Friday, October 31, 2008

A friendly reminder...

...especially in challenging political & financial times.

Did you think following Jesus was all about a nice happy life?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Mentors and cheerleaders...

Many times over the past several years I have been amazed how just at the right time God brings someone along to provide support or encouragement.

I was reading a friends' blog yesterday who was struggling with his place in life and ministry & I noticed how one of his God-provided mentors and cheerleaders chimed in on the comments section that, 'he was a hero who had been staying faithful to what God had called him to do.'

I'm sure that was received as a message from the Lord Himself. It brought reflections of how God has spoken to me in the past through my own mentors, and it helped me look to who God is laying on my heart to pray for & encourage through a difficult time.

One of the effects of Paul's letters to the early churches was to exactly help them experience a mentor and cheerleader and in doing so realize that Jesus himself was in their midst.

Who are your mentors and cheerleaders? Do you regularly thank God for them?

Who are you coming alongside of?

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tuning In

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) 'will be one of astronomy's most powerful telescopes, providing unprecedented imaging capabilities and sensitivity many orders of magnitude greater than anything of its kind today.'

Located high in the Atacama Desert of Chile because of very favorable atmospheric conditions, it's 64 dishes will enable better clarity than if there was one radio telescope 14 KM in diameter!

I couldn't help but think in spite of all of our struggles in life, or difficult circumstances, our hope is always in looking up at what God is doing or saying. We'll get so focused on our own issues we'll become distracted from searching the horizon for the Holy Spirit's leading.

On top of that it speaks to me of the value of community as God's people. A number of us put together and sincerely laying our own agenda's aside will give us a greater clarity into God's activity & message for each of us.

Can we get back to the heart of Christ's message?

To let Jesus live in & through us!!

Otherwise we try to do what God wants us to do in our own power & we get tired, burned out, cynical, depressed, addicted & every other dysfunction we can think about.

Is your array tuned by a persistent openness to the leading and urgings of the Holy Spirit?

Are there others you share that with?

James 1:16-18
So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Father...

Lee Strobel tells a story that took place shortly after the Korean War. A Korean woman had an affair with an American soldier. She got pregnant. He had to go back to the United States and she never saw him again. But she gave birth to a little girl, and this little girl didn’t look like other Korean children. She had curly hair and her brown eyes were shaped like her father’s. This little girl was ruthlessly taunted by people. They called her one of the ugliest words in the Korean language. It meant “alien devil”. And it didn’t take long for this little girl to draw some conclusions about herself based on the way people treated her. Her mother tried to raise her little girl as best she could. For seven years she tried to do that until the rejection was just too much. Then she did something that most people could never imagine doing: She abandoned her little girl to the streets.

For two years the girl lived as a beggar, as a scavenger, until finally she made her way to an orphanage where she found some sort of refuge. One day word came that a couple from America was arriving to adopt a child from the orphanage, and all of the children in the orphanage got excited because at least one of them was going to have hope. One child would have a family. So this little girl spent the day cleaning up the other children, giving them baths, combing their hair and wondering which one would be adopted by the American couple. When the couple arrived, this is what she recalls:

It was like Goliath had come back to life. I saw the man with his huge hand touch and play with every child. It seemed that he loved every one of them as if they were his own. I saw tears running down his face and I knew that if they could this couple would’ve taken the whole lot of them home with them. He saw me out of the corner of his eye. Now let me tell you, I was nine-years-old, but I didn’t look it. I was a scrawny thing. I had worms in my body and lice falling out of my hair. I had sores on my body and face. I was not a pretty sight. But the man came over to me and he said something in English. I looked up at him and then he took this huge hand and lay it on my face. What was he saying? He was saying, “I want this child. This is the child for me.”

And the God of all heaven says the same thing about you. The Bible is God’s adoption ad. It’s his message to the whole world saying how he aches to pour out his love on adopted children. If God were to take out an adoption ad, maybe it would read like this:

“I’ll take those who feel inadequate and mediocre. I’ll take the notorious and the unworthy. I’ll take those whose misguided search for love and fulfillment have left them feeling lonely and empty. I’ll take those who are struggling with unanswered questions. I’ll take those who are on the treadmill of trying to prove they’re somebody. And to all who come I will provide the depth of love that cannot be found in empty sexuality. I’ll provide the type of fulfillment that money could never buy. I’ll provide the security of a relationship that will last forever. And I will provide joy and satisfaction and fulfillment that will endure for eternity."

So does he or doesn’t he? Ya, he does. And he loves you more than you could possibly imagine. It’s one thing to believe that God exists; it’s another thing to believe that he knows your name, that he’s chosen you and he wants to be your Father. (Lee Strobel, "Meet the Jesus I Know")

Monday, October 27, 2008

From success to meaning...



...from our pleasure to serving others,
...and from selfishness to God's call.

What is God whispering for the next phase of your life?

Mark 8:34-37
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Colossians 3:12
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

ACTS 21-22

Remember, this is a trip into the unknown. We don't know where we're going, or if we do, we're on the wrong road. Thomas Keating

The journey of Acts is different from most discipleship experiences. Paul isn't trying to help you improve your life a little so that you can have more of the North American dream. Jesus’ view of humankind is a better, more fulfilling, more purposeful view. But to experience what he has in mind – the “abundant life” He promised - you must actually follow him – even when it is very difficult and scary and requires you to suffer. He is a revolutionary who challenges everything, and to truly follow him, you must get that!

Friday, October 24, 2008

International Justice Mission, Sunday 7:00-9:00 PM

There is a groundswell of interest happening in the Edmonton area that is exciting to be a part of. Last spring the Executive Director of IJM Canada, Jamie MacIntosh, and the Director of Operations, Ed Wilson, trained ten people in Edmonton to become Justice Advocates for IJM. This was the first training of its kind since IJM began its work in Canada and has birthed the formation of an Edmonton Chapter.

The Edmonton Chapter of IJM is hosting an information gathering on:

Sunday, October 26th 2008
Community of Hope Church 3935 – 114 St., Edmonton
7:00 – 9:00 pm.

This is a pre-event to the Just Desserts fundraiser taking place on November 20th at the Radisson Hotel Edmonton South.

We invite you to come out and meet the advocates and enter into the discussion on the work of IJM, the Christian call to seek justice and oppose human trafficking and slavery. We will be watching a video of the work that IJM is doing around the world. There will be round table discussions, and, for those interested, you will have an opportunity to become involved in the brainstorming for the growth of the Edmonton Chapter and the work of IJM Canada.
Please R.S.V.P to bobstenhouse@shaw.ca by October 24th. Thankyou.

Bob and Bev Stenhouse
Justice Advocates - International Justice Mission

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Men's Breakfast- Saturday 8:00 AM

Mark Driscoll has a new book and website where you can read the book for free: Porn-Again Christian.

While this isn't the subject matter of Saturday's breakfast, it is nonetheless a great opportunity for men to deal with sexuality in a healthy and biblical way, rather that an unhealthy & pornographic way.

Job 31:1
I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Going Somewhere Fast?!



Life is hard.
You are not in control.
Your life is not about you.
You are not that important.
You are going to die.

If you don't come to grips with that you're going to get busted, sooner or later.

Proverbs 6:2-5
If you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!

Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

But what about my Mutual Funds & RSP's?!

Whenever you read the Bible do it with a submissive attitude. Read with a readiness to surrender all you are—all your big plans, heady opinions, treasured possessions & important positions. Subordinate your desire to find the truth to your desire to do it, to act it out! (modified Dallas Willard)

And always keep in mind that Jesus said he will never leave or forsake us.

Would you rather have His presence or economic security?!

Monday, October 20, 2008

2 John 3
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da...



Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

CRUCIFORMED...

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Have you forgiven those who have hurt you and asked forgiveness from those you have hurt?

The practice of forgiveness entails unlearning all those things that divide and destroy communion and learning to see and live as forgiven and forgiving people. The goal of this unlearning and learning is the holiness of communion - with God, with others, and with the whole Creation. We are called to do this most specifically, though by no means exclusively among those who seek to live in truthful communion with God and one another in Christian Community. L. Gregory Jones

Thursday, October 16, 2008

You probably think you're the bear...

... maybe you're more like the salmon!

Go to God and renounce your self-sufficiency.

Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Real forgiveness in hockey...

Not likely to happen?! You're probably right.

We all have our 'Kevin Lowe's' & 'Brian Burke's' to challenge our concept of forgiveness. Ken Sande suggests we become 'Grace breathers' in order to live lives of peace & not spend endless days taking potshots at each other:

Breath grace in: The one true holy God sent his Son to die for me? I am rescued from my sin; made right before this holy God & forgiven and adopted as a child of God? Amazing love! Thank you, God. Thank you for forgiving me all my sins and making the way for me to be at peace with you. I worship You!

Breath grace out: And now, dear Lord, as I head into my day—let the truth of the love of Jesus Christ be the heartbeat of my life. Please, God, let every word I say, every action I take, the attitude of my heart, my desires and motivations—let my life be used by You, for Your glory and the increase of Your Kingdom. Please help me to treat others not as they deserve—but as You treat me. May I be your witness, your representative, your ambassador. Thank You, Lord.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

TRUST

The cliff edge of our anxiety about the future may indicate that God is calling us to a new and different level of faith. When we walk, praying for guidance, to the edge of all the light we have and breathlessly take the first step into the foggy mystery of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen: either God will provide us with something rock-solid to land on and stand on, or he will teach us how to fly. Luci Shaw

Job 26:14
And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

Monday, October 13, 2008

Christianity is not a message which has to be believed but an experience of faith that becomes a message. Ed Schillebeeckx

1 John 5:13-15
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Unless a seed falls to the earth and dies...

Yesterday I became aware of a young man named Tim Fadel who recently died of cancer. I was so touched by his courage I've posted some of his journey:

I am 31 years old and am living each day as a gift from God. I have a cancer called synovial sarcoma. It started in my lower back many years ago. I have been with my amazing wife for almost 13 years and have a ten year old boy and an eight year old girl. I am thankful that I got married when I was 18. It is a miracle that we have had this long together and daily I thank God for this miracle. Since I started this site 4 years ago we have gone through many tests, surgeries, chemos, radiations, and other medical practices. I am now on hospice to handle all of my comfort needs.

Since I have been diagnosed I have had a chance to get to know some amazing people. I can't thank all of them but I feel that in some way I try to make anyone who has connected with me feel valued and special for being able to share in that time with me. Does that make sense? You are all amazing, not because you have been with me but because we chose to try relating and living instead of ignoring hard things and medicating our selves due to pain and fear (Of course there has been some of that too but that is part of human nature.) Of few of my friends have been friends with other types of cancer. I have lost a few to it and miss them greatly. It is a strange place to be in when you have a terminal cancer and live a longer time as others around you with a terminal illness. I think it might be a little like a soldier wondering why the person next to him/her didn't make it but they did. I just feel I am still here and I can still accomplish something.

So today I type some more.

I have ups and downs. I don't really have a normal time. It’s a daily change and a daily lottery to see what I will feel like. Lately I have had meds changed and there have been some good results to my quality of life but also some crazy results. I am on a steroid that makes me want to eat until I get sick and then eat more. I like food so this is mostly ok. I also talk a lot and am irritable. The good part is I am breathing a little better (although I am on permanent oxygen assistance) and I am not feeling pain (except when eating too much again.)

I have done a lot in the time I have been diagnosed. I have been able to work through some of it and take breaks through some of it. I went skydiving, went to the Caribbean, and went to Disney World, Alaska, Michigan, and other great places. I have had the time to plan what I am going to leave for my family in the form of a legacy or memory. This site is one of those things. I have written letters, recorded videos, recorded audio cds of me talking and playing music, and I have a lot of pictures. I just hope everyone knows I love them. I know they will.

I don't fear for death. I have a lot of peace. A lot comes from the work we have been able do due during this long illness but mostly comes from an inner peace and joy from God. There is nothing like knowing the certainty of God's love and plan even in the midst of the most disgusting situations. I have felt this from the beginning. I have had times where I doubted it and struggled but again, what kind of relationship doesn't have those kinds of hurdles to jump through.

Tim's last words before going home -

I am here now.
I am finally home.
I can breathe. I can run. I can see color.
I am certain of love.
I have complete joy and complete peace.
I am exploring every corner of my imagination.
I am laughing with my family.
(Job says "hi" and not to stress about the little things)
I am singing and playing instruments.
I am playing ping pong and basketball.
I am resting.
I am free.
I am here with you.
I am here with God....
Oh and I may have an overdue library book too, if someone could check on that for me, thanks.

Love, Tim

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Breath it, speak it, live it...

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Attention!

God, our God! God the one and only!

Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!

Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Three important lessons...

From Henri Nouwen:

'Being' is more important than 'doing';

God's love is more important than the praise of people;

Being together is better than being alone.

Isaiah 41:10
'You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you. Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.'

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Bob Buford was lamenting losing some of his fortune in the markets several years back, especially because it was money he had earmarked to help build God's kingdom.

As he was once again going over it in prayer he heard the still small voice say,

“Bob, why don’t you quit trying so hard to make money for My purposes in the markets. Just keep the money safe, invest it in My work and let Me make the returns.”

We often try so hard to succeed, so hard to make a difference, so hard to take control so that we can fix things & quite often the message the Lord has for us is,

'Stop trying so hard. Let Me take care of things.'

Matthew 11:28-30
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Can we be people of the second chance?



(from the gang at Deadly Viper)

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Drifting...

If you haven't heard from God for some time go back to the last time you heard His voice. What did you hear? Have you obeyed?

Hebrews 2:1
It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Being Led Dangerously By the Holy Spirit...

I caught a snippet from The Amazing Race last week & it reminded me of how we often see God working in our lives- God gives 'instructions' in yellow mailboxes, then we're off to try & complete the task on our own & in our own power. This particular episode had a young couple arriving in Alaska to sleep a night in an igloo before moving on. Sitting around the campfire the girl unloads on the guy:

'You're such a jerk...'

The clueless guy asks for examples while the rant continues. She finally closes with, 'I've got you everywhere so far.'

That thought is one we often say to others, to ourselves, or even say it in anger to God!

"Did God do any of this, or has it just been me all along?"

The Race continues, the clues are left, people find them. Is this the spiritual journey that the early church taught us about, that they experienced and modeled for us? I don't think so. Yet if we're really honest most of us treat our spiritual journey in a simialr vein.

Heck a lot of pastors, me included, have behaved that way for far too long!

My understanding of God and His commitment to supply the Holy Spirit was shallow and intellectualistic. I was especially afraid of anything in worship or prayer that might be emotional or what I saw as "spooky." At bottom, it was a matter of trust. I relied heavily--sometimes almost entirely--on my mind as a Christian thinker and on my hard work as a pastor. Prayer and what the apostle Paul calls "the fellowship of the Spirit" were "dispensable supplements" for me as a pastor. What really mattered for me was frequent and regular visiting of people, studying the Bible carefully, preaching biblical truths with contemporary relevance, and often using the media to publicize the programs of our local church. In all this I had a naive confidence that biblical truths clearly expressed would almost automatically change lives. Jack Miller

Beenderdundat.

Acts 19:1-6
Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"

"John's baptism," they replied.

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them...

This isn't the first occurence of a group of disciples who hadn't yet recieved the Spirit recorded in Acts. Lets call these folks, 'head Christians'. They knew who Jesus was, they had some beliefs and were acting on them as best they could, but they hadn't yet opened up to the Spirit. Where was their guidance coming from...?

Did Jesus say, "If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and THINK?"

Lets look at some of the things Paul wrote to the Ephesian church that was forming in Acts 19,

Ephesians 1:17-18
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...

2:1-10 (The Message)
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

3:14-19
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

4:17-19
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

All of our power comes from the Spirit. If our power doesn't come from the Holy Spirit, it means nothing. Paul doesn't extol clever thinking- he calls us to soften our hearts that we may invite the Spirit in and see real change begin.

Have you abandoned 'the futility of your thinking?'

Are you ready to be led dangerously by the Holy Spirit?

Paul was led by the Spirit, knowing that the real truth wasn't the actual directions but the fact that Jesus Himself was with Paul wherever he went. We get way too hung up on the actual directions. We want to live the amazing race- just give us directions & we'll do fine from there.

That's the futility of our thinking!

How was Paul led by God?

Paul had Jesus speak to him (Acts 9) and shortly thereafter received the Spirit (9:17).

He was later kept from going to Asia by the Spirit (Acts 16:7-8).

'The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.' We don't quite know what that looked like but Paul certainly knew who was stopping him!

Next Paul had a vision of a man begging him, 'Come over here and help us'. Paul concluded the Spirit was telling them to go to those people.

Later in Acts 18 Paul hears from the Lord, 'Do not be afraid...'

Again and again Acts records these followers of Christ who were filled with the Spirit, experiencing much grace, much unity, daily leadings, miraculous interventions, deep pain, real comfort, & true hope that they didn't worry that they were all alone on this journey.

A true Holy Spirit message will always draw you nearer to God.

What activities and messages are drawing you away from God right now?

Proverbs 3:25-26
Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked. For the Lord will be your confidence, and he will keep your foot from being snared.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Plug into God's grace...

Acts 4:31-33
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

“What a strange way to start a revolution. . . And what a strange way to end a world tour.” We worship the seed that died. The revolution will not be televised. It will not be brought to you by Fox News with commercial interruptions. It will not be sandwiched between ads to accelerate you life or be all you can be. There will be no re-runs. The revolution will be live. The revolution will be in the streets. The revolution will be cleaning toilets and giving another blanket to Karen. The revolution will not be talking about poverty in hotel banquet rooms. It will be eating beans and rice with Ms. Sunshine and watching Back to the Future with our neighbor Mary. Get ready, friends… God is preparing us for something really, really - small.
Shane Claiborne, quoting British songwriter Martyn Joseph as he writes about the quiet revolution of Jesus (from The New Conspirators)

Friday, October 03, 2008

Philippians 2:1-4
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Humility and how I attained it...

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Our spiritual journey is often the winding road from saying goodbye to our over-indulgence in pride & self-sufficiency and learning to rest in an ever-present God-sufficiency. Failing along the way is often the only antidote to rouse us to our senses.

Many times we think we're 'there' (wherever 'there' is) only to start thinking,

"Did God do any of this, or has it just been me all along?"

Years ago Mac Davis wrote a fun song that pokes a hole in our inflated ego. What better way to watch it than with The Muppets!

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way-



1 Peter 5:6
So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

JUSTICE is what LOVE looks like in public...



So far there is no sign that the movie is comming to Edmonton but go to the website & request it. Better yet ask God what He wants you persomally to do about slavery & the sex trade.

Call + Response

"Each of us must decide whether we will walk in the light creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Matthew 12:18-21
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope."