WORD

The Word

2010-10-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while. What better way to start up Word (of the week- yeah right) with the Word.

"In the beginning was the Word"

This little statement is the opening line of one of the historical records of Jesus of Nazareth's life. It's a funny statement. Not funny "ha ha", funny "owwweee...hmmmm". It means a lot of different things many of which I don't know and some of which I do. But there's something about this one little nugget that has brought me comfort recently. Let me explain.

Isn't it nice to know that something, rather someone, was before you, greater than you, holding it all together? Maybe that's terrifying for some, perhaps even unbelievable. But it's comforting to me. Why? Because it means that I don't need to have it all together. I don't have to create my own existence, my own identity, my own home. There was/is something, someone, greater than me who gives me meaning and purpose.

In a world and city where we're constantly striving...for many things...knowing the Word (Jesus/God) was in the beginning can help us take a deep breath; a deep breath to know that even if we fail there is a God who was before our time that can hold it all together; a deep breath in the midst of suffering and loss because there is a God who outlasts and endures our temporality. In that deep breath is the consolation of the Word saying, "there, there now, don't worry, it's not all about you".

What a liberating breath. What a liberating God.

Break It Down

2009-10-10T19:03:00.001-07:00

The fire is out, everyone is asleep and Canadian living lies on the floor. It’s Thanksgiving up at the D’Angelo Cottage. Dave Dewees’s funeral was yesterday, it was a beautiful service.

The lake looks amazing; blue skies and great shadows. By divine intervention or because of a sore back…or both, I am up. Everyone is asleep. I wonder how long before I wake Chris with the laptop. If I did wake him it would be good because then I could brew coffee!

What a bizarre two weeks for me. It is the fall and things are dying; dying with colour, dignity and grace. I live in fear of my changing seasons; of the great and final change, but also the changes I see in myself every day.

God never changes. The presence of the seasons themselves is evidence that God maintains creation amidst the change. But somehow the change must be a part of God’s nature, God’s desire or God’s creativity. It would be pretty boring if things never changed.

I met Roger this week, a “homeless person” at Sanctuary in Toronto. “It’s hard to figure out how God works”, I said. “It is reality that God works with us, in us, through us, around us and in spite of us, but it’s hard to discern when he’s doing what.” While Roger was finishing his second round of pizza and salad he spoke the Word back to me, “Why do we need to figure it out? We just need to let it be and relax.”

The Spirit doesn’t worry, it moves. And although we can’t see the Spirit move like the wind and through the seasons we need to join her. It’s like when you hear a song you love at a dance. No one may be dancing. It’s probably awkward as H E double hockey sticks, but we’re called to break it down.

Death

2009-10-07T05:31:00.000-07:00

Death, it’s a funny thing. When I was a boy my grandparents died. My cat died. People died. I sat up late one night bawling, in fear, of death.

It seemed like a great darkness, death. I felt “the nothingness”, like in that movie. When I knew people who died it freaked me out. What happens after we die? What would happen to me or the people I love after we die?

I still fear death. It still makes me cry. It still feels senseless at times. The question of death inevitably leads us to the question of God. Why is that?

When I was a boy crying at night after funerals I cried out to God too. I didn’t know God then or if there was a God but I didn’t know where else to turn. Do we have anywhere else to turn?

I don’t want to believe in a life that ends in darkness; that ends with our lives, individually and corporately, amounting to nothingness. Where is the hope in that? Where is the redemption? No life after death leads to nihilism, anarchy and darkness.

When Jesus died and rose on the third day, I believe that, he conquered death. In Jesus’ resurrection from the dead he conquered death. Jesus was like The Warrior in WWF who comes back in the last round, beaten and bruised, to win the fight. Jesus is like a WWF wrestler layin the smack down on the nothingness in the last round.

Death is a funny thing, I believe, because it leads to life.

Why God?

2009-09-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

There are times in life when I question my faith. Walking down the street I wonder, “Am I crazy to believe in God? What if there is no God and I’m wasting my whole life.”

Seriously. I aim to shape my life around a guy who lived thousands of years ago. Tell me that isn’t crazy.

After these sudden “reality checks” when I stop feeling woozy the puzzle pieces come together. I look around at the people on the street and I see the sense of loss, lack of fulfillment, struggles, suffering, emptiness and vanity. I see these things in myself.

When I look into the eyes and hearts of our world the truth, for me, settles in. Christians for centuries have called the message of Jesus the “gospel”. Sounds weird eh? Like gospel hour or gospel truth. But the word means good news…really?

It’s funny how Jesus’ message gets lost in translation. We often hear the Christian message and feel guilt, manipulation and power with no regard for individuals. It’s anything but good news. Try depressing.

Recently I read the mission of a Christian organization, which was to “save souls”. Really? That’s all people are…souls? That’s the good news of Jesus, a transfer of funds, from hell to heaven with no regard for us as people? Is that the kind of God we believe in?

It’s too bad that the person of Jesus and His message gets lost in translation. As I read about Jesus and know Him personally I am convinced that He is “good news.” Who doesn’t need mercy, forgiveness, grace, healing and a new start in life, again and again?

When I think, “am I crazy to believe in God”, the answer is yes. It is crazy, totally. Any kind of faith is crazy. The only thing that makes faith reasonable and worthwhile is what we have faith in.

Politics

2009-09-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

The other day I saw Jack Layton on T.V., Canada’s most popular politician with “social” interests. It made me sick.

When will politicians ever learn? Especially in Canada. When I turn on the TV, when elections are in full swing, I always feel the slime. Lies covered up with jargon and fake half smiles. These are the people leading our country? People who don’t know how to tell the truth?

Different people have different views on Barack Obama. Whatever your stance, it’s fair to say he’s done well so far. Why? Because he actually believes in what he is communicating to the public. Sure, there is some maneuvering going on. Political maneuvering is necessary in all arenas, but how we do this maneuvering makes the difference.

I never believe politicians in Canada. I don’t hear honesty in their voices. I don’t trust them. From what I’ve seen, Pierre Trudeau, although not perfect, seemed like a trustworthy man; a leader of influence.

What does this have to do with God or our spiritual lives? Justice: leaders are called by God to lead justly. God asks leaders to govern with wisdom, honesty, integrity and transparency. Samuel was one such leader…one of a few.

Are we seeking Justice in our own lives? Do we have others best intentions in mind? How are we communicating those intentions; with love or ulterior motives and intentions?

Imagine what our world would look like if people led like Jesus:

Matthew 5
The Beatitudes
1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Duck Tape

2009-08-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

How far do you think duck tape can stretch...metaphorically speaking?

Last week I helped out with a youth talent show near the Church I work at. It was an amazing event. Really cool.

One of my first tasks was to duck tape a hazzardas extension cord down to the ground. Next I help put up a tent. Then I broke up a fist fight between two teenagers. Then I dealt with a VERY angry disabled resident who didn't want "all the noise". Then I handed out food while some of the youth volunteers snuck food over to their friends who weren't in line.

The needs in this community are huge. But how far will taping a cord down to the ground go to advance God's kingdom; for people to see a minister on his hands and knees while people walk about not noticing my good deeds?

Duck tape isn't about me, or ministers or good deeds. It is about joining God in His work in the world.

As I volunteered at this community event with hundreds of needy people looking for food, entertainment, direction and friends, I wondered to myself, "where is our Church? Why isn't our Church here volunteering, serving our community?"

Next year I hope we can all dust off our duck tape and join God in His mission in the world.

Dirty Work

2009-08-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I know you've all been in suspense this past week wondering, "I wonder how Matt's tennis game is?" Thanks for asking.

I played again shortly after writing my last post. I split the match. Won a set and lost a set. For those of you not into sports stick with me. In the set I lost we were tied at two games a piece. I lost the next game and lost it mentally. Glorifying God is hard to do when you're losing or when you make mistakes. This got me thinking.

What tools, what reservoir, do we have to live out God's hopes for us? Especially when living for God goes against the grain of our human nature and sin.

Our culture and hence us demand results...NOW. But what impact does this presupposition have on our understanding and ability to form spiritual habits and disciplines?

What's your plan to stay spiritually strong in times of weakness and temptation?

Here's a verse to chew on from the Apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 2
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Glorify God

2009-08-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

I hate losing. At anything. I hate it.

Last night I played tennis with a good friend. I love playing tennis, but I hate losing. I lost last night.

Tennis, like golf and practically every sport, is a mental exercise. Staying mentally strong is key to playing well physically.

Last night I was afraid to lose...for many reasons. My play was dominated by fear. I was tentative, worried and therefore made mistake after mistake.

In times like these I wrestle mentally, trying to find a way to "stay strong". But when it comes down to it I am pretty negative towards myself when I play poorly. Some times this frustration can generate focus and therefore good play.

But lately in the midst of telling myself how awful I am playing and what an idiot I am, I've heard a still small voice. "Is this really the way God would want you to talk to yourself; to view yourself?"

Well I know the answer is no but I didn't like that answer so I avoided it. It's easier to hate myself. However, by some divine spark of spiritual revelation...okay, maybe that's dramatic, but I somehow learnt something through listening/praying.

My mental fear tactics while playing tennis, and I believe with many things I/we do, was about me. I finally realized that I'm afraid to lose because it will taint my image of myself; others image of me. I don't want to be seen as a loser. I don't want to be a failure.

But somehow God showed me, I believe, that to form my identity or tennis again around what I don't want to be or around what I am afraid of being is pretty...well, futile. It's not very life giving.

So I believe God gave me an idea. "Why don't you just play to glorify me?" God bugs me sometimes. "But God, if I did that it wouldn't all be about me. And does a recreational tennis game really matter? Can't I just enjoy my self abasement?" "Everything matters," God said. "Glorify me in everything you do. Be the best tennis player you can be. Enjoy my creation. Enjoy me. Then you will glorify me, experience me and enjoy life to the full."

And I have a feeling that it could help me win a tennis game or two =)

Eating Jesus

2009-08-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

John 6:53: "Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink".

Sounds appetizing eh? Eating another human. Mmmmm.

I first heard this phrase in the Anglican service of communion where it says something like, "that we might eat the flesh of Jesus and drink his blood." I always cringed in my seat when I heard this. "Sounds cannibalistic", I thought. "Sounds crazy. Is this even in the Bible? Are Anglicans heretics? Can I believe this"?

Let's be honest, I think Jesus was trying to raise some eye brows. If not ours then definitely his Jewish audience’s. This statement probably should offend us. It probably should stop us in our tracks for a double take. Does it?

I'd love to hear what you think about this passage. It's fascinating. There is so much packed into the summary of this passage when Jesus says, "I am the bread of life". What does "eating Jesus" actually look like? Is Jesus trying to be some morbid cannibal? I don't think so, but he is probably trying to offend you...us. Are we offended?

As a follower of Jesus the take away for me at this point in my life is this: Is Jesus a part of my very being, like the food and water that I consume? Is the historic, living Christ involved in the very blood flow of everything I do? Sadly the answer is no. Yes, I do receive communion most weeks but often in vain. When I eat the bread and wine am I actually inviting Jesus into my very body, into everything I do? If I did that well then I couldn't...If I did that then I shouldn't....

"Jesus, are you really serious? Do you really want to be a part of my body...my life...my junk"?

I guess so eh.

"Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you".

Prayer

Jesus, help me to feed on you. May your body sustain me. Live in me. Guide me. Amen.

Confession

2009-07-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Okay...so I admit it. I CAN be a procrastinator...some times. But I'm busy, right? I've got good excuses, right!?!

For me a helpful way to force myself to do something is to commit verbally or in writing. I like keeping my word so when I commit to something verbally or in writing it becomes...binding (insert pressure=).

So you'll notice the new template of the blog and the new name. What does this have to do with procrastinating? Well, "WORD...of the week" implies that I will post at least once a week. That is my WORD!

I've also changed the name as I've found the humble audience of this blog is diverse, i.e. not just youth from St. Paul’s. I have heard some feedback that perhaps a shorter, snappier and less dense blog would be helpful. This I will attempt to do…most of the time=)

So I hope that you will enjoy a simple word each week about the meaning of life. Something that will keep you searching, seeking and moving towards the One for whom we exist.

Matt

Life Through Death

2009-03-27T04:38:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 4: 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

The second letter to the Corinthians has a very solemn tone. Paul is obviously grieved by the suffering that the Corinthian Church is going through. It seems as though the Church is being persecuted for the faith which Paul, in part, was responsible for. So what does Paul have to say to a Church in the midst of their suffering?

The peculiar verse above stuck out to me a number of weeks ago. I believe it is meant to be an encouragement to those in Corinth, but how? An underlying theme in Paul’s message is to hold fast to Christ and it is encouraging to those who suffer for Christ sake to know that Christ too suffered for the sake of us. In essence doing what is right, following Christ, can induce suffering of some sort but as Christians there is hope in this suffering or “death”. It is through suffering and death that Jesus comes to life in the resurrection. It is because Jesus is faithful to God and God’s mission that He suffers. So although we may share in Christ’s death we do so in the light of working for the truth of the gospel and with the knowledge of the life it will produce now and for eternity.

I have talked about this before but suffering takes on a different face in our context in Canada. We aren’t physically, socially or outwardly persecuted for being Christians in the same way that the Christians in Corinth would have been. However, I still think there is something very pertinent about the idea of carrying Christ’s death around in our bodies. Although Christ suffered physically He was also killed because of who He was. Who He was and what He did led to his death. So when we share in his death or sufferings, I believe, we also share in his heart. Becoming like Christ or sharing the heart of Christ requires an amount of humility, humbleness and awareness; awareness to the suffering that is present in the world and aware of the ways that sin and human beings are destroying each other and themselves. It is said that Jesus was a man of many sorrows and to me that comes from the deep awareness of the reality of the world in which we find ourselves. So although we may not carry the death of Christ in our bodies in the same way that Paul or the Corinthians did I think we are admonished to carry the death of Christ in our bodies through our attitudes and the way we approach the world and understand ourselves and each other and ultimately through our understanding of the suffering in which God lives with for our sake.

Be On Guard

2009-03-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 13:3 - "The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him."

When Christians used to say, “God is testing you or will test you”, I thought, “what kind of God is this”? I couldn’t ever figure out why God would want to test me. Is He out to get me? Out to bring me down?

Lately, this idea and passage above have come into clearer focus. In Deuteronomy the author in this section is talking about prophets who give false prophecies to the people of Israel so that they will worship other gods and not their God. As you can see the gist of the passage is to stay faithful and loyal to God in the midst of testing (follow, revere, serve and hold fast). So why would God ever test us? “To find out whether we love God with all our heart and with all our soul”.

However, as a Christian, this is where the water becomes murky. (as an interesting side note: this matter doesn’t seem to be so much about small decisions or even big life directional decisions but about being faithful in whatever we’re doing. I always put so much emphasis on doing the “right” thing in life that God’s “called” me to. But this passage seems to put calling more in the context of faithfulness to our relationship with God, no matter what we're doing, rather than finding “the right path” in life.) I have found as of late that there are so many things that test me. I am not a full blown charismatic and have never known how much weight to give this stuff, but since working in a Church testing has taken on a whole new meaning. In a Church there are many different kinds of testing: there may be false prophets; their may be different spirits; there are disgruntled people; there are hurt people; there is my own sin; powers and principalities and lastly Satan.

I have not read the screw tape letters by C.S. Lewis, but it has come up a number of times recently. The gist of the book, from what I know of it, is how satan and his companions operate; deceiving, dividing and discouraging people whenever possible. I am not one to read into EVERYTHING spiritually, as I know there are so many different things at work in our lives. Like people, circumstances, history, sin, spiritual factors etc. However, I must say that I have begun to re-consider the different powers at work in our world and how they influence me. Is this thought or event or perception from God or the devil?

We tend to take satan or demonic powers as a joke in our “advanced” western society. Usually Christians who believe in that stuff are fanatics and freaks. But it should concern us that the majority of Christian teachers and theologians since the beginning of the Church, not to mention Jesus Christ, have taken very seriously the works of the devil. Why are we so quick to disregard the possibility of the devils influence? But wouldn’t that be exactly what the devil would want? I mean think about it, wouldn’t the devil be more affective in his destructive work if we didn’t acknowledge or believe that it could be him who is confusing us, tempting us and leading us into sin?

I’m not saying that I’m a spiritual guru who knows exactly when satan is at work and when he’s not. But it’s safe to say from a biblical perspective that he is at work. So where does that leave us? It seems like a long way from Deuteronomy but I think it’s not actually. On Biblegateway.com google the word “guard” in the keyword search. Jesus and the apostles used the word many times and I believe this is what the author of Deuteronomy was getting at: stay on guard so that you are able to stay faithful in the midst of testing and trial so that your love for God may shine forth. Guarding our faith from the enemy for me lately has been actively saying “no” when temptations come. Whether that temptation is from God, my sin and rebellion or the enemy I don’t always know. But being on guard has opened me up a new level awareness in the ways that my wayward thoughts and actions may actually be a trap from the evil one. Be on guard and love God with all your heart and soul no matter what you're doing or what trials and tests you face.

It's ALL about ME!!!

2009-03-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 4:7 (New International Version) - “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

As I talked with my friend about an upcoming speaking engagement I expressed my worries. “What if they don’t like it?” “I’m not sure what to say?” “I want to have an impact”. Friends are good at telling it like it is. “It’s not about you”, my friend replied. His comment was a resounding cymbal that cut to the center of my heart: it’s not about me.

The Christian life is the art of responding to God’s grace without losing sight of that grace. I know for me it’s easy to see what God has done in the world and then have the urge to “go out” into the world on God’s behalf. The problem is so often when I “go out”, I “go ahead”. I imagine my spiritual life like a child who runs ahead of their parent on a walk.

But how does one “live in grace”? When you find out let me know!

I have learned something as of late in regards to grace; that’s it not all about me. What a relief! I believe this is some kind of first step we need to make every day for our whole life. When I know that everything is not about me then I know it’s about God. Knowing life is about God changes everything. We may say we “know” that in theory or believe that but it is a different thing to know that truth in our heart.

It is really an issue of identity isn’t it? Where do we get our identity from? I know that my identity is often rapped up in what I do, how I perform or how other people perceive me. It’s all about me. But that identity will never be secure, never be at peace. What if I do something awful? What if I fail? What if someone dislikes me or lashes out at me? Basing my identity on myself as a flawed and depraved human being in a corrupt world is bound to leave me insecure, anxious and influenced by the slightest breeze.

What I have learned is that I need to trust God and surrender my life over to God every day. As a Christian my identity is rooted in God’s love for me and this entire world. It is God who has created me, God who defines me and God whom I honor with me life. Placing my identity in God releases me from the burden to try and be God and please others.

I don’t know about you but trying to carry God’s load, trying to make everything right in the world, my world, is exhausting. Why not give our burdens to God? Why not give our work to God? Why not give our lives to God? For me, as a people pleaser, when I surrender my life to God daily the end results, the critiques or acclaim, the failure or success lose their grip. Why? Because now I am griped by God’s grace, God’s love and God’s work in the world. When our identity is formed by God we’re standing on solid ground. My life, my character, my “good deeds” and accomplishments are not solid ground. They will pass away like wheat in a field. But God is an everlasting God who alone can be trusted.

The Ride Home

2008-11-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

After preaching Sunday at The Bridge on my ride home I thought to myself, “what could I have done better with this sermon?” My answer was the application. What difference does knowing God actually make in our life?

If we’re honest, as Christians, we’re probably not that much different than your average Joe. We often feel pressure to seem more righteous and holy because that’s what we’re supposed to be, right? When we experience our own sin and inability to change things, even after we recognize God as the one we’ve been looking for, we feel discouraged.

I can imagine Satan sitting around reminding us of this very fact: “Knowing God hasn’t really changed your life and it never will.” So what gives? I think the point is that when we know Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who will connect us to the heart of God, that instead of traveling alone in our struggles we travel with God. So in practice it doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle any more. Rather, it means we have a companion for the road. We now wrestle with God and what he has done instead of wrestling with our own deprived selves.

What does that look like on a day to day basis? Stay tuned.

Matt

Suffering for Our Faith

2008-11-17T05:45:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a little while since I have visited cyber space; apologies for my tardiness. However, my absence has got me thinking; how is it then when life gets busy the most important things we do fall by the way side?

This week at St. Paul’s we took a brief look at how we suffer for our faith as Christians. Saying that we suffer for our faith is always a puzzling statement for North American Christians. What exactly does that mean for us? Today I would like to suggest two ways in which we can or do suffer for our faith here in North America.

One way in which we suffer is highlighted by my absence from this blog post. We suffer by prioritizing. We are constantly bombarded with a myriad of things which demand our attention, which ask us to bow down to them. It is a constant fight and struggle to say no, putting God’s desires for us first in our lives. Making priorities means that we will suffer for putting the effort into prioritizing and then suffer for the consequences when we follow through.

The second way we suffer is tied into the first point. When we do what is the important things which God has put in our life there will be a cost. Doing God’s work comes at a Cost for us in North America. Are lives are already too full and when we do God’s work the reality is it will take time. Yes, we need to choose wisely and set boundaries, but ultimately serving God will cost us time, money and energy and in the end we will suffer for it.

So when you feel angry because you’re doing too much ask yourself if you’re doing the right things. And if you’re doing the right things and you’re angry because no one understands or appreciates you for doing these things direct your gaze heavenwards. We suffer for the sake of the gospel and for our Lord, so be encouraged. As Paul said, “Do not be ashamed, then, for the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace.”

God bless you in the ways you suffer for Him and His Kingdom!

Tuesdays with Julian

2008-09-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesdays with Morrie is a book about dieing. It is about a professor who faces a terminal disease as an opportunity to make the most of the rest of his life.

On Tuesdays at 8am Julian and I get together for coffee to study the book of Hebrews. Neither of us is dieing. This week we got to chapter two where it says that Jesus “suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everything.” “Wow,” I thought, “What the heck does that mean? It sounds powerful!” We figured it was about how Jesus died so that we could live. If this is Christ’s promise then why do we still fear death? Hebrews also says that because Christ has destroyed the power of death he has freed us, who used to be held slaves by the fear of death (2:14:15). I.e. we don't need to fear death.

Although Morrie is not a self professed Christian, he sure died like a Christian who has the type of hope in Jesus that Hebrews speak of. If we have been freed from the fear of death, why do we still fear death? I know that I still do! Julian and I got to talking. In Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie says we fear death because we’re not fulfilled in our life. We don’t have purpose. We don’t have our priorities straight. I think this is wise, something we can learn from.

But how would we explain the being fulfilled from a Christian perspective? Julian and I boiled it down to two things….although I’m sure there are more, better, ideas…ideas we could expose from Hebrews. But we thought, from our own experience, that as Christians we are fulfilled when we a) worship God and b) glorify God. We thought these two things are key. We like them because they could transcend a number of different circumstances. Someone who is suffering can worship and glorify God by asking for comfort, being held up by the grace of God. Someone who is cynical could be worshiping and glorifying God because they’re being honest with God. And whether you’re a lawyer, student, work at McDonalds or a garden center you can worship and glorify God in so many ways.

Are you ready to die? Are you ready to live?

Pastor Matt

Take a Seat

2008-09-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Luke 10:38-42 (New International Version)

'39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said...(Jesus said) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Check out the whole passage listed above)

For six summers, from about the time I was seventeen, I went to camp each summer. At camp we were taught about “quiet times” or “devotionals”. A quiet time is a period in the day when you go to be with God alone, either praying, reading, reflecting or being silent. I always struggled with quiet time. I am not a disciplined person by nature. Especially once camp was out having a quiet time during the school year was pretty much impossible for me. After a while I began to to feel pretty guilty about my lack of ability to take up this daily/weekly discipline. Because of my struggle I thought I was a lousy Christian. After a while, during University, I gave up on the idea of quiet times. Or, at least I gave up on caring up about them. This may sound funny but I think “giving up” was actually a good thing for me. Giving up meant that I was no longer strained and held down by my guilt from not being able to pull this devotional thing off. Giving up meant that when I actually found space in my life for this discipline I truly experienced it as a gift. As a youth pastor it would be good and well for me to encourage you to be disciplined, marking out time each day for God. However, beating yourself into submission so you do what you should doesn’t seem to be totally healthy. Yes, there is an arduous road to Christian discipleship that requires discipline and training, which is a good thing that we all need to put ourselves through at times. But today, let’s look to Mary’s example who sits at the feet of Jesus. It sure would be nice to have Jesus come by our house every day so we could hang out in person. I believe it is the absence of God’s physical presence which makes quiet times so difficult yet it is the goal of quiet times to realize that God is more present then we think. So what do we do? Find a place for you in your life that is like sitting at the feet of Jesus. I think the key to quiet times is understanding not only how God works but how we work. Sitting with Jesus was probably so natural for Mary because she just liked hanging out with Jesus. How do you hang out with Jesus best? Figure out what works for you. Here are some ideas: take a walk outside committing that time to God; lay on your bed for fifteen minutes before your sleep, thinking about God, your life and praying; do something you love or your homework focusing on God’s presence with you; read a great Christian book; go for “coffee” with Jesus by yourself. Anyhow, the key is to find something you would love doing with God. And yes, after a while it probably would be a good idea to work spiritual disciplines in there like praying for others and reading scripture. But first just learn to “take a seat” with Jesus. The cool thing about Jesus's resurrection is that he is there waiting for all of us before we even sit down.

Being Faithful

2008-09-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

I wonder what it’s like to be a teenager these days. I hear so many things from so many sources about what you guys face in this day and age. Is it all true, or partially true or true for some of you…I look forward to finding out. One thing that does aggravate me, though, is how many people put pressure on you to, “change the world…make a difference…dream big…anything is possible…” and so on. Isn’t that such a huge burden? Can you really change the world? Are we called to change the world? I remember being a youth and getting starry-eyed over statements like this. “Yes, I can change the world. Yes, I can dream big and do anything I want!” But then the reality would kick in days, months and years later and I would be left disillusioned and discouraged. “Did I let God down? Did I fail as a Christian? Where do I go now?” While I don’t doubt that these messages are somewhat true, I would like to propose a new challenge for today’s generation: BE FAITHFUL. Lately I have been pondering the beauty of faithfulness. There is something elegant and simple in being faithful to God in the small things. Instead of trying to convert you’re whole high school how about you try and be faithful to God with your friends in the way you talk, act and live. Take a look at Hebrews chapters eleven and twelve. The author is talking about people of faith, in essence, people who were faithful to God. In the midst of facing our own sin and brokenness, trials and persecution, the author of Hebrews says this: “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Living the Christian faith is like running a long, long, race. It takes regular practice, patience, endurance and above all…you guessed it, faithfulness. There will be days when you don’t feel like getting up for that morning practice or going for long runs but we are encouraged to look to Jesus who was above all was FAITHFUL to his Heavenly Father in his life, on the cross and in the mission he lived out on this planet. Being Faithful…are you up for it?

My first month on the job: What I’ve learned

2008-08-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

On August 4th, 2008, I began my first day at St. Paul’s. Starting in August has been both a blessing and a trial. The reality of Church in Canada during the summer is that, basically, it is on vacation, for better or worse. Attendance drops, people head north and at St. Paul’s the youth group is dormant. A large part of my job is overseeing the youth ministry. So you may be asking, “Matt, what the heck have you done all August?” Good question. You’d be surprised how much time it can take to get your head around a particular ministry or a particular Church. In fact I think there are pastors who spend their whole lives trying to figure out this mystery and I’m sure God wonders sometimes too! This brings me to the point I was getting at, blessing and trial. This has been a blessing because it has given me time and space to think through and learn about youth ministry at St. Paul’s. What is about? What happens? What’s important? What is the vision? Where is God at work? What are the youth like!?! These are all very big questions. For the first two weeks I was like a kid in a candy shop. As someone who loves ministry it’s a true gift to be in a place where I can wrestle with these questions and for the first bit I thought I was doing a pretty good job. However, have you ever had those moments in life where you stop and go, “shoot…does any of this make any sense? What if all these ideas I have are really not that good? Am I out to lunch!?!” This is when discouragement sets in and this is when, I believe, satan is at his best. At the same time though, this is a breaking point which holds great opportunity. This is a place in our life that brings us to our knees, that shows us our need for God. It is a good place to be in when we know and realize that none if this is possible without God and none of this matters if God is not the Lord of all we’re doing. It’s at this point where we begin to ask questions like, “God, what do you want to see? Jesus, what’s important to you? Holy Spirit…I need you!” Anyhow, here a couple of lessons that I’ve learned through this journey:

# 1. Support. Having a team of people to support and pray for you is key. Thank you ministry team!

# 2. Personal Devotion. I can’t tell you how important staying rooted in God has been. This means lot’s of time in prayer, reading scripture and being still. It is also funny how as time has gone on here and the newness of the job has worn off that being disciplined in this area has been harder. “There are so many things to do. How can you justify doing this, it is a waste of time”. However, I have had the still quiet voice confirm, “Matt, this is important. Matt, you need to do this. Matt, slow down and stick with me.” Okay God, sounds good.

# 3. God uses it all. It would be easy to think of all the hours I spent working through all the big questions as a waste of time. Again, I think that is a way satan would discourage us. However, it is so important to have the grace to fail. So what if an idea flops? So what if you take a wrong turn? That’s life. Keep going!

# 4. Keep it simple. When it comes down to it all of the fancy frills of ministry, all the plans, systems, templates, process, is secondary. What’s first is staying connected to God. What’s second is loving people where they’re at. The rest is a bonus.

Well, chalk the first “real” blog posting up as a long one. I can’t promise they will all be this long. Come to think of it, who knows if you want to even read posts this long…congratulations if you made it this far! (Note to self, shorten blog postings)

Okay, well God bless. I hope all is well with you. If you’ve been learning any cool things on your own spiritual journey I’d love to hear about. Post them below or post your opinion on how long blog posts should be…I have no idea!

Peace out,

Matt

Hello Cyber Space!!!

2008-08-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Good Day!

The Purpose of this Blog:

To provide food for thought, spiritual direction and a tool to stay in touch with the youth of St. Paul's Youth Group throughout the week.

Who is the blog for?

Primarily the youth of St. Paul's Youth Group, however, friends of the youth group, strangers, those interested in SPYG, and those looking for spiritual nourishment are all welcome.

I can't wait to start Blogin! Check back soon.

God bless,

Matt- SPYG Youth Pastor