Friday Art - Good Friday, 2013

Here is a link to a song that I wrote for Good Friday 2011.  I had started with just the words, writing in a deliberate hymn like mode before going back and adding music.  The recording was done in one take from the living room of the McGibbon Zoo, then located in Milton, Ontario.  It is a bit rough around the edges for sure as any zoo recording is bound to be, but you can get the flavour and hear the text.  Enjoy.

Yes, This is Grace

Both/And...Death and Resurrection

Is light considered to be wave or particle? Is an Oreo a crunchy chocolate experience, or creamy goodness?  Do we maintain health by diet or exercise?  Is Silly Putty a liquid or solid?  From Science to silliness, life is full of paradoxical realities or things so closely related they cannot be separated, all of which help us recognize the need for to break for "Either/Or" thinking and embrace "Both/And" realities.  The Christian life is no different.  I am introducing a new feature here at the blog where I hope to share some thoughts, or at least some good questions, regarding some of these ideas that come from the practice of living our the Christian faith.  This being Holy Week leading up to Easter, it seems appropriate to start with the resurrection.

There is so much to be said about how we understand paradigmatic sequence of events that are central to the Christian faith, that it seems crazy to try to discuss them in one short blog entry.  For today's purposes, however, I have been thinking about the resurrection in particular.  There are very few individuals today who would argue that Jesus was not crucified, fewer still (and certainly not a credible historian) who try to argue that Jesus did not exist.    The resurrection, however, is still met with skepticism.  This should not come as any surprise, it is a very radical and supernatural claim.  When the resurrection is separated from the death of Jesus, it leaves open the possibility of any number of interpretations of Jesus from a simple martyr to a great moral teacher or just a really nice guy.  Unfortunately, Jesus' own words about himself don't leave open this possibility.  He made some very unique claims about himself, the least of which was not his claim that he would be resurrected (John 2:18-21).  As the famous line of reasoning goes, with such claims Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or Lord.  The resurrection alone answers this question.  If he was raised from the dead that legitimizes all of his claims, all of his teaching and demonstrates that he in fact is the one to whom all authority has been given.

If we turn to the early church, we see that the resurrection was central to the earliest understanding of the Christian message.  In first Corinthians 15:3, Paul writes what he considers to be of first importance, that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that He was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures..."  Paul is writing a mere 15-20 years after the death and resurrection, he is writing something that he had already shared with the Corinthians some years earlier, and He is teaching something that he learned many years prior to that.  This is an early teaching of the community of believers and it very clearly includes Jesus resurrection.   The death and resurrection are central, non negotiable tenets of the Christian faith from its earliest days.    Not only was it central to the early churches understanding of Jesus, but by any historical investigation standards this kind of early and eyewitness (again 1 Cor 15:3 ff mentions the appearance to Cephas and the twelve and 500 others) accounting of the incident is very persuasive for historicity sake. 

Later in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul goes on to say that if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless (1 Cor:17)  and that if there is no resurrection of the dead then just eat and drink because tomorrow we die.  The resurrection is central, and it must be the starting point for us all.  If you are not a follower of Jesus, then let me encourage you to start with the resurrection.  It does not really matter what we think of Jesus teaching or any other issue if he did not come back from the grave.  If Jesus was not resurrected then sleep in, take it easy and live the good life - he was just a scam and his teachings are of no importance.  If he came back from the dead, however, then there is quite definitely something about him.  If Jesus came back from the dead then it is probably pretty important that you learn what he had to say about himself and about us. 

Oh Canada - The comfortable Pew and The Rise of the Nones

I admit it, I am a bit of a nerd.  So that being the case, I can sometimes get stuck on a question or thought, not be able to let it go and thus have to begin some research to try to find answers.  Most recently I have been thinking about Canada, its relationship with Christianity, and the rapid change in that relationship since the 1960s.  Historian Mark Noll indicates that:

In 1950 Canadian church attendance as a proportion of the total population exceeded church attendance in the United States by one-third to one-half, and church attendance in in Quebec may have been highest in the world.  Today Church attendance in the United States is probably one-half to two-thirds greater in Canada, and attendance in Quebec is the lowest of any state or province in North America. 

(Noll, "What Happened To Christian Canada": 15)

Such a change in such a short period of time can only be described as a seismic social shift.  What lies behind such dramatic change?  There is no one easy answer to be sure, and no lack of scholarly attention has been focused on the question.  I came across one particular nugget this past week, however,  that caught my attention. 

 In a book first published in the early 1960's entitled The Comfortable Pew, Canadian journalist and author Pierre Burton offered a critique of the contemporary church (at the invitation of the Anglican Church).  One critique he offers is that the church, rather than being a prophetic voice commenting on culture, simply became the socially acceptable norm.  Rather than a deeply spiritual and counter-cultural community it became an important social club to which to belong.  The effect was "to increase the hypocrisy of thousands who are forced to pretend to a religious faith in order to gain a practical end."(Burton, 88)  Burton goes on to suggest that "if Christianity becomes merely a passport to status and prestige in various societies, then it will surely wither away."  (Burton, 89)  Could this be a part of the answer?  Did the church cease to be a radical Christ following, discipling community and become a simple requirement for social standing and personal social gain?  If yes,  then as society rapidly changed in the 1960's,  moral, social and ethical norms were challenged and Christianity began to become unfashionable there was very little social gain to be had by associating with the church.  For those with only a nominal connection to the church, whose beliefs were little shaped by the teachings of Christ, there would be little reason to maintain a connection to church.  The opposite may have been true, that there was a growing social cost to incur.

Interestingly, I came across this video interview with Ed Stetzer, Missiologist and President of Lifeway Research, in which he talks of a more recent trend in American religious life.  Discussing the rise of the "nones," those who would indicate none or none of the above with regards to religious affiliation he makes some interesting interpretations regarding this growing demographic.  Can we see in these observations, some ideas that may be applicable to the trends that began in Canada in the last half of the twentieth century?    

Have a look, it is well worth the time.

Update Tuesday - Easter Weekend

Like many of you, Easter weekend tends to have a number of things going on.  Although on a slightly smaller scale then some of your churches, we at the Hamilton Fellowships also have a number of things on the go:

Good Friday - we will be hosting an intimate communion service for those involved in our different fellowships.  We are planning an opportunity to reflect on the depth of the cross through worship, communion and prayer.

 Friday Evening - On Friday evening we have invited a number of my friends from the street corner out front of the Beer Store (the ones I meet with every week), to come over for an Easter dinner.  I have had a few confirmations already, but I have come to recognize that what is said and planned is not always what happens.  I am prayerful that a few will join us. 

Easter Sunday - We will be hosting an Easter morning service and celebration brunch.  After an opportunity to contemplate the depth of the cross on Friday, we will be celebrating the reality, the power and the incredible, eternal implications of the resurrection! 

We would appreciate your continued prayers that the significance of the events we celebrate would be firmly planted within the hearts of many of our younger believers, and that we would also have the chance to be further connecting with and serving those who are not yet believers.

Missional Monday - Baptism

We have been looking at the Great Commission and recognizing the imperative, the command, for all disciples to be involved in "making disciples of all nations."  We have also been looking at the participles, the "ing" verbs, for directions about what that should look like.  Last week, we looked at "going," which bring us to the verb "baptizing," this week.

There is a lot that could be said about the term baptism, but the very least I think that we must recognize baptism as a symbolic and public declaration of faith in the triune God; Father Son and Holy Spirit.  As Paul indicates in Romans 6, baptism is an apt symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and indicates a believer's participation with Christ, dying to our old self, buried, and raised to walk in newness of life.  Baptism is thus indicative of the conversion experience.   In short, baptism indicates, and makes public, the reality of a changed life that comes through faith in Christ.  By baptism one identifies with both Christ and thus the community of Christ followers.

If anyone has read much of what is on this blog or spent any time with me, it would be obvious that I am leery of evangelism "programs," quick sells of the gospel or attempts to "get people saved."  I favour a more wholistic approach that focuses on "making disciples," engaging more deeply.  That being said, however, if the above paragraph indicates how I understand baptism and Jesus saw fit to include it in the Great Commission then lets be clear, evangelism, bringing people to the point of "making a decision for Christ," or conversion, is very much included in this larger wholistic picture.  The fact is that this is one of the least socially unacceptable, most offensive and thus most challenging or uncomfortable parts of disciple making.  This might be especially true for younger generations who have grown up in a pluralistic, post modern context.  The reality is, however, if we do not see this as a significant part of our mission, we are not living out the mission of God in our lives.

We don't convert people, John chapter 16 helps us to see that only the Spirit at work in someones life can bring conviction.  What we are called to do is to participate with God and be ready to be used in any way He sees fit.  This will likely include helping people see the need to make a decision regarding Christ.   We must, however, strive to do so with gentleness, respect and love.     



     

Friday Art-Photography by Caroline

My oldest daughter Caroline has been taking a class on photography. Here are just a couple of images she has produced thus far...

Oh Canada - Put Your Hand in the Hand

I came across this video a few weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since.  I find it to be quite the interesting study in Canada's strange relationship with the Christian faith.   The song is Put Your Hand In The Hand, a gospel pop song that reached number two on Us Billboard charts with the 1970 recording by Ocean.  It was also (originally) recorded by Canadian Anne Murray as well as  numerous other artists.  It was written by Canadian singer songwriter Gene MacLellan who was raised in Toronto but spent a number of years in PEI, including his last years in Summerside PEI.  This video, performed by a whose who collection of East Coast artists, was done as a tribute to Gene and to the song, going as far as to name it the Greatest East Coast Song.   
I find myself wondering about what each artist was thinking about as they participated in this tribute - the man, the song, the harmony and melody, the success of the song, the message of the lyrics etc.  I wonder what they actually think about Jesus?


Put Your Hand in the Hand

Update Tuesday - A Great Story

When Yuri was learning about Jesus, she realized that it was going to be a costly decision.  Yuri had a Grandmother that was Christian, but her immediate family was not.  In fact, she shared with us that her dad was an atheist and rather hostile towards the church.  To make a decision to follow Jesus would bring a divide into her family.  The words of Jesus in Matthew 10:34-37, including the notion that "the person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me...", were very real words.  When Yuri eventually asked to be baptized my wife specifically asked about her family.  Yuri stated that she had come to believe the truth about Jesus and that there was already a separation in her heart.   Yuri was baptized and continued to be a part of our fellowship and to learn about Jesus until, for visa purposes, she needed to return to Korea for a few months.

A few weeks ago Yuri returned to Canada in order to continue learning English.  She is actually staying with us for the first part of her time in Canada.  One of the questions that my wife had for Yuri was what happened with her family when she to home.  Kim finally had a quiet moment alone with Yuri when she could ask.  What Yuri recounted was pretty amazing.  Yuri recounted that rather than being upset or hostile, there was evidence of a softening in his heart.   She has the opportunity to talk with him a few times about Jesus.  Most amazing of all was that she was actually able to attend church on two occasions at which both her father and mother joined her.  Something has begun in their hearts.

Perhaps the most touching aspect of her story was regarding her grandmother.  As I mentioned earlier, her grandmother has been Christian for a number of years and, as it turns out, she has been praying for her family for years.  Upon hearing that Yuri has come to faith, she got down on her knees and began to praise and thank the Lord for his answer to prayer.

Now that Yuri is back in Canada and living with us, we realize the opportunity that we have to not only continue to disciple Yuri, but to teach her how she might pass on what she has learned and become a disciple maker herself. 

Missional Monday - Going and St. Patrick

Much of what we know about St. Patrick is likely myth.  He likely did not drive the snakes from Ireland, there were not any snakes before he got there.  He certainly did not invent green beer nor the Shamrock Shake.  One thing we do know, however, that comes from his own accounts is that as a young teenager he was abducted by pirates who took him to serve as a slave to Ireland.  He lived in slavery for many years before being able to escape and finally return home.  Patrick would eventually undergo religious training and enter the ministry.  During this time Patrick would discern the place for his ministry.  Patrick returned to the land of his enslavement to bring the gospel to those living in darkness.

In the passage come to be known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus gives the imperative, the command, to make disciples of all nations.  The three other verbs in this passage are participles, "ing" verbs, giving us direction on how to accomplish the command to make disciples.  The first of these verbs is "going" and it is here that Patrick gives us such a powerful, inspiring and challenging example.  If he could go back to the land of his enslavement, to serve in the very country in which he had been held in bondage, then surely we too can "go;" if not to the farthest reaches of the globe, then at least to our neighbour.  And for those of us who live in an area like I do, with many people who do not know Jesus, and in an area where people are flocking from around the world, then even going next door could have huge impacts for reaching all nations.  But then again, maybe God will call you to the farthest reaches of the earth.

We are all called, in some capacity, to fulfill the Great Commission.  After all Jesus taught his disciples to make disciples, and to "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you," which must therefore include the command to make disciples of all nations.  As we have seen, this includes the mandate to "go."  So where is it that you will "go?"  

   

Friday Art- Voice Work

Unfortunately, I don't have a link to post this week but, for all the Canadian peeps, if you are watching TV and see a Lindt Golden Bunny commercial, TJ provided the english voice over for the young girl.
Have a good listen and tell me if you see/hear it.

Oh Canada - Stompin' Tom and the Canadian Identity

They way we listen to and understand music is often very subjective, directed by our personal taste for one style or another.  It is also often at the mercy of the changing winds of fashion.  But if one is willing to mine a bit deeper, to put aside personal taste, and admit that fashion is always fleeting and that true substance is not always dictated by such trends, then one just might be surprised by what can be learned from listening more intentionally attentively.  This is surely the case with Stompin' Tom.

I was saddened to learn of the death of this Canadian icon last week.  As I tweeted on the day of his passing, many may theorize, even philosophize, about the Canadian identity.  Stompin' Tom just sang with common words and simple tunes...and he nailed it.  Again, he may not be your style or he may not seem to be what is fashionable, but if you want to know what Canada is, or what it means to be Canadian, then get some Stompin' Tom albums and listen to them back to back.  A Canadian patriot, he was a Canadian, who insisted on staying in Canada and writing and singing about Canadian themes, Canadian places and, most importantly, Canadian people.  Each of his songs is like a snap shot of one particular tile in what is commonly referred to as the Canadian Mosaic.

Certainly Tom was of an older generation and many of the newest trends within Canadian culture (I am thinking primarily of the multiculturalism of our urban centers) may not have been specific themes found within his writing, but his vision to look at our own backyard and sing about what we see,  should surely inspire all of us, new and old.

If you are interested is exploring Stompin' Tom a bit more, here are two links to follow.  The first is to an article written by a musician, writer and journalist who describes how he discovered Stompin' Tom and its profound influence, the second is to an news article shortly after Tom's death.

Of course,  I could not end without a sample of his work so there is a video of perhaps his most famous song.

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/02/06/the-junos-stompin-tom-at-75-and-a-soundtrack-for-canada/

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2013/03/06/obituary_canadian_country_icon_stompin_tom_connors_19362017.html 

Update Tuesday - Spring Cleaning

There are still eight days until spring has officially sprung, but we have had a few days of sunshine and warmer weather already this past weekend.  Those days are always a welcome relief after the long and often grey days of a cold February.  Those days were enough to prompt some spring cleaning.

 I have put some time into our basement, sorting and re-organizing the book shelves etc.  As we prepare for the possibility of having summer student interns, I am trying to think through working spaces, of which this room may become a part. 

I put some time, (and will be putting some more), into my upstairs office.  It has been a year since we were Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer Missionaries and the hundreds of notes still adorn the office.  We will be carefully packing these away for a new home yet to be determined, making room for the future plans and activities to be planned over the coming year.

Today I have plans to tackle our outdoor shed that serves to hold all of the donation items that we use for our street ministries.  We will be transitioning from winter to spring items, so a good chunk of time sorting, re-organizing and cleaning is in order.  Graham, a student who is currently staying with us will be giving me a hand as we make room for spring!

All of this spring cleaning comes in the midst of the day to day ministry work that carries on.  Our two Fellowship groups will be meeting again this week, we continue to move forward with a work at Mohawk College and I continue to try to connect with and disciple our leaders.  I also have the pleasure of returning to our sending church in Milton, ON to give a report on Hamilton and bring the message.

For those who are seeking to pray for us, here are a few specifics:

1)  Pray for opportunities to connect with more people in the community.  As Spring arrives, many more people will be out and about.  We have room to add new people to our current Fellowships, and are always looking for the opportunity to be involved in starting more.

2)  Please pray for people of peace (Luke 10:5-6) at Mohawk College.  We have the possibility of working with one individual, but that has not been confirmed yet.  We are looking for students to mentor and disciple who could be a bridge into the student body.

3) Lastly, please continue to uphold our family, and those associated with our ministry.  We have sensed a lot of spiritual opposition over this past year, and we have felt an extra push these past few weeks.  We have personally had costly plumbing and car issues as well as numerous challenging situations arise.  We have also been walking with others who have had strained relationships, broken bones and loss of jobs.    Your continued prayers are appreciated!!

Missional Monday-The Nations Have Always Been God's Heart

It is healthy to periodically take a step back and look at scripture in the bigger picture, to see the themes that emerge from the greater biblical story. In terms of understanding the Mission of God this can be particularly helpful.

Consider God's heart for the nations for example. Even the quickest survey of the biblical story reveals God's heart for the nations as early as the call of Abraham in Genesis to be a blessing to all peoples (12:3). It is also clear as late as Revelation 5:9 which speaks of the redeemed from every tribe, language, people and nation. In between those two points we get the commission from Jesus to Go and make disciples of every nation (Mt 28:19). Again we see God's heart for the nations along with the specifics of what the church should be aiming to do which is make disciples.

A survey of the greater biblical story reveals that missions is not just simply something we tag onto the programs of our church. Rather, the mission of God is an overarching theme running through the biblical narrative from beginning to end. It should thus be a foundational part of the church's self understanding and engagement with the world. We must reflect God's heart and God's heart is for the nations.

Friday Art - Brad Fordham portrait

Here is another of the art pieces hanging on the wall of my grandfather's apartment.  Again, it is done by the artist Mark Fordham and it is a portrait of Brad Fordham.  This one is a bit of a double dose art piece as Brad Fordham is an amazing artist in his own right with a long an influencial career as a stalwart bass player in the Austin music scene.  Along with his wife Lisa Pankratz on drums they have most recently been the driving force behind The Guilty Ones, supporting Dave Alvin. 
This portrait is of an early Brand Fordham.

Another family style Friday Art!

Oh Canada - eliminating tax breaks for churches?

It was a re-tweet that I just caught a glimpse of while scanning the latest tweets in my feed.  It was basically making a plea for a province to demonstrate just how progressive it really is by being the first to ban tax breaks for religious institutions.  Although, I am sure that the sentiment might be quite fashionable I do fear that such thinking reveals an ignorance about our own Canadian history, and when we are ignorant of history we are bound to make more and grave mistakes in the future.  There are very few individuals that I know who would claim to be progressive who would not also consider things such as health care, education and social services as integral parts of the social fabric.  Ironically, however, when we understand Canadian history, one recognizes that all of these things have roots within religious institutions and it was individuals of faith, as well a religious bodies that first fought for these progressive things to begin with.    Here are just a few examples:

Universal health care is considered by many to be a national treasure.  It is so ingrained within the national fabric of Canada that it has almost become the cliche about what it means to be Canadian.  Considered by many to be the father of our universal health care system, Tommy Douglas was a Saskatchewan politician.  He was, however, also a Baptist minister.  His theology helped to shape his convictions that would eventually become his politics.  To this thought I would add the observation that a large number of our older hospitals bear some sort of religious name, whether it be St. Michael's or Mt. Sinai, the names indicate their historic ties to a religious institution.

Public Education is another vital pillar in any progressive society.  If one looks to Ontario as an example, one might ask why we have a University, public schools, a bible camp, and numerous churches that all share the name Ryerson.  A little digging and one discovers that Ryerson, an early champion of public education, was also a Methodist Minister.   Again, his religious convictions and work within the church would lead to the beginnings of education in Ontario and Canada.

Lastly, and a bit more personally, I look at the key social service providers and recognize that almost all of them are connected to a religious institution.  The Good Shepherd, The Wesley Centre, Mission Services and the Salvation Army all have ties to religious institutions.  These are organizations making a difference in our city, and these are the programs that every hospital and government agency relies upon.  There are no social agencies providing these services that are not religiously affiliated.  Hamilton is not alone in this, and religious organizations have been serving the most vulnerable in our communities for years.

So before we go ahead and suggest cutting all tax breaks for religious bodies we may want to stop and ask what have such tax breaks helped such organizations achieve for the good of our society.  Let us be careful not to demonstrate our own ignorance regarding our history but carefully consider why such things exist in the first place.   A healthy conversation might be, "what are such organizations doing today to continue to deserve such tax considerations," and that would be a fair conversation.  A blanket dismissal of all such groups simply for their faith beliefs demonstrates an ignorance of our own history, a most ironic misunderstanding of where many of our most treasured progressive programs come from, as well as a blatant bigotry which again is an ironic twist from those calling for tolerance.  




 

Update Tuesday - What a Week

Thank you all for your prayers last week for all that was going on with regards to The Hamilton Fellowships.  As it turns out it was a crazy week!  I have to admit that I feel a bit guilty for having been away.  Here is a bit of a recap:

• I was on a trip to Liberty University to participate in their Church Planting Emphasis Week.  I had the opportunity to participate in a few events and engage with students as well as share in a few classes at the University and Seminary.  It looks like there is a strong possibility of a number of students heading to the Toronto area for summer missions opportunities and internships, as well as a student exposure trip to the area next year some time.
• Back home each of our Fellowships met and had a great time of fellowship, worship and the Word.
• On Thursday our Fellowship hosted a LoveLoud event in which they offered free photo sittings for clients of Mission Services, one of the large social agencies in the city.  It was great to see our people taking their skills (photography, make-up, administration etc) and making this event happen.  Although there were not quite as many people who showed up as was expected, I see a huge win as our people continue to reach out in compassion and taking the initiative to make this event happen.  I have seen the pictures and they are amazing!
• Graham, the student staying with us, had an interesting encounter with a lady who entered a coffee shop where he was sitting, sat down at his table and asked for help.  She was just off a bus and looking for a fresh start.  Graham was able to buy her a coffee, share, listen and offer some possible next steps.  He also invited her for dinner and to our Fellowship group.  He arranged a time and place to meet with her after work but when he arrived she was not there.  It is a great example to me of being open and available to those God may cause to cross our path, an example of loving our neighbour and an example of the realities of caring for those on the street or in need.  We cannot control what they do, how they respond and it tends to be transient, but we love when we can and share at every opportunity.  We trust everyone to God who is ultimately in control and we pray that we don't begin to become hard hearted but are willing to open ourselves up again to the next opportunity.
• I has asked for people to be praying for George and Alison and the trouble they were having with a tenant.  I am happy to say that the tribunal ruling went in their favour and that the tenant is now gone.  He did not leave, however, before beating up his girlfriend in their driveway for which the police had to be called, and then tampering with the gas line for which to police had to be called again.  He did return one more further time, but all of his stuff is now gone and we are praying the worst in now over and that they can begin to move on from this traumatic situation. 

I want to throw out a huge thank you and ask for prayers for rest and strength for my wife Kimberley.  As I was away last week, she really stepped up trying to care for and school our kids and home, as well as serving at the outreach, helping at each Fellowship meeting and trying her best to check in on, and walk with our people through some of these traumatic events.  Now that I am back, it seems to be a fairly calm week!!

Missional Monday - Drive-by Peeing

I play in a band, and that means that on ocassion I find myself out at some crazy hour of the morning at a bar or club waiting to take the stage.  This story actually takes place just after we had came off stage, but to fill in the context we have to rewind just just minutes before our set was supposed to start.

On this particular night, we were on a line-up with three other bands.  This means three bands worth of instruments and equipment all crammed into one tiny hallway off to the left of the stage.  It can get really congested and fairly crazy between sets as one band is coming off and another is trying to get on.  That tiny artery can get clogged rather quickly.  As we were scrambling to get our equipment, one of the guys in the band could not find his guitar.  We all began to join in the hunt before finally having to admit that it was missing.  Our friend was almost sick with worry seeing as the back door to the club was right off of this hallway, and there was a very real possibility that someone could have come in and stolen it.  The show must go on, however, and so with a borrowed guitar we hit the stage, and although it took until part way through the first number for nerves to begin to settle, we had a pretty good set.  After the set, we were back to looking, before once again having to admit that it was no where to be found at the club.  A number of us went out in the alley behind the club to load our gear back into our cars before heading home...without the guitar.

It is actually at this point that the strangest part of the story begins.   I grabbed a number of the guys from the band, many of whom were actually the core of my worship team, along with those who are not Christ followers and suggested that we pray for the situation with the guitar.  There we were, standing in a circle in a dark, dingy alley behind the club praying when all of a sudden a car pulls up, a guy jumps out, urinates against the wall beside us, jumps back into his car and speeds off down the alley - it was a drive-by peeing.  We finished praying, laughed out loud at the strangeness of what had just happened, hopped in our cars and headed for home.

So what does this story have to do with being missional?  Nothing really I guess, but I have told this story a number of times and realize that I have had some totally different responses.   I have told this only to see people get stuck at the fact that I would be at a club or bar.  I am not sure they ever heard the rest of the story.  I have had some people get very uncomfortable with the thought of being around non-Christians.  I have had others focussed on the fact that our prayer would have been a great witness to the others in our circle of influence who are not believers.  Finally, others have seen in this story the very real juxtaposition of light and dark that is the reality of the world we live in.  

So here is a missional question for you, when you read the story what stood out for you and what might this say about where our heart and minds are in terms of thinking about engaging a broken world?      

Friday Art - a portrait of my grandpa

My Grandma passed away last year and since that time my grandfather has moved into a retirement residence.  My first time to be able to visit him at the new place was at Christmas.  He made sure to take me on a tour of the facilities, visiting the piano lounge where he daily entertains the other residents, the dining room, the pool-table room and finally ending at his personal room.  The room is a small unit with a office area, sitting room, bedroom and a bathroom.  By this time he had been in the facility for a few months and so it was decorated.  Maybe it was because the room was a bit smaller than the house he had been living in, or maybe the change of context just refocused my attention but, despite the fact that all of the art was the same from his home I was taken by it.  What was most intriguing to me was the fact that everything, on every wall or shelf, was done by one of his children (with a few contributions from grandchildren in there!)  I was reminded once again about the unusually creative family into which I was brought; artists, actors and musicians, of whom I am among the least accomplished.  It is inspiring and humbling all at the same time.
While I am away this week, I am sharing a picture I quickly took with my iPhone while in my grandfather's apartment.  Below is a portrait of my Grandfather done by my Uncle Mark.  It was framed and behind glass so you can see my reflection...and a lamp...but I think the beauty of the work itself still shows through.