Looking Back...

I gotta say that this year was quite something. I thought I'd list a few key moments and experiences that really shaped me (and continue to shape my family & I).

- Our family headed to Florida for 8 days back in February. This was much needed time away for us and really helped us prepare for what would end up being a full year.

- About the same same, the lead pastor (Mark Macknight) I worked with for 7 years resigned and announced that he was moving out west. We had a great thing going together, but of course, all good things must come to an end. I should say that it was the best working experience I had up to that point.

- After Easter, our church was without a lead pastor. The present staff (Joanne, Don, Maria & Psegga) and I worked together to lead during transition. I was so proud of them and the congregation for all the hard work and humble service that was exhibited. Our church not only didn't fall apart, we actually felt like we took steps forward. That's a big deal for a church in transition. I was humbled to be the team leader during this time and learned lots through it.

- In June I released my first CD - a worship project. The process and work involved was a life time experience. I'm so glad that we did this and made it happen. The great people I worked with deserve honourable mention: Jeff Muir, Matt Smith, Dave Smith, Anthony Silva, Ali Rainy, Aileen Lombardo, Rick Manafo & Aaron Holbrough. I received a ton of support from my wife Janet & kids, Jacob & Madison.

- The worship project brought with it many more opportunities to lead worship and play in various setting outside of my church context. On average I get about 1 gig/month; this year it seemed more like 3-4 gigs a month. You can view them here. Thank God!

- I read through some great books. The highlights were probably Peterson's 'Christ plays in 10,000 places', Wright's 'After you believe', Mitch Albom's 'Have a little faith' & Halter/Smay's 'And'.

I'm looking forward to 2011. My family and I have learned so much through all the experiences that 2010 had to offer. God was faithful and we believe he'll continue to be so this year too. We're praying for God's best in our lives and yours.

Peace & Love,
Jonathan

benefit concert...with phil, marissa & aileen

Last Friday (Dec 10) CLC hosted it's 4th benefit concert. We've had Jacob Moon the first 2 years and TMC last year. This year Phil & Marissa Aud, along with Aileen Lombardo-Matta graced the stage. What a great night. The music was hopping and the crowd just loved it all. Phil did great as always, plus he and Marissa had a killer band backing them up. This included great Toronto jazz cats, Andrew Stewart & Sean Merrideth-Jones, as well as Mississauga drummer (humber student) Jordan Eldie.

We were able to raise over $1000 for Water Ambassadors Canada, as well as some funds for Helping Hands Food Bank, Ajax.

Here are some pictures (taken by Alvaro Moratoya) to help you get a visual on the night.

my son now knows...

...that Santa is not real...

Over the years my wife and I have talked about when we will tell our kids that Santa Claus is not real. Well, the other day it happened. Janet told our 8 year old, Jacob, that Santa does not exist and that we've gotten him all the gifts he's received over the years. I wasn't there for the conversation (I was putting our 6 year old daughter to bed), but was told after wards about the profound response that came from my son.

Jacob first admitted that he kind of figured that this was the case; how does one guy do all that anyway? It really doesn't make sense. But then he went on to say something that really spoke to me. Jacob said, 'it was kind of nice to think that someone I didn't know loved me that much and gave me gifts every year'. He never ceases to amaze me with his thoughts and words.

When you really think about it, isn't that why our world keeps this tradition going year after year? Just the thought, even a glimmer of hope, that someone out there loves me, yet has never met me; they know me, yet I've never seen them. I can't help but think, that's why we so desperately, whether we realize it or not, are searching for (a) God in our lives. We all just want to know that we are loved by someone; that there is someone out there who wants to bless us with gifts.

Folks, that's the Christmas story that we find in the gospels. God sends us the greatest gift of all, to those who are both naughty and nice. He never sent coal or a useless toy that we'll grow out of. God sends his son to live and dwell among us, and eventually die for us. Unlike Santa, he knows us, and loves us anyway. That's the story I keep telling my kids; not once a year, but every day (as a family) and every week (as our church gathers). That's a tradition worth keeping - cause it's real!

Merry Christmas...from Jacob & I!

Advent...Waiting...Almost Here...

The wonderful season of advent is here. Anticipating the coming of Jesus. I love it. I know he's already come and has done what he did, but the season is such a good reminder. I am anxiously waiting for Jesus to come through for the world and for me; to invite me to be part of his kingdom. What a great gift (pun intended).

I've been reading through a little book called, Watch For The Light. It's a collection of advent writings. A recent entry really inspired my talk for this Sunday, as I was planning to speak about what it means to wait for God. Henri Nouwen speaks to that so well as he describes the characters in Luke 1 as those who wait anxiously for God to arrive and do what only he can do.

In preparation I also came across something Rob Bell wrote. Here's a glimpse of it, "Advent confronts the corrosion of the heart (that doesn't hope) with the insistence that God has not abandoned the world, hope is real and something is coming".

Come Lord Jesus, Come!