Teleology

2011-04-01T11:48:00.008-06:00

It's Time.

With the pending National Election once again on the horizon I have what I hope is a non-political statement to give.

Canada is at a turning point in it's history. The foundations that have been established and built on, in the past, have been destroyed. The markers of morality have been removed and replaced with relativism and the understanding of the humanist manifesto.

Therefore....

It is my call to all who profess to have a faith in Christ, and desire to follow his example, to take time over then next 30 days to fast and pray. Pray that God's will would be done for Canada. That his blessing, guidance and discipline would be established in this nation, in our hearts and in the hearts of our leaders.

And pray that God would bind up the broken hearted, heal the sick and restore relationships as He empowers us all to be his voice, hands and feet.

God keep our land...

2011-02-18T14:22:00.002-07:00

WOW! FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT!

A refuge from moral relativism

Ian Hunter, Special to the National Post · Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011

In a Feb. 11 letter to the National Post, responding to recent criticism of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, CAUT executive director James Turk defended his organization's witch-hunt against faithbased universities. He argued that CAUT's investigation of religious schools was necessary to ensure that parents know what kinds of institutions their sons and daughters are attending-- and, as Mr. Turk puts it, "to ensure that neither universities nor outside groups impose ideological requirements on academic staff." In other words, we are asked to believe that CAUT commissioned studies of Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C., Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont., and others, in an effort to glean information readily available to anyone who took the time to glance at the universities' respective calendars.

I found the CAUT report on Trinity Western University particularly risible: Two academics (Professors William Bruneau and Thomas Friedman) burrow away through 22 turgid pages -- plus four Appendices and 24 footnotes -- to discover what the university's mission statement says on the first page of the calendar; namely, that TWU is a Christian institution intended "to develop godly Christian leaders, goal-oriented University graduates ... who [will] serve God and people in various marketplaces of life."

Likewise Redeemer, and the other institutions under scrutiny, do not exactly hide their light under a bushel.

And that is precisely the problem. These institutions, you see, are committed to something other than secular relativism; and that sticks in the craw of the CAUT and however many of its 65,000 members actually support these ludicrous investigations.

As it happens, I have lectured at both Trinity Western and at Redeemer College, as well as many secular Canadian universities, and, for that matter, at Oxford and Cambridge in England. So I am in a position to offer a bit of direct evidence, evidence overlooked by the prolix twosome of Bruneau and Friedman: Yes, faith-based universities are different. Allow me to explain.

At Redeemer and Trinity Western, the buildings are clean, the walls undefaced by graffiti. The knuckles of their students do not drag the ground. I noticed immediately that informal and animated discussions were going on everywhere on campus between students and faculty -- and the faculty seemed to know each student's name.

The Staley Lectures, which I was at Redeemer and Trinity Western to deliver, continued over several days: public addresses, seminars and discussions, an evening panel, etc. I experienced culture shock.

I discovered that these faculty and students were unafraid of concepts such as "truth," or "good" and "evil" -- words not only foreign to, but suspect in, the secular university. The students, mirabile dictu, were not intimidated by intellectual debate; ideas were not threatening to them, nor was free-ranging inquiry immediately challenged as "offensive." In fact, I never once heard the word "offensive." Controversy was not something to be avoided. I quickly realized how long it had been since I had spoken at a school without speech codes and "equity officers."

It was the experience of lecturing at such institutions that reminded me of what universities once were.

One manifestation of the contemporary university's moral and intellectual vacuity is the transposition of the labels "liberal" and "conservative." In the multiversity, it is generally those called "conservative" who are disturbed by what these institutions have become and who propose drastic change. It is those termed "liberal" who are content with abandonment of core curricula, with rampant grade inflation, with declining standards of scholarship wrought by affirmative-action hiring and with the emergence of courses and departments based on ideology. In times past, a university "liberal" was identified with free speech; today, a university liberal is likely to be leading the charge to suppress free speech on the ground that someone, somewhere, might take offence.

A university's real mission is the pursuit of truth, however unpopular or politically incorrect that truth may be. In his classic essay, On Liberty, John Stuart Mill wrote: "Ages

are no more infallible than individuals; every age having held many opinions which subsequent ages have deemed not only false but absurd; and it is certain that many opinions, now general, will be rejected by future ages, as it is that many, once general, are rejected by the present."

Today, university dissenters from politically correct orthodoxy are encouraged to keep quiet, to fit their conclusions to premises they believe to be false. Instead of providing intellectual leadership, our universities are full mostly of CAUT-types, those whom J.S. Mill aptly called "conformers to the commonplace."

Serious students, looking for the kind of liberal education that was once available in many Canadian universities, will be fortunate indeed if they secure a place at a faith-based institution. Condemnation by the CAUT, in our topsy-turvy world, should be considered the academic equivalent of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

-Ian Hunter is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario.

2010-04-22T14:36:00.003-06:00

The Delusion of Deception

How does one know when they are deceived? How does one know when they have been convinced by people, situations and circumstances that simply are not being honest with them or honest at all.
It is in this situation that I find most people who are secular humanists within our Polite Canadian Culture. I find an intelligencia that proposes to all who will listen their exalted position of keeper of the real truth, as opposed to those lowly pions who live a faith based, God centred existence.
It is these wise individuals who carry the torch of wisdom for those of us who "just don't get it" or simply are too immature to understand their man centred philosophy. So what is a faith based person to do? What should be our response?

To answer these questions I had not choice but to go to the bible and see what God has to say about it. 1 Cor. 4:1-4 Says...Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.

So what do you think? Do you think that the god of darkness has blinded your eyes so that you cannot see the truth that is right in front of you?

What do you think?

2010-01-27T01:36:00.007-07:00

So the National Media are at it again... here is the quote.
A national coalition of women's groups called on CBS on Monday to scrap its plan to broadcast an ad during the Super Bowl featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, which critics say is likely to convey an anti-abortion message. "An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year - an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center.
The ad - paid for by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family - is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987 with a theme of "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life." After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, who went on to win the 2007 Heisman Trophy while helping his Florida team to two BCS championships.

Do the Womans groups mentioned in the article comment on the sexual demeaning ads running throughout the Super Bowl? No!
Do they mention the use of woman as props rather that intelligent human beings ready to compete on equal footing with men? No!
No! Instead they continue to ridicule the promoters of the advertizing, Focus on the Family as being unworthy to even be considered to purchase airtime during the superbowl because they have done the unthinkable... they promoted the worst kind of social engineering... and corruption of real social liberal ideologies... they promoted, the family! Wow and I thought Amercia was free. I know Canada isn't but I thought they were.
Here is their contention...

The protest letter from the Women's Media Center suggested that CBS should have turned down the ad in part because it was conceived by Focus on the Family. "By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers," the letter said.

Since when does forcing women to work equals equality? My mother was equal to my Dad even though she never worked as much as he did. No inequality there...they called it a team, a duet, a family. Equal... different but still equal.
So just because the advertizment was conceived by Focus on the Family they have no right to communicate their support of the traditional family? This is freedom? Like I have said before, the liberal media and the social engineering leadership believe that real tolerance is achieved by stamping out intolerant people. (sigh) How Orwellian is that? Everyone is equal, just some are more equal than others.
I do appreciate CBS and their position, as Schneeberger from Focus on the Family has said, "CBS officials carefully examined Focus on the Family's track record and found no basis for rejecting the ad." Way to go CBS!
Finally the hypocrasy of the complainants reached new heights of comunication when they used the very language of excusivity that the church has been criticized of for years to defend their rejection of their family friendy ad. Here it is...

A national columnist for CBSSports.com, Gregg Doyel, also objected to the CBS decision to show the ad, specifically because it would air on Super Sunday. "If you're a sports fan, and I am, that's the holiest day of the year," he wrote. "It's not a day to discuss abortion. For it, against it, I don't care what you are. On Super Sunday, I don't care what I am. Feb. 7 is simply not the day to have that discussion."

The Holiest Day of the Year? And they call us fundamentalists!

here is the full article...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/26/national/main6143105.shtml?tag=strip

Surely Someone has the courage to comment....

2009-06-09T15:03:00.003-06:00

Helen Keller was asked once, "What could be worse than being born blind?"To which she relied, "Having sight without a vision."

What a time in which we live!

The foundations of belief that have been the basis of thought both Secular and Sacred have been eroded and or removed completely. The basic understanding of right and wrong are gone and in it's place stands the highest commandment within the Satanic Church. "Do what thou wilt!"

The idea that the highest authority for a persons behavour is determined exclusively by that person. And that that individuals upper reason has now become the whims and will of the individual and not higher authority from any outside source. While the foundations of belief found in the bible have been thrown away it is now that we hear it repeated in the house of commons as readily as we hear it on the streets of West Vancouver.

In it's place we find, not just the quiet removal of belief but now the open assault on the beliefs of the church sighting them as hate literature rather than foundational truths. Today we hear about the confusion from the youth concerning their identity and purpose while the bringer of life is not contacted or even discussed.

Mom is used to saying that anyone who will not stand for something will fall for anything.

2009-05-20T08:27:00.002-06:00

Leadership is not a learned behaviour... and the business of leadership development is just that...business, nothing more.

Recently I was reading an excellent book entitled "Leadership Reconsidered". The basic premise of the book was how we define a leaders. Was is by their power, influence and control or was it rather by the legacy that we leave upon leaving this planet.

Is a leader some one who has followers? Is is a gifted person who possesses a charismatic personality? I have found this book to be supremely challenging and thought provoking.

With Chapters like "Jefferson and Jefferson, walk like a man" and "Smile when I'm gone, the legacy of laughter" this book challenges the concepts of leadership within the 21 century mindset, both inside and outside the church.

So how about you? What is the legacy that you are trying to leave? What footprint will be followed after your walking is done?

2009-03-17T01:12:00.010-06:00

It's an interesting time to be God.

Have you ever wondered at the thoughts that must go through God's mind as he watches the world?

He watches as mankind now worships creation rather than a creator.
He watches as mankind dismisses Him as just so much mythology.
He watches as mankind refuses to accept a gift that cost him everything, replacing it with something that was never designed to satisfy.

I have once again been deeply saddened by reading the blog of a good friend.

His self realization and self assurance is so confident and presumably so "right". His rejection of any voice that does not start it's reasoning with... "in the beginning me..." and his presumption that if something cannot be measured and confirmed by science then it holds no truth is nothing short of unsettling. The arrogance of any position that assumes the understanding of all there is, a position that he has been faithfully constructing over the decades, is inspiring in it's selfishness and closedmindedness.

"For the scientist that has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance. He is about to conquer the highest peak. As he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greated by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."~Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomer

I simply see my friend, a picture of a small man...so small that in the picture he looks smaller than any ant, standing looking toward heaven declaring in his tiny ant voice. Show yourself God to that I can measure you! For if science can't measure you you simply don't exist." And all around him there is a slow constant wind making a sound that he simply can't hear. It's the lowest voice of all... the voice of God...and he is sighing.

So... I come back to my original thought. I wonder what thoughts are going through God's mind as He watches us?

I have discovered that only in the realization that there is a God and he is personally interested in every aspect of our lives can real contentment and purpose be found. But not as some buddy, friend or life insurance policy but rather only as He can be seen. His interest is simple... in it's truth. He is simply interested in being God. Our God. Our King. Our master. Our Lord. Our Guide. Our Ruler. And on His throne there is only room for one.

Oh yeah...and because He is who his billing says He is...He can't settle for anything less.

2009-03-03T08:56:00.004-07:00

From a U ground to a Twist Lock.

Over the past few months I have rediscovered a truth that has changed every aspect of my life how I live and how I walk through life's challenges. This new truth isn't really new at all. I boils down to this.

People are focused on control in their lives, and focused on the responsibilities and trials that are standing in front of them. Because God asks us to relinquish our control, His request places us at odds and fighting his will. So this walk of faith thing, that we so quickly talk about is simply a battle of wills.

From the drug addict who kills and fights to get the money to feed his addiction to the theologian whose struggle to grasp the complexity of God without acknowledging Gods control over his life, both suffer from the same disease. They think they have any rights at all with God.

I am tried of the liberal whose self professed understanding attempts to undermine the simple faith of the believer. But I am just as tired of the spiritual leader who believes that they in their wisdom have anything to offer the world. So with that thought clearly spoken let me humbly suggest that David N. Wood no longer has anything to offer to you or to your spiritual life, with the exception of a life totally surrendered to the Lord.

Daily, I come to the father, confess that I am empty of anything of worth and I am in desperate need for his grace, wisdom and love. And from that worthless position I stand. So God please, allow me to no longer connect with you using a simple U ground, one that I can unplug easily with a slight tug of my will, but God rather allow me to connect with you using a twist lock. Tied together forever. May I understand your power by understanding your suffering.

Paul the apostle said, I have determined to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified. . (yeah...that's it.)

2008-11-14T08:18:00.001-07:00

STAND FIRM(Lessons from the Canadian Rockies)

This is a reprint from 2006 ...just thought God wanted me to do that.

How do you teach a young man the underpinning principle called faith? How does one move a young man from the world of see and touch to the world of faith and vision? The world where God is viewed in greys to a world where God is in living colour? The answer is... you don't! That's not how it's done...To say that the Canadian Rockies are rugged would in no way be an exageration. The wild untamed wilderness is alive and well in Canada and many people yearly they find themselves lost or experiencing some difficulties in the rockies with tragic results. The Canadian Rockies have taken their share of lives. So it was not a trivial thing when I found myself stranded on the top of a pass miles from the trailhead and unable to move.Walking, hiking and camping have always been second nature to my Dad and his experience of growing up in Calgary and spending all of his teenage years in the backcountry provided him with a deep love for the mountains and all their grandeur. So as his son, I naturally wanted to join him on his adventures...that is until I turned 13. Then sleeping on the ground in a small tent just did not seem as fun as it used to. It wasn't cool. No girls.But Dad who somehow always knew just what to say, suggested that maybe I would be interested in going hiking with a friend and he could come along as the guide, chief cook and bottle washer. Well I tell you that sounded great to this 13 year old. So on a warm day in July we set out from the trailhead and began our long trek into the formitable Rockies. Derryl, the friend who came along, was a young man who like many young men simply did not get that whole faith/God thing.So we walked...and Dad talked... "Derryl do you see that mountain? God has provided that mountain for us. Derryl do you see that stream...isn't God great how he made that stream...He's a great provider." You get the idea...As the day wore on, my God carefully and methodically set the scene in place to build into our lives the principle of faith. Then my legs quit. Slowly at first... then more rapidly, they began to ache and strain. Rhabdomyolysis was setting in. (An acute, fulminant, potentially fatal disease that destroys skeletal muscle) I’ve had an acute case since I was was four and now in the middle of the unforgiving mountains my muscles were packing it in. With little water, due to the fact that we found ourselves on the top of a mountain plateau ...things, shall we say, did not look good.So lying on a flat rock in the middle of a mountain meadow, miles down a trail from help, I stopped, unable to move, and Derryl pounced!Where is your God now Mr. Wood? Where is that provision that you are talking about? Lying there... I was so angry I could spit! My Dad? He stood silent. Looking back down the trail from which we had come... he waited...silently. No more than 30 seconds after Derryl's question I looked at where Dad's eyes were focused and I noticed the distinctive view of a ranger cap rising over the top of the plateau's rise."Derryl", Dad said quietly, "that's a National Park Ranger... David is going to ride out on his horse" ...and it was ...and I did.Paul said, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13) In our relativist culture the idea of standing firm is almost viewed as antiquated. At best, something from history, at worst a sign of a thoughtless, ignorant person. And yet, in the bible, we are encouraged to stand firm. WHY? Is God grey? He certainly is not when talking about our faith. His words are clear... (Do a bible search on the words stand firm and find out for yourself.) our faith in him must not be grey...because life is not grey... nor white...it's black...and out to kill you. Face it! None of us are getting out of here alive!Faith is not a skill. It is not learned through lectures and notes...through truth read and items noted. It's not grown through blogs typed and responces discussed.

If allowed... it is a living breathing reality that must be experienced to bring it to life.

If allowed... Faith comes to life in the dark.

If allowed... it grows strongest in the place of death.

If allowed... It advances in the moments when all else has already retreated.

If allowed... Faith is learned on the top of a mountain plateau on a day in July.

A wise man once said, "Faith is not faith unless it is the only thing you have left to hang on to." My dad. So... Hang on

2007-05-30T15:35:00.000-06:00

THANK YOU SIR! MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?

At this time of graduations and school finishing I was reminded of a grad ceremony that I was at a number of years ago. It was a normal grad banquet where each individual graduate took turns giving speeches and telling the proud parents and friends of their reflections on the past and their plans for the future.

Into this scene of tuxes and gowns stood a young man named Gideon. And like his biblical counterpart this young man was about to stand out from his peers and say something that rocked his friends and all who were listening.

Well… he said… his voice hesitating on every word, I would first like to thank the Lord for his kindness to me.” We all smiled as we listened once again to the same words that we knew every graduate would say. Then Gideon said something that surprised us all. This 18 year old high school graduate said, “I would like to thank my parents for spanking the daylights out of me when I needed it.”

Laughter broke out throughout the room as we could not believe what this young man was saying. Thanking them for spanking him? It is impossible to look cool and thank your parents for a spanking you! But he was very serious. He was thankful for the discipline his parents has given him. Wow! I was amazed!

So are we? Are we thankful for those times when God disciplines us with the straight hardness of the rod rather than the soft curve of the staff? Are we thankful when we are taken out behind the woodshed and taught the lessons of life? So many of us no longer really understand the principles that are laid out so well in scripture. We would rather choose to avoid the pain and the deep lessons that God intends to teach us. Maybe as we walk toward this father’s day we will once again be reminded about the love that our father has for us even when he appears to be interested in nothing but disciple…

Hebrews 12:7-11
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

2007-04-03T16:19:00.000-06:00

I have a question...

Do you think that Tongues has a place in the mindset of most of the emerging generation people that are arising within the churches at present?

I find two camps... a group of people who run away from the Holy Spirit and his gifts... and a group of people who are so completely immersed into the spirit's moving that most of the world views them as extreme. ( as in extremely disconnected)

Any thoughts?

I'm on a quest to bring the Holy Spirit to this generation in purity and authenticity.

2007-01-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Are you my Daddy?

Try this thought stream on for size.

Where as Children are always looking for affirmation...

and where as historically Children have received said affirmation from their Dad...

and where as psychologists almost completely agree that the majority of a child's self-esteem comes from their interaction and encouragement from their fathers...

and where as our society has a complete and utter vacuum of healthy male role models, and even fewer father figures...

and where as the internet, blogs, chat rooms, my space, youtube, lavalife and the like have now replaced the personal affirmation benefactor in the lives of children (old and young) world wide.

Be it resolved that from this moment on we officially change the name from the internet and begin to call it by the name indicative of the purpose it is serving worldwide...DAD.

Has Daddie been replaced by Google?

oh come on...be bold...think about it...it's dark, you've caps locked your home you are tucking your children in bed...they have logged off for the night and are ready to let their screensaver take the daily images away...you gently backspace their sheets under their mainframe, set their real player playlist with some calming and soothing music that will help them defrag their day...

Until they can esc in the morning...and press start to a new day...

tickle tickle...google loves you...

2007-01-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

A Discussion about the "H" Word.

I have a question to all those associated with the emerging generation in the church. I was challenged today that the entire reformation that is occurring within the Christian church today is actually the great falling away described in revelations...

Any thoughts?

The reason I ask is because there seems to be a complete absence of the word Holiness in the lingo and the lifestyle of those who are leading the reformation... Have you noticed a low level of personal integrity when it comes to issues like drinking, swearing...and drug abuse... and other things that in other generations would be considered taboo?

Are these now social norms and as such are covered by the bibles understanding of Matthew 15:11... (I have a hard time believing that.) or is this generation simply, under the ruse of "the creation of new worship" and "experience", rejecting the standards of behaviour that they don't choose to follow? Under the guise of being contemporary and relational have the reformers lost the holiness that Jesus describes when he asks us to also be holy?

I'm not convinced that this is the case but it sure begs a discussion. So are we the generation that is falling away or is the existing church infact the ones who have rejected holiness as described in prophesy?

Now that I have offended all my friends...thoughts anyone?

2007-01-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

Thought for the moment...

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds." Albert Einstein

How can you not trust a face like that--->

2006-12-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all those... close and a far. Know that we love you where ever you are...

(Hey... that rhymed.)

From the Woods

2006-12-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

THE SEARCH FOR DAD.
(THE BEST PRESENT YOU CAN FIND UNDER YOUR TREE THIS CHRISTMAS)

As a Dad and a busy one at that...I have a feeling of mixed compulsion and guilt writing this blog... but none the less I think that this should stir some thinking.

Is it possible that the generation next (...that is so desperately searching for meaning and authentic spirit life...) is in that search primarily because the life bringer has not brought life. No I'm not talking about God...but rather his reflection here on earth. Good old Dad!

Dads have the ominous task to be the living breathing earth bound example of the heart of the Father God. Therefore if they are absent or MIA the consequences for an entire generation will be a loss of meaning in the heart of the culture and the heart of the family.

It is said that the average 6 year old will have already spent more time watching TV then they will spend talking with their father in their entire life.

IN THEIR ENTIRE LIFE!

How can a generation have the foggiest idea what loving God and being loved by God is like if their view of masculinity is so baddly marred. Is it possible that the culture war that is being waged for this generation is simply a battle for the hearts, passions and integrity of men?

Albert Einstein said, "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Or as Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing."

I'm becoming more and more convinced as I talk to this culture and listen to their hearts that there is a cry for authenitic men...yet when they step up to the plate the criticism that the media throws at them for being men reduces them back to the shadows. FIND ME AN AUTHENTIC DAD... WHO LOVES, DISCIPLINES AND GUIDES THEIR KIDS IN THE MEDIA ANYWHERE... I CAN'T.

When asked, in a recent poll...most youth and young adults claim their example of a authenitic dad is Ozzy Osbourne...Lord help us.

Is it possible that this reformation that is occuring within the church is simply a search for Dad.

Comments?

2006-12-11T00:48:00.000-07:00

AND THE TRAX PLAYED ON...

IRON SHARPENING VS THE ILLUSION OF COMMUNITY - PART II

This morning I saw over 370 children on a single stage in a single church singing songs about a child in a manger.
...Hundreds of pictures taken... and the cd trax played on.
...grown men crawling around on a concrete floor to gain a better photo shot location... and the cd trax played on.
...mothers crying though out the church as they watched their little Johnny, Suzy or what ever the kids name was...and the cd trax played on.
...Grandparents who had never been in church this year, thrilled to the sight of little Billy Bob swing his arms back and forth like a washing machine somehow mimicking the actions of a cradle...and the cd trax played on.
... and he/she (the kid) stood there like a deer in headlights ...and the cd trax played on...

I stood there watching this organized confusion...this chaos...this riot of children somehow attempting to form what could weakly be described as a choir, but more accurately described as a mob and I had no choice to respond... as only one who had a clear understanding of the challenge of the generation next issues could respond...

I smiled.

This community was alive and well... and the emerging generation where were they? They were all down at the Starbucks building a different community...with those who were just like them... They were sitting in a mindless circle supposedly expanding their thinking by talking about issues that "really matter" while their younger brothers... nieces...nephews... and entire families enjoyed the ritual of the Christmas concert.
Their explanation, was as simplistic as their hearts. It's too contrived one said... too planned... said another. Indoctrination...said yet another. Look Dave even the trax were controlled...it wasn't real music.

And yet it was real... you see often times under the guise of authentic community we underestimate the place of rituals and traditions. These timeless events score card for us the innings of our lives... They mark the moments of passage from childhood thru young adult thinking to maturity. And it is these very same traditions that provide the foundation upon which real honest appraisal and thinking can occur. For it is from the solid foundation of people who know where they have come from, that the ground breaking visionaries of the future can rise. Not the momentary flash in the pan thinkers, momentary genius glimpse's but the steady culture changing men and women who know and run to the battle because the have the ground leveled under them through the lives of those who have come before. Those brave forefathers have built the structure upon which real change and community can be formed.

and the cd trax played on...

But instead these "relevant thinkers" sat and discussed how they were not a part of the music...did not want to sing...and would never be a part of the community of people who sang to the trax.

I thought as I listened and reflected about the music cd which blared the background trax for the kids to sing along, how similar the trax is to the music of our lives. We all have the same background music playing... you know the tune... We live, we grow, we love, we let go and we die... yeah that music. Community is found in the music... in singing along with the trax that has gone on for decades

... the music of God.

How much of this vane struggle for community and being apart of something is simply an attempt by those seeking to avoid the bigger issues in life. And just like authentic relationships that will stand the test of time and struggle so will the music of our lives. Together we live our lives to the very same changeless melody of pending death. And it is against this backdrop that I sat this morning...smiling...

Have a great Christmas season...I'm going to get a candy bag from Mr Kuhn...just like I did when I was eight.

"Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to say...close by me forever and love me I pray...bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and take us to heaven to live with Thee there."

2006-12-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

IRON SHARPENING VS THE ILLUSION OF COMMUNITY

With all the merging generation pontificating about the mascarade that the church is at presently demonstrating...and with their communication that is being foisted on the church as authenitic and real...relational and vibrant. Few if any really have the courage to build relationships that challenge and stand... people committed to each other come what may.

Even those Velvet Elvis groupies who somehow can vax on at infinitum about the woes and problem within the church and speak commmunity until your ears turn blue and fuzzy...and yet...bolt the moment that someone has the courage to call them out and challenge them on their life, their ethics, or their morals.

How shallow our entire culture has become...we live in a low committment, low impact world. Where we talk about "making a difference" and "standing up for others" when we in fact live shallow lives. Lives that are based on some vain idea that we are to be in happy bliss with those in the church... continually growing through some quiet move of God on our spirits as we merge with the eternal goodness of God ...and therefore somehow blend our personalities seemlessly and effortlessly with the goodness that He is. (hmm... this sounds like that same old new age crap I read from Shirley Maclean.)

Rather than the iron sharpening battle ready church community who have the guts to talk openly and honestly about who each of us are and more importantly who each of us are not.

I understand why we, the church used to describe each other as brother and sister... because brothers and sisters should be able to stand toe to toe and fight out the issues in a family without the chance that the relationship would be destroyed.

You see I am beginning to understand this issue better because I have the priviledge to work with my brother in law, and although I hate it when he does it, he is able and willing to come into my office and challenge me on what I have done, said and even who I am. Man is that difficult to swallow when he says that I have screwed up and I need to fix it. But there is nothing that he can say (within reason) that can break our brotherhood. He will still be sitting at the table on the 25 of December and I will still be loving him...

So to all those who somewhere in your heart are chasing the rainbow of community I have a challenge for you... Stop running and searching for authentic relationships in others and find it in your relationship with God beginning by being honest with yourself. Yeah that's it....stand up and be honest... and let the shallow relationships fall by the wayside. The ones that remain will be the ones that are honest enough to matter for more then right here and right now. They will matter for tomorrow and forever.

Trust me...would I lie to you?

2006-11-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

You deserve a Break today...from McDonalds...

Have you ever set out looking for something not really knowing what you were looking for? I have... I have just begun a journey that may infact completely revolutionize my thinking when it comes to church...ministry and the body of Christ. Essentially I am beginning to think that much of the church community is simply...well...not.
And if you think that I mean that the world's community is somehow a better, more real body well you would be sadly disappointed. Because I have discovered that we (the North Amercian populous) specialized in plastic. Or as my good friend Elan Zamier (who has now left our community for God's) said, "the North Amercian Culture is like McDonalds...it's ok if you eat it fast...but don't let it get cold...because it empty and tasteless when cold."

And somehow we in the church have been so influenced by the world around us that we too have become tasteless and empty. I'm not talking about the age old arguement about the young vs the elderly or the new vs the old but rather I'm talking about the real vs the artificial.
I find it everywhere...
...in the adult who does not understand the need for contemporary worship.
...in the young adult who does not see the truth in the older hymn or song.
...in the young person who leaves an assembly because they are not getting what they want and are not willing to listen for the quiet voice of God as he tells them what He wants.
...in the adult who forces Pastors to bend to the will of the dollars that they give, rather than to listen to the spirit of God.
...in the Young person who uses the threat of departure to break bonds of family and friends to get their will.

You see we are so backwards when it comes to the truth of God.
Jesus was willing to sacrifice everything he was to protect the non-negotiable of relationships and we are willing to sacrifice relationships first to protect every structure and meaningless empty thing that we put on our plate and call it Holy. sigh.

Like I said...I've begun asking some questions...that are challenging to say the least. I want relationships that are meanful...and filled with bone and grissel like a steak...tough to eat and even tougher to stomach...but designed by my creator to make me Strong!

2006-06-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

April 30 2006

Today 13 years at ET Family Church comes to an end. I will be leaving Nanaimo on the 3:00 pm ferry today and I will be leaving behind many incredible things.
There have been many…
· years of memories that simply could never be counted.
· friends too close to our hearts to even be able to express what you’re meant to us.
· ministries that have touched heaven and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, touched lives…ours being the first.
· years of change that have brought God’s plan into focus in my family as well as our church.
· moments of deep sorrow at the passing good friends and family.
· moments of great joy as we have welcomed into this world new lives and little ones.
· songs sung.
· messages shared.
· testimonies spoken.
· tears cried.
· jokes told (many poor ones).

And now…through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God.

Good Bye... I love you all.

Dave

2006-06-07T20:32:00.000-06:00

DEDICATED TO MISS LAURA JOHNSTONE... A FRIEND

“I have had many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” (Martin Luther)

“Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word… and with that our 13 year conversation came to an end.

The conversation had begun some 12 years and 10 month previously. I had just left the platform of this assembly after preaching for the second time that busy January 17th evening. After apologizing for not properly having time to prepare for the second sermon I was forcibly spoken to and reminded, “Never underestimate the power of the Word of God for the Salvation of man. Further, never apologize for the Word for it is the power of God unto salvation.” The words were clear and the message heard. Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word…

Throughout our time together opportunities came and went and we, like war weary combatants through the years contended for the faith. (Proverbs 27:17 KJV “As Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” And without a doubt she was my friend. Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word…

We discussed the effect of the new emerging post modern culture on the landscape of the church and the challenge of cross-generational communication without losing the cross in the communication. We argued about the error-filled messages that were being taught in the latest worship chorus and the error-filled messages communicated in some of the old ones. But faithfully we always came back to the way, the truth and the life. Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word…

Many hours of precious time were spent talking and correcting the views of this upstart, headstrong, maverick but always with love. There was always a sense of respect for who I was and I have never sensed a more complete acceptance than when I sat with the tea cup in my hand and the Word of God on our lips. Never have I ever sensed that someone had my back covered more than when I was being taken to task for the song sung or the words spoken. For somewhere in the midst of the quiet, thoughtful discussion the love for who I was came screaming through. Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word…

May my heart of reflection today encourage you to venture into the difficult terrain of the lives of those who… “simply… should know better…” For if you do, they will. If you speak they will listen. If you reach out they will reach back to you. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Preach the Word, David! Preach the Word…yes…I will.

2006-04-20T09:59:00.000-06:00

STAND FIRM

(Lessons from the Canadian Rockies)

How do you teach a young man the underpinning principle called faith? How does one move a young man from the world of see and touch to the world of faith and vision? The world where God is viewed in greys to a world where God is in living colour? The answer is... you don't! That's not how it's done...

To say that the Canadian Rockies are rugged would in no way be an exageration. The wild untamed wilderness is alive and well in Canada and many people yearly they find themselves lost or experiencing some difficulties in the rockies with tragic results. The Canadian Rockies have taken their share of lives. So it was not a trivial thing when I found myself stranded on the top of a pass miles from the trailhead and unable to move.

Walking, hiking and camping have always been second nature to my Dad and his experience of growing up in Calgary and spending all of his teenage years in the backcountry provided him with a deep love for the mountains and all their grandeur. So as his son, I naturally wanted to join him on his adventures...that is until I turned 13. Then sleeping on the ground in a small tent just did not seem as fun as it used to. It wasn't cool. No girls.

But Dad who somehow always knew just what to say, suggested that maybe I would be interested in going hiking with a friend and he could come along as the guide, chief cook and bottle washer. Well I tell you that sounded great to this 13 year old. So on a warm day in July we set out from the trailhead and began our long trek into the formitable Rockies. Darryl, the friend who came along, was a young man who like many young men simply did not get that whole faith/God thing.

So we walked...and Dad talked... "Derryl do you see that mountain? God has provided that mountain for us. Derryl do you see that stream...isn't God great how he made that stream...He's a great provider." You get the idea...

As the day wore on, my God carefully and methodically set the scene in place to build into our lives the principle of faith.

Then my legs quit. Slowly at first... then more rapidly, they began to ache and strain. Rhabdomyolysis was setting in. (An acute, fulminant, potentially fatal disease that destroys skeletal muscle) I’ve had an acute case since I was was four and now in the middle of the unforgiving mountains my muscles were packing it in. With little water, due to the fact that we found ourselves on the top of a mountainplateau ...things, shall we say, did not look good.

So lying on a flat rock in the middle of a mountain meadow, miles down a trail from help, I stopped, unable to move, and Derryl pounced!

Where is your God now Mr. Wood? Where is that provision that you are talking about? Lying there... I was so angry I could spit! My Dad? He stood silent. Looking back down the trail from which we had come... he waited...silently. No more than 30 seconds after Derryl's question I looked at where Dad's eyes were focused and I noticed the distinctive view of a ranger cap rising over the top of the plateau's rise.

"Derryl", Dad said quietly, "that's a National Park Ranger... David is going to ride out on his horse" ...and it was ...and I did.

Paul said, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13) In our relativist culture the idea of standing firm is almost viewed as antiquated. At best, something from history, at worst a sign of a thoughtless, ignorant person. And yet, in the bible, we are encouraged to stand firm. WHY? Is God grey? He certainly is not when talking about our faith. His words are clear... (Do a bible search on the words stand firm and find out for yourself.) our faith in him must not be grey...because life is not grey... nor white...it's black...and out to kill you. Face it! None of us are getting out of here alive!

Faith is not a skill. It is not learned through lectures and notes...through truth read and items noted. It's not grown through blogs typed and responces discussed. If allowed... it is a living breathing reality that must be experienced to bring it to life. If allowed... Faith comes to life in the dark. If allowed... it grows strongest in the place of death. If allowed... It advances in the moments when all else has already retreated. If allowed... Faith is learned on the top of a mountain plateau on a day in July.

A wise man once said, "Faith is not faith unless it is the only thing you have left to hang on to."

So... Hang on!

2006-04-19T12:54:00.000-06:00

TY PENNINGTON... GRACE DISPENSOR

Have you ever watched ABC's Extreme Home Makeover? Well if you haven't you are one of the few people in the US or Canada that have not. This show is a living breathing entity to itself. Literally millions of people are scheduling their sunday Nights to watch Ty and his team of builders, designers and unique people radically change the lives of a family. Trust me the show rocks...I was sitting and watching a while back with a tear being wiped away out of the sight of my family when God spoke to me...

Now I personally really dislike when people toss that phrase around...you know... God told me this... and now God told me that...but...you know...I think he did. And this is the Dave paraphased version of how the coversation went...

God: Dave...you listening?
Dave: Yes...
God: This show is an example of my love...
Dave: huh?
God: Extreme Home Makeover....
Dave: oh that...(thinking)...what do you mean?
God: My love is free...all paid for and is available to people when they least expect it...all they have to do is ask.
Dave: Cool... (ok I added the cool thingie in order to try to sound...well you know...cool.)

But really...have you ever thought about the grace of God and just how cool it actually is? Grace is likely the most underestimated power in the universe... If we could as followers of Jesus actually start dispensing grace rather than condemnation...grace rather than our thoughts about the plans for their lives... If we just gave to people who do not deserve what they don't deserve just because He desires us to dispense it, we probably would be living examples of Jesus...or as they were called in Antioch for the first time...Christians ("little Christs").

Oh Lord...please make me more like Ty...allow me to be filled with the fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

So is it wrong for me to pray that the Lord make me more like Ty? I have no idea about his faith...or lack thereof...but somehow the music that I hear coming out of his life is in harmony to the music that I hear coming out of my Jesus.

So Lord make me more like Ty...especially the hair...amen.

2006-04-18T17:27:00.000-06:00

FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER...
SORT OF.

Have you ever left somewhere? I have. You make the announcement...set your plans...schedule your life and then...you have to do the most difficult thing imaginable. You have to tell your friends you're leaving them.

Now at first their response is always...you know.... positive... encouraging even. They smile with that half smile and congratulate you on the move that is occuring. They cry for a moment...or at least tear up as they try and maintain their cool and then...

... the challenges start...

It begins with the look...actually it's more like the lack of looking. When you see them they turn away...just for a moment at first and then more and more... as the day approaches. Then they sit farther from you at gatherings then they used to...and gravitate towards others, when all you want to do is capture that last few weeks...moments even...together. But that is not about to happen.

Time moves forward and the disappointment grows more and more. They get even more frustrated with you...without you ever knowing what is wrong. (Actually... neither do they.) Words are few and grow stronger and more angry as the days shorten. And then it happens... Mt. St. Helens erupts and words are exchanged... or worse Mt St. Helens does not erupt and instead continues to boil...and grow. (It can for years)

It seems to me that these feelings of frustration come not from the shallow seemingly meaningless relationships with associates that fill our lives with activity but rather with the few deep friendships that come along rarely. It is in these seemingly safe places that the deepest anger and explosions can occur. Of course... not because you don't love, respect or appreciate each other... but rather because you do.

A wise man, once said to me...it is far easier to be angry with someone then to say good bye. (And he was right.) We replace our feelings of deep loss and deep disappointment with anger because if we are angry we really can't be hurt as easily. It's a defense mechanism...

Now you all may be well aware of this and I may be the only one on the outside, but for those of you who are not...please forgive me if over the past few years I have been angry as you have felt my life. And I will forgive you as we have struggled through the feelings of loss and sorrow. I know this stuff... I have for years...but there is a difference between knowing something and knowing something...if you get my meaning.

So to all of you who I will miss terribly forgive me if I rant...get angry...or lash out! It is clearly only an example of the love I have for you... I just hate saying goodbye...

2006-04-12T10:32:00.000-06:00

IF JESUS IS THE ANSWER...WHAT'S THE QUESTION?

We are about to present the hardest hitting Easter Play that I have ever been involved with... and as we are preparing the final lighting cues and sound variations it is hard not to be completely blown away by the pain that this play presents. the characters in this play are in such deep pain that it is impossible not to grieve and cry with them.

Three Characters who are each deeply hurting are brought through time to the greatest moment in human history. When the God of all creation is cruelly nailed to a piece of wood and hung between heaven and earth. And what he did to answer the distruction that the world is loading onto people.

So...what do you think? If Christ the answer to all the garbage that happens in a persons life why don't people accept it? Why is it that people who seeming are deeply in pain run to the pain rather than running to the relief? Is it because intrinsic in the call of God for freedom is the undserstanding that God is asking for everything in our lives not just a part?

I was traveling through town yesterday and had the opportunity to talk to two young people who clearly were hurting. Further they clearly had known Jesus at one time in their lives. (He said he and attended a church in Abbottsford) When I mentioned about the play and invited them to come their response blew my mind. "That's great pastor Dave" they said, "We really do need a little salvation in our lives right now..." How does one received a little salvation? How does one receive enough of God to save your soul but not your purpose for living? How can the God of all there ever was or will be...be confined to the small box of salvation? And even within that box we say " a little salvation?"

Is it possible that it is the lack of committment within our culture that removes Christ from being the God that we so desperately need him to be? Is it posssible he's just waiting for us? Is it possible that God is not at all interested in how we feel about him...or how the world views us? Is it possible that God is expecting us to live and die for him and he does not give a rip about how we feel about it? Is it possible that God is more concerned about what is right, proper, and good then what is acceptable to us? I need a little salvation...they said. I am beginning to think that nothing is more offensive to God then that...But hey...what do I know?

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” Dwight L Moody

God and God Alone...is fit to take the universes throne....and mine.

2006-04-10T19:08:00.000-06:00

ROUTE 66

"If you should plan to motor west. Travel my way take the highway that's the best...get your kicks on route 66."

We did. My father and I.

The year was 1993 and it was January, and we had the dubious task of making it across the continent from London Ontario to Nanaimo British Columbia in the heart of a Canadian Winter. As this climate can do... it stormed to the point that all roads heading west were closed. The Yellowhead, the Thompson, and the Trans Canada Highways were all completely closed, as were the northern routes in the US... leaving us with few if any options. Now we all know that the shortest distance between two points may be, as the mathematicians tell you, a straight line but it is often not the one that the Lord takes you on.

So when I asked my father what we should do he simply began to sing. Yup...sing. Route 66. Your kidding right dad? That would take us to Sacramento California? I said. "Yes, he said, "...and it will be a great trip...history in the making". So we set out. Six days and thousands of miles later we arrived on Vancouver Island via Ontario, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington State. And we had the time of our lives.

Life's lines are often winding and seemingly not really pointed at the goal that you intended. As it was when we travelled... but I would love to go back to that car and take just one more trip with my hero. Just one more moment to laugh so hard that we almost lose control of the wheel. Just one more lunch at a greasy spoon truck stop...just one more...anything.

When I went to London from Edmonton we travelled together...when I went to Nanaimo from London we travelled together...but this time...on April 30th. I leave alone.

Someone once said that life is not about arriving but it is rather a journey. If that is true I would like to encourage each of you to take a trip... get behind the wheel of a car with someone you love...and talk, laugh, joke and enjoy each other. Now...before it's too late...or you will find yourself on the long road of life...alone.

2006-04-10T18:19:00.001-06:00

"LOOK DAD THE SHORE"

The rain was falling in those relentless vertical sheets that can really only happen on the prairies. As I dug into the water and pushed my paddle deep to really get a bite, sweat poured from my forehead stinging my eyes and leaving that salty taste in my mouth. Up into the air the canoe rose leaving this eight year old hanging in mid air for what seemed like an eternity until, “bam” we would clear the wave and the front end would once again slam into the lake allowing my paddle to again dig into the water. Minutes turned into hours as we struggled to get off the lake and safely get back to the car and the safety of shore.

The day started out so differently. It as sunny and warm as we stuck camp and the 20 scouts readied themselves for the hour long trip across long lake in Alberta. Laughter was everywhere as they threw their tents, packs and numerous finds back into their canoes and pushed off from shore. The canoe camping trip had been a wonderful time of cold water fights and warm campfires, comfortable sleeping bags to take away the chill and great bear stories to bring it back. And through it all he was there, Dad. Not out front like some of the other dad’s were. Trying to be cool… trying to fit in. No he was just there. Quietly setting up the camp, making the meals and preparing for our next great adventure. And now with a prairie storm roaring down on us in seconds, we were in the one of the great adventures of our lives.

The crying was the most frustrating. Scouts that yesterday were the toughest in the pack were now…crying wishing to be anywhere else then in their canoe. Their dad’s equally loud as they asked for direction and loudly cursed the storm and quietly cursed my dad for getting them into this mess.

But there he sat, strongly and clearly giving direction to the other canoes how to follow in a tight pattern to minimize the effects of the waves. There he sat, wind and rain hitting his face with more and more velocity, with water running off the brim of his hat hitting his soaked jacket and disappearing. There he sat, a rock.

“Turn around and paddle David we need to set the pace…set an example.” So I turned and faced the storm. From where I was sitting I could see no other canoes, nor the shore, just the waves. From where I sat all the crying and shouting behind me somehow was covered over by the wind and the slap of the paddles. From where I sat all I could see was the waves and all I could hear was my Dad. “Stroke, stroke stroke….ok switch sides David…now again…stroke.”

Now thirty four years later I again hear the voice of my Dad. “Turn around a paddle David we need to set the pace…set an example.” His voice echoes from across the lake to my desk where I sit today, just a few days before my own Fathers Day and my children listening to this father as I face the storms of life and trust my heavenly father that he will get us home safely.

Dad turns eighty this year, his scouting days are over, “the ground is just too hard…” he says, but his influence remains. With his faith strong and his eyes fixed on the shore he pushes out once again into the last paddle of his life. Not knowing whether this one will be a long or short trip he has prepared for the trip that must come to all. His pack is ready, his heavenly father has made a way and his determination is set. Courage, strength and integrity are all safely stowed with him. Faith is his canoe and Love has provided him with all he needs. So, on this Fathers Day Dad, I promise to turn my face to the task at hand and paddle…no wavering, no crying, no hesitation, just faith, because somehow I know that’s what you would want.

Look Dad… the shore.

David Vincent Britten Wood went to be with his Lord on November 6th. 2005.
I have the paddle still.

2006-04-07T10:34:00.000-06:00

Grab Life by the Paintbrush!

Have you ever done this? Wanting to sell your house you begin a fix it up project list and then over the next few weeks continually ask the same question. "Why didn't we do that 5 years ago...it looks great!" Well I have. I've painted, moved furniture, sold junk, threw out almost anything that was not nailed down and now...I don't want to leave my house. It looks really good now. (sigh) Isn't that the way it always is... When it's too late to enjoy something we find ourselves with the thing we hoped for all along in our hands.

I've heard this phrase a hundred times..."Someday I will..." (fill in the blanks) If I hear that phrase any more I think I am going to puke. You see... someday is in every sense of the word is today. I have watched as people have put off life in the vain hope that they will someday so this or that. I have watched as people who were planning to someday take that trip...buy that car...finish that house...(you know the drill) Never get around to it until it's too late.

My parents were planning for the last four years to come and see us on the island and we waited and planned...changed plans...waited some more... and now it will never occur. My dad is dead.

Oh I know...that seems harsh but my encouragement to everyone who reads this or anyone who reads this is to jump at the opportunities that God is setting in front of you. It's like milk...drink it when it's fresh because you won't be able to go anywhere near it when it's old.

So today do something that is not in the daytimer...or the bulliten...or the plan. Jump out of a perfectly servicable aircraft...go catch the big one fishing (it's not just for seniors anymore)...go fly a kite...race a go-cart...anything really. Just as long as at the end of the event you can feel your heart beating and you know that you are alive. Because someday you won't be.

I love the church of Jesus Christ and I love the work that I do as a pastor but if I was do anything for the church this week it would be to send them all out into the world to have some fun and take a non believer with you. Now everyone always assumes that I mean leave church in order to do that...but I don't. Where else can you plan these great adventures with the entire gang and have someone else make the coffee? The after a great time of worship...LIVE!

So do something today (friday April 7, 2006) ...not tomorrow...(if you're reading this after the seven....HURRAY!!! YOUR LATE... AND WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF YOU...SO CATCH UP!

2006-04-06T17:01:00.000-06:00

THE LOST ART OF SAYING GOODBYE

I believe that there are few people, if any, well versed in this art. We have perfected the art of hello, today and excitement, but fail miserably in the art of goodbye, tomorrow and sorrow. It just seems that my Lord is at present teaching me this lost art.

My ignorance of my heart and health was the first to which I said goodbye. Sadly I watched as just over a week of my life removed more from me than I even realized.

Secondly I watched as I said goodbye to my father. A man of eighty in his body but 25 in his heart. A man who's personal integrity, passion for life and the mountains was the stuff of legends. (that he was pleased to relate to you if you were willing to listen. )

And now thirdly, I watched as the postion of 13 years fades to black and the curtain lowers on the days in the sun. Lowers on the times of diapers and suckies...elementary schools and piano lessons... learning to walk and talk, but now raises on youth events and pizza parties...highschool and band rehearsals... dating and marriage.

Yes... goodbyes are difficult.

I wonder how God percieved ours fretting about our goodbyes. Does he solely view them from his side and with his glasses placed at the end of his nose...shaking his head and saying..."my son don't worry about it... in time you will understand" or does he grieve with us as we simply cannot see through the vail into tomorrow and we fret and worry and grieve and cry. I wonder.

Goodbyes are simply not something that you get good at... It's an art that God himself is not good at. I'm sorry but I think that even God the father is bad at it. He's never had to do it for long and when separated from his son... he covered his creation and shook it in response to the feeling. No...even he is not good at goodbye...

This is an art form that is more like modern art and less like the classic masters. Throw the paint up on the canvas because it's going to hurt like anything so you might as well let it out, and throw it as hard as you can. In the end the goodbye will not look at all like you thought it would and it is God's responsibility to make it come togther. So throw away...let Him deal with it.

So...Goodbye...all of you...I will miss you all tons...but especially you Dad....especially you.