Organizing TC is like putting on a big production. There is a lot of planning to do, lines to memorize, props to setup and there are long, tough practices. You hope that in the end everything looks right and turns out the way you planned. We, the leaders, are like the stage managers. We set everything up and create an environment where the production will take place.
There is only one actor and He is Christ Himself.
We don't always set the stage perfectly and a lot of times we forget some props and don’t dim the lights at the correct moments but all we can do is show up and try our best knowing that He cares about our HEARTS rather than the results because He takes care of the results when we desire to serve humbly. When the night comes, and it's time for the show, we sit back and watch our Actor blow us away like He ALWAYS does.
We are all imperfect. We stumble to have the right words at the right times, we get nervous and frustrated when things don't go our way, we lack self-control when we are caught off guard. Ultimately, we are so afraid and none of us deserve to be in the leadership positions we've been given.
For me, when I'm overwhelmed, upset, scared and frustrated all at once because of my lack of leadership ability, I need to realize that it's exactly the place where God wants me.
'My grace is sufficient for you.
My power is made perfect in your weakness.'
Let's go into TC with CONFIDENCE that the Spirit of God will move when we come with hearts that are willing to serve and be used by Him.
*sam
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
What if Starbucks marketed like a church. A parable.
Watch this!
What were your thoughts as you watched the video?
Did you chuckle at the irony? Could you relate? Have you ever been a guest at a church?
My initial thoughts were.. If starbucks marketed like a church.. oh man. It would be a completely different business. Their casual and inviting atmosphere, and overall brand identity is quite successful as a business I would say. They've branched off everywhere. On their website the tagline is "Come in for a while. Make yourself at home. Can we get you anything?" I think our churches try to give off the same vibe but we are not always as successful.
I must say, though, that churches offer a much different 'product' than Starbucks. A religion is a much harder sell in any context, especially with all the negative connotations that Christians have these days. BUT watching the video is definitely an eye-opener to many things that we do as a church community that just don't make it too appealing for first time guests to want to come back.
The term 'church' can refer to both the universal body of believers, but it can also refer to the local body or community of believers like your own church. As a local body of believers who come together for TC, how do we 'market' the gospel? How do we represent it and make guests feel welcome? Do we do a good job of this?
As a follower of Christ, how do you feel you do in terms of this? If your actions and behaviours were observed, would people be able to make a mockery out of it?
Luckily for us, the Good News that Jesus brings is much more attractive than what we could ever give it justice for.
Let's continue to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) as we go about our day. You never know who is watching!
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
At my high school fellowship, I remember 2 new people came in off the streets on a particular Friday. Before our main program, our youth pastor made a semi big deal of the fact that we had some 'first timers'. We all exchanged pleasantries, introduced ourselves in a circle and went about our evening. At the end, I remember distinctly giving them a quick glance, like in the video, and then proceeding to chat with my friends. I will forever remember that evening because a close friend called me out on my behaviour. She said 'I can't believe you're considered a Spiritual leader who will set an example but when you actually have the opportunity to show God's love by taking an extra few minutes just to hear their stories, you chicken out and selfishly do what's comfortable. If they never come back, I hope you consider yourself partially responsible'. They never did come back.
Why is it that we are so blantant about keeping traditions and making church about what we do but so easily forget that everything about church is not mandatory except the gathering and the presence of God? Why is it that we can focus so much on programs and schedules and forget to listen to the Lord when He is speaking to us in a gentle whisper?
I know in my example, I was afraid. I didn't want an awkward situation and, because the new-comers seemed a bit different, I didn't know exactly what to say to them so I said nothing and pretended like it was any other Friday. I feel like so often, as a body of believers, we break down a Sunday service or a Friday fellowship into tasks. We break down worship into songs, readings and prayer and we make Sunday into a routine. I'm not saying any of those things are wrong in and of themselves. However, we completely miss the point when we hide behind them by making them our primary focus, forgetting that we are called to be with God as a congregation.
It's time to stop making it about what we do and take the time to ensure that what we do is truly an expression of who we are in Christ, both as individuals and as a body.
*sam
What were your thoughts as you watched the video?
Did you chuckle at the irony? Could you relate? Have you ever been a guest at a church?
My initial thoughts were.. If starbucks marketed like a church.. oh man. It would be a completely different business. Their casual and inviting atmosphere, and overall brand identity is quite successful as a business I would say. They've branched off everywhere. On their website the tagline is "Come in for a while. Make yourself at home. Can we get you anything?" I think our churches try to give off the same vibe but we are not always as successful.
I must say, though, that churches offer a much different 'product' than Starbucks. A religion is a much harder sell in any context, especially with all the negative connotations that Christians have these days. BUT watching the video is definitely an eye-opener to many things that we do as a church community that just don't make it too appealing for first time guests to want to come back.
The term 'church' can refer to both the universal body of believers, but it can also refer to the local body or community of believers like your own church. As a local body of believers who come together for TC, how do we 'market' the gospel? How do we represent it and make guests feel welcome? Do we do a good job of this?
As a follower of Christ, how do you feel you do in terms of this? If your actions and behaviours were observed, would people be able to make a mockery out of it?
Luckily for us, the Good News that Jesus brings is much more attractive than what we could ever give it justice for.
Let's continue to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) as we go about our day. You never know who is watching!
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
At my high school fellowship, I remember 2 new people came in off the streets on a particular Friday. Before our main program, our youth pastor made a semi big deal of the fact that we had some 'first timers'. We all exchanged pleasantries, introduced ourselves in a circle and went about our evening. At the end, I remember distinctly giving them a quick glance, like in the video, and then proceeding to chat with my friends. I will forever remember that evening because a close friend called me out on my behaviour. She said 'I can't believe you're considered a Spiritual leader who will set an example but when you actually have the opportunity to show God's love by taking an extra few minutes just to hear their stories, you chicken out and selfishly do what's comfortable. If they never come back, I hope you consider yourself partially responsible'. They never did come back.
Why is it that we are so blantant about keeping traditions and making church about what we do but so easily forget that everything about church is not mandatory except the gathering and the presence of God? Why is it that we can focus so much on programs and schedules and forget to listen to the Lord when He is speaking to us in a gentle whisper?
I know in my example, I was afraid. I didn't want an awkward situation and, because the new-comers seemed a bit different, I didn't know exactly what to say to them so I said nothing and pretended like it was any other Friday. I feel like so often, as a body of believers, we break down a Sunday service or a Friday fellowship into tasks. We break down worship into songs, readings and prayer and we make Sunday into a routine. I'm not saying any of those things are wrong in and of themselves. However, we completely miss the point when we hide behind them by making them our primary focus, forgetting that we are called to be with God as a congregation.
It's time to stop making it about what we do and take the time to ensure that what we do is truly an expression of who we are in Christ, both as individuals and as a body.
*sam
Friday, February 27, 2009
Prayer!!
16 days until TC!!!!
For this week pray for all the volunteers.. for their health, strength and inspiration from the Lord!
Pray for the participants. We are FULL for junior and almost full for Senior. Pray for open and willing hearts.
Pray for the worship and media teams, that they may be of big impact to the participants in their ministry.
Pray for a fruitful ministry for yourself as a captain! That you may be a leader of influence, to influence your team to Jesus.
*rebecca
For this week pray for all the volunteers.. for their health, strength and inspiration from the Lord!
Pray for the participants. We are FULL for junior and almost full for Senior. Pray for open and willing hearts.
Pray for the worship and media teams, that they may be of big impact to the participants in their ministry.
Pray for a fruitful ministry for yourself as a captain! That you may be a leader of influence, to influence your team to Jesus.
*rebecca
Friday, February 20, 2009
Heroes
I've been watching the TV series called Heroes that follows a cast of ordinary people who have super powers. The previous series was on Villains, and it's interesting as you follow the character development. Those who were the good guys in earlier seasons have other motives, pushing them to the bad guy side. The people who started the company all had hidden motives for the formula, resulting in chaos around the world and chaos even in different timeframes.
Abraham Lincoln said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." In the book Developing The Leader Within, John C. Maxwell comments that, "The danger of power lies in the fact that those who are vested with it tend to make its preservation their first concern. Therefore, they will naturally oppose any changes in the forces that have given them this power. History tells us that power leads to the abuse of power and the abuse of power leads to loss of power."
Isn't this so true? For those in leadership positions, it is so easy to abuse and take for granted the power, influence and responsibilities given to you.
I believe the key to managing the kind of power/responsibility you have as a leader is to have people in your life keeping you accountable to it. What are your motives? What are your goals? Are you putting other's interest before your own? Do your deeds and words match up? These are tough questions to ask yourself. But they are so needed to keep us in line. Do you have someone to keep you in line? Maybe this person is your co-captain or coach. Maybe it is someone at your church. Maybe it is a close friend. Make sure you have someone(s) in your life to hold you accountable to your responsibilities. Whoever it is, ask them to ask you the tough questions.
I've had a few posts on accountability already because I believe it is key to your success, as a leader and also as a living witness for Christ. You need people around you who believe in you and keep you in check, pushing you on to do bigger, better things. You need to live a life of integrity (remember captain training #1) where no matter who you are, or what you are doing, you are still who you say you are. You need to understand your own motives and intentions behind what you do, so you stay focused on what is right.
When you have accountability for your actions and you start to model the life you want others to follow, your influence to impact others in a positive and Christ-centered way is increased exponentially.
Side note: Incidentally it was because of Heroes that I officially met and hung out with Sam! A few people went to his place to watch it one night and I tagged along.. and now - a number of good talks, get togethers and softball games later - we're serving together, sharing our insights and helping with TC. How cool is that? =D
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
The verse I'm reminded of is Luke 12:48
I learned to play the guitar when I was 17 on a missions trip to the UK.
I came home all gung ho and ready to jump on stage to lead worship.
I remember approaching my pastor and sharing my missions experience with so much excitement and enthusiasm. I then remember the look of disappointment on my face when he told me I couldn't lead. I was angry, frustrated, upset and sad all at the same time. Why is it that I had been denied the request to serve in an area where I had so much passion and energy for the Lord? My pastor told me I wasn't ready - and he was right.
A few years later, I started serving in leadership at my university fellowship.
I remember getting together at a friend's house one Friday night after fellowship and just sitting there and jamming. We sang songs of praise and prayed however we were led to.
I remember looking around and seeing people worshipping and praising God with their hearts and it all hit me at once - congregational worship is about the people, connecting to the Lord is about listening and finding rest in His presence, and the best worship leading is done when we move out of the way and let the Spirit of God lead. I never saw it that way before.
Being a Spiritual leader is about being a servant of God.
At 17, I had a lot of passion and energy to serve but no understanding of any concept of worship.
Thank you becca for coming to watch heroes as a tag along... and for all the random chats about things that are actually important to us.
*sam
Abraham Lincoln said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." In the book Developing The Leader Within, John C. Maxwell comments that, "The danger of power lies in the fact that those who are vested with it tend to make its preservation their first concern. Therefore, they will naturally oppose any changes in the forces that have given them this power. History tells us that power leads to the abuse of power and the abuse of power leads to loss of power."
Isn't this so true? For those in leadership positions, it is so easy to abuse and take for granted the power, influence and responsibilities given to you.
I believe the key to managing the kind of power/responsibility you have as a leader is to have people in your life keeping you accountable to it. What are your motives? What are your goals? Are you putting other's interest before your own? Do your deeds and words match up? These are tough questions to ask yourself. But they are so needed to keep us in line. Do you have someone to keep you in line? Maybe this person is your co-captain or coach. Maybe it is someone at your church. Maybe it is a close friend. Make sure you have someone(s) in your life to hold you accountable to your responsibilities. Whoever it is, ask them to ask you the tough questions.
I've had a few posts on accountability already because I believe it is key to your success, as a leader and also as a living witness for Christ. You need people around you who believe in you and keep you in check, pushing you on to do bigger, better things. You need to live a life of integrity (remember captain training #1) where no matter who you are, or what you are doing, you are still who you say you are. You need to understand your own motives and intentions behind what you do, so you stay focused on what is right.
When you have accountability for your actions and you start to model the life you want others to follow, your influence to impact others in a positive and Christ-centered way is increased exponentially.
Side note: Incidentally it was because of Heroes that I officially met and hung out with Sam! A few people went to his place to watch it one night and I tagged along.. and now - a number of good talks, get togethers and softball games later - we're serving together, sharing our insights and helping with TC. How cool is that? =D
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
The verse I'm reminded of is Luke 12:48
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
I learned to play the guitar when I was 17 on a missions trip to the UK.
I came home all gung ho and ready to jump on stage to lead worship.
I remember approaching my pastor and sharing my missions experience with so much excitement and enthusiasm. I then remember the look of disappointment on my face when he told me I couldn't lead. I was angry, frustrated, upset and sad all at the same time. Why is it that I had been denied the request to serve in an area where I had so much passion and energy for the Lord? My pastor told me I wasn't ready - and he was right.
A few years later, I started serving in leadership at my university fellowship.
I remember getting together at a friend's house one Friday night after fellowship and just sitting there and jamming. We sang songs of praise and prayed however we were led to.
I remember looking around and seeing people worshipping and praising God with their hearts and it all hit me at once - congregational worship is about the people, connecting to the Lord is about listening and finding rest in His presence, and the best worship leading is done when we move out of the way and let the Spirit of God lead. I never saw it that way before.
Being a Spiritual leader is about being a servant of God.
At 17, I had a lot of passion and energy to serve but no understanding of any concept of worship.
Thank you becca for coming to watch heroes as a tag along... and for all the random chats about things that are actually important to us.
*sam
Friday, February 13, 2009
The infamous media
How many of you have seen this commercial online or on tv?
Dove Evolution Campaign
Pretty crazy eh?
Coming from a design background, I know that this kind of thing happens all the time. In high school, I remember taking those pictures at Pacific Mall, getting it a few hours later, and I don't even look like me because they touched up my face via photoshop. These 'evolutions' definitely happen. Not only is it just the image that is distorted, our whole perception of reality is distorted. How we view relationships, university life, sex, beauty and more, are all affected by media in some way. I don't think any one of us can deny the impact of media on our lives. Especially in this generation where we are bombarded by the internet and tv.
Everyday we are swayed to make decisions. What drink to have, what clothes to wear, where we will eat, who we hang out with. How much of our decision is of the world, and not of God? How much of the decision is purely selfish and how much is with others in mind? As a Christian I find one of the most challenging things is to be in the world but not OF it. How to be an impact on those around me rather than get impacted myself.
It's a fact that the media and the world influences our everyday lives.
But how much? And how can you be more aware of it's impact on you?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
I spoke with a friend recently who went through a very rough break-up. When all was said and done, the guy said 'my pridehas really been hurt'.
I was very surprised that rather than saying 'I've really been hurt', the first thing he addressed was his pride. In relation to the media entry becca has posted above, I find more and more the media puts so much focus into appearances and it doesn't only brainwash us deciding what to wear and what gadgets to buy, it poisons our mind and causes us to want to portray a certain image of ourselves to other
Ultimately, what I see is that the more we work on the image we portray, the more we become fake. We do our best to look and act a certain way around certain people. We put on so many different faces that we don't know who we are at all. Of course, this happens subtly at first but it eats away at our character in such a way that we are not aware until it's too late.
Is how you look and act more important to you than your character? Do you always think carefully about what you say in fear of being ridiculed at your true ideas? Do you act differently around different people because you don't want others to see certain things about you?
The media places so much value in things which are temporary, making secondary their primary focus.
*sam
Dove Evolution Campaign
Pretty crazy eh?
Coming from a design background, I know that this kind of thing happens all the time. In high school, I remember taking those pictures at Pacific Mall, getting it a few hours later, and I don't even look like me because they touched up my face via photoshop. These 'evolutions' definitely happen. Not only is it just the image that is distorted, our whole perception of reality is distorted. How we view relationships, university life, sex, beauty and more, are all affected by media in some way. I don't think any one of us can deny the impact of media on our lives. Especially in this generation where we are bombarded by the internet and tv.
Everyday we are swayed to make decisions. What drink to have, what clothes to wear, where we will eat, who we hang out with. How much of our decision is of the world, and not of God? How much of the decision is purely selfish and how much is with others in mind? As a Christian I find one of the most challenging things is to be in the world but not OF it. How to be an impact on those around me rather than get impacted myself.
It's a fact that the media and the world influences our everyday lives.
But how much? And how can you be more aware of it's impact on you?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
I spoke with a friend recently who went through a very rough break-up. When all was said and done, the guy said 'my pridehas really been hurt'.
I was very surprised that rather than saying 'I've really been hurt', the first thing he addressed was his pride. In relation to the media entry becca has posted above, I find more and more the media puts so much focus into appearances and it doesn't only brainwash us deciding what to wear and what gadgets to buy, it poisons our mind and causes us to want to portray a certain image of ourselves to other
Ultimately, what I see is that the more we work on the image we portray, the more we become fake. We do our best to look and act a certain way around certain people. We put on so many different faces that we don't know who we are at all. Of course, this happens subtly at first but it eats away at our character in such a way that we are not aware until it's too late.
Is how you look and act more important to you than your character? Do you always think carefully about what you say in fear of being ridiculed at your true ideas? Do you act differently around different people because you don't want others to see certain things about you?
The media places so much value in things which are temporary, making secondary their primary focus.
*sam
Monday, February 9, 2009
MJ
Recently I played Mah Jong at a friends place for a group gathering. No gambling of course, just for fun! As we were playing, I realized that I had forgotten to pick up a tile at some point, and I was one short (sew seung gong), which meant that there was no way I could win. I just had to continue playing and wait for someone else to win.
When I realized that I couldn't win, I quickly changed strategies. No longer was I playing with both offense and defense in mind, I quickly decided that if I couldn't win, than I would try to mess everyone else up by keeping their tiles or playing ridiculous defense. If I couldn't win, I might as well make it harder for everyone else!
It was an interesting thought as I kept playing.. I felt sort of bad because my strategies would obviously be different had I just played normally. I don't remember the outcome of the game but I do remember a couple things I extracted from the situation.
1. Not being able to win sucks. But hey, you gotta get over yourself and keep going. The game has to go on!
2. Being selfish is a lose-lose situation. It doesn't benefit you and it doesn't benefit all your peers. No one wins.
3. It doesn't make you feel very good to be selfish.
I wonder how often I go into self-centered mode. How often I only care about my own gain and not about others. It doesn't benefit you or others, nor does it feel good to be self-focused.
One sermon in the past sticks out to me, when I think about this topic. The analogy revolved around a throne representing the control over your life. It only sits one person. It is either you in the throne or God in the throne. And it is your choice who sits on this throne. Every day and every choice you make, you make a decision about who is sitting on the throne. When you drive, who sits on the throne? When you talk to your parents, who sits on the throne? When you spend your money, who sits on the throne? You get the point.
Who will it be in your throne? What will you choose?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
As a kid growing up and playing tons of hockey, I was always told the following
'It's not about whether your win or lose - it's how you play the game.'
There are many times when our coach entered us in tournaments well above our level so we could learn both to lose with class and appreciate the wins so much more if we ever got one. Entering any such game where we knew we were outmatched, our FOCUS was completely shifted. So often, if we know we're the better team going in, we get cocky. We play selfishly, trying to pad our stats and, often times, we play down to their level and lose because we're sloppy.
On the other hand, when entering a game where we know the other team is better, we don't take anything for granted, we're willing to try anything and, ultimately, we play like we have nothing to lose. We often end up playing the best hockey our team can play and we're not disappointed when we lose because we all learned so much.
To take this into my life, I find many of us stick to situations we know we can control and desire to remain kings of our world. We often take pride in the fact that we're better than others at what we do but in reality, this cockiness is just a weak attempt at hiding our insecurities. What are we so afraid of? Why can't we live like we have nothing to lose? Why can't we understand that in order to 'win', it takes many losses and failures.
I've lead many horrible Sunday worship sessions because I wasn't right with God, I've had many failed relationships, I've loved and been hurt and I can't even count the number of mistakes I make during any given day but I earnestly believe that God uses those things to mold my character.
He often tells me (in various ways) 'it hurts so badly because I [the Lord] am molding you and breaking down all the walls of pride in you'. I want to be able to say, in every situation, that regardless of the result, I 'played' my heart out and now I'm better for it.
*sam
When I realized that I couldn't win, I quickly changed strategies. No longer was I playing with both offense and defense in mind, I quickly decided that if I couldn't win, than I would try to mess everyone else up by keeping their tiles or playing ridiculous defense. If I couldn't win, I might as well make it harder for everyone else!
It was an interesting thought as I kept playing.. I felt sort of bad because my strategies would obviously be different had I just played normally. I don't remember the outcome of the game but I do remember a couple things I extracted from the situation.
1. Not being able to win sucks. But hey, you gotta get over yourself and keep going. The game has to go on!
2. Being selfish is a lose-lose situation. It doesn't benefit you and it doesn't benefit all your peers. No one wins.
3. It doesn't make you feel very good to be selfish.
I wonder how often I go into self-centered mode. How often I only care about my own gain and not about others. It doesn't benefit you or others, nor does it feel good to be self-focused.
One sermon in the past sticks out to me, when I think about this topic. The analogy revolved around a throne representing the control over your life. It only sits one person. It is either you in the throne or God in the throne. And it is your choice who sits on this throne. Every day and every choice you make, you make a decision about who is sitting on the throne. When you drive, who sits on the throne? When you talk to your parents, who sits on the throne? When you spend your money, who sits on the throne? You get the point.
Who will it be in your throne? What will you choose?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
As a kid growing up and playing tons of hockey, I was always told the following
'It's not about whether your win or lose - it's how you play the game.'
There are many times when our coach entered us in tournaments well above our level so we could learn both to lose with class and appreciate the wins so much more if we ever got one. Entering any such game where we knew we were outmatched, our FOCUS was completely shifted. So often, if we know we're the better team going in, we get cocky. We play selfishly, trying to pad our stats and, often times, we play down to their level and lose because we're sloppy.
On the other hand, when entering a game where we know the other team is better, we don't take anything for granted, we're willing to try anything and, ultimately, we play like we have nothing to lose. We often end up playing the best hockey our team can play and we're not disappointed when we lose because we all learned so much.
To take this into my life, I find many of us stick to situations we know we can control and desire to remain kings of our world. We often take pride in the fact that we're better than others at what we do but in reality, this cockiness is just a weak attempt at hiding our insecurities. What are we so afraid of? Why can't we live like we have nothing to lose? Why can't we understand that in order to 'win', it takes many losses and failures.
I've lead many horrible Sunday worship sessions because I wasn't right with God, I've had many failed relationships, I've loved and been hurt and I can't even count the number of mistakes I make during any given day but I earnestly believe that God uses those things to mold my character.
He often tells me (in various ways) 'it hurts so badly because I [the Lord] am molding you and breaking down all the walls of pride in you'. I want to be able to say, in every situation, that regardless of the result, I 'played' my heart out and now I'm better for it.
*sam
Friday, January 30, 2009
Keeping accountable part 2
Last time I was at Pacific Mall, I saw some cops handcuffing a dvd store owner. It was a store near one of the entrances, with people walking by, like myself, who were in clear view of this arrest. Some people walking by were making phone calls to warn others. The look on the face of the person being arrested wasn't shock, anger or fear. It was a face of annoyance. There was no remorse. Anyway, as we walked away, I noticed a number of other stores with closed doors, with movie posters covering up all the glass. I also know that this is not the only dvd store bust. It seems that the store owners just go on with business as usual.
And I wondered.. why do they keep their business going, even when they know they could get arrested and fined?
Perhaps the consequences are not serious enough for it to stop. Perhaps there is a big enough market for it to risk getting caught. Perhaps its just so rampant that people don't care. Who knows why the keep doing it.
Before I got too carried away in my thoughts of how bad these store owners were.. I was reminded of how as humans we are very similar in the way we treat sin (whether it be lust, greed, pride, anger, treating someone a certain way, whatever it is you call it, I'll call it sin here.) In Greek sin literally means to miss the mark. To not be on target of what God has in store for us.
We know it's not good.. we know there are consequences. Even worse, we know God does not approve. Why do we keep doing it then? Why is it so hard to turn the other way?
Is it because the consequences aren't serious enough? Is it because everyone is doing it, so it seems ok? Is it because we keep making excuses?
The Bible tells us that there are clear consequences for sin. The children of Israel in Isaiah's day were complaining about God's remoteness. Isaiah answered them by writing, "Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore." (Isaiah 59:1-2)
The Bible has many examples of sin's consequences, and they are not short of serious consequences. Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise, and denied access to the tree of life because of their sin (Genesis 3). The ancient world was destroyed by a great Flood as a result of the wickedness of the day (Genesis 6-8). Israel was sentenced to wander in the wilderness for a generation because they refused to enter Canaan (Numbers 14).
Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life?
Don't let it have a grip on you. It will affect your ministry, your relationship with others, and ultimately your relationship with God. It is like a spiritual cancer that affects every area of your life. Find a trusted Christian peer or mentor to pray with you and keep you accountable to staying track. We need people in our lives, trusted Christian peers, to confide in and to keep us accountable for our actions, thoughts and motives.
Not only do we have a community that can help us, we also have a God who is one of mercy and grace. All He asks is that you connect with Him and surrender your sin at the foot of the cross. At a cross where our sins were already paid for. The journey to the cross to fully surrender, and the transformation that happens when we fully embrace the message of the gospel, often is just what we need to start afresh again.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
I have a friend from back home with whom I had a big falling out with many years ago. I felt very betrayed and upset. I couldn't even face him because I felt like what he did was so wrong. For a long time, since we had the same group of friends, when we all got together, there was tension and awkwardness. I kept thinking 'I have nothing to say to him' or 'why would he even be deserving of my conversation or presence!?'. After a few more get togethers, we began to be civil and were able to make small-talk. This is how it was for a long time. We just accepted it and let it be without any mention of the situation.
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, we brought up our disagreement. We talked it out, were bluntly honest and, for the first time, understood each others' sides of the story. We reconciled and became close again after almost 6 years of limbo. When I left the conversation, my thought was 'how come I didn't bring this up earlier!?'. I felt so distant from such a close friend for so long, I didn't even remember how good it was to be open, real and honest with him. I felt like I had denied a blessing from the Lord because I was too prideful to bring things up.
To shift the focus a bit from consequences as becca wrote above, I feel there are many of us who do sin and feel badly about it - at least for a short time. Similar to my falling out with my friend, we can't look at ourselves and feel so rotten at first. After a while though, the feelings fade and everything sort of becomes 'okay'. We live with it thinking it hasn't affected us, we cope and we move on.
My question here is what sorts of sins in your life are un-dealt with? Why is it, that at random times, you may feel guilty about things? Why do you get naturally angry or defensive when certain things are brought up? The reality is that with unreconciled sin, we are not okay; it slowly eats away at us from the inside out and changes our character. It makes us hard-hearted and more prideful. It eventually poisons our minds. In essence, by holding it in, we are denying so many blessings from the Lord. He is like the Father of the prodigal son holding his arms open waiting for us to come HOME so He can shower us with grace, mercy, love and PEACE but so often, we're stuck thinking things are 'okay' when they're not.
*sam
- - - - - - - - - -
Interrupting Heaven:
We recently had a couple news segments on the fairchild and omni2.. Pray for our reach into the community, that people who would not otherwise be reached by AFC would be reached and would be interested in attending TC!
And I wondered.. why do they keep their business going, even when they know they could get arrested and fined?
Perhaps the consequences are not serious enough for it to stop. Perhaps there is a big enough market for it to risk getting caught. Perhaps its just so rampant that people don't care. Who knows why the keep doing it.
Before I got too carried away in my thoughts of how bad these store owners were.. I was reminded of how as humans we are very similar in the way we treat sin (whether it be lust, greed, pride, anger, treating someone a certain way, whatever it is you call it, I'll call it sin here.) In Greek sin literally means to miss the mark. To not be on target of what God has in store for us.
We know it's not good.. we know there are consequences. Even worse, we know God does not approve. Why do we keep doing it then? Why is it so hard to turn the other way?
Is it because the consequences aren't serious enough? Is it because everyone is doing it, so it seems ok? Is it because we keep making excuses?
The Bible tells us that there are clear consequences for sin. The children of Israel in Isaiah's day were complaining about God's remoteness. Isaiah answered them by writing, "Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore." (Isaiah 59:1-2)
The Bible has many examples of sin's consequences, and they are not short of serious consequences. Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise, and denied access to the tree of life because of their sin (Genesis 3). The ancient world was destroyed by a great Flood as a result of the wickedness of the day (Genesis 6-8). Israel was sentenced to wander in the wilderness for a generation because they refused to enter Canaan (Numbers 14).
Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life?
Don't let it have a grip on you. It will affect your ministry, your relationship with others, and ultimately your relationship with God. It is like a spiritual cancer that affects every area of your life. Find a trusted Christian peer or mentor to pray with you and keep you accountable to staying track. We need people in our lives, trusted Christian peers, to confide in and to keep us accountable for our actions, thoughts and motives.
Not only do we have a community that can help us, we also have a God who is one of mercy and grace. All He asks is that you connect with Him and surrender your sin at the foot of the cross. At a cross where our sins were already paid for. The journey to the cross to fully surrender, and the transformation that happens when we fully embrace the message of the gospel, often is just what we need to start afresh again.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
I have a friend from back home with whom I had a big falling out with many years ago. I felt very betrayed and upset. I couldn't even face him because I felt like what he did was so wrong. For a long time, since we had the same group of friends, when we all got together, there was tension and awkwardness. I kept thinking 'I have nothing to say to him' or 'why would he even be deserving of my conversation or presence!?'. After a few more get togethers, we began to be civil and were able to make small-talk. This is how it was for a long time. We just accepted it and let it be without any mention of the situation.
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, we brought up our disagreement. We talked it out, were bluntly honest and, for the first time, understood each others' sides of the story. We reconciled and became close again after almost 6 years of limbo. When I left the conversation, my thought was 'how come I didn't bring this up earlier!?'. I felt so distant from such a close friend for so long, I didn't even remember how good it was to be open, real and honest with him. I felt like I had denied a blessing from the Lord because I was too prideful to bring things up.
To shift the focus a bit from consequences as becca wrote above, I feel there are many of us who do sin and feel badly about it - at least for a short time. Similar to my falling out with my friend, we can't look at ourselves and feel so rotten at first. After a while though, the feelings fade and everything sort of becomes 'okay'. We live with it thinking it hasn't affected us, we cope and we move on.
My question here is what sorts of sins in your life are un-dealt with? Why is it, that at random times, you may feel guilty about things? Why do you get naturally angry or defensive when certain things are brought up? The reality is that with unreconciled sin, we are not okay; it slowly eats away at us from the inside out and changes our character. It makes us hard-hearted and more prideful. It eventually poisons our minds. In essence, by holding it in, we are denying so many blessings from the Lord. He is like the Father of the prodigal son holding his arms open waiting for us to come HOME so He can shower us with grace, mercy, love and PEACE but so often, we're stuck thinking things are 'okay' when they're not.
*sam
- - - - - - - - - -
Interrupting Heaven:
We recently had a couple news segments on the fairchild and omni2.. Pray for our reach into the community, that people who would not otherwise be reached by AFC would be reached and would be interested in attending TC!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Interrupting Heaven
In John Ortberg's book "The Life You've Always Wanted', his chapter on prayer is called Interrupting Heaven. He shares insight from Revelations 8 about rumbles of thunder, flashes of lightening and great earthquakes happening as a result of the prayers of the saints mixed with the smoke of incense. Usually we think of events on earth being interrupted by actions from heaven, but here it is the other way around. The Bible gives us a glimpse of how all of heaven stops so the prayers of the people like you and me can rise to God. They are heard and they matter. Prayers of real human beings interrupt heaven.
With this in mind, how necessary and how powerful it is to be able to lift up our burdens, feelings and requests before God! And let me assure you, we are not short of prayer requests.
Please pray for...
The two TC rallies coming up on Jan 31 and Feb 7 - That they would run smoothly and be an encouragement to upcoming participants.
TC volunteers and coaches - That they be constantly fed and nurtured by God, so that they may serve with an overflow of God's abundance. Deeper intimacy with God = deeper impact on others. That they be strengthened and encouraged at this crunchtime before TC.
TC participants - That they come with an open heart to hear God and to want change in their life. That they will come with a hunger for Jesus.
Protection from spiritual warfare - That we would be protected by God to do His work, that we would overcome any obstacles that come our way.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Sat Jan 31 at Mississauga Chinese Alliance Church 7:00-8:30pm
Junior Worship Team, Pastor Ho-Ming, Testimonies and more!
Sat Feb 7 at Toronto Chinese Methodist Church 7:00-8:30pm
Senior Worship Team, Pastor Arthur Wong, Media Team, Testimonies and more!
Spread the word!!
With this in mind, how necessary and how powerful it is to be able to lift up our burdens, feelings and requests before God! And let me assure you, we are not short of prayer requests.
Please pray for...
The two TC rallies coming up on Jan 31 and Feb 7 - That they would run smoothly and be an encouragement to upcoming participants.
TC volunteers and coaches - That they be constantly fed and nurtured by God, so that they may serve with an overflow of God's abundance. Deeper intimacy with God = deeper impact on others. That they be strengthened and encouraged at this crunchtime before TC.
TC participants - That they come with an open heart to hear God and to want change in their life. That they will come with a hunger for Jesus.
Protection from spiritual warfare - That we would be protected by God to do His work, that we would overcome any obstacles that come our way.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Sat Jan 31 at Mississauga Chinese Alliance Church 7:00-8:30pm
Junior Worship Team, Pastor Ho-Ming, Testimonies and more!
Sat Feb 7 at Toronto Chinese Methodist Church 7:00-8:30pm
Senior Worship Team, Pastor Arthur Wong, Media Team, Testimonies and more!
Spread the word!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Do it as unto the Lord
Every day I drive to and from work along Victoria Park, in this small business area just south of Denison, there is this hardwood floor store. Outside of this hardwood flooring store is this guy who stands at the curb, holding his big signs about how the flooring is really cheap. The first few times I saw him, I thought to myself, man that is one sucky job. Sometimes I've seen people in costumes at the curb when Dominoe's has pizza sales, and I've thought the same thing. Those times it was some teenager doing it, probably earning a few extra dollars.
This time however it was a grown man doing it. I wonder if he's the one who owns the store. And after the first few times I saw him, I realized he wasn't just doing this for a one-time sale. He was there every single day on the commute to and from AFC. He's quite passionate about it too. Or at least it seems like it. He's very animated in his hand gestures, motioning people to come in. Heck, if I needed hardwood flooring I would check this place out!
This guy really seemed to enjoy his job. Even though it wasn't the best job, or the most interesting. He seemed to really put his heart into it.
Another time I was at Holt Renfrew at Yonge and Bloor. A well-dressed gentleman opened up the door for my friends and I. He was dressed in a pinstriped suit, welcomed us warmly and did the same for all the customers. I thought to myself, I wonder how much he gets paid to do that job. Maybe if I got paid $20 an hour I would welcome people warmly into Holts too.
A friend of mine who worked mentioned how nice that guy was at the door. She then told us that he was just doing it voluntarily. He actually owned some high-end restaurants in Toronto, and he just happened to enjoy greeting people at Holts. He did it purely "for fun".
These individuals really make me reflect on how I do my work. Would I do it for free? Would I do it the same way if no one were watching?
Would you?
Then I remember our Pastor reminding us in one of his sermons to always "do it as unto the Lord". Whether you are doing work for yourself, with no one watching, or with everyone watching, you should do it as unto the Lord. When I consider this, it totally revolutionizes the way you approach your work and how you do it.
Those two guys mentioned before, I don't know fully who they're working for or their motives, but they remind me that I need to do strive towards excellence. They remind me to do my best even when no one is watching. And ultimately, they remind me to do it as unto the Lord.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Col. 3:23 NLT
- - - - - - - - - -
I used to have this roommate who doesn't clean up after himself or do any housework. I dreaded walking through the kitchen and living area just because I knew there would be junk lying around everywhere, cobwebs on the ceiling, dirty dishes in the sink and expired takeout containers in the fridge. I remember so many occasions where I was cleaning and he'd sit on the couch reading magazines and lift his feet when I'd sweep the floor near him. I couldn't believe he wouldn't help me and I began to grow bitter. For a while, I'd be upset about him each time I cleaned and hold it together at all other times and put on a smile and live joyfully in the Lord.
I realized that it's not possible to be bitter about one thing and still be in Christ for everything else. My bitterness towards cleaning spilled over to the rest of my life and ate away at me slowly. Because I wrote off one person as lazy and inconsiderate, I began to label and judge other people.
So often, we complain and complain about not getting what we want or the bad situations we're in, thinking 'woe is me' and then wonder why we don't feel peace when we finally come before God.
I believe God uses the not-so-enjoyable tasks in life to tell us a story about the state of our relationship with Him. Some are able to genuinely find peace in any situation while others, when doing the not-so-fun things, suddenly experience the consequences of the lack of reconciliation in their lives.
'Do all things without complaining or arguing
that you might be blameless and harmless
children of God in this crooked and perverse generation
among whom you SHINE as lights in this world...' -PHI 2
*sam
- - - - - - - - - -
Pray for TC!
This week please pray for coaches! We have 48 teams altogether for jr and sr and each team needs two coaches. Right now each team has one coach, a handful have two coaches, and 7 jr teams do not have a coach at all. If you do the math, that means we need a lot more coaches! Let's continue praying that God will provide willing and able people who can help coach!
This time however it was a grown man doing it. I wonder if he's the one who owns the store. And after the first few times I saw him, I realized he wasn't just doing this for a one-time sale. He was there every single day on the commute to and from AFC. He's quite passionate about it too. Or at least it seems like it. He's very animated in his hand gestures, motioning people to come in. Heck, if I needed hardwood flooring I would check this place out!
This guy really seemed to enjoy his job. Even though it wasn't the best job, or the most interesting. He seemed to really put his heart into it.
Another time I was at Holt Renfrew at Yonge and Bloor. A well-dressed gentleman opened up the door for my friends and I. He was dressed in a pinstriped suit, welcomed us warmly and did the same for all the customers. I thought to myself, I wonder how much he gets paid to do that job. Maybe if I got paid $20 an hour I would welcome people warmly into Holts too.
A friend of mine who worked mentioned how nice that guy was at the door. She then told us that he was just doing it voluntarily. He actually owned some high-end restaurants in Toronto, and he just happened to enjoy greeting people at Holts. He did it purely "for fun".
These individuals really make me reflect on how I do my work. Would I do it for free? Would I do it the same way if no one were watching?
Would you?
Then I remember our Pastor reminding us in one of his sermons to always "do it as unto the Lord". Whether you are doing work for yourself, with no one watching, or with everyone watching, you should do it as unto the Lord. When I consider this, it totally revolutionizes the way you approach your work and how you do it.
Those two guys mentioned before, I don't know fully who they're working for or their motives, but they remind me that I need to do strive towards excellence. They remind me to do my best even when no one is watching. And ultimately, they remind me to do it as unto the Lord.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Col. 3:23 NLT
- - - - - - - - - -
I used to have this roommate who doesn't clean up after himself or do any housework. I dreaded walking through the kitchen and living area just because I knew there would be junk lying around everywhere, cobwebs on the ceiling, dirty dishes in the sink and expired takeout containers in the fridge. I remember so many occasions where I was cleaning and he'd sit on the couch reading magazines and lift his feet when I'd sweep the floor near him. I couldn't believe he wouldn't help me and I began to grow bitter. For a while, I'd be upset about him each time I cleaned and hold it together at all other times and put on a smile and live joyfully in the Lord.
I realized that it's not possible to be bitter about one thing and still be in Christ for everything else. My bitterness towards cleaning spilled over to the rest of my life and ate away at me slowly. Because I wrote off one person as lazy and inconsiderate, I began to label and judge other people.
So often, we complain and complain about not getting what we want or the bad situations we're in, thinking 'woe is me' and then wonder why we don't feel peace when we finally come before God.
I believe God uses the not-so-enjoyable tasks in life to tell us a story about the state of our relationship with Him. Some are able to genuinely find peace in any situation while others, when doing the not-so-fun things, suddenly experience the consequences of the lack of reconciliation in their lives.
'Do all things without complaining or arguing
that you might be blameless and harmless
children of God in this crooked and perverse generation
among whom you SHINE as lights in this world...' -PHI 2
*sam
- - - - - - - - - -
Pray for TC!
This week please pray for coaches! We have 48 teams altogether for jr and sr and each team needs two coaches. Right now each team has one coach, a handful have two coaches, and 7 jr teams do not have a coach at all. If you do the math, that means we need a lot more coaches! Let's continue praying that God will provide willing and able people who can help coach!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Captain training - Sat Jan 10 - TCMC
We will follow a similar timetable as last time, two of three workshops to go to. The one you don't go to you can watch online. Here they are!
Making the Connection (Alvin Lau)
Ever stand in front of a group of people and just wasn't able to communicate effectively? In this workshop, you'll learn some simple techniques that will help you communicate better in front of a crowd/team. Rev. Alvin Lau is the Manage of Youth Ministries with the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. His wife and 2 children attend Mimico Baptist Church.
Prayer – Does it make any difference? (Sharon Tam)
Prayer is the act of communicating with God, but do you ever feel tongue-tied in his presence? What do you say to the Guy who knows everything? And, if God knows everything, what’s the point of prayer? Is God really listening? Why do many prayers go unanswered? How can I distinguish between what’s coming from my own mind and God’s voice? Does prayer change us or God or both? Why does God sometimes seem close and other times seem far away? How can I make my prayer life more satisfying? Pastors and ordinary Christians alike consistently rank prayer high in importance – and also high in frustration. This workshop explores hard questions that many are afraid to ask about prayer. It honestly admits our common failure and disappointment with prayer and considers some ways to rekindle a vibrant, active, faith-stretching, and fulfilling prayer life. Pastor Sharon Tam is from Mississsauga Chinese Baptist Church and has a passion for teaching, evangelism, leadership development and more.
Building up your team (Gordon Poon)
Do you sometimes find that working alone is more efficient than working with a group of people? When was the last time you got fed up with your group members and did everything yourself? Maybe it was the other way around, where your partner hogs all the works and you don't feel needed or appreciated for your effort. In this workshop, we will be looking deeper into the building blocks of team work. We will learn how to think critically for our team and mobilize our members to achieve a shared goal and vision effectively. Gordon Poon has grown a passion for the arts and the people in the city, ever since growing up in Toronto. In his few short years in pastoral ministry and coaching at Teens Conference, he learned how God can be so creative when he sees young people put their artistic minds into their work. He is currently called to serving the youth in the Church and is continuing his education at Tyndale University College and Seminary for his Master of Divinity degree.
-----
- Continue fundraising everyone! You guys are awesome, I know you can do it.
- Invite your friends to the pre-connect tc rallies on Jan 31 and Feb 7!
Making the Connection (Alvin Lau)
Ever stand in front of a group of people and just wasn't able to communicate effectively? In this workshop, you'll learn some simple techniques that will help you communicate better in front of a crowd/team. Rev. Alvin Lau is the Manage of Youth Ministries with the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. His wife and 2 children attend Mimico Baptist Church.
Prayer – Does it make any difference? (Sharon Tam)
Prayer is the act of communicating with God, but do you ever feel tongue-tied in his presence? What do you say to the Guy who knows everything? And, if God knows everything, what’s the point of prayer? Is God really listening? Why do many prayers go unanswered? How can I distinguish between what’s coming from my own mind and God’s voice? Does prayer change us or God or both? Why does God sometimes seem close and other times seem far away? How can I make my prayer life more satisfying? Pastors and ordinary Christians alike consistently rank prayer high in importance – and also high in frustration. This workshop explores hard questions that many are afraid to ask about prayer. It honestly admits our common failure and disappointment with prayer and considers some ways to rekindle a vibrant, active, faith-stretching, and fulfilling prayer life. Pastor Sharon Tam is from Mississsauga Chinese Baptist Church and has a passion for teaching, evangelism, leadership development and more.
Building up your team (Gordon Poon)
Do you sometimes find that working alone is more efficient than working with a group of people? When was the last time you got fed up with your group members and did everything yourself? Maybe it was the other way around, where your partner hogs all the works and you don't feel needed or appreciated for your effort. In this workshop, we will be looking deeper into the building blocks of team work. We will learn how to think critically for our team and mobilize our members to achieve a shared goal and vision effectively. Gordon Poon has grown a passion for the arts and the people in the city, ever since growing up in Toronto. In his few short years in pastoral ministry and coaching at Teens Conference, he learned how God can be so creative when he sees young people put their artistic minds into their work. He is currently called to serving the youth in the Church and is continuing his education at Tyndale University College and Seminary for his Master of Divinity degree.
-----
- Continue fundraising everyone! You guys are awesome, I know you can do it.
- Invite your friends to the pre-connect tc rallies on Jan 31 and Feb 7!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Who are you accountable to?
I recently caught up with a friend who had moved to Vancouver to pursue schooling. He finished that and is now waiting to hear back from the RCMP and this other csi-type place to see if he's been accepted to their training camp or not. He was explaining to me their grueling screening process. One of the aspects of the screening is taking a lie detector test, aka the polygraph. They would ask you about any felonies you may have committed, any small crimes you didn't report, any illegal activities you didn't get caught for, any relatives you have that do bad stuff.. anything and everything they would ask you about, you were expected to spill it, or ruin your chances at getting in.
If he gets in and he moves up the ranks, he would have to take the polygraph a few more times. So he was telling me how it's been messing with his head. He was on this go-train type of system in Vancouver where it's based on the honour system. You buy your ticket, have it on you, but no one checks regularly if you have it. This one time he forgot to buy the monthly pass, and he went on without any ticket/pass. Even though he could've gotten away with it, he knew he would have to fess up to it later. So after his trip he went to buy a ticket just to throw it out after, so he could be of good conscience.
Another time he had a chance to pick up a newspaper from those dispensers for free, but for the same reason as the train ride, he put in the money anyway, so he wasn't feeling like a criminal. Even the people he hangs out with he has to be careful about.. He has to be weary of those who engage in stupid activities, in case he has to 'report' it in his polygraph and rat them out. I guess it's a good thing to get used to.. since if he got accepted and worked as an RCMP he'd have to report and arrest his friends doing illegal stuff anyway.
Not that my friend wouldn't, but he more or less has to live a fairly truthful life, for the sake of his job security. He always has that in the back of his mind whenever he does anything. These RCMP prospects keep him accountable in his lifestyle and decisions. I think it's very common to think it's ok to do something, as long as we don't get caught, as long as it's not really a big thing. But having this RCMP deal keeping him accountable to his actions, I'm sure sooner or later down the road he won't even think twice about not paying for the ride or getting the newspaper. It will be ingrained in his mind to live with integrity. He almost has to un-train his mind of the kind of thinking our society teaches us.
In the same way I consider if my friend lives a more truthful life than some Christians I know. Sure, some of it is out of fear of losing his future job, but I think it still applies. And some of it is out of obligation but he still chooses to do the 'right' thing. I also wonder if some Christians live with this kind of integrity, accountability and transparency. Do we fear God the way my friend fears his future boss? Or rather.. do we love and want to honour God to the extent my friend will go out of his way to make sure he's on a good conscience? Do we have people in our lives to ask us the tough questions, and as a response are we truthful? Are we even truthful to ourselves? Are we the same person no matter who we are with and where we are?
I hope the answer is yes! Or at least that we/you are striving towards living a life of integrity.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Compartmentalization.
At my company, we're told by HR that what we do on our own time is private and that it's not the company's problem unless it begins to affect our work. We live in this world where we party so hard on Friday and Saturday nights, doing many things we would never share with anyone, and then show up on Sunday morning at church raising our arms in the air to praise the Lord. We go to family dinners with our grandparents and relatives, put on a smile and pretend we're these great kids when deep down, we know there are so many things we're hiding and are terrified at what they would think if they found out.
I will openly admit that I've struggle with lust and impure thoughts, that I drank and smoked, I betrayed friends and hurt many others, I've had many failed dating relationships, and I've lied to people I'm close to in order to save face. I'm weak and I can't hold it together. I'm older than all of you and should now be wiser but I'm not. I don't have it all together and have no idea where I'm headed and that freaks me out. I've preached to others about faith in Christ while being afraid that they'll see I have none. I've led worship and proclaimed that God is good while not fully knowing it because of the uncertainty I was in.
Being open and honest about who I am, the things I struggle with and the touchy things about me that aren't usually brought up in church doesn't only make me feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders, it causes me to admit that my life isn't a bunch of small compartments or unrelated segments. I am created in Christ to be WHOLE and there's no way I can break my life into little pieces and expect to be able to hold it together.
*sam
If he gets in and he moves up the ranks, he would have to take the polygraph a few more times. So he was telling me how it's been messing with his head. He was on this go-train type of system in Vancouver where it's based on the honour system. You buy your ticket, have it on you, but no one checks regularly if you have it. This one time he forgot to buy the monthly pass, and he went on without any ticket/pass. Even though he could've gotten away with it, he knew he would have to fess up to it later. So after his trip he went to buy a ticket just to throw it out after, so he could be of good conscience.
Another time he had a chance to pick up a newspaper from those dispensers for free, but for the same reason as the train ride, he put in the money anyway, so he wasn't feeling like a criminal. Even the people he hangs out with he has to be careful about.. He has to be weary of those who engage in stupid activities, in case he has to 'report' it in his polygraph and rat them out. I guess it's a good thing to get used to.. since if he got accepted and worked as an RCMP he'd have to report and arrest his friends doing illegal stuff anyway.
Not that my friend wouldn't, but he more or less has to live a fairly truthful life, for the sake of his job security. He always has that in the back of his mind whenever he does anything. These RCMP prospects keep him accountable in his lifestyle and decisions. I think it's very common to think it's ok to do something, as long as we don't get caught, as long as it's not really a big thing. But having this RCMP deal keeping him accountable to his actions, I'm sure sooner or later down the road he won't even think twice about not paying for the ride or getting the newspaper. It will be ingrained in his mind to live with integrity. He almost has to un-train his mind of the kind of thinking our society teaches us.
In the same way I consider if my friend lives a more truthful life than some Christians I know. Sure, some of it is out of fear of losing his future job, but I think it still applies. And some of it is out of obligation but he still chooses to do the 'right' thing. I also wonder if some Christians live with this kind of integrity, accountability and transparency. Do we fear God the way my friend fears his future boss? Or rather.. do we love and want to honour God to the extent my friend will go out of his way to make sure he's on a good conscience? Do we have people in our lives to ask us the tough questions, and as a response are we truthful? Are we even truthful to ourselves? Are we the same person no matter who we are with and where we are?
I hope the answer is yes! Or at least that we/you are striving towards living a life of integrity.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Compartmentalization.
At my company, we're told by HR that what we do on our own time is private and that it's not the company's problem unless it begins to affect our work. We live in this world where we party so hard on Friday and Saturday nights, doing many things we would never share with anyone, and then show up on Sunday morning at church raising our arms in the air to praise the Lord. We go to family dinners with our grandparents and relatives, put on a smile and pretend we're these great kids when deep down, we know there are so many things we're hiding and are terrified at what they would think if they found out.
I will openly admit that I've struggle with lust and impure thoughts, that I drank and smoked, I betrayed friends and hurt many others, I've had many failed dating relationships, and I've lied to people I'm close to in order to save face. I'm weak and I can't hold it together. I'm older than all of you and should now be wiser but I'm not. I don't have it all together and have no idea where I'm headed and that freaks me out. I've preached to others about faith in Christ while being afraid that they'll see I have none. I've led worship and proclaimed that God is good while not fully knowing it because of the uncertainty I was in.
Being open and honest about who I am, the things I struggle with and the touchy things about me that aren't usually brought up in church doesn't only make me feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders, it causes me to admit that my life isn't a bunch of small compartments or unrelated segments. I am created in Christ to be WHOLE and there's no way I can break my life into little pieces and expect to be able to hold it together.
*sam
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Everybody's weird
I'm reading this book called 'Everybody's Normal Until You Meet Them' by John Ortberg. In short, it is about community and how we are all created to be in community with other believers. His title is referring to how everyone has an 'As Is' tag on, just like sale merchandise. You know there is something wrong with it.. You just have to find it, or accept what it is. We also have 'As Is' tags too. Everyone has faults, weird tendencies, something wrong with us. Some of us are better than hiding it than others. But we all come with the same tag.
The title makes me think about when March rolls around, when captains meet their team of 20 or so students. It's quite a scary and exciting thing, to have this random group of kids under your care for a couple days. I say scary because you never know what you're going to get! Weirdos, loners, sketchy ones, ones with bad breath, smelly ones, etc. But they are yours to take care of and they are part of your team.
Before you get too weary of the challenge of reaching out to people you may not be comfortable reaching out to, remember that you also were an 'as is' item. We all have sin in our lives that make us not so normal. But God redeemed us and gave us value again. He redeemed you. And you were not cheap. God went really far to reach out to you. Psalm 103:12 says, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." Would you also partner with God to reach out to those on your team?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
There's a site called postsecret.blogspot.com. It's a site where people anonymously send in postcards revealing deep dark secrets. It has helped many who have no one to talk to and just need a way to get things out. Recently, one of the postcards read the following
'I used to make fun of the kids who were different and considered outcasts and now I teach a class full of them. Everyday I go to school, I'm reminded of what a bad person I am.'
Each time I judge someone, label them or write them off as not worth my time, there are ripple effects which I am not aware of. I have this friend whom I used to talk to a lot but every time he opened his mouth, it would be to say something negative. He complains about every single thing and it's like there's an aura of negativity everywhere he goes. I found myself ignoring his messages once in a while and ranting about him to others. I couldn't believe how negative he could be and how much he can take a very seemingly ordinary situation and pick out all the bad points about it.
I caught someone else talking bad about him one day and my natural reaction was to be disgusted that they were gossiping about him. I suddenly realized two things...
1. Regardless of how this friend acts or how right I may be about him, how I react to his negativity is a direct reflection of my character. If I go and gossip about him, it simply shows how prideful and selfish I am.
2. The love of God shines through in the situation when, by His grace, I desire to understand where my friend is coming from rather than jumping to conclusions about him.
Often times, as soon as we see that someone displays a character flaw in a more obvious way than we do, in order to 'protect' ourselves, we expose it to others as much as we can. The ripple effect of these actions is the destruction of the church.
*sam
The title makes me think about when March rolls around, when captains meet their team of 20 or so students. It's quite a scary and exciting thing, to have this random group of kids under your care for a couple days. I say scary because you never know what you're going to get! Weirdos, loners, sketchy ones, ones with bad breath, smelly ones, etc. But they are yours to take care of and they are part of your team.
Before you get too weary of the challenge of reaching out to people you may not be comfortable reaching out to, remember that you also were an 'as is' item. We all have sin in our lives that make us not so normal. But God redeemed us and gave us value again. He redeemed you. And you were not cheap. God went really far to reach out to you. Psalm 103:12 says, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." Would you also partner with God to reach out to those on your team?
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
There's a site called postsecret.blogspot.com. It's a site where people anonymously send in postcards revealing deep dark secrets. It has helped many who have no one to talk to and just need a way to get things out. Recently, one of the postcards read the following
'I used to make fun of the kids who were different and considered outcasts and now I teach a class full of them. Everyday I go to school, I'm reminded of what a bad person I am.'
Each time I judge someone, label them or write them off as not worth my time, there are ripple effects which I am not aware of. I have this friend whom I used to talk to a lot but every time he opened his mouth, it would be to say something negative. He complains about every single thing and it's like there's an aura of negativity everywhere he goes. I found myself ignoring his messages once in a while and ranting about him to others. I couldn't believe how negative he could be and how much he can take a very seemingly ordinary situation and pick out all the bad points about it.
I caught someone else talking bad about him one day and my natural reaction was to be disgusted that they were gossiping about him. I suddenly realized two things...
1. Regardless of how this friend acts or how right I may be about him, how I react to his negativity is a direct reflection of my character. If I go and gossip about him, it simply shows how prideful and selfish I am.
2. The love of God shines through in the situation when, by His grace, I desire to understand where my friend is coming from rather than jumping to conclusions about him.
Often times, as soon as we see that someone displays a character flaw in a more obvious way than we do, in order to 'protect' ourselves, we expose it to others as much as we can. The ripple effect of these actions is the destruction of the church.
*sam
Friday, December 19, 2008
Unpredictable weather
I usually love songs that have to do with storms and how God takes us through them.
Still (hillsong) paints a picture of oceans rising and thunders roaring, but with us riding the storm with God. Praise You In This Storm (casting crowns) tells of someone who almost gave up in the midst of the storm, but is still able to praise God despite their circumstances. Bring the Rain (mercyme) is about how God is bigger than our pain, and it even goes so far as to asking for rain to come if that is how they can praise the Lord.
Still (hillsong) paints a picture of oceans rising and thunders roaring, but with us riding the storm with God. Praise You In This Storm (casting crowns) tells of someone who almost gave up in the midst of the storm, but is still able to praise God despite their circumstances. Bring the Rain (mercyme) is about how God is bigger than our pain, and it even goes so far as to asking for rain to come if that is how they can praise the Lord.
Besides the common weather element in each of these songs, at the core of these songs is a soul who sees that God is bigger than any storm, any struggle that life brings, any circumstance we face. It is only in these difficult situations that we see what we are made of. It is also in these times when we see what God is made of, and how faithful He is. It's only in trying times that our faith is stretched and our eyes opened.
More times than not, we do not have control over our circumstances. The storms that come are never scheduled. And we are never prepared for what is to come. What we do have control over is how we respond, and what we can learn from it.
In John C. Maxwell's book, "Developing the Leader Within You", in a chapter on problem solving, speaks of how many outstanding people have overcome problems in their lives for the better.
I often hear people say.. God does not give you more than you can handle. I'm not sure where the bible says this.. but what I do know is that God sometimes does give us more than you can handle. And it's not to say we are unlucky because of it. Situations that are bigger than what we can handle force us to stretch, grow and learn.
I really like how Mark Hall from Casting Crowns put it, when he describes the premise behind their song "Praise You In This Storm":
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
"I lift my eyes up to the mountains -- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth."More times than not, we do not have control over our circumstances. The storms that come are never scheduled. And we are never prepared for what is to come. What we do have control over is how we respond, and what we can learn from it.
In John C. Maxwell's book, "Developing the Leader Within You", in a chapter on problem solving, speaks of how many outstanding people have overcome problems in their lives for the better.
"Bury a person in the snows of Valley Forge, and you have a George Washington. Raise him in abject poverty, and you have an Abraham Lincoln. Strike him down with infantile paralysis, and he becomes a Franklin D. Roosevelt. Burn him so severely that the doctors say he will never walk again, and you have Glenn Cunningham, who set the world's one-mile record in 1934. Have him or her born black in a society filled with racial discrimination, and you have a Booker T. Washington, a Marian Anderson, a George Washington Carver, or a Martin Luther King Jr. Call him a slow learner and retarded--writing him off as uneducable--and you have an Albert Einstein. Dolly Parton sums it all up with these words: 'The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.' "
I often hear people say.. God does not give you more than you can handle. I'm not sure where the bible says this.. but what I do know is that God sometimes does give us more than you can handle. And it's not to say we are unlucky because of it. Situations that are bigger than what we can handle force us to stretch, grow and learn.
I really like how Mark Hall from Casting Crowns put it, when he describes the premise behind their song "Praise You In This Storm":
If there ever were a test of our faith if there ever were a test of the motives of our worship it is when a storm rolls into our lives. We watched and prayed for a precious little girl named Erin Edwards struggle with a deadly disease for several years. The courage, the witness, and the worship of Erin's mother Laurie inspired this song. Sometimes God calms our storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us. - Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
"I lift my eyes up to the mountains -- where does my help come from?
Psalm 121: 1-2
- - - - - - - - - -
I sat up one night at the beginning of the school year when I was chair of our Christian fellowship at Queen's and I cried because I was so overwhelmed. In my initial discussion with all the leaders, I found there were so many ideas which were to take the fellowship in various directions. After a few weeks of complete exhaustion in trying to think of fresh new programs, I was at a loss with regards to what I would do next. I didn't know what to feel because I was feeling it all at once. I realized after a while that I simply doubted myself and it was the first time I'd ever doubted my own capability. I sat in one corner of my room curled up in a ball, trembling. I was so scared and I asked God 'what is it that you want me to do!?'
The response I got was so simple. The Lord said 'This doubt you're feeling is EXACTLY the place you need to be in. You're starting to see now that you really can't do it all and that's the beginning of humility.' At that moment, 2 verses came flooding in...
'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'
'My [God's] grace is sufficient for you.
My power is made perfect in your weakness.'
I realized at that point that because I was (and still am) so prideful, it's only in the STORM and in the moments when I feel insecure that God is tugging at my heart and truly giving me the opportunity to come before Him and learn to be in awe of Him. It's in the moments when I'm most afraid that I am able to begin to learn to fear the Lord.
*sam
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Cockroaches
Recently I got invited to a group warning people about Destiny's cockroach situation. After rejecting the invitation to the group, I saw it linked on people's status updates and posted as items to be shared. Yikes! Destiny won't be too happy about that. But I guess that's what happens when you have a bad customer experience. Especially since our world is so interconnected.
I once heard from a customer-service workshop that when you have good customer service, it's not often noted or brought up. But when you have one bad customer experience, it results in at least 10 others knowing about it. 10 incidents of poor customer service could result to 100 people knowing about it. And I guess in this instance, one incident leads to countless thousands of people knowing through facebook. It's crazy!
Not only is it a lesson on customer service, but it is a lesson on the power of reputation and word of mouth. I wonder how many students come to TC and have a bad experience, and tell others, and countless others end up not attending because of it. I wonder how many have heard testimonies of Christians, but then see that their lives don't reflect it and as a result do not hold Christianity as something credible to believe in.
This is a reminder that as captains and as volunteers at TC, you play a huge part in shaping the participant's experience. Huge. You could make or break someone's outlook on Jesus.
Let's make sure we don't let any cockroach experiences into TC! Only good feedback =)
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Just as a disclaimer, even though it is all over the web, I'm skeptical as to how bad the customer experience truly was or if the people who publicized it exaggerated even a bit in order to make more 'noise'. I am making an assumption that there was, in fact, a bad customer experience as I post this response.
The perspective I want to focus on in this case is that of the waitress. In the posted story, it is clear that she doesn't understand the severity of the problem at hand. After being told there are cockroaches in the drink, she initially offers them a 13% discount and, even after the health risks of eating cockroaches are explained, she dismissively tells the customers that if they go to the hospital, destiny will cover their health bill. The root cause of this issue is probably the poor cleanliness of the kitchen but rather than admitting that and responsibly investigating the issue, the waitress attempts to sweep it under the rug by offering inadequate solutions to the symptom.
I remember several instances when I've had to lead worship or share at a big event where I've gone in very nervous and anxious. Moments before going on stage, my heart is racing and I feel like so many thoughts are going through my head all at once. Many times, rather than taking time to earnestly come before God in HUMILITY, I quickly try to shrug it off and hold it together.
I believe we are all BROKEN but rather than honestly taking a look at ourselves to better understand why, we often hurriedly think of a quick fix and move forward as long as our problems appear 'manageable'. God is asking each of us to allow Him to expose what is ugly so we can name it, take responsibility and fully deal with it rather than to sweep it under the rug and get burned for it later.
*sam
I once heard from a customer-service workshop that when you have good customer service, it's not often noted or brought up. But when you have one bad customer experience, it results in at least 10 others knowing about it. 10 incidents of poor customer service could result to 100 people knowing about it. And I guess in this instance, one incident leads to countless thousands of people knowing through facebook. It's crazy!
Not only is it a lesson on customer service, but it is a lesson on the power of reputation and word of mouth. I wonder how many students come to TC and have a bad experience, and tell others, and countless others end up not attending because of it. I wonder how many have heard testimonies of Christians, but then see that their lives don't reflect it and as a result do not hold Christianity as something credible to believe in.
This is a reminder that as captains and as volunteers at TC, you play a huge part in shaping the participant's experience. Huge. You could make or break someone's outlook on Jesus.
Let's make sure we don't let any cockroach experiences into TC! Only good feedback =)
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
Just as a disclaimer, even though it is all over the web, I'm skeptical as to how bad the customer experience truly was or if the people who publicized it exaggerated even a bit in order to make more 'noise'. I am making an assumption that there was, in fact, a bad customer experience as I post this response.
The perspective I want to focus on in this case is that of the waitress. In the posted story, it is clear that she doesn't understand the severity of the problem at hand. After being told there are cockroaches in the drink, she initially offers them a 13% discount and, even after the health risks of eating cockroaches are explained, she dismissively tells the customers that if they go to the hospital, destiny will cover their health bill. The root cause of this issue is probably the poor cleanliness of the kitchen but rather than admitting that and responsibly investigating the issue, the waitress attempts to sweep it under the rug by offering inadequate solutions to the symptom.
I remember several instances when I've had to lead worship or share at a big event where I've gone in very nervous and anxious. Moments before going on stage, my heart is racing and I feel like so many thoughts are going through my head all at once. Many times, rather than taking time to earnestly come before God in HUMILITY, I quickly try to shrug it off and hold it together.
I believe we are all BROKEN but rather than honestly taking a look at ourselves to better understand why, we often hurriedly think of a quick fix and move forward as long as our problems appear 'manageable'. God is asking each of us to allow Him to expose what is ugly so we can name it, take responsibility and fully deal with it rather than to sweep it under the rug and get burned for it later.
*sam
Friday, December 5, 2008
Contagious love
Sam once shared this story with me, and I really liked it, so I thought I'd share it with you.
Over the summer, there was a story on the news about someone getting coffee at a Tim Horton's drive through. That someone decided to be nice, and buy the coffee for the car behind them. The car behind ended up getting coffee for the person behind them too, probably out of gratitude or because they were expecting to pay the dollar something anyway. And this went on for over an hour that morning. Isn't that cool?
Besides the fact that it's a nice story, it reminds me of a simple fact. When you receive something you don't deserve, it feels good and it is contagious. We all know this feeling. In fact, this is the very idea that Jesus taught us about why we must love. In 1 John 4:19 it says "We love because he first loved us."
We don't love out of obligation, but we love others out of the overflow and gratitude we have because of what Jesus did for us. When is the last time you did something out of this overflow for no reason at all? Or perhaps another question to ask is have you been refreshed and filled up by God enough lately that you have an overflow to give from?
Especially as a volunteer at TC, there will be many people attending who have never experienced what God's love looks or feels like. As people who have experienced it first hand and who want to make a difference in these people's lives, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
We live in a world where everything is becoming individualistic. We all have our own cell phones, when we enter the subway, everyone has their own iPod, and our city has smog issues because everyone drives their own cars. I find it ironic (I admit I'm part of the problem too) that during the busiest time in rush hour, the carpool lane is almost always empty and that authorities make so much money catching individuals trying to drive in it in order to pass other cars!
I feel that we live in a society that encourages a selfish lifestyle. We have gotten so good at getting anything we want anytime we want at a good price. We are so spoiled that we feel that having our way is a right rather than a privilege. Rather than being thankful, we become greedy.
A while back, I stayed late at work to finish a project. Everyone had already left the office except one co-worker who knew I was behind and decided to stay and help me. We finished and I drove him home. When we arrived at his place, I thanked him for helping me and he smiled and said 'cool man - no big deal'. At that moment, I thought to myself 'IT IS A BIG DEAL!' He chose to give up his time in order to help me and asked for nothing in return. I suddenly saw that in this crazy world of selfishness where we are told to look out for #1, whenever anyone goes outside of that realm to do any good deed with good intentions, it affects everyone else around them and has such a huge positive impact.
I learned that night how much the power of God truly resides in us being the light of the world.
'You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden
nor would you light a lamp and put it under a bowl
but on a lampstand that it may give light
to all who are in the house.
In the same manner, let your light shine before men
that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.' - Matt 5
*sam
Over the summer, there was a story on the news about someone getting coffee at a Tim Horton's drive through. That someone decided to be nice, and buy the coffee for the car behind them. The car behind ended up getting coffee for the person behind them too, probably out of gratitude or because they were expecting to pay the dollar something anyway. And this went on for over an hour that morning. Isn't that cool?
Besides the fact that it's a nice story, it reminds me of a simple fact. When you receive something you don't deserve, it feels good and it is contagious. We all know this feeling. In fact, this is the very idea that Jesus taught us about why we must love. In 1 John 4:19 it says "We love because he first loved us."
We don't love out of obligation, but we love others out of the overflow and gratitude we have because of what Jesus did for us. When is the last time you did something out of this overflow for no reason at all? Or perhaps another question to ask is have you been refreshed and filled up by God enough lately that you have an overflow to give from?
Especially as a volunteer at TC, there will be many people attending who have never experienced what God's love looks or feels like. As people who have experienced it first hand and who want to make a difference in these people's lives, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24)
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
We live in a world where everything is becoming individualistic. We all have our own cell phones, when we enter the subway, everyone has their own iPod, and our city has smog issues because everyone drives their own cars. I find it ironic (I admit I'm part of the problem too) that during the busiest time in rush hour, the carpool lane is almost always empty and that authorities make so much money catching individuals trying to drive in it in order to pass other cars!
I feel that we live in a society that encourages a selfish lifestyle. We have gotten so good at getting anything we want anytime we want at a good price. We are so spoiled that we feel that having our way is a right rather than a privilege. Rather than being thankful, we become greedy.
A while back, I stayed late at work to finish a project. Everyone had already left the office except one co-worker who knew I was behind and decided to stay and help me. We finished and I drove him home. When we arrived at his place, I thanked him for helping me and he smiled and said 'cool man - no big deal'. At that moment, I thought to myself 'IT IS A BIG DEAL!' He chose to give up his time in order to help me and asked for nothing in return. I suddenly saw that in this crazy world of selfishness where we are told to look out for #1, whenever anyone goes outside of that realm to do any good deed with good intentions, it affects everyone else around them and has such a huge positive impact.
I learned that night how much the power of God truly resides in us being the light of the world.
'You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden
nor would you light a lamp and put it under a bowl
but on a lampstand that it may give light
to all who are in the house.
In the same manner, let your light shine before men
that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.' - Matt 5
*sam
Friday, November 28, 2008
Question!
For this week's blog I was hoping YOU guys could write something! Best answer (totally subjective to me of course hehe) gets a small prize at the second captains training =) Here's your question...
What do you fear most about captaining?
Comment!!! =)
*rebecca
What do you fear most about captaining?
Comment!!! =)
*rebecca
Friday, November 21, 2008
Black out
My family and I were driving along Yonge Street in the late summer a number of years ago. We had noticed that the traffic lights weren't working. That was normal, happens every now and then. When we arrived at our destination, the glow in the dark mini putt place at Yonge and 16, they were closed because there was no electricity. Strange, we thought. As we drove farther and listened to the radio, we realized that it was not just this block in Richmond Hill that had no electricity. It was the whole of northeastern Ontario and parts of the U.S.A. It was the blackout of 2003.
It wasn't long before I realized there wasn't much to do without electricity. I heard stories of neighbors bbq'ing together for the first time. The skies were lit up by the stars, radiating with the lack of artificial light. I got a chance to have some time off reflecting on scripture while there was still light out. I don't think I was 'ready' for the blackout. I don't think Toronto was either.
We don't realize how much we've taken for granted or what we've neglected until we are forced to stop, or in this case, when the lights go out. We're always running around with our busy lives in front of us. Often times, I find this is how God works too. Whenever I get too comfortable and I start to take for granted what He has given me, I get a reminder of exactly who is in charge. Sometimes it takes big things to happen in our lives before we realize how little control we really have.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
When we lost power during the blackout caused by the Americans, I was at home with my dad. He didn't know how long the blackout was for so he told me not to waste any candles or flashlight batteries. I grudgingly agreed and for a while, we sat at the kitchen table quietly. I complained about having nothing to do, got bored and kept questioning the circumstances I was put in. My dad listened at first and then he got mad because I was being such a baby and we both complained. After a while, we sat silently, tired from all the whining. I realized I hadn't spent much time with him in so long even though we were under the same roof so we resolved our minor differences and chatted for the rest of the evening.
Often times, God will take something away from us because He desires to show us something better. It's never something we can give up easily - it's always something touchy. When it happens, we question our faith, a lot of darkness is revealed in our lives and we spend so much time focusing on hoping for better circumstances. Often times, our faith is shaken and we turn away. However, there are the odd times when we get to a place of brokenness and begin to have a deeper understanding of the following statement:
*sam
It wasn't long before I realized there wasn't much to do without electricity. I heard stories of neighbors bbq'ing together for the first time. The skies were lit up by the stars, radiating with the lack of artificial light. I got a chance to have some time off reflecting on scripture while there was still light out. I don't think I was 'ready' for the blackout. I don't think Toronto was either.
We don't realize how much we've taken for granted or what we've neglected until we are forced to stop, or in this case, when the lights go out. We're always running around with our busy lives in front of us. Often times, I find this is how God works too. Whenever I get too comfortable and I start to take for granted what He has given me, I get a reminder of exactly who is in charge. Sometimes it takes big things to happen in our lives before we realize how little control we really have.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
When we lost power during the blackout caused by the Americans, I was at home with my dad. He didn't know how long the blackout was for so he told me not to waste any candles or flashlight batteries. I grudgingly agreed and for a while, we sat at the kitchen table quietly. I complained about having nothing to do, got bored and kept questioning the circumstances I was put in. My dad listened at first and then he got mad because I was being such a baby and we both complained. After a while, we sat silently, tired from all the whining. I realized I hadn't spent much time with him in so long even though we were under the same roof so we resolved our minor differences and chatted for the rest of the evening.
Often times, God will take something away from us because He desires to show us something better. It's never something we can give up easily - it's always something touchy. When it happens, we question our faith, a lot of darkness is revealed in our lives and we spend so much time focusing on hoping for better circumstances. Often times, our faith is shaken and we turn away. However, there are the odd times when we get to a place of brokenness and begin to have a deeper understanding of the following statement:
'God is most satisfied in us when we are broken before Him. He is most able to teach and mold us, and fill us with His simple promises when we have nothing else to hold onto.'
*sam
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Captains Training #2
Saturday December 6 from 2-5pm
Held at TCMC (Warden/401 behind Buffet King)
These are the three workshops at the upcoming training below. You choose two of them to go to!
Conflict Resolution with James Lau
Effective problem solving and conflict resolution is an essential skill to working with people and for managing groups. Conflicts are inevitable in social settings and can be resolved in productive or destructive ways. How a leader deals with the conflict will significantly impact group dynamics and leadership credibility. Learn about mediation and conflict resolution from James, who has his Masters in Industrial Relations with disciplinary experience in mediation, negotiations and labour dispute resolution. The workshop will be interactive and discussion-based, with role-playing and case studies to help put skills learned into practice.
Sharing the Gospel with Yu-Ling Lee
Have you ever had trouble sharing about Jesus to your friends? Sharing the gospel with friends is a common stumbling block for most Christians. In this workshop you will learn to gauge the different identifiable stages that non-Christians usually find themselves in before they accept Christ, so that you can more effectively respond and minister to them. He'll describe the factors that influence how people shift in their perspectives and become open to the Gospel. Practical tools to help people enter the kingdom will also be taught. Yu-Ling is is a university ministry associate at AFC who has equipped and empowered many CCF leaders in the community to better engage their peers.
Connecting with God with Karen Robinson
STOP! God wants your attention! Do you feel like you are too busy to spend time with God? This workshop will look at how to slow down long enough to hear what God has to say. It will also look at the important components we need in our spiritual lives in order to be most effective in ministry for the long run. An empty cup pours out a whole lot of nothing, so come to this workshop and start ensuring that you are refilling your cup with living water. Karen Robinson works for Youth Unlimited (TYFC). For the past five years she has been working with homeless youth and this fall made a move to work with youth in the Jane-Finch community. She is ordained through her home church Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. She has a Master of Divinity from Tyndale Seminary and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from York University. Working in some of the darkest places of our city has given Karen a unique perspective on the challenges we all face in our walks with God. Connecting deeply and passionately with God is necessary for all of us to survive the ups and downs of our lives and our journeys in ministry.
*rebecca
Held at TCMC (Warden/401 behind Buffet King)
These are the three workshops at the upcoming training below. You choose two of them to go to!
Conflict Resolution with James Lau
Effective problem solving and conflict resolution is an essential skill to working with people and for managing groups. Conflicts are inevitable in social settings and can be resolved in productive or destructive ways. How a leader deals with the conflict will significantly impact group dynamics and leadership credibility. Learn about mediation and conflict resolution from James, who has his Masters in Industrial Relations with disciplinary experience in mediation, negotiations and labour dispute resolution. The workshop will be interactive and discussion-based, with role-playing and case studies to help put skills learned into practice.
Sharing the Gospel with Yu-Ling Lee
Have you ever had trouble sharing about Jesus to your friends? Sharing the gospel with friends is a common stumbling block for most Christians. In this workshop you will learn to gauge the different identifiable stages that non-Christians usually find themselves in before they accept Christ, so that you can more effectively respond and minister to them. He'll describe the factors that influence how people shift in their perspectives and become open to the Gospel. Practical tools to help people enter the kingdom will also be taught. Yu-Ling is is a university ministry associate at AFC who has equipped and empowered many CCF leaders in the community to better engage their peers.
Connecting with God with Karen Robinson
STOP! God wants your attention! Do you feel like you are too busy to spend time with God? This workshop will look at how to slow down long enough to hear what God has to say. It will also look at the important components we need in our spiritual lives in order to be most effective in ministry for the long run. An empty cup pours out a whole lot of nothing, so come to this workshop and start ensuring that you are refilling your cup with living water. Karen Robinson works for Youth Unlimited (TYFC). For the past five years she has been working with homeless youth and this fall made a move to work with youth in the Jane-Finch community. She is ordained through her home church Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. She has a Master of Divinity from Tyndale Seminary and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from York University. Working in some of the darkest places of our city has given Karen a unique perspective on the challenges we all face in our walks with God. Connecting deeply and passionately with God is necessary for all of us to survive the ups and downs of our lives and our journeys in ministry.
*rebecca
Friday, November 14, 2008
BBs
Lately I've been considering if I should get a blackberry or not. Everyone seems to be getting one and with a three-year contract they're quite a fair price. Actually when I started in my Seneca Event Management program they said it was mandatory to get either a Palm or some sort of smartphone to keep track of your calendar and emails. Since you deal with a lot of people and have many things to juggle at the same time, it seemed like the only way to go. So back then I got a PDA, but now I regret not getting a smartphone instead, because I don't like lugging around two things around.
Anyway, so here I am again, a year later, wondering if I should get a blackberry. I admit I'm an email junky. I check it everyday. And if I'm at my computer, which I often am, it refreshes every couple minutes to keep up-to-date. My firefox has my two email accounts open at any given time, on top of facebook. I want to be the first to know when someone has replied to one of my emails (and I send a lot of emails). It's this instant connection with my email, calendar and other things that makes it appealing to get a blackberry. So I can be connected to everything and everyone when I'm on the road!
But I also don't want one because I know I won't ever be off it. As much as email and facebook is a great thing to keep connected with people, I know it's nothing that will add to my life at the end of the day. It's just a means to get by, something that you need to do, but not something you need.
And that brings me to think of the theme of being connected. Am I really connected to God as much as I am connected with my friends and networks? Does God get the same amount of attention, effort and concern? Quite often, I am not as connected to God as I'd like to be. But just as all these online connections are instant, I am reminded that God is also a connection we have at our disposal, 24/7. We have our own built in wi-fi connection that allows us to plug in to the God of the universe at any given time or place, whether in crisis or just to say what's up.
All we have to do is get connected.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
When I first starting working as an IT Project Manager, I sent about 100 emails per day. All the admin work for every single project I worked on was done over email. I got really good at being concise (or not so concise if it was required) and very clear in what I wrote. I thought I was quite good when it came to communication.
Recently, I worked with a senior project manager who manages multiple projects simultaneously. Right of the bat, I knew I had so much to learn from him just because his knowledge base was so much greater than mine. I constantly picked his brain asking many questions about all the applications we worked on. I noticed many differences in his project management style (mainly that his style is so much better than mine) that I could adapt. One thing in particular seemed so simple but it completely blew me away...
He got the job done and moved projects along exponentially faster than I could. As I observed further, I realized one key thing - he hardly ever sent any emails. He believes that emailing should only ever be used when we need something in writing and that anytime there is non yes/no feedback, one should engage in a discussion in person.
I'm not against data plans or smartphones - if the user actually needs it. I do, however understand now that so much is lost in translation when emailing and that for many of us, human interaction is taking a tumble because we feel that we can hide behind a screen.
I feel that there is just something about actual in person conversation that is such a gift from God. We are less ambiguous, forced to be assertive and able to read others better.
If the discussion point is important enough, it should be important enough to talk in person rather than sitting on a bus, at another meeting or at the dinner table typing away on a little keyboard.
*sam
Anyway, so here I am again, a year later, wondering if I should get a blackberry. I admit I'm an email junky. I check it everyday. And if I'm at my computer, which I often am, it refreshes every couple minutes to keep up-to-date. My firefox has my two email accounts open at any given time, on top of facebook. I want to be the first to know when someone has replied to one of my emails (and I send a lot of emails). It's this instant connection with my email, calendar and other things that makes it appealing to get a blackberry. So I can be connected to everything and everyone when I'm on the road!
But I also don't want one because I know I won't ever be off it. As much as email and facebook is a great thing to keep connected with people, I know it's nothing that will add to my life at the end of the day. It's just a means to get by, something that you need to do, but not something you need.
And that brings me to think of the theme of being connected. Am I really connected to God as much as I am connected with my friends and networks? Does God get the same amount of attention, effort and concern? Quite often, I am not as connected to God as I'd like to be. But just as all these online connections are instant, I am reminded that God is also a connection we have at our disposal, 24/7. We have our own built in wi-fi connection that allows us to plug in to the God of the universe at any given time or place, whether in crisis or just to say what's up.
All we have to do is get connected.
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
When I first starting working as an IT Project Manager, I sent about 100 emails per day. All the admin work for every single project I worked on was done over email. I got really good at being concise (or not so concise if it was required) and very clear in what I wrote. I thought I was quite good when it came to communication.
Recently, I worked with a senior project manager who manages multiple projects simultaneously. Right of the bat, I knew I had so much to learn from him just because his knowledge base was so much greater than mine. I constantly picked his brain asking many questions about all the applications we worked on. I noticed many differences in his project management style (mainly that his style is so much better than mine) that I could adapt. One thing in particular seemed so simple but it completely blew me away...
He got the job done and moved projects along exponentially faster than I could. As I observed further, I realized one key thing - he hardly ever sent any emails. He believes that emailing should only ever be used when we need something in writing and that anytime there is non yes/no feedback, one should engage in a discussion in person.
I'm not against data plans or smartphones - if the user actually needs it. I do, however understand now that so much is lost in translation when emailing and that for many of us, human interaction is taking a tumble because we feel that we can hide behind a screen.
In Matthew 5, it says '...let your yes be yes, and your no be no.'
I feel that there is just something about actual in person conversation that is such a gift from God. We are less ambiguous, forced to be assertive and able to read others better.
If the discussion point is important enough, it should be important enough to talk in person rather than sitting on a bus, at another meeting or at the dinner table typing away on a little keyboard.
*sam
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Drugs and afc
It was just a normal Thursday at work for me. I left around 5pm with a friend to head to our ultimate frisbee game. The rest of the night was pretty normal as well. The next day, though, someone asked me if I heard about what happened at the office the night before. Apparently there was an undercover police operation in our parking lot, involving some drug dealers in the neighborhood. They had picked our parking lot because it only had one entrance/exit. The police had blocked off the entrance/exit so the bad guys couldn't drive off. There were a couple gun shots fired from the police when the car tried to run him over. In broad daylight! At my office..! A mother was picking up her child from the downstairs school and had to duck for cover.
The scary thing was that this whole operation happened at 5:05pm, literally minutes after I left. The van that the drug dealers came in, parked right where I had parked that day too. Pretty scary stuff. If we had been caught in that, it might have been bad (I would've been late for my ultimate game..!) but it could've been dangerous.
Thinking back on that day, I wonder how many times we have narrowly escaped danger and not even know about it. Sometimes we don't escape it. But for the most part, I can look back and say, God really has his timing for everything. Had I left a littler later, or if I took a little longer to change, or if my friend got to the office a little later than usual, we would have been caught in the middle of the chaos. I really thank God for protecting us that day!
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
The scary thing was that this whole operation happened at 5:05pm, literally minutes after I left. The van that the drug dealers came in, parked right where I had parked that day too. Pretty scary stuff. If we had been caught in that, it might have been bad (I would've been late for my ultimate game..!) but it could've been dangerous.
Thinking back on that day, I wonder how many times we have narrowly escaped danger and not even know about it. Sometimes we don't escape it. But for the most part, I can look back and say, God really has his timing for everything. Had I left a littler later, or if I took a little longer to change, or if my friend got to the office a little later than usual, we would have been caught in the middle of the chaos. I really thank God for protecting us that day!
*rebecca
- - - - - - - - - -
At my church back home, I used to have an amazing sound guy and setup team. They would show up early on a Sunday, clean up the stage, make sure all the chairs are setup correctly, pick up last week's bulletins, and even memorize the setting of the team knowing who stood where, which instruments should come out of which monitors and, to some degree, the proper height of each singer. I would show up, sound check and go. I showed up one Sunday morning and things weren't done because our sound guy was running late and as I was setting things up, I thought to myself stupidly 'what!? doesn't sound set itself up?'
Back at home, I remember my mom used to peel my orange for me. She would take all the peel off, individually remove the pith and even rip all the slices flawlessly without ever leaking any juice. Each time I opened the fridge after school to grab tupperware (old tofu container) containing my orange, each slice would be fully intact for maximum enjoyment. My mom was late coming home one day and left me a message saying there were un-peeled oranges in the fridge for me to eat when I came home. I made a huge mess, leaked juice everywhere and as I was cleaning up, I thought to myself 'what!? don't oranges peel themselves?'
The more I have these odd moments of realization, the more I see how everything fits together, how much I take for granted and how many things actually happen in the background in order for life to go on every single day. There are so many things beyond my control but I still try to control them. Why is that? Why is it so hard to surrender and trust that the Lord takes care of me when He already does in so many ways that I cannot even begin to fathom or comprehend?
The only answer I can come up with is that I am PRIDEFUL and need the power of the Spirit to stir HUMILITY in me.
*sam
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