'christian' Tagged Posts
Too Many Christian Books
This morning I attended what I imagine is only the first of many school concerts I will attend as my boys grow up and work their way through the schooling system. I was as proud as any parent in the room (every seat was taken) as I sat beside my wife and younger boy Thomas and watched Oliver sing and try to do the actions on time (especially proud that he wasn’t the kid in the front row center picking…
Sometimes We Need to Pray but We Don’t Know What to Say
At our session meeting last week, we had a robust discussion. (For those who might not know, ‘session’ is the official name of the gathering of our congregational leaders, the elders. They are sort of like a board, but with pastoral responsibilities.) It was a very good discussion and one, I thought, in which the wisdom of the people was permitted a voice and in which we witnessed the power of communal discernment. It was, shall we say, something like…
H3 Leadership. Reviewed.
“Be Humble, Stay Hungry, and Always Hustle”, says Brad Lomenick in his new book. I received the book thanks to the Carey Neiuwhof leadership podcast that I listen to when I walk my dog and, man, I am happy I did. This book contains loads of good advice, helpful questions, ideas and plans for changing not just the organization involved, but the leaders themselves. As someone constantly seeking to “do more better” as Tim Challies would put it, I appreciated…
Bill Rodgers, the Marathon, and Jesus this Christmas
I have been reading a book about the great American runner Bill Rodgers who won the Boston marathon four times and the New York city marathon four times, not to mention whacks and whacks of other races. I’m reading it because I like running and as someone who is slow and has never ran a full marathon I stand in awe before fellas capable of sub 2:30 times in that event. What caught my attention, though, is how dissatisfied he…
5 Conversations to Have Before Christmas Punches You in the Gut
Worried about Christmas? So are many people. Some are worried about how much money this is going to cost. Others wonder how loud and obnoxious their relatives can be. Some fear their marriage might reach the breaking point over the next few stressful weeks. I know you say that you aren’t worried about how well dressed your kids are, but I too have kids and so I know that no matter what we believe and what we say, Christmas is…
Thomas Turns 3
Today is Thomas’s third birthday, I have now been a dad for five and half years. This is a sweet time in life, when my boys still think everything I say is gospel and they still want hugs, bedtime books and stories, and nighttime cuddles. It is a real joy to spend so much time with them and to share so much love with them. They each have special kisses just for me and they, of course, inhabit a special…
The Pastor Also must Chose How to Vote
Michael Coren made news recently writing about a long true reality: no single political party is bible-encompassing enough to guarantee that party the Christian vote. Many factors go into how a person votes, Christian or not, and no single party is always going to find allegiance with any one group. It strikes me that as Christians vote they tend towards family focused parties that see the family unit as a place of instruction, love, foundation building (and all the rest…
History Maker 2015
This past weekend I was in Chilliwack attending the History Maker youth conference with a gang from Duncan. It was a rare opportunity for me to spend gobs of time with some of the youth in the church. There’s really nothing like hours on busses and ferries and midnight pizzas and candy to bring people closer together. The conference was good, I would say it accomplished it’s goals of bringing some kids to Christ, bringing others closer to him, getting…
Mentors in the Line of Fire
It’s been noted that the Apostle Paul spelled out mentoring as his leadership model very simply, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This past week I have been thinking about the people who poured themselves into me to help me to be in the position I am in today, a position where I get: to preach about my faith and beliefs weekly, to walk alongside both those experiencing great joy and those who…
Into the Routine
I love this time of year, the moment after Christmas when things go back to normal. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas and all the hullabaloo that go with it are awesome, the food, the time with family, the extra time with my brothers and sisters at the church, the tree, the food, the lights, the food. All of it can be fun and good but it leaves me tired and ready to get back into routines. Right after Christmas there…