This past week I hurt my back. Well, actually, my back hurt me; it went out on me (slipped) last Tuesday. I've had this issue come up every few years. I had a good run going without any issues - 4 years with virtually no setbacks, until Tuesday. I've done my best to rest it and will begin some physio & therapy to get it strong again.
My wife has been a gem. She's always amazing, but when I get hurt like this she even that much better (which is almost impossible because she is so good). My kids have been so sympathetic to me while I've been in pain; asking how I'm doing, being careful not to aggravate my back, and generally wishing me back to good health.
Sunday morning morning I was leading worship at Brooklin Village Church ('_____' church's sponsoring church). Even though I was in lots of pain I didn't want to cancel. Jake became my roadie for the morning; bringing in equipment & helping me set up. As the norm at BVC, they took time to pray for people's needs. The coolest thing happened - my two kids walked up to the front, met me where I was standing and prayed for me. It was one of my finest moments - my kids, talking to God on my behalf. How cool is that? Two things I was thankful for: 1) their love for me, 2) their understanding God's attentiveness to our circumstance. They know that God is to go to one in our life; in good times and bad, while happy or sad, whatever the case may be, God is in the conversation of our lives.
Last night, in our small group gathering, as one of our friends prayed, they thanked God for what we learn from kids. They thanked God for being able to witness two kids walked down the isle to meet their Dad and pray for him while the church gathered.
I'm thankful for my family - Janet, Jacob and Madison. They are God's gift to me. Hopefully in the next couple of days, I'll be thankful for a healthy back too.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
a wonderful reminder of why I/we practice 'lent'
Hollow Sacrifice (Eileen Button)
Like many Catholic children, I gave up sweets for the forty-plus days of Lent. I remember creeping downstairs on Easter morning, hoping to be greeted by a marvelous, solid-chocolate Palmer's bunny. After surviving the torturous season of sacrifice, I could barely wait to nibble the cottontail's long, delicious ears.
I would sometimes be disappointed to find a hollow chocolate cross in my basket in place of the preferred bunny. Propped in green plastic grass and surrounded by pastel jelly beans stood a milk chocolate version of my Savior's object of torture. In place of Christ's broken body, the cross bore a pink and yellow flower made of sugar. I couldn't eat it. It felt blasphemous to do so. While it was almost impossible to endure the long, sweet-less days of Lent, the triviality of my "sacrifice" always shocked me when I was confronted by that chocolate cross on Easter morning. Even a child wrestles with the reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
The annual season of Lent is puzzling to many. Denying ourselves our favorite treats or habits - even for a short time - seems unnecessarily archaic in our I-want-it-now culture. Lent is a plodding, definitive crescendo that leads up to the cacophonous noise of Good Friday and the gorgeous aria of Easter Sunday. It's a season marked by deliberateness and intentionality.
But we often get in the way of our own best intentions. When fasting from food or technology (or whatever else captures our hearts and threatens to take the place that only God can fill) we might be tempted to feel a sense of pride or arrogance about our sacrifice. The very thing we relinquish sometimes clamors inside us as a "need" to be met. Instead of focusing on Jesus Christ, our attention can dangerously be drawn to the very thing we've voluntarily surrendered.
Even so, the practice of Lent can be a valuable discipline. It's difficult to comprehend what our continual sense of entitlement does to our bodies and souls. Our culture worships at the feet of pleasure, deeply bowing to all its delicious offerings. As we "shovel it in," we can become desensitized to our needs - the real hungers - in our lives. Observing Lent can help us wrestle with the reasons behind our perpetual consumption. When we decide to relinquish that thing that fails to truly satisfy, we come face-to-face with some tough questions. Can we believe Jesus when he says, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"? How can we make room for the Savior in our buried and burdened lives? Can we grasp the reality of Good Friday and live within its irony?
Lent challenges us to consider the honest answers to these and other soul-searching questions. It invites us to voluntarily jump off the hamster wheel of consumption and experience the pinch of abstaining from continual, thoughtless indulgence. It has the potential to give our frenetic material selves a much-needed break.
Like many believers, I hold fast to the annual discipline of Lent and continue to give up something that I consume. I treasure the season of abstinence, seeking, and revelation. Every year, I learn something new.
Perhaps I was - and still am - offended by a hollow chocolate cross because it signifies what is too often true about our spiritual lives: What we see on the outside might look pretty, but we can be tragically empty. Occasionally, the reality of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the power of his love break through our hardened hearts. The realization, like a splash of freezing water on our tired faces, causes us to gasp. The hollow parts of our souls can be filled.
Like many Catholic children, I gave up sweets for the forty-plus days of Lent. I remember creeping downstairs on Easter morning, hoping to be greeted by a marvelous, solid-chocolate Palmer's bunny. After surviving the torturous season of sacrifice, I could barely wait to nibble the cottontail's long, delicious ears.
I would sometimes be disappointed to find a hollow chocolate cross in my basket in place of the preferred bunny. Propped in green plastic grass and surrounded by pastel jelly beans stood a milk chocolate version of my Savior's object of torture. In place of Christ's broken body, the cross bore a pink and yellow flower made of sugar. I couldn't eat it. It felt blasphemous to do so. While it was almost impossible to endure the long, sweet-less days of Lent, the triviality of my "sacrifice" always shocked me when I was confronted by that chocolate cross on Easter morning. Even a child wrestles with the reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
The annual season of Lent is puzzling to many. Denying ourselves our favorite treats or habits - even for a short time - seems unnecessarily archaic in our I-want-it-now culture. Lent is a plodding, definitive crescendo that leads up to the cacophonous noise of Good Friday and the gorgeous aria of Easter Sunday. It's a season marked by deliberateness and intentionality.
But we often get in the way of our own best intentions. When fasting from food or technology (or whatever else captures our hearts and threatens to take the place that only God can fill) we might be tempted to feel a sense of pride or arrogance about our sacrifice. The very thing we relinquish sometimes clamors inside us as a "need" to be met. Instead of focusing on Jesus Christ, our attention can dangerously be drawn to the very thing we've voluntarily surrendered.
Even so, the practice of Lent can be a valuable discipline. It's difficult to comprehend what our continual sense of entitlement does to our bodies and souls. Our culture worships at the feet of pleasure, deeply bowing to all its delicious offerings. As we "shovel it in," we can become desensitized to our needs - the real hungers - in our lives. Observing Lent can help us wrestle with the reasons behind our perpetual consumption. When we decide to relinquish that thing that fails to truly satisfy, we come face-to-face with some tough questions. Can we believe Jesus when he says, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"? How can we make room for the Savior in our buried and burdened lives? Can we grasp the reality of Good Friday and live within its irony?
Lent challenges us to consider the honest answers to these and other soul-searching questions. It invites us to voluntarily jump off the hamster wheel of consumption and experience the pinch of abstaining from continual, thoughtless indulgence. It has the potential to give our frenetic material selves a much-needed break.
Like many believers, I hold fast to the annual discipline of Lent and continue to give up something that I consume. I treasure the season of abstinence, seeking, and revelation. Every year, I learn something new.
Perhaps I was - and still am - offended by a hollow chocolate cross because it signifies what is too often true about our spiritual lives: What we see on the outside might look pretty, but we can be tragically empty. Occasionally, the reality of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the power of his love break through our hardened hearts. The realization, like a splash of freezing water on our tired faces, causes us to gasp. The hollow parts of our souls can be filled.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Lent
The season of Lent is beginning this Wednesday. This is a wonderful opportunity to structure our days leading up to Easter. There are many things you can do, the least of which is a regular intake of the scriptures. Why not take the time to prepare for Easter and allow the Jesus narratives to impact you.
Here's one way to keep focused: a daily reading plan. Check out this link, sign up and journey with Jesus' story towards the cross.
I'd also encourage you to remove something from your daily routine. This can be anything you feel tied to, but know that you can live without for a period of time. I.E. TV, Sweets, Coffee, junk food, gossip, overtime, etc. See how refreshing it can be to use that time and space for God to do something in you.
JM
Here's one way to keep focused: a daily reading plan. Check out this link, sign up and journey with Jesus' story towards the cross.
I'd also encourage you to remove something from your daily routine. This can be anything you feel tied to, but know that you can live without for a period of time. I.E. TV, Sweets, Coffee, junk food, gossip, overtime, etc. See how refreshing it can be to use that time and space for God to do something in you.
JM
Monday, February 13, 2012
Evangelism by Jealousy
Nathan, a friend of mine and collaborator with my (favorite) cousin joe, talks about evangelism in a way that really resonates with my heart. I've been thinking like this for a number of years now and am hoping we can create an aspect of this in our forming community - '_____' church - as well.
Evangelism by Jealousy
Evangelism by Jealousy
Martha & Mary
I had the privilege of serving a family this past week as they walked through the tough journey of burying their Mother (3 wonderful adult children) & Wife (of a very humble and intelligent husband) who passed at the (young) age of 62. I had not previously met this family, but was connected through a neighbour/friend. Because I've lost 3 parents (in a 2+ year span a few years ago) I really empathize with adult children who go through the same thing.
I was never able to meet the woman who's life we celebrated, but through her family and friends got a vivid picture of who she was. She loved preparing meals, baking cakes, decorating and making her home or rented cottage a place for people to gather and celebrate. Her cakes were professional quality, her passion for life was evident and her love for family & friends was through the roof.
At her memorial gathering I couldn't help but share a story from Luke's version of the gospel. Not a typical funeral text. It's the one about Martha & Mary; Martha is preparing the food and getting things ready, while Mary is hanging out at Jesus' feet. The interesting part of this story is that Jesus' makes a point by emphasizing Mary's priorities over Martha's. Jesus says (and I paraphrase) that Mary's choice of staying by Jesus' side is better than Martha's choice of dinner prep.
It's often been said (preached) that we should be more like Mary and less like Martha. But I have a hard time with that. I understand that there are people who can't get out of the kitchen (so to speak) long enough to enjoy relationships with loved ones, but I also value those who make me dinner and prepare evenings of celebration and food (i.e. my wife). Let's remember that Jesus chose a 'meal' to be the last significant event before he journeyed to the cross. He obviously appreciated the hands that put the meal together.
Back to our 62 year old mother/wife. In a special way, she depicted both characters in this story. She made the food, decorated the house, and had everything ready for dinner, while at the same time new when to put the apron down and spend time with her family. This is a quote from one of her children, “She didn't want to waste family time by doing dishes....she insisted we leave the dishes and enjoy the visit....dishes could be done later.”
Some of us like tasks, others of us love people, and some special people out there can actually manage both. God bless them for that. (i.e. my wife also has to get a mention here).
So what about Luke's story? Why should Martha get a bad wrap? Let's broaden our perspective. If all we do is spend time on tasks and checking items off our to do list and never get around to spending time with the people we love (Jesus included) then we'll miss out on the most important relationships - God, family, friends. If all we do is hang out with people or...hang out with God in some prayer closet, we're missing out on some important and life changing missional tasks that God has planned for us, not to mention the needed preparation to put on meaningful gatherings with friends, family and our church community. As much as we are gifted to do different things, we must be balanced between doing & being. There is the 'presence' side to our faith & relationships and there's a 'participation' side to it as well. Let's do our best to get both in. If we do, we'll probably be close to the 'FULL' life that Jesus talked about in another other gospel story.
I was never able to meet the woman who's life we celebrated, but through her family and friends got a vivid picture of who she was. She loved preparing meals, baking cakes, decorating and making her home or rented cottage a place for people to gather and celebrate. Her cakes were professional quality, her passion for life was evident and her love for family & friends was through the roof.
At her memorial gathering I couldn't help but share a story from Luke's version of the gospel. Not a typical funeral text. It's the one about Martha & Mary; Martha is preparing the food and getting things ready, while Mary is hanging out at Jesus' feet. The interesting part of this story is that Jesus' makes a point by emphasizing Mary's priorities over Martha's. Jesus says (and I paraphrase) that Mary's choice of staying by Jesus' side is better than Martha's choice of dinner prep.
It's often been said (preached) that we should be more like Mary and less like Martha. But I have a hard time with that. I understand that there are people who can't get out of the kitchen (so to speak) long enough to enjoy relationships with loved ones, but I also value those who make me dinner and prepare evenings of celebration and food (i.e. my wife). Let's remember that Jesus chose a 'meal' to be the last significant event before he journeyed to the cross. He obviously appreciated the hands that put the meal together.
Back to our 62 year old mother/wife. In a special way, she depicted both characters in this story. She made the food, decorated the house, and had everything ready for dinner, while at the same time new when to put the apron down and spend time with her family. This is a quote from one of her children, “She didn't want to waste family time by doing dishes....she insisted we leave the dishes and enjoy the visit....dishes could be done later.”
Some of us like tasks, others of us love people, and some special people out there can actually manage both. God bless them for that. (i.e. my wife also has to get a mention here).
So what about Luke's story? Why should Martha get a bad wrap? Let's broaden our perspective. If all we do is spend time on tasks and checking items off our to do list and never get around to spending time with the people we love (Jesus included) then we'll miss out on the most important relationships - God, family, friends. If all we do is hang out with people or...hang out with God in some prayer closet, we're missing out on some important and life changing missional tasks that God has planned for us, not to mention the needed preparation to put on meaningful gatherings with friends, family and our church community. As much as we are gifted to do different things, we must be balanced between doing & being. There is the 'presence' side to our faith & relationships and there's a 'participation' side to it as well. Let's do our best to get both in. If we do, we'll probably be close to the 'FULL' life that Jesus talked about in another other gospel story.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
As some may know, I'm a big Golf nut. And yes, I'm a fan of Tiger Woods. Why? Cause he really is the best golfer & athlete I've ever watched. Even in this so called slump and rebuilding of his career he's been bette than most. This article linked below says it best. This post is a little different than my normal musings, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix too.
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
Monday, January 30, 2012
long boards, parenting & the gospel...
Our son Jacob just turned 10. My wife and I can't believe that he's in the double digit era - there's no turning back now. We are officially parents of a double digit child and we're ok with that. When it comes to Birthdays, we've never been over exuberant with our gifts and have always tried to keep the budgets down. Two reasons: one is that we don't want to spoil our kids and give them too much, and two, we simply don't have the money to spoil them even if we wanted too.
A few months back, Jacob asked if we could get him a long board; a longer scale skateboard that is more for cruising than it is for stunts and tricks. My cousin had a few in his entrance last time we visited them and Jacob thought that they were quite cool. Well not only did he want one, but he wanted me to get one as well. Why you ask, because he figured that we could spend time together skating the days away. (He probably also thought that it was one way of assuring I'd agree to buying one :)
Here's the thing: I've never bought or had a skateboard in my life. As cool as the first 'Back to the Future' movie was (you know the scene with Michael J Fox riding his board to school while holding on the back of a truck), I was never drawn to skateboarding. But I was faced with a decision: my son asked me to do something with him, and it would cost me something - do I chicken out or do I pick up two long boards and learn to ride with Jacob. Well the decision was made easy on Boxing Day. I was in Yorkdale Mall, and for the record it was only because we were coming back from a hockey game and got off at the Subway station there, otherwise I wouldn't be in the mall on Boxing Day, and happened to walk into West 49. They had a sale going on - 75% off the second item. I asked if that included long boards, and to my surprise it did. (If you know me, this was a very happy moment)
Since Jacob was with me I had to discretely let the sales person know that I'd be back and to hold two boards for me. I returned a few hours later and picked up, not one, but two long boards. Thankfully, for our budget, my board was much less money. And there I was, a 38 year old dad, who has never bought a board and hardly ever skated before, buying myself my first skate board. Pretty crazy, I know. Kind of cool too. (The young girl at the counter said, in classic teenager mode, 'pretty cool man, you just bought a long board for $38)
Why share this story? Well we've been out on the boards twice already (it's winter eh!) and the short rides were not only fun, but meaningful. I'm spending time with my son - quality time - doing something he likes (and an activity I've never done). You see, I've encouraged my son to play golf with me, but that's something I like. I'm guessing that skating with Jacob won't only get me brownie points as a Dad (and Husband ;), but it will contribute to the on going relationship that Jacob and I are developing.
And what about the gospel? I can't help but think that this is, in a metaphorical way, what Jesus did to develop our relationship with God. He moved into our neighbourhood, grew up as boy, took up a trade, lived his life with us, and did things that we like (i.e. went to parties, ate & drank, hung out in public spaces, etc.)...all so we could know him, his Father, and the ways of his Kingdom.
If Jesus thought picking up long boarding would get us closer to his Father and himself, then I imagine he would've done that too.
A few months back, Jacob asked if we could get him a long board; a longer scale skateboard that is more for cruising than it is for stunts and tricks. My cousin had a few in his entrance last time we visited them and Jacob thought that they were quite cool. Well not only did he want one, but he wanted me to get one as well. Why you ask, because he figured that we could spend time together skating the days away. (He probably also thought that it was one way of assuring I'd agree to buying one :)
Here's the thing: I've never bought or had a skateboard in my life. As cool as the first 'Back to the Future' movie was (you know the scene with Michael J Fox riding his board to school while holding on the back of a truck), I was never drawn to skateboarding. But I was faced with a decision: my son asked me to do something with him, and it would cost me something - do I chicken out or do I pick up two long boards and learn to ride with Jacob. Well the decision was made easy on Boxing Day. I was in Yorkdale Mall, and for the record it was only because we were coming back from a hockey game and got off at the Subway station there, otherwise I wouldn't be in the mall on Boxing Day, and happened to walk into West 49. They had a sale going on - 75% off the second item. I asked if that included long boards, and to my surprise it did. (If you know me, this was a very happy moment)Since Jacob was with me I had to discretely let the sales person know that I'd be back and to hold two boards for me. I returned a few hours later and picked up, not one, but two long boards. Thankfully, for our budget, my board was much less money. And there I was, a 38 year old dad, who has never bought a board and hardly ever skated before, buying myself my first skate board. Pretty crazy, I know. Kind of cool too. (The young girl at the counter said, in classic teenager mode, 'pretty cool man, you just bought a long board for $38)
Why share this story? Well we've been out on the boards twice already (it's winter eh!) and the short rides were not only fun, but meaningful. I'm spending time with my son - quality time - doing something he likes (and an activity I've never done). You see, I've encouraged my son to play golf with me, but that's something I like. I'm guessing that skating with Jacob won't only get me brownie points as a Dad (and Husband ;), but it will contribute to the on going relationship that Jacob and I are developing.
And what about the gospel? I can't help but think that this is, in a metaphorical way, what Jesus did to develop our relationship with God. He moved into our neighbourhood, grew up as boy, took up a trade, lived his life with us, and did things that we like (i.e. went to parties, ate & drank, hung out in public spaces, etc.)...all so we could know him, his Father, and the ways of his Kingdom.
If Jesus thought picking up long boarding would get us closer to his Father and himself, then I imagine he would've done that too.
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