Tonight I took a few hours out of the evening to do some painting. I have really fallen in love with it as of late. I have been songwriting for years and love to do that as well. I still feel passionately about that artistic endeavor. I don't really know what it is about being creative, or needing to create but there seems to be something in me that feels almost compelled at times to find an outlet. I come from a creative family full of professional and amateur musicians, painters (both traditional and digital), actors and artisans. Maybe it is genetic, maybe environmental or probably both. There is one area that at some point, should I find the time between songs and paintings, I would like to further explore and that is the relationship between faith and the arts. Having studied music at university I was forced to sit through all the history courses. I am aware of the intimate relationship between the church and music. I would like to further explore, however, the idea of being an artist, or being creative and its relation to faith. There is, of course, "sacred" art that is directly based on biblical themes for example. There is "worship" music (which I have spent many years writing already) and "sacred" music, again based on biblical themes. This is not exactly what has peeked my interest, although much of it is wonderful. What I am hoping to explore is the question of what does it mean to be a creative person, or to be an artist who is Christian. Better still, what does it mean to have a Christian worldview while creating. I am wondering if there is something to the idea of creating that is reflective or imitative of God, the Great Creator. Or is there something prophetic about art as one looks at the world and uses art to draw attention to the reality around us. Or maybe art that does not mention or portray the cross is just as "worshipful" as it highlights the beauty around us in God's creation.
There are many possibilities to explore and think through. Of course, I am not sure how painting old bridges and quirky doors (without a "behold I stand at the door and knock engraving on a gaudy frame) might relate to all of this but I am interested to find out. If you know of any great books or resources that I might look into if and when I get some time please let me know, I would appreciate it!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?
I have had the privilege of meeting in the home of John Worcester each Sunday evening for the past few weeks. A group of individuals who are interested in church planting have been gathering to glean from Jesus the many useful lessons to be applied to what we do. John has been leading as we mine the Gospel of Mark. This past week we were reading about Jesus' time in the house of Levi from Mark 2. Levi, who had just recently responded to the invitation to follow Jesus, hosted a party at which there were "many tax collectors and sinners" along with Jesus and the disciples. This, of course, would become a source of accusation by the Pharisees, "why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners." It was at this point that I found myself being a bit distracted from the focus of the discussion. I was really struck by the people that Jesus chose to associate with. His group of disciples was of course quite diverse, some tax collectors, some rough around the edges, some with obvious religious training (Philip would declare to Nathanael, "we have found the One Moses wrote about...) and some were even what we might today call fundamentalist or extreme (zealot). Jesus, however, then took this group along with him to rub shoulders with some very questionable people. This would not be the only time Jesus was accused because he hung out with the wrong crowd, sinners, drunks and prostitutes. OK, so what I am sharing is nothing new. We all know who Jesus hung out with, so why did it hit me so boldly this week? Here is what is different this time around...my context. Simply put, this is a passage that I have only really been faced with intellectually until recently. At best, the sinners and tax collectors have only really been metaphoric. I have grown up in relatively safe communities in safe towns. Yes, they are full of people far from God, who are sinners and who need a Saviour. But, to be perfectly frank, I rarely came across the kind of person about whom people would notice and comment should I be seen in their presence. The real "down and outers" so to speak, were not many and were not really obvious. Today, however, I live in the city where I don't have to travel very far before the "sinners" are very obvious. To hang out with the "sinners" these days means to associate with people who are completely different from me, with different stories and completely different experiences. There are the homeless, the drunks, the crack heads and prostitutes. Don't get me wrong, I don't naively head into the roughest part of town seeking out drug dealers to save. I have, however, had the opportunity to serve and befriend a number of people with some pretty challenging stories and who do some pretty questionable things. This past week alone I have had a drunk friend stumble up to me on my front lawn to say hi while I was watering the garden. I have had a friend stashing some of his recyclables at the end of my yard at all hours of the morning. I am not really sure what my neighbours think about all of this. There have been things said, and conversations emerge that I never thought my children would be privy to. This is all pretty new to me, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable and sometimes I have no idea what to do or say. I do know that I count some of these folks as friends. These are the kinds of people Jesus hung out with. These are the ones that He took His disciples to see and spend time with. These are the ones from whom He chose some of His first leaders. I have to admit, however, it is a bit different today, a bit more real, a bit more challenging and a bit more literal.
I don't spend all my time with these folks, in fact my circle of influence has grown to be quite diverse these days. The opportunity, however, is certainly there and it is one that I would like to make the most of. I would like to live in imitation of Jesus as best as I can. I do wish I could know what Jesus said as he interacted with the sinners and tax collectors gathered at Levi's. I would find that helpful!
I don't spend all my time with these folks, in fact my circle of influence has grown to be quite diverse these days. The opportunity, however, is certainly there and it is one that I would like to make the most of. I would like to live in imitation of Jesus as best as I can. I do wish I could know what Jesus said as he interacted with the sinners and tax collectors gathered at Levi's. I would find that helpful!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Update Tuesday 29/5/12 - Do Not Worry
We have been going through the Gospel of Matthew with our house fellowship learning about who Jesus is, what He has done for us and what He wants to do in us and through us. For the past few weeks, we have been making our way slowly through the Sermon on the Mount. There have been a number of times over these past few weeks where those teachings have really challenged me. As I think about our group, our life, and living in the city, there has been a lot to think about. Last week was no exception. We looked at the passage in which Jesus teaches his disciples not to worry. It has been a passage on which I have had plenty of opportunity to reflect. We went through the passage on Tuesday. On Wednesday I was meeting with my dad in Oakville, who is thinking of starting a bible study this summer in a cottage community just north of the city, where we went through the passage once again. I then had the opportunity to walk with one of our fellowship members who was facing a number of life situations at once and was more than a little stressed. I found myself referring back to the passage we had studied the week before. And once again this morning, I had the chance to sit down with one of my sons who was rather anxious about school. I found myself, once again referring back to the passage and specifically turned our attention to Jesus' words, "Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
As I have shared and turn people's attention back to Jesus' command, and to the amazing promises of provision that go along with it, I sympathize. I used to have a lot of worry and could become overwhelmed with anxiety. I have had to learn to focus on today and not worry about tomorrow. Of course the command is not just to "not worry", but rather to "seek first the kingdom" and the rest will be added unto us. I have tried, and continue to try, to do this. There are days where it seems easier than others, days where I seem to do a better job at living it out, but if I were to look at ten or fifteen years ago, I can see a lot of growth. Today, however, I found myself thinking about the application of this passage from a slightly different angle.
When planting a church, there are always a number of questions about provision that seem to linger or hover around and about which a planter must be conscious of addressing. Family finances are pretty tight and finances for the church are tight and the summer tends to increase that fact. I also know that based on the budget that we did for this year, that we will need some further sources of income or partnerships to sustain our work for the whole year. There is our growing ministry to the homeless and to do it better we could really use a fridge/freezer to keep our donations in as well as a shed to house some of the other materials. These all, of course, take further resources that are not there at this point. All in all, I am not worried. I have seen and experienced so many examples of God's provision. I remember back to the first families who came to Oakville to begin the first Sanctuary site. They came with the understanding that there was a significant partnership to help that church get started only to discover shortly after moving across the country, that the funds were re-allocated. Well, last September the Sanctuary Oakville celebrated its 10th anniversary! I remember committing to go up to Milton on a volunteer basis to help with a new plant only to have my wife lose her job (and the salary we were intending to live on!) shortly afterwards. And I remember the crazy idea of starting a new church here in Hamilton, and yet after a year, we are still here and still serving. In so many different ways and through so many different channels (many of those including you!) God has continued to provide. Now, however, as a lead planter responsible for giving leadership to this new church I find myself thinking about the fine line between worrying about the finances or trying to make it happen under my own strength, and taking the appropriate responsibility to see that they are addressed. How much more than just praying about things is appropriate before crossing a line that Jesus has warned us about? How much less is too little responsibility or even putting God to the test? Perhaps there is a healthy tension here, one that helps define the road forward, or maybe I am just making more out of it than needs to be made. I'll keep thinking and praying.
Tonight we venture into Matthew 7, and I am excited to see what Jesus will teach us. We are expecting a number of familiar people as well as again welcoming a few new faces. George is cooking so it should be a good night!
As I have shared and turn people's attention back to Jesus' command, and to the amazing promises of provision that go along with it, I sympathize. I used to have a lot of worry and could become overwhelmed with anxiety. I have had to learn to focus on today and not worry about tomorrow. Of course the command is not just to "not worry", but rather to "seek first the kingdom" and the rest will be added unto us. I have tried, and continue to try, to do this. There are days where it seems easier than others, days where I seem to do a better job at living it out, but if I were to look at ten or fifteen years ago, I can see a lot of growth. Today, however, I found myself thinking about the application of this passage from a slightly different angle.
When planting a church, there are always a number of questions about provision that seem to linger or hover around and about which a planter must be conscious of addressing. Family finances are pretty tight and finances for the church are tight and the summer tends to increase that fact. I also know that based on the budget that we did for this year, that we will need some further sources of income or partnerships to sustain our work for the whole year. There is our growing ministry to the homeless and to do it better we could really use a fridge/freezer to keep our donations in as well as a shed to house some of the other materials. These all, of course, take further resources that are not there at this point. All in all, I am not worried. I have seen and experienced so many examples of God's provision. I remember back to the first families who came to Oakville to begin the first Sanctuary site. They came with the understanding that there was a significant partnership to help that church get started only to discover shortly after moving across the country, that the funds were re-allocated. Well, last September the Sanctuary Oakville celebrated its 10th anniversary! I remember committing to go up to Milton on a volunteer basis to help with a new plant only to have my wife lose her job (and the salary we were intending to live on!) shortly afterwards. And I remember the crazy idea of starting a new church here in Hamilton, and yet after a year, we are still here and still serving. In so many different ways and through so many different channels (many of those including you!) God has continued to provide. Now, however, as a lead planter responsible for giving leadership to this new church I find myself thinking about the fine line between worrying about the finances or trying to make it happen under my own strength, and taking the appropriate responsibility to see that they are addressed. How much more than just praying about things is appropriate before crossing a line that Jesus has warned us about? How much less is too little responsibility or even putting God to the test? Perhaps there is a healthy tension here, one that helps define the road forward, or maybe I am just making more out of it than needs to be made. I'll keep thinking and praying.
Tonight we venture into Matthew 7, and I am excited to see what Jesus will teach us. We are expecting a number of familiar people as well as again welcoming a few new faces. George is cooking so it should be a good night!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Update Tuesday 22/05/12
The weather has turned decidedly nicer these past few weeks, and although we really cannot complain about the winter that we had (to say it was mild would be an understatement) there is still something that happens when spring really hits or we begin to transition into summer. Something happens in the cities and towns, in the neighbourhoods and even within the soul of each Canadian and there is a real sense of new beginnings and new possibilities.
I spent some time planting a garden as we celebrated the first anniversary of our move to Hamilton. We planted a few plants, a tree and some vegetables. My neighbour down the street, who has quite a large and immaculate vegetable garden, saw me working and offered some tomato plants which I accepted gladly. As I was planting the tiny tomato plants, I could not help of thinking of my colleague Jim Danielson, with whom I served at our sending church in Milton On. for six years before coming to Hamilton. Jim has a huge tomato garden and at times was even a bit obsessive about it, ordering seeds from all over North America. It was a passion, and still is I imagine. That garden was a yearly reminder to us and it served as a key metaphor for the work that we were doing. It still serves as an apt image as we think about our work here in Hamilton. Sowing seeds, of course, has been a metaphor for sharing the word from the time Jesus spoke His famous parable. Working on that tomato garden, from the preparation of the soil through to mature fruit, has provided some further understanding as we seek to see a similar process in the lives of people. In the early days of Milton, and our early days here, it has been the idea of preparing the soil and sowing seeds that spoke most clearly to us. The reality is that if the seeds are to flourish, a lot of time must be put into preparing the soil. Hard ground must be broken up and softened and weeds must be pulled. Ministry in Canada can be very similar. There is an abundance of hard ground, hearts hardened towards Jesus and the gospel, as well as, an abundance of weeds of misunderstanding, preconceptions, distrust or negative experience flourish. And so, we spend a lot of time turning up soil, softening the ground and pulling up weeds through service and loving those around us, building relationships and pouring into people, that they may see a positive example of the Jesus, His church and what it really stands for. This is not an excuse not to sow, never to share the gospel, which is unfortunately how some proceed today. Instead we sow, we constantly sow as we plow and weed.
Planting my garden, thinking of Jim's garden, and remembering what it is that we are doing has been a good reminder this week.
Tonight, is our weekly fellowship meeting and once again we are expecting a few new faces to join us. We will continue to look at the Gospel of Matthew as we attempt to learn about who Jesus is, what He has done for us and what he wants to do in and through us. Again, we have found no better way to pull up some of the weeds of misconception then by inviting people to look at what Jesus actually said and did for themselves. Some of us are learning for the very first time, trying to make an informed decision about Jesus. Others of us are looking again, gleaning fresh insight as we spend time in the word and with each other. We are also reading with the thought that by the end we will read that Jesus asked his disciples to go and make more disciples and thus we can be learning how to do that as we go. Our group is growing in numbers but also in diversity, in just about every sense of the word and we are excited about what God is growing. We thank you for your continued prayer for our weekly times together.
As we think about softening soil, we also recognize that when it comes to the individual heart it really is the Spirit that prepares for the reception of the word and thus our greatest tool and investment is prayer. We truly thank you for your continued support of our ministry and for your prayers.
I spent some time planting a garden as we celebrated the first anniversary of our move to Hamilton. We planted a few plants, a tree and some vegetables. My neighbour down the street, who has quite a large and immaculate vegetable garden, saw me working and offered some tomato plants which I accepted gladly. As I was planting the tiny tomato plants, I could not help of thinking of my colleague Jim Danielson, with whom I served at our sending church in Milton On. for six years before coming to Hamilton. Jim has a huge tomato garden and at times was even a bit obsessive about it, ordering seeds from all over North America. It was a passion, and still is I imagine. That garden was a yearly reminder to us and it served as a key metaphor for the work that we were doing. It still serves as an apt image as we think about our work here in Hamilton. Sowing seeds, of course, has been a metaphor for sharing the word from the time Jesus spoke His famous parable. Working on that tomato garden, from the preparation of the soil through to mature fruit, has provided some further understanding as we seek to see a similar process in the lives of people. In the early days of Milton, and our early days here, it has been the idea of preparing the soil and sowing seeds that spoke most clearly to us. The reality is that if the seeds are to flourish, a lot of time must be put into preparing the soil. Hard ground must be broken up and softened and weeds must be pulled. Ministry in Canada can be very similar. There is an abundance of hard ground, hearts hardened towards Jesus and the gospel, as well as, an abundance of weeds of misunderstanding, preconceptions, distrust or negative experience flourish. And so, we spend a lot of time turning up soil, softening the ground and pulling up weeds through service and loving those around us, building relationships and pouring into people, that they may see a positive example of the Jesus, His church and what it really stands for. This is not an excuse not to sow, never to share the gospel, which is unfortunately how some proceed today. Instead we sow, we constantly sow as we plow and weed.
Planting my garden, thinking of Jim's garden, and remembering what it is that we are doing has been a good reminder this week.
Tonight, is our weekly fellowship meeting and once again we are expecting a few new faces to join us. We will continue to look at the Gospel of Matthew as we attempt to learn about who Jesus is, what He has done for us and what he wants to do in and through us. Again, we have found no better way to pull up some of the weeds of misconception then by inviting people to look at what Jesus actually said and did for themselves. Some of us are learning for the very first time, trying to make an informed decision about Jesus. Others of us are looking again, gleaning fresh insight as we spend time in the word and with each other. We are also reading with the thought that by the end we will read that Jesus asked his disciples to go and make more disciples and thus we can be learning how to do that as we go. Our group is growing in numbers but also in diversity, in just about every sense of the word and we are excited about what God is growing. We thank you for your continued prayer for our weekly times together.
As we think about softening soil, we also recognize that when it comes to the individual heart it really is the Spirit that prepares for the reception of the word and thus our greatest tool and investment is prayer. We truly thank you for your continued support of our ministry and for your prayers.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Free Art Friday 18/5/12
I am off to the cottage for a few days of relaxation so I will pull in some help for today's Free Art Friday installment. Here is a video taken live from a show in Houston that features a great interplay between Cindy Cashdollar and Lisa Pankratz on drums who were playing with Dave Alvin as part of the Guilty Women at the time. Lisa had the great fortune (or misfortune) of marrying into our family so we can claim her as ours!
Lisa Pankratz and Cindy Cashdollar
Enjoy!
Lisa Pankratz and Cindy Cashdollar
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Update Tuesday 15/5/12
It has taken some time. There have been weeks of ups and downs, weeks that were encouraging, weeks where I have wondered "what the heck am I doing." There have been times that I think I am fostering community and times where I have wondered "what type of community am I fostering...have I made things worse?" Yesterday, however, was an encouraging day. Yesterday was a day that seems to have confirmed the investment of time each Monday morning that I spend on the street corner outside of the Beer Store serving coffee and sandwiches to the homeless recyclers.
Yesterday, I headed to the corner like I do every Monday. I brought the coffee and sandwiches as usual, and I met with the regulars as well as a few new people. Ray was among the regulars who was there again, just as he is almost every week. This week, however, he let me know that he had tried to get in touch with me over the week. He had, unfortunately, lost my card and thus my number and was unable to track me down. I was really encouraged that he had tried! After things died down and I packed up I spent some extra time with Ray just chatting as we headed down the street to the store to try and get a patch for his bike tire. Ray is at the place where he wants to make some changes in his life. He has already changed some of his unhealthy relationships and is looking to change some other things. I asked about how it is that I might be able to help, and he talked about just hanging out some times and being a healthy relationship. I, of course, said sure. I specifically shared that I don't have a lot of extra money hanging around, I don't have any extra rooms in my home and I don't have a business that I could give him steady work but what I do have is Jesus and I would be more than willing to try to share that with him (I sort of adapted some words from Peter in Acts 3:6). We made a plan to get together each Monday after we serve the coffee and sandwiches and look at the bible together. He also specifically asked about church. All in all, it was encouraging. I would ask for your continued prayers as I seek to walk with Ray. I am not naive to the challenges and issues that Ray has but I am also confident in the power of our Lord. I am looking forward to see what God will do.
I am also happy to share that for the first time in about two months our whole family is home together and prayerfully will be out of the hospital for some time. Our oldest son has some new diagnosis and treatments that so far seem to be working well, praise the Lord. We are still waiting to hear about possible surgery for Kim, but they are confident that her lump is not cancer. We are still not sure what exactly T.J's lump is, but again they are confident it is not a cancerous tumour and we have an appointment next week to try to determine what her lump is. Thanks for your continues prayers.
Yesterday, I headed to the corner like I do every Monday. I brought the coffee and sandwiches as usual, and I met with the regulars as well as a few new people. Ray was among the regulars who was there again, just as he is almost every week. This week, however, he let me know that he had tried to get in touch with me over the week. He had, unfortunately, lost my card and thus my number and was unable to track me down. I was really encouraged that he had tried! After things died down and I packed up I spent some extra time with Ray just chatting as we headed down the street to the store to try and get a patch for his bike tire. Ray is at the place where he wants to make some changes in his life. He has already changed some of his unhealthy relationships and is looking to change some other things. I asked about how it is that I might be able to help, and he talked about just hanging out some times and being a healthy relationship. I, of course, said sure. I specifically shared that I don't have a lot of extra money hanging around, I don't have any extra rooms in my home and I don't have a business that I could give him steady work but what I do have is Jesus and I would be more than willing to try to share that with him (I sort of adapted some words from Peter in Acts 3:6). We made a plan to get together each Monday after we serve the coffee and sandwiches and look at the bible together. He also specifically asked about church. All in all, it was encouraging. I would ask for your continued prayers as I seek to walk with Ray. I am not naive to the challenges and issues that Ray has but I am also confident in the power of our Lord. I am looking forward to see what God will do.
I am also happy to share that for the first time in about two months our whole family is home together and prayerfully will be out of the hospital for some time. Our oldest son has some new diagnosis and treatments that so far seem to be working well, praise the Lord. We are still waiting to hear about possible surgery for Kim, but they are confident that her lump is not cancer. We are still not sure what exactly T.J's lump is, but again they are confident it is not a cancerous tumour and we have an appointment next week to try to determine what her lump is. Thanks for your continues prayers.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Free Art Friday - 11/5/12
Here is a painting I just finished. There was a great photograph of a leaf on an old log that I think my wife may have taken at the cottage. I used that as the inspiration and this is what I came up with.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Update Tuesday 8/5/12
One of the healthiest signs I can think of for a church is to see friends inviting friends. On the one hand it tells you a bit about how the members are thinking. I think it is a sign that they are committed and invested. It also helps to show that they recognize their role in evangelism and reaching out, that we are all disciples called to live out the great commission and be involved in sharing the good news as we go. I think that it also indicates that the members feel that there is something special about the community and the experience of gathering together with their particular group that is worth sharing. On the other hand it is encouraging because I really feel that the greatest likelihood of someone both coming to experience a group but also finding a place and sticking is when there is a personal connection. This is most likely to happen when a friend invites another friend. This is not the only way to engage with the community or to invite people, and in fact last week I shared a story of a new person that we actually met on the street, but I am encouraged when friends invite friends for all the reasons I shared above. This past week I had the opportunity to hear of two such instances.
Last Tuesday, we welcomed another international student to join us as we met, shared a meal, worshiped and opened the Word together. She is the friend of one of the other international students that joins us each week and with whom we have had the pleasure of introducing to Jesus and walking with as she grows in the knowledge of who Jesus is, what He has done and what He wants to do in and through us. These two students know each other from school, spend a lot of time together and have become quite good friends. When my wife shared with our one student that it would be absolutely fine (in fact encouraged!) that she invite her friend to join us, she jumped at the opportunity and the two joined us the very next Tuesday. I am encouraged that they would be joining our fellowship each week as community can be an important thing especially when you are half a world away from home and by yourself for the first time. I am also excited about the possibility of encouraging our one students to step up to the challenge of sharing what she has learned about Jesus with her friend.
I was also encouraged by another occasion this past week when another member of our group shared about a friend that they have who is moving back into our neighbourhood. This member was explaining that they had been sharing about our house fellowship as well as our homeless ministry both of which intrigued their friend. When this friend has settled back into the neighbourhood it is likely that they will want to come and experience the things that our group has been doing. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome one more interested individual and pray that they might find a home within our fellowship.
So, today I find myself encouraged about some of the things going on in our group. Welcoming new people and the prospect of welcoming more is always exciting. Watching people really find a place within the group, show commitment and even begin to invite others is also a very encouraging thing.
Last Tuesday, we welcomed another international student to join us as we met, shared a meal, worshiped and opened the Word together. She is the friend of one of the other international students that joins us each week and with whom we have had the pleasure of introducing to Jesus and walking with as she grows in the knowledge of who Jesus is, what He has done and what He wants to do in and through us. These two students know each other from school, spend a lot of time together and have become quite good friends. When my wife shared with our one student that it would be absolutely fine (in fact encouraged!) that she invite her friend to join us, she jumped at the opportunity and the two joined us the very next Tuesday. I am encouraged that they would be joining our fellowship each week as community can be an important thing especially when you are half a world away from home and by yourself for the first time. I am also excited about the possibility of encouraging our one students to step up to the challenge of sharing what she has learned about Jesus with her friend.
I was also encouraged by another occasion this past week when another member of our group shared about a friend that they have who is moving back into our neighbourhood. This member was explaining that they had been sharing about our house fellowship as well as our homeless ministry both of which intrigued their friend. When this friend has settled back into the neighbourhood it is likely that they will want to come and experience the things that our group has been doing. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome one more interested individual and pray that they might find a home within our fellowship.
So, today I find myself encouraged about some of the things going on in our group. Welcoming new people and the prospect of welcoming more is always exciting. Watching people really find a place within the group, show commitment and even begin to invite others is also a very encouraging thing.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Free Art Friday 4/5/12 - The Ballade of Billy Weir
Last week I shared some lyrics based on the story of a friend of mine named Billy Weir. Today I thought I would share a demo of the song that I managed to get recorded this week.
Bonus marks to anyone who can pick out the references to Hamilton, Ronnie Hawkins and the Band.
There are a few things that I have learned over the years that I was definitlely thinking about as I recorded this demo:
1) Laugh all you want but country bass is way harder than you think to play and to do it well.
2) Laugh all you want but country guitar is way harder than you think to play and to do it well.
Needless to say, I kept it simple. Maybe one day I will get a chance to record it with my favourite Austin A-team rhythm section who could really bring it to life!
Bonus marks to anyone who can pick out the references to Hamilton, Ronnie Hawkins and the Band.
There are a few things that I have learned over the years that I was definitlely thinking about as I recorded this demo:
1) Laugh all you want but country bass is way harder than you think to play and to do it well.
2) Laugh all you want but country guitar is way harder than you think to play and to do it well.
Needless to say, I kept it simple. Maybe one day I will get a chance to record it with my favourite Austin A-team rhythm section who could really bring it to life!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Update Tuesday 01/05/12
How can God use a movie shoot, a cancelled bus and a cup of coffee for the kingdom? We have an idea. Last week, I wrote about our outreach to the city's homeless that we did at Gore Park in the downtown core. I mentioned that there were a number of great conversations and I would like to share about one in a bit more detail.
As we gathered in Gore park to hand out sandwiches, toiletries and free coffee, we brought along some signs that read free coffee, that a few members of our group were able to use to bring some attention to what we were doing. The signs caught the attention of one young girl named Alicia. Alicia lives in an apartment downtown, on the same street as the park we were in, but quite a few blocks away. As it turns out, there was a movie shoot happening in the downtown core resulting in the closure of one of the main arteries running through the city and thus the interruption of one of the main bus lines. Whereas Alicia would have ordinarily been on the bus, traveling right past our location on another parallel street, on Sunday she was walking home through Gore Park. She stopped for a coffee and while she was enjoying her beverage, we struck up a conversation with her. When it came out that we were a part of a church, she shared that she had actually been thinking about going to a church but that she didn't want to have to go by herself to a church where she didn't know anyone, especially when she did not know what she was getting into. We were able to talk with her for a while, share about our group, how we do things a bit differently and suggest that since she now knew us she could join us at any time and that she would already know everyone! She took our contact info before heading home. To be honest, I have given out information before, invited people to join us and even had some positive responses. I have learned however, that Canadians have a way of being polite and not outright rejecting you without outright committing either. Very rarely do we have someone join us after only having met us for a few minutes. In fact, when the next Tuesday rolled around and the phone rang, we were not expecting a call. When Alicia introduced herself and said that we had met in the park, we thought she had a wrong number, after all we had not had our kids at the park that day. It took a few seconds to realize who she was and that she had meant the park downtown on Sunday. We made arrangements to go and pick her up and Alicia joined us last Tuesday. Alica is a young lady, just 19 years old, who has moved around a lot and is now living on her own in an apartment in a fairly rough part of town. It was a pleasure to have her with us, to share a good home cooked meal with her, fellowship and community as well as worship and the Word. We are praying that when we meet again this week that she will once again feel welcomed and encouraged to join us.
Well, this is a really busy week for us again. I have a meeting with someone from the North American Mission Board (OK he is taking us out to dinner - not really a "meeting") tonight, so we have moved our Fellowship meeting until Thursday.
I have a gig with my band Before the Flood at the Horseshoe in Toronto on Wednesday night. If you are in the area let me know and I would love to see you there!
We also have the Spring Sprint 5K this Saturday, so we have been busy making final arrangements and making Liam's final fundraising push. As of today we are about 74% of Liam's goal. Thanks to everyone who has chipped in!
I may also have an opportunity for an acoustic gig on Sunday afternoon here in Hamilton at the studio of my photographer friend George Qua-Enoo as he hosts an open house as a part of Open Doors Hamilton. Keep an eye out on Facebook over the next few days, and if we can pull the details together I will share all the specs there.
I also want to thank everyone for all the prayers over the past few weeks. We have definitely been feeling the effects and are starting to feel like we have some forward movement on a number of the things we shared last week. Thanks again for all the prayer and support.
As we gathered in Gore park to hand out sandwiches, toiletries and free coffee, we brought along some signs that read free coffee, that a few members of our group were able to use to bring some attention to what we were doing. The signs caught the attention of one young girl named Alicia. Alicia lives in an apartment downtown, on the same street as the park we were in, but quite a few blocks away. As it turns out, there was a movie shoot happening in the downtown core resulting in the closure of one of the main arteries running through the city and thus the interruption of one of the main bus lines. Whereas Alicia would have ordinarily been on the bus, traveling right past our location on another parallel street, on Sunday she was walking home through Gore Park. She stopped for a coffee and while she was enjoying her beverage, we struck up a conversation with her. When it came out that we were a part of a church, she shared that she had actually been thinking about going to a church but that she didn't want to have to go by herself to a church where she didn't know anyone, especially when she did not know what she was getting into. We were able to talk with her for a while, share about our group, how we do things a bit differently and suggest that since she now knew us she could join us at any time and that she would already know everyone! She took our contact info before heading home. To be honest, I have given out information before, invited people to join us and even had some positive responses. I have learned however, that Canadians have a way of being polite and not outright rejecting you without outright committing either. Very rarely do we have someone join us after only having met us for a few minutes. In fact, when the next Tuesday rolled around and the phone rang, we were not expecting a call. When Alicia introduced herself and said that we had met in the park, we thought she had a wrong number, after all we had not had our kids at the park that day. It took a few seconds to realize who she was and that she had meant the park downtown on Sunday. We made arrangements to go and pick her up and Alicia joined us last Tuesday. Alica is a young lady, just 19 years old, who has moved around a lot and is now living on her own in an apartment in a fairly rough part of town. It was a pleasure to have her with us, to share a good home cooked meal with her, fellowship and community as well as worship and the Word. We are praying that when we meet again this week that she will once again feel welcomed and encouraged to join us.
Well, this is a really busy week for us again. I have a meeting with someone from the North American Mission Board (OK he is taking us out to dinner - not really a "meeting") tonight, so we have moved our Fellowship meeting until Thursday.
I have a gig with my band Before the Flood at the Horseshoe in Toronto on Wednesday night. If you are in the area let me know and I would love to see you there!
We also have the Spring Sprint 5K this Saturday, so we have been busy making final arrangements and making Liam's final fundraising push. As of today we are about 74% of Liam's goal. Thanks to everyone who has chipped in!
I may also have an opportunity for an acoustic gig on Sunday afternoon here in Hamilton at the studio of my photographer friend George Qua-Enoo as he hosts an open house as a part of Open Doors Hamilton. Keep an eye out on Facebook over the next few days, and if we can pull the details together I will share all the specs there.
I also want to thank everyone for all the prayers over the past few weeks. We have definitely been feeling the effects and are starting to feel like we have some forward movement on a number of the things we shared last week. Thanks again for all the prayer and support.
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