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Nearby Unexplored Universe

There is exciting news for those who like to explore–vicariously at least–parts previously unknown to them. Apparently the big bang theory has been reinforced with a new discovery that is said to give a new window on the beginning of the universe. If you would like a view of something remarkable a little cliser to your space-time locationm there is now available a Street View opportunity to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

But if we believe this–“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” (Rom. 12:10 NIV)–then there is a universe to be explored that is very close indeed. It is by trying to see the universe around you through the eyes of someone nearby. It is an important and revealing adventure. We just have to ask ourselves  honestly if we really want to see things through someone else’s eyes. But it could be a great personal breakthrough.

How Controlling Are You?

It has been widely reported in the last couple of days that there is now a blood test that can determine if y ou are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The question is then asked, “Would you want to know?” Setting aside the possibility of false positives, many people apparently would say “yes,” saying it could help them and their loved ones prepare.

It might be worth pondering if you would want to know, even as an exercise in attitude toward how we feel about having control in life.  There is no point in any of us claiming that there is not some degree of control freak in us. On the other hand, I find I enjoy going to meetings more now that I am not in a position to chair them. I think one reason I like public transit is that, if anything is going to go wrong, there is nothing I can do about it anyway, so I just relax.
But knowing with some precision when someone else will have to take charge of my ordinary business of life? I honestly don’t know. But considering the question might be a way for any of us honestly to examine our issues around control in the here and now.

You Are Not Your Own

You are not your own. This can be bad. This can be good. Let’s start with the bad.

We are not our own when we are complacent about government surveillance that gathers all the information about us that it can, just because it might be useful someday. I came across the phrase, “You are not your own” in a piece about “Optic Nerve,” which gathered millions of stills from web cam chats between 2008 and 2010.

And now for the good: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Apostle Paul is talking here about the use of our bodies, but from a broader perspective it is good to know that there is one who already knows all about us, and wants only the best for us.

Surrounding Voices

spadinaandqueen

 

I like public transit. Really. Sure, there’s something about getting in a car and going where you want when you want. But, in addition to environmental concerns, there is something I really like about public transit.

I thought of this once again while having coffee on the upper level of a McDonald’s at Queen and Spadina in Toronto, looking out at the corner (phone photo above), with streetcar after streetcar going through the intersection. In a car you are insulated from the world (yes I know, that can be the appeal). In public transit, you notice more around you, or at least have the opportunity to do so.

It’s not always pleasant, but it does help connect you to some degree with the lives and condition of some part of humanity you might not otherwise encounter. And that’s a good thing, especially for those of us who presume to bring Good News to that humanity, and even more if we are prepared to acknowledge how much we have in common.

Be the Story

The Lego Movie is continuing to draw big crowds. It is reported that, based on such success, Lego is planning a whole new multimedia strategy, and that they have a head start in this in that kids are drawn to the brand, eager to see what’s next.

Intriguing. Something kids (of all ages) can use to build stuff and create a story of their own in the process, are drawn to media that tells its own story, like in a movie. Maybe part of the appeal in all this is that we are the building blocks, particioants, and mind-full partners in telling a story: one that God has had in mind for all eternity, and is working out in us. It is so sas that some people demean themselves by not realizing the importance of the story, the adventure, that is their life.

Talent Search

It has been noted that Google has acquired not only a vast number of companies, but also a great variety of types of acquisitions. The answer, it has been proposed, is that what Google is primarily interested in acquiring is talent, thus explaining the seeming lack of sense or pattern to their acquisitions.

Google is recognizing what the church has known all along. Or maybe I should say it is something some churches need to re-learn. It is great to have vision and goals and develop programs accordingly, but many churches go full tilt into such things without really taking stock of who they have and what they have to offer. The advantage of doing this is to (a) launch into things you are actually suited for, and (b) to discern a depth of talent and personal resources you may not have known you have. Can’t claim expertise in this, but it seems to be what vibrant, faithful churches do.

The Dangerous Mind

The co-editors of the book The Syria Dilemma have written in a New York Times opinion piece that there is an abundance of food just a few miles away from the blockaded areas where thousands upon thousands of Syrians are starving. Danny Postel and Nader Hashemi note that, according to the United Nations, about 800,000 Syrians are currently under siege. This sad state of affairs bears out the truth of a pattern of human behaviour described symbolically in the Book of Revelation, chapter 6. Conquest (white horse) brings conflict (red horse), leading to scarcity (black horse) and death (pale green horse).

We will all decry this situation as cruel and tragic, but we need to recognize that, on a personal level, our own mindset can also be cruel and tragic, when our mindset is controlling and manipulative. Let’s be honest; there’s some control freak in all of us. But some people actually know this about themselves and think it is well and good because, just like some leaders on the world stage, they have convinced themselves that their contolling behaviour is for the greater good, without realizing or caring what kind of damage they do, inevitably in the process. The controlling mind is a dangerous mind.

A Clear Goal

I think I have figured out (not that there’s anything wrong with just enjoying it) one reason why the Olympic events ha. ve such appeal. It occurred to me right when I had switched back to Olympics coverage after hearing about the latest fudging and wavering from politicians (in this case, over a previously touted tax-sharing plan). Athletes have clear goals and do not waver from them. That’s refreshing. It’s also instructive, as well as inspiring for the rest of us. It also resonates with Biblical teaching in at least a couple of ways.

Paul the Apostle used athletic imagery in speaking of the Christian life. He spoke of pressing on toward the goal, and winning the prize (Philippians 3:12-14). There is hard work involved, but the essence of the enterprise is grace. In both spiritual and athletic life, it is a matter of making full use of what is received. Both also necessarily and happily involve teamwork. There is a team behind even individual events. And every Christian (and leaders especially need to acknowledge this actively) is part of a team (See, for example and especially, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

 

The Main Character

The motives may not be evangelical, but many evangelicals understandably have encouraged and applauded the development of some upcoming Hollywood productions featuring Biblical characters. Indeed, this can only be good, even if the producers and directors are seeing in it only the same sort of results they have had from making effects-laden (as the Biblical flicks will be) productions based on Bible stories.

Russell Crowe as Noah, Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah, Christian Bale as Moses, Brad Pitt as Pontius Pilate–what believer would not celebrate this kind of publicity for Biblical stories and chracters?I would not say we should not. But I also am thinking of all the young lives that have been turned from the Bible because of wretched Sunday School curricula that moralized on the lives of Biblical characters–only to be disillusioned later on. \

The films will be an opportunity for pastors to point out to people–who may thankfully have a heightened or new interest in the bible because of the movies–that the same God who worked through these seriously flawed characters works through us in our place and time to bring about his purposes of ddrawingpeople to himself and making them part of his plan.

May we all be drawn to the one Main Character.

 

Extra Ordinary

Outline of message prepared for Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, Toronto (the service was cancelled due to ice storm). Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25.

One implication of Christmas is that the timeless can be born in the very timely circumstances of our life. What is extraordinary (meaning outside of the ordinary, not just unusual or special) can transform our ‘ordinary’ experience.

1. a) The circumstances of Christ’s birth were in some ways quite ordinary, even less than than ordinary. b) Other aspects of Christ’s birth were well outside of the ordinary (the meaning of his name, conceived by the Holy Spirit). c) The extra ordinary invaded the ordinary to bring about his birth.

2. a) Much our essence is “ordinary” or less: the reality of sin as descendants of Adam. b) God causes us to be extra ordinary because Christ also can be born in us through the same Holy Spirit by whom he was conceived in Mary’s womb. c) We can allow what is eternal and timelss to invade our “ordinary” experience with its needs and challenges by allowing Christ to be born in us.