Update Tuesday -and they called the police

A part of  what we really hope to do as we serve here in Hamilton is help people to learn some missional principles that they can bring into their everyday lives.  For Kimberley, God has been teaching her about justice and opening her eyes and heart to the vulnerable on the fringes of society.   It is no wonder then that when Kimberley arrived in the small town of Penetanguishene (our son is currently performing there in a production of Oliver) she would come across maybe the only homeless guy in town.  Charlie, along with his big German Shepherd, approached her in the Tim Horton's parking lot (it is literally the only business open after 5:00pm!) asking for change. Kim said that she did not have any change but that she would buy him dinner if he would join her.  He did not want to leave his dog, and so they ate together on the curb outside the restaurant.  As a police cruiser entered the parking lot Charlie began to murmer "oh no...oh no." Kim assured him that they were not there for him, it was a Tim Horton's, they were just there for a coffee and doughnut.  She was wrong, they were there for them and they, very politley, came right over to ask if everything was OK.  Kim kind of laughed and assured them that everything was fine and that she and Charlie were just having dinner.  As it turns out, someone saw Charlie and was worried that he was  coercing Kimberley into giving money.   Kimberley learned very quickly that Penetanguishene is not Hamilton!  On the one hand, it was nice to think that someone was concerned enough for her safety to call.  On the other hand, it was strange to think they were that concerned over one homeless man.  

Kimberley finished dinner at which point she tried offer Charlie help to find a shelter or place to stay, but he "had places to go."  It is strange, but they always have somewhere to go and somewhere to be...I have no idea where or for what...but they do.  

Although the two places that Kimberley finds herself in these days are very different, there is one thing they have in common.  When we look more closely, and our hearts, as well as our eyes are open, we can see the vulnerable on the fringes of society.   I think that God calls us to such places and people as we join him on mission.  Will we have the heart and eyes to see?

Oh Canada - Canadian Tire, a case study

On the surface the following story that appeared in The Hamilton Spectator is just a local story of a store re-opening.  Read a little closer however, the story provides a fascinating study of Canadian culture, including some history, rural vs. urban vs. suburban demographic trends, a iconic Canadian brand and more.  Have a close read and see what you can pick up.

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/2882359-old-is-new-again-the-main-and-victoria-canadian-tire-gets-a-facelift/

Update Tuesday - on a personal note

I hope that it is OK with you, but I am going to share a few really neat things that have happened of late within our family to begin this week's update.  We just recently returned from a visit to my parents cottage for the May long weekend, Victoria Day here in Canada.  We were actually visiting my wife Kimberley and our son Liam.  Why were we visiting them?  This was the first interesting turn in our summer schedule.  There is a professional theater company that has a summer theater in the town where my parents have a cottage.  Liam auditioned for the musical Oliver, with the hopes of gaining some audition experience.  As it turns out, he got cast as a part of the orphan chorus, so, Kimberley and Liam have moved to the cottage for about six weeks while Liam rehearses every night until June when the show opens.  We are excited for Liam and proud of him as we watch him make the most of this opportunity.

Meanwhile, while visiting at the cottage, we were informed by a friend that the trailer for a new ABC program entitled Lucky 7 that will be premiering this fall, was available for viewing online.  Now, ordinarily we would pay no attention to a trailer especially since we don't even have TV here at home.  This one, however, was different as it is the trailer for a TV show in which our daughter T.J. will be appearing as a principle role!   T.J. got a role for a TV pilot that shot this past spring.  We just heard last week that the pilot was picked up and will be a part of the fall lineup.  You can view the trailer below or follow the link:

http://youtu.be/DwVUhQFZKnw




Now that we are back here in the city, life continues on and there is still also a lot going on with the church stuff.  We are getting closer to the arrival of our summer student interns as well as our first mission team.  I am also excited to announce that we are currently working on the details and content for a web site.  As we grow a somewhat decentralized network of fellowships this will serve as an important centralized point at which to engage with The Hamilton Fellowships.  As soon as it goes live I will be sure to let you know!

Lastly, for those who are interested in learning more about the city, I thought I would share the link below which is from our local newspaper.  You may remember that in the past I have linked to articles from the Hamilton Spectator that were a part of its Code Red series, which highlights different areas or issues facing the city.   They have recently begun another investigation in the Code Red Series focusing on Barton Street.  This one time thriving economic artery running right through the city, in many ways represents some of the impact of the recent hard times the city has gone through.  The link is below.  Feel free to check back online with the paper as there are a number of days worth or articles in the series.

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/2878775-barton-street-s-lost-promise/

Update Tuesday - Hanging Around

It is amazing what you can see when you are just hanging around.  That is what our Thursday group, Fellowship@Fifty discovered this past week.  We had a beautiful night and so decided it was the perfect time to begin our attempt to live Up, IN and Out by heading Out into the streets of the neighbourhood.  Taking our cue from Jesus in Matthew 9:36 who, when he "saw the crowds He felt compassion for them because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd,"we spent time on the streets and in the parks praying that God would open our eyes to the people around us.  We then gathered at the end to share what we had seen.   The two young girls above impressed everyone with the observations that they made while hanging out in the park,  and the thoughts that they dreamed up about how to engage many of the people and needs that they saw.  I am looking forward to some of the things that this group will do in the near future based on what they observed this past week.
Similarly, our Wednesday Fellowship@Locke spent a very powerful time of fellowship and prayer at the Qua-Enoo's place.  This house has been the source and location of some really trying times, as well as a source of discouragement.  We used the house, a physical symbol for the discouragement and trying times that many in our group have faced this past year, to gather and pray for each other.  We were, very intentionally, exercising our In - serving one another.  As it turns out it was a great time of Out focus as well as George and Alison invited some friends and neighbours to join us.  It was a great evening all around.
I am also very excited to be able to share that I have been meeting with another leader who God brought across our path, who has been thinking about and exploring doing similar things to our fellowship groups.  There is a keen interest to learn some of the principles and ideas we have been experimenting with.  We have begun to meet weekly and I have been able to share the things that were passed on to me by my mentors that really helped shape what we are doing here in Hamilton.  I do not know where God may take this new relationship, or how He might use it but I am thrilled to be able to pass on the insights and experiences that we have gained over the past few years. 
I would ask for continued prayers for each of the things mentioned above and that God would use each in a powerful way to make an impact for the sake of His glory and His Kingdom.  I would also ask for prayer as we continue to make preparations for a few mission teams that will be joining us in June as well as a team of students coming to serve for seven weeks.  Busy times ahead!

Missional Monday -Prayer

Prayer, I know in my head that it is the most important foundation of any spiritual enterprise.  I must admit that of all the things that go along with a life of faith, I still find it the hardest.  If one is to truly lead a missional life, however, it must be the primary driver, for it connects us with the One whose mission it is with which are trying to participate.  

Last week I mentioned being struck by the concept of Presence and Compassion that I saw in Matthew 9:36. Interestingly, This presence and compassion lead Jesus to pray.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37, 38 HCSB)

Here, Jesus, in recognition of all those who are like sheep without a shepherd, commands his followers to recognize the harvest and to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers.  

Let me encourage you, if you are seeking to be present and to have open eyes to see with compassion those around you, to pray this prayer.  I encourage you to think  about it, meditate upon it, and pray it.  As you do, and as you hear, I would truly appreciate your sharing any insights you receive.  You can share them here in a comment, e-mail me or share on FB or Twitter.  Let's Pray!

Update Tuesday

It has been another busy week here in the Hammer. We have been discussing, with each of our three Fellowships, what it should look like to be living in an Up,In,Out rhythm. We have been talking about it and encouraging it for each of us as individuals, but also collectively as groups. What would it look like for each of our Fellowships to live in this rhythm? Each group may look a bit different, and live it out slightly differently, but it has been fun to hear the members respond with thoughts and ideas. Moving forward from here we will be trying to dedicate a week to each principle and live in this rhythm collectively. I am excited to see what the near future holds, and how God will shape and use our Ups, our Ins, and our Outs.

As we both decentralize and start more Fellowships, while at the same time work out what it means to be interdependent we have begun to have discussions about the need for a web site to be our centralized, public access point. As we look to be more active within our communities this will be an important access point for people. I am excited to begin the process of shaping this tool and would ask for your prayers as we progress.

Lastly this morning, please pray for Rick as I go with him for the initial hearing from the altercation I spoke about a number of weeks ago. Pray that The Lord would go ahead of us putting people with discerning minds and open hearts in place and that nothing would amount from the charges. Pray also the The Lord would use this as a wake up call for Rick, and that it might serve to lead him closer to The Lord.

Missional Monday-Being Present

"Seeing the crowds, Jesus had compassion..."

These are the words that have captured my attention as of late. These are the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:36 which directly precede His sending out of the disciples. These words have me thinking specifically about being present.

The incarnation is a truly amazing thing, that God would come down, take on human flesh and live among us. This powerful theological idea lies behind these verses. In order for Jesus to see the crowds He had to be present and to be among them. When we read Matthew 8 and 9 in their entirety we see Jesus being up close and present in the lives if many, seeing an engaging in their struggles. Those struggles were physical, emotional and spiritual. All effects of the fall, the people where suffering under the affects of sin in the world with no help to be found. Jesus was thus moved to the point is deep concern. Therefore, looking at the crowds again, He had deep compassion.

I find myself asking how it is that I might live in that manner, truly present. Am I present in the world, in each day and each minute. Am I conscious of all that is going on around me. Do I see the joy and do I see the suffering? Am I moved to compassion? Am I present in each conversation and truly hearing each ones heart as I engage with people throughout the day? Am I truly present.

I find myself reflecting on presence, a presence that leads to compassion. Is this a key to living missionally, to live fully present allowing God to open my eyes and break my heart and lead me to a place of compassionate engagement?

Free Art Friday - Liam Sings

Here is part of a quick recording I did on my iphone while Liam and I were goofing around with the song Hallelujah. 

Hallelujah

Oh Canada - Paul Henderson

It would be hard to overestimate the place of the 1972 Summit Series, and in particular the Paul Henderson "Goal of the Century," holds in the Canadian psyche.  What follows is an amazing interview with Paul Henderson as he shares about hockey, the series itself and life after the series.  Not only is it an amazing interview about hockey and history Paul Henderson also takes the time to share about his coming to faith in Jesus.  If you only have a few moments then fast forward to about 15:40 where he begins to share about his faith.  I mentioned it when RA Dickey was interviewed on this same program a few weeks back, but it is not that common to hear testimonies of Jesus on the CBC.    This is another great example of those rare occasions.

Paul Henderson on Q 

Both/And-Community and Mission

Jesus' words in John 13:34-35 give us two distinct and yet interconnected purposes for the church. Jesus, speaking to his disciples and having just washed their feet, says "as I have loved so you should love one another..." There is a very real and distinct sense in which the church must be a deep, loving, supportive community to one another. If we turn to Act 2:41-47, we get some amazing glimpses of this live being lived out by the early church. Community is central to how Jesus envisioned the church.

Jesus, however, goes on to say in John 13, that "by this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Even the way believers are to love one another, our community, is meant to have an impact on those around us. We are meant to be a living, tangible expression of Kingdom principles and the love of the King. Our community can be a foretaste of the Kingdom, helping people to taste and see that the Lord is good, that we are different and there might be something that they are missing. Community is a part of our mission. Again, if we turn to Acts we will notice that this amazing community passage is bookended, or sandwiched between missional thoughts. Verse 41 speaks of many being added to their numbers following the preaching of Peter (they were also proclaiming). Chapter 2 then ends with the community having favour with all people and the Lord adding to their number every day. Community on mission and community as mission.

So, although community and mission are two important and distinct concepts, they also go hand in hand working together. To have one without the other is to be out of balance. To have both is to be in time with the rhythm Jesus intends for his people-Up (our relationship with The Lord, In (our relationship with other believers), and Out (our relationship with the world around us).