The drummer.

So some things that I am thinking about.

- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

- This guy that showed up half-way through worship practice on Sunday who I have never seen before. He pulled out some drumsticks and asked if he could play. I was kind of taken aback and said maybe he could practice with us. Then I asked if he was a Christian. This question surprised him. He said he was. Then my back-up singer friend said his aftershave was too strong and that she was allergic to it. He said he'd go wash up and come back. He did, but it still bugged her so she apologized and told him. He seemed pretty put off by it and got in his car and left. Weird.

- Stay and pray or confront. I have been struggling for a bit. I have a few strong theological convictions that are being put to the test. There are a couple of people I really care about who are, in my opinion, off base on some stuff. I have been preaching the whole "Believe the best, pray the rest" thing for awhile. I really do want to find my greatest satisfaction in laying these concerns and issues at the feet of Christ and being content with that. I hate it when I do the alternative and I find myself murmuring/gossiping about them to my wife or other friends. I need to figure out what to do. I think the prayer thing can turn into a cop-out for never dealing with issues, never approaching a brother (or sister) to discuss differences, or perceived weaknesses or unbiblical theology. I pray for grace in this matter.

- Accountability and brotherhood. I think this may be the most under-rated aspect in Christianity. There is something unleashed in authentic, biblical relationship. Something in the power of confession, encouraging prayer. I think this is most appropriate when it is someone you worship alongside on a regular basis. I am desiring this, but have not made the appropriate connections with other guys in my church who are like minded, and are in a similar stage of life as me. Not that that is the be all - end all. Just kind of important. I don't think we were met to navigate this life alone.

- (warning, next segment is highly volatile and very immature in my thinking process) I also think the prosperity doctrine, mindset is a lot more than "health and wealth". I think it extends into our thinking on what we think God owes us in terms of  how he should be interacting with us. That there is some spiritual law of repricocity that God will fill our fantasies, and owes us a certain level of personal relationship. Maybe I shouldn't be projecting what God is revealing to me on everyone else though. It seems a majority of what I see  people prophesy or encourage each other in, is for abundance, prosperity, renewal, revival, big happenings and happy times. I don't know about this, it doesn't necessarily fit the major theme of scripture... again, just some thinking

- My wife is working like a mad women. She has been taking tons of double shifts at the hospital. She's doing another tonight, and then this weekend is working doubles on both Saturday and Sunday. We are leaving on Tuesday to California for 11 days so the thinking is, we can all rest then. Hopefully we make it to then. It's nuts, they just opened a new hospital that is like 30% larger but have the same staffing ratio. For instance, my wife works in maternity, and they went from have 12 beds to 30. And it seems the same amount of staff. There are currently 4 un-filled shifts that the regular staff are covering. My wife had worked the last two years waiting and dreaming about getting a shift like that and now they can't give them away. 

- Just blogging. Put the boy to bed, Went to his parent-teacher open house thingy tonight. It's a trip watching him interact with others. He's an independent soul. Doesn't really need others to entertain him. Kind of floats from one area to the next. Other kids are buddied up with others, but not the boy. He doesn't seem lonely though. His teacher seems to enjoy him. She gave me a glance of relief to know, that I know he's a busy, impulsive kid. He's a reader though. She said he is the class reader and she can't pull him away from books. She is kind of amazed at how well he does. So am I. He been reading everything since he was in kindergarten. Out of the blue he looked up from the table and asked what "caffeine" was after he read it on a can of pop. Pronounced it perfectly. He's a good kid. I hope I don't continue to provide bump in the road for him with my rookie dad mistakes...

- We had our TV turned back on last night after it being off for the summer. I am sad it is back on. Still full of crap. Really that isn't even an exaggeration. Crap. In the banal, profane, literal sense. Only this crap isn't redeemable in that it can be turned into fertilizer. We decided we would watch the first episode of "Heroes" and I got up in the middle and went to bed. Not good. But people like TV, and they are probably thinking I'm judging them. Sorry. Not trying to. 

- The last thing, and maybe this could be a post all in it's own... THE ABSOLUTELY WORST THING ABOUT THE US ELECTIONS IS HAVING TO HEAR PEOPLE LIKE LINDAY LOHAN SHARE THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS. as if anyone out there thinks, "Thank goodness I know where Lindsay and her girlfriend stand on the issues, now I can make an informed vote!"

Well, I've brain-dumped enough for today. That is all. Thanks for glancing at this long post and saying... "No thanks!"

Bible tool

So ya'all are much more educated than I in the bible.

I came across this open source bible reference tool and it seems pretty cool. I recognize some of the commentators on it but not all. 

Any shady heretic characters in the bunch? I would like to know so I don't learn something evil and burn.  I don't want to be learning from any liberal germans or anything.

Check it out here.

Posted by: Jason

Feed a kid!

This is kind of fun. I have donated 440 grains of rice, or 4 bowls with my vast knowledge of the English vocabulary. But I have to get back to work...

Posted by: Jason

A few things.

Here is a link to a blog following the happening in India

Orissaburning.blogspot.com

Pass it on!

Also, I found this clean, theme for the blog and like it. Just one thing I noticed is that it doesn't say who posted the blog. So I think for the sake of anyone reading it that doesn't know us, just write in the title or in the post somewhere who posted it.

Also, had a lazy weekend. More on that in another post. But for now, check out the Orissa site and inform your other brethren and sistren to do the same.

Posted by: Jason

More...

"The mob then hit him with crowbars and sticks. The beatings came like heavy rain."

There is a blog dedicated to stories from the persecution in Orissa, India.

Spread the news. 

The news world is ignoring this story. 

Mourn, weep and wail.

Something has gone off inside me. I am absolutely inspired to break down the appathetic attitude I may have had about what is happening in Orissa, India. 

I read Andrew's post a week ago, and it didn't even really register to me. I'm ashamed of myself. I used to force myself to read the weekly Voice of the Martyrs e-mail report. Then I started to skip over it. I'm ashamed of myself. 

Who do I think I am anyway?

Then yeaterday, Francis made mention of it in the sermon I was listening to on the way to work. There was an urgent video message from a pastor in India who has planted 1000's of churches for the persecuted believers in Orissa, India. Then another post update popped up from Tall Skinny Kiwi about Orissa, and a video.... Then I watched the video and it has destroyed me. I don't know what to do. 

I'm tired. I'm tired of being a lover of myself. I'm tired that the only thing that effects me is when my standard of livinig is challenged. While others are fighting for lives, I'm concerned about my standard of life. I'm ashamed of myself. 

So what to do? Pray and fast, and rally others to do the same. Then let God start to open the doors. I started a facebook group last night for prayer for the believers in India. I've asked everyone I know to join. Hopefully, illumination will come to some like it did to me. 

Thank you Lord for illuminating our hearts again and again when we don't deserve it. By your grace. 

What to do now. What will we do? What will you do? 

If it was someone we knew hiding in the forrest to escape mutilation and genocide we would move heaven and earth to rescue them.

Let's take a second out of our lives to pray and consider. And listen.

Please, Please, Please watch this video.

Latitudes and Platitudes

A busy week around the Hughlett household. Well for my wife anyway. She has been working tons of extra shifts, including a couple of insane doubles at the hospital. On top of that she is working a few evenings this week, has her class tomorrow and is decorating (she always goes large) for a ladies banquet at church. We miss her, but are looking forward to our vacation to California coming up in two weeks.

Two weeks! That is crazy. We already went once this year and now we're doing a second trip. That is not usually how we do things, jet-setting back and forth to So. Cal. But earlier this year I was in dire need of connecting with my kin folk and this time my little sister is getting married and we got some killer deals on tickets. So we're heading out soon. (the cool thing is the last time we went to Seaworld, the day pass they sell is good for a whole year, so when we go back we can use them again to get in for no cost)(and Seaworld is literally a block from my Mom's place in SD so that is good too.)

Other than that, I should mention for anyone that cares, and also to remind myself when I read these blogs again in the future that I heard back from the organization we were surveyed by last month, and we passed with flying colors. This is kind of a big deal in my micro world so that is a blessing. It took a lot of work, and having to jump over a few hurdles, but in the end it worked out good. I'm glad I could bless my boss with a good result. She deserves it. 

Well, it's late. I should head off to bed. It's been awhile since I blogged one of these "random-life" catch-up posts. It's good to capture these little moments. I'm glad the rest of the "team" allows such latitude. ;) I need to spend some time in my book. I'm reading Jerry Bridges "Pursuit of Holiness" and it is rocking my world. I am taking notes, so it is taking forever to get through but I don't mind. It's like eating a great meal that you never want to end. Very transformational. I look forward to reading it when I get the chance. So, I'm going to take the chance now. 

Also, one last thing. I picked up a CD last night (from iTunes) by a guy named Jonathan David Helser. Good stuff. I was blessed listening to it today at work. It was strangely comforting as I tried to digest the news out of India. More on that later. 

We interupt this broadcast

Thousands of Christians are becoming witnesses, "martyrs" right now in northern India. Homes, churches and believers are being burned to death. 

Now, let's get back to life as normal. 

Let me go find a funny internet video making fun of silly Christians or something.

The Emerging church.

It's funny a few years back... 2003 I believe, Dave and I flew down to attend the National Pastors Conference, that was occurring congruently with the second "Emergent" conference. Dave had gone to the first the year before and was excited enough to buy every Brian Mclaren book he could get his hands on. It was an interesting time. They had drum circles, DJ led worship, Peter Nevland was there and blew everyone away. We heard Dallas Willard, Tony Campolo, and a bunch of others. There was a panel with Robert Webber and Jack Caputo arguing about whether or not to call God "mother" or "father"...

My how things have changed. Dave's new favorite book is probably, "Why we're not emergent" and his favorite conference is "together for the gospel"...

Me, I'm a flaming liberal, emerging neo-orthodox whose favorite tape series is "highlights from the Jesus Seminar vol.1-15".

Just kidding.

But one of the good things that came the conference (besides prayer labrynths!) was connecting with the ministry of Dan Kimball. I think he is a guy that really gets it.
I've followed his blog for years now and have been impressed with his heart and ministry non-stop.

The guy actually wrote the book "the emerging church". He's been through all the issues, de-construction, burn out, trouble with church leadership, blah blah blah... and has kept his head on straight. You would think that a guy who helped coin the term "emerging church" would have some stock in trying to defend it. But it looks like he's actually disconnecting from it.

Largely from the amount of baggage and confusion it brings and some of the doctrines and teachings that he describes being totally opposed to that it is now associated with.

Wow. Good for you Dan. 

Here is a quote I pulled out of the article. Well-worth a read:

"I am not wedded to any term and I don't think most people are. I, like most others, am wedded to the gospel  and to Jesus' command of making new disciples - not a term to describe it. So I will be not using terms, as I want to get back to why I entered this whole discussion originally (evangelism)"

I have officially had my fill of this @#$%&...

I don't think I am alone in saying this stuff is ridiculous.

Sound off if you are fed up with this crap too.

Knock-Down Argument Against Dancing in Church

Thanks to: JT

An old video of my pal Steve on bass...

Just kidding but a classic the burning up the net lately...

What if...

So Condeleeza Rice is in Libya meeting with Moammar Gadafi, and I read this quote in the article,

 "Whether or not Gadhafi is sporting his trademark dark sunglasses and is flanked by his usual corps of female bodyguards, his meeting with Rice, whom he once called "Leeza, my darling black African woman," will be one to remember."

So now run with me in your imagination on this one. 

What if...

They hooked up. Condi was overwhelmed with Moammar's charm, she fell madly in love with him and decided to never come home. You have to get into a "Classic Hollywood Cinema" headspace for this, maybe a little Disney, a little late night Cinemax, but wouldn't that be like the biggest story ever? Would they get a celebrity name like "Moam-eeza" or something? Paparazi shots of them eating icecream together in an oil field somewhere... Condi jealous of one of the female body guards, dumps him, and ends up with John Mayer and they have twins...?

If only life took more bizarre turns like this I wouldn't have to use my imagination all the time.

Does your cup "runneth over"?

"If we give the impression that the main effect of Christianity is to make us miserable, then it is not surprising that ninety per cent of the people are outside the Christian church. 'Miserable Christians,' they say, 'look at them!' And they add that they have life, they have joy, they have fullness. Shame on us Christian people! But it is not merely a question of saying shame on us. What a terrible responsibility is ours if we are so misrepresenting this 'glorious gospel of the blessed God' (1 Timothy 1:11). We are meant to be witnesses to all people that we are filled to overflowing. We are meant to show the truth of the psalmist's words: 'My cup runneth over!' (Psalm 23:5)."

I can think of no greater way I have continually shipwrecked my walk but when I've built facades to try and "represent" how great it is to be a believer. However, I know that the above quote by the good Dr. MLJ is true. In what is truly a paradox wrapped in a puzzle, hidden in a mystery, I will spend my life trying to mortify my flesh, while at the same time living and demonstrating the Joy of the Lord.

Second short post of the week.

This post from Brant Hansen is hilarious and so true.

Chrome

Wow. Wow. wow. I love the new web browser from google. Google Chrome.

Grade 1

One of the funny little different idiom's between Canada and the U.S. that you notice. Here is it's grade 1, grade 2, where in the states your starting the 1rst grade or the second grade.

Noah started grade 1. He's not in class number__, he's in division 8... ??? Whatever. The other weird thing, which I think might be chocked up to organization is that he won't know what class he's in till probably Thursday afternoon. They spend this week registering new kids and other stuff and in the mean time he's in a temp class with kids that probably won't end up being his class mates. Weird.

It's amazing to watch him grow up though. My little guy.

Ferry embarrassment

So yesterday after the funeral I decided to take the ferry across the river to get to work. This isn't my usual route, but it was the quickest way to one of the group homes from my church and it's free. It's a little ferry that holds about 25 or so cars and will soon be replaced by a bridge. As luck would have it I missed getting on the ferry by just a couple of spots so I would have to wait to the next one. When the next one came I was on first and took the coveted lead car spot. All cars behind me. When we got to the other side (Like a 5 minute trip) I went to start my car and leave and nothing. No response. The first time my car has ever done that. It was horribly embarrassing and the guy kept signaling me to go. Finally after what seemed an eternity of holding everyone up they came out with a battery charger and started me up. 

Not a very exciting story for some. Just an embarrassing moment for me. 

Rest in peace dear friend.

So tomorrow I have the joy of marrying two of my dearest friends. Today I am celebrating another who is now with Jesus. Funny how life kind of brings things in pairs. 

My friend Dave P., passed away this last week. He made it to a ripe old age so I rejoice in that. However, I grieve with his family who will miss him dearly. A few weeks ago, he made it to church which surprised me do to his state. He had just been in serious condition at the hospital. While he was there we took time to honor him. It was an easy thing to do. He was very honorable. The salt of the earth and pure gold. That isn't hyperbole. I read somewhere that great men are all around, but truly outstanding men are not as frequent. He was an outstanding, Godly man. 

Our church has seen it's share of difficulties. Three big shifts/splits/episodes over the last 30 years. Many people have come and gone. Many people have gotten really emotional and so forth. My friend and his wife had been here from the beginning and stayed faithful and godly through it all. Never bringing attention to themselves, never causing a scene. Just faithful and praying. Doing their part. Even though their friends, pastors and family would leave, they never did. The amazement of that fact can't be under stated. 

They were always there: teaching Sunday school to future pastors and missionaries, serving in the some-times thankless role of deacon, cutting the huge lawn week after week, and leading the missions ministry for years and years (Plus a lot more). The only time I saw him fired up is when there were proposals to cut funding or trim giving to missions.

I really can't explain or put into words what a quality example of Christ-likeness  he was. A wonderful man. That may be telling. When words can't be used to describe someone, it reveals the splendor and mystery of God using the life of such a quiet, humble, dignified man to speak louder than what is common in the over-produced, attention mongering and self-worshipping world we live in. 

I want to grow up to be like my friend Dave.

Bitter-sweet

If you bump a glass of sweet water, sweet water will spill,

if you bump a glass of bitter water, bitter water will spill.

- Amy Carmichael

Monday morning joy.

This picture makes me happy. I don't know how to describe it to folks who don't have kids but sometimes you love them so much for no real reason. Noah came to work with me last Friday when the baby sitter called in sick at the last second. He really thought he was helping me do my job when in reality it was a bit tougher :)

As is his custom, he likes to crawl up on my lap and demand that I stop what I'm doing on my computer and go on youtube to watch Marvin the Martian videos. I'm still not sure how that tradition started btw... A few hours later he drew this picture. As I was tidying up my office I came across it and my heart just filled up with happiness and pride. I started thinking about him and how much I love him. Not for what he can do, just for who he is. Weird and generic sounding but true.

Monday morning blues.

Man. Sakes. Alive.

Not sure why, but I woke up this morning embarrassed and feeling kind of weak. I sat there recounting my message/sermon/spiel from yesterday word of word, phrase by phrase and I was practically paralyzed in bed. I wanted to pull the covers over my face and hide. Not sure why. Nobody said anything to me. No negative feedback. But all these peoples faces from the crowd, the congregation staring at me. Wierd. Not sure why it happens like that.

Update. Recap. Whatever.

So I just got done playing Risk for the first time ever. And won.
1-0. I am retiring. Undefeated.

Also preached sermon 2 of sermons 1 and 2. I was unbelievably nervous this week for some reason. Got up there and spilled my guts again. I think it was received well.

Phew. Now I just have to do a wedding this weekend and then I can retire from this gig as well.

Just kidding.

Sunday morning. Feeling fine.

Silly me. Will I ever learn?

I couldn't find the "word" until I started to focus on THE WORD.

It's here. Early on Sunday morning.

It's going to be ok.

Took me 20 minutes to put all the info together and type out my notes after I finally got it.

It's a wonder what a couple hours of sleep will do for you.

Saturday night. Struggling.

So I'm preaching again tomorrow and struggling for "the word". I have lots of stuff I can talk about, a bunch of notes, but I haven't found the "word" yet. Sometimes it doesn't come till I'm about to come up front. Sometimes it comes a week before and I have to keep it stoked all week. Who knows. Maybe I'll just call in sick. Maybe I'll suggest "prayer and testimony" time.

It's times like these I remember that I'm glad I don't have to struggle like this all week every week anymore. Then I kind of feel like a wuss for thinking that way. Oh well, after tomorrow it's back to the low-down for awhile. What was I thinking of telling Paul that I would take both weeks...?

Paul: Jason, I was wondering if you'ld take the pulpit for one of the two Sundays while I"m gone...

Me: Sure Paul, mind if I take them both...?

Paul: Uh... sure...that would be great!

Me: No problem-o...

Me: (Two weeks later...) @^%&#%#!!!!

Oh well. I had this funny thought of just preaching out of the most random book in the bible, like Nahum or Obadiah. Just to keep folks on their toes. Then I did some research on Nahum and found it interesting. Just haven't got the "word" yet...

My latest painting

I just finished this tonight. I'm not sure its perfect for our living room or not but that's where it is right now.

The Todd-shaped hole

Over the past 30 days I've been in Lakeland and various other prophetic watering holes doing my best at a documentary on the whole outpouring move. It's been an honor to talk to people associated with the movement, especially the ones that were healed, saved or renewed by the ministry of ignited and fresh fire.

And what a time to do this in, right when the controversy breaks.

I'm not into divulging secrets or stirring up controversy, really. What I have seen here and there is how the church is pulling together in this mess, and how people are pressing in and not giving up, the church wants to see people saved and healed in spite of what has happened with Todd.

Revival, outpouring, renewal, whatever you want to call it, is going to continue. We charismatics would be lost without a good meetin', ya hear. There will be other outpourings, other revivals and lots of good kingdom stuff to occur very soon.

I was interviewing a really cool worship leader the other night, and she said something that really surprised me:

"I miss Todd. Todd should be back here."

This was different from the dozen or so interviews I've conducted since the reports. I've heard one too many times that "this is not about Todd, it's about God" and yeah that is true, but still.. I mean, how many healing evangelists are out there that appeal to such a wide variety of people?

I looked back at all the early youtube films that were so exciting: raw, real, powerful and most of all hopeful: the Gift of Healing had returned, and the guy leading us into it was just as raw and powerful as the Gift itself. It wasn't religious, it wasn't controlled, and there was a high entertainment value that went along with the miracles, signs, wonders.

And I'm not saying that Todd should be back when there are unresolved issues in his life to the extent that has been revealed, but when one very prominent and radical leader is taken out, it stings.

Yes we need to pray for Todd, yes hopefully he will be back, restored and well once again. But in the meantime the Todd-shaped hole needs to be filled with believers who can stir up the pot just as much. I think we need to be the ones taking the torch on and generating tangible healing radicalness, causing the world to see God is real.

Favorite olympic athlete

Dong Dong

The sovereignty of God and a 5 year old.

Tonight Noah and I went to the US OF A where cheese and breakfast cereal are way cheaper. Gas was even $3.59 a gallon. A bit better than the 5 something we pay here in Canada. On the way home out of nowhere he mentioned he is not thankful for things that don't make him happy.

Me: Well, God wants us to be thankful for everything... He still has control in hard times and can make them good.

Noah: So he's a controlling God?

Me: uh... I guess... Kind of...

Noah: and it's like my car I got for Christmas... God has a remote control...a controller, you know?

Me: uh...
Me (thinking): Only if your a hard-core Calvinist...

Lectures and listening

So I've been blogging a little "stream of conscience" lately. Kind of a tricky proposition. Kind of dangerous. Maybe not responsible. My old blog was called "thinking out loud" with purpose. I really am just thinking out loud most of the time, working through different thoughts and feelings. I assume the only folks reading this are Steve, Dave, Roy and maybe my wife. Oh yeah and Phil. So your safe right?!?!

So know that I'm not a total nut job and that I really never come to many firm conclusions on much in spite of what my tone in a post on here might suggest. I have a few disorders, and one of them is that I have to get stuff off my chest. It can make for a some boring one-sided conversations/lectures for a few of my friends. But they are generally gracious in listening which I appreciate. I've almost got this theology thing nailed down. A few more months and I'll write a book about it.

So thanks for grace...

Cole eating guacamole.

Just being the life if the party and showing folks how to blog from my phone.

Well. I preached.

People didn't shake their fists at me in anger so that's good. Then again, maybe not...

In response... "How the mighty have fallen"

In response to Jason's post - this is a little longer than a just a comment.

I remember participating in similar issues and contoversy (doctrinal) regarding Benny Hinn. Hinn is very likable, God has done some miraculous stuff in and around his ministry - and it is true, the guy has preached some VERY wacky stuff. So what can you do?

Paul in I Cor. talks about how some believers said, "I follow Paul..." others said, "I follow Apollos" - to which Paul said, "I follow Christ!"

As for Bentley? I personally don't know what to do with the guy. I have chosen to remain on the sidelines throughout this whole thing. I have been neutral.

I am the same way with Benny Hinn- neutral. I used to vehemently argue against his doctrine. Then, I went to a crusade (I was literally forced to go by my former Pastor - and boss). He (Hinn) spent a few minutes teaching some pretty basic innocous stuff. Then he led worship. It was an AWESOME time of worship. Then people started popping up shouting and dancing all around the room - made their way up front and starting giving testimonies of what God had just done. My mind changed instantly about his ministry. He was no longer trying to be a revolutionary Bible teacher digging for "hidden" truths. He was just up there leading worship and hearing from the Lord. Awesome! Do I "follow" the guy? NO. But I am now much less critical.
As for Todd Bentley, I am grieved. I am grieved in the same way I am with anybody who "falls" or whose mistakes, miss-steps or sin are revealed in the public eye (heck, even John Edwards for that matter). I still haven't read that much about any of the details - though it doesn't matter much. The fact is, we can all fall prey to the same kinds of things, especially in ministry. It is too easy to get our lives out of balance in the name of ministry.

King David was able to say of his former enemy -"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" He could have rejoiced that he had been vindicated through Saul's death - and now he was out of danger and able to ascend the throne of Israel. Instead, he mourned the loss of someone "great" - WOW! I hope the story is still being written with Todd Bentley. I will admit, I was personally a bit turned off (as I usually am) by all the hype and hoopla. But I chose to remain neutral. I pray that he submits to authority, that he is teachable, humble - that his wife and kids are o.k. and that he is restored. We'll have to wait and see. I do believe we should be grieved. How the mighty have fallen!

Up late.

I'm up kind of late. It has been a lazy-ish couple of days as I am in de-compression mode after the big deal thingy I had at work. My body is demanding I slow down a bit.

And I've been kind of rocked by the whole Bentley thing.

I don't know what it is, but at some point I've taken it on as my mandate to stick up for the guy. I'm not really sure why... Maybe it's the local boy made good thing as he is from our town. Not that he is a favorite son. There have been a spat or two around here over the years due to his ministry and such. I once wrote a post about him (fairly positive) that received tons of traffic (fairly negative) on the old blog. That kind of provoked me to stick up for him even when I wasn't sure why. I've been to a few of his conferences, and really could have taken or left it (meant as harmless as possible). The funny thing is God always spoke deeply to my heart through another speaker or I met someone while there. Most fondly was my friend Peter Moyo from Zimbabwe.

Over time I've gone about my own business and such and Todd has grown in some renown I suppose. The folks that stuck around our church after the "troubles of 06-7" tended to be the lot that appreciate Todd and Freshfire. We still have a bunch that either came from the church they planted, Global Harvest or attended his ministry school. They are honestly fantastic, wonderful people. One had a word for me a few weeks ago that was right on the money and very affirming. That's the part that gets me. I have a tough, real tough time with some of the stuff Todd teaches, the hype, certain experiences and so forth. Some of it makes me cringe in fact. But I know a lot of people that are very connected to those guys and they are golden, salt of the earth. People that I love and trust deeply. Therein lies the rub. And I've chosen to concentrate more on what I know through them than what I don't understand in the way of the theological stuff. God is good, and if these good people who know him and love him a lot more that I can stand up for him, then I just believe the best and pray the rest as Francis always said.

And then this whole mess that has come up in the last few days. The first thing my fleshly heart thought was "oh great, I've been sticking up for the guy and now I have egg on my face". Awesome heh? My heart=selfish. But then I thought, "oh man... it is going to hit the fan", and sure enough it is.

I think that's why I've kind of found myself defending the guy. I can't stand the other team. Almost why I'll vote for any team playing against the San Fransisco Giants, I don't like them. I've never really stood up for Todd's doctrine as much as I've stood up against these blind, ignorant, vicious attacks on people. Man, some of the stuff that is out there is sickening. I don't understand what they think they are going to accomplish. Are they going to succeed in keeping people from believing God might want to heal people, save people, deliver people...?

I mean it's always been there I guess... but if people want to travel and listen to a guy, and they are coming away blessed and transformed, encouraged, hopeful, pumped-up, inspired to minister, and have a greater heart for lost people then whats the deal? These same people leaving church and going to the park just to find people to pray for, going onto the streets feeling empowered to bless and encourage and looking to bring the kingdom. Moving to Africa to start orphanages. Good stuff. Yet, there are these critics who have this sloppy, lazy caricature of these same people as mindless zombies who just open up their wallets and heads and dump the contents in the offering basket.

Do I have concerns around some issues? Sure. Some who were not healed when they might have thought they were, some who are immature and put too much hope and stock in a man other than Jesus, some who aren't connected with a local body. Their are certainly many things within the Charismatic realm that need an overhaul. I'm praying it'll happen. That God may use this latest news to propel some of that. But I believe that God is able and interested in keeping people and protecting them. Just like the baby believers Paul left behind every time he was kicked out of a town, just like the believers who were flirting with bad doctrine and bad character that he would write his letters to, God kept and protected them. He also challenged and rebuked them too. But a loving father chastises those he loves.

I'll be praying for these guys. I have a way that I hope it will go. It might not. But I'll pray none the less. I wish my first response would have been grief and a challenge to pray for the kids and the family... the important stuff.

Bentley?

Well, I thought somebody would have to post on Bentley since the blogsphere is buzzing like a rock in a hornets nest. Not much to say but I did read an interesting article over at Charisma Magazine. You can check it out here.

Most of all in this craziness remember to pray for the marriage of Todd and his wife and hopefully their reconciliation.

my brain in over drive.

Since my little rant yesterday that was kind of stream of conscience, I've been thinking about it.

One clarification. I'm speaking to myself here BTW... (And to anyone reading that I might be confusing) (I should just write in a stinking journal!)

I don't care what my community thinks about a lot of things that I used to think were important but no longer do. And things that I can't control. The end-all/be-all isn't whether or not my church goes out of business tomorrow. It's just a building and a bunch of statements, and some traditions. I do care about the people within it, how we love one another. How people can know and see God from that. I do care. 99.99999999% of people have it wrong anyway. Why do we get so worked up about that? What they think? I don't understand.

When God opens up doors for real, meaningful relationship that His Spirit is working in, then all our fleshly wrong stuff starts to get worked through... That is what we should care about... Those kind of relationships, and everything else will work itself out.

We care a lot!

So as not to tread in the vague mystery of cynicism and hyperbole too long and cast the wrong impression, I do care.

I do care about my community.

I do care about being a fragrant aroma to the world.

I do care about contextualizing my faith in a way that brings clarity to the gospel for someone and doesn't allow man-made traditions to be worshiped.

I do care about truth.

I do care that God's people have a reputation that honors and brings glory to His name.

I do care about reaching marginalized people with the saving freedom of the new covenant God has made with His creation.

I do care about God's beautiful order, and how that looks a lot different than most North Americans perception of order.

I do care about people not being abused in, or by the church or people pretending to be God's church.

I do care about being an ambassador of reconciliation for Christ.

I do care about breaking down facades in my life and heart.

I do care about blessing and not cursing.

I do care about cutting through the garbage of self-deception and hearing hard truth.

I do care about a lot of things.

I do care about faith, hope and love.

I do care about a lot.

I am a parodox.

I don't care!

I just read a quote from this blog that said something to the effect, "If your church closed down tomorrow would your community care...?"

Hmmm.

I don't really care what my community would think.

AGHAST!

How dare I say that... I am treading in sacrosanct territory here for some people.

Whatever.

I don't care what you think about our church sign, our church's mission statement, the color of our pews, the fact we have pews, that we're a small church, that some Sundays all we have is a guy leading with an acoustic guitar. That sometimes our projector isn't working. I don't care what you think about our church's logo, whether there are ugly people or beautiful people that go here, what you think about my pastor's message or his delivery. Whether you think we are unusual and "Charis-maniacs". I don't care what you think about our church.

I don't really kind-of care if the "World" (you know, non-Christians) think my building is cool, or our programs are relevant, Or that we don't really have programs... or if they think I'm an intellectual midget, or if the people in my church are unusual and make them feel uneasy. We are unusual. And weird.

The reality is we have a reputation out there that we can't control anyway. Sinners gossip to one another and spread half-truths and lies, and un-informed information. Or they spread the actual truth about us. It may not be flattering. But it's true. We're sinners too in the process of redemption and sanctification. If you want to keep me in that box that's your problem. God's sanctifying us that's all I care about.

I don't care if people know that I am reformed in some regards and free-will in others. I don't really care if you know that I am intrigued by Obama. That I shop at Wal-mart and eat bacon. I don't despise Joel Osteen. Or Todd Bentley. Or John Piper. Or hardly anyone else any more. Who cares?

I also like the New Living Translation.

I used to think all that stuff was so important. I worried so much about how others saw me and what they thought.

And you know what? Now that I don't care and invest all my emotional energy into it, I'm free. It's all going to burn someday. Only a few things will remain. Faith, Hope and Love. If I trust in that, and find my satisfaction in God, everything else will work itself out.

When I left pastoring I thought I failed in a lot of these regards. That we were doomed cause we didn't finish up the logo.

And you know what? People are still coming. Broken people who don't care as well. And they are great and wonderful and sent by God. He is re-building it and I'm sitting on the side-lines watching with wonder. It's awesome.

Sitting in bed.

That's right. I have finally reached the pinnacle of loser-dom by blogging from bed. I intended to bring my computer to bed to take notes for a sermon that I am preparing for this Sunday. But I have been checking out Dodger info instead. Oh well. My wife is out tonight doing some girl thing and would probably break something on purpose if she saw me right now!

Today my company finally finished that review that I had kind of mentioned. It's kind of weird, having prepared for it for a year and it being over with. Not that that is bad... I am quite pleased we don't have to deal with it for awhile, just weird that I'm not having to getting ready for something big so to speak.

In other news like I mentioned, I am preaching this weekend for the first time in over a year. I will actually preach this Sunday and the next one too while Paul is out of town. I honestly wasn't sure I ever would again but I got the invite and said "yes". It feels kind of natural and I'm not nervous yet. Who knows if I will be? To complete the "brief return to pastor-type" trifecta I will be marrying my friends in a couple of weeks. What do you know... maybe I was just on sabbatical and didn't realize it! I am preaching (at least I plan to) on paths to idolotry. The subject has fascinated me for years and I happen to be reading through 2 Chronicles right now so I thought I'd take a shot at it. Then week two I want to explore Idolotry vs. a culture of honor. We'll see though... Maybe I'll over prepare like always and have a 15 week series out of it.

Any thoughts on idolatry? Quotes, revelation on it that you may have had and want to share? I picked up some good reference books from Dave's today. Brought back memories of lugging around tons of commentaries back in the day. I love that part. I just need to remember where to turn it off and rely on the word, and the Word.

Pray for me if you think about it. That I will deliver God's appropriate word for the congregation, whatever that may be in a spirit of humility and grace. Dealing with topics around sin, I don't want to manipulative and condemning, yet filled with the redeeming gospel.

I'm babbling. I just so excited to be done with this test at work I'm losing all sense of what I should be blogging.

And I'm blogging from bed. That is pretty exciting too..

Seriously though, I want your thoughts of the stuff I mentioned!

Death by Love.

One of the craziest sermons I've ever heard has been turned into a book. And a short movie.

Look out for the feature length.

What's going on...

Unfortunately, I am Here this week.

I was supposed to be here: At a cabin, overlooking Lake Barkley, KY.

Not Here.

Here.

Beth's folks both had medical issues this week. They were at separate hospitals for two nights. They are both fine now - and we're glad we stayed home for them. They're just not getting any younger, which is kind of hard. Sigh,

As for vacation - well, perhaps we'll get a break in a week or two.

blogging from the paradox.

Anyhow, I woke up kind of late this morning. Not really, but I did need to open the office today as our office manager is off. And I need to be here when they deliver the toner cartridge for our office copier which is OOC.

So I thought... "Hey, it's Friday, nothing is happening at the office, no one is around, I will be in my office behind my computer all day anyway... I will wear shorts and sneakers."

Then I got to the office and the first message was from someone reminding me of a very important meeting at 10 around an important employee issue that involves people from other "formal" type agencies. So, I guess I will be rocking the "business Reeeee-ally casual" look for it. Oh well!

Other than that going through Romans 14 today has convinced me that there is no spiritual ministry of criticism. I was convinced before, and now I'm really really convinced. I like this... (via "the message"):

"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently."

Then

"None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit."

I guess what someone will resort to is "Well, they aren't my brother, they're a) heretic b) unbeliever c) false prophet d) of the Devil e) __________" Which leads to a bunch of other stuff... but I wont get into that now... That's another post.

Fireworks

Every year they hold this 4 week long fireworks competition here in Vancouver. My wife and I are here with 400000 others for the grand finale. Except for all the people around us smoking pot it should be a good night. The real fun though awaits us as we try and leave and deal with the traffic with the 400000 others. All for Naomi's birthday.Tomorrow she turns 30.

10:28 on a Friday night.

And I'm at home. Getting ready for a long weekend that contains my wife Naomi's big 3-0 birthday. It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me that seem to be packed with so much. We're in this season at church of fasting and humbling ourselves. With that I've given up a few things. Those few things have become even fewer things over the last week though. Kind of depressed about that. It would have been nice to have maintained the drive till the end. Maybe I'll buck up and press in for the last 5 days. No condemnation though.

I've been getting a ton out of the word lately. It's nuts how there are times when revelation is just dripping off the pages, and others when it's all I can do to just keep from dozing off. I'm going through Romans via the extremely criticized New Living Translation but I love it. So readable and so good. We're also smack dab in the middle of 2 Chronicles. Just talked about King Asa. He was doing so well and just didn't finish well. Makes me think. God did amazing things in the first part of his reign, yet toward the end he started to trust in his gold and began to take things into his own hands. Even though he wiped Judah free of idolatry he was still prideful end the end. The worst idol of all.

I pray I never forget the good things the Lord has done for me. My miracles. The times when he crushes my enemies. When He restores me from my wicked sinfulness. I've had a few lost months to flesh and pain and I never want to go back there.

So much more to live for.

Tired.

So much stuff going inside my head. I have a huge thing at work (that I know I've been repeating myself about a lot) in a week. My self esteem, career, and sanity all lie in the balance of my passing or failing a big survey. The company I work for has international accreditation with this company. They come just once every three years to survey and ours is due on the 11th. There is so much to be done in anticipation of it. Kind of a long story why. I've been trying my best to learn what needs to be done as well and the language and logic that go with this company. I'm not making sense, but hopefully I will in a few weeks. Oh and my wife's 30 birthday is this Sunday! No pressure!

So the lack of postings can be attributed to this. Maybe some of the other team members can pick up the slack! (Cause they sure aren't posting on their blogs much! ;)

Don't waste your life.

A theme I've been picking up on lately from reading Roy, Steve and others blogs is about making something with this gospel we have heard. It seems the motivation and inspiration comes from many different movements and speakers. I think every one can appreciate what Dr. Piper has to say below. (Except for maybe a few of the free will types out there!)

I love technology

Wow. It's been very cool over the last week as my dad and I have made some technological upgrades (that are pretty inexpensive actually) and we can now chat (seeing and hearing) one another over the internet. It's lame we're so far away from each other so this really is a huge blessing. Anyone else out there want to connect?!

Jott - So I can work 27 hours a day.

So I was thinking on the way home from work how great it would be in this crazy work season if I could somehow keep working in my car on my way home. When I got home I went online and signed up for the free service from Jott. Basically it takes voice mail and transfers it into text. I call a local number, leave a message and it shows up in my inbox. I left three, complex messages tonight and within 5 minutes they were in my inbox without any spelling errors. Get this, here is the kicker, the calls are sent to India where a person listens to my call and then transcribes it and emails it back to me. For free. Looks like I just outsourced me some secretarial work!

Our friends are in town.

Ben, Rachel and baby Titus. Here's to good friends, tonight is kind of special.

Flagging in church.

Kind of a cool moment that I can't quite capture with my camera phone.

Wolves

Inexplicably there is a wolf habitat thingy at the bottom of the mountain we noticed on the gondola ride down. These wolves don't look vicious though. Just retired.

The tram.

They built this tram to take us down the mountain. God bless em'.

Made it to the top!

Steve Maines, Phil Taylor, Jason Hughlett. Defeated Grouse Mountain in one hour twenty minutes. Along side a 79 year old guy, a 12 year old kid with a mickey mouse back pack and a thousand other nutso people. My fave other climber was a lady in designer jeans and flip flops.

Blogging from the Grouse Grind!

There is this mountain that is like 3000 feet to the top. You can scale it up this gnarly steep, trail to the top called the Grouse Grind. We are a 1/4 way up and I am already spent. But there is a lady in a dress and fancy shoes doing it so I guess I can't complain. See you at the top!

This is so funny. And so good. And so right on.

I'm breaking my internet exile again but this is to good to pass on sharing.
Found it here

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Up at midnight.

I never have insomnia. I do tonight. I have a huge, huge, huge, career defining review happening in a month, so I was sitting in bed thinking of the millions of things I need to prepare for. I actually went to bed at 9;30 tonight trying to get a good night sleep!

I have actually not been anywhere near the TV, internet (Except posting from my phone) or talk radio in my car in three days (Which is a long time for me) but tonight, here I am. Lame. Oh well, back to my "season of simplicity and humility" tomorrow.

Well, I need to get to work by 6 am to get cracking on this list in my head so I should try and force myself to sleep. We'll see how that goes!

The long sun.

JesusFest 2008

So this last weekend we had an outdoor event at the church called "JesusFest, West Coast". It was amazing, wonderful, hot, terrific... My friends Ed and Wendy and their ministry Worship Invasion made it happen. There were two great worship teams and Nolan Clark spoke. Nolan is amazing. I know I can get on here and mention someone and people who don't know just roll their eyes, but take my word for it. I wish I had sermon audio to post. He preached two great messages that inspired and challenged me deeply. Nolan has a church over in Kamloops, BC called "The Feast" that he pastors along with his wife Heather. Heather is a worship leader that God was using when Lakeland took off. Anyway, I took some pictures that I'm going to post soon. But there is some video that someone took that is cool. Check it out here.

Church outside today.

A beautiful day today. We're all outside singing, preaching, getting burnt. We're gonna have a picnic in a bit. We should do this every Sunday.

Punched in the face...

Well actually elbowed. I have a big mouse under my left eye tonight. I got it from my brazilian jiu-jitsu/MMA class that I've been taking for the last three months. I'm kind of bummed though cause with having to pay for childcare over the summer I can't afford to keep taking classes till the fall. Stinking gas prices! Oh well, I know that God is calling me into a time of consecration for a time so maybe the timing is good. It'll give me the chance to heal up a bit. I've been non-stop sore and achy since I started.

Well that is pleasant.

So today's bible verse over there on the right caught my attention. I quietly examined my heart for a few seconds after reading it.

Jacob's Dream by Jason Upton

Jacob really longed to be a hero
All I really wanted was a friend
I'm the way, the life, the truth
So tell Me Jacob when will the lying end?
And does the striving make you strong?
Because when I came to love on you
You fought me till the dawn

Finally Jacob's lying down
And while he sleeps I will dream
Of a generation not known for their crowns,
Or success, but a King...
Who was not so much as interested in crowds, or
Pleasing men, but knowing Me

I have given Jacob's generation the key of David, intimacy
To open up the doorway to the nations, and release
Revelation, of intimacy, with me

Jacob had a dream for all the ages
Jacob had a drive to build a nation
But the fighting is in vain
If your only aim is to build your own great name

Because My dream's not what you do
Jacob will you dream for me
The way that I have dreamed for you

The story of a lost soul.

So today someone at church called me "the accuser of the brethren" and "Satan". And then rode away on a bike.

Over a year ago when I was still pastorin' for a livin' we were doing a Wednesday night renewal service where I would select 10 or so songs, make an iTunes playlist and then pipe it through the sound system. A bunch of us would just kind of quietly wait and worship. There were lots of beautiful moments. We did this for a while, and it was a good season.

One night out of no where this random guy showed up. We welcomed him in and he started coming regularly. He came to church one Sunday when Paul was preaching through Matthew and came to the passage on the unforgivable sin. Afterwords I ended up praying for this guy along with Paul to rededicate his heart to Christ. He'd spent years believing he'd commited it and was filled with joy as bondage's and shame came off him that day. He started coming out more and more of the following weeks and even brought his step-dad too.

One day he surprised us to say that God had told him to reconcile with his wife and he was flying her out. God had been restoring their marriage apparently. She showed up and we started to get to know her too. By this time, he would stop into the church about once a week during the day and I would pray for him and give him tapes to listen to. One day he shared with me he and his wife were going to move up north for work. Knowing he already had a good job and nice place to stay I cautioned him that he should consider sticking around a bit and stabilizing his renewed faith walk and restored relationship with his wife. He didn't.

A month ago he popped up. Without his wife. I got the feeling right away something was different. He started coming around a lot. Things got wierd. I'm not going to get in to it, but within a week he'd already kind of worn out his welcome and it's apparent that things aren't right. Before I'd really had a chance to connect with him he had shown up one night to the renewal service, walked up on the stage, told everyone God had given him a song to sing, grabbed a guitar and played the ever spiritual "Stairway to heaven". A few days later he told Paul our pastor that the music at the church sounded like funeral music and that we weren't using his giftings. Paul very politely disagreed and this guy snapped and stormed off. His step-dad (who by the way has become a great friend and awesome member of our church) confirmed things had been horrible around the house, with suspected drug use, bizarre behaviour, the police coming out, ect...

Well today he popped up. He sat quietly in the back all service and I wasn't sure what was going on. Afterwords the report got back from my wife he was spouting off weird stuff . So I looked around and saw him out in the parking lot talking to a group of people trying to get in their car. They looked a little freaked out so I went outside. I called him over and the first thing he brought up was how great it was when I had prayed for him way back and how God was doing such deep things in his life. A really long story short, I challenged him that I didn't think his life and story were adding up (Cause mine sure does lol!) and he freaked out on me. He was really delusional, angry and all over the place and the whole time I really thought I was going to have to protect myself when he attacked me. I sat there trying to figure out if I should try and chuck a demon out, reason with him, ect. He ended up telling me that I was the one who had a spirit and that I was the accuser of the brethren and Satan. He hopped on a mountain bike that was stashed in some bushes and rode away.

Long story I know. It's just sad to remember back during that time when we were doing that renewal prayer service and saw this guy as fruit of our pressing into God. I know God isn't done with him. I'm praying for him. But there isn't anything tougher than to see someone freed from prison just to go right back there again but with screwed up theology on top of it. You start to question your methods. Who knows? Was the mental illness dormant? Was retreating back to drugs one last time what scrambled his mind into chaos?

Who knows. Pray him if you think about it. Pray for his step-dad Bob too. He is scared, crushed and saddened a ton by all this.

Later on today Noah and I stopped by our feeding/blue bus ministry in Abbotsford, about 20 or so miles from our church to see the team over there. Sure enough in the middle of the crowd of folks was this guy (must have rode his bike fast to get there!)spouting all kinds of his nonsense. The look on the team (who didn't know what had happened at church) was that he was just another messed up homeless guy. I didn't say anything to him and kind of slipped away. Just another messed up homeless guy... something isn't right about that...

This is awesome!

Just thought I'd share a story I'm really geeked about here.

This is something I thought about doing as a kid. Don't tell my wife.:(

Berryfest-facepaint and rain don't mix

Berryfest-splashing in puddles

Berry fest #5

It started raining on our one mile walk home from the berry festival.

B-fest #4

There is a cool little farmers market that sets up in downtown Abbotsford each Saturday. We baught some zuchinni bread and organic cherries. Next up in a few weeks, garlic fest!

Berryfest#3

Measuring the boy at berryfest. 5 years old and 4 feet tall.

Berry fest #2

Standing next to the first of the harvest. How biblical sounding heh?

Berry festival #1

so our little town closes a few streets at the beginning of the berry harvest every year to have a festival. Here is a pic of Noah getting a dragon painted on his face.

The lost chapter of Galatians.

The following fragments were discovered recently in the lower Hebron valley. Biblical Archaeologists and scholars are trumpeting it as the single worst discovery of fake biblical text since the discovery of the lost gospel of Judas.

Behold...



Galatians 7:1-3

"1 Brothers, I forgot to add something... when I viewed the youtube video of our brother Peter again eating with some of the circumcision sect I challenged him indirectly via the comment sections of one of the greek brother's blogs. 2 I want you to forget everything that I wrote the Corinth church about dealing with your brothers in the faith discreetly and in private to avoid bringing disrepute to the body. I say again, forget that. It is much better, as the young ones say, to "flame them" with your blog posts or church gossip. 3 LOOK HOW I TYPE THESE WORDS WITH MY OWN HANDS ALL IN CAPS AND MAKE THEM BOLD, take advantage of the internet where you never actually have to get to know someone, and can spout off sweeping and ill informed judgments upon them while damning them to hell!

Sadly for some, this false scripture is made real and manifest through actions. I sure hope corporations get total control of the internet, jack up the prices, have outrageous subscription fees for sites like google causing folks to cancel the internet. Then maybe the christian hit squad would cancel their internet, shut off their computer and take their attacks back into living rooms and church hall ways.

Obama will expand Faith stuff

Hey been a while since I last blogged here, but I'm tired of writing about revival so found this cool article that claims Obama will expand GW's Faith-based initiatives. I think that O will win if he swings left but adds in conservative right wing "plug-ins" such as this, and maybe charter schools, and maybe optional prayer in schools. Obama would then be the Firefox 3 candidate, a well run machine with lots of great options.

It'd be funny if Jeremiah Wright would then apply for and receive and exorbitant amount of funding-- fox news would have a collective heart attack, I'm telling you.

Blogging from the beach.

Well it's Sunday and we played hookie from church today. We've driven into Whiterock to the beach. We just walked down what is billed as 1001 steps to the beach. It is a long, winding staircase through the trees that ends up at some railroad tracks. After that we scaled down a sketchy path to a rocky beach. We're here now. I should get back to family time and the sun!

Nothing like a charismatic conference....

..and a sword! Good stuff. Heavy, and powerful. Strong words and strong word. More later...