Leadership in tough times
Typically I don’t talk about government issues here. It’s more of a matter of my position in the community. Also, I’m not in any particular favour of one party over another, I look to the leaders and candidates representing me, and if I like what I see then they receive my vote.
I listen to and watch a lot of news about the government and the state of the world, and my wife and I often have in-depth conversations about what is happening around us. Given the state of everything, I feel the need to discuss government in their roles of leaders. read more…
I Belong To….? – Sermon, Jan. 23, 2011
“I Belong To… ?”
1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
When I was a rookie on my high school basketball team we were at the provincial championships being held in Truro. We won a really hard fought first game and were hanging around the motel the next morning before heading into the semi-final later that evening. As we were getting the day started we could hear the assistant coach running down the hallway calling, “Where’s Nick? Where’s Nick?” He found my room and pushed the newspaper into my hands, “Look at that!”
In the report of the previous night’s game, next to my name the box score was my total of 33 points. I was a star and now everyone knew it! It was clearly a close game, and I was the hero that pulled out the victory for us. read more…
A quest
Over the last few years I have been unhappy with my body.
It doesn’t look the same as it once did. It doesn’t work the same way it once did. It doesn’t feel the same way it once did either.
While I am willing to accept that my body will not be the same as it was in my early 20s, I am not happy with the fact I have crept across the 200lb boundary on the scale. My jokes of not losing the baby weight have grown old (they are almost 7 and 5 now) and it’s time to make a change. read more…
Come and See – Sermon, Jan. 16, 2011
“Come and See”
1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42
I’ve had a lot of interesting conversations over the last few years about the state of the church. At some point we always end up talking about people who don’t go to church any more. I seriously have this conversation at least twice a week. It’s not my agenda to talk about it. I don’t direct the conversation. But, I always am able to spot the very second when I know we’re on the path to this particular topic.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to talk with people about the current state, and the future of the church. To talk about how great the church used to be and how we lament the future we see due to declining membership and the lack of people coming in to offset those who leave. I am more than happy to hear your thoughts on the topic. read more…
A River Runs Through It – Sermon, Jan 9, 2011
“A River Runs Through It”
Matthew 3:13-17
After the last month we’ve experienced here in Cape Breton, it seems appropriate to talk about water this morning. We’ve sure had a lot of it placed in our region over the last month. Some of us weathered the storms very well. Others have experienced water problems to varying degrees. Water where water shouldn’t be. Water relocating driveways. Water relocating roads. Water everywhere!
I thought that with the reading of the Baptism of Jesus, this might be a good time to talk about water in the Bible. There are over 700 references to water and water related activities in the Bible. So, in order to get us out of here before bedtime, let’s begin! read more…