1 Sep
On Friday I had the chance to see Downhere in concert. The church venue was nearly packed and it was great to see everyone sing along with their music. They are some of the most genuine musicians I’ve met. They even have a new Christmas album that I will be sure to review when I get my hands on it. Not enough people know about this band!
Word is that Downhere will be back in Calgary in October.
Check out Downhere.com for more
25 Aug
I came across this great cartoonist over at “Naked Pastor” (no, he’s not nude, just real). A couple of his cartoons have me thinking about my doctoral project, I thought I would share:
19 Aug
Hey, after about three years with the same ol’ blog, I decided to do some updating! Welcome to the ‘new’ fresh focus.
16 Aug
A couple weeks ago I read a new book called ‘Drops Like Stars’ by Rob Bell. It is a piece of art wrapped in an enigma that drips with fragrant truth. Rob weaves together a variety of stories and unlikely analogies – producing a cogent mix that did more for my understanding of pain and suffering than most books on the same topic seem capable of doing. It’s done up in an oversize ‘coffee table’ format with pink pages and big pictures. It’s definitely a creative approach to Christian literature and I strongly encourage anyone who has faced suffering to pick up a copy. My wife and I read it on the couch last week and it was beautiful.
16 Aug
I’m back from a summer hiatus from ‘afreshfocus.’ It’s been a summer of study in Toronto, visiting missionaries in Brazil, and hiking Machu Picchu in Peru. God is working in every corner of the world – how might I join God today in the work He is doing?
16 Aug
I’ve been asked to write for a new blog on renewal and transformation in the Alberta Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. It’s called “What if…?” and seeks to lay a foundation for new possibilities and direction. It’s brand new, but feel free to check it out at abtrenewal.wordpress.com.
19 May
Do you hate being part of a church where you have to interact with other people? Do you cringe at the thought of having share your life with other people? Have you amassed bucket loads of wealth? Then here’s a way for you to go to church on your own terms:
The recent demise of the Golden Gate Lutheran Church is your opportunity to have church your way. Recently converted into a MASSIVE home, this church can truly be YOUR castle! Forget about the Kingdom of God, here’s your chance to build YOUR kingdom TODAY!!!!
Castle on the Park (check out the gallery, who wouldn’t love the beautiful marble kitchen – and no potlucks to worry about. The bell tower is your own yoga haven)*
And who would not want to have their own sanctuary-living-room; free of all those pesky worshipers…
All this can be yours for 9,950,000 US! Now you too can profit from the slow collapse of Lutheran churches in the US!
*Idea: Let’s renew the Lutheran church, not sell it out.
30 Apr
I came across this potent little article from the National Post by Nancy Gall. Check it out here.
She explores the strange and disturbing trends in the Anglican church today. From Muslim/Buddhuit Anglican priests to extreme pro-abortion teachings, “gone wild” might be the best way to describe what I’m reading today. Consider this line, “Liberal Anglicans in America are among the most fervent supporters of abortion in the world, outstripping even atheists in their enthusiasm for this grisly procedure.”
The Church today is in need of a clear re-focus on the living, active person of Jesus Christ. We need to become people who reach out with the Good News in word and action.
23 Apr
On Wednesday, April 29th, we’re hosting a city-wide Holocaust Memorial Service. I’ve gotten to know our guest speaker, Sid Cyngiser and, frankly, his stories are amazing! You’ll want to attend this service, for sure.
A story about the service made it into the Calgary Herald this weekend, you can read the story (sans photo) here.
I was so impressed by Sid’s story, that I recently painted a portrait of this gracious friend:
14 Apr
Easter - it’s a time of new life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hope abounds as we turn from death to life. Well, that’s what we experienced at most churches this past Sunday morning. At St. Hilda’s, one visitor reported being shoved right out of the church by a “greeter.” You can read the story here.
We need to take the Gospel seriously. There are too many stories in the church of people hurting each other in order to protect their turf. We need to remember Christ and turn our affections towards him. Perhaps there is a silver lining to these stories. Churches that foster these turf wars are seldom healthy enough to stick it out over the long haul. St. Hilda’s is down to less than a dozen people, for example. We need to prepare for an eternity with Christ and with one another – isn’t it time that we find-our-feet again and pick up the cross of Christ? I will refrain from posting a rant.
Let me know what you think.
Recent Comments