thinkingoutsidethe jar

life enhance 101

2011-12-23T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today: 17 life enhancers that will Rock your world. do one a day or one all week long and switch it up. essentially these activities will take the focus off of 'you' #1 - initiate making up with someone you've been fighting with. #2 - seek out a forgotten friend, have coffee if possible. #3 - share some of your 'treasure' - whatever that might be. #4 - to that angry person you live or work

My favourite pic of us - looking for home - the homeless exchange

2011-12-16T06:26:00.001-05:00

So I'm finally sitting in Starbucks enjoying my morning latte, and munching on a stale croissant... going down slow! Just waiting for the GO bus to arrive and take me home. I love home. Its 5:30am I've been looking for houses and after dozens of attempts of trying to not be picky ... It occurred to me that the house for this family guy is the house that feels like home when you enter. Well

next door lady ...

2011-12-15T17:38:00.001-05:00

merry Christmas ... spend less - give more

2011-12-15T17:24:00.001-05:00

seeking solace in the tempest - a POV

2011-12-15T09:30:00.004-05:00

this has been my POV for the last couple of years. forcing myself to the waters edge whether in Vancouver or @tiny marsh... forcing myself to be still, quiet, purposefully aloof. hours can pass in these situations and nothing seemingly gets accomplished ie. planning the day, organizing meetings, mulling over personal challenges, family etc. its all good and necessary to be thought through

Steal - kill - destroy vs. Full life living

2011-12-14T10:26:00.001-05:00

Jn10:10 says that there is a life bent for destruction and a life rising to fullness. The life bent for destruction is not just destruction of self but others too. Its a bitter place that leads to death, plain and simple. The tools of this sort range in variety but the outcome is decided - death destruction - inevitable. The tools are based in self love and advancement and used in ever so

Accepting the consequence of our actions towards other people vs expecting love, forgiveness, reintegration.

2011-12-09T08:38:00.001-05:00

What a subject! I will not cover in entirety the answer to the conondrumish subject but will simply highlight a couple of things. The related question is ... How do you deal with people who for reasons of stupidity, selfishness, greed etc. keep hurting you or others, making life awkward to manoeuvre and making it very difficult to be near them in public situations ... let alone private??Now...

Something I read in relevant Mag

2011-12-08T03:49:00.001-05:00

When Everyday Habits Turn DeadlyBonnie McMaken Why things you do all the time can kill your spirit."The Seven Deadly Sins" don't mean much to most of us. The term might make us think of a creepy Brad Pitt movie from the '90s, but beyond that, they're seemingly irrelevant to our faith today. These "Cardinal Sins" are a collection of vices that the Church has decreed to be harmful for the Christian

Test

2011-12-07T00:26:00.001-05:00

You are who God made you to be. just a test thnx.

thank you friends

2011-11-30T13:47:00.000-05:00

this past sunday was my last at elmvale community church.i resigned as the pastor in late sept. looking to transition out by the end of the year.the elders graciously gave me dec. paid without any duties ... a month of rest before we journey on to waterloo ON.the first time i set foot into ecc, i loved everything about it. the people were warm, the atmosphere-always friendly, accepting and they

two houses - matt7:24-29

2011-11-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

we've all seen the devastation of homes, buildings or structures that have had been built on less than adequate foundations.often this mistake is fatal.often the people that have built structures on poor foundations were convinced at some point that trouble would never come or that it was very unlikely to happen to them.jesus warns of this kind of thinking and planning. its like he's saying '

2 Houses ... but first false prophets!

2011-11-25T16:48:00.000-05:00

awwww, nice sheepy! still analyzing some of matt. 7 before we get into vv. 24-29 (two houses)so here we are at vv. 15-23 ... i find this a confusing subject. who are the sheep? who are the wolves? these are the 2 questions that muddy this passage for so many.when i think about it, it becomes clearer to me that sheep are the people of God who seek with their whole heart the Kingdom of God.

2 haus continuuu'd (2 houses con't)

2011-11-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

so ... we continue from the last blog...vv. 13-14 - there are 2 ways you can go.w i d e narrowjesus in his 'can't beat around the bush because i'm no good at it' style says there is a way to destruction and a way of life.jesus entire sermon is about these next verses. don't live like this ... live like this! there is a way that destroys and a way that gives life.jesus is getting as

2 houses preview

2011-11-25T12:03:00.000-05:00

closing out Jesus message from matt. 5-7: just a few thoughts about ch. 7 before we conclude with jesus' warning in vv. 24-29.vv. 1-5don't judge. if you choose to judge ... the way, the style, the attitude and the heart that you choose to judge with will be the same way you will be judged.the standards you hold others to, you will be expected the same. don't be saying to an other believer, '

putting a value on worth

2011-11-24T13:51:00.000-05:00

what are you worth?the people you work with ... what are they worth?this morning i was giving a talk on one key in leading people. that one key is all about making sure you're interested in people more than the bottom line. the bottom line being money and budgets. taking the time to listen and encourage those you lead / work with / work for ... can transform: 1. the work place - actually

new soccer vid from our summer 2011 skillz camp

2011-11-23T17:49:00.000-05:00

spiritual leaders - taking it seriously

2011-10-14T12:07:00.000-04:00

Spiritual Leadership begins with humility. It is never to be sought after as a position of power and status but rather understanding the position as a place of stewardship and care for the people, mysteries and glories of God. Its a position that requires faithfulness, loyalty, constancy, trueheartedness, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability and integrity, seeking wisdom and clarity from

bad news good news bla bla bla

2011-10-13T09:15:00.000-04:00

the Gospel ....'what is the Gospel'? this is a question some like to ask me. not because they want to know but because they want to be good and sure i know what they know. they want to be sure that i get it right according to them ... not anyone or anything else.so let me be clear.the Good news is that Jesus came to rescue humankind and all of creation from the plight of sin. we don’t have to

Hillsong _ aftermath album

2011-09-28T12:16:00.000-04:00

in the summer i had the awesome opportunity to attend the 'aftermath' concert put on by Hillsong Unitied. I asked my wife bren, if she thought the concert would be more of a concert or a worship service. neither of us knew what to expect. turns out - it was by far a worship concert.since that eve i have not been able to stop listening to the 'aftermath' cd. over and over it plays - taking me

5 leadership challenges / characteristics

2011-09-22T09:01:00.000-04:00

Here are five areas that i believe Moses sets a great precedent for leaders in ministry ... actually in general! FaithfulHeb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. What an amazing story of faith. Moses was sent down the river and picked up by Pharaoh's daughter and taken as her own. When Moses came of age, he chose God and his own

transforming soul area - number six

2011-09-21T17:26:00.000-04:00

My Soul:I find myself more free. I am able to do the things God has designed for me, easier.There is this lighter approach I have to almost everything ... whether in darkness or light, I know God’s armour is sufficient and I know this is my purpose - why else would we be called light?To lighten the dark areas of life - to bring hope. My soul is really a gateway for the heart, hands and eyes of

#5 souls proof of tranformation

2011-09-21T17:20:00.000-04:00

My Social life: I find that as I grow spiritually, I am less flagrant (more obvious) with my relationships. I take seriously the fact that I have only so much energy and it is best used on those need hope. I take it seriously enough that I know and make it known that I can’t be best friends with just anyone. I don’t try to hide this because not everyone gives me energy and most people take

transforming soul area # cinq moin un (4?)

2011-09-21T17:16:00.000-04:00

My Body: As my interest moves closer to God I see clearer the advantage of being healthy as God intends health to be for all. I am the Temple of the Holy Spirit ... So how I care for myself really does matter - what I eat, my activity, my sleeping habits really matter if I’m goaling to be excellent for Jesus.

transforming soul area #3

2011-09-21T17:14:00.000-04:00

My Character: My character is slowly transforming ... I’m still fun! Thank God! I just notice that I have more patience, I’m kinder, I want to encourage more and seek to get to the bottom of people. The fruits of the Spirit, without being proud of myself, I can actually imagine myself being. Before there wasn’t a hope in hell for me in the Gal.5:22 area. My my. where are you changing? do

transforming soul area#2

2011-09-21T17:09:00.000-04:00

My feelings: Another area that has been altered as I draw closer to God or become more focussed on the care of my soul, is the area of feelings. I find I take less offense to stupid things stupid people say or do. That sounds crass, but really, especially working with ‘christians’, we should know better. Someone who is prideful or selfish really becomes more exposed to others as they act on

Soul care - 6 Transforming areas ... slowly #1

2011-09-21T17:05:00.000-04:00

My thought life: The more I spend time in solitude, meditating and taking time to be entirely present with God the more I notice ... not that my life is getting better, but rather, I notice things in my life that I need less of. The first area is my thought life. I find my self thinking less of how others perceive decisions I make. What I mean is that I have a greater fear of God than a fear

the craziest things... con't

2011-08-26T10:17:00.001-04:00

when it comes to scripture jesus knows what he's saying.as we look back at the first 6 statements you may recognize that they are quotes from the prophets and from the psalms. now the temple, for the Jews, was the epicentre of holiness as this is where God met the earth. in order to 'ascend' to the holiest of holies one needed to be 'clean' according to ps. 24:3-4. the religious elite of jesus

jesus says... con't

2011-08-25T13:20:00.000-04:00

Matthew 5:6,7............ blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied. hungry and thirsty people go to great lengths to fill their longings. sometimes absurd lengths to kill the hunger pangs and parched throats. the word righteousness does not imply religious piety or hypocrisy. it suggests three things: right relationship with God right moral conduct

Jesus says the craziest things Matt5-7

2011-08-24T10:36:00.000-04:00

We're eyes balls deep into Jesus' longest public oration. the setting is a dry rock infested hillside. the audience is probably its inhabitants ... people who couldn't afford to live in Tiberius or the Decapolis and other such urban centres. if there is any place where jesus is more clear about what it looks like to follow him, it is here in this short passage. these chapters in Matthew

better than subtitles

2011-06-23T13:30:00.000-04:00

my wife and i, at her request, decided to watch a movie a couple weeks ago. it was about the life of Coco Chanel. her request.the movie was in french and luckily there were english subtitles. however, whenever i watch a movie with subtitles i miss little bits of the movie - focussing on the subtitles, missing the odd face expression, something interesting in the background, or not catching the

mad @ dad!

2011-06-17T09:19:00.000-04:00

so this sunday is fathers day. dads need to be celebrated. fatherhood needs to be paid honour. sometimes i wonder if fatherhood or father's day ... instead of tribute needs to be eulogized?my intent for this sunday was to interview as many towns people as possible and put a cool vid together for all to see and enjoy. there would be serious parts, thoughtful dialogs, funny quips all blended

2011-06-16T13:43:00.000-04:00

something i read - Arrows in the hand of a warrior. by jason Kovacs

2011-06-16T13:41:00.000-04:00

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” Psalm 127:4Fathers, do you think of yourself as a warrior archer and your children as your arrows? It is an interesting picture. One that is foreign to us in our technological, 21st century day. Though if we stop long enough to meditate on it the picture is very powerful. By this verse we see first that fathers are likened to

dear dad...

2011-06-14T15:33:00.000-04:00

fathers day approaches ...just a few fatherly thoughtsevery boy wants to be a hero, to be powerful, to be dangerous and to know: he has what it takes to be a man. hey dad, he's looking to impress you.every girl loves to be doted on, beautiful, and worth the time it takes for meaningful conversation. all these years dad, she's been trying to capture your attention. she wants to know: am i

Dangerous church(3) - what happens when the HS comes? FIRE!

2011-06-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

in christian circles, it is often assumed that because the Gospel (the story and purpose of Jesus Christ) is 'good news', hell is the 'bad news'. after all, in order for 'good news' to exist there has to be 'bad news'. makes sense, and while hell IS bad news ... is it the 'bad news' of the 'good news'? i would say no.i believe the bad news is that we live in a very broken and hurting world.

Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Video on TED.com

2011-06-04T10:03:00.000-04:00

Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Video on TED.com

dangerous church(2) - what happens when the Holy Spirit comes - acts two: one 2 thirteen

2011-06-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

This sunday we are exploring the initial effects of the presence and power of the holy spirit on the early church of acts.the passage we'll be chewing on is chapter 2:1-13.we'll be looking at the:sound of the holy spirit - CONSIDER: scripture says the spirit came like the sound of a mighty rushing wind - it wasn't physical but spiritual power - holy spirit does what holy spirit wants ... as

dangerous church - dream small stay small - acts one

2011-05-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

its true what they say ... think or dream small, stay small. the problem with thinking small is that when bigger realities come in the midst of small living we don't know what to do and the bigger things sometimes get lost.last week we introduced dangerous church. if its dangerous church we crave then we have to go beyond 'committing to believe' what Jesus says - like what he REALLY is saying (

risk.......

2011-05-04T01:40:00.000-04:00

Risk God help. There are things I need to let go of. To let go of these things requires taking risks for which I do not have the stomach or fortitude. The outcome of letting go is, Paralyzing Surprising Mysterious Hazardous Risky So help me God. ... for me this initially paralyzing world is where God dwells miraculously obvious in the everyday. This realm is a place of surrender.

Communion

2011-03-27T08:52:00.000-04:00

2011-02-24T15:27:00.000-05:00

love ... without it you sound awful. - God.one is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. love is the force that transforms and improves the Soul of the World. - paulo coelhopaul (NT) is one of those characters that keeps the amazement coming. this week he's amazing me with his ability to love. the book of phil. is one of those love letters

reporting from Elmvale

2011-02-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

Over the past number of years God has challenged my heart for people; to love and to lead others to the understanding of Jesus and that there is more to the Christian life than what we are currently experiencing. There will always be more to do, more people to encourage and minister to, more life to enjoy and struggle through as well as victories to celebrate. This passion God has given me

shorty discussion starters - driven

2011-01-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

What justifies my actions? What drives me to do what I do? When we play the justification game (self-justification vs. justified by God), we risk the kind of self deception that renders us harmful in our relationships; we are first harming ourselves, then those we love, and far worse than any of that, we harm our relationship with Jesus. He has provided all the justification we will ever need,

shorty -5 community depends on me.

2011-01-26T15:11:00.000-05:00

Community works as God intended when I come to terms with who I am in Christ and if I let the Spirit lead in my life. Acts2:44, Phil.2:4We tend to believe that circumstances have to be right before we can do that (above) ... if we're going to be effective for God. God is committed to producing really effective people and communities especially when circumstances are wrong ... whatever

shorty -4 belief2

2011-01-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

I believe there is a God ... but do I trust Him? I want His best, who wouldn't, but I don’t want to have to sacrifice anything. I want His blessing and good health and enjoy good relationships ... I love when God helps me but i seem to forget about Him after that. believing God is easier to talk about than live -- but it’s living God requires.

shorty -3 shapely you!

2011-01-26T15:03:00.000-05:00

life was never meant to be dull, boring or painful. it's meant to be meaningful. we were created to make a specific difference. life is busy and demanding. often times we find ourselves more shaped by our surroundings and circumstances than by God.what shapes you?what shape are you ... in?do you have shapely boundaries?shape on or ship out!

shorty 2 - belief

2011-01-26T15:01:00.000-05:00

God isn’t just someone we believe in but is our life. We won’t seek security and happiness in the things of the world but will find them in His presence and will. As He consumes us, strengthened by the church, we’ll seize opportunities to share His love with people daily. The choice is yours.

shorty discussion starters - 1 (GIFTS)

2011-01-26T14:55:00.000-05:00

God has given each believer a combination of opportunities and gifts that is perfectly suited to his or her personality, aptitude etc. Every human has the potential to be an excellent addition, with a unique contribution, to make to the body of Christ. The central thrust of a Christians purpose depends on the spiritual gifts they have received. But what exactly is a ‘spiritual gift’ and is

why you no serve purpose?

2011-01-12T07:51:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of a new decade (and pretty much on a daily basis), I tend to get into this reflective mode where I ask myself some hard questions about what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and whether or not it really matters. At least in part, we do what we do because of who you are and what you do.Here are just a few of the ways you highly motivate us to serve:Because you’re seriously driven

early morning run thoughts

2011-01-11T18:03:00.000-05:00

all the good we've accomplished... all that i could be proud of... all praise that you've ever received... lay it down, its nothing. so if its nothing, what is "something"? is there any worth or significance in my life? absolutely there is ... as long i have have a lung full of air and a heart willing to beat ... there is significance waiting to be lived out in all of us... but it first

a church divided. - something i read

2011-01-07T10:49:00.000-05:00

A CHURCH DIVIDEDDAVE RAMSEY | 30 NOVEMBER 2010Do you remember the story of the Tower of Babel? Most remember that as a negative story where people were misbehaving and God came down and scattered them, but there is an interesting and positive verse in that story. Genesis 11:6 says, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be

Merry Christmas all!

2010-12-24T09:40:00.000-05:00

Today, Christmas eve, i was looking around my profile and discovered something that i wrote about myself a few years ago and can gladly say it is still true for me now. I wrote this in my blogger profile ..."I love God. I love my family. I love relationships.I recognize that living isn't about what i can get for myself but what i can give to others. This is the way it has to be.Connecting with

Merry Christmas

2010-12-16T14:55:00.000-05:00

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth - O Holy Night𝄞Merry Christmas!For the Sunday’s in December we’re talking about our need for nourishment, intimacy, surrender, rest and of course love. All of these words are caught up in Bethlehem’s manger scene. However, they are just introduced there. These words are fleshed out through Jesus’ life

EXPECT MORE @ Christmas 1 - Nurture

2010-12-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

In our cultural quest to celebrate Christmas, we forget to be Christian (small Christ's). The culture around us has wrapped what was intended to be so simple—the redemption of the world in the form of a baby—in paper and bow...garland and wreath...tinsel and trees. The month that is unfolding before us has all the potential to make us tired and weary—prompting us to forget God's intention and

preaching to the choir. - the problem with community.

2010-11-26T12:51:00.000-05:00

do you ever get that feeling ... the feeling when the information you are giving, however passionate and true, just seems to fall short of the people you are intending to reach? blank stares, emotionless, that look of ... "i know stupid!"i have been hammering the issue of 'community' for the last little while. frankly i love the concept and the fruit it produces but the word itself is starting

Christmas wish - Mud and Poetry

2010-11-23T10:58:00.000-05:00

Love, Sex, and the SacredTyler BlanskiEvery Christian has a sex life, even if they're not having sex. Sometimes love is muddy and confusing. Sometimes it's beautiful and poetic. But our relationships have the potential to transform us spiritually.Mud and Poetry tells the story of a young man's honest search for God in his messy sex life. Tyler Blanski dates girls. He reads what old monks and

Something i read! -- Do you clearly communicate vision to your team?

2010-11-23T10:47:00.000-05:00

Written by Barry-Werner A strong vision for the future gives hope. Read Isaiah 4:2-6.It has been said that without a vision the people will perish. Isaiah had previously given messages to the residents of Judah concerning their wickedness and rebellion against God leaving them little hope. Because of their wickedness Judah and Jerusalem would suffer God’s discipline. The people desperately

healthy body tips - phil1:19-30

2010-11-06T22:32:00.000-04:00

a body the strives to be healthy is courageous, takes risks, endures through difficulties and obstacles and lives Christ with passion.this statement sums up what Paul is saying in Ch. 1:19-30.CONSIDER:so how can you "celebrate" the message of Jesus in your family, community etc.?what does "risky" love, worship and service tangibly look like for you?to endure my "flesh" life i need to be sensitive

unstoppable - phil1:12-18

2010-10-28T21:54:00.000-04:00

earlier this week i was crossing a set of train tracks and it reminded me of a recent time when a friend and i were on our way to a particular place to run. early in the morning, sun just coming up, kind of groggy, small car, approaching a rail crossing. about 200 ft. before the crossing is where the lights started to flash warning us of the coming locomotive. now this was not one of those

Love wins Philippians 1:1-11

2010-10-23T11:01:00.000-04:00

recently i read a post that said we shouldn't trust or hope in each other but solely in God. ok, but i question that.think about it. if God is in me and working through me, am i not also hope? a vessel of hope? i mean ultimately God is the hope in me but as a human, flawed, broken, repulsive in my nature, i can be hope to others ... God makes it possible.sometimes i believe we succumb to the

love wins

2010-10-21T14:02:00.000-04:00

line 2 - crossing lines all the time

2010-09-17T08:07:00.000-04:00

believing charles blondin (the famous tight rope walker) can take you across niagara falls is one thing ... letting him take you is another.last week we were discussing the fact that belief alone doesn't make anyone a believer or Christian. belief alone at best produces a false security. a relationship with God starts with belief and is confirmed when we trust in the name and blood of Jesus

something i read ... supernatural life

2010-09-16T15:00:00.000-04:00

When you’re alone with the Word of God, you probably have less peace than you’re willing to publicly admit.You’re fine at church, attending conferences or spending time with churchgoers. But when you’re studying God’s Word by yourself, a sick feeling creeps into your stomach. How can you reconcile Jesus’ teachings with what you see in the Church?Start with yourselfMost of us know we can’t say

2010-09-10T10:47:00.001-04:00

Is There a God?From EveryStudent.comJust once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists.But first consider this. If a person opposes even the possibility of there being a God, then any evidence can be

my past is not my future... - a heart support story.

2010-08-18T09:03:00.000-04:00

At age 35 - i am alive, i solo parent 3 of the worlds most incredible daughters, i speak, i write, i run a charity that exists to come alongside women wanting a life change from addiction issues and/or the sex industry....why?That woman used to be me.Now i get the honour to come alongside the women that I used to be and tell them my story.Tell them that freedom is possible.Tell them that they are

something i read ... addiction help

2010-08-17T15:19:00.000-04:00

for our friends (thats you) ... here's a little note that may encourage you to seek help, seek accountability or just find a friend who is willing to stay & listen. at ECC we want to be that friend ... to help those who need it and are seeking it. the reality is is that we're all broken and some of us are broken in more complicated ways, heavier ways. maybe you have some ideas to share with

reinventing ourselves

2010-08-04T11:33:00.000-04:00

My friend sarah asked for thoughts on this quote. It's a great quote, one that is true to the core for many today. it's good quote because after taking the time to chew on it and then responding to it ... it really gives you a better sense of where you are possibly at and others as well. below the quote is my response. "And it occurred to her that there are millions, billions, of other men and

something i read about crack, bombs and suicide.

2010-08-04T11:30:00.000-04:00

HOW TO MAKE CRACK COCAINE, BOMBS AND COMMIT SUICIDESHAUN KING | 03 AUGUST 2010BY THE BILLIONS, people are searching. They’re searching for love. They’re searching for answers. They’re searching for help. Across every demographic barrier imaginable, people are searching. They’re searching because they aren’t content with life and are desperate to find something that’s missing. They think they’ll

Something i read... between the other two books i'm reading.

2010-08-03T12:39:00.000-04:00

Meek and mild, or tough and bold? Will the real Jesus please stand up?Gentle Jesus, meek and mild. It’s a distortion, but a pervasive one. Such is the power of song and poetry. It’s dangerous, however, because it is simply not true.There were times when He chose to be meek. But He was never mild. He was born into conflict and remained in it His whole life. He jousted with the devil in the desert;

tenacious obedience - danny's baptism testimony

2010-06-25T14:47:00.000-04:00

danny is the nephew of a couple in our congregation. they pointed me here to witness what i consider to be 'tenacious obedience'.danny exemplifies the heart of God in this baptismal testimony. simplicity - courage - clarity - love - obedience.this sunday we're having a baptism and as we listen to the testimonies of those being baptized you will be able to see with your own eyes and hear with

My Mark Musing Continue. 7

2010-06-02T13:20:00.000-04:00

it's wednesday.today i'm reminded of my sight and how often it is limited. imagine walking around your home with binoculars in hand and seeing everything through them ... while cooking , cleaning, doing the laundry, going out to get the mail, taking a bathroom brake, going for a stroll, cutting the lawn, gardening and picking the weeds. call it narrow vision or mindedness. binoculars are not

Mark musings and leading thoughts - six

2010-06-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

it's tuesday ... the rain fell hard all night but the sun is using its energy this morning to breathe life into what was dark, wet and cold. its a picture of refreshment. without the rain, it would have been another dry and dusty day. while the rain did fall, and as wet as it did get, as cold as it did get, as hard as it is to be out in it all night ... the suns warm rejuvenating rays become

2010-05-28T16:53:00.001-04:00

2010-05-20T09:07:00.000-04:00

Ohio State University Price of Life Invitational Summary Video from R. York Moore on Vimeo.

♫ MY MOM !

2010-05-08T22:07:00.000-04:00

♫ BEIGE SHOES IS MAGIC!

2010-05-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

crayon markings of leadership - ch.10:13-16

2010-05-06T11:12:00.000-04:00

entry cinq: being lead more by jesus has taken a childlike twirl. i used to be so annoyed by kids ... other peoples kids. i've got stories! those stories fueled my impatience for the children of our culture for the longest time.i'm doing much better now. and i should be!in this passage Jesus finds himself with children ... the 'not yets' of society; the 'someday when you grow up' ... kids.

shake and move. more from mark 6

2010-05-05T10:10:00.000-04:00

Entry four: ch. 6 Being lead more by Jesus Jesus is in Nazareth with his disciples who followed him. what happens here is significant for me in a life of ministry. people were amazed at the teachings of Jesus in the synagogue. the people began to ask about the ideas of Jesus, about his wisdom, about his power to perform miracles and then quickly played it all down by the facts of his humanity

mark trippings, musings and dis conn ected thoughts - three

2010-04-30T16:42:00.000-04:00

Entry three: ch. 4 Being lead more by Jesus. in this section of Mark, Jesus is telling truth stories in highly relevant terms. it was important truth that everyone needed to hear, cloaked in exciting, real narratives that everyone could connect with. the story they connected to, but the truth behind the story they couldn’t because most of the listeners jesus was speaking to were not ready to

mark trippings - two

2010-04-29T13:31:00.000-04:00

two: Being led more by Jesus: my old wine skin. growing up in very conservative circles I have found it hard to let go of some of the thinking and tradition that really didn’t accomplish much more than the gratification of humans. 20 yrs. ago if ‘old wine skin’ living was defined for me, I would have said yes to leaving my old wine skins behind solely because of my faith in Christ. Still

tripping through mark.-one

2010-04-29T13:07:00.000-04:00

what i'll be doing for the next while is sharing thoughts, thoughts that are not necessarily fully thought out ... beginnings of bigger conversations and meditations if you will. complete and fill in the blanks ... careful it my take a lifetime.Being led more by Jesus the first thing I notice about Jesus is his humility - He gets baptized by John, I guess this speaks also to his obedience to

i heart ECC - i heart God - i heart working for him

2010-03-01T11:46:00.000-05:00

My heart for God’s work didn’t begin to materialize until I was 25. My involvement in an Ottawa church grew my hunger for leading others in kingdom work. My biblical studies fueled my love for God and my love for people fed my desire to serve them. As a family, coming to Elmvale was very much a shift in our approach to how we did ministry from the past. Being the lead position at ECC has

Radical Love - Provocative Love.

2010-02-13T22:49:00.000-05:00

Valentine’s Day is a time of celebration in Marriage and in love. For Jesus’ sake and because he calls out to his followers to be provocative in life, the actions in marriage are that of respect, love, understanding, knowledge, honour are to be celebrated. too often marriage isn't celebrated but scorned. Jesus had a different plan for mariage and the consequence of not heeding this call for

ministry thots and lessons.

2010-02-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

so i've been here in Elmvale for a little over four years now. coming from Waterloo as an associate pastor to a smaller town and congregation and taking on the position as a sr. pastor has taught me many valuable lessons. i want to share a few with you. these are in no particular order.1. the need for a mentor/accountability partner in ministry should never be an option but a requirement for

because God said so... wk. 3 RADICAL HOPE - living provocatively

2010-01-29T13:53:00.000-05:00

my son, who's in gr. 10 has been encouraged by his teachers to be considering his options for his future career. i don't think it's anything he's stressing about. he'll make his decision when he's ready and hopefully the option he chooses will be both challenging and fulfilling at the same time. we've all been there ... trying to figure out what it is that we'd like to do for the rest of our

SOMETHING I READ - Where the Kingdom Rubber Meets the Road

2010-01-21T13:50:00.000-05:00

WRITTEN BY BERRY JOHNSTON | 07 DECEMBER 2009 Thirty-three years ago a friend of mine gave me a book entitled The Reciprocal Commands of the New Testament. Having never studied the “one another” commands of the New Testament as a study unto themselves I was captured by this book. I was excited to read and study the behaviors the New Testament commands us to employ toward others. I found myself

Haiti

2010-01-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, a 7.3 magnitude quake rocked Haiti on Tuesday January 12, causing widespread devastation in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and throughout the country. An estimated 3 million people have been impacted, tens of thousands have been killed or injured, and many remain trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings. On Tuesday night, many slept out in the debris-filled streets,

Intro vid to radical hope - living provocatively

2010-01-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

Radical Hope - Living Provocatively! - introducing the 1 Peter series

2010-01-07T14:25:00.000-05:00

To help with this series i have posted in my last blog a piece written by Scot McKnight on the Kingdom of God. It is important for Christians to have a right or correct perspective as to why they are here before they can be truly effective for God in this world. Understanding the Kingdom, the fact that we are here to benefit others and bring glory to God is tantamount to living as a follower of

Understanding the kingdom and our role in it.

2010-01-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

WRITTEN BY SCOT MCKNIGHT | 05 JANUARY 2010 - revised by me The Kingdom of God is becoming a term that is used more and more by Christians, but in its use, the definition changes and it is crucial that it is used and understood properly. Have you ever thought about the Kingdom of God and its significance in your life and the life of others? If you’re like me, you may have heard it referred to

New Year's Resolution. Seeking a new relationship with Jesus.

2009-12-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

Almost all of us have had the experience of wanting to begin a new year determining to improve, to do some things better than we have before. It is natural to have hope, to want to believe we aren't stuck in the ways we currently behave, and yet, many of us have failed in our past resolutions. So often our good intentions fail and fail quickly. Most of the time, our resolutions are our best

something i read about Boredom...

2009-12-16T13:33:00.000-05:00

The Necessity of BoredomWRITTEN BY MEREDITH DANCAUSE | 15 DECEMBER 2009For those of us who plan worship experiences, one of our biggest fears is that people will walk away unmoved, unchanged or unimpressed. We all wish that we were secure enough to believe that simply gathering the people of God together in worship is enough—but the reality is we want to believe that our efforts are effective.And

Celebration!!!! it's about celebrating life, living and giving. 3

2009-12-16T10:07:00.000-05:00

christmas is about celebrating the fact that God is love ... He is that love, and we are the recipients of His love and grace - protection - peace and joy - the reclamation of an old life that once lived in archiac selfish ways. now we are living for others, for the way of Jesus all for the glory of God. God has come to live amongst his "prodigals". we are all prodigals enjoying a life that

is Christmas in a pickle?

2009-12-10T13:46:00.000-05:00

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to notice the different ways individuals and families approach Christmas. Some party for days, some spend way too much money, many are stressed because family is coming, yet others love the solitude and the family time, and still others hate the loneliness and disappointment that comes to them with such a holiday.