Rhythm, Campus, Sex, and Hope...

I can honestly say that I like my pace of life right now. God has been speaking to me on so many levels. The excitement and urgency for life has been there as usual, but more importantly a reflective stream of peace and assurance has been flowing down under. Not necessarily all at the same time, but a rhythm that my heart just loves beating to.

We recently had an all day ‘meeting’ at the woodbine race track for work. They brought, Canadian Olympic gold medalist, Adam van Koeverden, to come speak to us about perseverance. It’s amazing how many people left inspired by a kid at least half their age. This was another affirmation to me that this world can be led by those who risk and strive to live from the core of who they are, and not necessarily by those who are ‘older’ or more experienced.

I just spoke at UTCCF Friday night. What a great bunch. I miss the campus and all that it represents. Diversity, culture, future, leadership, exploration, possibilities, passion… it is such a privileged environment to be in. Maybe we’re not sending out enough missionaries. In Toronto at least, it seems like God’s brought the nations to our doorsteps.

Last night our newly weds group got together again, and the topic for the night was… sex. All I want to say about it was that it was a strenuous test of maturity for me. Yvonne thinks I really need to work being able to keep a straight face with a lot of this stuff, especially if I’m going to be counseling people in the future. Well, I only uncontrollably giggled inappropriately once… and that was only because people were being graphic, and all I was thinking in my head was ‘you can do this… you’re doing it… you’re almost looking professional…’ and then burst realizing how hard I was trying.

On a more deeper and personal note… Yvz and I have been having some ‘soul talk’ and been realizing some more subtle condemning attitudes that we have. These dispositions are so challenging because they are so deep rooted and easily disguised as a genuine desire for good. For me, I’ve come to realize that I am designed and built my life around a lens of hope and goodness. Which isn’t a bad thing, but when I encounter those who are disheartened, or perceived as having lost hope, I have a hard time allowing them to be as they are. What got me was the conviction that some people might be able to sense a level of disappointment within me about who they are as a person… and that’s flat out wrong and needs to change.

What gets to me even more is how a person of hope and confidence in God such as myself, could ever feel a loss of hope in people? Something that came out while I was speaking Friday was that – if God believes in us, more than we could ever believe in him. Maybe we need to believe in people, more than they believe in themselves.

Of all people, followers of Jesus should be speakers of truth and hope to all humanity.

Visit to Saddleback...

I can’t say I visited Saddleback with much anticipation. Over the year’s I’ve become weary of the squabbling between the lovers and haters of its purpose driven ministry, but I had to experience it for myself. After visiting the stadium rock worship at the Dream Center, Saddleback’s orderly worship service felt just like that, a service.

Every component of it was timed to the tee. Everyone knew when to stand and when to sit. Many of the men war Rick Warren’s patented Hawaiian shirts. The message was well crafted, biblical and applicable with a dash of humor. No complaints. The rest of Saddleback though was like a Pastor’s playground.

The campus held eight different services in four separate worship tent… each one catering to a different musical style. The children’s center was a massive facility with Disney-esque amenities. They had their own palm trees, waterfalls, restaurants, and golf carts. I wasn’t sure how to process it all. Everyone else seemed like this was normal.

That’s when it struck me that though many people I know would not be interested in being part of a massive ‘institution’ like Saddleback (See largest churches in the world link). Yet somehow, while foreign to me in all it's structure and opulence, this was a church that was missional and relevant to its surrounding culture.

I just found out that they’re going through their 40 days of community now. Part of that involves feeding all 34,000 homeless people in Orange County for 3 meals a day for 40 days! It’s amazing how some churches can take on initiatives like this and make an impact. In all sincerity the 40 days of purpose campaign and reading of the purpose driven life seems to have just come and went in my own church. We’ve never been ones to follow any mold though I guess. I’ve been very encouraged to hear that my old church, OCAC, in Ottawa has been effectively rallying behind it as a community.

This dude is so ordinary! Final thought… as bland and uncharismatic as I find Rick Warren can be… (I want to believe that he intentionally strips away all creativity, to offer a template, so others can adapt and be imaginative with his material in its rawest form)… Warren’s humble beginning, from a small group of seven people to a global movement, inspires me. Warren is a testimony of what God can do through those who are simply willing to dream and use their gifts for greater purposes.

Phoenix...

I’m in phoenix right now. The skies are unbelievably blue, and the city itself is a miraculous flatland surrounded by mountains. I find it intriguing how the dry and cracked earth resembled the sun-scorched skin many of the locals had… nothing at all against them, but it’s fascinating that there is this observable relationship between the land and its people.

On my way to the resort, I had an excellent conversation with the cab driver who was a business student from Somalia. We shared our dreams… mine of leading a community of faith and his of starting a business and marrying four wives (since it’s religiously legit there). It was hilarious. He shared about how family values are all messed up in America. I picked his brain on living in Africa. He plans on returning home a hero, as an educated entrepreneur. With all the people aiding, developing, and even capitalizing on the needs and opportunities in Africa, it’s amazing how much need remains. I left quite pumped about going there someday.

The conference for work was one of the better ones. I find myself being acutely attentive to the way people speak / present. After two years of telling people I’ll be joining toastmasters, I think I’m finally on the cusp of committing. I have so much that I’m passionate about. I would love to hone my abilities to communicate it all to people.

Other updates...
I attended the Tribe of Issachar event - Beyond the King's Gate. Our own ETCBC, Pastor Alfred Lam spoke on the story of Esther. He challenged the crowd of future leaders to explore why we have been so blessed and placed in such a privileged position.

I met up with my mentor and I was blown away as usual. Each time I'm encountered by real stories of hardship and experiences that make much of what I am often convicted of seem merely theoretical. I have so much more life to live.

Our community opened up for a Thanks&Giving dinner, organized by yours truly. Another reminder that my organizational and event planning skills are lacking. I attempted to visit every small group in our church to enourage people to invite friends... many people said that the night was a success, but even with the challenges of inviting people to an event such as this, I still couldn't help but feel that God has placed more people than this in our lives. All that being said, the predominant theme in my life the last while, is that above all else, even results, we simply need to be faithful.

I wanted to be Catalyst this weekend... looking forward to hearing people's experiences from it.