I attended a conference last week, run by the Trinity Institute in New York. I of course did not go to New York, but to the Webcast in Winnipeg! It was so great to head home for a week... the conference was called "God's Unfinished Future: Why it Matters Now" and talked about eschatology - a big word meaning the end times... the speakers took the Book of Revelations, and current discussions on the "Left Behind" series (a rather dismal approach to Revelations) and talked about how the end of times is NOT a time of a chosen, raptured few and suffering, burning unworthy people, but rtather of hope... that the message is not one of a far-off heaven as a destination but rather of the kingdom of God being an on-going journey made accessible to everyone in the here and now. The speakers at this were amazing, one of my favourites (Jurgen Moltmann) used the phrase "revitalising the audacity of hope" which just helped to fire me on... why are we so afraid of the unknown? Why are we comfortable in accepting a less-than-ideal outcome? Why NOT hope? Yes, we might fail, but that doesn't mean we can't hope... not in a utopian, overly-optimistic way, but in a realistic positive manner, acknowledging potential difficulties but still trying to attain the best.
Sigh - I hope I can remain audacious!
The rest of my time in the 'Peg was delightful - I got to see a lot of great friends, play with my perfect godson a lot, and just relax... I also got to go to my spiritual home, St. John's Cathedral, which is really a place I love. It's where my heart feels at home. I was honoured to be asked to preach on Sunday morning, and it really felt as though I had only been gone for a week, not 6 months. I was delighted to be asked by my friend the Dean to celebrate the early service's Eucharist, in the chapel where I celebrated my first Eucharist last summer. It was great - it was a true sense of family. It was hopeful for me - I really love being in that community, and I can only hope that everyone has some spiritual place where they can feel as comfortable, and know that they can love and be loved.
30 January 2007
16 January 2007
SNOW!
We finally got snow in Hamilton, we finally got snow in Hamilton!!! It was hilarious watching Guinness experience snow for the first time - he was terrified of the white stuff on the stairs until he figured out he could eat it, run through it, and not get hurt... very exciting.
Today I convinced my neighbours that I'm a headcase - I cycled into work. Yesterday they were shutting down everything because of the snow and freezing rain, which isn't too terrible, and here I was on a bicycle today. Without ice tires. It was great!
This afternoon I'm taking the dog back to the dogpark for a run - he LOVES it there - lots of energy being expelled - it's a giant fenced-in area at the SPCA where doggies come and play. Our first trip last week had him playing with new friends, our second trip on Sunday wasn't quite so good - he ran a lot, but there was an agressive dog that didn't realise Guinness was only trying to play... ah well. No harm done, tired pooch, and sleep for all!
I'm also going to head to Green Venture, an eco-friendly place in the east end fo the city for my new composter... oddly enough, there aren't many places to get compost bins here - fortunately the city has now instituted a compost program, but still - worms in the basement will work just fine for me, and that leaves lots of fertilizer for the garden next spring!
Hmmm, physical adventure, my pets and an environmental comment - I think that touches on all important aspects for my blog for today!!
Today I convinced my neighbours that I'm a headcase - I cycled into work. Yesterday they were shutting down everything because of the snow and freezing rain, which isn't too terrible, and here I was on a bicycle today. Without ice tires. It was great!
This afternoon I'm taking the dog back to the dogpark for a run - he LOVES it there - lots of energy being expelled - it's a giant fenced-in area at the SPCA where doggies come and play. Our first trip last week had him playing with new friends, our second trip on Sunday wasn't quite so good - he ran a lot, but there was an agressive dog that didn't realise Guinness was only trying to play... ah well. No harm done, tired pooch, and sleep for all!
I'm also going to head to Green Venture, an eco-friendly place in the east end fo the city for my new composter... oddly enough, there aren't many places to get compost bins here - fortunately the city has now instituted a compost program, but still - worms in the basement will work just fine for me, and that leaves lots of fertilizer for the garden next spring!
Hmmm, physical adventure, my pets and an environmental comment - I think that touches on all important aspects for my blog for today!!
12 January 2007
Year In Review
I wrote the following blog for the National Anglican Youth website (www.generation.anglican.ca) but it seems worth a re-release... :-)
I know most people are having fun looking back at the year 2006… there are tons of lists – best music, movies, photographs (okay, I’m a news junkie). Then there’s the lists of good times, difficult times, already-forgotten times that each of us has. I had some friends over for New Year’s Eve, and then more friends over New Year’s Day. What a year – I’ve had a bunch of stuff happen – travelled on 4 continents, was ordained priest, met new friends and rekindled ages-old relationships, started a new job and moved across the country, obtained some new pet-friends (including the odd hedgehog and the puppy who is too quiet right now, I really hope he’s not in the garbage AGAIN!), destroyed my car (and myself) in a car-vs.-moose collision, standing up at my friends’ wedding as a bridesmaid, fantastic new boyfriend… the list goes on.
But here’s my important list… in 2006, I met God. Almost every day. Some days it was easier than others – God would manifest Godself right in front of my eyes, in such a blatantly obvious way that I couldn’t help but noticing… sharing the stories of worship from the World Council of Churches Assembly with groups of people back home, welcoming a new parishioner into the church, holding my godson, experiencing the Lutheran Youth Gathering with all it’s high energy… then there were times when God was there and I didn’t always see… driving past a homeless man and trying hard not to make eye contact, enjoying a large meal without giving thanks to God or thinking about the efforts of the people and land who produced my feast, forgetting to follow through on commitments I made to friends, choosing to watch a movie instead of pray… unfortunately that list goes on as well.
And so, here I publicly share my New Year’s Resolutions for 2007. This way, they’re out there, people can hold me accountable to them…
1. Pray, daily.
2. Smile at a stranger. Daily.
3. Call a friend I haven’t spoken to in a while, at least once a week.
4. Grow my own food – at least some of it – and continue to support local farmers!
5. Meditate on the challenges in my life and find what God wants me to learn from it.
6. Blog – on time – both here and my personal site!
7. Exercise – easier with a high-energy dog, but still…
There it goes… that should do it… I wish you all a Happy New Year – and I pray we all recognise the blessings God has bestowed on us.
I know most people are having fun looking back at the year 2006… there are tons of lists – best music, movies, photographs (okay, I’m a news junkie). Then there’s the lists of good times, difficult times, already-forgotten times that each of us has. I had some friends over for New Year’s Eve, and then more friends over New Year’s Day. What a year – I’ve had a bunch of stuff happen – travelled on 4 continents, was ordained priest, met new friends and rekindled ages-old relationships, started a new job and moved across the country, obtained some new pet-friends (including the odd hedgehog and the puppy who is too quiet right now, I really hope he’s not in the garbage AGAIN!), destroyed my car (and myself) in a car-vs.-moose collision, standing up at my friends’ wedding as a bridesmaid, fantastic new boyfriend… the list goes on.
But here’s my important list… in 2006, I met God. Almost every day. Some days it was easier than others – God would manifest Godself right in front of my eyes, in such a blatantly obvious way that I couldn’t help but noticing… sharing the stories of worship from the World Council of Churches Assembly with groups of people back home, welcoming a new parishioner into the church, holding my godson, experiencing the Lutheran Youth Gathering with all it’s high energy… then there were times when God was there and I didn’t always see… driving past a homeless man and trying hard not to make eye contact, enjoying a large meal without giving thanks to God or thinking about the efforts of the people and land who produced my feast, forgetting to follow through on commitments I made to friends, choosing to watch a movie instead of pray… unfortunately that list goes on as well.
And so, here I publicly share my New Year’s Resolutions for 2007. This way, they’re out there, people can hold me accountable to them…
1. Pray, daily.
2. Smile at a stranger. Daily.
3. Call a friend I haven’t spoken to in a while, at least once a week.
4. Grow my own food – at least some of it – and continue to support local farmers!
5. Meditate on the challenges in my life and find what God wants me to learn from it.
6. Blog – on time – both here and my personal site!
7. Exercise – easier with a high-energy dog, but still…
There it goes… that should do it… I wish you all a Happy New Year – and I pray we all recognise the blessings God has bestowed on us.
10 January 2007
what Planet Should You Rule?
| You Should Rule Mars |
 Mars is a planet that shines brightly and loops wildly around the solar system. You are perfect to rule Mars, because you are both energetic and independent. Like Mars, you seems attractive and bright to others - but you're difficult to pin down. You are a great thinker, but you only think in the present and ignore the future. Full of enthusiasm and inspiration, you are into your own thing... and rather insensitive to others. |
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