The Perfect Church

Here is my sermon on The Perfect Church where I analyze what it means to be the church. Ironically, as I was about to post this sermon I read a blog from a brother in Christ, Jon Coutts, that challenged me about the role of sermons online vs within a service. I advise you to read up on it: http://thissideofsunday.blogspot.com/2011/05/podcast-sermons-preaching-out-of-place.html

In light of all of that. Click the title to go to my latest sermon. haha.

Is Prayer a Copout? Praying for Slave Lake

In a recent prayer event there was a speaker who was talked about and celebrated. The prayer breakfast, which was a huge community event for the Mayor and Reeve, was poorly attended. I believe the speaker came to draw more of a crowd. Well, I'm not sure it worked. But in the midst of this a very important question came out; Is prayer not enough?

Today I ponder that question in light of the destruction of Slave Lake, Alberta (Click title to see story). This town of 6700 people went under fire early today. In an interview (of a man in charge I think), this man spoke of how many people were coming to help this ill fated town. My heart pounds with desire to make a difference in these types of situations. So what can I do?

At the end of the interview, the man asked if the reporter would say a prayer for Slave Lake today. I could not help but think, YES! I will pray. Often prayer is a tag on to "actual" help, but for the this man prayer was not an add on, but an emphasis. Prayer is not a copout. Its effective. But, until we realize that we are not simply praying to the ceiling or the sky our prayers are few and far in between. I dare you to believe. Believe in the God that cares for his people. Believe in the God who created and sustains the universe. Col 1:15-17; James 5:16.

Royal Wedding, Royal Burial? Prince William vs Osama

So I wasn't going to post on the Royal wedding, but in light of yesterday's events I decided it was appropriate.

Normally, I am all in favor of a monarch and love the image of the Queen (King one day). I love the image of hope that Her Majesty brings to the commonwealth. What I am unsure of is the intense media, money grab that this marriage event became. Why not capitalize right? Bobble heads, and magazines now flood the earth with their potent toxins.

Then I think about last night. A royal (at least to his followers) was killed. Osama Bin Laden was found out in this intense operation and his body was taken. Celebrations struck the earth (or at least America). Hollywood will capitalize on this and movies will be made. Obama is a hero!

What is my point in all of this? Royalty. One is celebrated, one is murdered. Of course they are completely different people, and one has killed more than the other. But, yet . . . I couldn't help but think of both in relativity to another. Maybe the combined nature of both reminded me of My king.

Jesus was Celebrated by many and then killed. It's seems ironic to me.

We can love and hate in the same weekend, but call it all celebration. Not sure where I am going, and should probably think more before posting, but maybe it deserves some thought and maybe you have thoughts of why this caught my attention???

Prayers and Post Resurrection

I just was thinking about after the resurrection. But, let me back up to my Easter weekend first.

Last week I prayed and preached that God would bring me through the journey to the cross with him. I knew full well what would entail on Friday and Saturday. And there was hope for what would happen on Sunday, but Monday. . .

Friday and Saturday were not that good of days for me. Friday I experienced a low. You know them. Those days where it ends and you feel like . . . death. Exactly. On Saturday, during my day of waiting, I realized why I was feeling death. It was because I asked to be taken on that Journey with Christ.

Sunday came and I did feel excitement and joy and when confronted about these bubbles inside I could do nothing but express joy.

But, its Monday. What does that mean? I feel weird. Just like the disciples maybe. A bit in shock of, "What now?"

My prayer is that I live in the power of his resurrection. I hope I live as if Christ is in me because he is. All authority has been given to him. He has defeated death and gives life. I desire to life. Oh Monday. You give hope for Tuesday. As the reality of the resurrection sets in, may I be consumed by our Lord.

The Trinitarian Essence of God

A quote from Stanley Grenz:

"Because throughout eternity and apart from the world the one God is love, the God who is love cannot but respond to the world in accordance to his own eternal essence, which is love. Thus, this essential characteristic of God likewise describes the way God interacts with his world. 'Love,' therefore, is not only the description of the eternal God in himself, it is likewise the fundamental characteristic of God in relationship with creation. With profound theological insight, therefore, John bursts forth, 'For God so loved the world that he gave . . .' (John 3:16)."

Theology for the Community of God, 72.

In preparation for preaching on the Trinity this quote screamed at me with all importance. Though Grenz had lots to say to build up to this point there are a few things to point at.

1) In discovering who our Trinitarian God is, we see that God in essence is the God we see active in this world. If we simply analyze God in who he is in himself then we forsake the very essence of God. But we must affirm what Grenz states: that God does not need us to exist. He exists in his essence of love before the creation of the world.

2) I wonder then, why did God create the world? If he was in and of himself complete in his community of love, why bother creating. Maybe the fullness or completeness of God overflows. If Love's purpose is to love someone else, is it not complete when it finds the other to love. Maybe not. Maybe the point of Love is to keep loving beyond. Maybe God's essence overflows. So God in overflowing Love creates the world.

3)Despite if that is true or not and since we know the world does in fact exist, Grenz points out that since God's essence is love, then God indeed interacts with his creation with love. God is love.

Lasts and Firsts

Marriage . . . It takes a guy by storm and makes him have all kinds of emotions. The biggest reality check for me is lasts. Last Christmas was my last as "just me." Never again will a season or a week go by without a ring on my finger. I can't be called a bachelor and people give me lots of food because they have pity on my. Life is in a bit of a crisis.

This hasn't been all that bad though. It has caused me to value life in everything that its offering. Looking at life in a view of lasts is usually only what a dying man can attain. But maybe that's what marriage and dying have in common. It sounds funny but its very true in many ways. We die to our former way of life only to find ourselves in a new one. One that is foreign and potentially a bit awkward.

DOESN'T THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?? In thinking of this I am reminded of the Christian walk. When we follow Christ we abandon everything we once were to take on a new life! We are made new in Christ. In marriage we are made into a new creation too. We become one with our spouse. Wow. The mystery of godliness is great.

I wonder what will happen when I am married? Will I start thinking of firsts? That's my hope. I get to start life new. Fresh. a la commence. What a rare and sacred opportunity. One that we must not take lightly. Do we like who we will become in this new life. I know I do!

Mistaken Power

The whole earth is full of His glory. God's power and might maybe seen most in nature. On a recent trip to Jasper I encountered my first avalanche. Ok, so it didn't make it all the way down the mountain, but Edith Cavell made a stark and crisp rumble that startled most. As our eyes changed directions in an instant, snow was tumbling from the top of the mountain to a level below. The glacier caught it and stopped its rampage before taking its final leap onto a crowd of watching people.

Think about it. One can say that it is simply snow build up that gives way, but when taking in the roaring sound, the stunning optics, the adrenalin that filled each persons veins the only thing I can think of is this: God spoke and we all listened. He said, "Look at my power and my might."

Struggles

In the midst of struggles, the greatest developments are born.