Jesus entered this world with zero dignity. His parents were not married. His cradle was a feed trough. Others in his nursery had four legs, not two. He was wrapped in rags. He was targeted for death by King Herod, raised on the run. And He would die with even less dignity: convicted unjustly, beaten, bloodied, abandoned, naked, and shamed. He had no status. No one thought Him a king.

Yet here we are a couple thousand years later, with much of the globe getting ready to celebrate His birth. All of this for good reason. No single life has impacted this world more than His. He changed our world more than any human being who ever lived. And it’s still happening. He’s still changing lives. This is Jesus, our Saviour, our Lord, our King.

Last night, I took in the last full rehearsal of “What Child Is This?,” our Christmas Eve service, and suddenly I can’t wait for Sunday night and Monday. We have extraordinarily gifted artists in our church, and I think you’re going to love what they have prepared...the music and visuals are incredible. Don’t hesitate to invite your co-workers, friends, and family to come with you. They’ll have fun, they’ll be moved, and they’ll leave marveling at Jesus and the impact of his life.

Christmas Eve services start on the 23rd @ 7 pm and are offered 3 times on the 24th - at 3, 5, & 7 pm. Regular weekend services will also be offered this Saturday @ 7 pm and Sunday morning @ 10:45 am. There will be no 9 am service this weekend or the next, so adjust your routines accordingly.

Merry Christmas! I look forward to seeing you this weekend,

Greg

Hi Church Family,

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “the coming.” This past weekend in our services, we lit our first advent candle, and Kevin reminded us to stir up a sense of expectation for what God might want to do as we celebrate Christ’s coming to earth. I was personally challenged by that. What am I expecting this Christmas? Do I believe that the One who humbly broke into the darkness of humanity wants to come and break into my life in new ways?

It’s easy to fall into survival mode at this time of year, but I’ve made a fresh commitment to ask Jesus to “rock my world” this Christmas. To open my eyes and ears and heart to the new things He wants to say through His story. If this resonates with you, I invite you to make this prayer part of your personal preparation for Advent.

Jesus, prepare me to reclaim your Good News again. Where my expectations have become low, make me the most expectant, faith-filled Advent worshipper ever. Have Your way in me this Christmas for the sake of your Kingdom. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Joy!
Pastor Rita

Hello Church Family,

I hope you are enjoying the E100 series as much as I am. Last weekend, the challenge to share my faith landed on me with a loud thump. Am I really ready to tell others what Jesus means to me? To share Him with a co-worker, a friend, a neighbour? It’s easy to look at someone and simply think "they don't want to hear it." Here is where the "thump" sounded for me. The truth is, I was that someone. It’s how I came to know Jesus.

A friend of mine had decided to follow Jesus but didn't think I would want to talk about it. Noticing something was different, I finally asked him to share his newfound faith with me. Through our conversation and reading the Bible, I too decided to follow Jesus. That was 30 years ago, and I am thankful that we were able to have that simple conversation. Is there “someone” you know? I encourage you to share Jesus with them.

This Sunday is Remembrance Day. Please take time to reflect upon the price that was paid for the freedom we enjoy and to pray for our soldiers and veterans.

Doug

Member, Board of Elders

Church Family,

I am a reader. Usually I have 4 or 5 books going at once. It’s not because I particularly enjoy reading as an activity, but because I feel there is so much that I still need to learn. I read something this week that has convicted and inspired me. The book is called Vertical Church by James McDonald.  Personal Disclaimer: I do not restrict myself to just “church” or “pastor” books. Just yesterday, I was reading my daughter’s favourite book about Taylor Swift-a riveting tale, I assure you.

Back to Vertical Church: I haven’t read the whole book, so I won’t send out an endorsement just yet, but this quote is on my heart:

“...church today as a weekly experience with the manifest glory of God is the greatest lack we face. The lost are not found because God’s glory is not revealed in church. Children wander because church is pathetically predictable or shamefully entertaining but hardly ever authentically God. Marriages flounder because arrogance grows unchecked in our hearts and is not weekly cut down by the pride-withering presence of Almighty God...We cannot survive spiritually without that corporate connection in heart, soul, mind, and strength with the One who made us.

The author is speaking generally about the church in North America, but it awakens in me a hunger for the manifest glory of God to be revealed in our gatherings. Not just occasionally, but every time we choose to assemble in the name of Jesus.

Would you join me in praying for this?

Peace,

Wade

Amahoro, SPAC family.

The past twelve days have been some of the most physically and spiritually challenging and yet most uplifting days of my Christian life. I was part of the six-person detour team that traveled to Mufumya, Burundi (Africa) to bless and be blessed by the Burundians.

With all of the challenges the people of Burundi have faced, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I saw there both surprised and inspired me; I met people who love to smile and who cheerfully work to survive. These people lack money and even enough food and water for basic survival, but they are deeply connected to each other and are devoted and thankful to God.

God revealed Himself to us in so many ways over the days, in both Burundi and in Sherwood Park while we were gone. He was in Mufumya with us in the smiles of the mothers and laughs of the children when learning new handshakes. And He was in Sherwood Park with you as 65 people were spontaneously baptized last weekend (we loved getting that news from home!). He is loving and faithful to us, regardless of geography, happiness or sadness.

“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…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.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Be blessed, and be a blessing…

Mandy Johnston

Dear Church,

Earlier this week I was reading a passage in Luke 8 that’s been a familiar but frustrating one for me. It’s the one where Jesus is speaking in a crowd when his mother and brothers come by and ask to see him. Jesus ignores them and instead tells the crowd that anyone who hears God’s word and puts it into practice is his mother and brother. Jesus response to his family has always felt disrespectful to me. As I meditated on this passage I asked God if I’m missing something. God challenged my perspective to see that Jesus is actually elevating the relational value of following him to the same level as family; not the other way around as I have often thought. With a fresh perspective in mind this week I’ve seen my teammates on staff and all of you in a new light. My love and affection for our church has deepened and my appreciation of my family (my wife, kids, mom, brother and sister) has been heightened.

This weekend as we gather in a worship service I hope we’ll see and appreciate each other the way Jesus sees and loves us…as family. We have a unique experience planned that I truly hope you don’t miss. Come with an expectant heart that’s ready to respond to and support how God is moving. If you’re the curious type, and wonder what we’re up to, check out Acts 8.

See you soon.

Pastor Kevin

Hey Church Family,

This week I had the privilege of seeing a miracle. It was a relational miracle. Where there had been deep pain and brokenness, there was now love, forgiveness and healing. It was amazing to see how this miracle never would have happened without community…without people willing to listen. It wouldn’t have happened without people speaking words like, “hang in there”, “you can do it”, “God will make a way”, or “I’m praying for you”.

And at the root of it all was a strong belief that even though it looked like reconciliation was impossible, with God all things are possible. Can I share another aspect of this miracle? It didn’t happen overnight – it took years. But it was worth it.

So be encouraged. Our God is a God of restoration and reconciliation. It might be tough, and it might take years, but don’t give up. In a world that tells us to quickly bail on relationships that aren’t working, choose to surround yourself with a community of people who will give you the hope and courage to hang in there.

Whether your challenge is with a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or a neighbour, God’s dream for healthy and supportive relationships is worth fighting for. Remember, Jesus knew that a healthy relationship with you was worth dying for, and He’s with you every step of the way!

Hope you see a miracle this week.

Pastor Rita

Dear Church Family:

Earlier this week, I pulled a book by Craig Groeschel off of my shelf. Its title? One of the shortest I’ve ever seen, simply "It".

Groeschel writes, " It. Some ministries have it. Some don't. Most churches want it. Few have it. When a church has it, everyone can tell. And when one doesn't…everyone can tell. It is unique, it is powerful, it is life-changing. That's its upside. It has another side too. It attracts critics, it is controversial. Many people misunderstand it. It's hard to find, but it's impossible to miss."

If you're wondering what it is, I'll do my best to give you an answer in the message this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, we're starting a new series on the book of Acts called "The Church is Born." Read Acts 2 if you want to be more prepared. This weekend, we'll also describe the rhythm of the next year and some of the unique opportunities provided by a new ministry season. If you're a regular at our first service on Sunday morning, remember our new start time of 9 am (Saturday 7 pm and Sunday 10:45 am times are unchanged).

See you at church,

Greg

Good morning church family…

I’m in my office, having just left a pretty phenomenal meeting. Each year at this time, we have a breakfast for the church and SCA staff. Near the end of our time, we spent a few minutes reflecting on Luke 5:1-11.
 
If you’re finished reading Ruth in preparation for the weekend message (see how I did that?!), spend a few minutes reading about Jesus’ call to some of his first disciples. Whenever I read this text, I’m convicted by Simon’s response when Jesus tells him to fish again after a fruitless night. Here’s this carpenter/teacher/rabbi who says to drop the nets again; most experienced fisherman would tell Jesus to pound sand. Simon doesn’t: “…because you say so, I will let down the nets.” That’s submission. That’s unquestioning obedience.

There’s plenty to think about in this, but if you take the text to the end, there’s another great challenge. Jesus tells Simon, James, and John, “From now on you will fish for people.” Our ministry team was reminded this morning that we’re in the people business. In the middle of a season of start-up, our challenge is to remember that we’re not activity coordinators; we are environmentalists. We create environments where you are known, loved, cared for, taught and served.

So where’s your head space on this Friday before Labour Day? Is your mind on a list? Is it on the Eskimos/Stamp’s game on Monday? Or is it on the people God has called you to know, love, care for and serve? Ask God to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart for the people around you.

Have a great day,

Greg

Hey Church,

Wow! The car show and outdoor services last weekend were fantastic! I’m told there were over 300 vehicles (cars and motorcycles) registered for the show. The quality of entries, creativeness, and artistic skill that we witnessed was truly unbelievable. But as much as I enjoy looking at this kind of talent and beauty, I had an experience on Saturday that trumped it all for me.

I found myself in the South Atrium and for a few minutes, I surveyed the parking lot. It was filled with people from our community: families, neighbours, and people who might never otherwise be compelled to step onto our grounds. As I took in this scene, I had an overwhelming sense of pride in our church. I’m so proud that we could open our facility and arms to our community.

Sure, we attracted some beautiful cars (and bikes), and our men’s and compassion teams executed an amazing event and raised funds for worthy charities. But more important even than this, we wove a thread of community and hospitality into the lives of everyone that showed up on the weekend.

When you get a minute, check out this encouraging letter someone from our community submitted to the Sherwood Park News. As a pastor and a brother, let me express to you my admiration of our church and for all of you who served long hours from Friday afternoon right through Sunday afternoon. Well done, family!

See you soon,
Pastor Kevin-

Hey Church Family,

I grew up in a tradition in which spontaneous, eloquent, and passion-filled prayers were an indicator that you were really doing well as a Christian. I would hear people comment about someone’s public prayer with accolades and praise for the beauty and obvious sincerity of their petition to God. Other traditions that used written prayers were, at times, seen as lacking some sort of spiritual sensitivity that required them to prepare a speech instead of just sharing their hearts with God.

Over the last few years, I have been discovering the richness and depth of also praying prayers that others have penned in different times, places, and situations. These can include the prayers found in scripture as well as many other sources. There are so many times that I don’t have the words to express my heart to God. Some of these prayers that I read give voice to the expression of my soul.

I have a prayer to share with you. It was written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 1500’s. Maybe you can pray this with me:

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.

Amen.

Peace,

Wade

Greetings SPAC family.

This morning I was reading in Hebrews chapter nine; it’s a meaty chapter. My point in sharing this with you isn’t so you’ll think more highly of me and my superior devotion to God and scripture. The fact is that in the last couple of weeks, my devotional times have been hit and miss. Summer and the change of routine play a large part in my struggle to be consistent, but laziness and lack of discipline are large contributors too.  I imagine many of you reading this share the same struggles with me.
This morning I was tempted to sleep in; it's been hot and humid, and I haven’t been sleeping well, but this morning I realized how much I’ve missed talking with and listening to God through the Word. A wonderful thing happened as I went to my favourite spot, coffee in hand, and opened God’s word—God showed up! And not in a condemning or shaming way. I felt God saying He missed me too, and that inspires me to be more devoted to my time with Him.
So part of my prayer this morning included a re-commitment to interact with God over the summer with my “go to” disciplines (reading, listening, prayer) but also through nature, community, and my family. As one of your pastors, let me encourage you to invite God into the unique rhythm of your summer. Let’s commit to being diligent, disciplined, creative and open to God’s presence during this season.

See you soon.
Pastor Kevin

Mustard and Poppy Seeds...

If you are a student of God’s Word you will probably be familiar with Jesus’ words to His disciples that with faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to overcome.

I have often sat with that text and pondered its application to my own spiritual journey. But I admit, I have a fundamental problem. I can’t relate to the mustard seed analogy very well due to the fact that I have nothing tangible to connect the meaning of the text to. I have no cognitive or experiential knowledge of what a kernel of mustard actually is. I am unfamiliar with its growth cycle, fruitfulness, and usefulness. I know literally nothing about it. The only thing I do know about mustard is that I don’t like it and so the whole thing leaves a rather bad taste in my mouth. So given that, attempting to apply this scripture is difficult and can easily become skewed at best, completely lost at worst.

The other day as I read through this scripture again, this time from Eugene Petersen’s, “The Message”, a light went on for me. Instantly I had a new frame of reference, and one that I could personally connect with. Immediately the application of this scripture became so much more meaningful and clear. Here’s the text: 

Matthew 17:20 from The Message,
“Jesus said, "The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle."

You see, this imagery I can personally engage in. Why? Because I know poppy seeds.  I have touched them, tasted them, grown them, cooked with them and consequently picked them from my teeth. I understand their size, shape and substance. I am familiar with their diverse means of usage, and, I have battled their seeming unstoppable, prolific spreading and regeneration. I know poppy seeds and I can easily comprehend this example and illustration on multiple levels. So the relevance and meaning of what Jesus was communicating to His disciples about faith that day is not lost on me. I get it.

As I studied and paralleled ‘faith’ through my personal understanding of a poppy seed, the Word became life and light and resulted in new significance and meaning. It made all the difference. I came away with a much richer understanding of Jesus, the Kingdom and my faith in relation to that. Consequently I was able to apply this to my life in a more tangible way.

‘So what’, you may ask? The point I want to emphasis is that Jesus wants us to understand His Word so that it takes on personal meaning, purpose and life application. Throughout scripture Jesus used multiple parables and stories as examples to explain the Kingdom to His followers so that they would not just be ‘hearers of His Word’ but doers of it - doing it, by applying it. The same is true today. Jesus desires deeply that His Word becomes alive to you and I so that we can effectively infuse and align to it.

The best way to do that is to become a student of the Word, in all aspects.  To seek to understand the parables. To study – Google – research those areas of the ancient culture that we are unfamiliar with.  To dig into a commentary – or two – to have the text explained more fully. To embrace and immerse ourselves in new learning’s so that we can more effectively grasp – and apply – Jesus’ teachings to our lives. To always be searching for ways to connect the text to our current reality, our times, and culture so that His Kingdom – and it’s significance – can be embraced with deeper understanding.

2 Timothy 2:15, “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” Amplified bible.

Written by Val Tower

May all your expectations be frustrated...

I had a few people ask for a copy of the benediction that I read at the end of each service this past weekend. Here it is:

"May all your expectations be frustrated
May all your plans be thwarted
May all your desires be withered into nothingness
That you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of the Prodigal
And may lead you to sing and dance in the love of God
Who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen"

Pastor Greg

Where Did The Wonder Go?

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
                                                             
                                                                   Isaiah 29:13-14 NIV

Recently I have been asking God for two things in the inner places of my soul.

First, I am praying that He would renew within me a sense of wonder and awe at who He is. And secondly, I am asking Him to renew within me a sense of joy and delight in the pages of His word (I’ll explore this second prayer in a future blog post).

Speaking of God's wonders:
The Antennae Galaxies
70 million light-years away

It is tempting to become satisfied with the degree to which I have come to know God. Instead of pushing deeper into the mystery of all that He is, I often accept a partial definition of Him that I can understand and am comfortable with.

The sad truth is that my familiarity with this limited picture of God breeds contempt for the very things that should cause me to constantly regard Him with awe and wonder—things like His infinite power, immeasurable love, unlimited grace, unending goodness and all-encompassing holiness. I’ve noticed that there is a direct correlation between my appreciation of God’s worth on one hand, and my sense of the seriousness of sin, my need for repentance, and the degree to which I take His grace for granted on the other.

Another thing I’ve noticed is this: The moment I stop searching out the mysteries of God is the moment I stop searching out the mysteries God has placed in other people.

My relationship with my wife is a perfect example. In our sixteen years of marriage, my behavior has often reflected a false belief that I have learned everything that there is to know about Karen—that my definition of her is complete. No sooner does that lie take hold than the wonder of her evaporates from my mind. She ceases to be special in my eyes, to be worthy of particular honour and respect. In reality, the things that ought to inspire wonder in me when I think about my wife have not changed at all; her inherent value, God-woven uniqueness and as-yet-to-be-revealed potential remain constant. I have simply chosen in my selfishness to stop discovering more of it.

Fortunately, one of the wonder-worthy things about my wife is her ability to gracefully confront me when I begin to follow this relationally-destructive road. But if this is prone to happen in my closest human relationship, how often does this occur in the rest of my family and friendships? And how often do I do the same thing to God?

The fundamental choice is this: Will I choose to define God and others according to the limits of my knowledge and understanding? Or will I allow God to define me according to His limitless knowledge and understanding? I pray that together we will choose the latter, more mysterious road, and in so doing find ourselves where we ought to be, and will be for eternity: in awe of the wonder and majesty of God.

Walk

"I find it difficult to believe that words have no meaning in themselves, hard as I try. Habits of lifetime are not lightly thrown aside."

                                                                            - Chase Stewart

Words are our function. They allow conversation. They bring names to things we couldn't even describe, if we did not have the words to describe them. I suppose it is like the chicken before the egg type business of life. The cleverness comes into play when a word gains new meaning, perhaps as a result of a new experience.

Take for instance the word, "walk". To some it depicts recreation. To others, a cold 20-25 minutes, depending on the reliability of Edmonton transportation.
Still to others it may be a memory, a hobby, or a date-able opportunity, if you take a long enough one on a metaphorical beach with the person of your choosing. Still to others, one in particular, the meaning of "walk" changes drastically when the future reliance of it could as well.

It was last fall when she sat...pondering the previous 20 minute appointment. Routine. Yet there was a sentence submitted briefly into its conclusion that changed what "walk" described. She had her challenges before now, but this time, this appointment, this moment... spoke deeper. You see, when you rely on the word "walk" as a descriptor of life, life changes when you add "not able to" in front of it. And it was T-minus 8 to 10 years before she may have to couple the wordings together.

She drove away, not sure what to make of such news, but knowing "walk" had, in a way, changed forever. Driving down the winding escapes of Edmonton's downtown, seeing paces of people moving fast and slow, seemed to provide a new perspective. A man, impatient at best, scurried from the bus stop at an attempt to out-do waiting for it to come. It seemed "walk" was on no one's mind but hers.

The wave of experience continued into a grocery store parking lot where, once annoyed, she looked onward to stalls adorned by a white on blue stencil of reservation, for those who perhaps thought much more often of "walk". She parked a little farther on and sat.  Watching those who came to occupy this space and then left. And she wondered when they perhaps experienced "walk" in a new way like she. And compassion joined her for the show.

Later that evening, a song filled her ears, as emotion filled her heart. The words of "take my feet and let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee" resounded, as the uncertainty came to join in. And "walk" had found new meaning in her vocabulary. It was not so much the "woe-is-me", as it was the "thank you Father, You hold all things".

You see, for her, experience unveiled a new reality to this word. It became a new compassion for her when she saw those who struggled. It allowed her to park farther away and enjoy the extra steps to the door. It made her think of new opportunities to enjoy and maintain health in the present, and preserve it in a new way for the future. For her, seizing the day meant seizing this word, "walk" in new appreciation.

I am certain I can think of words that tweak your experience; perhaps "baby", "marriage", "cancer", "money", "family", "baptism", "job", "friend", "church"...and so our vocabulary stretches. I hope you are challenged to find new meaning for the words in your life. Perhaps the reality for each of us in this hour is simply to reflect on which words we choose to ascribe experience to our lives. Walk on.
Pun, fully intended.

A Strong Calling

Have you ever come across those "hard to love people"? There can be tons of reasons as to why a person is hard to love. It can be as extreme as someone is being very cruel towards you and constantly acting in anger. Maybe it's someone who is in authority over you, continuing to make your life difficult just because they can.  It can be as simple as someone with an opposite personality than you.  We are all faced with the challenge to love people. I have found in my life that the times I have struggled to

love other people is usually a time when God was trying to reveal to me an area I needed to grow in. The issue would quickly go from seeing how someone is hard to love (based on a superficial reason) to seeing that the reason I couldn't love that person was because of my pride or selfishness. It also could have been my lack of acceptance and care. 

The times I have been blessed enough to realize God was up to something, I realized that I was trying to muster up the love on my own.  I was trying to love people by my own strength instead of allowing the love of God to flow freely from me. 1 John spells this out a little for us.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."(1 John 4:7-12 NIV)

We love out of a response to what God has done for us by sending His one and only son to die for our sins. God freely gave His love to us, there is nothing that we have done to deserve this love and there is nothing that we could ever do to make God love us any more or any less.  Romans says, "While we were STILL sinners Christ died for us." You see when we come to fully understand the love God has for us, how can we even think that we have the right to decide who we show love to or not? The love that God has for us transforms our hearts towards other people, it has to!  A little bit later in chapter 4 of 1 John it says,

 "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus."  (1 John 4:16-18 NIV)

This is a tall order to live like Jesus did but the bottom line is that this is our calling. In scripture we never see Jesus repaying evil for evil. We never see Him talking wrongly against the people that persecuted Him. Even as he was hanging on the cross suffering he was asking for the forgiveness of those that were persecuting him. He is in the business of loving people. One of my favorite stories in the bible is the one about the woman at the well.

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee and scripture says they had to go through Samaria. Geographically going through Samaria to get to Galilee was the shortest route to take but one that Jews never took. You see Jews had such hatred for the Samaritans that they looked at them as the outcasts, the despised. A Jew that had any contact with a Samaritan was viewed as unclean. It was very uncommon for Jews to go through the Samaria so when John said that “he had to go through Samaria” the necessity in going was not for geographical reasons but for the purpose of saving the lost.

There was a woman who had to go to the well in the scorching heat of the day in order to avoid people. Because she was a known prostitute she was looked down upon, people would judge her, and ridicule her. Most women during this time would take the long trek to the well for more water during the cool of the night while in community together. Jesus went against what culture said and went out of his way to find this woman. Jesus was living in such submission to God that he was aware of the divine appointments that were before Him. It didn't matter to him that his disciples thought he was crazy or that people would wonder why he was at the well with this woman alone. Jesus saw it as a chance to love someone that was an outcast in society, someone who was judged for the way they lived their life. The love of God was clearly being lived out in Jesus' life.  It was evident that he lived in such a way that love and compassion flowed freely from him, and remember that 1 John 4:17 said, "in this world we are to be like Jesus".  

As you encounter those "hard to love people" this week there are two things you can be thinking about. You can ask God if he is trying to reveal to you an area that you need to change in your own life in how you love others. You can also look at every encounter you have with someone as a God ordained appointment just like Jesus' appointment at the well. Cling to the cross for your strength and allow the love God has for you to flow freely from you as you love those around you like Jesus would.

The Dreaded "C" Word

When you hear the phrase, the dreaded “C” word, what comes to mind? For many, it is the word “cancer”. That silent disease that unbeknownst to us can lie lurking, with the potential to overtake and destroy cells, organs and bodies. Once active it begins a quiet assault against good, strong and healthy cells leaving in its wake a mass of diseased tissue. Left unnoticed and unattended, over time it brings bodily breakdown, pain and can ultimately lead to death.

I am thinking these days of another “C” word that when left unchecked within the body of Christ can be just as subtle, just as destructive and deadly. It has the ability, power and potential to divide; to bring pain; and it will harm and hinder the health, vitality and functionality of the body. The “C” word I am referring to is very simply “confusion”. At first glance you might question why I would suggest this, but let me explain.

The more I am involved in other people’s stories and the longer I am a participant in the body of Christ, I see a theme emerging that clearly points to the destructive and negative nature of confusion. It is so often the root cause of relational discord, misunderstanding and can lead to division and isolation. It can so easily take us off the track of truth and skew authentic and original meaning. It can easily send up a smoke screen to blur our vision and our path and keep us from knowing how to navigate forward, immobilizing us in the end. It can fog and distort our thoughts, perceptions and emotions which may entice us to build a case against another, all out of inaccurate information, far and very different from the true purpose or meaning. Confusion can over time subtly destroy healthy environments, strong teams, and intimate relationships, leaving chaos in its wake.

How many relational problems begin as a result of something being said or done that causes the other person to walk away in a cloud of confusion. That in and of itself isn’t the issue – we are all prone to not explain ourselves effectively or doing things that can come across inaccurately. The problem begins though when we walk away and don’t address our confusion. This opens the door for our minds to twist and skew what has just taken place.  Over time if the confusion isn’t clarified it will build until it is impossible to see clearly and accurately any longer.

I have a friend who is diligent in this regard. Many times after I have interacted with them I will receive a call later on. A quick, but intentional conversation to clarify something one of us may have said. It has been sobering to realize how many times one of us was reading something in that was not reality at all. How freeing to know that in the end we are both on the same page and we never have to question or doubt or wonder any longer. We stop confusion in its track so that we can go forward unhindered and unencumbered.

In closing, here are a couple of thoughts…

• The opposite of confusion is ‘understanding’ and Psalm 119:130 says, “The unfolding of your Words give light; it gives understanding to the simple.” The first place to begin if we are confused is to seek Jesus and scripture, to ask for His counsel to sift and sort through the confusion in order to gain truth.
• Anytime confusion exists, especially relationally, it is both our right and responsibility to ask for, and seek clarity. A simple question or request for explanation can eliminate confusion before any misunderstanding sets in.
• Don’t let too much time go by before confronting confusion. Like cancer, early detection and elimination is critical. If not dealt with in a timely manner it has the ability to create chaos that will take intense time and energy to unravel.

Father, give us the ability to communicate clearly with others. Give us courage to do our part to eradicate confusion. Thank you Jesus that as we draw close to you and seek understanding, you are faithful to provide. Help us to live together in unity, clarity and understanding. Amen

Prayer for Mercy

By St. Maria Faustina

As people who are in constant need of mercy we pray,

Help us Jesus, that we ask of You - we will give to others - Mercy, both in deed and word

Help us, O Lord, that our eyes may be merciful, so that we may never suspect or judge others, but always look for what is beautiful and good in my neighbor

Help us, that our ears may be merciful, so that we may give heed to others' needs and not be indifferent to their pain

Help us, O Lord, that our tongue may be merciful, so that we will never speak wrongly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all

 Help us, O Lord, that our hands may be merciful and fulled with good deeds so that we may do only good to others and try to take upon the more difficult and toilsome tasks

Amen

Getting Perspective

“Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”  Psalm 16:5 & 6

Thursday morning I was reading this Psalm and as read that line “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” my immediate thought was “Wish I could say that.” The Psalmist David seems to be saying his life has gone well, he’s had it pretty good. Some people seem to have all the luck; its always up and the right for them. Others seem to barely get by. You can guess which camp my mind was in Thursday morning.

As I pondered on my life I thought about dreams I’ve had to let go of, people I’ve lost, wounds I’ve received, and how I seem to never really get ahead. My boundary lines don’t seem to have fallen in pleasant places…at least in my opinion.

 Right in the middle of this “poor me” pout I began to think about literal boundaries. I thought about the border of Canada and the U.S. that I’ve crossed many times. As I viewed a mental map of Canada and the U.S in my head the Holy Spirit began to whisper to me as he revealed where my boundaries have fallen, starting with my geographic boundaries. I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I have seen sites that people travel around the world to experience. I’ve had the privilege to live in complete freedom in the U.S. and now Canada.

The Holy Spirit began to zoom me in to the boundaries of the states and province I’ve lived in: Oregon, Colorado, and Alberta. Each a mind blowing example of beauty in creation. I zoomed in tighter to the boundaries of the counties and cities I lived in. In Oregon I was an hour away from the Pacific Ocean, two from world class skiing and hiking. I could be on a river fly fishing in 60 minutes and deep in thought riding through a forest on my motorcycle in 20.

You’re starting to get the idea right? So was I. So I spent the rest of my time with God and Holy Spirit asking them to show me closer and closer close ups of my boundaries. The people I’ve been able to meet, the activities I’ve been able to participate in, the family I’ve been allowed to love, the house I get to live in, the wife and kids I’ve been blessed with. It was a good exercise for me and it changed my perception.

I wonder if a similar exercise would be helpful for you. Find a time and space to reflect on this Psalm and ask God to show you your boundaries. Start with a big picture (Earth or the hemisphere, the continent, your country) and slowly allow the Holy Spirit to zoom you in closer and closer, from continent, to country, to province, to county, to city, to block, to house, to room, right to the point of where you are sitting and praying. Ask for God for insights and the significance of each of these boundary snap shots.

An exercise like this is good for perspective. It allowed me to take a big step back and remember how good I’ve got it. Truly the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Fear of Falling

Ah, Alberta and its wonky weather winters. It’s the last week of January, and the unusual warmth has made me wonder if I should head up on the ol’ roof early this year and take down the Christmas lights. Even though I stop turning them on after New Year’s Day, they usually sit up on their precarious perches until at least the end of March.

I don’t look at it so much as procrastination… more like self-preservation. You see, there is one second-story strand that cannot be reached from below with a ladder, thanks to a crab apple tree that is slowly becoming one with the front of my house. To reach that second-story strand, I have to climb onto the roof and get at it from above—an experience that never ceases to get my heart pounding and my mind questioning my sanity.

I clearly remember the first time I made my way onto that second-story roof. My parents were arriving that day for a brief pre-Christmas visit, and I wanted to welcome them with a festive-looking house. So up I went, strands in hand. As it happened, I ended up too terrified to get within three feet of the edge. After a few agonizing attempts, limbs trembling and sweat pouring, I finally left the roof in defeat. As I descended the ladder, my parents drove up.

The sight of me stepping down from the ladder with a strand of Christmas lights coiled in one hand must’ve been enough for my Dad to get the picture. He gently offered to help me out, and, in that confident manner he always had, began climbing the ladder. Chagrined and a little embarrassed, I followed with the lights. Soon we were on the roof, Dad eying the situation, and me beginning to feel my pulse racing again. Then he reached out for the strand and, as comfortable as if he were on level ground, knelt by the edge of the roof and began to attach it to the eaves.

Now, my Dad is not a small man. He’s always towered above me at his 6’ 3” height, and has that imposing farm-bred physique that reminds me every time I see him that I’ll probably never be able to take him in an arm-wrestling match, even when he’s 100 years old. But somehow, seeing him kneeling right at the edge of that rooftop without a hint of fear did something in me. With jaw set, I stepped to the edge of the roof and knelt beside Dad. Mimicking his posture, I began clipping those tiny lights to the eaves, one at a time.

And just like that, the fear evaporated.

Soon the strand was in place and plugged in. Standing there on that rooftop, admiring our handiwork, I couldn’t help but reflect on the difference between how I had felt when I had been on the roof alone and how I had felt when Dad was there with me. Somehow, the simple fact of my dad’s presence changed everything.

I could have resisted my Dad’s offer to help, mind you. I could have played the bravado card and tried to salvage my pride. I could have made excuses or tried to distract him. But I knew Dad could see through all of that. Besides, his wasn’t an offer that mocked my shortcomings; it was an act of love that bore the potential of revealing new possibilities.

The same is true with our heavenly Father, isn’t it? So much of life is daunting. Some of it is even terrifying. Many of us are right now standing near a relational, career or health-related precipice, scared out of our wits. Perhaps we’ve even come face-to-face with our limitations, but are resisting God’s gentle offer to help—choosing self-reliance instead.

If that’s where you’re at, let me remind you: God is there with you (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is for you (Ephesians 1:3-14). His perfect love banishes fear (1 John 4:18), and His presence has the power to change everything.

Promise of Purpose

About 12 years ago I received an old beat up table from my grandfather’s estate. I’m pretty sure he used it in his shop. The top was coated in a thick layer of grey paint, it was covered in oil stains and the legs had this impenetrable dark substance on them… I’m not sure what it was. I attempted to clean it when I got it, but some of the old layers just didn’t want to come off, so I let it sit until this past summer.

The last year has been a rough one, let's just say this past week’s message really sums it up. I had just moved into a new place, had time on my hands and decided to take another look at the old table. My goal was to clean it up so I could use it as a desk. It was my grandpas and has some sentimental value, but it was set aside and discarded, it's true purpose yet to be discovered.

With some elbow grease and chemicals that really sting when splashed on bare legs (note to self, always wear pants when working with chemicals), but it felt satisfying to remove the old dirty layers. As I was slaving away on the sticky, gooey substance on the legs, my mind was processing all that has taken place over the past number of months. I was trying to figure out my life and how I ended up here. I don’t really think I ever asked God “why”, but the pain was so great, I couldn’t see any purpose to it. Then, as I was working on this table, removing all the old, God spoke to me. He said, "your life is like this table. I am molding you, working to remove all the old stuff - the gooey, gross sticky mess - to reveal what is underneath. Yes, I know it looks pretty beat up and there are a lot of layers to take off, but underneath there is character, not perfection, but character to be revealed."

He said He wants to take all the pain and turn it into something that will make me a better follower of Him. He has a purpose for my life, and although I can’t see clearly what that is, I need to learn to trust and believe in His promises.

One of the books I have been reading is written by Sheila Walsh called "The Shelter of God’s Promises". In it she delves deep into God’s promises in scripture. Here are a few:

The Promise of Provision – when I don’t think I have enough…
 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

The Promise of Peace – when I’m afraid and feel alone…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”  John 14:27

The Promise of Purpose – when I can’t see God’s plan in the pain
“And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

She describes “We are the ones who have been selected by God specifically for His purposes. Therefore God makes all things, good or bad, work together to bring about His purposes, which are indeed good…. Our confidence flows out of his steadfastness.”

The Promise of Relentless Love –  see Romans 8:38-39
“He loves us for keeps and tells us: I belong to you, and you belong to Me – forever.”

A week ago I finally finished my table. It’s not perfect, but it definitely has a purpose. The layers have come off, and more of its beautiful character has been revealed. Transformation can be painful and messy, dirty even. I choose to allow Jesus to transform me for His purpose, regardless of how much pain I need to go through – He ultimately provides all that I need and I choose to live in His promises and I know that He is walking with me every step of the way.