So Long '05

Well Wanda and I are in Slave lake enjoying the lack of snow and the abundance of family. Here are a few pictures to show you what we're up to.

Here we are driving up to Wanda's parents house..... just kidding. that's the ice fishing shack out on the lake.

Here we are after a rather "spirited" game of pond hockey.

Frost on the trees. You just don't get stuff like that in the lower mainland.

Just sitting around. Notice the large table. We had 14 of us for dinner so it requires a couple of folding tables to make the whole thing work.

We'll see you all in 06. Thanks for being our friends and loving us. "WE LOVES YA THOUSANDS"

Have I Passed A Milestone??

The Christmas exchange of presents has already happened for me as Wanda & I exchanged last week and my family exchanged this morning (the 24th) in Kamloops (where I am writing from).

I readily admit to being a recovering selfish person. So for all y'all this probably is old hat. But this year I really felt was more excited about giving than receiving (Acts 20:35). Partially it was because we had made a lot more of our gifts this year and many of them had to do with pictures and memories. We felt a little like we were giving gifts that would last.

This thought brings to mind the following Scripture:
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.


I hope all my gifts last. My gifts of time. My gifts of money. My gifts of talents. I hope you can say of Wanda & I that our gifts to you will last in your life. We don't want to be flashbangs. We want to be people pf authenticity AND character (see my uprising post).

Merry Christmas. We're heading on to Alberta to Wanda's family's place on the 27th and we'll be back in Van city on January 4th, 2006 (wierd, 2006). I'll probably post from Alberta, if for no other reason than to show you a few pictures of the frozen north.

Christmas Madness

Can you feel it?

The crush of shopping that needs to get done, the fear of offending someone if we don't get to their Christmas party, the feeling in your feet that you get when you've been on them for like 10 hours doing stuff at the church and running around, just waiting for the 24th to get here because at least for a couple of days it will slow down. Ever wonder why they call it a Christmas "season". It feels like summer since I've had any rest.

It's no wonder the Psalmist prefaces knowing God with being still (Psalm 46:10). I wonder if I would appreciate if my wife was so busy on my birthday doing stuff for me or for my party that she had no time for me? I need to be still. I feel kind of like the squirmy kid at church who needs a Game Boy or a millions crayons and paper to keep me quiet.

But wouldn't true stillness be the absence of all those things? Isn't being still about needing nothing but Jesus. That if all I did was just stand perfectly straight for the next 2 hours or sit in a chair and stare at my fireplace or the view off my deck I could experience the presence of God as much as any other way with my own works.

When I think about this it reminds me of my Dad. When I go home and my Dad has something to do he wants me to come help. But when I go to help he usually doen't actually need my help. He just wants me to be there with him. I don't have to know how to fix what he's fixing or weld what he's welding, I just have to stand next to him and just be there. It means something to him.

Maybe God wants us to just stand next to him and be still. He'll do the work. He's the qualified one. We can just talk to him and then brag about how good our Dad is.

Wow. I'm tearing up.

Have a great Christmas season. Don't buy what the world is selling when it comes to being busy. Love your family. If there are little kids around you this Christmas, get down on the floor and play with them and their toys. Love you all!!!!!

A Review of Ann Rice's New Book

A fellow resonate user, Jamie, wrote a review of Ann Rice's new book. Apparently she's published his review on her site so I thought it might be fine reading for us all. Visit his site here .

When I heard that novelist Anne Rice, author of the famous Vampire Chronicles, was writing a novel about the early years of Jesus Christ, I was skeptical. When I read that it was being written in first person from Jesus own perspective, I was intrigued. I had heard that Rice had returned to the Roman Catholic faith of her youth in the late 1990's, but had not followed her life or writing in several years. I picked up the hardcover "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt" on my way out to YWAM Vancouver for a week of teaching, expecting an interesting, if not provocative read.

As is my habit, I stayed away from interviews and reviews until I had read the book, wanting to experience the work with as few preconceived ideas as possible. However, with an author such as Rice, it was hard not to expect, well not the worst, as Rice is an excellent writer and a phenomenal historical researcher- I expected something else. As anyone familiar with so much of the material out there that would undermine the nature, character or very historicity of Christ, you'll understand my cynical expectations. What I found in those pages, however, was something far more beautiful. I discovered a very real Jesus, a man, a Messiah, the Son of God.

The novel opens in the streets of Alexandria, where a 7 year old Jesus and his kin have lived for years. Rice paints a vivid and living portrait of the Egypt of Jesus day, exploring the inevitable influences the the culture and philosophy would have had on His childhood. But Egypt is not to be the setting of this story, as Joseph soon announces their planned return to the Holy Land, to visit Jerusalem to worship before returning home to Nazareth.

And so, echoing the ancient story of Israel emerging out of exile, we follow the young Jesus as He journeys to a home He has never seen. Throughout these life altering events, we begin to see glimpses of the power that Jesus is only vaguely beginning to understand. I recognized many of the stories from extra-Biblical sources, which is sure to stir some discontent from more conservative Christian readers. I would encourage such readers to keep reading, as I do not believe that they undermine the integrity of the story or of Jesus. Even Rice acknowledges that these including the material was based on "assumption", but felt it was crucial to the deeper truth of the story. And I agree.

As the family travels through the Holy Land, we are introduced to a deeply politically, spiritually and historically wounded people in the midst of civil unrest. Simultaneously, we begin to understand what it means to be a Jew in that day. With so much of the material on the "historical" Jesus being so ruthlessly geared to undermine Jesus divinity, purpose, being, etc., Rice accomplishes what few have- to present a fully Jewish (fully human) Jesus of His era, yet equally divine, rooted in the fullness of the Judeo-Christian story.

In the authors notes at the end of the book, Rice shares briefly of the journey she took in bringing this book to being. It reveals the depth of study that she delved into (and continues even today) to do everything in her power to tell the truest story she could. To her credit, she read every source she get her hands on, openly expecting to have her image of Jesus distorted.

"What gradually came clear to me was that many of the skeptical arguments- arguments that insisted most of the Gospel were suspect, for, or written too late to be eyewitness accounts- lacked coherence... Absurd conclusions were reached on the basis of little or no data at all." ("Christ the Lord", by Anne Rice, pg 313, Knopf Canada)

However, it was through genuine study that she became even more deeply convinced and committed in her belief of Christ. (As a side note, Rice credits N.T. Wright as the most positive and influential voices of these studies). So truly has this impact changed her that Rice says she could not return to her former subject matter. While she does not condemn her previous works, as they reflect her journey towards faith that many readers shared (myself included), she know that she could not go back. Rice has 3 or 4 more volumes in this series that I am already eagerly anticipated.

In the end, I believe that this book represents one of the best "fictional" presentations of Jesus I have ever encountered. I do not hesitate a moment in recommending it as a must read for all Christians who want to know Jesus in a deeper and truer way, rooted in His rich Jewish culture and history, as well as the ancient-future vision of God's Kingdom.

Don't wait for the paperback. Get it today.

Heart or Character

Which is more valuable? I've been wrestling through this one this week. Erwin McManus in his book Uprising makes the statement that if he had to choose between authenticity or integrity he would choose integrity every time. It's hard to argue with that but how do you have one without the other? How can you be integral without being authentic? And true authenticity will always have a quest for Christlikeness at it's core.

After reading the afore mentioned statement, this is what I took away. Knowing I am a person who values and models authenticity, I want to live a life where people can also see my character. I want people to see the hope that is inside of me.

See..... But even as I say that, I realize I have 2 hopes inside of me, to be like Jesus (integrity) and to be known (authenticity). Well I guess it's safe to say I'm still wrestling through this one.

Yaaay for the Eskies!!

Well, good on you Edmonchuck. You did it. A great (The Greatest Ever?) game. I got to watch with a bunch of guys at a downtown eastside pub. Lot's of fun.

Vancouver did a great job hosting the game and all the downtown stuff they did with the "Party on the Pacific" wa fantastic. A parade and everything. Wow.

This will be my last football related post (for at least 7 months).

So What Happened To The Lions?

Where did our 11-0 team go? So depressing. I was just coming to terms with letting go of being an Eskimos fan. I was trying to give them my heart and soul. I was going to make this work. It was a new team but I was sure I was mature enough to do it and then they go and lose.... to the Eskimos!!!! Love..uh I mean sports is a wierd thing.

Anne Rice Discover's Jesus

The former vampire writer seems to have "rediscovered" her faith. An interesting article:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/
20051116/am_rice_book_051116/20051116/

Deconstruction

It seems that so much of what we "construct" in our lives needs to be "deconstructed" on a regular basis. Whether it's in our relationships, at our workplace, or in our churches, we get into ruts.

We are creatures of habit, so having a routine gives us a feeling of stability. There are things in life that are static. These things are best served by routine. But there are many things in life that are constantly changing. These things need regular deconstruction.

Anything connected to culture will need regular deconstruction. Culture has evolved so much in the last 5 years let alone the last 50 years. These things include: music, art, fashion, communication and other things.

In light of my path in life, my approach to communicating my faith needs to be deconstructed. Yet there are static aspects of my faith. What Christ has done for me hasn't changed but how it applies to others does change.

Do I have the courage to ask there questions on a regular basis?

A Post For Post's Sake

We've gone to Kamloops for a couple of days to see Kevin Corneau and Rebecca Hansen's wedding. We'll be back in time for Living Room Church on Sunday. Hope you all have a great weekend.

A thought for the day - Don't be so proud of your accomplishments that you stop to look back at them. Keep going!!!

With Apologies To All My Union Friends

I've seen the light!! Hallelujah!!!
Our Shaw account jumped $14/month with no warning so we got out. New e-mail will be paulandwanda@telus.net. But PLEASE don't use it. Use our Hotmail.

"A Device To Root Out Evil"

Now here's an interesting piece of art. It now sits on Bute and W Cordova in downtown Vancouver. In case it takes you a while to pick out what it is I'll help. It's a church turned upside down and (apparently) rammed into the ground. The piece is called "A Device To Root Out Evil".

I can't say I have been so stimulated by a piece of art (other than music, because that comes easier to me) ever. Ask yourself these questions:

1. If you attend a church regularly, what emotions does this invoke in you?

2. If you don't, what about this piece do you identify with?

3. What is the artist trying to say (like we could know, but it's fun to try)?

4. What about you needs to be turned upside down?

Who The Heck Am I Anyway??

I can't believe I got Wanda to marry me - I love a long americano with one pump of hazelnut and a dollop of real cream - I'm becoming more aware of the power of film to motivate people - I'm not sure if I like the Oilers or can't let go of the Gretzky era - I love soup - I think people who live in Downtown Vancouver and have questionable values and spend a lot of money on coffee and facials still deserve to hear about Jesus - I'm in love with my new iBook - I still feel like I'm from Kamloops - I read a lot because I'm afraid of being ignorant - I don't think I would vote for George Bush if given the chance - I think I like chocolate more than the average guy - I'm facinated with the idea of integrating the world and the church, believing that it is the way it was always supposed to be - I have great friends - Although I've been a pastor for ten years, I have never had business cards.

Show Me Your Back

Here's a meditation I heard from Leonard Sweet this past week. Hope it impacts you as much as it did me.



What was Paul of the New Testament like? What did he look like?

Below, Paul gives our imagination a working as he describes what he has been through and it may lead to what he may have looked like.

2 Corinthians 11:21
What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Erwin McManus when referring to this text asks the question “Tell me again that the safest place to be is at the center of GOD’s will!?”

The key verses are 24, 25, 26. Here we read that Paul received 39 lashes – FIVE TIMES! That has to be at least 195 scars on his BACK.

3 times he was beaten with rods by Romans…What was the crime? Paul was a Roman citizen. Was he beaten for insurrection or treason? Did he keep quiet and not let the authorities know that he was a Roman citizen? Or did he start riots? Did he consider himself a citizen of a higher kingdom? Those rods were not broom sticks they were probably baseball bat like. Imagine how Paul had to protect himself, wrapping his arms around his head, protecting the most sensitive parts of his body…so what was left exposed? His back.

How many bones of Paul’s body were broken after these beatings, not just once but many times? Especially his BACK!

He was even stoned once. This was the Jewish form of capital punishment… Was he really saying that he was killed? Because in Acts 14 they dragged Paul outside of the city and they thought he was dead. When people throw objects at you what do you do? You cover your head and go into a fetal position…what is exposed? Your BACK.

Now, try to think of Paul without thinking about his back and all the punishment that it took…

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete) who is also our battle companion. And even when we have the presence of the Holy Spirit and good friends covering our back isn’t interesting that the whips, and the rods and the stones still get through, do they not? The rods, the whips and the stones…they still connect, they still scar.

As I read Acts 14 “They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.” I wonder…did Paul die? Did the disciples pray over him and he was raised from the dead? HEY, where were the disciples when Paul was being stoned? I thought they would have his back!!! Why did they gather around Paul outside of the city? Why did they not cover his back?

But look at what Paul did…He got up and went back into the city.
WOW…imagine that…they thought you were dead and then you show up again!

If you consider yourself a leader…show me your back. Is it a clean back? Or is it full of scars, bruises and broken bones?

Followers of Christ need people to “cover our back.” Nobody has made a difference for GOD without them having people “say we will cover your back.” I know this is true in my life and it has been conveyed to me over and over again by people who surround me. And that is a wonderful comfort. But even when our “backs are covered” the whips, rocks and rods still get through. So in spite of our pain and injury, can we still get up and walk right back into the face of the very thing that has caused our pain?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Does this guy look like he's ready to be a daddy? Congratulations Josh and Carolyn on your exciting news!!! We love you!!!

FAQ #4 - Obstacles

4. WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY IN DOWNTOWN?

SPACE!!! Space is at a premium in this area. Real estate sells for around $400/sq ft. Retail is about $30/sq ft per year to lease. Although this may be an obstacle, we have chosen to see it as a challenge to be overcome. It has helped us embrace the home church model. This model will eliminate the space challenge because if you get too big for a living room, you start another home church. Inherent in this are some definite "must haves": leadership training and keeping church about the important things. The minute you start thinking in terms of programs for your church, then you need space.

LANGUAGE!!! The people of downtown Vancouver speak a different language, the two main languages being Manderin and Tolerance. Some speak both. By tolerance I mean the prevailing attitude of the day that "if it's right for you then it must be OK". The people that I've met downtown believe in absolutes but don't believe that I can tell THEM what absolutes are. There are things they believe in (look at the charities they support or the volunteer work they do) but there is no sense of "corporate absolutes". The challenge of ministering to Asians is something that is only hitting me recently. Obviously, we live so close to Chinatown that it must be taken into consideration. I have had the privilege of working at Delta Church and in doing so have been able to learn and understand a little bit about the Sikh culture, I am desiring to do the same about the Asian cultures in downtown.

Well, this ends my FAQ series of posts. If you have any other questions, drop me a line and I'll try to answer them.

FAQ #3 - The People Down Here

3. AREN'T CITY PEOPLE UNFRIENDLY OR ALL ADDICTED TO DRUGS OR WRAPPED UP IN THEMSELVES?

Our experience so far with the people we've gotten to know down here is that they're like everyone else I've ever met with a few exceptions.

The desire for true community down here is stronger than anywhere I've ever been. Yes people are quite career focused downtown but that doesn't prevent them from having significant contact with others.

Maybe the biggest obstacle to connection for us has been the fact that 80% of the people we meet have a degree or two. Very smart people, very well read. And if you don't keep up on current events, don't even think you can carry on a conversation down here.

So isn't this FUN?? Having all your questions answered about us?? Next post we'll deal with the obstacles to ministry in this area that we see.

FAQ #2 - $$$

2. HOW DO YOU GUYS SUPPORT YOURSELF LIVING IN SUPER EXPENSIVE DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER??

That part of our life is a constant adventure. We were able to buy a condo down here but it stretched us big time financially. BUT we wanted to "live amongst the people" we were ministering to. We didn't want to "parachute in" from the 'burbs to give 'em the gospel and then head back out in the HOV lane. It is a constant sacrifice but it has been, is, and will continue to be, worth it.

Our budget is a combination of jobs (Delta Pentecostal Church, The Well) and personal support (people whom we share our vision with support us monthly similar to an overseas missionary).

Our long term vision is to establish a coffee business in downtown which would become it's own stream of revenue.

Hope that clarifies some things. Next post, we will address the social climate in this area of Vancouver.

FAQ's

So Wanda and I thought it might be prudent to begin answering some of the questions that people have about our downtown ministry efforts. These next few posts will be an effort to answer some questions that church people have about what we're doing:

1. WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU GUYS DOING DOWN THERE??
Well, we believe down town Vancouver to be a place of incredible spiritual need. There is a severe lack of churches. This, coupled with the fact that we were wanting to live more in the community instead of in the four walls of the church, plus the encouragement of the PAOC BC District is what lead us to downtown Vancouver. So what are we doing? We are trying to live an authentically Christian life in the midst of people who don't know Christ. We have recently begun to worship together on Sunday nights with others who feel a similar call and affinity with downtown. Our vision is to see a small living room church in every condo building in downtown Vancouver.

Another question we get a lot is about how we support ourselves financially. We'll tackel that one in our next post.

Mmmmm... TURKEY!!

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend with your family and or friends celebrating Thanksgiving. I get to go back to Kamloops and celebrate with my family as well as celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. It's gonna be fun.

Make sure to tell the people in your life how thankful you are for them. People need to know these things. It helps them keep going.

So.... I want to tell you all how thankful Wanda and I are for you in our lives. We feel so enriched by the friends we have and know that God has brought us to where we are in part because of the people He has chosen to reveal Himself through.

Don't eat too much turkey. Love your families. Spend time with people who don't go to church. Gobble, gobble gobble!!!

Guess What?

Wanda's on the road again. Up in Slave Lake helping her mom with her big scrapbook retreat. She'll be back on the 3rd. I have to preach and lead worship on Sunday at Delta and work 24 hours at the Well during the week so if you think about, it pray for me sometime during the next 7 days.

My Prayer For Vancouver

Father God in Heaven,
You are Lord over Vancouver.
May this city reflect Your characteristics just as heaven does.
Today and everyday we ask for Your provisions and forgiveness so life and ministry can continue.
We will endeavor to provide for and forgive others.
Help us keep our eyes on You during this journey. Because it's all about You and it always will be.
AMEN.

Am I Dumb Enough

There seems to be this longing in the hearts of all the Christian leaders I know for more than we have seen. Part of me thinks it comes from such a disappointment in all of the "methods" or "patterns" they thought were such a cool idea coupled with a common sense knowledge that God is who He says He is. It makes me look for leadership to lead me towards this goal but there aren't a lot of them around. I guess that makes sense. If the church really is on the verge of a reformation, then there needs to be no doubt as to who the glory will go to.

I long for the day when the church is powerful for God in their communities.

I long for the day when people are just "dumb enough" to take God at His word regarding all the promises in Scripture.

I long to be so full of love that people think I might actually be from another planet.

I long to be so full of love that my wife thinks I might actually be from another planet.

PERSONALLY I long to own a coffee shop that people come back to day after day becuase "there's just something about that place and the people are really nice."

I long for the church to be a force.

Hey

Well we've been back from our trip for a weekish or so. Getting back into the pace of North American life. We've begun our Sunday night downtown meetings. We're a small group but we're really intent on discovering God's will for this part of Vancouver. We're not sure if this will be the genesis of a church or a ministry group but we're excited. We have a great peace about this time in our life and feel confident that when God reveals to us what He wants to do, we'll be close by to hear.

Back From Ukraine

What a trip. So many experiences and so many people. It was pretty overwhelming. I can't believe it's over. Wanda and I had an amazing time and were stretched more than we thought possible. We hada few hiccups (lost bags on the way there and back, girl lost her passport in London) but nothing we couldn't over come. Check out the pictures below because these ones are definitely worth a thousand words.

Ever wonder what the Southeastern coastline of Greenland looks like from 36000 feet? Wonder no more. Took this one on the way home. 

Kyiv is indeed the city of churches. This is one of the many beautiful structures in the city, St Michaels.

Note to self, if you are ever in Ukraine again, no more than 5 to an elevator. Us 6 were stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes. We needed to use a tire jack to wedge the doors open so we could crawl out.

We worshipped on Sunday at Hillsong Kyiv

This is Steppo. He has 3 more years at the school nd then he wants to be a preacher. He really connected with Wanda. 

Mmmmm. Get me somma dat SHASHLEEEK!! 

On our last day there we did a kids program for the orphans. They really liked it. 

These were our cooks for the week. Natalia on the left and Oxana on the right. 

More of God's beautiful children that live in the Dobromyl orphanage. 

These are some of the orphans from the orphanage we worked at. They came back from camp our second last day there. 

This is Ivan. He works for the town of Dobromyl. He wasn'r very sober in this picture but we gave him a Bible in Ukrainian and he says he's looking forward to us coming back. 

Kids in Ukraine love balloon animals. Who knew?? 

Wanda got to take a special trip with our girls to a girls orphanage an hour away from Dobromyl. Wanda said it was specail and very very hard as most of the girls are severely handicapped. 

We did a lot of singing in the city square in Dobromyl. Here's Rae and I singing uhhh I dunno what we're singing. People would come around to hear us and the team would talk to them and we would do some dramas. This happend pretty much every night we were there.