Haiti

29 01 2010

Today, as I was catching up on some paperwork, I came across an unopened letter from Compassion Canada. Usually, I just throw these letters in a box, theoretically to read at a later date when I have more time.

This time it was the envelope that caught my attention, as it contained a familiar word: Haiti.

We’ve sponsored children through Compassion Canada for several years now, but other than sending in my monthly payment for $38, I haven’t been too involved.

I opened the letter, and saw an updated photo of our sponsored child. With the photo was a sheet of lined paper, expecting me to write a letter to our child. I’ve never before found the time to do this, but it was then that I realized for the first time that our sponsor child, Samantha, is from Haiti. My heart sank. Tears came to my eyes. I moved to my piano, and sang these words…

Were you scared?
Did you cry?
Were you left all alone wondering why?

Did you find shelter?
Did you find peace?
Have you had any food to eat?

I wish I could be there,
I wish I could save you,
In my helplessness I pray that God’s angels will hold you in their arms

I am certain that He will not let me neglect her again. I pray that it isn’t too late to show her His love.

Peace.

Travis

PS – If you don’t currently sponsor a child, do it today, don’t wait. www.compassioncanada.ca


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : church, God and Christianity, Love

Order. Order! Order in the Church!!!

19 01 2010

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 NKJV

In the past, when this verse has been brought to my attention, I’ve imagined in my mind’s eye, a judge, seated high above a courtroom, pounding his gavel like a crazed carpenter, as though the sound of incessant hammering will bring peace once again.

Perhaps, instead of a judge, it’s a pastor, left with nothing but a gavel of control, in a culture of selfishness. The thing is, however, the incessant hammering of control only drives a wedge deeper, separating leader from follower even more, creating even more distrust and discord.

Our church is a very open church to the move of the Holy Spirit, and as such our services have a very free flow to them. We have a basic structure, an idea of how things will look, but we leave most of it to God.

So…how do things stay in order?

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue of an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV

Honour. Whatever we do is out of honour for God and our sisters and brothers.

In conversation with Brandee (my beautiful wife) last night, she said this to me, “Honour equals order.” And it’s true. Where there is honour, there is respect. Where there is honour and respect, there is love. And where all these things exist, there is order, because in a culture of honour, I am last, the people around me are first.

In a culture of honour, there is no room for self promotion or personal gain. We minister to each other to build each other up, not to build ourselves up. And whenever there is need for gentle correction, a slight change in course, there is no room for offense, because there is honour.

So far in this article I’ve written the word honour eight times…make that nine. And yet, I can’t stress enough: Honour is a major key in the fulfillment of our destiny.

That’s probably enough to contemplate for now…

Peace & Love.

Travis


Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : church, God and Christianity

Grey Areas

15 01 2010

It’s common for Christians to desire to live black & white, accepting what’s right & rejecting what is wrong. This works for some “cut and dry” moral issues, but becomes more difficult when it seems the issues seems to be more arbitrary, such as issues relating to lifestyle (eating/drinking/entertainment etc).

While we all should be pursuing a “white” life, devoid of “grey areas,” we also should realize what makes something a “grey issue”. Generally, a lack of direct communication on an issue leaves it to personal interpretation, meaning it will be interpreted by each individual who encounters it, which also means there are limitless viewpoints on the moral ramifications of the issue.

Once we realize which issues are “grey” and what makes them “grey”, we need to look down to the root of the issue. What is the original color of the issue, black or white? Was it first white, but tainted with black to become grey? Or black, tainted with white? Originally, was it a sinful thing that was watered down to be more acceptable? Or, was it a Godly thing, tainted or abused by the world, leaving it stained grey? As living followers of Jesus, we do as he did: redeeming what should be redeemed, condemning what should be condemned.

In everything though, love each other, Jesus asked us to. Well, he commanded it. Whatever our personal viewpoint is on areas considered questionable by the world or by the church, all we can do is love God, and love each other. The rest will come out in the wash.

Some Food for thought:

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22

Love God, then do as you please. St Augustine

Everything is Meaningless. Ecclesiastes 1

Peace.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : God and Christianity

Looking for more?

15 01 2010

Hey there,

Just wanted to write a quick note about our church in Mission, BC. Brandee & I lead worship there, and Brent & Sharon Borthwick are the senior leaders. If you’re in the area and are looking for a place to call home, or just want to visit, we’d love to have you join us. Wind Word Church meets on Saturday nights at Mount Calvary Church in Mission. All the details are here: www.windword.ca. We’d love to see you there.

Peace.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : Community, God and Christianity

Being Who We’re Called To Be

13 01 2010

Last night, my wife Brandee & I got to go out on a date. There is no one on earth I’d rather be with. I feel so honored, so proud, to spend time with her, to be seen with that beautiful woman. She’s way out of my league. Seriously, lucky me.

Anyway…we decided to go to a movie, after debating between “Up in the Air” and “Avatar,” we chose “Did You Hear About The Morgans,” with Hugh Grant & Sarah Jessica Parker.

After witnessing a murder, the lead characters, Paul & Meryl are forced into the witness protection program and must give up their cell phones, PDA’s, wallets, laptops, passports etc… anything that bore any witness to their fast-paced lives in New York City. The couple is then transported to a small town in Wyoming, for their own safety, while the police track down the killer. While in near seclusion, they are forced to slow down, turn their attention off of their work, and look to each other, talk with each other.

For the promise of protection, they had to give up something important: their identity. It was this point that triggered me to think of our identity as Christians, as followers of Jesus.

As we read through the Word, there are many statements and promises made about what is to come, about who we are as followers of Christ, about our identity. We are called children of God, friends of God, righteous, sanctified, redeemed, blessed, chosen and so much more. It is said that we are heirs with Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit, near to God and citizens of heaven!

Many times as we read about who God has called us to be, we read and become encouraged by the promises, but manage to skim over the conditions.

Like Paul & Meryl, whose promise of protection came with a price, so do many things in the Kingdom of God. While I believe that God’s love for us is unconditional, and that He desires all to be saved, I don’t believe that salvation comes without cost. While Jesus paid the ultimate price, there is a price to be paid by each of us to become who He has called us to be.

And so the question is raised: What will it cost to become who He’s called me to be? The answer? Check the price tag.

In John 1, it is written that we have been given the right to be called children of God. The price? We must receive Him and believe in his name. Later on in John, Jesus talks of himself as the true vine, and of us as his branches able to bear much fruit! The price? We must remain in Him, if we do, He will remain in us.

In Romans 3, it is written that we are justified, and that we are redeemed; all we have to do is have faith in Jesus. Romans 6 outlines our freedom from slavery in sin, all we have to do is die…to self, and live in Christ. In Romans 8 we are promised life and peace. The investment required for promise of such a great return? We must set our minds on what the Spirit desires. We are called children of God, and heirs to His glory later on in Romans 8, if we kill the sinful desires of our bodies and become led by the Spirit.

I choose to live as one raised from the dead, for I have killed the sinful man I am and have been raised into a new life in Jesus. I desire to live according to His will, as without Him I have already perished. I have given up my own identity, died to myself, a small price to pay to find my true identity, and life, in Him.

Peace.

Travis


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : Faith, Art & Culture, God and Christianity

Church: More like Real Life than a Movie

11 01 2010

Church is not as much about attending an event as it is an expression of reality on our Christian walk. Unlike a movie or a play where we go in, suspend belief for a couple hours and then go back to the “real world,” we go to church and activate belief, spend some time directly with God, and then go out and try to apply ourselves and His kingdom truths to the temporal world we live in.

During the course of our everyday lives, we regularly indulge in entertainment to help us “unwind” or “veg,” taking our minds off the stress of the day. We’ll watch movies, listen to music, anything to distract us, to relax us.

Church is not one of those things.

Gathering together with like-minded people, at least alike in their pursuit of the presence of God, is a key part of being a follower of Jesus.  While I sided with the “church is wherever his people are” crowd for awhile (and still agree in principle), it was only as an excuse to not attend church and be forced to deal with some of the issues that arise when “His” people gather together.

I put “His” in quotation marks in the previous paragraph, because I believe that people who really believe they belong to Him should be following him very closely, much closer than most of us have been willing to go. We wouldn’t face many of the petty struggles that come with being a church if we were willing to press closer than ever before, to God, and to each other. When a need arises within the church, it should be met with overwhelming attention from the body of believers. We should have too many people volunteering than too few.

My church family is quickly becoming my closest family, as our pursuit of Him causes us walk the same direction, and brings us closer together as we follow Him more closely. Look around you, let love overwhelm you as you see your sisters and your brothers, and purpose in your heart to be there for each other, whatever the cost.

Jesus did.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : God and Christianity


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.