Snow Shoeing

Alright, contrary to popular perceptions around the world, igloos are not where most Canadians live and snow shoes are not a main mode of transportation. In fact, I live in Southern Ontario (which lies farther south than many parts of at least 14 states), in a suburb of Toronto, one of North America’s largest cities. My community is incredibly urban, fast growing, builds houses upon houses and is extremely modern. All that is to say that snow shoeing is not part of the popular culture...but it should be! I love to snow shoe, and thanks to a Christmas gift from my wife, I can do it whenever I can find the time and place. I recently took my show shoes out past where the road ends and into one of the last remaining patches of farm land in my sprawling community (yes those are my tracks in the pictures!). It was an amazing time, and one with spiritual benefits that I had not anticipated. As I got out past the noise and bustle of town, into God’s creation, alone in the quiet, I was able to exercise my heart, mind, soul and body and found I was brought to a place of worship.
In awe of the wonders of creation I found myself considering my creator and longing to join my voice to the chorus of praise:

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made... Romans 1:20

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24:1
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 148

And in the quiet I found the time and space to consider my creator and my own existence as well:


"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:3-9

Let me encourage you, that if it has been a while, get out past where the highway ends, venture into the awesome wonder of creation and in the quiet, pause, reflect, consider, be refreshed and renewed and worship.

Curling part II

Another thing about curling that I have noticed in the last few years, is that in the big televised bonspiels (that is what they call a curling tournament), many of the skips (the team captain and main strategist) wear microphones. This allows us the viewer to be privy to the discussions, strategizing and decisions made about every shot and maneuver in the game. I think this is meant to increase the understanding of the television audience and to invite them into some of the interesting aspects of the game that they would otherwise not be able to fully access. As we listen in on the discussions, decision making and strategizing it can help us to more thoroughly understand, appreciate and thus enjoy what we are watching. As one who is involved in planing and leading worship at a church each Sunday morning, I have been reminded about the importance of understanding why we do what we do. As I plan each service, I need to be thoughtful about all that we choose to do, ensuring that I do not do things out of habit or routine, but rather with a sense of worship. No matter what kind of church we attend, traditional or contemporary, formal or casual we probably have some set way of doing what we do whether we call it a liturgy or not. The challenge is whether we understand why we do what we do, and then do we teach and communicate that to those with whom we worship? Do we understand the significance of what we are doing? If not, then what makes it worship and not just routine or habit. I am reminded of the need to ensure I am communicating to our congregation, especially new members, what we are doing and why. I think it can only deepen their understanding and their experience. Like providing a microphone to the team skip, we too can communicate what we do and why, with the goal of educating our congregations and deepening their understanding of worship. I think that if I keep this in mind it will also have the benefit of reminding me of those same facts which can’t help but focus and deepen my understanding of the worship I plan each week as well.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth...” - John 4:23

Curling

Another great Canadian winter pastime has to be curling. I am sure that there are people out there, who have only seen it on TV, and are wondering why this slow moving, odd game with brooms and all the yelling of “HURRY...WOE, WOE... HURRY is even considered a sport!? If I had only seen it on TV, I too might be inclined to think this way. As it turns out I have some family members who are award winning curlers, and through them have even had the opportunity to try the game out myself. I learned a lot through those few opportunities. I learned that I suck...and through that have learned to appreciate the skill involved by those who play well. I also learned the purpose and goals of the game as well as some of the strategy involved to achieve that purpose. I can honestly say that curling is one of those sports that you need to try yourself, and need to investigate a bit before you truly understand all that is going on. When you begin to understand a bit more, it is all the more interesting. I find myself wondering if that is how many people see Christian worship? From the outside looking in, it could look like a very odd activity indeed. Whether it is dancing or stillness, singing or silence, hands raised or heads bowed, preaching or listening, standing or sitting, it could all look a little odd for someone on the outside looking in. And if you have no understanding of who Jesus is and why people might choose to worship Him, it would seem a strange way to choose to spend your day off! If you find yourself on the outside looking in and wondering what it is all about, let me encourage you to first look into Jesus. Read one of the gospels and try to get an understanding of who he was and why some might be so devoted to Him. Then ask those involved about what they are doing and why, and search the scriptures for an understanding. When you begin to understand some of the purpose, the point and some of of the techniques to achieve those purposes, it may really change your perspective! You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. - Revelation 4:11

Pond Hockey

Its the time of year again when the ponds have finally frozen over. All around the neighbourhood there are kids with a shovel in one hand, a stick in the other and skates around their neck. They are off to clear some snow from the pond, create a rink and begin a great game of pond hockey. I love to see the spontaneous pick up games that start out in the cold Canadian winter. It doesn’t just have to be pond hockey, there is something about the idea of informal pick up games that I love, whether it be football, football (soccer), baseball (maybe that is why the Sandlot remains one of my favourite movies of all time) basketball or street hockey. They happen just for the love of the game. I think that we have lost a bit of that spirit in this day and age of formal organized sports. We seem to need the best and newest equipment, that best facilities, officials, organized teams and the pressure of making the big time even for the ten year olds! There is much to be commended about organized sports, but I also love the spontaneous pick up games that bring neighbours together for fun, exercise and community. I wonder if we might bring some of the spirit of pick up sports to our spiritual life? do we find ourselves needing a choir gown before we can sing our praises? Or a full band before we can worship because it just won’t be the same without it? Do we need a preacher before we expect to hear from the Word? Or the latest and greatest study guide before we open the scriptures? Do we need a program before we expect to be able to serve? Have we lost a bit of the spontaneity, excitement and freshness to our spiritual walk? I have found myself thinking particularly about evangelism these past few days. We may be tempted to think about evangelism in far too formal a way at the risk of loosing its importance and effectiveness. We do not need to wait for the next mission trip, nor become career missionaries to “evangelize.” In fact, it was Jesus who said “...as you are going” make disciples. (Matt 28:19) Wherever we go, around the world or just next door, we can be seeking opportunities to share our faith. We also do not need to be religious experts or to have graduated seminary to engage in sharing our faith. Nor do not need to wait for the next great program to share effectively with those around us. God has given each of us relationships and a story, and that is all we really need to begin. What if we were to celebrate with (or return to) the excitement we feel about all that God has done for us, and is doing in our midst, and share that excitement as spontaneously as we would any other exciting thing in our lives. What an impact! We don’t have to wait for the next formal opportunity. Be natural, spontaneous and have fun as you celebrate and share all that God has done for you through Jesus!