San Gregorio

Winter Beer

2011-01-23T20:31:00.003-06:00

Winter is great simply for the fact that it brings a variety of special beers that are only available during its bitter months. Today I am drinking a bottle of Muskoka Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout. This is an incredibly smooth beer, not bitter at all. There is the flavour of dark chocolate with just a hint of cranberry. And to top it off at 8% it keeps you nice and warm. So if you like chocolate I highly recommend this beer as accompanying dessert. Possible with some cake and followed by a cup of black coffee.

2010-07-15T21:55:00.001-05:00

"The path to Auschwitz was build by hatred but paved by indifference."

Bonhoeffer

2010-07-11T20:46:00.002-05:00

Reading Hauerwas on Bonhoeffer, forgot how much I love Bonhoeffer. So passionate about the church.

highlights from out west

2010-05-13T22:23:00.002-05:00

1. the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum

2. acquiring a ninja turtles hat

3. nice west coast architecture

4. the double down

5. cheap beer

6. the ocean

7. the realization that I need to live on a sail boat

8. Henry Weinhard's root beer

7. playing with an ipad

8. rowing at Cascade's

9. L'arche

10. green grass and trees

11. returning to Canada

12. the mass amount of ladies complimenting my old man sweater

Can't sleep

2010-03-13T02:45:00.001-06:00

Right on 2 am and I can't sleep... people and shaz. Well... might as well do some good old Radical Orthodoxy reading, Jesus time, etc...

Damn Wealth

2010-02-01T13:02:00.000-06:00

“I'll build heaven and call it home
'Cause you're all dead now
I live with my justice
I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy
I live with my frenzied feeding
I live with my hatred
I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion
That I don't need anyone but me”
-Don’t Drink The Water, Dave Matthews Band

I hate capitalism and wish it ill. Yesterday in Rona was an epiphany moment in regards to the evil(s) of our country. January 31 was the last day to purchase things for your home reno tax credit and as a result there were all sorts of people in Rona. The atmosphere almost made me vomit. On the one hand there were people who waited till the last hour of the last day and expected everything they wanted to be right there. Some lady who came in at 5:30 (we close at 6:00) was looking for some vinyl flooring she saw at another store and was freaking out because we didn't have it. Her teenage daughter who was clearly embarrassed by her mother asked, "Mom, why don't we just get it tomorrow?" The mother's angry response was in regards to the last day for the tax credit. I had two internal responses 1) Why do you have to be a bitch and 2) Why would you wait till you only had 30 minutes left and why wouldn't you go to the store where you know they had it? Capitalism breeds idiots.

But the thing that really got me was the people who came in casually and bought up thousands of dollars of flooring and had no concern for when they got it, dropping comments like "I don't even really need it I just want the tax credit." So many people had this attitude. I wanted to slap them and tell them that they should stop being such “selfish assholes”, donate some money to something like relief in Haiti and get some tax credit that way. I am pretty sure most people don't max that out on their tax forms (not that your tax for should dictate if you need to be donating money).

This is our society though. Despite being "democratic" we are far from the original vision of democracy when the idea was a society in which the voice of the people was heard and those people were cared for. No, our democracy feeds the few who have full bellies and expands their kingdoms all the while those within our own society and those outside of it with empty bellies remain hungry and their kingdoms continue to shrink. We are so driven by capital, by the possession of objects and money that life has become first about the individual. There is no communal vision.

The heart of our society is just like the voice expressed by my man Dave Matthews in Don’t Drink the Water. It is a voice of greed and self-expansion at the cost of others. It is a voice that has killed mercy and created some perverse version of justice based upon revenge. It is a hungry voice that is jealously hungering for more despite the cost of that food. Do we not see that our choice to spend a couple of thousand dollars on flooring that will reside in our basements for months means those who are really in need don’t receive that money? Our history of colonialism destroyed lives and cultures, creating countries that are impoverished and now we spend money on expanding our personal kingdoms (as opposed to our kingdom) instead of seeking to assist those which we have ruined.
The present situation of countries like the Congo are intimately tied to the West. Do we not get that we have blood on our hands and the longer we continue in this way of life the more blood we get on our hands? Do we forget that an earthquake has destroyed Haiti? That lives have been lost? Do we forget of the destruction that has occurred through storms and quakes? Do we forget the death and destruction that has occurred through human hands? Most likely the hardwood flooring purchased yesterday will remain in people’s memories much longer than Haiti.

Not only have I missed church multiple weeks in a row for work, and my employers continual inability to follow through on promises of Sundays off, but now I have participated in helping people spend ridiculous amounts of money on things which the majority of them, through their own confessions, do not even need. Now there is blood on my hands. I wish that it was simply mud on my palms but sadly they are covered in blood. Let your Kingdom come Father and end this bloody society for I don’t know of any escape from it except through your Kingdom. I am tiered of having blood on my hands.

The best theology ever?

2009-12-27T23:41:00.000-06:00

No... but probably not the worst ever.

Thanks Saskatchewan

2009-11-29T22:56:00.001-06:00

Now my faith has to rest entirely in The Maple Leafs to get my sports warm fuzzy feeling of the year.

It will be a cold year.

Hauerwas

2009-11-27T14:24:00.002-06:00

"Thefore, claims for the distinctiveness of the church, and thus Christian ethics, are not attempts to underwrite assumptions of superiority or Christian dominance. Rather they are meant to remind Christians of the radicalness of the gospel. For the gospel cannot be adequately summed up by appeals that we should love our neighbor as ourselves but is meant to transform us by teaching us to be God's peaceable people"
-Stanley Hauerwas The Peacable Kingdom

I think that we love this idea of loving our neighbor as ourself often for poor reasons, reasons separated from the rest of scripture. So often we use it as this sort of rule that if you are clever enough can be made to allow anything. "Well it is ok for me to do.... because it is in the name of love." It is as if truth is our own creation, coming out of our defining of love. What we believe love is cannot be questioned by others because it is our own creation of love. For love and truth are what we make them to be.

To this though I shake my head and extend my middle finger. We are called to be a part of God's kingdom. A community which is radical in nature because it follows Christ's picture of what love (kingdom love) is. Kingdom love is a love which forgives those who hate us and persecute us. Kingdom love is not something which acts with violence but seeks to bring reconciliation between people. Between people and creation. And between God and people.

As we seek to follow this picture of life as a community of people in God's 'not yet but yet now kingdom' we become storied people. We are storied by those around us as we together engage with God's narrative that is recorded in scripture. As we together engage with this narrative of God working in Israel and the early church the living God transforms us and speaks to us through the Spirit. Gradually we are being drawn from being independent beings who story themselves to being a community which is storied by God.

God calls us out of a place where we are violent individuals, seeking our own wills in the world, to be a peaceable kingdom seeking the will of God.

The Death of Hockey Night In Canada?

2009-11-24T13:00:00.002-06:00

Neil Pert of Rush is going to record a new version of The Hockey Theme. One of the greatest drummers to ever live playing the greatest hockey song ever. Dare I say Hockey Night In Canada has met its match? Yes.

Don't get me wrong CBC does have that real 'awesome' theme song that they play for a few seconds, a song that has little to no potential to last forty years. It sure helps that they play some 'sweet' Nickelback before it. Good on you CBC, real great decision to pass on that song. I am sure Neil Pert with rhythmically hammer in the nails on Hockey Night In Canada's coffin. Maybe Don Cherry can save us all.

Hauerwas

2009-11-21T12:26:00.002-06:00

I have been trying to plow some Stanely Hauerwas lately. My grand hopes of staying up late reading by the fire have not happened as planned. And sadly today I must write some papers for some Covenant Theology course. What a bummer.

Disappointing

2009-10-13T23:19:00.001-05:00

Come on Leafs. Seriously.

Words of wisdom

2009-09-20T02:40:00.001-05:00

"You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you won't serve the people."
-Cornel West

Mountains

2009-09-18T12:26:00.001-05:00

The mountains are definately the best part of alberta

A Return Churmmunity

2009-09-03T10:19:00.002-05:00

I figure as the church we are called to community. We are called to an existence where life is not just about the self, called to a life where life isn't even just about the self and God. I do not think we can remove the other from what God calls us to, from the Kingdom which the Spirit is nourishing.

Admittedly, as much as I believe that community is to be central to life I probably suck at community since I tend to be some form of ass. Moving to Calgary for eight months to be a part of a community has so far been good. The decision would have been much more difficult if it were to be longer than eight months. My little home of Faith Covenant Church is a good one. People there love God. They love others. They show it in different ways and we all take our turns at failing in regards to acting in a loving manner.

Being a part of FCC has been a blessing. I have seen the Spirit lead hearts to generosity. The Spirit has lead people to open their homes to the worlds poor, taking people into their home and calling them family. Many shared meals and drinks. To be part of a prophetic community which is declaring the failure of the state and giving pictures of the Kingdom at the same time is a good thing. I imagine that returning to her will be a joyous occasion.

Ironknee

2009-09-01T00:45:00.001-05:00

I live in Calgary. Now that is funny.

Churmmunity

2009-07-27T20:17:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking and reading a fair bit lately about church and community (hence 'churmmunity')

Good things. Good things indeed. I will have have to elaborate later. I must do some reading and watch House. Oh, how I love you Dr. Gregory House. And might I add that your name reeks of intelligence.

White people

2009-04-06T21:25:00.001-05:00

I am sitting in a coffee shop to take advantage of some free internet.... all I can say is that there are far too many assholes in the world.

I currently want to deliver a powerbomb to a racist old white bastard.

Assholes.

Ethics

2009-02-06T18:36:00.002-06:00

So I've been thinking about ethics lately. Being one of these crazy people who believes that there are rights and wrongs, things that are better and things that are worse.

Part of the problem with ethics is that we take ethics so damn personally. If I disagree with something there will be people take my disagreeing as a sort of personal attack. The church (and just people in general; I am just care more about the church than the rest of the world I guess) needs to learn how to actually discuss issues without being personally offended. We need to learn to listen to each other but also more importantly we need to learn to listen to God.

Ethics are not about making some in and some out. Ethics are not about division. Rather, ethics are about discovering God and God's ways. About discovering what it means to live according to God's ways.

Working Outdoors

2009-01-08T23:54:00.002-06:00

Despite the friggin' frigid cold Manitoban air I don't mind working outside for two reasons.

Reason #1 I can stop working, take off my tool belt and go pee. No need to walk 15-30 feet to get to the nearest bathroom.

Reason #2 my long lost friend the "farmer's blow". The most environmental and cost effective way to purge one's nose of mucus, which apparently is "cool" to do inside.

Harper

2008-12-02T07:08:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-18T21:02:00.002-06:00

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?

2008-11-15T00:30:00.002-06:00

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

2008-11-11T09:43:00.002-06:00

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

2008-10-26T22:49:00.002-05:00

"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

2008-10-25T12:03:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-21T20:42:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-19T21:52:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-17T17:56:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-17T07:22:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-16T08:26:00.003-05:00

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

2008-08-05T20:28:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-15T18:14:00.001-05:00

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

Baptism

2008-07-13T22:19:00.002-05:00

"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

2008-06-10T19:11:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-07T11:15:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-06T06:43:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-05T18:10:00.001-05:00

Rush

2008-05-25T00:18:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-21T22:01:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-19T23:10:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-29T00:19:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-19T20:16:00.000-05:00

I says pardon?

Graduation

2008-04-19T14:12:00.002-05:00

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

2008-04-10T22:31:00.001-05:00

Life is like bowling.

Strikes and gutters.

My Theory

2008-04-05T21:09:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-23T14:32:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-20T11:12:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-16T20:27:00.002-05:00

"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

2008-03-12T09:42:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-07T10:42:00.003-06:00

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

2008-03-04T22:56:00.001-06:00

What is your dream?

2008-02-18T22:10:00.002-06:00

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

2008-02-16T22:16:00.003-06:00

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

2008-02-06T11:26:00.000-06:00

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!

2008-01-27T00:50:00.001-06:00

Boo yeah

Community of Invitation

2008-01-24T00:03:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-16T00:14:00.000-06:00

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

2008-01-12T23:47:00.000-06:00

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

Whatever happened to this thing 'The Gospel'

2007-12-30T22:25:00.000-06:00

So I walked into my home to discover my brothers were watching 'Jesus Camp', luckily for me the movie was half done at that point. I sat down to join them in watching this film and I basically want to vomit over all of America. And so, as I sit here watching this film on Christianity in America (and I would argue not simply a few radicals) I ask myself, "What has happened to the Gospel? Where is it?"

They have this guy 'preaching' at these kids about abortion. Encouraging to scream out to God and 'plead by the blood of Christ' that abortion would be ended. Here is a suggestion, how about instead of looking to have laws changed and hope for an immediate miraculous healing of all social ills why don't we as Christians care for these women and men who seek abortions. Why don't we care for teenage mothers, for women with addictions, and for the other people who seek out abortions. There is far more to the gospel than simply demanding morality being legislated.

These kids are brainwashed with warfare language. They are regurgitating this language about being God's warriors who are waging war on the Devil. It is scary when Jr. Highs are talking about how they desire to be martyrs and how God it when people are willing to be martyrs. This glorification of martyrdom is disgusting. Do these white, suburbanite, Americans know many people who have lived through persecution, people who face death because of their faith? Do they even know people who come from countries where wars have happened, where they are happening?

Lets start reading the Bible again, free of political agendas. Let us start actually reading the Bible. Lets admit that America is not God's chosen nation. Lets admit that we are not the deliverers of salvation, that we are not the people who bring about the grace of God.

I wish that Dietrich Bonhoeffer were here today. I think he would seriously have some ball busting words for people.

Simply out of Duty

2007-12-29T16:56:00.000-06:00

I feel I should 'blog' because its been awhile but I do not really want to blog right now. I have like three papers due on Wednesday, and I didn't end up doing any work on them this last week. That is ok though because I spent time with family and skied.

The best part of my time in good old PA was definitely making a quinzhee and sleeping away my Christmas Eve night outside. It was warm and wonderful. Nothing like snuggling up with two other guys and waking up on Christmas morning outside. It should probably become a tradition.

I am very happy to be back in Winnipeg though. I missed by beloved city.

Conversion

2007-12-19T00:39:00.000-06:00

Due to a very interesting small group get together a few weeks ago I have been thinking about conversion and wanting to put my thoughts on the subject together in writing. So what follows is my 2 cents on the topic of conversion.

I dislike this idea of personal salvation, that you convert in order to get yourself to heaven. Whether people know it or not what they are really saying is that conversion is something you do to avoid hell. These messages that we hear about our need to repent of our sins to avoid hell rub me the wrong way. Why? Well, allow me to continue by saying that I think God has a will.

Now this notion of the will of God is not new, but I think it is central to our understanding of conversion and salvation. You see I believe that God desires to be our God, that God longs to be in a relationship with humans. The book of Exodus is one place in scripture where we are shown this will of God. God wants to be the God of Israel and he wants for them to be his people. While there are individuals involved in this it is not about individuals. It is about something greater than me or anyone else for it is about God's people, not God's person. And so, at the heart of my understanding of conversion is the belief that God desires to be in a specific relationship with humans.

In scripture we are taught that there is this thing called sin which has greatly affected our ability to be in relationship with God. Through the grace of God though we are once again called into His presence. Those that are unworthy are called by the Holy One to enter into a relationship. In Genesis God fashions proper clothing for Adam and Eve, replacing the clothing they had fashioned out of fig leaves. Fig leaves are probably not the best leaf to use if you want to cover your naked self. Since the beginning God has continually been of grace, bringing people into relationship with himself and the Old Testament is full of stories of God bringing people back to himself despite the sins that they commit. Ultimately we are lead to the death and resurrection of Christ. To this sacrifice that was made.

I have problems when people use the death of Christ as a means of escaping from the consequences for their own actions, escaping the claws of hell. I believe strongly that it is through this grace of God that we are justified but I believe that we have come to forget that this justification exists because of the will of God. The crucifixion of Christ happened because of God's will to be in relationship with humans, with men and women, with children and adults.

Basically I see conversion as the casting away of the old self to follow Christ, to be in relationship with God and to find the new self. It is not an escape plan, it is a movement to God, and in this movement God reveals himself and through God we learn who we are. We learn that we are sinful but that we are loved by our heavenly father. Conversion is a part of something much bigger than repenting and an avoidance of hell. For God has plans for the world, not just for individuals, and I believe that we must think of conversion and salvation in terms of this. It is a kingdom thing, not a individual thing.

Baptism

2007-11-29T22:52:00.000-06:00

I have been thinking about baptism lately. The result is many questions.

What does it mean that there are people who have been in the church for years, people who read scripture, pray, who serve but do not feel a need for baptism? What does it mean that some people do not feel called to baptism? Is this attitude to baptism simply a result of poor understanding and communication of what baptism really is, what role it plays in the life of a believer?

What are you saying to Christ if you turn down an invitation to baptism?

Is the church called to continue walking with these people? To continue in proclaiming God's truths found in scripture? To continue offering opportunities as we walk with people?

In ways I feel offended by peoples rejection of baptism. I find I must remind myself that I cannot be offended by this, it is not an attack on me, and is it even an attack on Christ? Love and patience seems to be critical when dealing with people. Baptism is good and we need to walk with each other.

Discipleship

2007-11-27T16:49:00.000-06:00

I am currently reading through "Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, formerly known as "The Cost of Discipleship."

I love Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He currently just kicked my ass in regards to baptism and how I think of it. It was good but very heavy.

So insightful Mr. Bonhoeffer.

A Power Bomb

2007-11-27T10:15:00.001-06:00

"How will our preaching of the passion of Jesus Christ become visible and credible to the world if the disciples avoid this passion for themselves, if they despise it in their own bodies?"
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Some more NT Wright

2007-11-24T21:56:00.000-06:00

I finished reading NT Wright's book "Simply Christian" today. I really enjoyed it reading it. My enjoyment came from the fact that not only was it written well but I think it has some very good things to say about/to Christianity.

Part of what I really found to be good was his reminder that Christianity is not simply about getting into heaven, in fact that is a false understanding. He speaks of the idea that Christianity is about the 'interlocking' of heaven and earth. Looking at the promises of God to bring about a new earth.

I was lead to think about this attitude that Christianity, faith in Christ, and church are all simply to avoid hell. To get into heaven. It seems like such a self-centered view of religion; making the death of Christ to be something to serve you. There seems to be such a removal from being involved in the body Christ.

One of the big problems in the church, in Christianity, these currently is a lack of commitment to the church. It seems to be something where too many people come and go as they please, as it is convenient for them. Maybe this has always been a problem. This isn't to say that you have to attend church every week and attend all church events. What I am saying is that we are called to be a part of this body even when it is inconvenient for us, even when we are not 'benefiting.' It is costly to follow God. Sometimes we appear foolish in the eyes of people. Sometimes are forced to sacrifice time and money. Sometimes it means letting someone sleep on your couch and raid your fridge.

Church is not about the individual, about the individual avoiding hell. It is about people being in relationship with and those people working together to do kingdom work.

Simply Christian

2007-11-21T19:04:00.000-06:00

I am currently reading a book by N.T. Wright called "Simply Christian" and in this book Wright talks about the desire of justice that exists in humans. He suggests that this desire for justice exists because we are created by God and that justice is really only achieved through God.

Justice. Do I ever long for her. Justice is so desirable. It is so easy for me to think, to fall into memories of people I have met, people I know, and hope for that justice. I think of a women I met in the Congo who's husband abandoned her and their children because she was found to be infected by a disease. I think of a guy I work with who feels like white people look down on him because he is native. I think of kids from camp who have seen far too much violence for having grown up in 'peaceful' North America. So many faces.

I think of these people and I realize that we as humans have something wrong with us. We long for this thing called justice but we are never able to grasp it. I believe that God is the one who will bring justice to earth, justice that is full of love. I hope the Church is listening to what God is calling it to. There are far too many broken lives for the church to be worried about things like carpet color.

Dancing

2007-11-20T18:09:00.000-06:00

I just got back from watching my niece dance with her little dance class. When I say little I mean they are all little people, all children. There is something funny about little children attempting maneuvers that required coordination.

It was kind of like watching David Rae trying to dance.

work

2007-11-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

My work forces me to step into the role of a 'ball-buster.' For those of you who do not know what a ball-buster allow me to define: one who calls people on their crap. A total straight shooter.

I had to call my clients on some stuff this morning. It was slightly awkward but a good exercise in maturity.

Russ

2007-10-26T13:30:00.000-05:00

I work for MCC, working with adults with FASD. CBC, on Sounds Like Canada, did a bit on FASD. In it they interviewed one of the clients we at MCC work with.

Check it out here.

The Church

2007-10-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

I get the feeling that many Christians are ashamed of the church. People, who on things like face book, label their religious views as 'love' or 'follower of the Bible'. Why do people not want to be associated with Christianity, with the church? I am not doubting that these people love God and that these people want to be in a relationship with God. Nor do I think it is bad that love and scripture are central to peoples religious lives.

I do think though that people are called to be apart of the community of believers, the church, the collection of believers called Christians. On some levels I understand why people do not want to be associated with Christianity, for there have been horrible acts committed in the name of Christianity. As I read scripture, as I am attempt to be a member of the church, and as I read writings of people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer I realize that the church, the body of Christ is something good and something extremely important to the lives of Christians. Despite popular attempts by many current Christians to make a separation between spirituality and religion (the institutionalization of spirituality) I think we need to return to a proper understanding of church. An understanding of church where people matter, where justice matters, where love matters, where God is central, and being in relationship with God is important.

I want to see the church move from the mentality where people need to simply get in the door and be 'saved'. Let us continually seek God, let us serve each other (those who are a part of the church and those who are not). I desire for the sacraments to be taken seriously again, where baptism is something that is important not just an after thought. Let us learn to pray and to read scripture. Let us remember what being the body of Christ looks like.

sleep

2007-10-23T12:49:00.000-05:00

So my niece generally seems to be against napping and sleeping if it is going to interfere with what she is doing but once people get older it seems to be the opposite. I would gladly stop working or studying if someone told me that I had to take a nap. I would not say no if I were her. I guess that is what happens when you are three and your work is playing. If I were in that situation I could become a workaholic too.

I can't believe my niece is a workaholic.

Thanksgiving

2007-10-08T20:55:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving was good. Good friends, family, food. Good times.

St. Paul and the Gospel

2007-09-26T20:39:00.000-05:00

I am currently watching a show about St. Paul and the world that he lived in. They looked into the city of Ephesus, talking about the impact of religion in the city and how it was a city basically funded by religion. Ephesus housed one of the largest temples in the world at that time and through many different ways that temple funded the city of Ephesus. Enter Paul

When Paul brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to the city of Ephesus he began to preach. He would preach to large crowds. Possibly as many as 25, 000 people at the theatre in Ephesus. As people turned to Christianity people complained because of the insult it was to the temple in Ephesus and the economic damage that resulted. This controversy resulted in Paul being sent to prison. The incredible thing is that it is assumed that Ephesus as a city failed, it died, because of the economic changes that came about when people turned to Christianity. As the temple, the economy failed, and people left Ephesus.

The Gospel

2007-09-25T22:44:00.000-05:00

What is the power of the gospel? The older I get, the more I experience, the more I think that the gospel is something powerful. I believe that an encounter with Jesus Christ causes one to change. I do not understand why there are so many people in the church that seem to be unchanged. I often think that we, the church, have failed at being a community that views spiritual growth as a priority. I feel like the church has been in such a large drought in the area of discipleship.

As the church we should probably hold in higher regard our calling to faith.

Faith

2007-09-20T00:28:00.000-05:00

I have been reading, and rereading, a writing of Martin Luther entitled The Freedom of a Christian. While Martin Luther is by no means a perfect human he had a lot of things to say to a church dealing with corruption, to a church that had forgotten seems to have forgotten what role faith plays in the life of a Christian. I would like to share one of the parts of this writing that struck with me:

"Here we have a most pleasing vision not only of communion but of a blessed struggle and victory and salvation and redemption. Christ is God and man in one person. He has neither sinned nor died, and is not condemned, and he cannot sin, die, or be condemned; his righteousness, life, and salvation are unconquerable, eternal, omnipotent. By the wedding ring of faith he shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are his bride's. As a matter of fact, he makes them his own and acts as if they were his own and as if he himself had sinned; he suffered, died, and descended into hell that he might overcome them all. Now since it was such a one who did all this, and death and hell could not swallow him up, these were necessarily swallowed up by him in a mighty duel; for his righteousness is greater than the sins of men, his life stronger than death, his salvation more invincible than hell. Thus the believing soul by means of the pledge of its faith is free in Christ, its bridegroom, free from all sins, secure against death and hell, and is endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of Christ its bridegroom."

Crucified

2007-09-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

"Jesus was crucified on a dollar sign" I just said these words in response to money and the church. It sometimes seems like many Christians in our country of Canada are more focused on counting beans rather than on Christ. "Take up your dollar sign and follow me." I am pretty sure that Jesus did not utter these words but if he did I am sure he would really me something like this. "You are dead to money, it is not your tool anymore, it belongs to the kingdom."

I am not one to promote irresponsibility in the world of finances but I do believe that often the spending of a church or individual attempting to walk on the narrow path will often look irresponsible.

Money is money, let us not make it the Lord's gospel.

Daily Bread

2007-09-04T23:55:00.000-05:00

In the Lord's prayer we are instructed to pray for our daily bread, for our food today. As I sat today in a coffee shop, a coffee shop located in the area of Winnipeg referred to as "Hell's Kitchen" being named after the neighborhood in New York City, I thought of this. This is a coffee shop that was started by a church that calls this area of Winnipeg its home. I sat there before work, enjoying a cup of coffee and trying to focus my mind on work instead of on the current difficulties of my life. These current difficulties are the difficulties of owning an old vehicle, a vehicle that has recently broken down eight hours outside of Winnipeg causing me to miss work on Monday and suffer many stressful moments in the last few days.

As I sat and pondered this idea of daily bread I began to feel guilty for my recent hopes and prayers in regards to my crippled vehicle. Not that the worries, hopes, and prayers for things like crippled vehicles that belong to me or others are wrong but I think that there is a difference between these worries and this instruction to pray for daily bread. Maybe I should not be praying for the extras of life with such strength while I neglect praying for this daily bread. I look at people who I have met in my life and at people who I work with now; these people who are struggling with addictions, people who have lived through civil wars, people who have seen their children die. These people who deal day to day with things at a level of intensity that I doubt I have ever known, and I cannot help but feel these people have a much better understanding of daily bread than I do. So I come to think that this daily bread that Christ teaches us to pray for must be something that is far less shallow than prayers about vehicles, assignments for school or work, and other things of this manner. It seems to be something basic, something that is so basic that we, the 'unpoverished' of the world, seem to often forget about it because we are so distracted with extras of life.

I wonder if Jesus when teaching how to pray really was speaking of bread, or if he was speaking of something else that is so basic and fundamental to our existence that it only makes sense to compare it to such a simple food? Or maybe he was just talking about bread, or maybe Christ was meaning more than one thing when he taught this prayer.