Church

In the 1974/75 academic year I sang full-time with a music group called Sound Alliance.  The music was contemporary and done to music tracks.  Of course, what was contemporary then is now “70’s”.  And the use of tracks, although a new innovation then, would now be considered Karaoke that anyone can do!

A friend emailed me today.  He was asking some questions about Sound Alliance.

The nostalgia mill whirred into high gear.  There were some difficult times (one day two members were literally yelling at each other – and had one of the two not been a martial arts afficionado there might have been blows!). 

But there were many more good times.  This email mentioned how Sound Alliance had affected his life as he considered music and ministry.  He now works as a concert pianist and administrates the touring of a world renowned operatic tenor.

That’s when you think that what you have done may have been worth it!

Now, that’s what I call God’s country.

Where the air is calm, the sun sets peacefully, and the day closes with God’s blessing.

Just in case you didn’t know.  This is Kindersley. 

God’s country!!

I ran across Tim Keller today!

OK, so actually I hit a blog site of a friend of a friend of a friend.  One of the links took me to a session he gave at The Gathering in 2005.  Not often will I listen to an hour long session “on tape” (or is that MP3 or podcast??).  This one captured me.

So I found a site that carries an “online bibliography” (actually a bunch of links) to a number of Tim Keller’s articles, sermons, etc.  I wandered around a bit on the web and was impressed by his approach to the gospel.

Keller speaks of irreligious people (including secular and postmodern), of religious people (who sit beside me at church), and of those who have truly caught the gospel (they actually believe that we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ).  Religious people obey God’s law to be accepted — Gospel people are accepted by God through Jesus and thus obey.  Religious people obey so they will not be rejected by God, Gospel people obey because they would not want to bring harm to the one they love.

The thoughts go on and on.  The more I read, the more I see that he is touching on our world — the context in which I live. 

When I read the beatitudes, I wonder if Jesus didn’t have a good idea.  Start off the sermon on the mount by telling people they are accepted!  The poor in spirit, the mourners, the ones who are hard on themselves and others, the ones who are perfectionists.  Let them all know they are accepted and blessed by God.  Then let them know what it means to be true followers as they seek to obey what God would want them to do (the “law”). 

Accepted first, then obey because!

I remember years ago reading that the Department of Agriculture began the income tax system back during the First World War.  I’ve tucked that in the back of my mind and some day I’ll even check up to see if its true.

But for the moment it makes a great story.  I had to phone the CRA today (Canada Revenue Agency for those not acquainted with the Canadian approach).  A previous employer had to amend my T4 (OK, that’s the form that tells what I earned and got deducted).  I was told to phone and confirm this so that a reassessment could be done.

Carol answered and guided me quite graciously through the system.  I only had to wait about 4 minutes to get off the automated system.  She said I could fill out at T1 (reassessment request).  But first I would have to have the amended T4 to send in with the T1.  I could do this on the website but would need my 9 digit SIN (Social Insurance Number).  Then, there is an 8 week wait period.

Or I can phone back in a few weeks once the proper documents have arrived in their office. 

Guess what I’m going to do?  Phone the Department of Agriculture next time I need to get my income tax straigthened out!!