I Am Alive

In 1995, the movie Braveheart, was seen by millions of people around the world and won 5 Oscars.  Mel Gibson played a character named William Wallace.  He was a commoner who sought to unite the 13th Century Scots in their battle to overthrow English Rule.  In the movie, William Wallace makes a statement that is cause for some reflection.  He said, “Every man dies, not every man really lives.”

So, what does it mean to be alive?  Everything.

As we approach the story of The Empty Tomb it’s imperative to slow down, take time, and reflect.  We need to enter the story.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us so that we see ourselves…today, as part of the story.

In this chapter we see and feel the emotions of Mary, Simon Peter, and the Beloved Disciple running to the tomb where Jesus had been laid.  We imagine what it must have been like to see that “the stone had been removed from the entrance.”  Jesus’ grave cloths were there—in order, not strewn about, not stolen.  We realize that no one had ransacked the tomb.  The careful attention to this written account suggests to us that what did happen, really happened.  A physical bodily resurrection of Jesus!  As they stood at the entrance, it was as if in the echoes of that empty tomb you could hear Jesus saying, “I am alive!”  Can you hear it?  Incredible.  Miraculous.  Supernatural.

Yet, this story is not meant to be ‘just another story.’  It is meant for transformation for all who hear it.  Jesus is alive and that is good news.  However, for many people it only remains an intellectual talking point.  A correct belief about the historicity of the resurrection, some may say.  Jesus wants much more.  He wants you and me to enter the story.  He wants us to say, like Jesus, “I am alive.”  When we speak those words, we begin to see the transformative power of Jesus in every aspect and interaction of our lives.  When we say those words with Jesus, “I am alive,” we really live.

Don’t Miss Out!

You can see the world and your experiences in it  primarily in two ways.  Either life is like a glass half full or half empty.  You know what I mean.  Just take a look and compare some Facebook status updates.  There are those who constantly complain about how much their life sucks and then there are those who, like my friend, has decided to write and be thankful every day for 1,000 days.  She’s taking a stand to look at life half full…and be thankful.

Granted, there are those who go back and forth from thankfulness to complaining and then back again.  Like Charles Dickens who wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” this seems to sum up their overall human experience.   In reality, this is probably where most people land.

However, when it comes to the things of God and His interactions with us in the world, we can see things half full or half empty.  We can put our faith in a God who provides, knows our needs, who can perform miracles, can make the impossible possible, change our circumstances—or, we can grumble, complain, and lose hope.  Yet, Christians never lose hope!  In fact, when we sit on the side of the fence and see things half empty we miss out on being a part of God’s blessing in the world and in our lives.  What a tragedy!  My fear is that too many people are missing out on God’s blessing partly because of how they choose to view the world, their life, and their circumstance.

So, don’t miss out on God’s blessings for your life!

 

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

 

 

 

 

Living Beyond Ourselves

It’s a difficult task, at least for me, to let go of control.  I like to control things.  I like to know what’s going to happen and when things are going to happen.  If there’s a road trip planned, I want to be the driver, not a passenger.  In fact, even when we had a yard that needed mowing, I couldn’t stand the thought of someone else mowing it while we were away—I mean, would the lines be straight?!? We like be in control, it feels comfortable and safe.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus reminded his followers that they were not going to do life alone.  They were going to have a Helper.  The Holy Spirit was going to reside and fill each believer.  Later in John’s gospel, Jesus said that “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

This creates tension.  I like to think I control my life.  However, I also have the actual presence of the Holy Spirit living in me.  The apostle Paul spoke of being filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5:18ff.  What Paul was saying was that there are many things that can control our lives, but as followers of Jesus, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us/control us.  I love what Jim Cymbala (Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle) wrote,

“When God takes control of a life, he takes control through the Holy  Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is the Helper Jesus sent to do the  job.  When we fear giving control to the Spirit, we really fear God’s control over our lives.  When we refuse to yield to the Spirit, we miss out on the holy excitement of living beyond ourselves.”

(Jim Cymbala, Spirit Rising: Tapping Into the Power of the Holy Spirit)

This week, take some time to think about whether or not you are living with holy excitement.  I love thinking that way instead of thinking about how my life is just going through the motions.  Every day, there are opportunities to live beyond myself (conversations to be had//encouragement to be given//whispers by the Holy Spirit to be bold and speak for those who have no voice//to serve with compassion//to love the lost, the least, the little, and the nearly dead) because of the power of the Holy Spirit inside of me.  What are you waiting for? Go for it!

God Working

Seeing the constant activity and traffic on this blog…even though I haven’t posted on it in a while has made me re-consider my initial decision to move everything over to my new home.  That being said, I thank you all for bearing with me as I endeavour to unearth and uncover the realm that is blogging!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Col 3:20-21)

 

So many times I’ve wandered through my day, week, or month wondering “Is God really using me?”  ”Am I really having an impact and reflecting Christ through my words and actions?”  Have you every had those thoughts?  

In September 2011, I set out to create and establish what I call “Catalyst groups” across the City of Victoria.  Catalyst is the name given to our Young Adult Ministry.  Our desire is to ignite change in our city and world because of what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives.  How were we going to do this? Catalyst groups.

We meet across Victoria at different coffee shops (and we hope to expand to other venues: pubs, restaurants, College/University campuses just to name a few…) for one hour once a week.  What do we do?  We get together and read a passage of Scripture for 20 mins.  For the next 20 mins we journal and write (using an acrostic – SOAR – as our guide).  For the final 20 mins we talk about how we were impacted personally by God’s word.

Simple.  Powerful. Life-Changing.

I never dreamed about some of the God Working Stories that are beginning to emerge.  I think often of the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Colosse that God can do more than we even imagine for His purposes!

…a couple months ago…

I sat with a couple key Young Adult leaders in a coffee shop sharing the vision for what I believe God can do through His word.  Using Psalm 1 as my guide, I believe I cast a red-hot vision for a Catalyst group at that very location.  I said, “Can you imagine this coffee shop filled with student’s in God’s word reading, writing, and being personally addressed by God word?”  As I continued to cast vision, I noticed that behind the coffee counter, one of the baristas was intently listening.  

Listening intently.

I continued to notice how this particular barista was captivated by our conversation.  Finally, out came the words: “Are you a church group or something?”  I responded and said with a smile, “Yes, we are!”  She then smiled back and said, “That’s cool. I’m not a church person…but that’s cool.”  

A few more minutes passed.

She then came back and said, “Do you know any cool Jesus stories?”  I could hardly believe what I was hearing!  So, I said, “Of course…I do know lots of cool Jesus stories!”  As she looked back at me I could tell she was thinking about what to say next.  Then it came out — “Can you tell me a cool Jesus story?”

That question led me to engage in a cool Jesus story – the story from John 9 where Jesus heals a man born blind.  It was an incredible converstion.  I could tell that as I told the story, the reality of what Jesus had done for the blind man became real to her as she listened.  

That one day began a process…a journey.  Not only has a friendship been forged but she and her boyfirend have been to church now, for the first time.  Now she wants to have her first bible.  Next week…it’s bible shopping!

Never did I dream or imagine that reading God’s word in public with a group of Young Adult’s begin to have life-changing impact to those who see us meet week after week.

Isn’t it amazing what God can do? More than we can even imagine!

New Blog Post/Home

Our new website is up and running.  It’s a work-in-progess but you’ll be able read all my blog updates on that site from now on.  This is a reminder that your subscription to my blog at this address will no longer function.  You will have to re-subscribe at:

www.catalystonline.ca

New Blog Post: “Room to Grow”

http://wp.me/p26EvT-6h

Thanks for stopping by!

Rick

 

Check Out My New Blog Home…and Subscribe!

 

 

Just a “Friday” update for everyone that my new blog home is at www.catalystonline.ca

What you need to do is click on the Rick’s Blog tab at the top on the webpage and then click on the white envelope to subscribe.  Or, just find the ‘subscribe to rick’s blog’ tab and click on any one of the logos below it to determine how you wish to subscribe!

 
I look forward to engaging in more conversation at www.catalystonline.ca!

 

 

“A New Thing”

I’m not sure how you rang in the New Year but if you were like a lot of people, you were surrounded by friends, family, or Ryan Seacrest (via your flat screen TV – can you believe you can buy an 80′ HDTV???  Yikes, that’s a lot of Seacrest!).

Either way, 2012 is upon us and we cannot turn back the hands of time.  A question lingers though, as if in the distance.  We can interact with it if we want.  Or, like years gone by, we can let it wander off into the fog and let it roam free … although we know it’s just a stone’s throw away.

What will you do with your life in 2012?  It’s a BIG question.  It strikes the core of who we are because it’s tied so closely with our purpose.  In Isaiah it says that God is doing a ‘new thing’ and then we’re asked if we even perceive it.  So, for some people, God is working in their lives but they can go on living and not recognize what God is doing.  I’m hopeful that we all take time to recognize where God is working in our lives and pursue those avenues.  He may also be springing up a ‘new work’ in your life this year.  If He is, pursue it and perceive it!  The end of verse 19 in Isaiah 43 says that God is making a way in the desert and turning wastelands into life-giving streams.

Our God is a God who is a life-giver, life-sustainer, and life-redeemer.  He can turn any ‘wastelands’ in our lives into vibrant streams that are full of life!

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IMPORTANT NOTE:  My blog can now be found at www.catalystonline.ca .  Once on the main page, just click the Rick’s Blog tab.  I’d love for you to stop by and subscribe.  For all my current subscribers, if you wish to continue to receive blog updates directly to your email, you must subscribe at the new site.

Thanks to the thousands of people who have stopped by this blog – it’s been a great experiment and experience and I’m pumped to see where this all leads See you at my new ‘online home!’

-Rick

 

Merry Christmas!

As many of you have noticed, my blog has been down for a while.  That being said, I want to remind everyone that once January comes, it will be in full swing again.

I want to thank all of the 5,500+ people who have stopped by to check in, read, and be challenged by some of these blog posts.  I’ve received some very positive feedback and can’t wait for the 2012 blog season…as I like to call it!

As Christmas approaches, I want to say to all of you that I wish you a very Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday season and New Year!  May we never forget the reason for the season.

God Bless…and see you in 2012!

 

Seasons Are Changing

Seasons are definitely changing!  This morning I woke up to see snow covering the tops of mountains and I had to find my ice scraper to clear my windshield.  I like the change of seasons.  It makes me reflect a little bit about how I also experience different ‘season’s’ in my life.

Moving towards the winter, I am thinking a little more about areas in my life that I need to adjust in order for new growth to appear.  In other words, I’ve been thinking about what it’s going to take to live a life that is purpose-driven (thank you Rick Warren) — a life that is lived at the next level.

Do I want to have a closer relationship with God?  If so, what has to change in order for me to get to the next level?  There are all sorts of ways that I would like to improve in many different areas.

Maybe this weekend, as the seasons are changing, think about the areas of your life that you’d like to adjust in order to see new growth and new opportunities.  I think as we do this together, we’ll be surprised at what God has in store for us!

 

 

* I am still in the process of converting my blog to another website.  During the transition, even though my posts will not be as regular, I’d appreciate your continued support.  I am hoping to be fully operational on my new platform in January 2012.  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

To Give Or Not To Give?

This week’s blog post entry comes from a well-known Pastor in Lake Forest, California—Rick Warren.  Warren is an influential leader and is Pastor to one of the largest churches in the USA, Saddleback Church.  His words seem so timely today in an age where money has captured the heart of so many.

Hope you enjoy!

 

God: First or Last in Your Budget?

by Rick Warren

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you to  always put God first in your lives.” Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB)

Tithing is the spiritual habit of giving back to God the first 10  percent of all I make.

If I make $100, I give $10 back to God; if I make $1000, I give $100  back to God. I get to keep 90 percent, but I give 10 percent to him.

Why do that? Because  God says so, and that’s reason enough. If you don’t do it, you’re disobeying  God. But there’s another reason. Jesus says, “Wherever your treasure is, there  the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21 NLT).

The reason I tithe  is to draw me closer to God. The Bible says wherever you put your money, that’s  where your heart is. If I put my money in a boat, that’s where my affection  goes. Wherever I put my money, that’s what becomes important to me. If I put  God first when it comes to my money, it says, “God, you’re first in my life.”

If you show me how  you spend your time and how you spend your money, I’ll show you what’s  important in your life. Show me your schedule and your checkbook stubs and, no  matter what you say is important, I’ll tell you what’s really important to you.

Today’s verse  explains that “the purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first”  in your life (TLB). If I say, “God, I want you to be number 1 in my life,” but  he’s last place in my budget, that’s a contradiction.

The issue here is  where you place God in your list of priorities. Your finances simply reflect  what those priorities are. What do your finances reveal about the priority of  God in your life?