daily life as life goes on . . .

My head is full of all sorts of bits and bytes of information.

I can become lazy and merely accept everything I hear, or only believe what I want to believe. Or I can become so immobllized that I don’t make any decisions and life literally passes me by. My head needs to do the hard work of sorting our fact and fiction. My heart needs to guard itself from emotions that spin towards evil, spite, malice and other harmful sentiments. Rather, I need to see that love reigns.

But in the end? In the end our focus needs to be on Jesus.

Such a simple statement that Jesus made millenia ago still holds true for us today. “I am the way, the truth and the life.” If you are memorizing scripture – this is one verse you need to tuck away both in your head and in your heart. Push past the clouds of confusing information and the emotions of polarizing discord and look at Jesus. As the Holy Spirit prompts and nudges you, keep finding your way to God through Jesus, seek to know the truth in Jesus and live with joy the life that you have been given.

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!!