East
Montreal over Philadelphia in six.
Pittsburgh over NY Rangers in six.
West
Colorado over Detroit in Seven.
Dallas over San Jose in Seven.
New Prediction: Montreal and Dallas in the cup. Montreal in six.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Love Your Enemies - Sermon April 20, 2008
I'm filing away another sermon. I once heard someone describing preaching with the image of "giving birth on Sunday and finding out you are pregnant on Monday." I found that to be true this week. The birthing of this weeks message was not easy and the prospect of doing it all again daunting.
Jesus teaching on loving your enemies found in Matthew 5:43-48 deepens His call to His followers to radical love. Jesus tells us the kind of love which will show the world that we are His disciples. It's love that is shown equally to both neighbours and enemies. It is love that doesn't just love those who like us , but also to those who persecute us, disagree with us and annoy us.
I remembering reading a book called "Who Moved My Church?". An easy lttle book patterned after the business classic "Who Moved My Cheese?" In one section of the book there is a group of Christians whose rallying cry is "Jesus hates you and so do I". I have to admit when I first read that phrase it shocked me and made me feel very uncomfortable. But I have begun to think about it and I have realized by our behaviour the non-churched world believes this mantra to be true. This is the message the world is hearing from us. And this is exactly what Jesus is teaching against.
Jesus told the people that they should love their enemies, which they interpreted to be: Love your friends. Hate those who you deem to be your enemy. God's command to love had been interpreted as a liscense to hate. We have to be careful not to but into the same thing. I have heard many well-intentioned Christians condemning those foreign people who have wrecked our Christian way of life in Canada. Telling them to go home. God forgive us! The mission field came to our door and instead of showing love - we told them to go home.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. He is kind of vague on what loving your enemies looks like besides the direct command to pray. I think he did those on purpose so that we have to be creative, so we can't just check it off the list.
Here is some ideas I had:
1. Blessing and encouraging people with our mouths.
2. Doing good to them.
3. Actively seeking to build relationships with them.
What about you? What creative ways can we love our enemies?
Jesus teaching on loving your enemies found in Matthew 5:43-48 deepens His call to His followers to radical love. Jesus tells us the kind of love which will show the world that we are His disciples. It's love that is shown equally to both neighbours and enemies. It is love that doesn't just love those who like us , but also to those who persecute us, disagree with us and annoy us.
I remembering reading a book called "Who Moved My Church?". An easy lttle book patterned after the business classic "Who Moved My Cheese?" In one section of the book there is a group of Christians whose rallying cry is "Jesus hates you and so do I". I have to admit when I first read that phrase it shocked me and made me feel very uncomfortable. But I have begun to think about it and I have realized by our behaviour the non-churched world believes this mantra to be true. This is the message the world is hearing from us. And this is exactly what Jesus is teaching against.
Jesus told the people that they should love their enemies, which they interpreted to be: Love your friends. Hate those who you deem to be your enemy. God's command to love had been interpreted as a liscense to hate. We have to be careful not to but into the same thing. I have heard many well-intentioned Christians condemning those foreign people who have wrecked our Christian way of life in Canada. Telling them to go home. God forgive us! The mission field came to our door and instead of showing love - we told them to go home.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. He is kind of vague on what loving your enemies looks like besides the direct command to pray. I think he did those on purpose so that we have to be creative, so we can't just check it off the list.
Here is some ideas I had:
1. Blessing and encouraging people with our mouths.
2. Doing good to them.
3. Actively seeking to build relationships with them.
What about you? What creative ways can we love our enemies?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Here's How to Grill Your Daughter's Date with Tips from FBI Profilers
These agents specialize in profiling individuals in order to predict behavior. Use these tips to rest easy until your daughter comes home at curfew, courtesy of Rodale Publishing:.
* Tip #1 from FBI agents – ask your daughter for her date’s full name ahead of time and then Google him, look him up on My Space, Facebook and You Tube. Any personal profiles or videos that come up will give you a good sense of his personality. Check out his favorite movies, books and videogames. According to Clint Van Zandt, who worked for the FBI for 25 years, reality mimics fantasy. He says he can’t tell you how many times he’s asked a criminal where they got their ideas and they’ve said they saw it in a movie.
* Then, when he gets to the house, evaluate his clothing. John Douglas, a former FBI investigative chief, says what a person wears reflects their overall level of judgment. So a jacket, combed hair, and cologne say – ‘I care. I’m trying to put my best foot forward.’ Camouflage pants, unwashed hair and body odor say ‘I only care about myself – and even then, not so much.’
* If the guy has any visible tattoos or piercings – ask about them. Generally the more in-your-face they are, the more they represent a cry for attention. People who demand that others notice them, may have trouble being sensitive to another person’s needs. Ask about the meaning behind the body art. It’ll provide insight into his character.
* As you’re talking to your daughter’s date – let the conversation stop. See how he fills the pause. That puts a person on edge and you can see how they handle stress.
* Finally, the FBI agents recommend that you directly state what your expectations are when he’s out with your daughter. Watch his body language. If he folds his arms and moves away, no matter how subtly, he’s resisting what you’re saying. So take down his license plate number, just in case.
* Tip #1 from FBI agents – ask your daughter for her date’s full name ahead of time and then Google him, look him up on My Space, Facebook and You Tube. Any personal profiles or videos that come up will give you a good sense of his personality. Check out his favorite movies, books and videogames. According to Clint Van Zandt, who worked for the FBI for 25 years, reality mimics fantasy. He says he can’t tell you how many times he’s asked a criminal where they got their ideas and they’ve said they saw it in a movie.
* Then, when he gets to the house, evaluate his clothing. John Douglas, a former FBI investigative chief, says what a person wears reflects their overall level of judgment. So a jacket, combed hair, and cologne say – ‘I care. I’m trying to put my best foot forward.’ Camouflage pants, unwashed hair and body odor say ‘I only care about myself – and even then, not so much.’
* If the guy has any visible tattoos or piercings – ask about them. Generally the more in-your-face they are, the more they represent a cry for attention. People who demand that others notice them, may have trouble being sensitive to another person’s needs. Ask about the meaning behind the body art. It’ll provide insight into his character.
* As you’re talking to your daughter’s date – let the conversation stop. See how he fills the pause. That puts a person on edge and you can see how they handle stress.
* Finally, the FBI agents recommend that you directly state what your expectations are when he’s out with your daughter. Watch his body language. If he folds his arms and moves away, no matter how subtly, he’s resisting what you’re saying. So take down his license plate number, just in case.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Disguise of Interruption
I was reading Mark Buchanan's book "The Rest of God". He mentions that Jesus often appears to us in the "disguise of interruption". When we are busy in our daily activities He appears to us through various circumstances that attempt to pull us out of our routine.
Isn't that the point of the story of the Good Samaritan - ministry was found in the interruption.
Henri Nouwen summed up well when he said, "My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly being interrupted, until I discovered the interruptions were my work."
God help me to not miss you when you are in the "disguise of interruption."
Isn't that the point of the story of the Good Samaritan - ministry was found in the interruption.
Henri Nouwen summed up well when he said, "My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly being interrupted, until I discovered the interruptions were my work."
God help me to not miss you when you are in the "disguise of interruption."
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Keeping Busy?
The other day two people I hadn't seen in a long time both asked me the same question, it was "Keeping Busy?" It's a question we ask people because in our society busy is good. I am busy for the most part. I have lots of things to do. My life choices have made me busy. I own a house which needs to be cleaned and maintained - this makes me busy. I could never leave my house and remain busy. I have a wife and five children, that need my attention, love and care. I could do nothing but see to these responsibilities and be busy. I help out at the radio station, I own a vehicle, oh and by the way I serve as a Pastor in a church which each section of that position I could sub-divide into a full-time job. I also have other leisure activities such as this blog and face book, which can consume vast amounts of time and I admit I religiously watch the TV show LOST. I was watching the Toronto Maple Leafs as well, but that futile activity self-destructed.
What's my point? Busyness is not a good gage of anything except being busy. Busyness is not a sign of effectiveness, it is not a gage of good priorities and it sure doesn't mean I am accomplishing much.
I use to ask people if they were keeping busy. I think I need to stop asking that, because I don't want to be busy anymore. But I do want to "Number my days - so that I may gain a heart of wisdom"
What's my point? Busyness is not a good gage of anything except being busy. Busyness is not a sign of effectiveness, it is not a gage of good priorities and it sure doesn't mean I am accomplishing much.
I use to ask people if they were keeping busy. I think I need to stop asking that, because I don't want to be busy anymore. But I do want to "Number my days - so that I may gain a heart of wisdom"
Sermon: April 6 - A Call To Radical Love
Our society is filled with expressions like "Don't get mad, get even!" "Shoot first, ask questions later." "Fight fire with fire!" This type of thinking is woven into the fabric of our culture. Our natural tendency is to retaliate. Our life philoshophy has become, "Nobody messes with me and gets away with it!"
Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 teaches anything but that type of philosophy.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus gives four extreme examples to startle his listeners about the kind of love His diciples should display. He tells them take a slap in the face, give your tunic, go the extra mile and give generously to people. Jesus tells them love radically.
For those of us who have been steeped in this relatiation world view it is difficult for us to begin to embrace this kind of call to love radically.
We have to begin to try and break the cycle of hostility in our lives, we have to begin to break our cycle of self-centredness and selfishness. This can only be accomplished by allowing the grace of God work in our activities daily.
When we do we see that God's love is compelling to others and connects us to the heart of God.
Jesus teaches us love radically.
Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 teaches anything but that type of philosophy.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus gives four extreme examples to startle his listeners about the kind of love His diciples should display. He tells them take a slap in the face, give your tunic, go the extra mile and give generously to people. Jesus tells them love radically.
For those of us who have been steeped in this relatiation world view it is difficult for us to begin to embrace this kind of call to love radically.
We have to begin to try and break the cycle of hostility in our lives, we have to begin to break our cycle of self-centredness and selfishness. This can only be accomplished by allowing the grace of God work in our activities daily.
When we do we see that God's love is compelling to others and connects us to the heart of God.
Jesus teaches us love radically.
John's Stanley Cup Predictions
My first round predictions of the NHL playoffs
East
Montreal over Boston in Six.
Ottawa over Pittsburgh in Seven.
Washington over Philadelphia in Six.
New Jersey over Rangers in Six.
West
Detroit over Nashville in Five.
Calgary over San Jose in Seven.
Anaheim over Dallas in Seven.
Colorado over Minnesota in Six.
Overall Prediction: Anaheim meets Montreal in the Stanley Cup Final. Anaheim wins in six.
My Dark Horse Pick - San Jose. ( I know I predict they are out in the first-round but if they get past Calgary. They may go far)
What do you think?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sunday Message - March 30 Oaths
Jesus encourages his followers to a new level of truth and integrity. In our words and actions we need to have integrity. In Jesus' day they were making oaths that they had no intent of keeping. Kind of like when you were a kid and you would cross your fingers behind your back as a way of getting out of the promise you made. Jesus desires that we be truthful and that we shouldn't have to swear or make oaths to make the truth believable. The character of a Christ-follower should be sufficient.
Live with integrity.
Live with integrity.
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