Alone!

Ok...so I just read my blog on "summer slowdown" from July 7 (have you?) and now my summer vacation time has arrived!!

Summer vacation!  Just the words have a nice ring. Through the courtesy of the "post-dated post" option, I'll be away on vacation when this blog is actually posted. Cool!

As I retreat from normal activities for a time, I take comfort in the fact that even Jesus had some mini-vacations along the way: "After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray." (Mark 6:46)  King James says "there he was alone."  Jesus did this several times...I looked them up!

Mountainside...prayer...alone! Sounds like a good strategic plan for at least some of my summertime vacation.  How about you?

Gotta go now?  Remember, I'm on vacation...

Dear God...

"Dear God, I'm trying hard to reach you.

Dear God, I see your face in all I do.

Sometimes, it's so hard to believe it.

But God, I know you have your reasons." 

These words, which make up the introduction and chorus to the song 'Dear God 2.0' by The Roots feat. Monsters of Folk, hit me like a ton of bricks when I heard them for the first time last week.  I have felt this way before.  I have felt frustrated and agitated and have been inquisitive like this before.  I have prayed prayers like this.

The Roots have been one of the most influential and innovative secular hip hop groups to hit the music scene in the last 25 years.  It amazes and encourages me that a group of musicians who are at the top of the music charts are including deep thoughts like this in their message.  So often do artists rely on catchy yet meaningless words to catch the ears of listeners.  Here, however, The Roots are reflecting on thoughts and asking questions that have struck a chord with the feelings I am certain many Christians have had.  I know I have.

"Be agitated and do not sin;

Ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord."

- Psalms 4:4-5 (ESV)

Let us be encouraged by these words when we are frustrated and searching.  Rest in our Creator's promise, because even when we feel this way He will show up in places we least expect him to...like in the chorus of a hip hop track!

Grace & Peace,

Dave

A Minister of Grace

We celebrated the Lord’s Supper as a church family this past Sunday.  Not sure why but as I was receiving the elements from one of our servers the phrase “minister of grace” came to mind.  With my hands I received symbols meant to remind of God’s grace in Christ.  Something given to me freely.  Something that makes me smile, feel loved, secure and at peace. Yet also something that I did not or could not earn – I’ve tried. 

As I began to think about this idea more I asked myself “Do I live my life as a minister of grace?”  Do I serve symbols of grace to others just like the server did for me this past Sunday?  Do I dispense happiness?  Do I give love freely or with requirements?  Do I provide a sense of safety for others?  Do I speak words of peace?   

Just as the elements are symbols of God’s grace in Christ, my life can be.  I can be.  We can be.   Ministers of grace.  Something about that seems so right.   What do you think?

Gary 

If you want to hear an inspiring version of the song - Amazing Grace check this link out- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg

Summer slowdown...

     Ok, so maybe I'm slow (no comments please)! The other day I tried to start my motorcycle to go for a "mental health" break (how's that for justifying?) but the engine wouldn't start. Totally dead! 

     Now, I've got enough mechanical skills to figure this out: dead battery, bad wiring, no gas. The usual suspects. Only this time, everything is good: battery, wiring, gas.  What gives?

     Men don't ask for help too quickly and I'm true to my kind. So I step back and contemplate the situation in solitude for a minute or two (of course, while trying to hide my problem from onlookers). Then it comes to me...along with the requisite smack on the forehead that seems to come naturally with these "aha" moments.  The kill switch is turned on! The engine can't start when the kill switch is on...that's why it's there, so the engine won't start.  And it's the first place to look when the engine is dead.

   

     Looking around to cover my embarrassment in case anyone was watching, I started the engine and took off faster than I might normally.  You understand!

      Now, not everything in life generates a Bible lesson, but this one did. It got me thinking about Psalm 119:105 and my need to slow down, step back and contemplate life's situations. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." My current ways ("my feet") need some illumination as does the way I should go ("my path"). Both my way and my direction require a little reflection in order to go in good directions. And God's word does both.

     Maybe a little summer slowdown might help me remember how to start a motorcycle...and reflect on my feet and my way a bit more.   For what it's worth...

La Belle Province!

For the last 5 days I have had the opportunity to enjoy the City of Montreal, Quebec, which is where I am writing from. A national youth ministry conference has more than accomplished its task of providing times for reflection, refreshment and worship and has lead to a rich and rewarding cultural experience.

I was very excited in the days leading up to my time in Montreal and I could barely wait for the different sights and sounds I would soon be seeing and hearing. However, when my wife and I entered the city I suddenly developed a sense of nervousness. The nervousness had nothing to do with the somewhat confusing highway system (although, Sandra would attest that this was the pinnacle of her uneasy feeling), but rather a worry that I wouldn’t be able to communicate with the people of our French province.

The French I learned in elementary school has long since been forgotten because I have been out of practice for several years, which has greatly affected my ability to truly submerge myself into this French-Canadian culture.

Is there something in your life which has been forgotten as a result of a lack of up keeping? Has it limited you from being able to communicate of fully understand something?
I encourage you to revisit a forgotten ability in attempt to appreciate the value it once had.

Bonne Chance!
 
Dave

"A Bad Day of Golf is..."

Yesterday, I was privileged to enjoy a day of fellowship and relaxation on the golf course. It was truly a great day to get away from the daily routine of life. Our Nisbet Lodge was able to raise a few more dollars which will help towards its redevelopment plan. Have you ever heard someone say that "a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work?”  Yesterday's outing would make it hard to disagree with that saying.

As I was on the course, it struck me how much I had been looking forward to spending time with the guys and enjoying the golf, and yet I had to ask myself the question, do get as excited and hold as much anticipation about "getting away" with the Lord. How about you and the things you enjoy doing?

I can tell you that the benefits of spending a little or extended periods of time on "get-a-ways with God" have proven to far outweigh any other "get-a-ways" that I have taken.

I just wanted to encourage you to begin or keep on intentionally planning these special times set apart from the routines of life, especially, during this upcoming summer season. They will be soul nurturing opportunities that will definitely strengthen your relationship with the heavenly Father.

I leave you with one of my favourite O.T. verses.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.


Alan 

Pastor of Family Life
Calvary Church, Toronto | AGC
416.466.3040 x 15

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