Sunday, August 14, 2005
A Sunday Thought...
Gas prices are crazy. But if I hear one more SUV driving, engine-idling, air-conditioner blasting, yuppie whine about the price of fuel, I’m going to get medieval on his...
Sermon: Pentecost 13 - Year A
You may remember last November when both Sophie and Naomi went to the emergency within 5 hours of each other. They were both running high fevers and couldn’t keep liquids down.
But with Sophie, a small purplish-red rash appeared on her belly. We called the health hotline and the nurse said to take her in to emergency right away. So, at 11:30 pm, I loaded Sophie into the car with her pajamas on under her warm winter jacket, and she brought Winnie-the-Pooh along for comfort.
A doctor came in and examined Sophie, who was in no mood to be poked.
“Yup, the rash looks raised,” the doctor said. “I’d better get someone else to look at this as well.”
A few minutes later, the doctor appeared at the door accompanied by another doctor. They rubbed Sophie’s rash, muttered doctor-speak back and forth, they sounded so solemn and serious. Finally one of them said, “There’s someone else that should look at this. The fever and the rash could be an indication of serious illness. We’ll need to get some blood from her.”
Words every parent dreads. All at once I had visions of hospital beds, huge needles, and little tiny coffins.
What made matters immediately worse...(the rest here)
But with Sophie, a small purplish-red rash appeared on her belly. We called the health hotline and the nurse said to take her in to emergency right away. So, at 11:30 pm, I loaded Sophie into the car with her pajamas on under her warm winter jacket, and she brought Winnie-the-Pooh along for comfort.
A doctor came in and examined Sophie, who was in no mood to be poked.
“Yup, the rash looks raised,” the doctor said. “I’d better get someone else to look at this as well.”
A few minutes later, the doctor appeared at the door accompanied by another doctor. They rubbed Sophie’s rash, muttered doctor-speak back and forth, they sounded so solemn and serious. Finally one of them said, “There’s someone else that should look at this. The fever and the rash could be an indication of serious illness. We’ll need to get some blood from her.”
Words every parent dreads. All at once I had visions of hospital beds, huge needles, and little tiny coffins.
What made matters immediately worse...(the rest here)
Friday, August 12, 2005
These crazy quizzes...! But at least I'm the right type for my job...
Like Greg, I too took issue with the wording of some of the questions. But here's how I ended up:
Rank Item Percent
1: Lutheran (100%)
2: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England (89%)
3: Eastern Orthodox (89%)
4: Presbyterian/Reformed (75%)
5: Roman Catholic (66%)
6: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.) (64%)
7: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist (64%)
8: Congregational/United Church of Christ (61%)
9: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic) (57%)
10: Seventh-Day Adventist (53%)
11: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God (51%)
12: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene (50%)
13: Church of Christ/Campbellite (46%)
How did end up? Check it out here.
Rank Item Percent
1: Lutheran (100%)
2: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England (89%)
3: Eastern Orthodox (89%)
4: Presbyterian/Reformed (75%)
5: Roman Catholic (66%)
6: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.) (64%)
7: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist (64%)
8: Congregational/United Church of Christ (61%)
9: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic) (57%)
10: Seventh-Day Adventist (53%)
11: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God (51%)
12: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene (50%)
13: Church of Christ/Campbellite (46%)
How did end up? Check it out here.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
The fires have been put out...
...I hope.
I'm hopeful for the future. At least for our church. The rest of the world is a different story.
Pakistan is testing cruise missiles with nuclear capability. Lovely. We all know how rational Pakistan and India can be when things get a little testy.
Tonight, I’m hiding under my bed.
I'm hopeful for the future. At least for our church. The rest of the world is a different story.
Pakistan is testing cruise missiles with nuclear capability. Lovely. We all know how rational Pakistan and India can be when things get a little testy.
Tonight, I’m hiding under my bed.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Wednesday Ramblings
It's been a very tiring week so far. It was the good kind of tired, when after a long, productive day, when everything runs smoothly, you're firing on all cylinders, and all is right with the world.
Then little fires appeared. Small, annoying fires. Not enough to pull the alarm and call for help, but small enough to sidetrack me away from the work I’d rather be doing.
Lately, I’ve been working on family and children’s ministry; trying to get things moving for the fall and beyond. There is A LOT of good stuff out there. The trick is sifting through it all to find what is usable and relevant.
I’m looking at a Christian Ed program based on Montessori methods. Interesting stuff. We’ll see where that goes.
I’m also working on a Faith at Home program with a couple other folks. It’s going to be a big part of our “Building the Future” program. The long and short of it is: our congregation needs a new facility, but not just a new building; we need a mission strategy. The Faith at Home stuff is just one small part of our whole plan.
But first, I need to find that fire extinguisher.
Then little fires appeared. Small, annoying fires. Not enough to pull the alarm and call for help, but small enough to sidetrack me away from the work I’d rather be doing.
Lately, I’ve been working on family and children’s ministry; trying to get things moving for the fall and beyond. There is A LOT of good stuff out there. The trick is sifting through it all to find what is usable and relevant.
I’m looking at a Christian Ed program based on Montessori methods. Interesting stuff. We’ll see where that goes.
I’m also working on a Faith at Home program with a couple other folks. It’s going to be a big part of our “Building the Future” program. The long and short of it is: our congregation needs a new facility, but not just a new building; we need a mission strategy. The Faith at Home stuff is just one small part of our whole plan.
But first, I need to find that fire extinguisher.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Children's Message: Pentecost 12 - Year A
“Hey, Max,” Alex shouted from across the river, “Betcha can’t swing across the water without falling in!”
“Betcha I can!” Max shouted back climbing the tree and grabbing the rope that was hanging from a drooping branch over the river.
Max steadied himself on the branch and looked down at the rushing water under his feet.
“Boy, I didn’t realize it...(ful text here)
“Betcha I can!” Max shouted back climbing the tree and grabbing the rope that was hanging from a drooping branch over the river.
Max steadied himself on the branch and looked down at the rushing water under his feet.
“Boy, I didn’t realize it...(ful text here)
Mystical Communion? Me?
Apparently this quiz was based on church models of Cardinal Avery Dulles.
Thanks to Greg.
 | You scored as Sacrament model. Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church.
What is your model of the church? [Dulles] created with QuizFarm.com |
Thanks to Greg.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Sermon: Pentecost 12 - Year A
Faith is looking out upon a planet swallowed up in war and greed and chaos, but still saying, I will trust God’s promises for peace. I will live the new creation that God wants for the world.
When doubt enters into the equation it is either something we keep well hidden in the back of our closet for fear that someone more pious might find out and raise their eyebrows in our direction. Or doubt is something that paraded as a public virtue; the sign of an active mind.
I think doubt is neither something to be proud of nor something to be ashamed of. Doubt is part of our human makeup. However, doubt does make faith more compelling. One writer suggests that doubt makes faith “heroic;” the greater the doubt the more heroic the faith. I don’t know if that’s true but it certainly sounds good.
Sometimes we live our faith whether we know it or not. Like Peter running out into the lake without really thinking about what he’s doing, sometimes faith the result of a lack of foresight, or it’s just plain ignorance. We don’t know we’ve stepped out of the boat until our shoes fill up with water. (the rest here)
When doubt enters into the equation it is either something we keep well hidden in the back of our closet for fear that someone more pious might find out and raise their eyebrows in our direction. Or doubt is something that paraded as a public virtue; the sign of an active mind.
I think doubt is neither something to be proud of nor something to be ashamed of. Doubt is part of our human makeup. However, doubt does make faith more compelling. One writer suggests that doubt makes faith “heroic;” the greater the doubt the more heroic the faith. I don’t know if that’s true but it certainly sounds good.
Sometimes we live our faith whether we know it or not. Like Peter running out into the lake without really thinking about what he’s doing, sometimes faith the result of a lack of foresight, or it’s just plain ignorance. We don’t know we’ve stepped out of the boat until our shoes fill up with water. (the rest here)
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Stephen Harper: Prince Charming of the BBQ Circut- or not?
This is just silly.
Personally, I couldn't care less if the Prime Minister is Mr. Personality. I care if he/she is competent and has a compelling vision for the country. Harper should be selling his policies instead of flipping burgers.
Personally, I couldn't care less if the Prime Minister is Mr. Personality. I care if he/she is competent and has a compelling vision for the country. Harper should be selling his policies instead of flipping burgers.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Ten Thousand and Counting
Last night I had my 10 000th visitor. Today I had a small celebration. Yay. I'll have another celebration at 25 000. I like round numbers.
All that aside: I’ve decided I’m taking off the gloves. It feels like my ministry is stalled and I’m kicking into gear. Hold on to your hats.
I’ll keep you informed. Pray for me. It's going to be a helluva ride.
All that aside: I’ve decided I’m taking off the gloves. It feels like my ministry is stalled and I’m kicking into gear. Hold on to your hats.
I’ll keep you informed. Pray for me. It's going to be a helluva ride.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Kevin Little on Separation of Church and State
I think deeper questions are at stake: Should politics and religion mix? Or should religion be relegated to the realm of the merely personal, where the individual soul, concerned only with the inner life of human beings in their personal relationship to God, like a spare tire in the trunk where we don't think about it until we need it?
Is the church to be judged by how useful it is as a supporting institution and do clergy belong to professions where we help people along in daily living — but do not upset the status quo? (full text here)
Full Disclosure: Kevin Little is a friend of mine and I worked on his campaign when he ran for the federal Liberals in Halifax during the 2000 election.
He raises some good questions. Should religion and politics mix? Desmond Tutu once noted that those who say that religion and politics shouldn’t mix haven’t read the bible very closely.
The bible oozes politics. But not in the way being advocated by some. Jesus wasn’t partisan. He didn’t campaign for the Zealots or raise fund for the Scribes. But he did support a public faith. To Jesus, faith was something you DID, not just something you believed. Being a follower of Jesus meant getting your hands dirty, not just praying in darkened cathedrals by the glow of candles, and breathing in incense. Faith is personal, but never private.
But Jesus wasn’t about Hard Power. He didn’t believe that the kingdom of God could be legislated. Jesus didn’t think that God’s realm would magically arrive if enough Christian politicians were elected.
Jesus’ politics were about compassion, forgiveness, and self-giving love. Jesus’ politics was about looking after those who could not look after themselves; welcoming those who couldn’t participate in mainstream society; forgiving those who, by any definition, were beyond rehabilitation.
By any standard, Jesus’ politics were pretty screwed up. He shunned worldly power. He revealed God’s power by dying on the cross and rising again three days later, showing the world that God is first and foremost committed to Life.
Maybe that’s where our politics should begin.
Is the church to be judged by how useful it is as a supporting institution and do clergy belong to professions where we help people along in daily living — but do not upset the status quo? (full text here)
Full Disclosure: Kevin Little is a friend of mine and I worked on his campaign when he ran for the federal Liberals in Halifax during the 2000 election.
He raises some good questions. Should religion and politics mix? Desmond Tutu once noted that those who say that religion and politics shouldn’t mix haven’t read the bible very closely.
The bible oozes politics. But not in the way being advocated by some. Jesus wasn’t partisan. He didn’t campaign for the Zealots or raise fund for the Scribes. But he did support a public faith. To Jesus, faith was something you DID, not just something you believed. Being a follower of Jesus meant getting your hands dirty, not just praying in darkened cathedrals by the glow of candles, and breathing in incense. Faith is personal, but never private.
But Jesus wasn’t about Hard Power. He didn’t believe that the kingdom of God could be legislated. Jesus didn’t think that God’s realm would magically arrive if enough Christian politicians were elected.
Jesus’ politics were about compassion, forgiveness, and self-giving love. Jesus’ politics was about looking after those who could not look after themselves; welcoming those who couldn’t participate in mainstream society; forgiving those who, by any definition, were beyond rehabilitation.
By any standard, Jesus’ politics were pretty screwed up. He shunned worldly power. He revealed God’s power by dying on the cross and rising again three days later, showing the world that God is first and foremost committed to Life.
Maybe that’s where our politics should begin.
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