Still, I like to think I'm not a consumer type. After all, I only drive one vehicle, I still don't own an Ipod and I haven't bought new clothes in over a year. Blows your hair back, doesn't it?
What is wrong with me? What is wrong with us? How can we think the way we live is ok? 150 years ago 6 out of 10 people lived completely off the land. Today, we moan because we have to drive to Superstore where the lineups can last more then 15 minutes!!!!!!
How can we escape Consumer living when we live in Capitalist Canada? For us not to consume we'd have to move to a commune, or be . . .Castaway.
What is left for citizens to do when their continent, country, city, community, culture, church, Christianity and yes even their Christ have become things to consume instead of treasures to cherish? I know Dave, 11 c's.
Should we revolt, give in, surrender, take up arms? None of those sound right. So what? What are we to do?
Consider this a Grid Blog. Please, weigh in.
John
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Easter Meaning - Part 3
I ended Part 2, Good Friday, by saying "Sunday's comin." The experiences of Good Friday often plague us with doubt, depression, and despair but part of what makes them bearable is the knowledge that things will get better. That's the promise of Sunday. But today's Saturday. What does Easter Saturday hold?
For Jesus it held mystery. Nobody really knows what Jesus did on that Saturday. Some think he descended to hell to minister to the spirits, others think he ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God while others think he jumped in a time machine and fast forwarded to 1997 where he helped the Oilers win game 7 against Dallas. The fact is, we'll never know. We can only guess. So here's mine.
I think he waited - which made Easter Saturday just as bad or worse then Good Friday. What's worse then waiting to hear how things are going to turn out. Some of you may be thinking - what do you mean Jesus waited - he was God, he knew! I'm not sure he did. That's not a denial of his Divinity, its a recognition of his humanity. The same humanity that caused him to cry out in the garden and question on the cross also caused him to wait on Easter Saturday, the longest day in history. Was it a good plan? Did I do enough? God, are you really there?
If you've experienced the tragedy of Good Friday then you know the agony of Easter Saturday.
It sucks waiting, its excruciating. . .waiting to hear, waiting for relief, waiting for God to act. Sometimes you think you can't wait another minute but the hope of Sunday and its promise of new life allows you to hold on for one more day.
Tommorow's Sunday. Thank God.
John
For Jesus it held mystery. Nobody really knows what Jesus did on that Saturday. Some think he descended to hell to minister to the spirits, others think he ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God while others think he jumped in a time machine and fast forwarded to 1997 where he helped the Oilers win game 7 against Dallas. The fact is, we'll never know. We can only guess. So here's mine.
I think he waited - which made Easter Saturday just as bad or worse then Good Friday. What's worse then waiting to hear how things are going to turn out. Some of you may be thinking - what do you mean Jesus waited - he was God, he knew! I'm not sure he did. That's not a denial of his Divinity, its a recognition of his humanity. The same humanity that caused him to cry out in the garden and question on the cross also caused him to wait on Easter Saturday, the longest day in history. Was it a good plan? Did I do enough? God, are you really there?
If you've experienced the tragedy of Good Friday then you know the agony of Easter Saturday.
It sucks waiting, its excruciating. . .waiting to hear, waiting for relief, waiting for God to act. Sometimes you think you can't wait another minute but the hope of Sunday and its promise of new life allows you to hold on for one more day.
Tommorow's Sunday. Thank God.
John
Must see TV
I interrupt my Easter series to say this.
Tonight is must see TV on CBC!
Check out tonight's HNIC double header:
Toronto vs Montreal - Winner goes to the dance, loser goes to the course. (I'm cheering for the Leafs, sorry Olsons)
Edmonton vs Calgary - My Oilers have a chance to first of all, win their 2nd game in 20, but even more exciting, with a Colorado win they can actually deliver a serious blow to the Flames playoff hopes. Fingers are crossed and knees are bent.
If you are eagerly awaiting part 3 of my Easter series, it'll be up by midnight. Got some hockey watching to do first.
John
Tonight is must see TV on CBC!
Check out tonight's HNIC double header:
Toronto vs Montreal - Winner goes to the dance, loser goes to the course. (I'm cheering for the Leafs, sorry Olsons)
Edmonton vs Calgary - My Oilers have a chance to first of all, win their 2nd game in 20, but even more exciting, with a Colorado win they can actually deliver a serious blow to the Flames playoff hopes. Fingers are crossed and knees are bent.
If you are eagerly awaiting part 3 of my Easter series, it'll be up by midnight. Got some hockey watching to do first.
John
Friday, April 06, 2007
Easter Meaning - Part 2
What is it about cheap Taco's that makes you realize Good Friday may not be the best name that was ever invented? As I sat munching tacos, Krystal, a teen I was munching with, piped up, "so what's this Good Friday all about anyways?" Krystal is not what you'd call "churched" although her natural spirituality causes one to wonder how churched she ever needs to be. Her question kind of surprised me because I assumed everyone knew, including me. Now granted, I knew, but as I began to share I found myself horrified by my own explanation. . . which sounded a bit like this. . . .
"Well you see Krystal, Good Friday is when we remember the day Jesus was betrayed by one of his own, deserted by his closest friends, beaten to a pulp, forced to carry his own cross, nailed to that same cross until he finally died, unable to take another breath." As I finished my explanation the look on her face matched the feeling I had in my gut and so the only thing I could think of doing was swinging my arm and saying "pretty good, eh?" Recognizing I may have destroyed this poor girl's soul I quickly tried to recover, "Krystal, what makes this Friday good is God took this horrible situation and used it to bring about the salvation of mankind." Great explanation John. Now pretend the girl is 15 and not your seminary proffesor. I tried to continue but she had moved onto much happier topics like Urban Planet, and why its the best place to shop. Sigh.
Is it just me? Or am I missing something? Why do we continue to announce to the world that the humiliation, torture and death of an innocent man is GOOD? I know what you're thinking, but that's because you've grown up hearing it and you know how that Sunday's coming. But saying Friday is good because Sunday is Fantastic isn't the best explanation, at least not for the Krystals of the world, who aren't up on their religion. Personally I think Friday is good, we just haven't done a good job of explaining why.
Here's something interesting, the words good and God are so closely related that when translated from other languages, namely German, they are often confused. Suppose that's what's happened here and today really means God's Friday? Would that change things? I'm not sure it would change things as much as explain things. For me anyways.
This day was good because it was God. He was there. On the worst day imaginable, he was there. As his son bared his soul crying out for relief, he was there. As his son was betrayed by one of his own, he was there. As his son's best friends ran away, he was there. As his son was falsely accused, he was there. As his son was beaten to a pulp, he was there. As his son was forced to carry his own cross, he was there. As he son shrieked in pain when he was nailed to the cross, he was there. As his son hung from that cross enduring insults and mockery and saliva and clubs, he was there. As his son cried out for water, he was there. As his son struggled to breathe while wondering "where's my dad" he was there. . .even when that son died.
On the worst Friday in history, when seemingly all went to hell, God was there.
How is that good?
If God can be found in hell surely he can be found in our mess. No matter what situation you find yourself in, God is already there. In fact, he's been waiting for you knowing you'll need him. Good Friday is a reminder that life is messed up. Its chalked full of pain, confusion, suffering and death. Friends can suck, family can betray and enemies can want you dead but nothing can take away the fact that the one who created you, is there.
Armed with that knowledge Good Friday reminds us to Let Go. Not my will but yours be done. The hardest thing about suffering is our resistance to it. How are you resisting? Good Friday reminds us that resistance is futile because life is pain and we were born to die. Our ulimate destiny doesn't lie in achieving comfort it lies in the God who is there anyway. Perhaps suffering, shame, betrayal, pain and death were and are God's way of saying - don't get too comfortable, you were meant for something else.
After all, Sunday's comin.
John
"Well you see Krystal, Good Friday is when we remember the day Jesus was betrayed by one of his own, deserted by his closest friends, beaten to a pulp, forced to carry his own cross, nailed to that same cross until he finally died, unable to take another breath." As I finished my explanation the look on her face matched the feeling I had in my gut and so the only thing I could think of doing was swinging my arm and saying "pretty good, eh?" Recognizing I may have destroyed this poor girl's soul I quickly tried to recover, "Krystal, what makes this Friday good is God took this horrible situation and used it to bring about the salvation of mankind." Great explanation John. Now pretend the girl is 15 and not your seminary proffesor. I tried to continue but she had moved onto much happier topics like Urban Planet, and why its the best place to shop. Sigh.
Is it just me? Or am I missing something? Why do we continue to announce to the world that the humiliation, torture and death of an innocent man is GOOD? I know what you're thinking, but that's because you've grown up hearing it and you know how that Sunday's coming. But saying Friday is good because Sunday is Fantastic isn't the best explanation, at least not for the Krystals of the world, who aren't up on their religion. Personally I think Friday is good, we just haven't done a good job of explaining why.
Here's something interesting, the words good and God are so closely related that when translated from other languages, namely German, they are often confused. Suppose that's what's happened here and today really means God's Friday? Would that change things? I'm not sure it would change things as much as explain things. For me anyways.
This day was good because it was God. He was there. On the worst day imaginable, he was there. As his son bared his soul crying out for relief, he was there. As his son was betrayed by one of his own, he was there. As his son's best friends ran away, he was there. As his son was falsely accused, he was there. As his son was beaten to a pulp, he was there. As his son was forced to carry his own cross, he was there. As he son shrieked in pain when he was nailed to the cross, he was there. As his son hung from that cross enduring insults and mockery and saliva and clubs, he was there. As his son cried out for water, he was there. As his son struggled to breathe while wondering "where's my dad" he was there. . .even when that son died.
On the worst Friday in history, when seemingly all went to hell, God was there.
How is that good?
If God can be found in hell surely he can be found in our mess. No matter what situation you find yourself in, God is already there. In fact, he's been waiting for you knowing you'll need him. Good Friday is a reminder that life is messed up. Its chalked full of pain, confusion, suffering and death. Friends can suck, family can betray and enemies can want you dead but nothing can take away the fact that the one who created you, is there.
Armed with that knowledge Good Friday reminds us to Let Go. Not my will but yours be done. The hardest thing about suffering is our resistance to it. How are you resisting? Good Friday reminds us that resistance is futile because life is pain and we were born to die. Our ulimate destiny doesn't lie in achieving comfort it lies in the God who is there anyway. Perhaps suffering, shame, betrayal, pain and death were and are God's way of saying - don't get too comfortable, you were meant for something else.
After all, Sunday's comin.
John
What Easter means to me (Intro)
Note: This is the first in a series of 3 posts on what The John thinks Easter's all about.
Good Good whole wheat Friday today. Not sure if you've done much thinking about what makes the torture and death of an innocent man good, or worth vacation time,"Jesus was tortured and killed -go ahead, take the day off." Definitely not sure what it is that makes us suddenly crave chocolate ears and salad made from eggs. Perhaps its just a spring craving and it'll pass, ha, chocoate and eggs, I'm sure it will. But honestly, how have we allowed chocolate and bunnies to overshadow the life and death of God's son? When I say we, I guess I don't mean you or me or them. I mean us. Our culture. How have we done it? Time for a history lesson.
The early church grew up surrounded by zillions of pagan festivals all celebrating and commemorating their pagan gods. After awhile, some well meaning Christians decided that they should be festivaling too - especially since the God they worshipped was the one true God. This made sense that the early church said "sweet, lets do it."The best part of this decision, besides the hip slang, is they didn't feel the need to reinvent the festival wheel which is why they"borrowed" the ideas from their pagan neighbors and then reinterpreted the symbols through a Christian lens. For example, the ancient Roman's annual Winter Solstice Festival took place December 21 and celebrated the rebirth of their Sun God. They also decorated coniferous trees which symbolized fertility and new life. Ring any bells? Well, the church did the same with Easter.
Each Spring when the pagans would elevate eggs and bunnies to the status of "new life" the church did the same except they claimed the new life was found in the Ressurection of Christ. In fact, they did this with all the Easter traditions. Dyeing eggs? The pagans would dye them blood red to symbolize the new life that is found in spring. Blood and New Life. Hmm. Easter Bunny? Sadly the big guy can't be found in ancient cultures but the fact that Bunnies were held up as symbols of new life it's not a stretch that Christians have used them to help reign in the season of Easter. Easter is about the New life found in Christ. Ok, fine, but seriously, what's with the Easter egg hunt? Um, well. . .we're all on a journey to discover new life? Phew.
My point with all this is these traditions have been around for the better part of 1600 years and can actually be good, healthy, meaningful traditions. What's not healthy or good is how we've taken these symbols and created their physical counterparts so we can buy, sell and ultimately consume them. We've consumed the Holy, which to be honest, doesn't sound right. The truth is, the Bunnies and Eggs no longer point to Christ, so why continue to use them?
Perhaps our North American culture needs to hold a press conference and admit that "although in the past, bunnies and eggs had a high Christological significance, we feel moving forward, they'd be best served making us a boat load of money."
A good question for all of us to ask: What does Easter really mean to me?
So this is my Easter intro. I started off claiming I would give you a 3 part post on what I think Easter is about. Indeed I will. Today I will share what Good Friday means to me, tommorow I'll share what it means to wait on God and Sunday I'll conclude with a celebration of New Life.
So I guess this is going to be a 4 part series. This long intro is Part 1. I'll start a new post for Part 2 just to prevent this from becoming the longest post in the world. Don't worry, I'll post part two later today. Besides, I hear pins and needles are all the rage.
John
Good Good whole wheat Friday today. Not sure if you've done much thinking about what makes the torture and death of an innocent man good, or worth vacation time,"Jesus was tortured and killed -go ahead, take the day off." Definitely not sure what it is that makes us suddenly crave chocolate ears and salad made from eggs. Perhaps its just a spring craving and it'll pass, ha, chocoate and eggs, I'm sure it will. But honestly, how have we allowed chocolate and bunnies to overshadow the life and death of God's son? When I say we, I guess I don't mean you or me or them. I mean us. Our culture. How have we done it? Time for a history lesson.
The early church grew up surrounded by zillions of pagan festivals all celebrating and commemorating their pagan gods. After awhile, some well meaning Christians decided that they should be festivaling too - especially since the God they worshipped was the one true God. This made sense that the early church said "sweet, lets do it."The best part of this decision, besides the hip slang, is they didn't feel the need to reinvent the festival wheel which is why they"borrowed" the ideas from their pagan neighbors and then reinterpreted the symbols through a Christian lens. For example, the ancient Roman's annual Winter Solstice Festival took place December 21 and celebrated the rebirth of their Sun God. They also decorated coniferous trees which symbolized fertility and new life. Ring any bells? Well, the church did the same with Easter.
Each Spring when the pagans would elevate eggs and bunnies to the status of "new life" the church did the same except they claimed the new life was found in the Ressurection of Christ. In fact, they did this with all the Easter traditions. Dyeing eggs? The pagans would dye them blood red to symbolize the new life that is found in spring. Blood and New Life. Hmm. Easter Bunny? Sadly the big guy can't be found in ancient cultures but the fact that Bunnies were held up as symbols of new life it's not a stretch that Christians have used them to help reign in the season of Easter. Easter is about the New life found in Christ. Ok, fine, but seriously, what's with the Easter egg hunt? Um, well. . .we're all on a journey to discover new life? Phew.
My point with all this is these traditions have been around for the better part of 1600 years and can actually be good, healthy, meaningful traditions. What's not healthy or good is how we've taken these symbols and created their physical counterparts so we can buy, sell and ultimately consume them. We've consumed the Holy, which to be honest, doesn't sound right. The truth is, the Bunnies and Eggs no longer point to Christ, so why continue to use them?
Perhaps our North American culture needs to hold a press conference and admit that "although in the past, bunnies and eggs had a high Christological significance, we feel moving forward, they'd be best served making us a boat load of money."
A good question for all of us to ask: What does Easter really mean to me?
So this is my Easter intro. I started off claiming I would give you a 3 part post on what I think Easter is about. Indeed I will. Today I will share what Good Friday means to me, tommorow I'll share what it means to wait on God and Sunday I'll conclude with a celebration of New Life.
So I guess this is going to be a 4 part series. This long intro is Part 1. I'll start a new post for Part 2 just to prevent this from becoming the longest post in the world. Don't worry, I'll post part two later today. Besides, I hear pins and needles are all the rage.
John
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I'm trying
Its funny, just 2 hours after writing my blog about not being cynical or pessimistic I come back to the office and find this gem in today's news. Well, who knows, perhaps God will use this movie and even that scene to increase people's love for him. After all, the Lord does seem to work in mysterious ways.
I'm trying folks. Besides its a marathon not a sprint, right?
Cool.
John
I'm trying folks. Besides its a marathon not a sprint, right?
Cool.
John
Cynical Sarcastic Pessimistic fun
Realizations often suck. I guess they can be good and all but often its just me coming face to face with me and when that happens I don't always see a nice guy grinning back. Too many times its a cynical, sarcastic, pessimistic jerk. Now you all know this, you've just been too nice to say anything, and while I appreciate that, I still think its time I came clean. The truth is, I may have a problem.
My DISC profile says that I bleed red, meaning I'm an intense not afraid to confront kind of guy. It also says I pee yellow which means I love people to death and am very relational. I guess that's what keeps me from being a total spaz. Still, the red leaks too often. I see things that aren't right and I attack them without allowing my yellow stream to guide me. The worst part is often those things are people and I end up getting it all wrong.
This past Sunday I had the privelage of interviewing Henry Schorr. Hen, as I like to call him but don't because he doesn't have feathers or eggs, is the Senior Pastor for Centre Street Church right here in Calgary. The church is what you'd call a "Mega Church" meaning they have no idea how many people attend. Well, they have some idea, Henry says 7000 weekly and 11000 monthly which makes Centre Street the biggest Church of any kind in Canada. I needed to interview him for a paper I'm doing and he was gracious enough to give up an hour of his time. Ok, I'll be honest, the only reason I wanted to interview him was because 1. I wanted the perspective of a Mega church pastor to balance out my paper 2. I wanted to get the goods on what really goes on in a Mega Church. Tee hee, sneak sneak sneaky. The interview was last Sunday.
When I arrived he was still making his way through the crowds so I waited. . .and waited ended up waiting for 30 minutes but it worked out because I got a book idea: "Munch Munch. Tales from the Consumer Church." I hope it sells tons so the irony runs super thick.
Anyways, Pastor Henry finally showed up and directed me through the maze of cubicles to the Mahogony door securing his office. As I stepped inside there was a Gorilla scarfing down the day's communion crackers. Ok there wasn't but that would have been wierd hey? We began the interview even though my cynical, sarcastic, pessmistic arrogant mind already knew what his bull #?@??@# answers would be. Those answers never came.
As I sat, I listened as this humble, authentic, inspiring man told me of the cancer he had when he was 21 and again when he was 31. He said that cancer made his life great because it helped him see who God is. He told me how, when he was 18, he had the choice between taking over his father's multi million dollar company or becoming a middle to low class Pastor. He chose ministry because how could he ignore God's call in order to become a rich company man.
As he continued to share and as I continued to write I felt ashamed. This man was amazing, no wonder God had entrusted him with so much yet I had sat in my High Chair judging what I did not know and being cynical about things I did not understand. He added to my shame by sharing how he and his wife go on prayer retreats twice a year, just them, and how he takes off the entire summer so he can spend every last moment with his 4 boys. At this point I interjected and said "so is your schedule the rest of the year pretty crazy?" He responded no, he goes home at 5pm because family first right? Uh yeah, right. Wow.
As the interview drew to a close I asked him what he thought the church's social responsibilities were. I already knew what he was going to say. He began to tell me of a secret project he was working on with all the CEO's in the city and how he really shouldn't be sharing this but what the hell, he didn't say hell, I shouldn't have said hell, what the heck he said, I'll share it with you. He told me how they are hoping to buy a huge section of land where they will put a small town for the city's homeless. In this town the citizens will be healed of their addictions, taught life skills to exact change and most of all be given back their dignity . Uh. . .wow, that's pretty good, was all I could manage. Apparantly I had no idea what he was going to say. The mixture of shame and inspiration was too much at that point and the office was much too classy for me to lose it.
I stood up, shook his hand, thanked him for so many things and was on my way. As I strolled back to my car I was struck with the realization that God's kingdom is being built at and through Centre Street Church. 10000 don't attend there just because they have great entertainment, programs, worship, preaching etc. They attend there because they sense what I sensed, they're being led by a man of God.
Since that conversation, I've done a lot of thinking, praying, confessing. Most of all I've done a lot of realizing. God will build his kingdom wherever and with whoever he wants and who am I to stand with my arms crossed, eyes set, and shake my head.
The fact is, I too have been called. I too have a choice. And as much as fun as it is using my Red words to shame the you know who's - I think its time I put them away. That being said, I do think there is still a place for calling people or churches or society on stuff but I think first we must get to know the ones we are calling because we might just be judging the same ones God is using. And wouldn't that be shameful.
John
My DISC profile says that I bleed red, meaning I'm an intense not afraid to confront kind of guy. It also says I pee yellow which means I love people to death and am very relational. I guess that's what keeps me from being a total spaz. Still, the red leaks too often. I see things that aren't right and I attack them without allowing my yellow stream to guide me. The worst part is often those things are people and I end up getting it all wrong.
This past Sunday I had the privelage of interviewing Henry Schorr. Hen, as I like to call him but don't because he doesn't have feathers or eggs, is the Senior Pastor for Centre Street Church right here in Calgary. The church is what you'd call a "Mega Church" meaning they have no idea how many people attend. Well, they have some idea, Henry says 7000 weekly and 11000 monthly which makes Centre Street the biggest Church of any kind in Canada. I needed to interview him for a paper I'm doing and he was gracious enough to give up an hour of his time. Ok, I'll be honest, the only reason I wanted to interview him was because 1. I wanted the perspective of a Mega church pastor to balance out my paper 2. I wanted to get the goods on what really goes on in a Mega Church. Tee hee, sneak sneak sneaky. The interview was last Sunday.
When I arrived he was still making his way through the crowds so I waited. . .and waited ended up waiting for 30 minutes but it worked out because I got a book idea: "Munch Munch. Tales from the Consumer Church." I hope it sells tons so the irony runs super thick.
Anyways, Pastor Henry finally showed up and directed me through the maze of cubicles to the Mahogony door securing his office. As I stepped inside there was a Gorilla scarfing down the day's communion crackers. Ok there wasn't but that would have been wierd hey? We began the interview even though my cynical, sarcastic, pessmistic arrogant mind already knew what his bull #?@??@# answers would be. Those answers never came.
As I sat, I listened as this humble, authentic, inspiring man told me of the cancer he had when he was 21 and again when he was 31. He said that cancer made his life great because it helped him see who God is. He told me how, when he was 18, he had the choice between taking over his father's multi million dollar company or becoming a middle to low class Pastor. He chose ministry because how could he ignore God's call in order to become a rich company man.
As he continued to share and as I continued to write I felt ashamed. This man was amazing, no wonder God had entrusted him with so much yet I had sat in my High Chair judging what I did not know and being cynical about things I did not understand. He added to my shame by sharing how he and his wife go on prayer retreats twice a year, just them, and how he takes off the entire summer so he can spend every last moment with his 4 boys. At this point I interjected and said "so is your schedule the rest of the year pretty crazy?" He responded no, he goes home at 5pm because family first right? Uh yeah, right. Wow.
As the interview drew to a close I asked him what he thought the church's social responsibilities were. I already knew what he was going to say. He began to tell me of a secret project he was working on with all the CEO's in the city and how he really shouldn't be sharing this but what the hell, he didn't say hell, I shouldn't have said hell, what the heck he said, I'll share it with you. He told me how they are hoping to buy a huge section of land where they will put a small town for the city's homeless. In this town the citizens will be healed of their addictions, taught life skills to exact change and most of all be given back their dignity . Uh. . .wow, that's pretty good, was all I could manage. Apparantly I had no idea what he was going to say. The mixture of shame and inspiration was too much at that point and the office was much too classy for me to lose it.
I stood up, shook his hand, thanked him for so many things and was on my way. As I strolled back to my car I was struck with the realization that God's kingdom is being built at and through Centre Street Church. 10000 don't attend there just because they have great entertainment, programs, worship, preaching etc. They attend there because they sense what I sensed, they're being led by a man of God.
Since that conversation, I've done a lot of thinking, praying, confessing. Most of all I've done a lot of realizing. God will build his kingdom wherever and with whoever he wants and who am I to stand with my arms crossed, eyes set, and shake my head.
The fact is, I too have been called. I too have a choice. And as much as fun as it is using my Red words to shame the you know who's - I think its time I put them away. That being said, I do think there is still a place for calling people or churches or society on stuff but I think first we must get to know the ones we are calling because we might just be judging the same ones God is using. And wouldn't that be shameful.
John
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