Good TV

It's so hard to find good television these days. I don't watch a lot of TV, in fact I actually think its a waste of time. There is so much more to do in life that that. However, there are times when I need to wind down at the end of a day that it comes in handy.

That said, Sharalyn and I are very strict about what we watch. We won't watch anything with foul language or with any sexual content at all. You can imagine how that leaves little to choose from these days. I know some will look at our choice of how we choose our media and think we are overly strict. We are simply trying to live out Philippians 4:8 as best we know how.

We have watched much of the Flashpoint and The Listener series on CTV Online. These are generally clean, and actually have decent, albeit sometimes predictable, plots. We just watched episode 11 of 13 in the first season of The Listener and I was fearful at the end of it that it might become sexual in its content as the main couple had a date. Not so; thus we are able to continue watching.

Vacation

Starting tomorrow we are on the next leg of our vacation. We are actually going to camp for the week, I will be the speaker. In some ways this is really similar to working for me - preparing a message, leading a bible study, praying with campers and staff... On the surface it doesn't seem like a vacation.

However, we have a free place to stay, free food, no dishes to do, no food to cook, lots of fun things to do for free, and no chores around home attracting (repelling?) our attention. Add to that my children experiencing camp and my being able to speak from God's Word.

Last summer we took the same vacation and loved it! I had lots of free time to play with my kids, to read, to nap, to read my bible, pray.

We are looking forward to Camp Peniel tomorrow!

Hello from TI09 Saint John!

We've been having a fantastic week!

During the days our students have served children, worked with a ministry called Outflow which feeds hungry people, & ate like & with homeless people in SJ.

We have had a bonfire, gone swimming, eaten together & played practical jokes. We have worshipped together, cried together, prayed together & grown closer to each other & to God!

Pray for our final day tomorrow & our trip home on Saturday – that we will all be healthy, filled with energy & eager for Jesus to transform us even more!

Joy

This summer at our church we have chosen to teach through the Fruit of the Spirit on Sunday mornings. The series is called Cultivating Character. As we were working on the series a few months ago and choosing who would speak each week it was decided that I would speak on Joy.

This past Sunday morning was the day. As I thought about this message weeks ago, I became more and more convinced that I could not speak it. Joy, according to scripture [James 1:2-4 and others] is something that Jesus followers experience in the middle of testing and difficulty, struggle and hardship. Its' something that we choose to experience, knowing that the worst things that we can endure in life serve as teaching ground for God to grow into the image of Christ. We grow more in our faith through the things that are hard, and God's working in our lives through them, than ever we will on our easy days. I could not speak this message because I have not suffered in ways that so many have. My family is intact, my children are all healthy, I have not experienced significant loss or struggle.

But I knew who had. Laura is a graduate from our youth ministry who is serving this summer as a student intern with our church for the fourth summer. Last summer at the end of August, one of Laura's brothers passed away in a tragic car accident. Through this Laura [and her family] have begun to understand the joy of growth and closeness to God that can only come through hardship.

So, on Sunday, I was the introduction. I spoke about James 1:2-4 and defined joy properly. Then I introduced Laura. She spoke powerfully, and God used her mightily. Many people were moved, and will remember for a long time her illustration about under ducks. I am so glad that God gave her the courage to speak. You can listen to her message: here.

Sign Posts

I've been reading The Jesus Way by Eugene Peterson. There was been lots to think about as he encourages readers to see what Jesus really meant by the word way.

One particular phrase has stuck in my mind so far. In discussing the Old Testament, Peterson says that God progressively allows himself to be known. First by name, second by story and third by sign post. What he means is that the level of intimacy in the relationship between God and people increases gradually.

This has caused me to think. As I work in the children and youth ministry world of the church, I believe that we need to function on these three levels. First, we need to know the names of the children and students we serve. Few other words have the same impact as their own names - knowing that they are known and valued. Second, we need to have a sense of shared story with those we serve. Shared conversation, shared experiences, and spaces for us to share our story and how it mingles with God's. Third, we need to create sign posts.

Peterson refers to Mt. Sinai and the burning bush as sign posts in Moses' life which served to point the people to God. To his list I would add the crossing of the read sea and the raising of the snake in the wilderness and many others. Sign posts serve as reference points. When we are seeking direction ahead, they serve to remind us of the significant places / moments behind us.

How do we create sign posts in ministry to children and youth? This concept is currently occupying my thoughts.