Acts 2:42-43 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

At my church in recent months, we have been “intentionally wandering” through the Acts of the Apostles in the preaching portion of our Sunday worship services.  As I’ve listened to our pastors share their insights of the lives and times of those who made up the early church, it has struck me how the relative simplicity of New Testament Israel posed the same challenges to Jesus followers as we face in our 21^st century “post-Christian” environment.

But Acts is not squeaky clean – there’s some pretty uncomfortable narrative in this historic account as well.  It is no surprise that most instances of dysfunction in the early church source back to abandoning the approach which focused on God and his call, and moved to actions that were self-serving and self-interested.  The restatement of expectation by the apostles, and a call to confession and forgiveness became the pattern for restoration.  In healing, it was always less about the individual and more about the congregation as a “God’s kingdom on earth”.

Continue reading “20181115 We’re all on the same side” →

Ahhh, springtime – that time of year when we remember what it is like to bathe in the beauty of a warm sun and enjoy mild to hot temperatures during the day.  Oh, but when those nights hot up – then everything changes!  We get to school and people are muttering about sleepless nights.  And they’re slightly cranky, a bit “off their game”.  And, the kids … so hard to get to school … unsettled in the yard and in class.  But, holidays are coming soon – let’s “hope” we can all hold out.  And still, there’s plenty to do, lots of classes, activities, end-of-year events, celebrations, finishing up 2018, setting up 2019.  Plenty of opportunity to succeed, which means failure is close by as well.  Opportunities to fear, and opportunities for hope, grace and mercy.  As a community of Jesus followers, we know what God’s victory looks like.  Or do we.

“Blessed are the peacemakers – for they will be called children of God”. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Continue reading “20181101 Things are hotting up!” →

“The Sounds of Silence.”
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
(excerpt from the song “Sound(s) of Silence” Songwriter: Paul Simon;
First Performance: Simon and Garfunkel, 1964.)

Written five and a half decades ago, this song’s lyrics are eerily relevant to the modern-day public discourse.  Never, at any time in human history, has there been a time where more is being spoken – after all, the exponential growth in the world’s population means more conversations are happening each and every day.

Continue reading “20181019 A Series on Uncomfortable Conversations Part 3” →

Part 2.  “Navigating Difference”

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. 

Continue reading “20180906 A Series of Uncomfortable Conversations … Part 2” →