tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53162560079386396712024-02-19T11:41:03.552-05:00faithplantchoosing to grow in faithcarlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-47466899437474550412021-06-02T10:39:00.000-04:002021-06-02T10:39:16.347-04:00Mourn With Those Who Mourn...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://infotel.ca/news/medialibrary/image/orig-mediaitemid83367-9434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://infotel.ca/news/medialibrary/image/orig-mediaitemid83367-9434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(<i>image: </i></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>https://infotel.ca/newsitem/pair-of-shoes-for-each-of-the-215-children-discovered-buried-at-former-kamloops-residential-school/it83367</i>)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">This morning I am still trying to process the tragedy unveiled in the discovery of </span><a href="https://infotel.ca/newsitem/pair-of-shoes-for-each-of-the-215-children-discovered-buried-at-former-kamloops-residential-school/it83367" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">a mass grave of 215 children</span></b></a><span style="color: #050505;"> at the site of a residential school in Kamloops, BC. I am shell-shocked. I am overwhelmed. I am in grief.
Romans 12:15 ends: "</span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">...mourn with those who mourn.</span></b><span style="color: #050505;">" Ever since I heard the news, I am in mourning. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On one hand, it feels strange to mourn something that happened to people I don't know, at some point in the past. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">At the same time, </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">the news is fresh, so the loss is fresh.</span></b><span style="color: #050505;"> These children's deaths had no closure; their families and friends had no closure. So now, we mourn. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am, once again, deeply saddened by atrocities that have happened under the name of two things that I treasure deeply - being a Christian, and being Canadian. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The name of both has been deeply tarnished by those who betrayed what I believe that </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>Canadians and Christians should stand for: love, kindness, sharing, treating others with respect, freedom and caring for one another and working together. </b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That's what Jesus stood for; that is what I stand for. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #fba608;"><b>For the hurt done under the name "Christian" and "Canadian", I am so very deeply sorry. </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am ashamed of those who went have caused the horrible neglect, abuse and devastation to these families. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am also angry and wrestling with how to respond. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, today I mourn with those who mourn. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And as I mourn, I pray, because </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>I believe in a God of hope and healing</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray for </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>an end to all forms of prejudice and hatred.</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">I pray that He will </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">change the hearts of the apathetic, the arrogant, and the angry </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">especially when it's mine.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">I pray in hope that God will </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">restore broken relationships between our nations.</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">I pray that He will </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">heal the hearts of the hurting. </span></b></span></p></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505;">I pray that He will </span><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">make us all more </span></b><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">like Jesus.</span></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-46399526528231019632018-05-15T11:34:00.001-04:002018-05-15T11:54:16.244-04:00Losing My Marbles...The Problem With My BrainNot many people know about this, because I am ashamed when it happens and have not talked about it openly. Not many people know about this, but many people have been affected by it.<br />
<br />
The effect of this problem ranges from frustrating to embarrassing to outright humiliating.<br />
<br />
I have tried to do many things to combat this problem, but every time I think that I am finally getting on top of it, it happens again.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">My brain short-circuits: I don't know how else to explain it.</span> </b><span style="color: #073763;">A</span>ctions, habits and behaviour that should be automatic are not remotely automatic - they simply aren't even on the radar. Things that are important to me get completely forgotten about with zero awareness that I've missed it until it's too late.<br />
<br />
It's not just events that this happens with - it's dates about things, it's about things that I have been asked to do. It's sometimes about showering and grabbing the wrong thing, or not having a clue if I have just washed my hair.<br />
<br />
And there's no warning. No niggling feeling. It's as if the information was never there.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>So let me start by saying sorry - and asking for forgiveness. </b></span>I know that if you've been impacted by this, I've hurt you, made you feel unimportant and it must seem as if I didn't care about you. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know that when I've dropped the ball because of this problem, it's left others scrambling to pick it up. That's why, when I forget, it's so shameful, embarrassing and humiliating for me.<br />
<br />
Before you suggest it, I have scheduled, planned, written it down and done many other things that should help me to not forget, but if I don't put a follow up plan in place immediately, or some urgent thing comes up, it takes nothing for it to be gone from my mind.<br />
<br />
It's a little bit scary that this could be the start of something serious - Alzheimer's, Dementia or some other form of brain decay or disease. I think about that. I wonder about that. But I also think that sometimes I just have more on my mind than my brain can handle.<br />
<br />
It's true that I have a lot on my mind - but really, who doesn't? The problem (at least part of it) with my brain, is that if something urgent comes up - or something that I didn't plan for - it takes over and mutes the other part of my brain that runs in the background keeping track of what I need to do: the scheduler that normally runs automatically.<br />
<br />
An image came to mind today that reminds me of what happens:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://philosophy.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2015/10/marbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://philosophy.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2015/10/marbles.jpg" width="320" /></a>Perhaps my brain is like a small, flat, shelf, covered in felt with no edges above a deep, muddy pit, and the things that I have on my mind are like a bunch of marbles.<br />
<br />
You can put a bunch of marbles on a level, small flat shelf. The problem is that when you dump more marbles onto the shelf eventually some will fall off. And sadly, it doesn't matter if they are important marbles or not, they simply get shoved out of the way, fall off and disappear soundlessly into the pit.<br />
<br />
Then someone will remind me of this thing that I had to do, or event that I was supposed to take care of, or tell me about the conflict that I created. I begin by apologizing and then try to do what I can to make amends. But it's always a mess, like the marble retrieved all slimy and gross from the mud pit. Yes,<b style="color: #0b5394;"> at times, it seems as though I am losing my marbles.</b><br />
<br />
Any imagery has it's weaknesses, but I hope that you get the idea.<br />
<br />
I am not looking for sympathy, solutions or to try to place the blame somewhere else. The blame falls on me - I am the one accountable for my actions - or lack of actions.<br />
<br />
This is just to say sorry if I have forgotten something important to you - a date, a task, an event or something else that has left you feeling like you were not important - you are very important to me. I am trying to clean the shelf and to clear off the less important marbles. I continue to strive to do better at scheduling and keeping on top of stuff.<br />
<br />
In the mean time, I would appreciate your prayers, forgiveness and understanding.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">You all mean the world to me.</span></b><br />
<br />
In His service and yours,<br />
<br />
Carl<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-65331901547889878972018-02-11T12:51:00.001-05:002018-02-11T12:51:42.151-05:00The Greatest Things<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was
considered to be greatest.</span></span><span style="background: white;"></span> <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Jesus
said to them, <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise
authority over them call themselves Benefactors.</span></span></span><span style="background: white;"> </span><span class="woj"><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">But you
are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the
youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.</span></span><span style="background: white;"></span></span> <span class="woj"><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">For who
is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the
one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.</span></span><span style="background: white;"></span></span> (Luke
22:24-27, NIV)</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This morning I wanted to talk about the greatest things. In
our world there is a strong desire to be the greatest at things, to know the
greatest things, and to have the greatest things. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are the greatest things? Some would say valuable treasures.
Here are two amazing stories about people who discovered valuable treasures.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-california-coins/california-couple-finds-10-million-in-buried-treasure-while-walking-dog-idUSBREA1P03M20140226" target="_blank">A couple in Sierra Nevada</a> were walking their dog on their property one day in 2013 when they saw the top of a rusty canister poking out of the ground. The canister contained a bunch of gold discs and they took it home, brushed the dirt off of the discs, and discovered that they were almost perfectly preserved $20 gold coins dating from the 1890s.</b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdI1UTSnKI98wzzxOlCEN3d42kWySmSQg9u8BLSnro1atRF-CyH6Vn3iltVuwPUqQeFpQgCRvTkJLA6qeo0X8PEdkSvEspPNcw6LASiUXB4zJXhNlKIAUTnWSyDD4IwOCvuAm8xrdxHU/s1600/Coins+in+cans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdI1UTSnKI98wzzxOlCEN3d42kWySmSQg9u8BLSnro1atRF-CyH6Vn3iltVuwPUqQeFpQgCRvTkJLA6qeo0X8PEdkSvEspPNcw6LASiUXB4zJXhNlKIAUTnWSyDD4IwOCvuAm8xrdxHU/s320/Coins+in+cans.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They hurried back to the location of their find and discovered a total of eight cans containing 1,427 coins with a face value of $27,980. 1,373 were $20 coins, 50 were $10 coins and four were $5 coins. The coins were minted from 1847 to 1894. About a third of the coins were in pristine condition and never circulated in the general public.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt;">
<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is believed this is the biggest hoard of gold coins ever unearthed in the United States and is valued at $10 million.</span></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is another amazing story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGpiJMbZTj7D77fKrct6QzJ_HOAMPIXGD842tzP25HbHhabGTiPvIUpyIVwBSBcx81OCvDQf-cnyNk99zsQUi6iLWghy0_2armaECe3rNHnhcOs0ExyGIy_VZUTT6kg72CO7nrWraC5M/s1600/Giant+pearl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGpiJMbZTj7D77fKrct6QzJ_HOAMPIXGD842tzP25HbHhabGTiPvIUpyIVwBSBcx81OCvDQf-cnyNk99zsQUi6iLWghy0_2armaECe3rNHnhcOs0ExyGIy_VZUTT6kg72CO7nrWraC5M/s320/Giant+pearl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12 years ago, a Filipino fisherman made an <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2016/08/23/100-million-pearl-hidden-under-bed-sets-world-record-as-largest-most-expensive-pearl-in-the-world/#114dd1df79b0" target="_blank">amazing discovery</a> in the sea off the coast of the Palawan Island, Philippines. He discovered a massive pearl inside a giant clam. He took it home and hid it under his bed – keeping it as a good luck charm: unfortunately, his tiny home burned down, but giant pearl survived. The pearl has been verified at 26 inches in length, 12 inches in width and weighing nearly 75 pounds. It is valued at $100 Million.</span></b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How amazing would it be to discover the greatest treasure
ever? Pretty awesome, I would think!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If we were together today, I would ask you: “Have you ever
wanted to be the greatest?” and then I would follow that question with: “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I am not really a fan of the sport (momma told us
not to hit each other) Muhammad Ali, the famous and talented boxer referred to
himself as the greatest. In fact, he is quoted to have said:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQyexhkK4MdW38LvnyH0OPTKSBR4nqSXy3hPtkIqnp2hIm7qy1iw-_OeXivaqyLk6ZI1U1hvryfiov3JwSHEtBJmN0mrUtgufe9vhW-zb3NVXIB0uBl4_Co8lsaZQmz1DE3V1zFuyyCw/s1600/Mo+Ali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQyexhkK4MdW38LvnyH0OPTKSBR4nqSXy3hPtkIqnp2hIm7qy1iw-_OeXivaqyLk6ZI1U1hvryfiov3JwSHEtBJmN0mrUtgufe9vhW-zb3NVXIB0uBl4_Co8lsaZQmz1DE3V1zFuyyCw/s320/Mo+Ali.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;"><b>“I
am the greatest. I said that before I even knew I was.”</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was persistent, tough, had great endurance and won many
fights. But like all contenders, he wasn’t the greatest forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Olympics are another series of events that are designed
to discover who is the greatest – who is the best in their sport and the
greatest are awarded fame and medals. But that fame and status sometimes only
lasts until the next Olympics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2HQ-hVW_9cThDQ0fMA9XyAe7ADzdof-T7QrhsHxBghAuJ0ysf0R-cyTs_q73ANiQTmd85E_XjJlMHT4EqTli6PZQfc1x93QN4z-NPN4DvresOGsUi-eyCbamZP5HiJPgLZ0OO9Tx7zo/s1600/GAH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="724" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2HQ-hVW_9cThDQ0fMA9XyAe7ADzdof-T7QrhsHxBghAuJ0ysf0R-cyTs_q73ANiQTmd85E_XjJlMHT4EqTli6PZQfc1x93QN4z-NPN4DvresOGsUi-eyCbamZP5HiJPgLZ0OO9Tx7zo/s320/GAH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another person we might think of when we hear the term “the
greatest” was The Greatest American Hero – a funny tv show about a school
teacher who was given a powerful suit by aliens so that he could help others.
He could fly with this suit, but landing was something that he seldom got
right. I loved this show and we bought the series when we saw it on sale a few
years ago so that we could watch it with our kids and have a laugh together.
His heart was in the right place, but he was not your typical superhero type.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that the desire to be the greatest is something that
many of us have wrestled with in our lifetime. I wanted to be a rock singer
when I was a teenager, and the illusion of fame, adoring fans and personal
staff to look after my every need sounded pretty good. I think that many people
in this world seek to be the greatest for many of the same benefits – whether they
are rock stars, politicians or athletes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Mark 9:33-35, we read that Jesus was out walking one day
with his disciples and when they reached a house in Capernaum, he turned and
asked them what they were talking about.
Mark wrote:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>…they kept quiet because on the way they had
argued about who was the greatest. (Mark 9:34, NIV)</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can almost imagine them all looking down at their feet, at
the ceiling, around the room – anywhere but at Jesus. They had been arguing
about who was the greatest, and now they were embarrassed to admit that this
was what they had been arguing about. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what’s wrong with wanting to be the greatest? Is there
anything wrong with wanting to be the greatest? Well that depends on who your
focus is on. What is your reason for wanting to be the greatest? Is your desire
to be the greatest so that everyone will admire you? Do you want everyone to
look at you and say:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;"><b>“Wow,
I wish I could be like them!”</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhZTPWi9yMdEsgEeEOot1Flg_VR1l3y7CusdwV68H4UVSE_Vg1sD5e-i4QA2_pQYdaKNx0YPAuFGQqSZwvXXvtex7gmYFjGxxPvucBrkpL-dOBsx-doHw6q7H0sR4n4iVs-WLpFcyd-g/s1600/That+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="820" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhZTPWi9yMdEsgEeEOot1Flg_VR1l3y7CusdwV68H4UVSE_Vg1sD5e-i4QA2_pQYdaKNx0YPAuFGQqSZwvXXvtex7gmYFjGxxPvucBrkpL-dOBsx-doHw6q7H0sR4n4iVs-WLpFcyd-g/s200/That+guy.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are caught up in a desire for greatness just so that
others will also call you the greatest, then that’s a big problem, but this is
the illusion that beckons to us from the “rich and famous.” We see their success
and it can become a temptation to chase after dream in hopes that others will end
up looking after our every wish and serve our every need. This self-centeredness
sadly only leads to rivalry, greed and covetousness and as many have found out
after becoming the “greatest” in their field, and winds up as an empty lie
rooted in pride and arrogance. Being the greatest is ultimately meaningless if
you are the focal point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thomas Merton, a monk who is a favourite author of mine said:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>“People
may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once
they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reality is that our own desire for greatness can deceive
us – even if we start out doing it for what might seem like the right reasons.
If in the end the focus is on yourself, then your focus is misplaced and true
greatness will never be achieved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus’ disciples understood that he was their master – their
Rabbi, their teacher. He was the greatest one at the table: and the table that
they were at, was the table of the Last Supper. It’s pretty incredible – in a
sad way – to realize that, as Jesus was about to go out and give up his life,
others were focused on themselves, and busying jockeying for position. Their
focus was on about how they could be the greatest – like many others, they were
focused on themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how can we change our focus? How can we find a way to
find true greatness in the eyes of Jesus? The good news, is that he doesn’t leave
us to figure it out on our own. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus pointed out to his disciples that those who are
greatest from a political or worldly standard act like it: they treat others as
lesser beings that they bless out of their goodness or as their whims dictate. These
people would sit at a table and have others serve them. But Jesus told them:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;"><b>“…I
am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27, NIV)</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtatc18YV5yya_Cfu8QiBh__qC1fBX2OvMzpz8-SVLEiVlrkkkYpThF3plUxP45c9vtqCsCrf7rkFSAXT9CY3JawLSKnVPQmo6iq1zqSItyj6o-2u8UkB4kyB8F3yurKw2LB1By8A2cg/s1600/Washing+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1505" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtatc18YV5yya_Cfu8QiBh__qC1fBX2OvMzpz8-SVLEiVlrkkkYpThF3plUxP45c9vtqCsCrf7rkFSAXT9CY3JawLSKnVPQmo6iq1zqSItyj6o-2u8UkB4kyB8F3yurKw2LB1By8A2cg/s200/Washing+feet.jpg" width="200" /></a>He had washed their feet – the job of a servant – despite
being their Rabbi, Master and Lord. He set an example that he wanted the
disciples to follow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Matthew 18:1-4, the disciples asked Jesus to tell them
who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven and he brought a child to stand amongst
them, and told them that unless they changed and became like little children,
they couldn’t even enter the kingdom of heaven!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what does that mean? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac__5OXHDDWJmtXb4udwuppJvrBrtpqp-BnkytrGetOedVr-P-tG6TWez1stHrhz8Y-_pon8gUQKPHygQLvWlw7m5Rygkq78drH5DgjmYGoYYFgNph2twxhNNO-6bh4lMJ-Dzmdh3lM/s1600/Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="888" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac__5OXHDDWJmtXb4udwuppJvrBrtpqp-BnkytrGetOedVr-P-tG6TWez1stHrhz8Y-_pon8gUQKPHygQLvWlw7m5Rygkq78drH5DgjmYGoYYFgNph2twxhNNO-6bh4lMJ-Dzmdh3lM/s200/Child.jpg" width="170" /></a>Some people would romanticize this and say that it means
that we must be innocent, but Jesus was instead calling them to humility. In
Jesus’ day, children were amongst the least – they were dependant on others and
knew it. They had no means of support and looked to others to care for them. Their
lives were spent in service – working for others and trusting others to look
after their food, clothing, and shelter. The child that Jesus brought before
them may have been a servant that normally would have washed the dirty feet of visiting
travellers, but Jesus taught his disciples in that moment that true greatness is
found in serving. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem with our hearts, is that even in serving, our
motives can be focused on ourselves. An easy way to examine our motives is to honestly
ask ourselves: am I doing this for my own glory, or for God’s glory? One gauge
we can use is how we receive praise. When others speak well of us, do we thank
them for noticing, or do we genuinely redirect the praise back to God? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sad thing is we can even act like we are redirecting the
glory to God, but be privately basking in the glow of their praises for even
that act. Like they say: “Look how godly (he\she) is!” and in your mind you’re thinking:
“You’ve got that right!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even something that sounds good, like serving, can be self-centered.
If we desire to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven so that we will get
the best seat in the house, the nicest outfit, the biggest mansion and so on – if
we are really doing it for our own personal glory, the attention of others, or
for special treatment – then we still have the wrong motivations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you desire to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven
because you want to be the best servant, there might be a danger still there of
narcissism. Are you doing it because you want people to like you? Are you doing
it to somehow gain the favour of God? Are you doing it to be the center of
attention? If so, then no matter what service you are doing, your focus is still
in the wrong place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is common for us to want to be praised for the good
things we do, but when speaking about caring for others, Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>“Be
careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by
them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So
when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites
do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others…” (Matthew
6:1-2, NIV)</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus taught the disciples not to seek praise from people, but
to only seek to please God. Jesus never had his focus on himself, his focus was
always on his heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk88Qn6SkD0hehrHqebGI9hYCQqx5-segYe5BbeQbpky4PIuWFmYmblTW1wE1R1T0fxrlJNfKqq7jbu9aPrjn2Z9qpTkhe4rCY3PXAZ2GAOnqvGZa-8_gTVwOTRfw6l9DSX2kuF3jujo/s1600/law+of+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk88Qn6SkD0hehrHqebGI9hYCQqx5-segYe5BbeQbpky4PIuWFmYmblTW1wE1R1T0fxrlJNfKqq7jbu9aPrjn2Z9qpTkhe4rCY3PXAZ2GAOnqvGZa-8_gTVwOTRfw6l9DSX2kuF3jujo/s200/law+of+love.jpg" width="200" /></a>To be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus did not
simply give us his example to follow, he also gave us the two greatest
commandments: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and
strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). In other
words, God said, to be great in the kingdom of heaven, love towards him and our
neighbours should be the music of our lives – the soundtrack, if you will. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The proper motivator for serving is love. If we are truly
followers of Jesus then love should be what motivates us, love should be how we
treat others and love should be what we try and spread in the world through our
words and actions. This love shows itself in kindness, mercy and goodness in
our lives and towards others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apostle Paul took things a step further in 1 Corinthians
13 and gave us some specifics of what this love should look like: patient,
kind, doesn’t envy, doesn’t boast, isn’t proud, rude, self-seeking or easily
angered. It keeps no record of wrongs, always trusts, hopes, perseveres – love never
fails. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This type of selfless living is hard to do, because the
sinful human nature – or the “flesh” as he referred to it – is completely the
opposite – selfish to the core and sneaky about it as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hTyo6bwv4obtOGBKlW8p0tgaP2a7AEpmGabqEjfN-5Pf9AfNnYLChgQ93rYODK1fuS5nO5Zbt0u_aZ_fEjd0do5Y6K-a_jYJOA34QTXn26VNs9-BsG2T7Gahk8hLoAb0eDMNkqiHhvw/s1600/treasure+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="675" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hTyo6bwv4obtOGBKlW8p0tgaP2a7AEpmGabqEjfN-5Pf9AfNnYLChgQ93rYODK1fuS5nO5Zbt0u_aZ_fEjd0do5Y6K-a_jYJOA34QTXn26VNs9-BsG2T7Gahk8hLoAb0eDMNkqiHhvw/s320/treasure+love.jpg" width="320" /></a>Selfless, servant love is what the kingdom of heaven is all
about. Jesus referred to the kingdom of heaven as the greatest treasure. Jesus said:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;">…where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;"> (Matthew 6:21, NIV)</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In two back to back parables found in Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus
said that the kingdom of heaven was like a treasure in a field, or an
incredibly valuable pearl. In the stories I began with, we can likely imagine how
finding one of those discoveries would change our life forever, but if the
kingdom of God is our treasure – found in serving others out of love – for God’s
glory and not our own – that will change our world for eternity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So may you
seek to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven – not for your own glory and
fame, but that: <o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background: white;">…others …may see your good deeds</span> and glorify your Father
in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, NIV)</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-90736787888606348872017-03-17T10:09:00.002-04:002017-03-17T10:17:24.460-04:00Good Soil<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6co87" data-offset-key="dgpb3-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dgpb3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d3ewd3ysu1dfsj.cloudfront.net/images/stories/large/19535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://d3ewd3ysu1dfsj.cloudfront.net/images/stories/large/19535.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span data-offset-key="dgpb3-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My friend Matt</span><span data-offset-key="dgpb3-2-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> shared a post on Facebook from Faith Today and it got me thinking about Rev. Dale Renout's closing comments regarding needing some help preparing for speaking about the parable of the sower. It is found in 3 gospels - here one account: <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A1-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:1-23 (NIV)</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although he may never see it while I write it here, if someone would share this with Rev. Dale here is something that struck me about the parable of the sower when I was preparing to speak on it a few years ago: most of the soil is </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">good </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">soil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sower went out into the field with confidence that this time would be well spent - that there would be growth and a harvest. Sure, there would be some seed that would not produce due to various reasons, but the sower went out in confidence that most of the soil is good soil - that's what inspired the sower to sow the seed in the first place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Often we focus on the different types of soil where the seed was unfruitful and we can end up "majoring on the minors", worrying about those situations where the seed is unfruitful and obsessing about how we can keep this from happening because it is heartbreaking when the seed has shallow roots, is choked out, or stolen away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over-focusing on this problem can end up making us over-cautious and cause us to be super-selective in how and where we plant seed vainly hoping that it is only planted in good soil. The problem with that approach is that we may miss some good soil in the process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although the poor soil is an important part of Jesus' message, the sower did not prejudge the soil, but spread seed on </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">all </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">of the soil so that no soil would be missed. The sower spread the seed everywhere knowing that most of the seed will be fruitful and in the same way we should keep on scattering the seed - because </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">most of the soil is good soil</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></div>
</div>
carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-20914016678413762422012-05-30T12:05:00.003-04:002021-11-11T07:57:20.032-05:00Martha and MaryLife is a funny thing.<br />
<br />
I wonder if God sometimes sees us scurrying around on the earth like a bunch of ants when their hill has been kicked over. We run around trying to accomplish so much with our lives - to get everything done, to make ourselves or others happy. We wind up anxious, stressed out and tired. And it seems the "to-do" list is never finished - there are never enough hours in the week and when there is time, sometimes we are just too tired to do it.<br />
<br />
God has been speaking to me, I think because my mind keeps getting drawn back to the words of Jesus: "...you are worried...about many things, but only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:41b-42a) It was the words he spoke to Martha when she was busily trying to get everything done and was frustrated by Mary's lack of help (she was sitting by Jesus, listening to him).<br />
<br />
I feel Martha's pain. I feel like there's a million things that need to be done and that need to be done well - with care, a good effort and effective results. These things are on my mind like a never ending "to-do" list which threatens to overwhelm me at times.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZFhpLCYY80SaK1vzcLJhw1-II9Apdma4QOoeZx69sfsEH9tbwWUKrwuNUQIN_Np6yWQ73baXysBy3hyphenhyphenzgkwiv-xWtN_jPGGuRa1JGAAXEGMMyVw_4WcpZZad64NIkC44CyiP_t-pmE4/s1600/the-milky-way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZFhpLCYY80SaK1vzcLJhw1-II9Apdma4QOoeZx69sfsEH9tbwWUKrwuNUQIN_Np6yWQ73baXysBy3hyphenhyphenzgkwiv-xWtN_jPGGuRa1JGAAXEGMMyVw_4WcpZZad64NIkC44CyiP_t-pmE4/s400/the-milky-way.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source:
<a href="http://wallpapersinfos.blogspot.ca/2012/06/milky-way-galaxy-wallpaper.html">http://wallpapersinfos.blogspot.ca/2012/06/milky-way-galaxy-wallpaper.html</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think I need reminding from time to time that God is in control, not me. That day Jesus pointed out that Mary was doing the right thing - the more important thing. It's a reminder that I need to let go of things that are not really a priority, focus on the things that God has called me to do, and simply trust God to take care of the rest of it.<br />
<br />
In my one class, the teacher's computer desktop background was showing on the screen and as he was teaching he noticed that several of us were drawn/distracted by it. He looked over to see what was grabbing our attention and said something like: "Oh that? It's just the cosmos, it will unfold as it should."<br />
<br />
Well put. Yes God is in control and I am not. Thank goodness for that.<br />
<br />
Lord help me to be more like Mary and less like Martha - help me to do the things that matter and leave the rest in your hands. Amen.carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-75933742414393398202011-10-20T11:31:00.002-04:002011-10-20T11:31:52.970-04:00not in church either...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUWsdsPLo3joVmTnp14k_lHEW65EhJKFvJNR_EZXXzFQUgUdBw89Sr4SYxTke1QzP09rGQusZ0JE9cL-CsA-_B7a1LlPBg9tRuq6tum-C_LzF7fPZC-xXknuJ8QS59V9ESRV8RCFp21I/s1600/turning+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUWsdsPLo3joVmTnp14k_lHEW65EhJKFvJNR_EZXXzFQUgUdBw89Sr4SYxTke1QzP09rGQusZ0JE9cL-CsA-_B7a1LlPBg9tRuq6tum-C_LzF7fPZC-xXknuJ8QS59V9ESRV8RCFp21I/s200/turning+away.jpg" width="200" /></a>I should've started the post with this last week - I had skipped out on chapel and was feeling guilty myself about not being there. It was a simple sound issue - the sound was harsh and so I left.<br />
<br />
All things being equal the chapel was not designed for modern instruments, but this week it was MUCH better. :) Perhaps it was due to them tweaking the sound a little, maybe it was the songs they chose, maybe it was the different spot I chose to sit.<br />
<br />
Sooooo....I only asked because I have been there. At the cottage we didn't always go to church, but my motivations have also changed. I used to go to church because I thought I HAD to be there. Now I go because I want to praise and worship God with his family!<br />
<br />
Any <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">thoughts </span></b>or comments?carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-58552273625236642082011-10-12T14:05:00.000-04:002011-10-12T14:09:38.001-04:00not in church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUWsdsPLo3joVmTnp14k_lHEW65EhJKFvJNR_EZXXzFQUgUdBw89Sr4SYxTke1QzP09rGQusZ0JE9cL-CsA-_B7a1LlPBg9tRuq6tum-C_LzF7fPZC-xXknuJ8QS59V9ESRV8RCFp21I/s1600/turning+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUWsdsPLo3joVmTnp14k_lHEW65EhJKFvJNR_EZXXzFQUgUdBw89Sr4SYxTke1QzP09rGQusZ0JE9cL-CsA-_B7a1LlPBg9tRuq6tum-C_LzF7fPZC-xXknuJ8QS59V9ESRV8RCFp21I/s320/turning+away.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i>I must begin with my apologies to the person who took this shot - I forgot to find the source. If you find it (or own it and want it removed) please let me know.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
So<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b> how do you feel </b></span>about skipping church - or just not going at all? This isn't a guilt trip - this is a real question and it's open to anyone whether you grew up in church, go most Sundays, or have never been. But since I brought up the concept of guilt - does it make you feel guilty?<br />
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I am going to ask <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b>one other question</b></span> too: why don't you go? Is it the music, the people, or something you just can't quite put your finger on. I must admit that there sometimes seems a world of difference between church life and the rest of our life. So tell me - what do you think?<br />
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Oh, and<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"> one more question</span></b> if you don't mind. Do you think Christianity may have anything to add to your life if church was different - would you be more interested? (ok so I cheated and made that 2 questions...) Looking forward to hearing from you!carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-82630814371791199052011-07-14T02:45:00.002-04:002011-07-14T02:48:08.691-04:00Funky Christian Tunes!Just a quick post since I am still swamped! Sorry!<br />
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Here is a video I found on youtube - great idea and kudos to the person who came up with this idea!<br />
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<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1-_5jSymj6c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-55423151285519273442011-04-19T10:58:00.000-04:002011-04-19T10:58:34.370-04:00Not some cute bunny video...Happy Easter!<br />
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No silly bunny stuff here this time around. This Easter season I am more aware than ever of how much we gloss over the reality of Easter and try and cutsey it up with bunnies, eggs and lovely spring stuff. That's all good stuff and there are messages of new life in each of them.<br />
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Easter means nothing without Good Friday though, and that's where this video comes in. Let me give you a warning up front: <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">this video has images from The Passion which are disturbing</span>. </b>Good Friday was like the end: it was the end of Jesus' earthly ministry - it was the end of his life. At least for 3 days.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ryh9gKR6x4Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> I have been troubled by Leonard Cohen's sad, depressing song Hallelujah, but Kelley Mooney rewrote this song to give the Easter message (with rights and permissions!) and it is a nice folky sounding version with a great message! I had some people in the church send me a live version of this song with a choir that backed her up, but when I saw one with images I decided to post this to give people a chance to reflect on this.<br />
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I know it's sad, but I think we need the reminder of what Jesus went through and how great his love was for each of us that he would do this for you and me. Takes some time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter and may the sacrifice of Jesus - and his offer of new life - move your heart this week.<br />
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Peace.carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-69212782822407177272011-03-12T14:19:00.000-05:002011-03-12T14:19:26.845-05:00pre-blessed foodYou better have a sense of humour for this one. Actually if you didn't have a sense of humour it's unlikely you would be checking out a site called faithplant, right?<br />
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Thanks to my son for this delightful poke at the "inconvenience" of saying grace...<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j9JUqS4Q2A0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-26472922016595957462011-03-03T12:26:00.000-05:002011-03-03T12:26:39.989-05:00Where'd The Music Go?This is just more of a note about the changes at the top of the page. Instead of having buttons to click and several pages, I have decided to streamline things by posting them here and leaving a few more comments.<br />
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I have been a fan of Avalon but when I came across this music I loved it. The song could use one more remix part way through I think but overall it's pretty good.<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000636C4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> It's about how God sustains us like oxygen - his Spirit can indwell us bringing us into such an amazing relationship with him.<br />
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When you take the first breath and open your heart to him, he will come into your heart and you will never be the same again. Never abandoned, never alone. He breathes life into us that sustains us through hard times and brings a new level of appreciation for all of the good stuff (blessings) that he surrounds us with.<br />
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Avalon - My Oxygen<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rz4SE_Rd6Dc" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-41414827866655857812011-03-01T10:20:00.002-05:002011-03-01T10:38:54.416-05:00Hide and Seek<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">(This is lifted from an old blog of mine - still all true and a great song. Unfortunately the video I used is not available, so I used the one below.)</span><br />
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Imagine playing hide and seek and no one came to find you. Life can feel that way at times – and after a while maybe we forget that we are hiding, maybe we even forget the reason that we went to hide in the first place.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;">Or maybe the reason that we are hiding is still very real to us – fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss. But whatever those fears that keep you hiding, God is waiting patiently for you to come out. He has not forgotten you and he cares that you are hiding.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;">When kids play hide and seek they curl up with their knees to their chest and huddle with arms over their knees and heads down – if they can’t see, then maybe others won’t see them. If that’s you, look up and you will see the light of God’s love at your feet, lighting the way to Him and leading you out. You don’t have to hide.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DjwFQ3It5Ho" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Buy the album - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Williams/dp/B00005MK2Y?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Joy Williams</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00005MK2Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-10919060079148576262011-02-11T20:16:00.008-05:002021-11-11T07:52:47.743-05:00getting all sore...I have mad skills at falling down. Really. I think I go above and beyond many people when it comes to clumsiness. Last night after visiting with a couple for pre-marriage counselling, I walked outside in the snow, stepped carefully around the front of my car, took one step a little less carefully and...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMM785Qy9ibxziQDyAiUkaJ1hnNrVvFXEy4InGxwbeeywBF9r2XBwC_tr2nhhmtDpO5cVf3tvyW09Jm9A0BD0A_3UTQv4XY82vMQJz2Q5GEPp2CcJeYNmVYp1UdTYFrfS_bMFeL9ZkWc/s1600/own+stunts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMM785Qy9ibxziQDyAiUkaJ1hnNrVvFXEy4InGxwbeeywBF9r2XBwC_tr2nhhmtDpO5cVf3tvyW09Jm9A0BD0A_3UTQv4XY82vMQJz2Q5GEPp2CcJeYNmVYp1UdTYFrfS_bMFeL9ZkWc/s320/own+stunts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">BANG!!!</span></b><br />
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My feet had gone out from under me faster than I knew what was going on. I came down hard right on my tailbone. I laid there next to my car on my side for half a minute, semi-numbed from the waste (<i>lol! "waist"- not "waste"</i>) down and thinking of the irony that the gal just inside is a paramedic.<br />
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I was way too embarrassed to want to have drawn any attention to myself and I was glad the door was shut and they didn't see anything - or hear anything. <br />
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Don't ask my guardian angel if the first thing that came out was pastorly or not. I am still a little grumpy towards him anyways. ;)<br />
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Okay, not really - it could have been worse - a lot worse - it could have been a case of <a href="http://sunspotmomitou.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/banarma/">banarma</a> (the explanation is on the link - not that I believe in karma, but that's a link you really should read. Darned funny in a way..) At least I landed where there was some cushioning - my son would tell you that there's <i><b>plenty </b></i>of cushioning...funny guy.<br />
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So I managed to get up and into the car and drive home. I was concerned that shifting gears would be uncomfortable but it was okay. I was hurting but only 10 minutes from home. When I got home I told my wife of my failed attempt to fly and she expressed sympathy and kindly offered to look after me.<br />
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But (pardon the pun) what do we do when we are hurt? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>What should our reaction be?</b></span> We can milk it for all it's worth - complain and agonize over it - or we can admit that it hurts, try not to focus on it and carry on with life. I am trying to do just that - to try to be a grown up about it. If you know me, you will realize that takes effort. :D<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusv4zoOSJoeB4_s3OOUwIDVuPUu3ilOypvVlgiFI6FtNX7ixaoROuEDYEIR4egd-_RpOUHGPAvowyZ-ljiWA8Pvbn9Yj4msxHEBn8mRP1NL36mGc2W6UGPEVSLjo6b_s-27U6V_QdQHM/s1600/timon+pumba.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusv4zoOSJoeB4_s3OOUwIDVuPUu3ilOypvVlgiFI6FtNX7ixaoROuEDYEIR4egd-_RpOUHGPAvowyZ-ljiWA8Pvbn9Yj4msxHEBn8mRP1NL36mGc2W6UGPEVSLjo6b_s-27U6V_QdQHM/s1600/timon+pumba.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lion-King-Disney-Special-Platinum/dp/B00003CXB4?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00003CXB4" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-style: none; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial; cursor: move; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px;" width="1" /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>What if it's our feelings that are hurt? Maybe we need to be grown-ups there too. I love the "wisdom" of Pumba in the Lion King where he says: "It's like my buddy Timon always says, you've got to put your behind in your past." <br />
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Too often we carry around these hurts and milk them for all they're worth - bringing them up time and time again. Maybe it's time to let them go and "leave our behind in our past" or as Timon really meant: "leave our past behind." Not the past that makes us who we are, but the past hurts that can only be healed when <b><i>we </i></b>let them go.<br />
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In the Bible we are commanded to get <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:31&version=NIV">"rid of all bitterness..."</a> (Eph. 4:31, NIV) It's funny that the best thing sometimes for aches and pains is to work through them and not to favour them. In the same way when we stop favouring these old emotional hurts, not only is it better for everyone else, it's healthier for us too!carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316256007938639671.post-90244293657348824582011-02-10T10:02:00.007-05:002011-02-10T11:45:16.247-05:00you were marked...Sometimes I get attacked by my kids. I usually see it coming by a twinkle of mischief in the eye just before it happens, but once in a while I get attacked with no warning - kinda like Hobbes leaping on Calvin...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpA-5E66j06_ks6oGDmDshdTbjQaq6DdjYKVGLMhYqoQ12YxEf32-AqG7f1HgH4nb1crhxzedZzBmQg-MH-S8yAX_cmT6QaLDDATsnweJvpFDS4EZoqDaiHepyclOn7WpR2vpOSZRCjE/s1600/calvin-and-hobbes-calvin-and-hobbes-1395529-1280-1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpA-5E66j06_ks6oGDmDshdTbjQaq6DdjYKVGLMhYqoQ12YxEf32-AqG7f1HgH4nb1crhxzedZzBmQg-MH-S8yAX_cmT6QaLDDATsnweJvpFDS4EZoqDaiHepyclOn7WpR2vpOSZRCjE/s400/calvin-and-hobbes-calvin-and-hobbes-1395529-1280-1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The other night, after my daughter had attacked, she decided that the weapon of choice would be the markers lying nearby in her pencil case.<br />
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Vainly attempting to defend myself (amid gales of laughter) I got the marker from her for long enough to "tattoo" her arm with a nice big happy face. At the same time she grabbed another, wrote a quick "Hi!" on my hand and then proceeded to "decorate" my face. After the battle was done, I didn't worry about cleaning it off right away - I wasn't all that concerned since I figured it would wash off in the shower the next morning. Hmm....<b>WRONG!!!</b><br />
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</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Calvin-Hobbes-Bill-Watterson/dp/0836218051?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">The Essential Calvin and Hobbes</a><br />
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Much to my dismay, although the marker had faded it was still quite visible. So regardless of the state of my face, I still needed to head out to the church for office hours, and prepare for Sunday and youth group. Shortly after I arrived people started coming in for Bible study and by that time I had forgotten about my "new look."<br />
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I was talking with one of the ladies as they were getting settled in for Bible study - just merrily chatting away - totally forgetting the marker on my face. A look of mild amusement came to her eyes after she pointed out that I had something on my face and I in turn explained where it came from. I had totally forgotten to hide in my office until this had faded. Oh well... :s<br />
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In the Bible - the letter to the Ephesians - we see another indelible mark...<br />
<blockquote><blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=NIV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..." (Ephesians 1:13b)</i></span></a></blockquote></blockquote>The author was speaking to some Christians who had heard the gospel message and reminding them that God had marked them too. God placed the Holy Spirit in the believer as a seal - a sign of us belonging to Him.<br />
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I was marked by something that will fade with time, but the mark that God places in us will never fade away. His presence guarantees us of things to come - our inheritance as His adopted children.carlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08272554616886330241noreply@blogger.com3