Yesterday was an interesting day. It's funny how getting bad news tends to launch us... or at least me... into a preoccupied state where we fluctuate back and forth between fixating and almost forgetting, if that makes any sense.
I found out last night that a friend of mine from university passed away yesterday. I hadn't really seen her since she graduated, but news like that still hits me hard. I think it comes down to the fact that I view friendship as being a permanent thing. In my mind, it doesn't matter how long I go without talking to someone or seeing them... friendship doesn't fade. I will always remember her positive attitude, even in the face of illness. She was one of those people who could always make me laugh, often without even saying anything... she just kind of radiated humour, along with compassion, kindness, and empathy.
It makes me want to get mad at the world sometimes, the way it just keeps going on. A life has ended, but the dog still needs to be walked, the cats still need to be fed, and morons will still race down my street in ugly pickup trucks blasting rap music. Maybe it's a mixed blessing, I don't know.
I'm not even worried about making sense today. I guess this is just a way to put some thoughts out there without really having to talk to anyone.
But the world goes on... I mentioned the dog earlier and right now, he's about to start chewing through the bars of the kennel so it's time for a little trip outside.
God bless.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Peace Passing Understanding
It's hard to believe how fast the past couple of months have gone. I guess the belated update would be that the trip home was successful and quick... made it from the Vancouver area to Oromocto, New Brunswick in just a little over 5 days, thanks to great weather and a wonderful second driver.
I arrived in Oromocto May 14, and started working at the church on May 18, making yesterday a bit of a landmark- I've reached the one month mark. I find myself almost feeling like I'm deflating... in a good way. The thought of having a permanent position, working with and among people without anticipating a farewell has allowed me a great deal of peace of mind. To look at some of the kids I've gotten to know here... in one family that I have quickly become attached to, in particular, and to know that I will (Lord willing) see their 13 and 14 year-old sons, and their 9 year-old daughter graduate from high school is like a breath of fresh air. I finally feel as thought I have arrived in a place where I am able to build some kind of a legacy... and Lord willing... a family.
The truth that I have learned over the past few months is that the will and calling of God is something which so often transcends our own understanding, and even appears to trangress our own desires, at least in the short term. The reality is, though, that God often leads us more through the doors he closes than the doors he opens. I've found over the past year or so, that there about 3 or 4 closed door for every open one. The closed doors are frustrating, but when we take it as a sign and move on, we do eventually come to the open door, and are led into a place of peace and rest... at least for a season. I maintain no illusions that the next years (or decades) of ministry in Oromocto are going to be free from trouble, stress, or closed doors. But all of these things I can face with confidence and in peace knowing that I am in the place that I am meant to be, at least for this season of my life.
I arrived in Oromocto May 14, and started working at the church on May 18, making yesterday a bit of a landmark- I've reached the one month mark. I find myself almost feeling like I'm deflating... in a good way. The thought of having a permanent position, working with and among people without anticipating a farewell has allowed me a great deal of peace of mind. To look at some of the kids I've gotten to know here... in one family that I have quickly become attached to, in particular, and to know that I will (Lord willing) see their 13 and 14 year-old sons, and their 9 year-old daughter graduate from high school is like a breath of fresh air. I finally feel as thought I have arrived in a place where I am able to build some kind of a legacy... and Lord willing... a family.
The truth that I have learned over the past few months is that the will and calling of God is something which so often transcends our own understanding, and even appears to trangress our own desires, at least in the short term. The reality is, though, that God often leads us more through the doors he closes than the doors he opens. I've found over the past year or so, that there about 3 or 4 closed door for every open one. The closed doors are frustrating, but when we take it as a sign and move on, we do eventually come to the open door, and are led into a place of peace and rest... at least for a season. I maintain no illusions that the next years (or decades) of ministry in Oromocto are going to be free from trouble, stress, or closed doors. But all of these things I can face with confidence and in peace knowing that I am in the place that I am meant to be, at least for this season of my life.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Catching Up
Over the past couple of months, I have been remiss in updating this blog.
Normally, I have used this blog to transmit my views on concepts and ideologies, however I feel that I will be taking it in a different direction over the next while.
On May 9th, I will be leaving British Columbia and heading back east, where I have been called to a position of Associate Pastor of youth and church life at Oromocto Baptist Church. I am deeply excited for all of the opportunities that the Lord has provided and will provide over the next few years.
First of all, I can praise God because he has already been taking care of details. I have a place to live when I move, and he has also provided me with a "travel buddy" in the form of a dear friend and fellow pastor, who is looking to make the trip as far as Ontario. So I have a destination, and I know that it will be an enjoyable trip, since I have company as well as a brand spanking new GPS, so I won't get lost on the way. Those of you who are familiar with my sense of direction will be aware of how valuable of an advantage that would be for me.
So it's pretty much all over here except for the packing. I will be shedding tremendous amounts of baggage, as well, so hopefully driving the car won't be like trying to steer a rhinoceros this time.
Well, that's about all for me for now. I will be updating the blog with details over the next few weeks. The week of the trip, I will most likely be posting daily progress updates, as I'm sure there are some people who are interested tracking my progress (not to sounds presumptuous or arrogant, but there IS an entire congregation of people I have never met waiting for me on the other side of the country).
Normally, I have used this blog to transmit my views on concepts and ideologies, however I feel that I will be taking it in a different direction over the next while.
On May 9th, I will be leaving British Columbia and heading back east, where I have been called to a position of Associate Pastor of youth and church life at Oromocto Baptist Church. I am deeply excited for all of the opportunities that the Lord has provided and will provide over the next few years.
First of all, I can praise God because he has already been taking care of details. I have a place to live when I move, and he has also provided me with a "travel buddy" in the form of a dear friend and fellow pastor, who is looking to make the trip as far as Ontario. So I have a destination, and I know that it will be an enjoyable trip, since I have company as well as a brand spanking new GPS, so I won't get lost on the way. Those of you who are familiar with my sense of direction will be aware of how valuable of an advantage that would be for me.
So it's pretty much all over here except for the packing. I will be shedding tremendous amounts of baggage, as well, so hopefully driving the car won't be like trying to steer a rhinoceros this time.
Well, that's about all for me for now. I will be updating the blog with details over the next few weeks. The week of the trip, I will most likely be posting daily progress updates, as I'm sure there are some people who are interested tracking my progress (not to sounds presumptuous or arrogant, but there IS an entire congregation of people I have never met waiting for me on the other side of the country).
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Noise
This past week, I have been doing an experiment, of sorts. I've decided to kick discipline into high gear, and avoid "worldly" distractions as much as possible. By worldly, I simply mean cutting back on T.V. (not a hard one, seeing as the T.V. hasn't been on in this apartment for 5 1/2 months), movies, games, and the like. In all honesty, it hasn't been a resounding success- I have still lingered for longer than I would like to have on Youtube or Facebook, but I've been surprised by the results of freeing up just a few hours a week from the tyranny of amusement.
In the song "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", Jacob Moon says that "Man and his engines have conquered silence; they drown out heaven. Sometimes I hear it whispered in secret; old words, new meaning." With cutting out movies (one of my greatest time-wasters, I'll admit, along with shows on DVD), I've had a lot more time to listen to music. I found the statement that Moon makes to be tragically profound and accurate. There is just so much "noise" in our world that we are missing the music that God composes for every day. When I say "we", I suppose I mean, "I", as I can only tell my own story.
I don't want to focus on the negative, actually, because the experience has not been negative. To begin with, it has made me less selfish. Rather than making my way through a work day (or week, for that matter) simply so that I can flop down in front of something or other and "veg", I have noticed a dramatic increase in my willingness to use my time to bless and encourage others. I have sought out the company of others rather than taking the easy road for an introvert and hiding in my cave. Even though I have 2 jobs and am working on my masters degree, I have managed to find time to volunteer in the church above and beyond my job description, and to reconnect with folks that I have lost touch with over the last few months.
I have been both going to bed earlier and getting up earlier, as there is no cinematic seductress tempting me to wile away the night staring into her bright and alluring eye (most poetic description of a screen I could think of). I have found new life injected into my prayer and devotional life, and my mind is more focus on such things during the day. If you happen to notice the time stamp, please don't think me a hypocrite. I had far more coffee today than is generally advisable for a human being, and so I don't think I'll fall asleep again in this calendar year. Maybe my caffeine dependence will be the next project, I don't know. We'll slaughter one sacred cow at a time.
I've also been more productive and contentious, in general. Knowing this was going to be a restless night, I managed to tackle a lot of things that I have been meaning to get to, but have "never had the time". For my part, the living room is now uncluttered, and you could eat off of pretty much any fixture in the bathroom. Tomorrow morning, I shall have clean dishes and dust-free floors! (Didn't think that the roomie would appreciate vacuuming at 11:30 pm. Just call me empathic)
So for today, I am devoid of deep cultural insight and scriptural exposition, at least in a direct sense. I'm just happy at the journey over the past few days, and I'm looking forward to continuing it.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
Jeremy
In the song "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", Jacob Moon says that "Man and his engines have conquered silence; they drown out heaven. Sometimes I hear it whispered in secret; old words, new meaning." With cutting out movies (one of my greatest time-wasters, I'll admit, along with shows on DVD), I've had a lot more time to listen to music. I found the statement that Moon makes to be tragically profound and accurate. There is just so much "noise" in our world that we are missing the music that God composes for every day. When I say "we", I suppose I mean, "I", as I can only tell my own story.
I don't want to focus on the negative, actually, because the experience has not been negative. To begin with, it has made me less selfish. Rather than making my way through a work day (or week, for that matter) simply so that I can flop down in front of something or other and "veg", I have noticed a dramatic increase in my willingness to use my time to bless and encourage others. I have sought out the company of others rather than taking the easy road for an introvert and hiding in my cave. Even though I have 2 jobs and am working on my masters degree, I have managed to find time to volunteer in the church above and beyond my job description, and to reconnect with folks that I have lost touch with over the last few months.
I have been both going to bed earlier and getting up earlier, as there is no cinematic seductress tempting me to wile away the night staring into her bright and alluring eye (most poetic description of a screen I could think of). I have found new life injected into my prayer and devotional life, and my mind is more focus on such things during the day. If you happen to notice the time stamp, please don't think me a hypocrite. I had far more coffee today than is generally advisable for a human being, and so I don't think I'll fall asleep again in this calendar year. Maybe my caffeine dependence will be the next project, I don't know. We'll slaughter one sacred cow at a time.
I've also been more productive and contentious, in general. Knowing this was going to be a restless night, I managed to tackle a lot of things that I have been meaning to get to, but have "never had the time". For my part, the living room is now uncluttered, and you could eat off of pretty much any fixture in the bathroom. Tomorrow morning, I shall have clean dishes and dust-free floors! (Didn't think that the roomie would appreciate vacuuming at 11:30 pm. Just call me empathic)
So for today, I am devoid of deep cultural insight and scriptural exposition, at least in a direct sense. I'm just happy at the journey over the past few days, and I'm looking forward to continuing it.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
Jeremy
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