“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” Agatha Christie
“It isn’t hypocrisy to reach for more than we can currently grasp. It isn’t hypocrisy to pursue a purer, braver, more honorable lifestyle than we now possess.” Jim McGuiggan
“I was brought up in a Christian environment where, because God had to be given pre-eminence, nothing else was allowed to be important. I have broken through to the position that because God exists, everything has significance.” Evangeline Paterson
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out." Unknown
“There are two types of people - those who come into a room and say ‘Well, here I am’, and those who come into a room and say, ‘Ah, there you are!’” Unknown
“Never let that which you do not understand rob you of the value of that which you do understand, for the one is founded upon your knowledge and the other upon your ignorance. Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts. Never make the fatal mistake of believing your doubts and doubting your beliefs.” Unknown
“The poorest of all are those who don’t know the one to thank for the sunshine or to trust in the dark” Unknown
“To be known and still loved is perhaps the greatest thrill of the human soul.” Dave Currie
If you have a favorite quote I’d love to hear from you. Why not send it to me and we’ll post it for others to appreciate.
Steve
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tales of the Riverbank
It was really nice and sunny and quite warm on Tuesday so Florence and I took a walk down by the river. I took this picture of the ice breaking up. Like a lot of people, I’m pretty anxious for any sign of Spring. We also found some tracks that I thought might have been made by a fisher. I sent this picture to my brother Curtis and he said he thinks they are and that their population seems to be up. I was pretty sure I saw one down by the river this past fall but wasn’t close enough to make a definite identification.
You get to see a lot of wildlife when you live on a river bank. Sometimes it reminds me of that show that used to be on when I was a kid that was called ‘Tales of the River Bank’. Only in that one, the animals talked and had tea parties and stuff. Any of you remember that one? It was a CBC production (1959-1961).The main characters were rodents, Roderick the Rat and Hammy the Hamster. In supporting parts were Mrs. Duck, Mrs. Hen, Mr. Weasel, Mr. Guinea-Pig, and Mr. Squirrel.
I also had a fairly large collection of Thornton W. Burgess bedtime story books when I was a kid. I ended up giving them all away after I ‘outgrew’ them but I remember some of the characters… Peter Rabbit, Patty the Beaver, Jimmy Skunk, Sammy Jay, Uncle Billy Possum, Reddy Fox, Prickly Porky, Bobby Coon, Jerry Muskrat … and some really neat places like the Laughing Brook, Smiling Pool and Old Briar Patch. There was a human presence that occasionally made the scene as Farmer Brown would sometimes make it into the story line, but it was always only a cameo performance. After all, Farmer Brown lived way clear up beyond the fields and the story lines were always told from the perspective of the forest animals. As a child, I found that to be totally fascinating. I think it was because I was ‘Farmer Brown’ and I lived way up beyond the field. And though I loved to visit ‘the woods’ every chance I had, and very often did, it was totally cool to be able to read what went on when I wasn’t around!
O well, just a little trip down memory lane. Not sure what purpose it serves if any but it is fun to remember isn’t it! Maybe it’s like taking a mini-vacation. Come on Spring.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Emotional Intelligence
I guess people have been aware for a long time that there are different types of intelligence. Someone years ago coined the phrase ‘book smart’ to describe a person who excels in academics while, by implication, lacks a practical knowledge in everyday kind of stuff.
For my part, I have always wondered why so many really intelligent people struggle so much, both in areas of personal well being, and with a lack of healthy interactions with others.
A while back I came across an article in the May/June 08 issue of REV Magazine by Maurice Graham. In that article, he references some research done by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, who studied non-cognitive aspects of intelligence and who first coined the phrase ‘emotional intelligence’ in 1990.
Graham writes that, “Initially, they described emotional intelligence as ‘a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions’”. He says also that they later revised their definition of emotional intelligence in this way: “Emotional intelligence involves the ability to perceive accurately, appraise, and express emotion; the ability to access and/or generate feelings when they facilitate thought; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; and the ability to regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth.”
I found this all very interesting, as I suspect you do as well, because it really explains a lot when you think of it. Our emotions are indication of what is really happening in our hearts after all, and so there is a strong, albeit mysterious, connection between our thoughts and our feelings. Of course, the pressing question in one’s mind when considering this line of thought quickly becomes, can this type of understanding be gained in the same way that you would gain more cognitive intelligence?
The author suggests it is very possible, though not easy. Many of these things are learned, or not learned, at a very early age. He writes, “The (person’s) family of origin provides the incubator for the development of relational skills, which powerfully effect the (person’s) ability to engage in healthy relationships at home and in (community).”
When I read that, I was caused to think of my own parents who modeled incredible relational skills of listening and empathy and the like. I am completely certain that I owe a great debt to them for any success I have had in either my marriage, my family or my work as a pastor/leader. At the same time, my heart goes out to those who weren’t so fortunate. But, I think we need to take heart in the author’s lifeline of hope when he suggests that developing such intelligence as adults, though difficult, is possible.
What are we talking about? Daniel Goleman says that “The key components of ‘emotional intelligence’ include: personal competencies (self awareness and self-management) and social competencies (social awareness and relationship management).”
Again, very interesting stuff. But how would you learn these kinds of things? Forgive me but I have to ask: Is there a book out there that teaches us how to be self-aware, a book that helps us explore our inner selves and enables us to search our own hearts? Is there a book that teaches us personal life management? Is there a book that we can trust that teaches us how to really get along with others? I mean a practical book that we can really trust to be right on the mark and completely true?
In fact there is! Now, I’m not suggesting that a person can learn these things simply by reading or studying a book, but here is the thing - When we honestly and prayerfully allow the truths of God’s Word (that would be the Bible!) to search our hearts, and when we then prayerfully put into practice the truths therein, we are effectively training ourselves to relate to others according to God’s wisdom (‘applied or practical knowledge’) and ways. The Bible is, after all, intended by God for us to be a book on relationships, both our primary relationship with God Himself, and then along with that our relationships with one another.
It’s all about allowing God to speak truth into our personal lives; into our souls, and then applying that truth as He guides us by His Spirit to make the changes that need to be made through life experiences over and over until we know it full well, not just in theory but in practice; not just in concept but in the experience of reality.
For my part, I have always wondered why so many really intelligent people struggle so much, both in areas of personal well being, and with a lack of healthy interactions with others.
A while back I came across an article in the May/June 08 issue of REV Magazine by Maurice Graham. In that article, he references some research done by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, who studied non-cognitive aspects of intelligence and who first coined the phrase ‘emotional intelligence’ in 1990.
Graham writes that, “Initially, they described emotional intelligence as ‘a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions’”. He says also that they later revised their definition of emotional intelligence in this way: “Emotional intelligence involves the ability to perceive accurately, appraise, and express emotion; the ability to access and/or generate feelings when they facilitate thought; the ability to understand emotion and emotional knowledge; and the ability to regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth.”
I found this all very interesting, as I suspect you do as well, because it really explains a lot when you think of it. Our emotions are indication of what is really happening in our hearts after all, and so there is a strong, albeit mysterious, connection between our thoughts and our feelings. Of course, the pressing question in one’s mind when considering this line of thought quickly becomes, can this type of understanding be gained in the same way that you would gain more cognitive intelligence?
The author suggests it is very possible, though not easy. Many of these things are learned, or not learned, at a very early age. He writes, “The (person’s) family of origin provides the incubator for the development of relational skills, which powerfully effect the (person’s) ability to engage in healthy relationships at home and in (community).”
When I read that, I was caused to think of my own parents who modeled incredible relational skills of listening and empathy and the like. I am completely certain that I owe a great debt to them for any success I have had in either my marriage, my family or my work as a pastor/leader. At the same time, my heart goes out to those who weren’t so fortunate. But, I think we need to take heart in the author’s lifeline of hope when he suggests that developing such intelligence as adults, though difficult, is possible.
What are we talking about? Daniel Goleman says that “The key components of ‘emotional intelligence’ include: personal competencies (self awareness and self-management) and social competencies (social awareness and relationship management).”
Again, very interesting stuff. But how would you learn these kinds of things? Forgive me but I have to ask: Is there a book out there that teaches us how to be self-aware, a book that helps us explore our inner selves and enables us to search our own hearts? Is there a book that teaches us personal life management? Is there a book that we can trust that teaches us how to really get along with others? I mean a practical book that we can really trust to be right on the mark and completely true?
In fact there is! Now, I’m not suggesting that a person can learn these things simply by reading or studying a book, but here is the thing - When we honestly and prayerfully allow the truths of God’s Word (that would be the Bible!) to search our hearts, and when we then prayerfully put into practice the truths therein, we are effectively training ourselves to relate to others according to God’s wisdom (‘applied or practical knowledge’) and ways. The Bible is, after all, intended by God for us to be a book on relationships, both our primary relationship with God Himself, and then along with that our relationships with one another.
It’s all about allowing God to speak truth into our personal lives; into our souls, and then applying that truth as He guides us by His Spirit to make the changes that need to be made through life experiences over and over until we know it full well, not just in theory but in practice; not just in concept but in the experience of reality.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Black President, What Next?
Well, I haven’t blogged anything since last year!!! I have been crazy busy, particularly for the past month working to get ready for the Truth Project. I (we) have put a lot into this project and we are trusting God for big things from it. Big kick off today!
I have been thinking about other things though, I just haven’t had time to write about them! I have actually been wanting to write on something that has been very much on my mind. I suspect very few people haven’t been taking in the events south of the border.
The inauguration of US President Barack Obama last week was something else wasn’t it! Wow! History in the making for sure. I am so happy for all those people who identify with the new president because of the colour of his skin. I am happy for anyone who has been encouraged and has found a measure of healing in all of these events. I can only imagine the kind of deep emotional woundedness that has been their’s. This is easily observable when you just watch them respond to these events with such … words fail me here, but it is so very powerful and moving and so touching to see the humanity of it. I want to cheer with them and for them. This is very personal for them. It is their day and it has been far too long in coming.
I sincerely mean that, just in case anyone is questioning my sincerity as someone who is ‘white’, though I don’t really (consciously at least) think of myself as being ‘white’ or ‘Caucasian’, in terms of my identity I mean. But I guess that is the difference because I haven’t had to fight for a sense of personhood and I guess I don’t know what that is like. But my heart goes out to anyone who has had to live with that type of bigotry and oppression. I pray that God will in deed heal those wounds and that they will be able at last to see past the colour issue and realize their own humanity and full worth before Him.
Getting past the colour issue is what I really want to write about. I think it is quite ironic really. I understand in one sense how this feels like a victory to black people who have felt oppressed all of their lives for generations in America. But it is ironic that a victory over racism is won when so many black people voted for a black man only because he was black! I know that a lot of people voted for him because of what he believes and stands for but a lot of black people voted for him only because of the colour of his skin. And many chose not to vote for him for the same reason.
Here is what I hope. I hope that now, after this, Americans can start to talk about the issues. I hope that now, they (and we) can finally start to see people “judged by the quality of their characters instead of the colour of their skin.” Because the colour of a person’s skin should have absolutely no bearing on our opinion of them as a person. The common humanity that we share has nothing to do with skin colour. I have more in common with so many dark skinned people than I do with so many people who just happen to have lighter coloured skin as I who just happen to have lighter coloured skin.
If I understand him correctly, Barack Obama seems to believe in abortion on demand. He appears to believe that the definition of marriage should be changed to include homosexual unions. Indications are that he believes that the type of stem cell research that shows no regard for unborn children is a victory of science over religious conservatism. None of these beliefs have anything to do with the colour of his skin.
I’m not sure that Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized. I tend to think he would have some issues with Barack Obama even though the popular media likes to wrap Obama in King’s mantle and ride on his coattails. But maybe this event needed to take place so that America can finally BEGIN to START and realize that dream, because maybe now it will not be about the colour of a person’s skin anymore. Maybe now people can begin to talk about the real issues. Maybe now there will be no more excuses for that great nation of people who are called to be ‘one nation under God’.
I have been thinking about other things though, I just haven’t had time to write about them! I have actually been wanting to write on something that has been very much on my mind. I suspect very few people haven’t been taking in the events south of the border.
The inauguration of US President Barack Obama last week was something else wasn’t it! Wow! History in the making for sure. I am so happy for all those people who identify with the new president because of the colour of his skin. I am happy for anyone who has been encouraged and has found a measure of healing in all of these events. I can only imagine the kind of deep emotional woundedness that has been their’s. This is easily observable when you just watch them respond to these events with such … words fail me here, but it is so very powerful and moving and so touching to see the humanity of it. I want to cheer with them and for them. This is very personal for them. It is their day and it has been far too long in coming.
I sincerely mean that, just in case anyone is questioning my sincerity as someone who is ‘white’, though I don’t really (consciously at least) think of myself as being ‘white’ or ‘Caucasian’, in terms of my identity I mean. But I guess that is the difference because I haven’t had to fight for a sense of personhood and I guess I don’t know what that is like. But my heart goes out to anyone who has had to live with that type of bigotry and oppression. I pray that God will in deed heal those wounds and that they will be able at last to see past the colour issue and realize their own humanity and full worth before Him.
Getting past the colour issue is what I really want to write about. I think it is quite ironic really. I understand in one sense how this feels like a victory to black people who have felt oppressed all of their lives for generations in America. But it is ironic that a victory over racism is won when so many black people voted for a black man only because he was black! I know that a lot of people voted for him because of what he believes and stands for but a lot of black people voted for him only because of the colour of his skin. And many chose not to vote for him for the same reason.
Here is what I hope. I hope that now, after this, Americans can start to talk about the issues. I hope that now, they (and we) can finally start to see people “judged by the quality of their characters instead of the colour of their skin.” Because the colour of a person’s skin should have absolutely no bearing on our opinion of them as a person. The common humanity that we share has nothing to do with skin colour. I have more in common with so many dark skinned people than I do with so many people who just happen to have lighter coloured skin as I who just happen to have lighter coloured skin.
If I understand him correctly, Barack Obama seems to believe in abortion on demand. He appears to believe that the definition of marriage should be changed to include homosexual unions. Indications are that he believes that the type of stem cell research that shows no regard for unborn children is a victory of science over religious conservatism. None of these beliefs have anything to do with the colour of his skin.
I’m not sure that Martin Luther King’s dream has been realized. I tend to think he would have some issues with Barack Obama even though the popular media likes to wrap Obama in King’s mantle and ride on his coattails. But maybe this event needed to take place so that America can finally BEGIN to START and realize that dream, because maybe now it will not be about the colour of a person’s skin anymore. Maybe now people can begin to talk about the real issues. Maybe now there will be no more excuses for that great nation of people who are called to be ‘one nation under God’.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Feet of a Deer
Some of you will know that Florence and I live on a riverbank. I say bank, but in places it is more like a cliff, where the water course had run years ago before changing its route and had worn away the bottom of the bank creating some pretty treacherous terrain that requires a significant degree of caution. I was out there today and noticed tracks in the fresh snow. And it was quite obvious that the deer had, with great agility, negotiated the terrain that for me would have resulted in definite injuries to my person. I was reminded of the words of King David:
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.”
2Sam 22:34
[I found the King James version of this passage quite curious when I was a young believer…. ‘hind’s feet’. Wasn’t there a well known devotional called ‘Hind’s Feet on High Places’? Who was that written by?]
The words are actually part of a song that David wrote and sang and the context does include the background which helps us to appreciate what David meant by those words.
“David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” 2Sam 22:1
Can you just imagine with me what it must have been like for David to have lived in exile in the wilderness all those years with Saul and others hunting him constantly? Can you picture David watching the deer scale the heights and thinking about how God protected him by giving him great abilities. Sometimes God just delivers us quite in spite of ourselves. But sometimes, in fact a lot of the time, God gives us abilities and these too we need to acknowledge Him for.
We come to the New Testament and we read the words of Paul:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13
After all, God made the deer with his feet. So can God make my feet like the feet of a deer.
And then there is that notion of ‘heights’ again. I could launch into some musings about mountains but I’ll restrain myself. But I think it is just pretty cool – the feet of a deer… standing on the heights. What a picture!
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.”
2Sam 22:34
[I found the King James version of this passage quite curious when I was a young believer…. ‘hind’s feet’. Wasn’t there a well known devotional called ‘Hind’s Feet on High Places’? Who was that written by?]
The words are actually part of a song that David wrote and sang and the context does include the background which helps us to appreciate what David meant by those words.
“David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” 2Sam 22:1
Can you just imagine with me what it must have been like for David to have lived in exile in the wilderness all those years with Saul and others hunting him constantly? Can you picture David watching the deer scale the heights and thinking about how God protected him by giving him great abilities. Sometimes God just delivers us quite in spite of ourselves. But sometimes, in fact a lot of the time, God gives us abilities and these too we need to acknowledge Him for.
We come to the New Testament and we read the words of Paul:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13
After all, God made the deer with his feet. So can God make my feet like the feet of a deer.
And then there is that notion of ‘heights’ again. I could launch into some musings about mountains but I’ll restrain myself. But I think it is just pretty cool – the feet of a deer… standing on the heights. What a picture!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Spending Money We Don't Have
Well, the news is full of it. Yesterday I spoke on debt. I mentioned the 34 year old temporary maintenance worker in the US who got trampled to death last month by rampaging shoppers rushing to get bargains on DVDs and big-screen TVs. I mentioned the fact, that in the US, advertisers spend almost $300,000,000,000 a year on advertising. I also mentioned the fact that Statistics Canada says that both Canadians and Americans have been spending more than we earn consistently for the past six years now. Credit card debt has tripled over the past 20 years simply because of ‘easy credit’. Our governments are in debt, our corporations are in debt and our households are in debt. It seems we are consistently spending money we don’t have.
Contrast this to the words of Jesus. Even though these words are lifted from a parable intended to teach about the cost of following Jesus, they are significant even in and of themselves apart from the context.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” Luke 14:28-30
Contrast this to the words of Jesus. Even though these words are lifted from a parable intended to teach about the cost of following Jesus, they are significant even in and of themselves apart from the context.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” Luke 14:28-30
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Paul Baloche on Leadership
Reading an issue of Worship Leader Magazine (Nov/Dec 08) this week and found an article written by Paul Baloche of real interest. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his name (though most of you probably are) he is the author of such songs as ‘Open The Eyes of My Heart’, ‘Hosanna’, ‘All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises’, just to name a few out of hundreds. But Paul is much more than a song writer. He really is a worship pastor.
In the article he shares his personal experience of going from being pretty much uninvolved to being stretched way beyond his comfort zone as a young believer and how that set him on a path that eventually led him to pastoral ministry. It is the same old story that I never grow tired of hearing - how, against fear and trepidation, someone steps out (or is pushed) and ends up, eventually, being just an amazing leader.
It is quite a journey with lots of learning along the way. I found the following words from Paul to be particularly thoughtful:
“The church needs leaders. It’s easy for us to sit back and let someone else do it. It’s easy to analyze and criticize the decisions that our elders or pastors make. But I learned very quickly how difficult it is to wrestle through the endless array of problems when I stepped up to be an elder myself. Wow! What a revelation it was. Since then I have gained such an appreciation for those who are willing to sacrifice hours and hours for the sake of the local church, getting involved with everything from the most difficult personal issues of church members to mundane minutiae of buildings and budgets. So many times we want to walk away and leave it for someone else to figure out, while we sanctimoniously sip our Starbucks from the sidelines and point out the flaws and inconsistencies.”
Enough said,
Steve
In the article he shares his personal experience of going from being pretty much uninvolved to being stretched way beyond his comfort zone as a young believer and how that set him on a path that eventually led him to pastoral ministry. It is the same old story that I never grow tired of hearing - how, against fear and trepidation, someone steps out (or is pushed) and ends up, eventually, being just an amazing leader.
It is quite a journey with lots of learning along the way. I found the following words from Paul to be particularly thoughtful:
“The church needs leaders. It’s easy for us to sit back and let someone else do it. It’s easy to analyze and criticize the decisions that our elders or pastors make. But I learned very quickly how difficult it is to wrestle through the endless array of problems when I stepped up to be an elder myself. Wow! What a revelation it was. Since then I have gained such an appreciation for those who are willing to sacrifice hours and hours for the sake of the local church, getting involved with everything from the most difficult personal issues of church members to mundane minutiae of buildings and budgets. So many times we want to walk away and leave it for someone else to figure out, while we sanctimoniously sip our Starbucks from the sidelines and point out the flaws and inconsistencies.”
Enough said,
Steve
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