daily life as life goes on . . .

In most professions a certified person is the one that various agencies consider to be able to speak to, act within, provide services.  This is expected to provide protection for those who employ the services.

There have always been outliers who were willing to provide services but not to become licensed.  Underground networks have formed in the past for such things as childbirths and death details.  In Saskatchewan the latest to arise into the spotlight is the service around legal representation in civil and criminal cases. 

In defense of the one employing services, there has long been a tradition to allow that person to “do it on their own”.  In construction, auto repair, legal efforts and many other areas the owner is able to do their own work. 

But, sometimes the situation has arisen that an “owner” has seen the work of an uncertified person and found it to be more than acceptable.  They want the assistance but are strapped with regulations that disqualify that person.

A governing body is called on to provide regulation – they are there for the people.  Most often they listen to those in a profession that have studied, practiced and found success in an area.  Which then excludes the innovators, the poor who cannot afford to pay for the path to licensing, and even those who have an expert grasp on a situation but do not have the “papers”.

And so, we are called on to examine how we can regulate the regulations.  When society becomes all about rules, distrust arises.  Trust requires risk.  How we can listen to the outliers while maintaining the sacred trust that has been placed upon those who are governing?

So, my nephew is taking a course that touches on Theology.  He wants to interview me tonight on my thoughts (I guess as a pastor – from which I am retired but still involved with a current posting here in Kindersley).

Your thoughts? 

Why is theology important for:

• the health of the church
• your personal life
• your ministry/vocation
• Christian service in the world

We are in the midst of it.  Dust, mud, wood, nails, hammers, wires, paint . . .

Our basement was left undeveloped when we moved this house into town a few years ago.  This year we want to host a Christmas gathering for our relatives.  Space is needed.  Otherwise social distance will mean no distance at all.

My brother has been assisting us – and expert help is never to be shunned.  The walls are straight, the doors close and the ceilings actually look like they should.  There are bedrooms, a rec room, a storage room, utility room and of course a bathroom.  The flooring will be one of the next efforts – with laminate in the main areas and some special vinyl/rubber type flooring for the store room and bathroom.

My hope is that we can host more people as the new year opens up.  If you would like to travel this way – let me know!!

It seems most people are wanting to live with an uninterrupted life.  You can count on your schedule to unfold – as you have planned.  Except when it doesn’t.  In that case certainty needs to be replaced with clarity.

Clarity is seeing where you are at, assessing the current situation, and with those understandings in place finding a way to move ahead.

Clarity will allow for planning ahead, as long as you remain flexible and continue to seek clarity as you go along.  Blinding sticking to a plan can land you in the ditch.  Working a plan with regular snapshots of where you are at can help you to stick to the road that ends at your destination.