We Have a Lot of Work To Do

If you have hung around our church for long, you quickly discover that "I'll Fly Away" is not one of our favourite songs. (It is awesome that Pastor Scott would be the leader of that sentiment - :-) ) It is a song that talks about a desire to escape the reality of the world and head for heaven ASAP. The tune is catchy but the words shouldn't be.
The harsh reality of the world is exactly what Jesus has called us to impact with his love, mercy and grace. In short, to pray and work as he prayed and worked, "Your will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven." In other words, bring what is in heaven to earth.
It is when I read stories like this - Women buried alive in 'honour' killings - that convince me more than ever that the church cannot stay in isolated fortresses and hang on until Jesus comes. We are called to be a force for justice, goodness and kindness in the earth.

Pay Attention!

An elderly woman had an unexpected layover while attempting to check in at Sweden’s main airport Tuesday. The 78-year-old woman misunderstood instructions and fell down a baggage chute after placing herself, rather than her bags, on the belt, AFP reported.
The woman, who was not named, was preparing to depart from Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport for Germany, when she lay down on the baggage belt thinking she was following the check-in instructions.
Staff members helped her catch her flight after she was swept off to the baggage handling center.

Win a $5 Starbucks Card - No More Books!

Ok - I've had it. No more books! My books must feel like Shanda's shoes in the closet. Sitting there, alone, wanted once but now quickly put aside by the new one that comes into the house. As a result, I'm being crowded out by my books!! So - No More BOOKS!
No, I don't mean I'm not going to be reading. In fact, just the opposite. It's just that, well, I have too many that I've accumulated over the past 4 or 5 months and I have to get them read.

So here is my list of books that I'm going to try and knock down over the next 3 - 4 months or so. Some are half done, some are brand new this week.

I'm going to set a goal each Friday. If I don't make (and post)the goal for the week, the first reader to alert me to that fact after 10 PM Friday (in the comments section) will win a prize. If I make my goal, I get the prize. Deal? But here's the catch, you have to register in the comments section of this post by Monday @ 10 PM! The prize for this week will be a $5 Starbucks card.
here's My list:

1. Serving God on the Christian School Board - Roy W. Lowrie,
2. Boards that make a difference - by John Carver
3. Fresh Ideas - by Diana Davis
4. Becoming a True Spiritual community - Larry Crabb
5. Community of Kindness - by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin
6. Beyond the First Visit - Gary L. McIntosh
7. First Impressions - by Mark L. Waltz
8. Loving Homosexuals as Jesus would - by Mark L. Waltz
9. With or without God - Gretta Vosper
10. Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazzero
11. Restoring the Christian Soul - by Leanne Payne
12. Relational Apostolic Families - T.A. Osiowy
13. Creating a World Without Poverty - Muhammad Yunus
14. 11 Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without - Leonard Sweet
15. The Search to Belong - Joseph R. Myers
16. Signs of Emergence - Kester Brewin
17. Organic Community - Joseph R. Myers
18. Emerging Churches - Eddie Gibbs / Ryan K. Bolger
19. The Heart of a Father - Ken Canfield

Wow, that's a list so here's the goal (drum roll please....)
I will finish The Search to Belong (half done), and The Heart of a Father this week.
Register in the comments section....Not registered, no prize..

Are You a Nagger?

One thing that I have had to grow in is talking about what I'm thinking and feeling so that those close to me don't have to harass me to get information about life, work, and feelings. I have learned that it is not OK to put people in the position where they feel like they have to 'nag'. The other side of that though was made abundantly clear in my devotions.

I'm reading through the book of Judges right now. I just finished reading about Samson. I'm loath to say nasty things about him, but this guy was a bit nuts in some ways. Ok - maybe not nuts, but a bit of a tool.


Chapter 14 says how he sees this woman, tells his parents to set up the wedding. They are not wild about it for various reasons, which proves to be wisdom. (Alexandra - remember that!:-)) Anyway, i think that he wanted to make a little money for his honeymoon, so he has a little bet with his attendants. (again, another little lesson, don't gamble :-)) It they lose, the 30 of them would each give him a 'linen garment and a set of clothes'. If he loses, he'd give them each one. They can't solve it, so they threaten his wife to find the answer. She really works it. "You hate me! You don't really love me." because you wont tell me. (another little gem:that might have been a clue to pull out of the wedding) Then for 7 days (!)she cries about it and nags him until he gives in. She gives up the answer, he gets angry, kills some people to get the garments and walks out.

Think he learned about being a little more careful with people? NOOOO! 2 chapters later he meets up Delialah and she wants to know the secret of his strength (so she can sell him out). He wont tell her (i think he has trust issues now). She doesn't get the message that he is not ready to 'open his heart' yet.

She persists even though Samson gives excuses 3 times. yet - finally she pulls the "you don't love me card". v. 15 "how can you say, 'I love you', when you won't confide in me?" (THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALARM BELLS GOING OFF BY NOW!) v. 16 "With such nagging she prodded day after day until he was tired to death" (that's a direct quote from the NIV Bible).

Ends up Samson is caught, eyes are gouged out and he is imprisoned...

Let's review the fruits of nagging:

broken relationship
lying
30 dead Philistines
stolen clothes
guoged out eyes
imprisoned
shallow relationships

So - still want to be a nagger?

Living Inspired!

Too often when we feel our inspiration ebbing, we just let things fade and hope that situations will change or the feelings will pass. At our recent Leadership Summit, Bill Hybels talked about how important it is for leaders to stay inspired. He gave several things to do to do that. One of them was to 'rub shoulders with exceptionally inspiring people.' One of the things that really inspires me is a good sermon. I have several great podcasts that I listen to (my personal favourite is Northgate Foursquare Church). I paticularly love the tradition of the Black preachers. TD Jakes is one of those inspirational preachers that has an ability to INSPIRE. Here is one that I listened to today that INSPIRED me!

Would You Keep It?

When I was about 12 I remember finding $20 on the side of the road while I was walking. Since that was 25 years ago, it was a LOT of money. There was no way of finding out who the owner was as it had probably flown out of a window of a vehicle. It was near Mother's Day and I bought my mom a huge Mother's Day card for about $5.00. There were no Dollar Stores then! Nontheless, it was pretty impressive. :-) The rest of the money disappeared into my stomach in the form of pop, candy and junk food!

I hope that I would return the money described in this great story about a girl who find $1000 while she was swimming!

Northgate Team Time

Well, I'm tired! Our staff team at Northgate had a great day together - and learned a lot too!

We were in Nanaimo at Wild Play which is a park of some 'extreme' type activities. There were tree top rope courses and ziplines. There was a big swing that goes 140 kmh and 2 Gs of force. There was the canyon zipline in a total of almost 500 feet! It was great! What was really cool though was seeing many of the staff push themselves do things that were beyond their comfort zones! There were some tears and some shaky legs but people pushed on! At the end, Pastor Matt and Pastor Scott took the bungy plunge! It is not my thing, but they did it and hats off to them.

All in all though, it was good just to build relationships, support and encourage one another as we went beyond what our usual comfort zones. Relationships, support and encouragement are all things that we can use to help us go beyond what we think possible. It is amazing how much better we 'perform' when there are people cheering us on. Think of what would happen to people's lives if we consistently encouraged, supported and worked with them to achieve what God has put on their hearts. We're going to try to do that even better together as staff and a church family.

Relationships. Support. Encouragement. See what would happen in our relationships as we try this.

It is going to be great this year to work with each other to do our parts in the Kingdom of God.
What a great group of people. What a great church to be a part of.

Changed Lives

Alpha is starting this fall on September 22 at our church. Alpha is a wonderful opportunity for people to ask questions about the Christian faith and explore what Christianity is all about. It is exciting to see what God has done in people's lives through Alpha. With the meal, a DVD and small group discussion, Alpha is a great place to go if you are seeking the meaning of life.

With its non-threatening atmosphere, it is also a great place to invite a friend. Think about it - are their friends in your life that need help and change from the inside out? Invite them to Alpha and help them begin the process and the journey towards Jesus.

Here's a story of one's experience at Alpha.

Judy Clark - Since attending the Alpha Course my life has changed
dramatically! Inviting Christ into my life is the most incredible thing
that has ever happened to me. Both my personal and professional lives have
improved significantly and, yes...I have found the meaning of life. Funny
how we can spend thousands of dollars educating ourselves and hours on
professional development, but nothing can move you to the next level like
faith! I enjoyed the Alpha Course and journey so much that I referred
approximately 30 friends to attend the next two courses.

"finding the meaning of life, life changed, personal and professional lives improved significantly, nothing can move you to the next level like faith" - Wow, those are amazing things to be said.

What would it look like to hear your friend saying them??

I'm Back!

Ok - I've been off line (intentionally) for my holiday and since I've been back to work. However, I'm now back in action!

Watch for more posts over the next couple of days.