presenting....

rosie lost her first tooth! she's pretty proud of that. :)

and her other one beside is on it's way too!

love and faithfulness

i was reading my bible this morning and Psalm 92:2 struck me... i've never really noticed it before... this time i did. it says,

"to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness at night."

i'm always amazed at how involved God is in my life. even the psalmist's reference to God's love in the day and His faithfulness at night points me to how well God knows me. night time for me is always when my mind is whirling - i'm thinking about what happened in the day, what's gonna happen tomorrow. i'm worrying about the details of life, the big and small, the important and not so important, and trying to work them all out. That's when i need to be reminded of God's faithfulness in every area of my life.

my mom just said it again today, "why do we worry about things? God obviously has everything under control." Siloam Mission, where she is the kitchen manager, needed another cook because one was quiting - God worked it out and even brought one who would work evenings and weekends! His faithfulness is stunning really.

and then His lovingkindness in the morning.. the psalmist calls us to announce/declare His love - before we start our day, face the world and all it's good and bad, to declare His love for us and those around us. it's easy to forget how much the people around us love us. the same is true with God for me, it's easy to forget how much He cares. obviously He knows how easy it is for us to forget because He reminds us to remind ourselves!

wow God, thanks for your love and faithfulness at the times I need it most...

the birthday gurl say "thanks!"

well my birthday has been great so far - i celebrate the whole week of, so ya.. it will be continuing thru out the weekend yet! :)

just wanted to say some thanks:

blog greetings:

scooter - thanks for the birfday greetins!

mer bear - love ya thanks..yes it was a wonderful day!

anna - thank YOU beautiful for the greetings!

some gifts of a tangible nature: :)

airylou - spoiling me rotten.. :)

lover - cooooooool hat.. coooooool zip hoodie..

(i'll put a pic of me modeling it soon!!)

email greetings:

jen c - not a day over 22 huh? you are TOO sweet!

dwhite and marce - love love love you guys!!!!!!!!

miss amber e - you are too sweet.. :) thank you.

peter - thanks for your greetings friend!

tareina - you are too sweet.. and nice talkin on the phone with you

jamie - my fellow birthday bud. good chat!

emmylou - kaibigan! ganda ganda to hear from you eh! mahal!

blayne & tara - family! loves to you! miss you..come visit soon!

great ecards:

heather - FUN birthday Ecard - i felt the hug thru the screen!

tannis - my flowershop girl friend!

auntie bren - FUNNY!! see you sunday! and yes got the elvis one!!

auntie joyce - so sweet to think of me.. loves to you!

dear mrs ethel - i love you! and miss you much!!

my space greetings:

shmandy-girlfriend! shanks for da greetins.. ya, there ain't NOTHING like program bdays :)

aleesun - happy birthday to you too my friend...april pretty much rocks. :)

pam-ella - beautiful - thank you for your kind words and birthday wishes.. you are terribly sweet..almost like dark chocolate. :)

text messaging:

nini - thanks for the text then the phone call!! love you!

shell - my crazy prairie texter.. :)

melody - thanks for the text girl! love ya!

meryl - a loverly text! mwah!

er - mon ami..merci beaucoup!

matt & kim - my cali friends! love ya!!!!

tracy - thanks my sisterinlove!

stephers - !! mahal friend.. miss na kita!

susan et all - photo lab crew..MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!

mj - too bad missed the call from the little ones! glad we had lunch together!

meggers - :) t hanks sweet girl! see you soon!

marce - wish you were here to celebrate too! love you!

flurs:
scott, dar & hayley girl - tulips..you guys ROCK..and
granville market tulips at that! :p





al, shell, zack man, hanne - thanks for the beautiful bow-ket of flurs! :)







tammy funk - girl! you are so amazing..what beautiful flowers..
and how very thoughtful are you.. :) sigh..thank you!




other amazing birthday gifts of unexpected sorts:
sandi - the lovely ikea gift cards came RIGHT at the right time..and our phone convo - simply lovely. miss you much! (below: me and erin shoppin!)



laurel - the tea - soooo cool!!! i got the tea before your email so
wondered if this was really for me or what???!! didn't have a hot
clue who it was from! funny! love ya!



kimmy - your beautiful card and voicemail..
sigh..miss you LOADS!





andrea critchley!!! - oh my gosh - bible school friend! c razy to hear from you! love it! we're near each other now! fun!! thanks for the ringo birthday greetings!



my kiddies - the coolest cards EVER you gave your ma!! love love LOVE 'em!!
(can you guess which one is from rosie and which is from caleb??!!) hehehe..



and this weekend my family is coming down from kelowna, and on sunday we're gonna
have a birthday shindig with my aunt and uncle, great grandma, grandma, great aunt, cousin,
j's bro and cousin, us at the house.. pretty m uch a rockin time...wish you all could be here..
but i'm thankful for your thoughts and words, and kind gifts. thank you for making 35 a little easier to swallow for me!

loves,
trace

Happy Day

Happy Birthday Trace!!!!!

walking club

so i made it to my first walking club meeting today. it was awesome. there were about 30 people there. we met at a quaint little cafe on east broadway and walked around vancouver in an area officially called Main looking at cherry trees. they were gorgeous. but what was even more awesome for me was the people i met. so many different ages, backrounds and stories. some had lived in vancouver their whole lives, others only two years so far. people from figi, hong kong, the phillipines, singapore, germany, japan, iran, the united states, just to name a few. i met a man who decided to marry a lady after knowing her for two days... they've been married for 15 years now! the diversity is amazing and exhilarating. I can't wait to get to know some of them even better. so cool.

Update

So, I thought I would update everyone on my life since this is my very first blog! Firstly, I quit my job at Hill View Manor (a nursing home), and am going to work for the City of Estevan for the summer yaaee!!! I'll be cutting grass and a bunch of other stuff with people that make life fun. Last year, I did the same thing and the people I worked with made the summer amazing! Currently, I'm just wrapping up my University classes and writing many finals. I've already wrote music, but I still have political science, an educational proffessional studies, and philosphy left to write. Exhausting... yes I know. For moving to Burnaby, I think I will be going in the beginning of August.
Last Sunday for our Burnaby meeting, I shared with the team some of the things God has been showing me. I feel like I'm experiencing Jesus all over again. Getting priorities straight, and knowing what is truly important in life. It's kinda funny how sometimes the biggest life changing things happen in the most unexpected places... like nursing homes. I also feel like I'm in a resting season. For example, ever since I came home from the Philippines stuff has been really slow. Like not a whole lot going on, not really any preassure, plus I never gave a whole lot of effort to be involved in any programs. At first I felt really useless, and truthfully it almost killed me inside. I feel like this was all for a really important reason though. That God knew I was supposed to go on this church plant, and that he sent me back to Estevan to get ready for it. To let go of the old, and embrace the new. This is a lesson that has taken me months to learn. Sometimes it's hard to let go of things that make you comfortable, and want to stay where things are secure. This isn't living. There are some other things that have changed my heart... but I actually have to go to work :) So, I promise it won't take me as long to write my next blog!
Much Love,
nicole

Bono said, "we thought we had the answers, it was the questions we had wrong."

maybe the organized church has been in the same boat...asking and answering the wrong questions.

Here are some of my thoughts....
What does 'being holy' mean?
Divine power is not mediated thru strength, but through weakness. True greatness, true passion, true power is not achieved through the assertion of rights, but thru their release. The very style of Jesus' birth, HIS entrance into the screen of our lives as the baby in the manger transforms life. It makes me so aware that even the most secular of things, when Jesus is in their midst, becomes holy!

Jesus as a baby! What kind of crazy love convinces Jesus to give up heaven, to forsake glory and the rightful place of kingship and to come to me, to us, in the weakest way imaginable.
Waiting for me to come, yet willing for me not to.

Waiting for me to see, yet willing for me to turn away.

Waiting for me to worship, yet willing for me to renounce Him by my shallow ascent to religious form or outright defiance...

Willing. Am I? He is...to allow me...
To betray Him.... And if I am willing..sigh..if we are willing...to deny him, mock him, beat him with my fists and impale him on a cross. Yet even there He comes to me.

And the question must be asked...why? The bible puts it simple...He so loved the world, that's me and you, that he gave His only son, that whoever would believe...that is, allow His life to fill them with real life...would not perish but truly live. and that is a holy thing.

I love that Jesus said He came to give us full life. I think that the great treasure that I am discovering is that to truly love Him is to truly live. Everything comes alive. Fully alive. That is what makes this journey with Jesus so unique, its that a follower of Jesus has a deep, authentic life. Its real. Its powerful. and its transforming. Instead of running from conflict, being afraid of rejection, numbing the pain with my drug of choice(be it religion or a pharmaceutical), avoiding people and making money...I choose to live. to love. to smile. to laugh. to work. to be. hmmm.

What am I saying? When my life is clothed with His, and I choose to live for His glory...all that I do, all that I am, what I see, what I taste, what I hear, what I say...becomes holy and truly sacred.
I love that when I play basketball with Caleb or wrestle with Rosie, and I do it with Jesus in my heart... it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that when I cook a magnificent plate of steaming curry, and I do it with Jesus in my heart...it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that when I have a cup of coffee in the morning as the sun rises with a book in hand, and I do it with Jesus in my heart...it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that when I sit a table with people I love and listen to them talk and watch them describe life, and I do it with Jesus in my heart...it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that as Darlene walks the hallways of the hospital being an instrument of healing, and she is aware that He has placed her there...it is a holy place and His Presence is there.

I love that as Erin works in her office as an instrument of integrity, and she does it aware that He has placed her there...it is a holy place and His Presence is there.

I love that as Scott walks the hallways of academia as a missionary to the mind of our culture, and he does it aware that He has divine purpose there...it is a holy endeavor and His Presence is there.

I love that as Tracey captures God's signature on people by ripping back the veils that hide true beauty and captures who they truly are on film, and she does it aware that Jesus has placed her there...it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that as my kids go to school and learn to love new friends, and they do it knowing that Jesus is smiling...it is holy and His Presence is there.

I love that where ever we live, and we live there for Him...it is a holy place, and His Presence is there.

and maybe that's what the church is all about. maybe that is question we need to be answering...Is He here? Is He pleased? Maybe we need to be mission-aries who are guides that help others discover that He is here now.

I think we need to be a gathering of people who understand that when we, together, live in the name of Jesus, He is present...and that makes it holy.

100% chance of rain

hey everyone...
so yesterday i went to UBC to meet with the faculty advisor that i've been emailing with. it was cold and rainy...and the bus ride took more than an hour. buses are the most joy-deprived places on earth; i was so struck by how 'down' everyone seemed. maybe it was the rain.
anyways...by the time i reached the campus...it was time for a cup of coffee. i got a subpar tall guatamala, and preceded to sit down in a rather overrun student lounge. i wanted to calm my mind and make sure i knew what i was going to say...so i read and wrote a little. i was going over some questions that i'd scribbled on j's scratch pad paper...and my eyes dropped to some text at the bottom of the page i hadn't noticed. it read, 'the lord will guide you always', from isa. 58:11. chuckle. coincidence...maybe. settling for my heart...you'd better believe it. i'd actually gone there not knowing for sure if the prof could meet me, so i called dar at home to see he'd emailed me his location...and he had. so i headed out into the downpour again; my feet were soaked by the time i got there.
i knocked on the door of office 201...and walked in to a guy reading some sort of ancient greek text like it was the vancouver sun. you know, that does wonders for one's confidence. chuckle.
i'll spare you a play by play with dietmar. he is a nice man...probably in his fifties, slim and fit, graying hair and spectacles that he removes when he listens to you. i'd been emailing with him trying to get a clearer picture of the programs i'm interested in, while also trying to determine the requirements that i still have to fulfill in order to be eligible for acceptence.
we talked for about half an hour...most of it related to my still unknown student status, and what i may have to do in order to gain entrance to the faculty of religious studies.
it struck me as we talked that i'm not just thinking about going to school, but that i'm attempting to gain entrance into a very elite group of intellectuals. it's funny how even writing that makes me feel intimidated. the point is that UBC is ranked in the top 40 universities in the world, and the faculty/degree i would pursue is the only one of its kind in canada.
dietmar had an exam to oversee, so i left him. he said, 'best of luck. hope everything works out.' chuckle.
darlene and others asked me how i felt later in the day...and i had a hard time figuring it out. bottom line, i'm still waiting to hear if i'm accepted to do some upgrading at UBC. that's the first step. i know that the hardest part was realizing how i'm really at a disadvantage because i haven't been studying ancient languages and history since i was 18. and i am also aware that the cost will be great should i pursue this dream.
but i could also feel peace in knowing that i'm in the process...that i'm pursuing the things that make me come alive...and that there are many ways to move forward. HE is guiding me.
so...thanks for praying for me in the process. i confirmed today that they are processing my application...so please pray for a favourable ruling. pray also for direction in terms of course work and academic theme.
scott

some q's

Good morning team,
last night as i lay in bed i was having a super hard time falling asleep. I couldn't stop thinking first about our silent auction that we'll be doing in june, then about little rosie... i just really miss her, she had a way of making my day - often. and then i got onto thinking about the reality of living in Burnaby. And i think i have some questions for you who are there.

Is it what you expected?

Are you having a hard time adjusting to not being in a sunday morning service?

Do you miss doing specific ministries that you used to be involved in? ie - trace, erin being part of the worship team, pj preparing to speak and speaking infront of a bunch of people (i guess you're still doing that). I think i really will miss being part of a youth group that is directly impacting such a diverse group of kids... and yes i know there will still be opportunity to do that in Burnaby, it's just got me thinking... hmm what else do i wanna ask....

How has it been building relationships? I understand that takes time, but what are people doing to make start the process?

I know it would be for me... but is it hard starting that process with people? What makes it hard for you?

Are you feeling God fulfilling His promises?

Well i think that's what i have for now. I've been finding myself trying to imagine myself in Burnaby and I praise God because he's showing me the lies i might believe about significance, and I praise God not because of lack of self-esteem, but because he's showing me now and i can start fighting for the truth instead of being struck by the lies without expecting it.

Hope to hear from all of you!!
Love you
Meryl

A day in Estevan

Well, our Estevan-side Burnaby team met tonight. We ate some super yummy tacos, watched a little Funniest Home Videos and talked, prayed...

We talked about how we are, what good stuff is happening and what God is speaking to us about Burnaby.

Lately, it's been kind of fun because I've had some cool job opportunities open up in Estevan that I would love to do, but in thinking about it, my heart knows that it isn't about what I CAN do, but it is about what HE is doing. And so I look up and follow my Lord, and I know that he has called me to be a minister (not meaning vocational) and that He is calling me to be a part of this team in Burnaby.

Is this new news? No, but not being there yet, I'm not 'touching' the Burnaby part. And having moments that I can understand again, that he has called me to do this is really great to have.

Love you guys.
Lani

Meetings!

Just wanted to give everyone an update on the meetings we have scheduled in Ontario.

I will be at the Church of God Planting Lab in Madisonville Kentucky May 14-17.

May 20 - Toronto for morning and evening services.

May 27 - Toronto for morning and evening services.

June 3 - Toronto for morning services. Kitchener for evening services.

June 10 - Toronto for morning and evening services.

June 11-13 in Pasadena, California for a Missional Leadership Conference.

What is really cool, is that there are a bunch of congregations on a waiting list to have us in and hear the dream...Jesus is going before us...divine favor baby!

photos and such

hey all..i also post some of my personal photos on my personal blog, fyi..

www.traceylheppnerphotography.blogspot.com

take a boo.. there's some gooders. :)

trace

new job - day two

hey everyone. thanks for your prayers regarding my job hunt. i just finished day two. it's been good. nothing too exciting, nothing too hard as of yet. it's hard to know for sure if it's a fit.

i'm considered temporary right now, which means they could tell me i'm "just not working out" or i guess i could tell them the same! everyone in the office seems nice and i'm excited to get to know them better and to really be able to "feel" the the office out... both of which come with time i guess.

i've been kinda stumped trying to think of good ways to meet people... yesterday i joined a walking club.. the first event is a scenic walk in downtown vancouver on saturday morning. i'm stoked. both to see more of the city and to meet some new people who i have something in common with - a love of walking!

anyway...

thanks scott

scott
thanks so much for the call this weekend. it really meant a lot to me. i was in winnipeg at mom and dads so didnt get or i guess take the time to call you back or blog earlier. i am home all week doing school so you can call again if you would like. love you bro
brian

its easter morning.

Easter Morning.

It's raining today. It rattles softly at the window like the fingers of a child. It comes down the glass in crooked paths to stir my heart strangely as it always has.

The sound of it on a taut umbrella, on tree leaves, watching it dimple the surface of a puddle or a pond.

It is the rain and it tastes of silver; it is the rain and it smells of something new. Just like easter. The new kingdom. The new life. The new.

It's easter and the rain is falling...and everything is wet.

wet earth.

wet fur.

wet grass.

wet pavement.

the sound of tires on wet streets, the wet hard and the face of a woman doing errands in the rain.

Tears of the heavens washing the filth and mire. washing the soot and the weariness.

It's easter. and He is alive.

Everything is different. Ever heard someone talk of a near death experience...and how everything looks different, sounds different, and smells different? This is the day we celebrate our near death encounter. and everything is different. Maybe we should celebrate easter every sunday.

just random thoughts from a heart on a journey. Reminded me of a poem my mom gave me years ago. I will share it. May He be near...so near to you.

jonathan

If you've knelt before the rubble of an aching, broken heart

When the things you gave your life to, fell apart

You're not the first to be acquainted with sorrow grief and pain.

But the Master promised sunshine after rain.

Hold on my child,

Joy comes in the morning!

Weeping only lasts for a night,

Hold on my child,

Joy comes in the morning!

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.

To invest the seed of trust in God

For mountains you can't move;

To risk your life for things you cannot prove;

To give the things you cannot keep for what you cannot loose

Is the way to find the joy God has for you.

Author Unknown.

easter house gathering

we met together, those of us in the house, for some worship time, some prayer time, some sharing time..some jesus time..

i suppose it was about 9ish when we met.. it was just before midnight when we "ended"... but it was good.. good to just soak with jesus...

this week has been such an emotional roller coaster for me.. so just "being" amongst my family, with His presence surrounding me; it was very refreshing for me.

it didn't look like how church "normally" looks.. but He was there.. and i know that i went away touched..knowing that at the end of the day, at the end of my emotional state, at the end of it, i know i'm where He wants me to be. and that it doens't matter if it's not how it's always looked. not that' i'm one for doing the status quo..you know what i mean... :) i like out of the box..i like different.. and it was. and my structured parts of me were really ok with it...!

and that's cool.

and that's peaceful for me.

happy easter.

just rest in Him today.

He's all you need.



(good friday - in our neighborhood)

i have a job!

I have a job! thank you everyone who has been praying.

I found out yesterday that a job I interviewed for last Friday would like to hire me. I'm pretty excited. It's a smaller office right here in Burnaby. In someways, i'm sad it isn't in the exciting downtown vancouver core but I can't help but think that as God has brought us to Burnaby as a team, my job is in Burnaby for a reason too.

It is for a property management company and I'll be working in the accounting department. please continue to pray that I will have opportunity to build relationship with the people I work with and affect their lives in a good way!

joy without pain?

i pulled out some writings that were in a book called "reliving the passion" this morning. i was reading the entries for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and I realize that my experience of Easter has been so very shallow in recent years.

i realize how easily i forget the pain & darkness that friday brought - perhaps even despair and hopelessness for some... or most maybe. how easy it is to gloss over this weekend to rejoice in the resurrection on sunday.. and even on sunday my rejoicing is shallow because how can i ever understand the darkness of friday. without friday's depth - of darkness, of pain, of uncertainty - sunday's joy is superficial.

God, help me to know the resurrection in the light of the darkness of the days that preceeded it... to understand the "lostness" of days without you so i can appreciate your presence in my life... to know the sorrow of being "at" your death so I can know true gratitude that you will be at mine, to rescue me from it. thank you for the dark days Lord.

Update...My life

Well...I thought I should give you all an update on my life. Darlene gave me the inspiration...Where do I start.
Well, last friday I had my last day at the daycare...The first 5 mins of being there I was shedding tears. It was a hard day, but I got to say good bye to the kids and to my classroom. But whats really interesting is that my friend holly, with whom I have been working with for these 2 years said that she isn't going to cry because I'm not dead, or that I'm leaving Estevan right away. She is determined to stay friends with me. Which speaks volumes to me. Because growing up I had friends who ditched me the first moment that they didn't need me. But Jesus is speaking to me through Holly, that there are people fighting to stay in contact with me. That the lies I've believed all these years are crumbling right before me. I'm learning to trust people again with a long distance relationship (Good thing God's working on my heart, Hey).
Anyways, My new employer gave the week off because it would work better if I worked the next Monday. I'm thankful for that because it seriously doesn't feel like spring here. It feels more like fall, just before the snow. And it gave me time to breath a little. To paint, and to organize my life a bit.
We gave our notice to leave the wonderful house at the end of June. I will be living with my good friends Wade and Tara for a month, and hopfully will be leaving for Burnaby in Aug...I'm thinking I'll be flying.
So today I was suppose to go on the bus to go visit my parents in Herbert, but alas...the bus station is closed for the holiday...Doesn't make any sense to me. So my parents decided to drive all the way to Estevan to pick me up. Which is nice of them. So to end, could you pray that work wouldn't be stressful. and Just for God to move in the most unexpected places.

It's about time...

Well, I figured its about time I sit down and type out some thoughts. Maybe that will help me process my feelings in the midst of so much change and adjusting. We received all the wonderfully creative cards you all made for us. They brought smiles to our faces...it was soooo good to be reminded of your love and support. I showed Hayley all the pictures you sent of your faces. She loved them...taking a minute to carefully look at each one (before tossing it to the side as I handed her another picture to look at). They will go on our fridge as soon as I find our magnets!?
My sister is here visiting with us this week and my dad is also staying with us while he attends some business meetings. We went to the zoo today...it was a beautiful sunny day. Hayley had fun looking at all the animals. The highlight was the lion and tiger feeding. We got to see these big cats up close and personal. Tomorrow we might venture to the beach or Stanley Park. My dad and sister leave again on Saturday. Then it will be back to studying for me!
I started work at the hospital on Monday this week. Mainly orientation and some observation, but not much hands on stuff yet. For the rest of the month I will attend classes at BCIT 2-3 times a week and be studying the rest of the time. There are 5 other girls going through this orientation training program with me. We seem to be hitting it off pretty good so far. In the limited time I have spent in the unit I will be working, it seems like a good fit for me. It will be a good challenge and allow me to develop some new knowledge and skills. Although I have to admit, there is part of me that would love to just be going back to my old job in Toronto...where I know everyone...I understand how things work...where I am trusted and respected. Starting over is harder than I had anticipated. Maybe because I have to leave Hayley....I often worry she will need me for something and I won't be there to help her. Thankfully, she is with her dad...but I still miss her and think about her often when I am away. There is also this fear that I won't be accepted by my colleagues...that I will look stupid or make a mistake. So, as usual I hide my experience and education so that people won't expect much. Then it is easier to meet their expectations....or more importantly my own. Please continue to pray for me during this time. My heart is heavy trying to adjust and also trying to understand how to engage my/His mission in this work environment and in relationship with the other girls in my orientation classes. I have also been thinking about how to engage our neighbours....not sure how to be genuine and pursue relationship with them without scarring them.
Anyway, its been so good to hear what is on your hearts through the blog. Know that you are missed and loved!

P.S. Megan...I got 100% on the assignment you helped me with!! Thanks again!!

thanks guys!

we got the envelope with all the cards in it today. thanks guys, that was really cool of y'all to think of us and take time to encourage us. it was a super sweet surprise :)

what the heck is going on with me.

well team and people that read this.. I have been doing my correspondence classes in addictions counseling for about 3 weeks now and have been enjoying it quite a bit. Sometimes its tough not to be in a classroom setting but I know right now that is not what God is doing at this time. I have been learning lots about my self and some of my immediate views of counseling, correct and incorrect. I am going to be handing in my first assignments tomorrow and I am excited to see how I will do. The next section is going to be dealing more with substance abuse and the addiction side so then I will have a better idea of its what I want to venture out into.
I have a total peace as to what God has for me on "the other side," but I really have no idea if that will mean working in a school, youth shelter, or something else.
As for being here and not being there, i dont really know where I am at. part of me wants to be there with the team but part of me wants to see things unfold from a distance so its safer for me, to be quite honest. I havent quite thought of the impact it will have when the other half of the team crashes into the already somewhat established burnaby home, but God is gracious and for that I am thankful.
I think thats all for now. we will see what happens. missing you all. stay dry.
talk to you soon
brian

To The Called...from Burnaby

The following is an email I just sent to roughly 500 email addresses. People from all over the world that I have been writing to for several years...thought i would put it here as well...as it is all about Burnaby.

To the called,
It has been a while since I have written. I know. If you don't know, we have been in major transition. If you don't know what I am talking about check out www.missionburnaby.com
It will give you the low down.

I wanted to share with you a couple thoughts. The following is something that found its beginnings in my heart in an article written by Bob Roberts in Leadership Magazine...and as we have begun this journey, I have been chewing, wrestling, adding, subtracting, tweaking, and just being me...

sooooo...this begins to describe the journey that we are on as we plant the dream of His Church in the hearts of people in Vancouver.

May it stir you.

pushing,
pj

11 Things I Am Learning

I'm learning...
that mission begins with Christology, the person of Jesus Christ, not ecclesiology, the dream of the Church. Following Jesus leads us to mission, which leads to the church gathering.

I'm unlearning...
my assumption that starting churches naturally leads to mission. It doesn't. Churches default to self-focus unless a commitment to be like Jesus living passionately in the world comes first.

I'm learning...
that truly living as the community of faith means decentralizing power, decision making, information, all of it. The kingdom of God means ministry opportunities are available to almost everyone.

I'm unlearning...
the western church's traditional focus on a super-star speaker, worship leader, educator, and shepherd, which serves mainly to attract spectators rather than igniting the passion for mission that is to be the mark of His people.

I'm learning...
that we serve not to convert but because we have been converted. We serve because Christ has changed us and made us servants to people who are hurting and lost...and far from home.

I'm unlearning...
the assumption that 'Christian' is defined primarily as acknowledging a moment of conversion. Becoming a follower of Jesus depends on what happens after that, and after that, and after that, and after that....

I'm learning...
to love people, which means to see them healed, healthy, educated, and given the same opportunities that we have.

I'm unlearning...
that the Christian faith is all about heaven. I believe the Church has denied the future by just waiting for the Second Coming. We need a story that is lived out today and that includes the future.

I'm learning...
the kingdom will be established not by human power or entertainment, but by realizing God's concern for humanity and the whole of society.

I'm unlearning...
that conversion always happens in a moment. I believe more and more in redemptive movement. It's where the Spirit of God uses us, as His people, to teach people the way of Jesus. And somewhere in their journey towards His heart and discovery of His way, they meet the Truth that can set them free.

I'm learning...
that He truly is in control...and it's ok when I am not.

i think my projector's broken

hey...
have noticed that since arriving here in burnaby, the way i would articulate our mission has changed. in fact, i'm not even sure how i would try to explain the heart of what we're going to do anymore. you see, before getting here, everything was a projection. a good, holy spirit inspired projection...but still a very 'senseless' [not connected to actual feeling and senses] view of what the kingdom might look like. and on top of that, being here has heightened the reality that planting church starts with the seed of Christ's church taking root in me. adjusting as a family...really feeling the sheer size of this city...feeling its seething energy...and seeing darlene walk into a new stage of her career has chased all 'projections' from my reality. and that's what i'm feeling tonight.
faith is helping me see that the Church is a miracle...something that Christ Himself builds in the broken hearts of people like us. we cannot conjure it...make it up ourselves...do our best 'church ministry' and think it'll touch people. the church isn't a fantasy...a club for the spiritually bored...an organization to be managed and maximized. it's more than i've known in the past; i can feel in my heart seeking for orientation the loving whisper of God to turn to Him...and to discover the Church in Him. and i'm glad you're with me.
really missing you guys in estevan...really like that we're not all adjusting at the same time...but really miss you. know that we think you. thanks for blogging your hearts...it matters to me.
longing...
scott

HERE

Hey guys,
Monday morning...thinking through the next 6 months...and trying to wrap my heart and mind around the ride that Holy Ghost has us on...
I know that lots of times it is really difficult to stay focused on something when you are not able to hands on engage it or do something about it...Whether you are in Estevan, far away, or whether we are here, trying to figure out how to live and get around and find new schedules and routines...it is easy to let life pull our attention away from the mission.

I want to encourage you this morning to push for His presence. push. make sure you carve out a little time every day to listen to His Spirit. Make sure you carve out time every day to allow your spirit to pray. make sure you carve out a little time every day to let His word settle in your heart. In the intense times, it is the little things of spiritual disciplines that truly give us the awareness we need to be effective missionaries.
I know that it is hard some days. But know that His grace is sufficient for you, and He will help you if you ask.

For those of you on the Burnaby Team in Estevan, finish strong. love people. minister with passion. engage. engage. engage. It will keep you pushing for the right reasons...and if you see each other pulling away...a good slap will do...chuckle.

For those of you who are staying home and praying for us and supporting us...engage. engage. engage. Let this season of your lives be one that is all about dreaming of a new level of ministry and the reality of His transforming power in the lives of people in the community. Open your homes. Open your coffee times. Open your hearts. You got the stuff....give it away!!!

Know that we are praying for you from here. We are in the process of developing some strategic prayer items and plans...will let you know when that is done...
We are building a prayer wall here in the house...and was thinking we should duplicate it for estevan. Will let you know as that develops.

Let me leave you with this. I have been meditating on this scripture and it has become my prayer for you and those we love:
Colossians 1:9-12.
9For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things--
10That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
11[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,
12Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.

its our nation,
jonathan

Sigh...

Tonight we had our Burnaby meeting in Estevan, but something was missing...We were in the wrong house, and we were missing half of the team...We had tons of laughs, good food, and some serious talks, but it was different, but good. I thought it was important to see what the other half of my team was doing, so I was searching the website, and the blog site, and I started to get emotional...I was missing the adventures that seem so important to a core team...As I focusing on the pictures, the smiles, Hayley walks, and the the comfort of a home, a part of me feels left behind...I know 5 months will come quick, but in those 5 months, whats going to happen in Burnaby...I hate the fact that I'm missing stuff in my family's lives. That I'm not going to be there for the pieces that so matter, and are so important to me. It just makes me sad to realize that a piece of me is missing. I know that sounds weird, but it feels that way.
I understand the fact that I am here in Estevan, and that this is my home for the next 5 months. I'm not losing my focus, I'm just feeling the grieving process of separation. Usually I step back from the relationships, and become an inward person, but I can't...As I'm choosing to be in Estevan, pray that I wouldn't loose focus, and that I would become intentional with you...my family.
Because this is hard.