Monthly Archives: February 2007

Wednesday I ventured to Saskatoon.

The reason:  a one day session put on by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. 

The sessions included thoughts on how churches can reach out in a Canadian context — along with some analysis of current trends in Canada.  Good information that can help form solid decisions in the future.

The interesting part?  I was on the road at 7:00 am.  Fog was surrounding my headlights.  When I saw a sign indicating deer could be expected, I increased my watch.  At the same time I did not feel fear.  Which is a good sign.  God was protecting and I was watching!  Closer to Saskatoon some snow had fallen and was deposited on the highway.  Again I was watchful but not concerned.  Thankfully the road home was much clearer!

I sensed God in the drive as much as in the sessions.  I have a sneaking suspicion that is the way it should be!  In the ideas and in the practice, God is there.

When I was growing up I remember gathering around the piano.  Mom played all the black notes and sang wonderfully.

The song I remember was “When the roll is called up yonder.”  So here is the song  — you can probably download it by right clicking on the box and saving the file.

I’m sitting here writing this while fighting a cold.

I’ve yet to understand how you fight a cold!  I guess if taking medication is one weapon — I’m in the battle.  My wife prepared some chicken soup — I’m advancing on the cold.  But in the end most colds progress through our bodies and we’re left treating just the symptoms.

Someone pointed out at the door to the church yesterday — “Colds start when we get warm breaks in the weather!”   I’m not sure I’m quite ready to ask for constant -40 degree weather.  Although, with being stuffed up right now . . .

A while back I purchased a small book (both in dimensions and pages) called 99 Annoying Attributes of God.

Not to steal the thunder of the editors (Ray Albrektson, Janet Kobobel Grant, Alan Scholes, Gary Stanley and Kristen Wilson), but here are a few thoughts.

God is annoying because –

• he won’t let me take anything with me when I die;
• he often thinks “no” is a sufficient answer;
• he expects me to openly share the secrets I’d rather keep hidden;
• he wants me to keep secret the things I’d rather openly take credit for
• he’s always kind but he isn’t always nice

Many of the thoughts have scripture tucked in with them.  Sometimes I just need an easy way to look at things — jars me out of the rut I get into (I wonder if I could add another metaphor and really mix things up!).