I walked them through the 7 “I am’s” of John’s gospel as a paradigm for mission in a post-modern context. Stay tuned St. G’s! We will be working through this as on our sermon series after Easter. Pray for the Toronto project as they being looking for a new location to accommodate their growth and a Sunday evening service. Keep praying that the Master would send them a pastor.

I met with the leadership of St. Paul Anglican Bible Church, Stoney Creek. They are preparing to travel to Virginia in early May to meet with Tom Herrick and the Titus church planting project. Tom will walk them through some re-visioning and develop the beginning of a coaching relationship. Please keep them in prayer, as well. We are praying that this may turn into a broader working relationship between ANiC and Titus with regional meetings across Canada.

Finally, Church of the Messiah in Norwich. Please keep them in your prayers as they wrestle with capacity issues at their current location on Main St. They are also praying and planning to add a second mid-week Bible study.

Our satellite location, St. G’s – Milton, is humming along. Attendance dipped a bit after we cancelled two consecutive services in February (lesson learned! Don’t cancel services!). In the meantime, our youth group is meeting in Milton every Sunday for Bible study and our worship team has begun a Sunday evening jam in Milton as well. They even had me playing bongo and harmonica last week!

On the national front, I met with our CP working group to further develop our policies to foster and support new congregations in ANiC. We are hammering out issues of banking and charitable status for projects, plants and parishes. Please pray for me as I prepare for an all day presentation to the house of bishops and archdeacons on April 14th in Abbotsford, BC.

And lastly, on the international front I met with the Anglican 1000 leadership team this week. We divided up several tasks on the conference call. I am tasked with continuing my podcast interviews with Anglican church planters and catalytic leaders. I have also been commissioned to write a position paper for the ACNA provincial house of bishops. This is really exciting and I look forward to sinking my teeth into it. It will further the work I did a few months ago addressing the question, “What is a church.” In other words, if our God-given mandate is to plant 1000 churches in the next 5 years, what are we planting. I will present the paper to the ACNA house of bishops, helping them to generously define the irruducible minimum of ‘church’ while leaving enough room for differences of churchmanship (Anglo-catholic, Evangelical and Charismatic).

So … all in all, another good week for church planting.

Throw in a Futures Group meeting – in which we worked developed a new approach to identifying and assimilating newcomers while continuing to build our Pastorates – several staff and pastoral meetings, much study and prayer and there you have it. That’s my week.

Praying without ceasing – RD

The problem is that my weeks are packed solid. From Monday to Saturday with church, meetings, people, ministry, study and travel. When I carve out a day and block it off in my iCal an ‘emergency’ will invariably pop up. I am starting to think that the ‘day off’ is fiction, like fairies and unicorns.

Then, my friends and people I trust become belligerent. “RD TAKE A DAY OFF!”. And the ‘day off’ becomes one more thing I need to do. Rest turns into another thing on my to do list and I feel guilty because I can never seem to ‘get it done’.

“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12 (ESV).

Jesus, the ‘Son of Man’, is the Lord of the sabbath. That means that without Jesus I can not participate in a Sabbath – the real issue behind the ‘day off’. Cutting the other way, it also means that Sabbath is one of the things Jesus provides for those who are in Him. An interesting conundrum …

Sabbath has its roots in the creation account in Genesis 1. God creates everything that is in one massive creative act. Then He spends 6 days differentiating His created mass. On the seventh day He rested. Did you ever think about this? God rested …? Was He tired?

The key to understanding God’s 7th day rest is found at the end of each of the other 6 days. God created and then declared, “it is good.” After the 6th day, when His creative work was finished He said, “It is VERY good” and then he rested. Maybe the Sabbath reality has less to do with a ‘day off’ and more to do with taking time to reflect.

Workaholism is a real problem for many people (myself included). For some it is rooted in identity issues. Many people in Southern Ontario work too much because they are defining themselves by their work. “If I just get that next promotion, that next sale, that next pay increase … then everyone will know I am good enough.” For some of us, we work too much simply because there is too much work and we lack the discipline to say ‘no’.

But what if Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath had set us free from all of that? What if Sabbath didn’t mean legalistically taking a day off every week but instead finding meaning and peace in reflecting on what Jesus has accomplished.

So, I ask myself — have I made time to reflect on what Jesus has done in my life? Have I made time to sit back, take inventory and say, “It is very good”?

The Lord of the Sabbath has purchased my peace, my Shalom – reconciling this sinner to his Father. I am in Christ and it is very good.  Everything else is just stuff.

Just a few weeks ago I went fishing in Algonquin park. Bry, his brother Scott and me and Matty loaded the car to the roof (literally!) after our St. G -Milton service and drove up to Smoke Lake. After a 3 1/2 hour drive we arrived at the boat launch, emptied the car. loaded the boat and set out for the Hunt’s cottage. We piled into the freezing cold cottage around midnight, tucked the littlest dude into his bed and stayed up late for some grace-filled dude-bonding time; the kind of time you can only have with faithful brothers in the wilds of the park.

The next morning we awoke to fresh, crisp air and a calm, cold lake reflecting the brilliant autumn colours on the surrounding hills. We spent most of the day on the lake, canoeing and trolling for lake trout.

I am telling this story to paint a picture in your mind. If you are like me, just the description of such a time and place evokes deep emotion. Is there anything more beautiful than Algonquin park in early October? The lakes, the trees, the wildlife all sing out the glory of their creator. Now that’s beauty.

So, now back to reality — my suburban reality anyway.

After a few days at home and back into my rhythm Smoke lake seems a lifetime away. Sitting in people-crowded coffee shops, phones ringing off the hook, emails piling up at a rate of over 100 per day, conference calls, crisscrossing the continent for meetings all make my simple soul cry out for the beauty of solitude. A lake, a canoe, a fishing rod and trees.

Stationary bikes are a recent addition to my suburban life (that’s a blog post for another day). Sweating at the gym gives me time to listen to my iPod — usually the daily office or the bible in a year. But last week I listened to a teaching by Tim Keller, recommended to me by Joe Biggar (the king of online sermons!). Tim’s teaching changed me.

He was looking at the story of Jonah and the great city of Nineveh. His big point was that God cares about redeeming cities — a good point and one well-made by a master orator.

He arrived at the point in the story where Jonah is angry that God had relented and spared Nineveh despite their half-hearted repentance. Jonah’s anger was compounded by the wilting of his shade plant that had grown for his comfort over night.

Highlighting the difference between men and God, Keller said something like this (my paraphrase, not a direct quote), “We put pictures of trees (and plants) on our calendars. God has pictures of subway cars filled with people.”

His point — God cares about nature, He created it and will redeem it along with everything else; but his crowing creation, the thing most beautiful in his eyes is not the autumn scene in Algonquin park. God revels in the beauty of people.

Crowded cities, sprawling suburbs — now that’s beautiful to the Master.

Can we see our cities and our towns the way God sees them? Does finding yourself in a crowded coffee shop or a packed subway car evoke the same awe and wonder as sitting in a canoe surrounded by trees and water?

God, give me eyes to see the beauty of the city and a heart that beats for the loveliness of the people for whom Christ died.

Since then we have seen clear evidence of the Lord’s provision and blessing.  As difficult as it was to leave our beloved building, God has provided us with a wonderful place to worship.  Since moving to Crossroads we have grown significantly in number and discipleship.  Truly we can say that we have been blessed.

The issue of beneficial ownership of 7051 Guelph Line remains before the courts.  However, in the meantime we are not on hold.  We are moving ahead with our gospel mission – to be disciples making disciples.

God has shown Himself strong and able.  All Glory to God!

On Maundy Thursday, Christians around the world celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper with his disciples before his death and resurrection. It was at the last supper that Jesus instituted the commemoration of this new covenant saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is a new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20).

When Jesus described the kingdom he brought, he described it as a covenant, not a contract – a covenant sealed in his own blood.

A contract is an agreement based on payment for services rendered. The nature of a contract is one of suspicion and mistrust. Each party in a contract looks for failures in the other party in order to absolve them of their contractual responsibility and commitment.

A covenant, on the other hand, is not like that. A covenant is sealed intent – regardless of performance. This is the nature of the kingdom Jesus brought. By shedding his blood on the cross he gave his life as a ransom for many, absorbed all the punishment and wrath for the sins of His people and forever reconciled them to God. Sealed in a new covenant, not a contract.

I rejoice on Maundy Thursday – rejoice because my salvation, my peace with a Holy God has been forever secured by my Saviour Jesus. My relationship with God is not secured by the constancy of my feeble will, but by the faithfulness of Jesus; who made “by His one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the world.” (Book of Common Prayer).

My response on Maundy Thursday is to accept my guilt, acknowledge the feeble nature of my will in faithfully following Jesus, and then admire God’s grace. The same God who sent Jesus, a strong Saviour, able to save sinners – even the worst.

Repent. Believe. Rejoice in the new covenant.

The Psalmist discovered that everything in life drains. Everything comes with a price tag. Only God’s living, dynamic presence restores.

Take a moment to exhale. Welcome God’s restoration. Feel His smile on you. Rest in His direction of your life.

Sola Dei Gloria.

Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Check this out.

You see that historically, Lent has been observed by Christians either giving up something or adding something to their lives for 40 days. The idea is rooted in the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting is when a person, for reasons of personal devotion, abstains from food, drink or some other activity. It can be profoundly significant, quieting the noise of everyday desires and heightening awareness of God’s still, small voice. Fasting an prayer should be regular aspects of the life of any disciple. I think we should take a look at spiritual disciplines some time. For now, let me return to Lent.

Today, we are having two services of worship, 9:30am and 7:30pm. Over the course of the day, people will ask you, “What are you giving up for Lent?” While I am all for the Christian discipline of fasting, be careful as you prayerfully launch into this Lenten season.

Too often I hear people say that they are giving up something for Lent that they should be giving up for ever. Just yesterday, I heard of someone giving up gossiping for Lent. Lent fasting cannot be confused with the daily mortification of sin! Lent is not 40 days out of the year for us to actually take our lives and our actions seriously, while willfully indulging in sin the rest of the year.

In prayer, ask the Lord to show you how to observe Lent this year. If removing something from your life is the Lord’s call, pause to see if the call is just for Lent or for good.

Isaiah 58

58:1 “Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God.
3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.

13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Far from a trained, well-read theologian, my dad was rejoicing in God’s free gift of salvation.  He knew he was purchased with a price.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.