The Women's Tee

OK, so I know that this blog is supposed to be about significant and important theological matters and deep thoughts about life.

But, sometimes you just have to laugh. So, this made me laugh out loud and I thought, "Hey, no one really reads this blog anyway, so I will throw it in there!"

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUj_qqVxVrE&fmt=18

So, I spent last week in Wolffville, Nova Scotia. (for those that go there, don't pronounce Wolf-ville as though all the letters matter. I did and was told that this was a dead give away that I was not from the area. Instead, try saying it quickly like Wufill)

While I was there I had to make a proposal of sorts to some of the faculty and staff of the Divinity College at Acadia University. It had been a while since I had done anything like that, but I convinced myself that I didn't have anything  to loose, so I ought to go for it!

In the end, the proposal went well. But, more significant for me was the simple "forness" of the staff for those that were there making presentations. Repeatedly, staff and faculty gave their time, input, advice, encouragement and support. Sure there were questions and mild objections about presentations. But the overall sense was one of deep and abiding encouragement.

Maybe this is the way things should always be. But, sadly, often this is not the case. OFten, we feel the need to be critical of others, their work, their accomplishments, etc. Now, I am not one to shy away from that sort of thing. But, I think I am learning a new way, a new pattern - a better one that does everything it can to encourage and support the hard work, ingenuity, and Kingdom goals that people around me aspire to.  It could be that this sounds obvious to all of you. But, for me - its a new, and good growth area of my life, and my life with God.

Powerful and Good Memories

So, this morning I am sitting in YYC waiting for a flight to Vancouver for some meetings. As I went through security I was one of the lucky ones that got stopped and searched in a more thorough manner - and by thorough I don't mean body cavity. 

That said, when the guy was done his swabbing and scanning I asked him how often this sort of thing yields any result. He looked at me and said, "Well, I have been working here for 4.5 months and I have never found anything illegal." 

"Why did you search me then?" I asked.

"Well, its "charter day," he said.

"Charter day?"

"Yeah, today's the day that we have all the charters that head to Cuba from Calgary."

I looked around and sure enough, there were lots of people who looked as though they were headed for warmer climes. Part of me was envious because on the drive to the airport it was snowing like crazy! Who wouldn't want to head south?

Another part of me just smiled. Why? Because I remembered that only a month ago I was playing on the beaches of Mexico (see picture) with my family. And, while I likely won't go again for a long time (at least that's what Kristin keeps telling me - we'll see who wins that battle) - I can remember, and remembering is important.

All too often the only thing we talk about when we think of memories is the stuff we want to forget: the gas we passed inadvertently in the elevator, the social faux pas we committed in "good company," relational failure, pain of more significant matters, etc. 

Don't get me wrong - avoid recalling these things if you think that's going to help. But, what if you spent some deliberate time remembering the best moments, the finest words you have heard said to you, the most beautiful afternoons of fun, laughter and delight you have had. What if we leaned into these a bit more, told the stories over and over, remembered the best parts of our lives and let them echo in our homes as much as possible. 

It likely wouldn't undo the crap that we try to forget. But, it would change things for the better.

What story could you tell to someone today about a great moment in your life?

I am Tiger Woods

I know, I know - been a while since my last post.

I will come back to this article - its still ruminating in me a bit. But, in the meantime, give it a read and tell me what you think of Mike Wise's words in his article re: Tiger Woods.

Enjoy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/25/AR2009122501440.html

Creation, Science, and Tim Keller

As a pastor, and more particularly, as the pastor of a church wherein many people push back on Christian orthodoxy (a fact which I absolutely LOVE), I think that more than any other question in the past ten years, I have been asked about the relationship between science /evolution and biblical theism. Many Christians find the whole relationship between biblical revelation and scientific truth to be hard to reconcile. More to the point, it often becomes a bit dicey for Christian leaders to admit where their leanings are on this particular topic because even the appearance of consideration of evolutionary biological principles is tantamount to heresy.

A more balanced and reasoned approach tot he topic is often needed - and who better to present that view than Tim Keller. Presbyterian pastor by day, Keller tackles the thorniness of the topic with a clarity that is enviable. I know, I know - I have already admitted in the young life of this blog to being a lover of Keller's work, but, when its good its good. So, for those that might be interested, here's a link to Keller's white paper on the topic as presented at a workshop this past November entitled,  "In Search of a Theology of Celebration.  

http://www.biologos.org/uploads/projects/Keller_white_paper.pdf

Enjoy

A beautiful day . . .

It was a beautiful day! Not much for the profound or deep thoughts, just a day in which I was very thankful for the place I live, and the family with which I can share the day.

I was struck tho by how much difference time spent together means to people. Take my daughter for instance. Yesterday we went for a hike in the mountains, and the toboganning afterwards. For the previous day or so she had been moping around the house, asking to watch tv and generally feeling restless. Then yesterday we went to the mountains. And, by the end of the first hour out there together she was grabbing me arm and repeatedly telling me how much she loved me. It was almost as if you could see gauge of our relationship going up by the hour! The more time we spent together throughout the day the more we all seemed to be "feeling the love." So much so that when I tucked her tired little self in to bed that night she squeezed me in a hug, long and hard, and told me that she loved me looooooooootttttttttttttttttttttts, and that I was the best daddy in the world.

In the end, on the way home, I commented to my wife that it was the best way to spend the afternoon - together, doing an activity, sharing time and laughs. I know, I know, I know - sounds too simple.  I know we can't do that every day, but I think we really did make an investment in our family yesterday.

Here's a shot or two of the day.

Dave Cooks the Turkey

Christmas is only a day or two away. That having been said, I have to admit that a dream of mine is to one day be in the audience for the Vinyl Cafe Christmas Concert. I think that it is perhaps one of the best pieces of Canadiana that there is. Stuart McLean is the master story teller and makes me laugh out loud most of the time.

So, I thought I would share a favourite of mine - the tory of Dave Cooking the Turkey! It's well worth the listen. So, laugh away and check this out! (Oh, and after clicking the link you actually have to download the file - sorry, its not available for free in a streaming format. So, click the link, go to the top right of the page you get directed to and then follow the download instructions)

http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=2332622&song=Dave+Cooks+The+Turkey

Martyn Joseph in Calgary

Earlier this year one of my favourite folk singers, Martyn Joseph was here in Calgary. Here are some clips of two songs from that fantastic show.

Enjoy!

"Turn me Tender"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg8tpgTBDX0&fmt=18

"Sing to My Soul"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAjtmSTPWVQ&feature=related&fmt=18

http://adrianwarnock.com/2009/03/preach-to-change-them-in-their-seats/

I said I was a Tim Keller fan - so, here's a link to a piece well worth listening to. It's about the act and art of listening to people who are preaching/ speaking publicly about God, Jesus and stuff like that.

This is War

(Click the link and watch the video of Dustin Kensrue's song, "This is War." But, before you do, be forewarned that it is not the most suitable viewing for kids, and even some adults might find it hard to stomach)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0RbWg0UCKE&fmt=18

So, I was sent this link the other day. It's a link to a youtube vid done by a singer I have never heard of until now. His name is Dustin Kensrue.

There is a lot that could be said about it I supposed. But, for now, I thought it was enough to simply throw it out there. This is certainly NOT the typical take on Christmas. Not by any means. But, perhaps for the first time in my 39 + years this sort of tone resonates with me.

Jesus, fighter.

Jesus battler of all the pain and brokenness of this world.

Jesus, just by showing up declares war on the messed up parts of the world.

The militaristic sense of Jesus is still hard to swallow for me (even moreso in the vid). But, the notion of battling, of engaging in a life or death struggle - and the ironic beauty of a child coming into this world to lead the charge - all of that has some resonance to it for me . . .  at least this year.

What do you think?