Not Just Me?

First, Is it just me, or does the end of the school year bring about a feeling of relief, and a reckless abandon to not wanting to do anything of any value?

Second, what has happened to me? I get excited about picking up new books, and just yesterday I grabbed another (yes, I said another) seven books from the theology profs that they didn't want anymore. I have so much to read over summer, it's crazy.

Momentary Light Affliction

This post is for anyone who is experiencing any affliction, whether emotional, spiritual, physical, or otherwise. My thoughts were directed to affliction because of a song by Justin Rizzo called Momentary Light Affliction. My prayers any sympathies go out to you. And if you think of someone dealing with affliction while reading this, remember them in your prayers as well.

Momentary Light Affliction--Justin Rizzo

I set my eyes on what I cannot see,

I set my eyes on the Eternal,

I set my eyes on what I cannot see,

I set my heart on the Eternal,

But You are my great reward,

Forever I will be with you, Yeah,

You are my great reward,

Forever I will be with you.

I know that,

This Momentary Light Affliction

Is working in me,

An Eternal weight of Glory, an Eternal weight of Glory,

I know that,

This Momentary Light Affliction

Is working in me,

An Eternal weight of Glory, an Eternal weight of Glory.

For You are God and You know what You want,

And You know how You'll get it the fastest way,

And You give and take away,

The only initiator of seasons of change.

For You are God and You know what You want,

And You know how You'll get it the fastest way,

With the least amount of pain,

But there will be pain,

It's guaranteed.

This Momentary Light Affliction

Is working in me,

An Eternal weight of Glory, an Eternal weight of Glory.

Know that God is working in you, for Eternal Glory. Set your face on Him, and gain strength in His love for you. Blessings.

Knowledge

What is Knowledge?

This week is reading week, and for those of you who know me, I am unable to sit around and do nothing or go on some sort of vacation, when the opportunity arises to ensure that I can make serious headway in the world of reading and schoolwork.

Alas, I have read so much this week (although Pastor Sieg will argue that's a good thing, precisely what a serious student would do) that even I am having a hard time organizing all my notes and books. For those interested in some light reading (I took Wednesday off and read stuff with no relation to any of my courses) I would suggest the book entitled Tangled up in the Bible: Bob Dylan & Scripture. Quite a fascinating read.

And so with that, I must get back to the task at hand. Happy Reading Everyone.

Politically Incorrect

As some people may know, I am the sort of person who likes to "step on toes." This sort of thing usually causes a bit of trouble for me, but if i can get someone thinking in a different mind set by being crass, then I have done my job. I'm not talking about being vulgar or obscene, but challenging people to think about why they have certain opinions on certain topics. An example of this would be:

Why do people in media, and "famous" people continually press for gay rights? Gays have rights, just like the rest of us. The problem arises when gay people start pressing for marriage rights, or adoption rights. God instituted marriage, and the union was to be between a man and woman, not a man and man, or woman and woman.

This is where I will step on (your) toes. God calls us to love the people committing the sin, but hating the sin itself. So, going back to our example above, I am to love gay people, but hate the sin that they are caught up in. Yes, that's right. You heard me. Homosexuality is a sin. We are to hate it.

This of course is only one example, but the way of thinking can be applied to all areas of life. Pornography, alcoholism, gambling, etc. These are all vices, sins, that the devil uses to distract us from having a right relationship with God. But what about shopping, or watching movies? Are these things sin as well? People are addicted to watching movies and shopping as well. 

It is time to start thinking about the things in our/your lives which distract us from walking wholly with God. It is time to step out of our comfortable rut, and bring awareness to issues that need dealing with. This can all be done in a loving, caring way, showing the Grace of God, and the healing that only he can bring.

P.S. I know that posting this type of article will raise flags. People will respond by saying that I am simply a Homophobe. I will respond right now by telling you this: I am not a homophobe, but WE MUST BEGIN TO SEPARATE THE ISSUE OF THE SIN FROM THE PERSON WHO IS COMMITTING THE SIN. We must show love. God loves the unbeliever who is caught up in sin just as much as he loves the believer who is caught up in sin.

Tragedy!!

The worst thing that could happen to me occurred this week.

I MISSED THE DAYTONA 500.

The greatest event in sports, and I missed it.

For shame.

I did a hard thing!

I thank God daily in my prayers for the strength that he gives me, for the grace and mercy i do not deserve, and for the forgiveness i did not, or could never earn. I thank God for the wisdom he gave me to carry out his will in my life, and i thank God for always being with me, guiding me through his spirit, guiding me in thought, in word, and in deed. 

Yesterday i "did a hard thing." As you may know i am a youth leader, but as yet i had not given a sermon in church. It is almost intimidating having everyone look at you, expecting you to challenge them, and still make it fun. 

I recall about a year ago a friend named Ben MacMichael did his first sermon as well. He mentioned when he first started that  he was happy the pulpit was there, so that we couldn't see his shaking knees. Now i know how he felt.

Anyway, the sermon topic was "Do Hard Things." It was based in part by a book of the same name written by Alex & Brett Harris. I thought i would give a rough outline of the sermon here without illustrations. I'm sure when you think in your own life, you can come up with enough of your own.

1. The First Scary Step: How to do hard things that take you outside your comfort zone.
2. Raising the Bar: How to do hard things that go beyond what's expected or required.
3. The Power of Collaboration: How to do hard things that are too big for you to do alone.
4. Small Hard Things: How to do hard things that don't pay off immediately.
5. Taking a Stand: How to do hard things that go against the crowd.

These were the 5 areas of hard things that i spoke on. Then i gave a quick guide to start doing those hard things.

1. Read the Word of God. Get into the Bible (Rev. 10:8).
2. Meditate on the Word of God (Rev. 10:9).
3. Pray (1 Thess. 5:16-17).
4. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2; see also Matt. 26:36-46, Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking that if the cup cannot be passed over him, that his will would conform to the Father's).

That was it in a nutshell. I was slightly nervous, which is to be expected, but God gave me the strength to get through.

The First Cup

Alas, I have finally succumbed to the advance in technology. Much like that first cup of coffee in the morning, this is the start of something grand! (at least maybe) 

As the past  few years have whirled by at an alarming rate, I find that I am increasingly more adaptive to the advancement of technology. I suppose not all things that advance now a days are not that bad. As I entered a new field, namely youth leadership, having to use computers took on a whole new meaning. Then I decided that I should go back to school. Realizing that the world does not sit still, I was still rather surprised when, upon entering school, was informed that all assignments were to be handed in on printed paper, Times New Roman, 12 point font. WHAT? Back when I was in school, ah the good old days, we would get in trouble for handing in any assignment that was not hand written. If it came off a computer, we would get grades docked, and still have to redo the assignment, in writing.

I decided when I went back to school to bite the bullet, and get a computer, which until this time I did not have. I did not want a PC however, as the many different versions of windows ticked me off. So I went with the Mac. What a wonderful machine. Personally, I find the Mac a far superior machine. Much more manageable. 

And so with that, here I am. Inviting you into a little bit of my world for what I am sure will be the adventure of a lifetime. I must admit, I did struggle with starting a blog. First, what name do I give it? What will be the intent of the blog? Will it be just another aimless site with not much to say? As I contemplated these questions, the one eventually answered the other and so on. I ended up starting with what type of content I would be putting on the blog. I realized that I want to post things that may be preachy at times, and perhaps even a short devo or Bible study. But I also wanted to be able to talk about the lesser things in life, like why the Canadian NHL teams are all doing poorly, or the crazy skating rink that was southern Manitoba last week. When I realized that the scope of my writing might be rather grand, I likened it to having a chat with a friend in a coffee shop. If you have ever chatted in a coffee shop, I do not need to tell you that the conversation can quickly go from one thing to another. Serious to the best joke you have ever heard. So with that...Over a Hot Cup of Coffee was born.

I hope you will join me for another cup real soon. I shall retreat, and finish all my last minute prep for my first ever sermon tomorrow. Until then, keep...Doing Hard Things.