Sustainer

God is our sustainer.  We know this.  We sing about it, we listen to sermons about it, if we are preachers or teachers we tell stories about it.  Its part of our christian speak, its one of the things we believe,  yet often skate right over grasping deeply.  Our cultural practices aren't helpful either, we don't leave a lot of room for being 'sustained'.  We ensure all of our needs are met, our plans are carefully exectuted, t's are crossed and i's are dotted.

In spite of us,  God intrudes into our independent and insulated lives.  He speaks, He moves, He guides, He teaches.  Maybe we miss it more than we observe it.

This is Leadership Week at Bethany.  All of the student leaders (RA's, interns, and student council) are on campus for a while before everyone else comes this weekend.  It's been great having these amazing young people around.  The campus is alive.  there is learning in all sorts of spaces, mostly not classrooms!  Students are praying and talking in quiet little groups, they're singing worship songs accompanied by a lone guitar, they're seeking out mentors from staff and faculty, they're preparing spiritually for the year ahead.  Finally, we remember why we're here, and all petty worries about the papers on our desk and the mountain of work is put into perspective.

Into this context God has made it clearer than ever to me that He is our sustainer.  In our lives, in our families, at Bethany College, he sustains and provides for it all.  He holds it all together, and that is for some reason so much more than a sunday school lesson today. 

It is a privilege to be part of the Leadership team at Bethany College.   Today, we were invited to join the end of a footwashing service, where young leaders dedicated themselves to the task of serving the students who have not yet arrived on campus.  As I walked into the chapel at the end of the service, my eyes were immediately teary, there was something heavy and beautiful and ALIVE in that room.  There was a pulsing, vibrant sense of love and dedication, of surrender and faith that could only be missed by the hardest of hearts.  I was humbled by the privilege of praying into the lives and ministry of future world changers who long to be trained and prepared for a life of service.  I was deeply and poignantly reminded why I'm at Bethany, why any of us is at Bethany, and what all of us are working toward.. and how much bigger than Bethany that purpose is.

a repeated message throughtout the week and the day: And God Sustains It All.

I've found my theme word for the year.

Local Events

We're planning to check out a couple of events locally this weekend:

World Vision is presenting One Life; a presentation that will promote understanding and awareness about AIDS as a global concern.

http://http//www.worldvision.ca/ContentArchives/content-stories/Pages/OneLifeExperienceKicksOffCross-CanadaTour.aspx

There is something that I heard about called the We Are Many festival. Its a multi generational fair, with childrens performers, workshops, an arts emphasis, and lots of other informative stuff that helps us understand and bring home sustainability concerns.

http://www.wearemanyfestival.com/

reflections, raspberries, and God speaks...

I had a great opportunity to hang out with a very young man over the weekend. (I was babysitting a 3 year old) His visit was so timely, and was occasion to 'tie up' some things that have been going around and around in my head for quite some time. Some explanation...

Before we moved to Hepburn, our kids were just starting to move towards greater independence. Owen had started biking to friends houses who lived a few blocks away, Sydney was growing in her interest and ability to make some of her own plans and decisions. Moving from the inner city to a small village opened the door to way more exploration and independence on both their parts. We just had the first year where there were no sitters needed for inservices from school, and they've spent a summer with many unsupervised days. How did we get here so fast? And there was so much I still wanted to do and teach them while they were really little, I didn't get the chance....
Clearly, I haven't exactly been embracing this 'increased independence' concept, so the whole year has felt like being asked to let go of something I'm not nearly ready to admit exists, never mind let go of. My young visitor provided the context for me to get over it!!.... As I watched my kids interact with him a bit, Owen gave him a big hug, and the familiarity he had with this little guy was heartwarming. Sydney played and read with him, and he followed her around asking lots of questions, which she patiently answered, giggling at the language of a 3 year old. I suddenly realized my kids are in a stage where they need less 'care' (in some ways), and where they're learning and preparing more and more to care for others. (I know this will be a long stage!) And .... maybe its too early to say, but I feel okay with it - finally!

Another reflection:
I was picking raspberries over the weekend, and I noticed that only some of the bushes produce fruit. I remember learning that raspberry plants produce fruit only every 2nd year. I was astonished, now that its late in the season, to notice that the 'fruit bearing' bushes are looking pretty grim by now. They're exhausted, tired, worn out. Not only is the fruit gone, but the leaves are dried up and the branches are spindly. They look as if they've become totally spent in the process of bearing fruit. ... The bushes that didn't produce any berries this year, however, look lush and healthy. They're downright robust. Not a raspberry in sight, but beautiful, fruitless green leaves and healthy branches galore! Hmmm.

And a final thought:
Monday, I took the day off. I wanted to hang out with the kids before school starts. I also promised myself that I'd have healthier work habits this year. I ended up having one of those really yucky upsets with my son. (Not the day I envisioned!) ... The kind where I needed to ask his forgiveness, but I had really been pushed beyond any reasonable boundary testing to a ridiculously unacceptable place. In our house we're not supposed to say "I'm sorry, but (insert reason why I don't truly have to take responsibility for my actions here). " We're supposed to simply say "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" However, I found myself saying "I'm sorry, but... " I guess parents have that prerogative?!?! Anyway, a few miserable hours went by, while a very sorry boy spent some time actually reflecting ... and then demonstrated genuine repentance. It had a fragrance (just a whiff, but it was unmistakable!) of maturity. The kind I don't think I've seen before. The kind that is necessary for real understanding. Wow. I really wish it was easier to get to those places. I wish there was a map that gave us really clear directions, avoided all the bumpy, rotten, stinky spots and arrived at the sweetest, perfectest destination, without any scratches, bruises, upsets, or scars. I haven't found that map yet. Until then, I'll take the messy stuff that leads to the Wow! moments. Just maybe not everyday.... !

So three little reflections that pretty much summarize my times and talks with God over the last few days. Sometimes, this is how He speaks. Through little visits, tiny interactions, young people, messy situations, creation, broken places, gentle guidance ... all coming together to say: "I'm here.. I'm with you... "

Inspired

I've been at the Leadership Summit, an annual gathering of awesome leaders from various sectors who come together to teach and inspire people all over the world (via Satellite Feed).  Right now, its almost midnight and I can't sleep because I'm compelled to do something with all the phrases, thoughts, ideas, and axioms (thats for you, Lisa!) jumping around and bumping into each other inside my head.  

Here are some of the inspiring messages and words I need to "deposit" for now:

• Redemptive.  Redemption.  Redeemed
• When something is "funky", engage.  Ignoring stuff thats easier to NOT deal with does not make it go away.

• People move very slowly between believing in Jesus and being completely Jesus centred.  Lots of people park at belief for their whole lives.  They're missing out.
• Leaders call fouls; its part of the territory.  They even call them on themselves.
• We've spiritualized mediocrity.
• Take responsibility.  
  
• confess.  
• I will refuse God nothing.  I will respond to Him without delay.
• Unapologetic.
• holy discontent
• heal wounds. reconcile people to eachother.
• inexperience can be an asset.
• failure isn't an option.  It's a necessity.
• the culture is not to blame.
• Bring it on.
• They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
• Carte blanche pour mon Seigneur.  Chaque jour.  Tout le temps.  Vraiment.
• we pursue being totally safe.  and we end up being totally stuck.
• in a world of pain and suffering, despair.. the church really is the plan for healing, redemption, and hope.  Like, for really real.  Not just words or concepts, we're it.
• ijm.ca
• your wallet and your schedule follow your heart.
• spiritual growth is scandalously simple.
• extravagant love.  extravagant beauty.  extravagant joy.
• evaluate by outcome.
• Calling is holy.  
• love and abide.  love and abide.  love and abide.
• Dignity and love for all.

Ahh..thats it.  I will not think about the great books I noted, or that Brendan bought.  I will not make mental outlines of the Bethany implementation list.  I will not summarize the insights gleaned by categories inside my head.  Now, I will sleep... but be advised ... the next couple posts will likely be more of the same.. though, hopefully more coherent...

summer-y stuff

A post about our summer so far...

.. the kids checking out the changes to their rooms, after mom and dad had spent some kid-free time sprucing them up...



Bren and I after an awesome bike ride immediately following a rain storm... we were wet and muddy. ...see?!?
spraying the dogs from the shed roof - and making them jump, bark, and yelp as if they were on fire.

other stuff we've been up to - this is a mixup of the whole family's activities:

• lots of good bike rides. There's the small square (Hildebrand-Klein) and the big square (Andres-Peters-Fehr-Van Kuik)
• lots of bbq suppers, followed by smores. Great when its just us, great when there are extra friends!
• getting things done in the house and yard - enjoying the new spaces and feeling of being settled
• reading: Sydney has discovered the Heartland series for young girls, Kelly is reading the Source (started in early July and still not done!), and Bren is reading two books: one about WW2, and one called BOOM, about the 60's decade.
• working; Shepherd's Villa is hoping to implement a new day program for older residents, and I'm working on year end/audit. Owen's job is to mow the large lawn.. payment will be a new amp in the fall...
• getting ready for a couple of new Bethany staff coming to Hepburn, realizing that we've been here for a year already!
• trying to motivate the kids to not spend too much time on the couch... or too much money on the new slushies at the Co-op
• spending lots of time at the Jeschke's - that's only one member of the family :) - and he's often in their hot tub
• applying for seminary
• starting to learn how to play killer bunnies (ah.. um.. you just kill eachother's bunnies. that's it.. what's to learn?!?)
• getting to know our friends and neighbors better
• thinking about ways to deepen the experience or practice of living in community. Wondering if it's necessary. Praying.

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will
fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13