Next week: Rest

It’s been an exceptionally busy week.


It’s been an exceptionally busy week.

My family spent our labour day in Owen Sound hanging out with longtime friends. While we were waiting to eat, I chatted with someone who was part of the Owen Sound church I pastored. After some informal chit-chat, she made a bold statement. She said, “You were way ahead of your time. You saw things…
Bad news. My Christian Worship through the Centuries class was supposed to spend Friday morning at Christ the Saviour Antiochian Orthodox church in Waterloo. The priest was going to spend some time filling us in about the liturgy and worship practices of the ancient Eastern church. Unfortunately, the he landed some last minute hockey tickets…

Fear of what people think about me. It can be downright restricting. That’s why I’m giving it up this advent season. I know most people don’t give things up for advent (it’s more of a lent thing) but I think Jesus is calling me into the deeper places. Maybe I caught a mountain parasite or…

I wonder if rejection is a prerequisite for leadership? Are there any leaders, ones that people voluntarily follow, that don’t know the sting of denial. It’s likely the primary pathway God uses to humble and break those who walk arrogantly. Some of the greatest leaders I know did not enjoy favour with everyone around them:…

My life in Toronto is spent, for the most part, inside an 8’x8′ padded wall cocoon. I have a desk, a chair, books, and two pictures of my hero, Eugene Peterson. In the one picture, positioned on a shelf overlooking my desk, Peterson’s head is tilted back and his eyes are on me. The speak…

I think laziness and workaholism are two sides of the same coin. Both are equally dangerous. Slothfulness is a lifestyle of perpetual leisure and rest. Those who engage in it don’t have time for work because they are too busy taking life easy. Workaholics are compulsive in accomplishing tasks. Their days are spent ‘doing’ something,…