I present for your inspection the 47th graduating class of Wee College...

It was very scarey when he first stepped into the room. Twenty other little people were already there, waiting with their Moms and Dads... waiting for the beginning of something that had never been done before. The nervous talk of the parents over shadowed his nervous shuffling feet. He noticed all of the other four and five year old kids of course but it did not make him feel any better. Motionless he stood, waiting. Not one of the other little people were talking or so much as moving as they hung onto hands, skirt hems and jacket sleeves waiting...waiting... 

"What are we doing here, mom...? I want to go home!" 
"Mom don't you leave me?"
"Should I cry?" 
" I need to pee..." 

All these and many other  thoughts were flooding into their hearts and minds.

Then suddenly, into the quietness of this little room in the second floor classroom she walked. Bright and smiling, "Hello everyone", she said, as she stepped into the room and shut the door. It was Mrs. Bright Smile... Her big bright smile on her face was there no doubt, but it was doing nothing to waylay his fears as all he could see was the door shutting and this person he had never met standing in front of the only exit.

"Hello everyone...", she repeated. No one moved, no one spoke, no one wanted to be there. His mother nudged him forward with the kind but clear direction that only his mother could create at a moments notice. "Say hello... you would not want to be rude would you?" his mom said, motioning for him to stand up and speak up, like he had always been taught to do...

"Hello..." the voice trailed off into silence as the energy behind that small greeting drained from his entire body and disappeared into a whisper and then onto the floor as his face dropped from view. It was clear now...Mom was going to leave him with her... Mom was going to leave him with this...with this...smiley person. Mrs. Bright Smile... too happy, he thought...way too happy. He would have none of it. Turning to face his mother and away from the smile... he wanted to run...he wanted to plead with his mother not do leave him there... to take him with her where ever she was going. And then through the emotion of that moment he heard two words that would forever change the course of his life.

Now don't let that statement wash over you with the assumption that the author is waxing on and exaggerating the magnitude of those two simple words, but listen closely as I say them again. Just as he was about to cry or hide in the folds of his mothers skirt, run or refuse to be left behind... two words were sounded that forever changed the direction of his life.

The words? Why... they seem silly to place such weight behind them. For all she said was..."LET'S SING"

Sing? Did she just say sing? Why he loved singing. "It was the best and most fun a person of four could have", he thought. He sang everyday. When he woke up he sang, and came into the kitchen to grab his breakfast, he sang. He sang as he played in the back yard or as he walked home from playschool he sang. Loudly and with his whole heart he sang... and now this smiling face was inviting all the little people to sing. The lure was too much, throwing caution away he quickly left his mothers side and he plunked himself down on the floor right at the feet of "Mrs. Bright Smile"  He looked up as she smiled down and nodded approvingly. 

"We're going to Wee College and we are gaining knowledge... learning from the precious word of God." 

"The B.I.B.L.E yes that's the book for me...I stand alone on the word of God... The B.I.B.L.E." 

The words came easily and the melodies even easier as he learned the new songs and then sung them back as clearly and brightly as he could. He was going to like this Mrs. Bright Smile after all he thought... 
after all... 
after all... 
after all...these years I find my eyes once again filling with tears as I remember the songs of Wee College. Written by Shirley Taitinger these songs still come back to my memory complete with hand actions. 

To others in that room that day. Becky Smith, Donna Foley, Rod Kroeker as well as many others, that very first Wee College ever taught was an experience that changed all their lives. For some it was through the memorization of scripture.  To others it was the fine lessons we watched and heard under the excellent teachers of that course. To yet others it was the fannel graphs, the latest colour ones illustrating the bible stories bringing many of the truths to light. Of course those lessons have stood the test of time and have provided each of them with the foundation upon which they built their lives. But it was the songs for me... the simple songs written by this amazing woman of God... It was those songs that I have sung down through the years imbedding them into my subconsciousness and into my story that points the way for me, even in the darkest times. 

It was many many years ago and three ladies from Central Pentecostal Tabernacle Church in Edmonton began a simple yet amazing program to teach little people the truths of the word of God. It was many many years ago when the first theme for Wee College was sounded. Shirley's themes have now echoed across the nation and around the world with clarity and passion. Echoed into the hearts of other little people, other musicians, other pastors and leaders, other men and women of God... in the making. But it was that day that my music, my knowledge and my spirit came to life. And that flame has not extinguished an ounce even to this day.

So with that said, allow me to say thank you to Shirley... When asked at the last general conference in Ottawa she said, "I really did not do much... I only wrote the songs." Not only Shirley... not only. 

Oh wow...look at the time... I can't believe all our minutes have moved so quickly by... it time for our good bye song... remember it everyone for it will help you each day this week until we meet to sing again...

"Wee College is almost over and we are going home....good bye... good bye...be always kind and good... good bye... good bye...be always kind and good."

WELCOME TO THE TEAM...?

Design vs Depression

Have you ever wondered why God has designed you the way that He has? Have you ever sat in front of a mirror and cursed the design that you see? Have you ever thought that God made a mistake when he placed you together and released you into this world?

When you read Psalm 139: 14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful,  I know that full well." do you throw up a little bit in the back of your throat? Well if this is the case...welcome to THE TEAM. 

You know... THE TEAM!

THE TEAM of people who specialize in beating themselves up at a moments notice.
THE TEAM of people who believe that their lives do not measure up to the models of strength, spirituality, beauty or intelligence as those places in front of them daily.
THE TEAM of people who read this passage and curse the God who designed them the way that they are, wishing beyond hope that they were something else, someone else, or at least had some talent or ability other then what they have?

You will know you're on THE TEAM if... when you heard the parable of the talents, you assumed that you were either the one with the one talent or the one with few, and not the one with many talents. 

Well if this is you, I have some advise for you... YOU'RE ON THE WRONG TEAM. 

I remember the story of the gold medal winning duck who was looking to make varsity track and field team. The gun would sound and no matter how hard the duck tried to win, his small legs just could not move fast enough to reach anywhere near the speed of the rest of the squad. The duck worked out, bench pressed and try as much as he could but the race would be won by the rabbit and the cheetah every time. 

 His frustration only grew when he tried out for "Shot Put" but the boar with a simple flick of his snout was able to best the ducks distance by a whopping four yards. And he did not even try to best the high jump score of the kangaroo, somehow the kangaroo was able to sail over the bar with ease and the duck just knew that he would be disqualified if he so much as flapped his wings once...

Just as it is not right for a duck to be on the wrong team it would not be right for you to neglect the gifts that God has placed in you thinking instead that you simply don't measure up. 

God, the designer did not intend you to live your life with a downcast heart. Nor did he intend you to live your life wishing for more, wanting the gifts or ability of another. But God designed you to be fulfilled with the amazing and wonderful work that you are. Made fearfully and wonderfully. 

So as an encouragement to you today, take a moment and release your heart from the burden of THE TEAM. Recognize that if those around you are placing undue restrictions on your life and ministry that you may be on the wrong team. God intends you to life a life full of the wacky, wonderful, and weird... all that makes up you. Discovering your design is a journey that each of us must take. My prayer for each of you is that you will find the assistance you need to be able to unearth the treasure that is....

You!

Oh and by the way... the duck won the gold medal in long distance swimming. The elephant wasn't even close and the giraffe was disqualified for walking across on the lake bed.

Ryan Smith Day in Edmonton

THE EDMONTON SUN REPORTED:

"Mayor Don Iveson proclaimed April 12 “Ryan Smyth Day” in Edmonton on the day of the longtime Oilers forward’s retirement.
Iveson made the proclamation Saturday morning on Oilers TV, citing Smyth’s popularity and achievements in the National Hockey League as well as his off-ice contributions to the Stollery Children’s Hospital and Inner City High School in Edmonton."

To add our voice to this already huge cheer from the city of Edmonton...

WELL DONE RYAN.

WELL DONE: for being the excellent hockey player with grit and determination.
                        : for being the hockey player declared to be "CAPTAIN CANADA" reflecting the pride and determination with which you represented our country in international play for 3 decades.
                        : for proudly representing Edmonton to the country, the NHL, and the hockey world.

BUT MORE THAN ALL THAT...

WELL DONE: for being a man of intergrity in everyday little things.
                       : for choosing family over fame and fortune.
                       : for being honest with your feelings even when others did not understand or relate.
                       : for being a husband first... a dad second and everything else third.
                       : for being an example what a real man looks like and acts like.
                       : for making the tough call to step aside when pride could tell you otherwise.

AND LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...

WELL DONE: for being a honest follower of Jesus. Being real, and still a Christian. Refusing to allow culture to, in anyway lead you away from your faith.  To live so your actions are more clear than anything you would say. ( a rare feat indeed )

 
So on behalf of myself, my family and the entire WECA family. WELL DONE!

I HAVE A QUESTION!

Does Gods process of making something beautiful that previously was broken
... always mean that the beautiful thing is no longer broken? 
... ever mean that the beautiful thing is no longer broken?

Or instead does the brokenness of our lives simply provide the backdrop onto which we paint the colours of our walk and journey through life?

Recently, I have been watching an individual deal with the loss of  family...  passions and relationships. BROKEN would be a kind way to describe the difficult pathway that is being walked. BROKEN to the point where no vision for hope or reconciliation is anywhere on the horizon. 

For the past 36 years I have been in the front row as I have watched my sister struggle through mental illness and depression, BROKEN. I was there as my mom and dad loaded us all up into the station wagon and we headed down the sawdust trail, ( an old reference to the camp meetings ) in the hope that a person of faith would impart into my sister the freedom and restoration that she clearly needed. Yet no healing was precept-ably given, no new sister emerged, no "healing or deliverance occurred... complete with restored memories and refreshed intellect... and yet...

For my entire life I have been carrying around the design flaw (?) that has threatened my life BROKEN. On at least four occasions the sword of Damocles has been hanging over my head, ready at a breath of air to fall and strike me down. Or to at least break me again.

It is against this stark dark backdrop that I ask my question...

As people of faith we understand that with God nothing is impossible and all broken people can be made new, all broken relationships and passions can be restored, and that all broken bodies and minds can be reborn. We sing about it, we preach it, we believe it. But does God always intend it? 

Before you start heating the tar and plucking chickens let me have a moment to explain. 

This world is broken and we are just as broken and in need of the life of Christ to breathe into our mortal bodies and hearts. But when God breathes he often leaves the scars from the wounds of our situation in tack. They are often there to remind us of the pain from which we have been rescued and the reality of His Gospel. 

God the father, resurrected Jesus from the dead, and restored to him the mortal body that was his since before the beginning of time. BUT IT WAS BROKEN! This time the supernatural body that Jesus had was complete with scars on his body. Not just the ones on his hands and feet but a hole big enough in his side that Thomas could have placed his hand into it. Christs God given glorified, eternal body was BROKEN and by no means perfect, pristine or flawless.

Do you carry the load that this existence has given you? Does your hand brush against the scar from a previous encounter with the absolute certainty of lifes brutality? May I pray for you.

May I pray that the grace of God rather than the grave of this world define you? May I pray that the intensity of Gods love, rather than the indifference of this worlds friendship restore you? May I pray that the wounds of the your treatment at the hands of a tyrant would through Gods love become the scars of your testimony in the hands of a saviour? Lastly, May I pray that the reality of Jesus pain bring you to understand that above all powers... above all things, Jesus gets you?

May I...? I hope so because I just did.

"Follow Me as I Follow Christ..."  

The Sad Post-Modern Twist on Mentoring.

Really?

So here is the question. Is it the responsibility of the student or the responsibility of the teacher to initiate the mentoring? Whose job is it to chase after the other... to communicate... to share?

This idea seems really simple. But I don't think it is. Why, may I ask, does this generation insist that there are no mentors available, and that no one wants to mentor them...? 

You know how this goes, it usually starts with the post modern church leadership decrying the fact that no one is willing to spend the time... no one is willing to invest in their lives and their ministry.  But maybe there is more to this... Is it possible that the post-modern leadership structure has developed a self serving model that no longer reflects true mentoring?

Is it possible that the post-modern church leaders no longer understand the truth of the verse, "Follow me as I follow Christ..." or have they considered the Jewish proverb, "May you be covered by the dust of your Rabbi." The implication is that the student chases the mentor.

Having been raised in a generation where everything has been given easily and without cost, do they assume that the process of mentoring would simply be handed to them? God did not setup the growth of man's character as an easy process nor a quick one, but rather one that is tedious and painful, lengthy and difficult. You have to follow, and that requires work.

So... If you wish to be mentored then find a person who you believe has the character and qualities that you want to emulate and chase after them. The mentor will be doing what they have been called to do. That's it. They will not be out looking for you. If you believe in them and their character, follow them, get close to them, watch them, ask them questions and then listen to what they say.

 

QUICK... HE WENT THAT WAY!

The mentor may not stop to wait for you. But rather they will look back over their shoulder and notice you there, and then ...pick up the pace, checking to see if you are willing to follow.

As I mentor, I have only limited opportunity and energy to invest.  I keep in mind the end of this story, the end of my life, and I have to accomplish the task that Christ has set out for me. But I am more than willing to have someone run along side and to pass the baton.

So as I said to one person recently... after they asked to be mentored, "...better buy some running shoes..." and I turned and walked away. 

(p.s. They picked up their books and ran after me... a good start!)