I was leading a retreat in the foothills west of Calgary this weekend. The temperature dipped near minus 20 last night (and its not even winter yet!) but sugar-coated the landscape with some wonderful frost.
Friday photo
The road ahead
Betty and I have been involved in a discernment process about the next chapter of our lives for far too long. It's been a humbling, trying process and I'm ready for it to be done. Earlier today I read this quote from Thomas Merton that echoed the messy mix in my soul, of head and heart,… Continue reading The road ahead
Music to raise a pint or lift a prayer
Off to see Mumford and Sons tonight so thought I'd reprise an earlier post that I wrote on their music. Really looking forward to seeing them live tonight (but can't share my excitement with Betty because she's too jealous - I don't think a t-shirt will be enough to repay her kindness). Don't forget to… Continue reading Music to raise a pint or lift a prayer
Friday photos
The colour palette of autumn leaves here in the semi-arid, higher altitude zone of Western Canada is fairly mono-chromatic, a study in sepia. I miss the wild explosions of colour back east and so here are a few photos of fall foliage I took in Ontario last year (and what is it about the blue… Continue reading Friday photos
Help me write an article.
How do churches care well for scientists? That's the focus of an article I'm writing for our denominational magazine (The Banner). How have congregations helped or hindered those involved in the sciences to pursue their vocation and calling as a distinctly Christian calling? How can churches be (or become) hospitable places for scientists to be… Continue reading Help me write an article.
The end of my carnal affair
C.S. Lewis described his conversion to Christianity this way: "I was dragged kicking and screaming into the Kingdom of God." Those are words that describe my reluctant conversion towards a vegetarian diet. The simple truth is I love being a carnivore. BBQ ribs, chicken masala, grilled Alberta steak, souvlaki skewers, pulled pork sandwich, cedar-plank salmon,… Continue reading The end of my carnal affair
Friday Photos
On a gorgeous Sunday autumn afternoon, we headed into the mountains searching out the golden Larches (that crazy conifer that has needles which turn colour and fall). There were some beautiful coloured landscapes, and the golden larches, along with a momma Grizzly and two cubs.
Friday photos
I love how a change in perspective opens up new vistas, new ways of seeing, helping me to spy things I mostly miss. Feeling a deep need for God's good guidance, I'm going to allow my camera to help my heart nurture a more intent upward gaze.
The eighth deadly sin?
I think we need to update the list of deadly sins - and I vote that shopping just might be the greatest modern enemy to living the Jesus life. The church in North America is in such a dangerous place and we hardly know it. We exist in an environment of consumerism; it's the air we… Continue reading The eighth deadly sin?
Seeking God’s Face … in prison and beyond
One of the lovely surprises of having a book published is watching where it turns up, who is reading it and how it is connecting with people. There's a prison ministry at Ionia Correctional Facility in Michigan that is using my daily prayerbook Seeking God's Face. The chaplain, Richard Rienstra writes that the book is being… Continue reading Seeking God’s Face … in prison and beyond
Squinch 