13 Hours of Rain

We were challenged this Sunday to intentionally ask fellow believers if they confessed their need of Jesus today and if they read their Bible today. The speaker wasn't being rhetorical in his challenge, but rather desired for each one of us to ask one person, every day, this week, those hard -- but essential -- questions, until next Sunday. Part of me cringed at the thought, envisioning the whole awkwardness of the scenario, the quasi-judgmental nature of the query. What would a person think if I bluntly asked them, "So... did you read your Bible today? What did you read? Did you pray to Christ that you need Him to save you today?" Whoa... hold on a minute... My sister is a woman of refreshing candor. I know that eventually, in a face-to-face conversation, she will ask me how I am doing spiritually. Often, she'll phrase it as, "So, how is your heart today?" I know the aim of her sentimental question. She wants me to disclose the deep down "spiritual s...

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" I have heard this message twice over two days. First, when I read the Jesus Storybook Bible rendition of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel, when she received the message that she was going to be the mother of the Christ child. Second, as your Daddy read the story of Abraham and Sarah, where Sarah heard the promise of her bearing a son, even though her body was 90 years old. I've been having interesting dreams lately. Some are "teacher dreams" where a class goes completely berserk and I am doing my utmost to control the kids. I chalk this up as normal, as I will be entering the classroom as a substitute teacher in the fall. My worst teaching fears are coming out in my sleep. Other dreams are random events, probably me processing elements of the day. But there is a category of dreams that are vivid. These dreams often require action, either on a creative level or a spiritual level. You kids have been introduced to T...

I've entered the play date world. Not the one where I arrange an outing for a Mom and I to visit while our kids play together. But rather the one where a kid randomly shows up at our house and asks, "Can I come over to play?" Or, "Can A. come to my house to play?" Okay, I am a bit of a control freak. I don't think I am as obsessive as the definition of the phrase implies. But I do need a measure of control over aspects of my life and the lives of you children. I don't enjoy just letting people come over "willy-nilly", especially if it happens often. And, it really bothers me when I have no idea if the parent has even allowed their kid to meander over. While I do consider myself a hospitable person who is eager to open our home to others, the introvert side of me cherishes family time without the presence of visitors. As for you visiting your friend's home? I am okay if I know the parents and if a parent is present. If I have no idea who...

I take a spade to the front flower bed and dig out the quackgrass that tends to infiltrate the south edge. I firmly push the shiny blade with my foot. I uproot some of the underground rhizomes. I pull and discard plants with my gloved hands. "So, Mommy, can we make a plan about what we will plant this year?" A. asks. "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to weed," I mutter (Sorry, I was not the most inspirational Mother at that moment). "Can we talk about it anyway?" A. persists. "Sure." "Can we plant peas? I like peas," J. adds. "Yes." "And carrots?" A. asks. "Yes. We'll plant short ones." "How about cucumbers?" A. continues. "Maybe." "Broccoli? I love broccoli!" A. exclaims. "Probably not. Broccoli is hard to grow." You kids continue to dream, imaging the garden we can grow in our limited space. I keep on weeding,...

There is no shortage of causes to give to. Take our faith community for an example. Just in the last couple of months, there have been financial appeals for at least five different fundraising campaigns. Each cause has been advertised from the pulpit and deemed worthy of patronage. All of this is in addition to the general budget the organization needs to raise to meet operating costs. Step outside of the church, and another wave of giving opportunities hits. Disease research campaigns. Red Cross appeals for earthquake ravaged Nepal. Environment and green funds. Political party donations. Local sports clubs. School fundraisers. Sponsor-a-child agencies. Then, on top of all that, are the financial needs of extended family and friends! There are some days I feel overwhelmed and stretched in my giving. Other days I feel guilty that I'm not giving enough. I am a huge advocate of generosity, especially as a resident of a "first world" country. I acknowledge that I ...

There are times you may be asked to do something out of your comfort zone. Like attending a baby shower of a friend from another religion. Yesterday, we found ourselves invited to a family celebration. We were the minority on several levels. We were the Christian family with the white husband, the brown wife and the beige children. I try my best to prepare for such events. I have some experience as the daughter of Indian parents, who are now long term citizens of this land. I have attended Indian gatherings in the past, attired in my salwar kameez . I've dusted off my rusty Hindi/Urdu and attempted a few conversations. I've smiled and nodded and indulged in tandoori chicken and gulab jamuns . Yet, in spite of all the ways I had the appearance of belonging, I was giggling inside. While slightly trembling with fright... I so did not fit in. Last night was no exception. (Though as I've aged, I don't tremble as much anymore.) At the whole family baby shower (...

Autumn lingers, showcasing leaves that have slowly ripened into brilliant yellow, orange and red. The season of Christmas rush and winter hibernation is just around the corner. A tentative gift budget has been struck. Rakes comb our backyard to prepare for snow. And I pause and savor the cool mornings, warm afternoons and the chill of night frost. Change is coming. One side screams with anger and sorrow. Another side whispers hope. On Wednesday, October 22, our country woke up to a different reality. Acts of terror rocked our nation’s capital. The battles fought way over there descended for a moment within the House of Commons. Sorrow flowed. Anger was expressed. Our collective resolve to stand firm was punctuated by political speeches. Fears were calmed with promises of a more secure country. I was saddened that day, saddened over images of citizens and paramedics frantically trying to bring a dying soldier back to life; saddened to know that there is a six year old boy out th...

It began with some national inspiration, the idea to open our home to newcomers or immigrants and share thanksgiving. The weekend approached. We were informed an Irish fellow was to be our guest. But our city organizer was unable to make contact. And I had bought all this food planning on welcoming a family of four. Plans were changed. Your Daddy persevered in spite of my temptation to "just forget it". A last minute invitation was offered. And a couple from your Daddy's place of work graced our table to partake in turkey, Cabernet Sauvignon and pumpkin pie. It was a good time. I hate to admit it, but I really struggled with misplaced missionary zeal while promoting and anticipating this event. I had aspirations of being used by God to transform a newcomer's life, so much so, that they would dramatically profess faith in Christ and testify to the power of hospitality. "See what happens when you open your home to strangers? The church grows! Let's all d...

This Fall, it will be four years since we moved to this small prairie city. And I realize I am not chasing church anymore. Chasing church? Sounds strange, doesn't it? Let me explain. I am expending less energy on trying to fit in at my place of worship. Instead, I am allowing God to bring people along my path that fit with me and our family's passions and interests. At the Family Camp we were recently at, your Daddy and I had an opportunity to connect with a woman who attends our church with her husband. Because of their ministry, they attend sporadically. As a result, they don't feel like they are building relationships within our church. Your Daddy and I shared with her how we often felt the same, that we didn't fit into the existing groups that comprised our congregation, in spite of our church's overall welcoming spirit. Our collective struggle encouraged us and this woman to pursue relationships with people like us. After all, there are probably more people i...

Yesterday, we had the privilege to attend a nephew's baptism. I love baptisms. It is truly exciting to witness people making a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. This particular service also addressed issues I have been thinking about, namely the "Art of Neighboring". The pastors of this church have been speaking about how to love the literal neighbors around you as well as your "neighbors" at work. I applaud the pastors for embracing this topic. It is very relevant. After all, if we are supposed to transform our communities with the love of Christ, we have to start somewhere. It begins with us, as individuals, as families. We cannot expect our church leaders or church programs to do the job all by themselves. The speaker also suggested 10 ways to connect with others (in bold). I've added my thoughts to expand upon the points. 1. Eat with other people . Invite people in your house for meals. Take people out to restaurants. Attend potlucks. 2. Work/pl...

Right now the wind is rustling the leaves of the lush trees in our back yard. The chimes sound out a pleasant note or two. Birds chirp. And yes, some annoying truck is making its presence known. It is an almost perfect moment. You kids are watching a show so I can write. We live in a region of the world that experiences peace more than turmoil. But scan the news headlines, and violence is near. The eastern part of our country is still reeling in grief over RCMP officers being gunned down. The country south of here is being bombarded with mass shootings in public places, often initiated by "good" citizens. Half way across the world, militants unleash terror on cities and nations while locals wonder if they will be alive to eat breakfast the next day. And yet here, it is calm. I hear a lawn mover cutting green grass and a central vacuum system whirling in the background. Oh, I know all is not well in people's lives. Domestic violence is a problem no matter where you go....

There is something about attending a Missionary event. You hear stories of the "front lines", so to speak. Miracles. Healings. Life changing conversions. The Power of Prayer. Oh, I know not everything is glorious overseas. My short times in such contexts have illustrated the hum-drum of everyday-ness. Yet, there was an expectancy that God will do something to draw people to Himself. Shouldn't we in North America have the same expectancy? Last week I heard a missionary speak. She commented on the apparent disconnect between displays of God's power in developing countries and affluent countries. She concluded that we probably don't see many miracles here because we are too self-reliant. We don't need God. We are not desperate for Divine intervention. There is always some financial system, some medical institution or some person who can help us out. Thus God shows up where He is truly sought. And often that is where the poorest of the poor reside. Yet, ther...

I experienced a moment of candor today (for which I am thankful). I was visiting with an international during a community play group for preschoolers. We chatted about where she was from and what brought her here. Love, her husband, a place to raise their family, I was told. So I asked her, "What do you think of this city? And you can be honest." And she was. While she praised our community for its safety, beauty and quiet, she also disclosed her disappointment over the majority's mindset. As a community, we are afraid of diversity, since it seems to threaten what we believe. She went on to state that she once visited a local church where the speaker went on about how Muslims were infiltrating our society and how we better make a stand before they erect a Mosque. "It took everything for me to not get up and leave the service," she pauses and adds, "I don't go to church." The interesting thing, I, a Christian, could actually relate with her, even ...

Here are some excerpts from a sermon that has me thinking today: But what if the [Gospel of Christ] mattered? What if we are told to “Go and make disciples”? What if the message and ministry of reconciliation was truly entrusted to us? What if we are God’s plan for reaching this world? You weren’t created just to consume resources - to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. While many best-selling books offer advice on how "get" the most out of life, that’s not the reason God made you. You were created to "add" to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. You were placed here for a special assignment. Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us up to heaven the moment we accept His grace? Why does He leave us in a fallen world? He leaves us here to fulfill His purposes. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for His goals. God has a ministry for you in ...

In our care group, the conversation went off on a tangent to explore the implications of evangelism. What if that undesirable person walked into our church? What if? Would we be okay with it? Would we accept that person or family with the same grace and love God offers through His son Jesus? Or would we immediately judge them, reform them, and – dare I say – undermine the convicting work of the Holy Spirit by condemning them to an unsavory finality? In addition to these questions, I was also encouraged and affirmed for taking the step of obedience and sharing my words of exhortation with the church the Sunday previous (see On Being a Missionary (Here?) ). What I had to say was challenging and the questions I asked revealed the flawed nature of how the North American church, in general, shares the Gospel of Christ. We equate evangelism with somehow leading a person to attend our church programs instead of leading them to Christ. Deep down inside, we want someone else more qualified to...

My dear children, one day you will be faced with the realities of the "Great Commission", a command issued by Jesus to His disciples two thousand years ago in Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Often when we contemplate the "Great Commission", we equate it with the work of a Missionary, in another country. We forget that ALL believers are entrusted with sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in Word and Deed. Thus, I ask, what if we truly believed we were missionaries to the cities and towns and villages we live in, here in "Christian influenced" North America? How would this idea change how we approach our day-to-da...

Why is the 20 - 40 something crowd in our church community just not into Missions? Is this typical? Or is our place of worship an anomaly in the grander scheme of Christian things? Many of our young families support Operation Christmas Child by frantically packing boxes of little surprises for underprivileged kids in third-world countries. But when it comes to attending a Missions event to hear a Missionary couple share their exciting stories in some foreign country, the crowd is visibly gray-haired. Is the lack of interest in the area of evangelical missions due to larger commitments to local ministries? Is the idea of travelling overseas to share the message of Christ an undesirable concept since we live in a society that touts tolerance as an axiom, so much so, that it becomes politically incorrect to promote Jesus as the Only Way? Has promoting the social gospel in foreign settings (e.g. building wells, feeding the hungry, etc.) trumped the act of actually speaking the life chan...

I am encouraged on how God equips us for ministry, even in subtle, somewhat insignificant ways. This last weekend was just that. It all started with God placing me in the right mental space. Kids, you will probably figure out soon enough that I struggle with pure spontaneity. At times I appear spontaneous to others, especially when I burst into a room and suddenly inform your Daddy, "Let's go for ice cream now and then we'll do this and that!" While the idea seems fresh with excitement, it has been thought over for at least a few minutes to assess the feasibility of the adventure. Hardly ever do I act before I think. Anyway, your Nana and Nani had planned to visit last weekend. But due to circumstances beyond their control, the encounter was postponed to a more opportune time. Regardless, I was still in hospitality mode. Sunday morning arrived and I mused to myself, "Wouldn't it be nice to extend a lunch invite to some of my friends? Oh, I have nothing p...

Dear Children, Years ago, your Nana, Nani, Mausies, Mamu, and I travelled to Ontario for a family wedding. Since the bride's house was filled with immediate family, we were billeted at the home of an elderly couple from our relatives' church. This couple was an inspiration! They had rearranged their home so that one section was furnished for the exclusive use of visiting missionaries and their families. There were several guest rooms and even a separate living room for tired minds and souls to enjoy in quiet solitude. In the morning, a delicious breakfast appeared at the dining room table to be savoured just as family. In the background, a huge bulletin board was filled with innumerable missionary prayers cards. This home was a retreat, a peaceful respite, a place to hear God's voice when away from foreign lands. I hoped that my home would be like this one day. We are currently in the midst of a Missions emphasis at our church for the month of April. Your Dadd...

Dear Children, At this point in time, you are not official Christ-followers. You haven't intentionally accepted God's Gift of Grace through Jesus' atoning Death on the cross and triumphant, divine Resurrection. But we, as your parents, believe, in faith, that you will joyfully embrace the Words of Life found in the Bible, one day. And when that happens, you will be faced with the command of God to make that Good News known to others in your circle of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers. Now, this post isn't really how to share the salvation found in Christ in some five-step procedure that is supposed to work every time if you apply it correctly. These formulas were very popular in modernist times of the past century. Now-a-days, building relationships with others is key to even have the right to delve into spiritual matters. Authentic, caring friendships that result in sharing each other's lives in context are valued instead of agenda-driven, door-to-door,...