People Watching

As I write this I am sipping on a cup of Breakfast Blend coffee from Timothy’s World Coffee at Fairview Mall.  They have a few chairs and tables set up in a patio style right in the middle of the main level floor.  Without really listening it is easy to hear the conversations of many people.  People everywhere, whether they are walking by or seated at a nearby table, are engaged in conversation.  Actually, as I more actively pay attention to my surroundings I have noticed that only one other man aside from myself is not speaking to anyone.   

Now, as I really pay attention (though not eavesdropping) I hear people speaking in all sorts of languages.  Most are speaking in English, many are speaking in some other colourful and beautiful language.  Though I am being careful not to hear the content of these numerous conversations, it is plain to see that everyone has plenty to say.  All of the words and bursts of laughter and shouts that express the emotions felt by all of these people have come together to create a beautiful ambiance.

Imagine what it would be like if all of these voices were praises to God.

Imagine what it would be like if all of these people had experienced the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Imagine what it would be like if everyone was told and accepted by faith the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?  Though I loved the sound of languages and expressed emotions, it hurts me that many of these people have likely never had the Gospel shared with them.

If you are a true follower of Jesus then it is your responsibility to be sharing about your faith in the true risen Saviour.  Jesus clearly instructs his followers when he speaks at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

How closely have you been following Christ’s call for his followers?

I’m prayin’ for ya,

Dave

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I love to take pictures. There is something that is totally enjoyable about heading out with my camera with one goal in mind: to bring home at least one captivating image.

One of the reasons people love to look at great pictures is because they can produce a variety of emotions, thoughts, and memories. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words!”

The Bible is is full of amazing pictures. 

True, they may only be word pictures, but they build intricate and colorful images of God’s glory and majesty in our minds and imaginations.  

During a quiet moment this week, I returned to Isaiah 6 and was on both an emotional and practical level affected by the image—the picture—that Isaiah painted. It was filled with the beauty of God’s holy majesty set against my frailty as a member of sinful humanity. This vivid picture caused me to worship our loving and mighty God with greater passion, especially when I pondered it in light of Romans 5 which says, ”God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Here’s my encouragement to you this week: while reading the scriptures in your personal quiet time, allow the word pictures you find there to deeply touch your heart, mind and actions. Don’t rush. Dwell and observe. A picture is worth a thousand words!




Blessings!
Alan

Everyday heroes!

Super Hero?????

You hardly ever watch the news on TV without hearing about someone who did some courageous act and is now a "hero." Undoubtedly, some truly are heros. But for others, it really is stretching the definition. Certainly, everyone called a hero expresses some courage in the face of trauma--but is it only courage that defines a hero as seems to be advocated by modern media? For instance, the man who faces a would-be robber and refuses to give up his money sure has courage, but he's offered up something precious and eternal (his own life) for something insignificant and temporal (money). He sure is brave...but a hero?

I got to wondering how I define what a hero is. I think I agree with Charles Colson who suggests that a perfect expression of heroism is a person who courageously imitates Christ. Courage to face a difficult situation does not make a hero unless the courageous devotion is to what is is ultimately good, true and eternal...all virtues of Christ.

I'm sure there's more to it than this, but if this is the definition of hero, then I've known a lot of heroes! None of whom ever made it into a TV news report. 

For what it's worth...

"What Goes Up, Must Come Down...

...spinning wheel, got to go round."  This is the song I began to whistle as I watched a frustrated driver attempt to drive off of a patch of ice yesterday morning.

Behind the church there is an alleyway which provides access to the garages of residents who live on Gough Ave.  I am able to see this alley way and some of the garage doors from my office window.  When I arrived early Tuesday morning, a time of the day when my office is almost silent, I heard a high-pitched whirring sound and several yelling voices.  Immediately I recognized the sound I was hearing: spinning wheels.

Sure enough as I looked out my window I saw the stuck vehicle.  

As I continued to watch I gained a better understanding of the situation.  The driver was trying to get out of her garage when here front wheels became caught in an icy rut. 

The yelling was provided by three men who were all certain they knew exactly what was necessary to get out of this slippery situation.  After about 5-minutes of confusion, another man walked up to the car and asked if he could get behind the wheel.  Ten seconds later the car was freed from it's icy prison.

I cannot help but think how frighteningly familiar this occurrence was.  Sure, I've been stuck in the snow before, but that's not exactly what I mean...

Every day we are bombarded with dozen (hundreds, thousands..?) of "self-help" messages by "experts" who clutter our minds with what seem to be helpful bits of advice.  The men who were shouting and trying to "help" the stranded driver reminded me of these so called "self-help experts".  They confidently gave directions and when nothing worked they simply walked away.  

What really struck me was the man who got behind the wheel.  He actually knew what had to be done.  He was able to free the woman and her vehicle.  He offered true help.  A comforting Psalm came to mind:

"Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me

and set me free."

                                                                        - Psalm 118:5 (ESV)

How often are we spiritually "stuck" in our lives?  I know I get stuck a lot.  We must call on the One who can truly help get us unstuck.  We must call on the LORD and trust that he is able to free us when we are "stuck".

What do you do when you're feeling stuck?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Bless ya,

Dave

P.S.  Here are some helpful winter driving tips...click HERE.

Love for All, Hate for None

So read the bumper sticker of the car that I followed to work last Thursday.  There right in front of me, in just a few words was a profound statement.   It was of course a reflection of the vehicle owner’s worldview.  I wondered about how possessing that worldview affected the driver’s life.  I was so curious I sped up a little just to have a quick glance into the car to see who was driving expecting I would uncover more insight but it was to no avail.  There were no other messages just a young, professionally dressed man apparently on his way in to the downtown core.

This started me to think about what kind of bumper sticker I should have on my mini-van.  If the Apostle Paul was alive, maybe he would have had something like “Chief Sinner” (1 Tim. 1:16), “To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil 1:21), or “I know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).  Unfortunately, I couldn’t come up with anything so pithy during my commute but I’ve started to work on it.   Maybe if it’s good enough I can get it printed on a t-shirt to stimulate conversation with strangers.

Okay, kidding aside I think we can all agree that it probably is a good idea to ask the question “What am I all about?”  Especially when sooner or later we'll be asked.

What would you say?

Pastor Gary

The Science of Happiness.

This is interesting! A Harvard University psychology professor studied the science of happiness. I guess the idea was to find out what makes us happy so we can predictably repeat it. Among the findings is that we greatly overestimate the things we think will make us happy.

For instance, we think a new car will make us intensely happy and that it will last a long time only to find out it didn’t make us as happy as we thought, nor did it last as long as we thought. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!

As it turns out, pursuing the things we think will make us happy may not add much to our lives. I guess this is part of what motivated Jesus to say, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV). Seeking God’s best, instead of our perceived happiness, allows us to follow a higher standard which doesn’t change even when our feelings about what makes us happy do!

And once again, science validates the Bible! Very interesting.

Haircuts and Missed Opporunities

I don't like getting my hair cut.  There are a number of reasons why, but the main one is that when I leave I am rarely satisfied.  If you're reading this, then there is a good chance you have seen me before and might be saying that there is nothing special about my hair.  You're right.  It's pretty basic.  Yet, when I leave the barber shop I feel like I should have had a little more taken off the top, trimmed the sides shorter, etc.  This happens because I don't speak up when they ask me how I'd like it to be cut.  When asked how I'd like my hair to be cut I usually jokingly respond 'shorter'.  They think I'm kidding but the truth is I do want it shorter but don't know how to be specific or detailed.  That is why I am rarely satisfied when I see my reflection in the rear view mirror as I drive out of the parking lot.  It's too late.  I've missed my chance.  I'll have to wait for my next cut.

Now, I know it's just a haircut and that I will be going back for another cut in a months time.  It's not really a big deal and I will have a chance to try and explain better next time around.

But what about the times when we miss opportunities to share about our faith because we don't know what to say?

A few weeks ago I was driving home from hockey with a non-Christian friend.  We began talking about the Discovery Channel and a T.V. special he had watched about the ocean.  He was telling me about how incredible wildlife creatures are and how mysterious the ocean floor is and then went on to say that it's hard to believe that everything came to be "by some big explosion in space that happened a billion years ago".  "Yeah.  It is pretty crazy," was my response.

The results of not knowing what to say to my barber is far less important than my pathetic response to my friend's observation.  He provided me with an opportunity to bring the scriptural account of creation into the conversation and I didn't.  The Leafs scored (we were listening to the game on the radio), the conversation change to their losing streak and the opportunity was gone. I missed it.

I might get another chance to share my beliefs on the God who created our incredible planet.  I'll have to wait and see.  I should have been prepared in that moment.  I should have known what to say.  It is more serious than a bad haircut.

Are you prepared to make the best of an opportunity like the one I missed?

I'm praying for ya.  Please pray for me, too.

Dave