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Merry Christmas

I wanted to share with you my favorite Christmas Song, and what I think is the best version of it. When Celine sings this, I think she believes it, and I want to get saved all over again. I hope you enjoy it...

Merry Christmas!

 

RED: The Color of Christmas

Trust me... you'll share it after you see it...

soon!

 

Question by Text - Foreknowledge of God

We have been taking questions and comments by text during the Bible Study on Saturday nights. A lot of them we have been trying to answer by a return text that night, or by a short answer after the study, but this one, I asked if I could answer on my blog. 

Here was the question from this weekend's study:
"I understand that God knows everything, so why doesn't he just come and take those who will accept him to heaven. I mean he knows the end from the beginning." 

That's a great question.

Here's my attempt to answer:

You're right, He could. And, the Bible tells us that He will. And, somedays, we wish He would have already done it. There's a lot of pain here in life not only that we experience, but we see others going through that just seems too much. 

But, I can think of two reasons that He waits. 

One, the Bible makes it clear that "God so loved the world." He loves everyone on the planet. The Bible also tells us that "God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, only that they would turn from their wickedness." And finally in 2 Peter, "God is not slow concerning His promise as some consider slowness, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish (my own paraphrase)" God is allowing time for the door to be open to heaven and to relationship with Him, to anyone that wants to respond to His offer of love. It's part of His nature and character to do so. And, in that, He's invited us to partner with him, in this great co-mission, of announcing to the world the grace of God. 

Which leads me into the second reason. God has a high value for relationship, specifically love. And, this time does a couple of great things for our relationship with God. First, like I mentioned before, we have this wonderful opportunity to be empowered, stay in step, walk and live in the Spirit while we are here, working with the Lord, watching Him work in our lives and in the lives of the people that we love and come into contact with. In that we get to know Him more, love Him more, and His love and nature become vivid to us, and our longing to be together grows. He is the ultimate romantic after all. He invented romance. Also, and sort of attached to that, something else is allowed to grow in the meantime, and that is our faith. We read in 1 Peter 1:7 that our faith is precious in God's sight, and this is really both our desire to be with God, and our trust in Him. Having this grow is 'precious' to Him, and the only way for it to grow, (to make heaven even better) is for us to grow in faith through learning and having opportunities to exercise our faith here. 

That's a long answer. 

The short answer is usually love. Love for people, love for us, and having an opportunity for our love for Him to grow . 

Comments are available for you to chime in.

soon!

Another Eschatology Thought

My friend Andre' Delage sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you...

Eschatology for some is like waiting for a school bus in very bad weather conditions...rain, cold wind....you can't wait to be inside the bus....you keep on looking around the curved road looking for a sign the bus is coming...

But for others, the weather is so beautiful that some wish the bus won't show up...

For me, no matter what the weather is like, I keep on praying "Let Thy Kingdom Come"...Amen

Digging Some Roots into God

In the last few weeks, I've been catching myself sharing something similar over and over and thought it would be good to share it here. 

I've been encouraging people to dig some roots down into God. Here's what I mean:

Psalm 1 says - Blessed is the man that doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, or sits in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, or the word of God, and in his law, or word, he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree, planted by rivers of living water, bringing forth fruit in it's season... (it's obviously my paraphrase)

A lot of people have problems in their life, and they need help. Sometimes, it's the same problem over and over and it's been that way for years. It may not be fair, but I feel like they are looking for me to pray, and the celestial magic wand is going to come out and everything is going to be perfect again. That does happen sometimes, by the way, so I don't mind praying!

But, here's what I think would really help people. 

I think they should get in the habit of every day, digging some roots down into God. When, they do that, take some time every day to pray, read the Bible, and to live what it says, it will produce fruit. Over time, it does something that is truly magical! Their life becomes more stable, more solid, more centred (couldn't help but shove in a good psychological buzzword), more grounded and rooted. And, they will be drawing strength off of a source that no one else can see. But, they will also start to produce fruit. Like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And, again, from a place that people don't readily see. 

The power to do it is available to us because of what Jesus has done. The question is, are we accessing it. 

Let's dig some roots down into God...

Every City Needs a Pastor

I just got an email from someone that I care about, and they are struggling with finding a church that they can connect in. They live far away from me, so there's not much that I can do except pray. 

Every city...

Should have ONE GUY...

that simply...

LOVES GOD, (above themselves or anyone else) 

LOVES the BIBLE (above any other teacher, movement, preacher, or denomination)

& LOVES PEOPLE... (all kinds, in all maturity levels, in all age groups)

It doesn't matter what the name on the door says, or the denomination or movement that they are in, these are the things that really matter...

Are you someone like that? 

I know a city that you could serve in. 

Lots of cities, actually...

Let's pray that the God of the Harvest would raise up WORKERS for the harvest fields...

An Important Parenting Concept: Especially for Parents of Young Children | Ron Edmondson

I found this really interesting and helpful. I haven't posted much on parenting or being a Dad, but this would go into that category...

An Important Parenting Concept: Especially for Parents of Young Children | Ron Edmondson.

Let Them Be Little Video

My father in law in Florida sent this to me. This one goes under the fatherhood category, and it's a great reminder. 

He saw Billy Dean at the Florida Folk Festival and loved his songs and told me there was a wonderful moment as he was singing. 

This video is from a performance he did at Saddleback church. Check it out and let me know what you think...

 

Encouragement for Evangelism

Sometimes, I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming when I start to think about what's happening around Calvary Ottawa. Last Tuesday, I didn't make it to 2pm in the afternoon and I had already heard of 4 different people sharing the good news of Jesus with 6 different people in 4 different places just that day. 

And, then I got this email from Angela who isn't even one of the 4 I mentioned earlier. I asked her if I could post it here because I would want you to hear this story if we went for coffee. She just sent me a version that I could post. Be encouraged!

We talk a lot about being intentional to share about Christ with our friends but sometimes I find it hard to translate that into practice. I just wanted to take a few minutes to share a story about my evening last night in hopes that it might encourage you and inspire you to see new and creative ways that we can be intentional in being a light to our very lost generation.

As you probably know, I've gotten really involved on 2 swing dance teams this year which has given me the opportunity to build some deeper relationships with many people who do not know Christ. Last night we had our swing teams Christmas party and it was one of the first times I've really had to sit and talk with a lot of the teammates while not being interrupted to constantly dance. I was nervous about going to the party in the first place because I knew there would be a lot of drinking, but I covered it in prayer before I went and asked God to open doors for me to share Christ with my teammates.

A question I starting asking the people around me was "Aside from dance, what are you really passionate about?" I had one friend tell me about his passion for music and then pose the same question to me! As I thought through in my mind the things I am passionate about, it was a clear answer to me, and I was ready to bring up spiritual things - it was like jumping into the deep end of a pool!

"Actually, I am really passionate about my job, and more specifically, exploring spiritual things." My friend was surprised and intrigued by my answer, and invited me to explain more. "Well, when I was in university, I started exploring spiritual things, and I was absolutely transformed by what I discovered in a relationship with God." His eyes widened, but not in a condescending way... I saw respect, curiosity, and intrigue behind his expression. I shared with him about how my temporary highs when I was younger never fully satisfied my cravings for love, purpose, and acceptance. We were soon interrupted by a drunken distraction, but this friend now knows I am for real, and I plan to pursue this topic with him again.

I was also talking with another friend who asked about what I do, and I shared that I love being a spiritual resource to students on campus, and helping them find lasting satisfaction to their cravings through God. I was able to share part of my testimony. Friend #2 opened up about his own past and negative experience in the church, and the legalism and politics that turned him off. As I shared about my own experience, I painted a clear contrast for him the difference between the religion he observed growing up vs. a real relationship that I have in knowing God today. He was intrigued. So much so that when we were interrupted by someone, Friend #2 brought the topic up again later. I could see him mulling it around in his head and he admitted he was looking for some connection to spiritual things but was confused and unsure of what that looked like. He even asked about the church I go to and I plan to invite him out in the future.

As I looked around the room, people were getting smashed and talking about superficial things. I could see that the meaningful discussions I was having with some people was in sharp contrast to the content around the room, but I think my friends appreciated it!

I also got to talk to a female friend. As I asked investigative questions about her life, I could see her respect and trust in me was growing. As I talked more with her, asking about her aspirations, desire for a family, for children, for a career, etc. she opened up about her struggles with rejection. I could see in her a longing and craving for acceptance, and we are making plans to meet up one-on-one for coffee to talk more about her craving for acceptance hopefully this week. I am excited to hear more about her experience and share with her how God actually desires to meet that need in her life.

I wanted to share some of these stories with you because:

a) Please pray for me and my friends. Pray for more opportunities to share Christ in a meaningful way and to know which teammates are seeking God the most!

b) I had to go out of my comfort zone (a very drunken party!) to enter into the "comfort zone" of my friends, and these were some of the most meaningful conversations I have had with them. If we just stay where everything is moral and safe (ie: in church), we can't expect people who don't know Christ to come to us. I was amazed at how much more people were willing to listen to me when I had become "one-of-them". I took initiative to join their swing teams, to go to their party, and to be a part of their lives. There is relationship there, and they felt safe opening up to me.

c) "Becoming one-of-them" does not mean I participated in the drunkenness. I was able to abstain from the drunkeness and other inappropriate behaviour without making them feel condemned. I think that is key. If I was parading around the party like a self-righteous vigil-anti, my friends would have labelled me a bible thumper and not have been vulnerable with me. Some christians tell me I have to have at least one drink to show non-christians I am not judging them. However, I didn't have any alcohol, but I didn't see it bother a single person. When my friends offered me, I made a joke about it, and said things like "oh, no, I am walking home tonight!" and they laughed rather than feeling condemned. My biggest pet peeve is when a christian says "oh I don't drink because I'm Christian" - to a non-believer, all that communicates is a gospel of legalism and that christianity = following a list of rules. Instead, even though I personally don't drink, I always want to point my friends to a Gospel of grace, so I never link my reason for not drinking to a rule.

d) Sometimes we are afraid to bring up spiritual things or talk about our faith in Christ because it's taboo or people will not think its cool. I have to say, my experience was the opposite. I found my friends respected me more for being willing to go deep in a superficial world, and several of my friends looked up to me as "cool". The third friend I mentioned stayed by my side throughout the evening and told me that she envied my confidence and outgoingness. I took home 1st place in a (non-drinking) game, and danced up a swing dance storm. I felt valued and respected - even in the midst of many of them knowing I am passionate about God! Sharing about my relationship with God did not make me uncool or rejected, and if anything modeled for them a new notion of what it can look like to love and know God without being judgemental or condemning.

I had a really positive experience last night, and built a lot of relationships! I don't say all this to brag about how great I was, but as an opportunity to share my excitement in how God worked in my life when I was willing to step out in faith. I want to give all the glory to God!

I want to encourage you to do the same as well. What are some ways you could be intentional about building relationships with your non-Christian friends? What are some transitional questions you could ask to go deeper and potentially bring up spiritual things?Look for those opportunities or create them! Don't ever believe the lie that your friends don't want to think or talk about God... it's written all over their lives, and they just need help identifying that.

May God use us boldly to share His love with this deeply hurting world.

Your co-labourer in Christ,

Angela

Forgiveness Video

I saw this last week on All Pro Dad and it smoked me. I cried when I tried to tell the story, and I don't cry that often. 

It's 10 minutes, it's true, it's recent, and it's about a man, a father, a high-school football coach and the legacy he left his family and the town he lived in. 

If we went for coffee, I'd try to show it to you on my phone or something, especially if you were a guy.