Harper

The nerve of Harper mocking socialism in the house of commons. Lets bring him down with a peaceful coup you crazy liberal and NDP coalition.

Thoughts

I've been thinking of the Congo lately. Not romantic, sexy thoughts. Thoughts about people I met. People who live in a country where there is no stability in its structure. We talk about our nations economic troubles but what do we know?

How the desire of humans for wealth has absolutely ruined countries and lives.

what'cha gonna do with that lump?

I got a co-workers hammer to the side of the head today. I have one heck of a lump as a result. All in all it was a hilarious experience and I have learned that I am basically invincible to hammers.

So to answer my own question... I believe I will draw a face on my lump and name it Oprah.

Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day. Remembering is good I figure. We cannot simply walk blindly into the future if we want to change but we also can't live a life marked by bitterness, where we point the finger at the 'others' who were the cause of all the death and suffering we remember today. Our act of remembering must be an act that is rooted in our desire to move from violence and chaos to this place which God is drawing us to. A place of order. A place of peace.

I think that for the church Remembrance Day should be more than simply remembering the ills of the world. Remembering the 'sins of war driven heathens'. No. For us, the church, we must remember a time when a part of us became entangled with nationalism. A time where nation came before gospel. An act that resulted in many Christians supporting genocide rather than serving those who were being persecuted.

This danger of nationalism mingling with the church is probably something we need to remember. In a time when our economy is in threat. A time when 'terrorism' is a threat. How do we act? Are we orientated in such a way that when push comes to shove we act as members of the state or members of the church? We as the church must act as people of faith, marked by Kingdom things such as love and forgiveness. The humanity which is practiced and seen within the church is to be different than that of the world. We as the church are explicitly called to something much higher than simply trying to eke out a living in this world. We are called to be people who love God and others.

Miroslavian wisdom

"Inscribed on the very heart of God's grace is the rule that we can be its recipients only if we do not resist being made into its agents; what happens to us must be done by us. Having been embraced by God, we must make space for others in ourselves and invite them in - even our enemies. This is what we enact as we celebrate the Eucharist. In receiving Christ's broken body and spilled blood, we, in a sense, receive all those whom Christ received by suffering." (Miroslav Volf)

Voices

There sure are a lot of different voices out there. This morning a lady dropped off some JW publication at my home. I listened to some Foo Fighters. I listened to a some what disturbing Mark Driscoll sermon. Everybody's seems to know something, or everything.

I kind of hate that any loud idiot can be heard. We need to find good voices to listen to cause there is too much bull crap out there. Lets not exchange the Dylans and the Barths for the Kroegers and the Driscolls.

The church

The last few days have involved many good moments of being with people. Of being part of the church and being reminded of how I am a part of such a good little community.

A cozzy haven

I went for a bike ride today to pick up some green tea because that is what faux hippies do. I on the way to get some tea I made a detour to see if the coffee shop/pastry hut by my house was open, which it was. Needless to say I never made it to get tea. Instead I sat around and had some delicious tea and some form of apple dessert... the name of the dessert doesn't matter because it was delicious. They also had some kick ass looking cheese cake. The type of cheese cake that
could take Chuck Norris in a fight it is so good.

So I encourage you all to check out the Pastry Castle


Then upon getting home I read some John Howard Yoder..... "To follow after Christ is not simply to learn from him, but also to share his destiny."

So wise Mr. Yoder.

Starbucks

I went to Starbucks today after picking up some lunch material for work (bread and oranges, you know the basics). The lady who served me was deaf which was no problem due to the paper where I was to write down my order. The problem occurred though when I got my drink as I wasn't sure of how to say thank you at all. I ended up giving her a smile, which now a days could probably be taken as some form of sexual harassment.

Groove

Helping the Rev. Pastor Erik Anderson, with this series at church on the outward disciplines has been a good time so far, I have to say. I think I have found a small groove that works with me in this point in life in regards to preparation.

It has so far been working to get to a certain place by Saturday night, then wake up Sunday morning 6:30ish and put the finishing touches on. It has been inspired by the great Edmund Neufeld and so far proven not to be Tom Foolery.

Right on.

Silence

Last Sunday in church a dude spoke to us on silence. I remember he talked about turning off the radio in his car and how that is a place where he is able to find time for silence. I find it hilarious that a few days after this someone broke into my car and took the faceplate off my stereo. Besides the initial shock of, "Who steals a faceplate? They must be really hard up for cash if that is all they took, for it is so valuable alone." (that is sarcastic).

I guess I will just role with this forced silence.

When in Rome.

Get off my back

So apparently I need to blog because a certain Rob H.... no wait, R Horsley is getting pissed. Don't worry Rob I am not dead



I have been reading a book called "The Politics of Jesus" by John Howard Yoder. I am not very far into it yet but it reminds me of how people are attracted to extremes. Jesus was either about spiritual renovation or Jesus was about some political movement. These two extremes have battled against and will continue to. Then this two extremes reminds me of what a prof once said. What he said was basically that there is tension in a lot of things as Christians, there are times when we cannot accept either extreme but that in faith we must rest in that place of tension.

Yes, Jesus taught and lived in a spiritual manner and yes, Jesus was political in a way. Jesus is complex and it is good to know that there is much to our Lord.

The Greatest Movie Ever

What is better than Vikings going around waring? How about Vikings fighting an alien monster?

Baptism

"Jesus' Baptism anticipated his death on the Cross, and the heavenly voice proclaimed an anticipation of the Resurrection. These anticipations have now become reality. John's baptism with water has received its full meaning through the Baptism of Jesus' own life and death. To accept the invitation to be baptized now means to go to the place of Jesus' Baptism. It is to go where he identifies himself with us and to receive there our identification with him. The point where he anticipates death has now become the point where we anticipate rising again with him."
-Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth

I first read these words a couple weeks ago while I was in a car driving back to my beloved Winnipeg with some good dudes. In many ways these words on baptism are highly complex, loaded with much theology, but at the same time there is something profoundly simple about them. Through baptism Christ has identified himself with us and through baptism we accept this identifying with us. It is a beautiful thing to hear that God loves humanity enough to identify with her. In identifying with humanity Christ takes on death and arises as victorious. I look forward to the day when we will rise with Christ. I am sick of people dying of things like cancer. I have a strong longing for that day when the mystery of the Kingdom of God and this resurrection that is promised comes to be reality rather than mysterious promise.

nail guns and personal salvation

Today as I pulled up to the site, prepared for a good day of setting up some forms and pouring a grade beam, I was instantly disappointed to see a coworker with a bucket removing water from where we were to be working. It was the start of a bruce-hole of a day.

My day involved mud, a nail gun that doesn't work, the inability to hit a nail in straight, and many other frustrations.

As I reflect on the parable of the sower (which I need to finish a paper for) I think that I am not a seed on rock. My bruce-hole of a day and the temptation to leave all I know for the sake of a cursed nail gun ended with me still being a Christian. I guess I am still a disciple. Thank God it is over for today.

My new ride

In an effort to live a simpler life, to leave less of a footprint, and to promote an alternative reality to the oil soaked North American reality I am trying to ride my bicycle as much as possible. I still need my car for work but weekends and evenings are bike time.

I have my bike all ready to go. New tires (tyres?), a helmet (I figure if I have paid this much for education I should probably protect my brain), a tire pump (no use in have new tires if they don't have air in them), and a lock (keep your hands off my smurf blue Sekine). I have also decided that my bike shall be called Papa Smurf. It is old and blue, and possibly a bit too small.

Part of my post Haiti thoughts have been about the pace of life we live and our feelings that a car is practically a human right. Don't get me wrong I love ambulances and fire trucks and the fact that little kids can be driven around on cold winter days. Haiti reminded me that it is very possible for people to exist with out cars. I'm not romanticizing Haiti, I'm not saying it is a utopia but I think there is a simplicity that is closer to the heart of the gospel than what we have.

I heard on the radio that the US consumes 1.2 Billion litres of gas (most likely gas, diesel, and all their weird ass cousins) a day. Mind you that most likely includes military, navy, and all those things but seriously? We should probably be a bit less consumptive. The hilarious thing is that few people will change their petrol spending despite stupid high prices. We are slaves to our cars.

Me, I have a new life partner in my Sekine. He loves me. I love him. And I probably look damn sexy riding it too.

Rain

A 6:30 am call to say its a rain day is a good thing. The only logical thing to do is stay awake listening to Bob Dylan and read some Brueggemann.

Excellent

If I was to exercise

Rush

I saw Rush play at the MTS Centre tonight. It was incredible. Great music, hilarious videos, lasers, pyrotechnics, and boomers acting like they are in high school again. Not to mention the Rickenbacker even made an appearance.

I do not understand how they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sabbath

I have been thinking about sabbath a lot this last week. There is a definate lack of answers to my questions but I do have the feeling that the sabbath is far more significant and potentially life changing than we (average white evangelcials) give it credit for.

I'm back

I just got back from Haiti a little while ago. It was a good experience with some thoughts that will most likely have long term benefits.

I must sleep.

Haiti

In about a week I will be in Haiti with some folks church. I am excited to see Hait, it is a place I have wanted to see and experience for a long time. The fact that I am going with great people also makes this drip even more exciting.

It wil be interesting to see how God works in the lives of us who are going and from there in the little church we call home.

Not to mention that next week the high are all in the region of 33 (celcius, that is). So much better than the snow we had today.

So late

I need to get up in like 5.5 hours for work. Someone has to expand suburbia I suppose. And then after work I need to write a paper, my second last paper of my Providence career.

Staying up 'late' to watch Samuel L. Jackson is always worth it though, especially if there are snakes on a plane or a slightly crazy blues man in the film.

Those crazy Brits

I says pardon?

Graduation

I'm all graduated now. I figure I am now in the same league as these "Masters of the Universe" that He Man hangs out with.

All I can say about graduation is that I am very thankful they no longer have the college and seminaries graduations together. One hour in a hot stuffy room is a lot shorter than three hours in a hot stuffy room.

Wisdom of the dude

Life is like bowling.

Strikes and gutters.

My Theory

I have a theory. It is about places that have rules that say things like, "No hats" or "No athletic wear" or "No white sneakers." I have been in two places with these ridiculous rules in the last month and as a result of the fact that everyone in these places were white and clearly not poor I have come up with the following theory.

A rich white man buys a pool hall and then gives it a makeover. This rich white guy opens his pool hall giving it some name like, oh lets say, Luxalune. Now this rich white guy makes up a rule that says you are not allowed to wear hats. He understands that people as far as he understands them do not want to be around people who are not rich white people, like himself. So he puts in to place this rule to discourage people, such as large categories of people who listen to rap music and choose a certain style of dress, from entering his establishment. You see, this rich white guy realizes that other rich white people have money and will shell out cash to play pool and drink in a safe white rich white guy shelter. A shelter that is safe from 'gangsters' and 'poor people' and 'people who are not white'

So this is my theory. People control who enters their establishment by enforcing rules. I love that Jesus did not have rules about who could associate with him. Jesus was nothing like rich white business men. You may say I am jumping to conclusions but I don't buy that.

I cannot stand this sense of elitism. I would rather hang out with a someone who lives in a little dirty room at some sort of boarding home than hangout in the presence of people who think they are better than others.

Places like Luxalune are not a picture of the Kingdom of God, places like Siloam mission where people serve others and talk about wrestling with people they have just met are pictures of the Kingdom.

So Mr. Rich White Guy who owns Luxalune, I will keep my six dollars and you keep your beer. I will keep my clean conscious and you keep your predictable clientele.

Easter

Nothing like a friggin' sweet guitar solo to remind you of how awesome the resurrection is. While a guitar solo inspires awe the reality the Christ was not bound to the grave inspires so much more awe.

Justice

So Jesus said that the poor would always be with us. I was reflecting on this idea and how in ways it could quite possibly slap the human understanding of retributive and reparation justice in the face. This idea of doing justice because there is a 'norm' to the world, that there is a balance we must achieve seems faulty in light of Jesus' comment that the poor will always be with us. For if the poor will always be with us there is no hope of bringing about this balance, this norm.

Don't get me wrong, I think it is horribly wrong that there are children who go to bed hungry and will later die because they don't have food. I think it is wrong that mothers will lie dying of a disease knowing there is no one to care for her children. I think it is wrong that in the name of justice people kill to restore this elusive thing known as justice.

My point, is that yes, we feed those who are starving. Yes, we care for orphans and widows and whoever else is around us suffering as a result of our broken world. BUT, we do not do these things because we believe we will bring about a balance, it is not to establish something. The one who will establish justice is God. It is our heavenly Father. At the time when the kingdom is fully known and made present there will be justice that is so perfect we cannot fathom it now. And so for now let us love God and others. Let the world know we are Christians because we, who are make up the body of Christ, love others despite the reality that we ourselves will never bring about a world of justice.

A Post For Erik

"The religion that Americans (and the victims of Western secularism around the world) are turning their backs on is not the dynamic equivalent of the faith that turned the first-century world upside-down."
-Charles Kraft

Oh, what a Powerbomb Mr. Kraft gives us. So here we are in 2008 and the church definitely seems different that what we read about in Acts. I know... that was then, this is now, of course we should be different. After all, we have oil and democracy. So there are some differences in forms but should there really be such a big difference in terms of impact (generally speaking)? Don't get me wrong there are plenty of good things happening within the church but there are plenty of horrid things. People forget that those who are being tortured in the name of 'freedom' are humans that we are called to love. People have lost faith in this community called the body of Christ, although plenty of people still like the idea of Jesus.

Perhaps we, the church, need some good theology to kick us in the ass. Encouraging, challenging, and convicting us. To follow Christ cannot be some passive thing. We must think, listen, look, read, speak, love. I think that is something we in North America have forgotten, and perhaps that is one of the reasons we here are not having the same type of impact as those in the past. After all, they will know we are Christians by our love.

Weather warning

It is supposed to get up to 4 degrees today, you heard me 4, and we are talking Celsius. I'm going to lather on some SPF 45 to keep from burning up.

The looming future

It is my birthday in just over a month and I figure I am having a midlife crisis (that is right I only plan on living to be 50). I was thinking about what I have done with life and it is sort of funny. I have succeeded in blowing away all of the expectations good old fashion family tv puts on a young adult. I'm still in school, I don't have a real job, definitely not married, I pretty darn sure I don't have any kids. Well I have Logan he is practically like my son with his ageless face. He will be laughing in 20 years.

I figure a successful life is all relative. If I compare myself to The Dude and use that as my standard of success I think I am doing pretty good. My bowling game is lacking though, perhaps that is why I am going bowling for my birthday?

The Dude is my anchor in terms of success and I am happy with that. I don't want to end up being Walter after all.

Revolution! I am the walrus.

My life

What is your dream?

I have never heard this whole speech until today. Martin Luther King's words are such words of the kingdom of God. Words that long for and predict the kingdom of God. "Let freedom reign". How can someone not love these words.

The interesting thing is that Martin Luther King is not saying we have to simply wait for this freedom. It is not something that will eventually come on its own. Freedom is something we need to let happen. Actively and passively we stand in its way.

I cannot help but think of Winnipeg when I hear this. I cannot help but think of the racial inequality that still exists in this world, that exists in my beloved Winnipeg.

Belts

Whats the deal with yuppies and belts. I wish I had a gut (or a tummy perhaps) so that I could properly rebel against these former dudes who stand outside Starbucks on Broadway. Coffee in hand, slacks firmly held in place, hair clean and groomed, and pants that somehow don't have wrinkles.

I don't get these people. Don't they remember the freedom of dirty, shaggy hair and sweat pants? Can they really be happy?

I'm assuming they go home and cry a little at the fact they have sold out to the man. Oh, those former dudes who have lost all sense of freedom. Perhaps one day they will again pump the Mega Deth and relax in some pants that have a draw string.

Wisdom from Saint Norbert of Langside

A wise prophet once wrote...

"As my hair gets longer and longer, I realize that people with short hair have it rough...
I mean, who doesn't love the feeling of running their fingers through beautiful locks of perfect harmony? Who enjoys dancing more I ask you, the short haired brute, or the long haired free-thinking creatively passionate psychedelic folk hero/legend? -which is obviously me by the way...

Who can side with the ridiculous militantly short haired bike rider. Look at you, your so organized, so put together, what a joke! I wonder if people with short hair think that they somehow have it better. What idiots. Have they ever felt the wind in their hair from the seat of a classy bicycle? Clearly they just want to please their mothers and fathers, maybe it's a Freudian thing.... I say to all those lame asses out there GROW IT OUT.
I'm sure someday I will cut my un washed, perfectly clean, amazingly sexy mat of good natured hair. That time will come, but I, unlike you short haired lifers, will have earned the choice. You will only ever be a machine, a cog in the mighty wheel of society! You capitalists! -just thought I'd throw that in there for good measure..."


So wise.

Forsaken!

Boo yeah

Community of Invitation

I was pondering today the church as a community of invitation. A community that follows the example of Jesus Christ by inviting people to something better. The words of Jesus to Peter and Andrew, "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!" (Matt. 4:19) The response of Peter and Andrew to this invitation is one of obedience. They simply leave their nets and follow. A simple response to a seemingly simple invitation. There is also an invitation from Jesus to his disciples which invites them to partake of bread and wine. Another seemingly simple invitation that invites the disciples to something that is bigger than themselves. The response of the disciples is the simple act of obedience.

From what I can tell there is something profoundly power in this simple invitation. Christ invites people to himself in a very unhuman manner, it is an invitation from the other. Christ's invitation does not contain requirements. It is not, "Better yourself and follow me" or "Acknowledge your faults and follow me." Christ simply invites his disciples to follow him, to eat with him, to partake of something better and bigger than themselves. I think that there is something the church should glean from this.

I'm thinking the church probably needs to be a community of invitation. A community that invites people to dinner, to relationships, to the Body of Christ. Regardless of where people are at. Do we demand people to be perfect and then invite them? Or, is it after this invitation to this life that is better, that is more than the individual, that people encounter God and then learn of themselves? The gospel is profoundly good and perhaps we should spent more time inviting people to this, and I'm thinking this invitation probably looks a bit different than an altar call.

Oh the wonders of stuff

So lately I have been thinking. That isn't anything to special in itself. But what is special is the topic of my ponderings. I have been thinking a lot lately about obedience. Obedience to God, obedience to Christ who calls us to follow him. I have a feeling that we (Western Evangelicals) forget about this thing called obedience. We probably speak a little too much about faith, particularly personal faith. Now don't get me wrong I think faith is something that is important, in fact necessary, but I think obedience is also necessary. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it sort of like this....

We often talk about the faithful being obedient but we need to remember that it is also the obedient who are faithful.

To say that obedience is simply a byproduct of faith seems to miss a large part of the gospels. I don't know. There are much wiser people who have thought about this and written on it. I look forward to reading more and studying more about this.

Old Maurice

Man, do I love Paul Maurice. What a classy coach. He clearly puts his heart into coaching. The Leafs are lucky to have him.