Sugar Bush

It is early spring and with evening temperatures still dipping blow freezing while the days creep above the freezing mark the conditions are perfect for the sap to flow in the maple trees. That can mean only one thing...maple syrup time! It is a family tradition (and for many it is an annual school field trip) to head out to the sugar bush, where we learn about how maple syrup and maple sugar are made. It is a very old process discovered by First Nations peoples, taught to European pioneers which has continued to develop into a modern technological process. At the heart of it however, is one simple basic process. Whether using hot rocks from a fire as the indians once practiced, metal cauldrons as the pioneers introduced, or today’s modern technology the process is the same. Sap is collected from a tree and boiled down. As the sap is boiled down, a higher concentration of maple sugar is left, becoming what we know as maple syrup. If the process continues eventually all that is left is pure maple sugar. The idea of boiling it down had me thinking about the Christian life, and if it might be boiled down. It is not the first time I have mentioned this passage, but if what Jesus says about these themes is correct, then it is worth mentioning again!
When asked about what was the most important commandment, Jesus’ response was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:37-40) Loving God and Loving our neighbour are at the root of everything else, the rest all stems from these commandments. Loving God and Loving our neighbour is what it all boils down to.

Which Snowbird???

As I was reminded last week by a friend, when you say Snowbird to a Canadian the first question in return might be “which snowbird?” It can mean any number of different things. It could be the aerobatics team or it could could actually be an ornithological reference. It could mean someone who travels south during the winter to escape the snow and cold, or it could be the title of Anne Murray’s (a Canadian icon in her own right) most famous song (written by Gene MacLellan). It got me thinking about words with different meanings, which led me to think about the word “love.” Did you know that in ancient Greek there are at least four different words that when translated to English are all translated as “love.” Each word communicates a different nuance or aspect to this incredibly rich concept that we call “love”: passionate love, natural affection, brotherly love or friendship and unconditional, self-sacrificial love (see C.S. Lewis’ “The Four Loves” for an in depth treatment). Three of these different terms appear in the New Testament (which was of course originally written in a Greek dialect), all but erotic love are used in some form or another. It reminds me of the depth that the word love can carry. Love is definitely a central theme in the New Testament. We are called to love God and love our neighbour, love our enemies, love each other. Husbands and wives are called to love each other. We are told that God so loved the world he sent his only Son, and perhaps the most profound use of the term comes when the Apostle John declares that “God is Love” ( 1 John 4:8). This devotional page is not the place to delve into each occurrence of the word, to see which Greek word is used and to create an in depth analysis. I do hope, however, to encourage us to consider this word, often used so lightly by our culture, and to search its true depth. There really is a depth and richness worth mining, worth meditating upon and exploring. I pray that we all might be enriched as we begin to understand more fully who God is, what God has done and continues to do, our relationship with Him, who we are, and what we are called to do.

Snowbirds

Another Canadian icon would have to be the legendary Canadian Forces aerobatics team called the Snowbirds. This world famous demonstration team is a staple at many North American air shows. I had a pilot once say to me that everyone knows that they are the best in the world because they can do what they do with such such limited technology. They really do rely on the skill, talent and knowledge of the pilots. I was reminded of that conversation recently, when talking to another friend. My friend was recounting a story told to him by a pastor who had returned from a Mission trip overseas. While on the trip, this pastor had a conversation with the leader of the growing church in that country. The pastor asked this local leader about what bible study and discipleship materials they used, what curriculum. A little perplexed, this leader responded...”The Bible.” He was not joking or being sarcastic. He went on to explain a rather straight forward, simple to use and simple to reproduce method of studying the bible that they have found to be very effective. in many parts of the world, access to a bible is a challenge in and of itself, let alone the kind of access to programs, curriculum and resources that we have in North America. i find myself thinking about this a lot lately. Could it be that with such access to resources etc. that we have aloud ourselves to become dependent? I don’t mean to bash curriculum, or publishing by any means. There are many areas where I find them to be a real blessing and practical tool. But I do wonder if we can become dependent, in an unhealthy way, unable to go to the bible ourselves and find the riches that God has in store for us. Am I , and is my ministry paralyzed without someone else’s program? What would happen if circumstances were to change for whatever reason, and the abundance of extra biblical resources were no longer available? I have been experimenting with a very simple study approach of my own. It has a few of my own ideas, but is mostly a combination of approaches others have introduced me to that show promise. The goal is to have something simple to remember, simple to walk through, and simple to show someone else how to do and how to lead others through. It is still very preliminary, and I have just started to try with some friends. I share it hear just as a thought. if you have constructive criticism I would love you to leave a comment!
COIN study tool - Context, Observation, Interpretation, Now Apply It

Context - where does the passage fit into biblical history, within the book, within the chapter (what happens before and after)?
Who is talking to whom, what is the occasion, what is being addressed etc?

Observation - check the SPECKS, look for a Sin, Promise, Example, Command, or Knowledge Statement (something we learn about God or humanity etc.)

Interpretation - sometime this happens naturally as you make observations but sometimes a bit more time can be spent to go from knowing what it says to learning what that means.

Now Apply It - based on what we have learned, what do you need to do about it specifically and intentionally. This can also be a great thing to pray about as an individual or for members of a group t pray for each other.


Whatever we do, lets dig in, let us be yoked together with Jesus and learn from Him.

CN Tower II

More than just a very cool building, and tourist attraction the CN Tower actually serves a very practical purpose. In fact, much of what it is famous for (its one time status as tallest freestanding structure, the observations decks, the revolving restaurant etc.) were really just secondary thoughts. The primary purpose of the CN Tower has always been as a TV and radio communications tower. As Toronto grew in the 1960’s, and as its downtown core continued to develop including some very tall skyscrapers, bringing signals to and from the downtown core became problematic. It was necessary to build a tower whose antenna would reach above the rooftops of the city. It got me thinking about communicating a message. I think about the CN Tower and I recognize the length some are willing to go to ensure that their message is communicated. It represents an amazing investment of time, energy, ingenuity and resources to accomplish the goal of communicating a message. As followers of Jesus, we too are entrusted with an important message of love and hope that we are supposed to communicate. Do we show the same commitment to the task? I am really asking this question to myself, and making it personal. I could be distracted by the CN Tower analogy and immediately start thinking in terms of infrastructure, radio and television ministries and large scale programs for mass communication. They may all have their place, but for me personally, the question should be what do I need to be doing right here and now? We may not all be on TV, but we do none the less have a responsibility to share the message. I really believe in a relational approach, trusting that God has me where I am for a purpose, and that there are opportunities that God has for me through my relationships. In fact, by building relationships I have a better opportunity to do what God has called us to do, which is not to just make converts but disciples. This will require more than just a good way to communicate a message, but will require intentional, long term investment as we pour into peoples lives. This having been said, however, the CN Tower challenges me about my commitment to the task. I am challenged to consider my investment, my commitment and the length I am willing to go to live out this call. When I consider the importance of our message, I find myself thinking how much more effort should we be making?