I have been reading quite a bit lately. One book I have been reading is by the planter of a New Monastic Community in Winnipeg. Jamie Arpin-Ricci writes about the Sermon on the Mount and his inner-city community “Little Flower”. I am intrigued to read about this community that seeks to radically follow Jesus and [...]

In Romans 1:1-5a, Paul introduces himself, and lays out his vocation. Readers will remember his ‘calling’ from reading acts chapter 9. He sets forth his claim to apostleship, for he knows that for his audience to understand the meaning and the import they must come to grips with the calling that dominates his life. When [...]

I was chatting with a close friend on the shuttle bus to our recent conference. It turned out that we were on similar journeys. We both said that we were looking very forward to the conference but also dreaded all the questions “How are you?” or “How’s the ministry going?” My friend said that he [...]

I’d like to tell you the story of last Sunday night but first I think it would be good to introduce you to the cast of characters, at least the main players in the drama. They were: Amy, a seventeen year old girl was being baptized, her grandmother who had given birth to seven children [...]

I started a new spiritual practise this week. On each week day morning I go to a quiet spot at Stone Church to pray for Saint John’s inner-city and especially for the poor, the addicted, and the marginalized. I told several people I would be doing this and invited them to ‘drop by’ anytime they [...]

I have been struck/stuck with the idea of ‘pearls in the mud’. This mindset is not Pollyanna but rather biblical. I realize all too well that there is mire. I could hardly forget! But in this battle for my mind I am choosing to look for the ‘pearls’ buried here in the mire and most [...]

I always have wondered about Elijah. One moment he is used of God to best the prophets of Baal at Carmel and seemingly the next he is utterly broken and relying on ravens to be fed. How amazingly human he is and how powerful and compassionate is our God! I have been writing about some [...]

Last week I wrote about pearls in mud. I concentrated on the pearls and I always want to do that but in an effort to be transparent I must admit to being overwhelmed with mud right now. I have my own paraphrase of Isaiah 43:2 “when you pass through the swamp the mud will not [...]

Yesterday I was engaged in a conversation about heroes. When I talk about heroes, besides Jesus, I know that I am talking about flawed people but I have many folks who both teach and exemplify behaviours and attitudes I wish to emulate. Over the years of blogging I have mentioned some of them. This past [...]

I had a long conversation with a young woman who suffers from a whole cocktail of mental illnesses and suffers from the treatment she receives from ‘so called’ well people. Her life is so difficult and sometimes she despairs that there is any light at the end of this dark tunnel. I cry with her [...]