Mark's Meanderings

Good Stories

2011-05-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of TV and film, and I love reading. I probably watch too much (ha ha). I especially enjoy reading and watching science fiction and fantasy. I recently saw the Marvel movie "Thor" and really enjoyed it. I especially enjoy those shows that have a bigger or greater story going on that affects all the little stories they tell on a weekly basis. Take the show "Fringe" for example. The bigger theme is the possible destruction of two universes, but each week they tell a smaller story that affects the whole. Some authors are good at that as well. Probably my two favorite authors would have to be Tolkien and CS Lewis. Of course, there is a large amount of Christian allegory built into their work, but I read them both before I even knew what it meant to live as a Christian.There is a lot of junk out there of course, but I think we would all agree we like to hear a good story. A good story can captivate us, and have us going back to it time and time again.

I too, have a story to tell. My story isn't movie or TV worthy of course, but I think it's good. Why do I say that? Well, I can say that because Jesus Christ is part of my story. I look back at my life journey and I see all the little stories that happen daily or weekly, but then there is the underlying story of how Jesus is changing my life, and of course how he has already changed it.

All of us who are followers of Jesus have a good story to tell. The Bible calls it Good News. The Gospel of Mark starts with the phrase, "The Beginning of the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,..." We all know we live in a bad news world. It's time we told our stories to others, and let them hear a Good story, a story that will ultimately have a happy ending. As the Bible tells us, the Good Guys win!

Jesus' Mission, Jesus' dream

2011-05-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our church's AGM. I reported on the state of our church and held our annual elections for Board and Assembly. It was a good day, if not a bit full. The one thing I really appreciated seeing were the many non-members who stayed to participate and hear what has taken place and what the future could look like.

In my report, I shared about Jesus' mission statement. Luke 4:16-21 shares that with his readers. “He [meaning Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21 NIV 2011)

Jesus was stating to them and in turn us, what his mission was all about, why he came. In a very real sense this was the dream that God had for his people.

Jesus proclaimed freedom to the captives.The gospel is a proclamation of liberty, like the message to Israel after 400 years of bondage in Egypt and 70 years of captivity in Babylon.
By the work of Christ sinners are delivered from the life long bonds of sin and guilt, and by his Spirit and grace from the bondage of corruption. There are people all around us that are held captive by their addictions, their fears, and their hurts. And they live in our neighbourhoods, they work beside us, they may even be our friends or family members.

Jesus came to give sight to the blind. He came with words to bring light to those whose minds sat in the dark, but also with the power to give sight to them that were blind. Giving sight to the blind is a part of preaching the gospel.Words are only half the Gospel, action with the power of God behind it changes lives and circumstances.

Jesus came to announce God's favour. He came to let the world know that the God that they had offended was willing to be reconciled to them, and to accept them on new terms; that there was a way of making them acceptable to him; that there is now a time of good will toward men. God’s favour is about new beginnings for those who accept the good news.

Does my Savior both Rescue and Change People inside and out? Everyone would love being rescued, but I think we’re a little surprised when Jesus wants to change us and our circumstances as well. It might be hard for us to believe, but Jesus really wants to make us and those around us into new people. That was his dream. And as his followers, his apprentices, it must become our dream too!
That's a message we can take to our world.

What is a disciple?

2011-05-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about what I wanted to share today, and found myself focusing on the issue of apprenticeship. My question is: Is an apprentice the same thing as a disciple? What do you think? One of the things that I notice as a pastor of a small church is the difficulty in finding new leaders. You ask people to pray about it, and consider stepping up to a new role, and after a few days of thought they refuse because there is too much going on in their lives and they don't have time to lead others. Now I am not here to come down on these people. They are legitimately busy, we all are. But my question becomes, are we busy about the right things?
We throw the word discipleship around a lot. I think many tend to think of discipleship in the form of training.
Would you agree? If that is the case then, wouldn't discipleship look like some form of apprenticeship? Now it doesn't have to be a formal training regimen, of course. But I think if this is the right direction it means all of us get involved in growing Christ followers and leaders, not just the pastor. If we took the idea of apprenticeship a little more seriously, I think we would find churches have a stronger presence in North America.
I kind of like how Eugene Peterson puts the words of Jesus in The Message, ""We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing." (from Matthew 10:40, The Message, copyright 2002.) Jesus is speaking to his followers, in turn speaking to us.
If you think I am off base with this line of thinking or maybe you agree, whatever your thoughts might be I would appreciate you sharing them with me in the comments section.

Have a blessed day!

Do your part!

2011-05-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Good morning all!
Today is an important day in our country. We get to go to the polls and vote for our government. I realize there are many out there who are a little jaded when it comes to government and voting, and refuse to vote at all, but that will not change the situation. The Apostle Paul tells us to pray for our leaders, "...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:3 NIV)
Now that might not sound like support for voting, but if we are praying for our leaders, I believe that will also motivate us to support them, support our government. We live in a nation that allows us to choose who will rule over us, I think that's a right we should take seriously. Pray for the candidates in your riding, and ask God to give you wisdom in selecting a candidate. If you're new to voting do research. Look at the candidates and their parties. Of course, each party makes campaign promises but if you can get past that and see what their philosophy of leadership is, where they have been involved in your community, how they have presented themselves in the public forums, it's easier to make an informed decision.
Informed voting can take some work, but the reality is whoever becomes the government will be making decisions that will affect you and me. I don't know about you, but I would like God's best to be filling those seats and making those decisions. My prayer is that whoever becomes our next Prime Minister will serve our country and not himself.

Easter is coming!

2011-04-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Many look forward to this week in our calendar, simply because there is an extra day off on Friday. It's also the start of a new season of Doctor Who on Saturday night. But for me, there is more to it. Maybe you're excited all the chocolate you'll get to eat this weekend, or the fact that you'll have some sweet potato casserole with your Sunday meal (add whatever special dish your household might have). Or maybe you're just glad to get some extra down time and sleeping in. All of those work for me, but ultimately I look forward to it because of what Easter really is about, remembering Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
I realize many in our world don't fully understand or even know what Easter is about, but we as the followers of Jesus need to act as reminders of what Easter is. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for Easter. I would not be the man I am if it were not for what happened at Easter. Jesus literally changed my life and direction. And Easter is a chance to remember that and thank him for what he has done.
Because of Easter, most of the hospitals and universities in our world came into being. Because of Easter, prisoners have the opportunity to find freedom while they are in jail. Because of Easter, hungry people can find food and shelter in times of desperate need.
Christians are Easter people, never forget that. May you have the opportunity to share Easter with someone else this week.

BTW - I am also a Doctor Who fan, so I will be setting my PVR for Saturday night. That's my Easter present (haha).

God bless.

s

Monday Mornings

2011-04-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

I woke up tired this morning, as I have for the last week. I am not sure why I am not sleeping well, but regardless I woke up not really wanting to on this slightly overcast day. I was looking to my friends' blogs looking for some inspiration, as i really had no inkling or even desire to write something today. But I am learning to try and push through those attitudes and work till something comes out of my brain besides nonsense.
And then I remembered what I preached on yesterday. It's funny how quickly even the preacher can forget what was preached. Yesterday I talked about the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, found in the 11th chapter of the Gospel of John. Of course, there was a lesson to be learned by all who witnessed the miracle, but it wasn't simply that Jesus was the Messiah, although that is still a profound understanding. He wanted the group to see even more than that. Jesus says in John 11:25-26 NLT that, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this Martha?" He asks Martha, but he is also asking us too. Do I believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Do I believe his nick-name? If I do then new life is there for me everyday. If I don't, well the there is no point to getting up in the morning, is there?
Well, to add salt to my wound God brought Psalm 23 my way this morning, and so I read it like a prayer. Maybe lack of sleep makes me feel like I'm in a bit of a valley this morning. Maybe I just need some of that rest Jesus offers. Coffee has never been a good substitute for Jesus. I think it helped put some perspective in the day for me. I think telling you about the start to my day is a bit cathartic, I feel a little more ready to meet the day head on. Thanks for listening to a fool for Christ.

Have a great day with the Resurrection and the Life!

Long range Missionary

2011-04-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

In our Family Worship service we had a missionary visiting from the States. His name is Joshua Williams. He and his family currently live in the States and work in South America. Here's the catch, he doesn't leave his home to do his work. Williams family served in South America for 3 years and returned, I believe, last year. Joshua is trained as a pastor but has always had a love for things electronic. He has placed with computers since he was a boy. He shared with us that he felt a call to missions. He was a children's pastor in a church and went into missions expecting to use those particular skills, but when he was in seminary his computer skills were used to help the school with their technical issues. So now, God has opened a door and used his passions to become the resident Computer expert for the South America region. Meanwhile his residence is several thousand miles north of them. I was amazed when I heard all this.
He had a great message to us, about the ability to use our gifts and skills to share the Gospel. Because someone told the Gospel to the Paraguayan Soccer Team, several gave their lives to Christ. And so now they can use their soccer skills to share the Gospel. God is using Joshua's computer skills to share the Gospel. I got to admit, sometimes I think to linear. I think about the Gospel and discipleship in very specific terms, and yet God can use anything we own, anything we are good at, and any environment we find ourselves in, to build His Kingdom. The idea of being a missionary wherever you are is not new to me, but this definitely expands my definition of being a missionary. I realize once again, how limiting I can be in regards to my understanding of God's work.
It was also exciting to hear what was taking place in South America, and Argentina specifically. God is at work in our world. Don't give up on God's Kingdom!
As an aside, Joshua is a great communicator, also good with kids. He would be great for any Missions service if you're planning one.
Happy Monday!

Once we were outcasts

2011-03-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in our church family worship the wind of God was blowing through our service. The music was very meaningful, and the fellowship was strong especially during our potluck. It shouldn't, but it always surprises me when I see God's power move through people. God orchestrated the day obviously, but it was interesting to see how everything came together. I prepared my message earlier in the week to speak about the woman at the well found in John chapter 4, and had found a video about a woman who was in need of Christ`s love called "An Unspoken Plea". I did use these on Sunday, but the movement of God started in our Adult Sunday School class. The lesson was from Luke 8:40-56, Jairus`daughter and the woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. We looked at this woman for a few moments and came to the understanding that likely she felt the judgment of her community and felt like an outcast. She felt so unworthy, that she thought she needed to sneak up to Jesus to try and be healed. Here is this unclean woman who simply by touching Jesus made him ceremonially unclean, but somehow knew Jesus could help. She was desperate for help. As soon as she touches him, she is healed and Jesus knows power has left him. So he puts her on the spot an asks who has touched him. She confesses that she did with fear and trembling. And in that moment that Jesus recognizes her faith, she is no longer an outcast, she is accepted into God`s kingdom.

So that was Sunday School, and then I shared about the woman at the well and how Christ accepted this woman and changed her life. She too, felt the judgment of her community, hence why she was at the well alone in the middle of the day. She was an outcast in her village, and it`s to this outcast that Jesus confesses he is the Messiah. Her life is forever changed and she too accepts the welcome into God`s kingdom. The morning was a real reminder to me and others that once we too were outcasts, and yet God`s love embraced us and Jesus changed us forever. The other reminder for me was if Christ can do that for me, why would I not believe he could do that for others. We must never forget that Jesus accepts the outcast, whether they look like a hobo or a lawyer. Which means we must too. Embrace others with love and not judgment, and see the power of God work in their lives. Remember, we too were once outcasts.

Is Jesus cool?

2011-03-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

The question comes to mind when I think of some of the trends our churches go through. I also realize that we never really get away from trying to be cool no matter how old we get. Now maybe sixty or seventy years olds don't care anymore, I don't know I am not there yet.
But roughly from pre-teen age and on up we struggle with wanting to be cool. Maybe it has something to do with wanting to be popular, it probably starts out that way. I don't think I want to be popular now. Everyone wants to be liked of course, but I know I don't want to look stupid. Is there a difference between not wanting to look like an idiot, and wanting to be cool? I hope so. Unless, of course looking like an idiot helps embarrass your children, ha ha. Just kidding!
So anyway, back to my question: would Jesus have been considered cool? He was rebellious, putting down the Man! Everywhere he went he caused a stir. he had followers galore! But when I picture cool people, at least from my experience, I always see cool followers. The Jocks have the cheerleaders. The preppies have wannabes, and so on. What did Jesus' followers look like? Well, some of them were fisherman. They worked on the lake catching fish. It's hard, dirty work. Another was a tax collector, who was considered a scab on society. He stole from the poor to give to the rich. They didn't seem cool.
And then there was the people he helped, the lame, the sick, the poor. He touched people with leprosy. He healed the blind. He restored the lame so they could walk. These people were considered sinners, because of their injuries and ailments. They or their parents must have sinned for these injuries to occur.
And then of course, would a cool person be killed for his attitude? Probably not, maybe get detention or something. But Jesus was such a revolutionary that the religious establishment felt they needed to get rid of him permanently.
Well, when you look at the evidence, it appears Jesus isn't that cool after all. And he didn't have cool followers. I don't think Jesus would have been with the cool people. I think he would been with the geeks, the nerds, the loners, maybe the head bangers, the stoners. I think he would have told us to not chase after the cool life, that there is a better life ahead of us if we followed his way. I think he is still saying that, stop chasing cool and take up your cross and follow him.

Organic Church cont'd

2011-03-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning!
It's a very blustery day in Lethbridge, with winds gusting up to 90 km/hour. No better day than today to talk about Organic Churches!
I was asked some questions in one of the comments on my blog last week so I thought I would respond to those and add some more thoughts.
"My question for you or anyone else, what forms can the organic church take, that is what could it look like?"
What could organic church look like? Well, I touched on that a little bit last week. Organic churches are not based on program or location really. They are based on following the mission of Jesus, so they really can be anywhere. They also tend to follow a simple form of leadership and structure. The biggest form for this would be the house church movement. House churches are simple. Typically, they have a meal together. It's all ages, children are involved at all levels. I have also heard of churches forming out of coffee shops and pubs. But if people in these churches have kids, they likely won't stay in those settings long. A good resource to read would be The Tangible Kingdom by Halter & Smay, and Organic Church by Neil Cole. There are likely other books out there on this topic as well, I don't have an exaustive list at my disposal.

"Another question, where do you start if you are already in a church or leading a church?" Simple answer would be starting with yourself. I am in this exact setting right at the moment. If it takes time to build trust with unbelievers, it can take even longer to build trust with your church. The big reason being many in the church do not understand this new language or methodology. Many in the church are asking the question, "Why aren't people coming to Church?" Obviously that's the wrong question to ask, but as leaders we have to frame our answers to get people to realize church is not a building, it's the people of God. And as the people of God, we are called to be missionaries, to reach others for Jesus. As a pastor, I try to place myself in places where I can rub shoulders with those who do not know Jesus and begin to build friendships. This may not go anywhere, but how else can I sow seeds of the Gospel if I never leave my office. So if I move my office to Starbucks or Tim Horton's once or twice a week, then I am exposed to the world. If things progress with this and you gather a group, likely you need to talk to your Board if it will involve more of your time. Ultimately we need to lead by example. No one will follow us if we aren't doing it ourselves.
If you are a Board member or attendee of your church, and you feel a calling to go in this direction (make sure you have prayed on this), then go to your pastor and tell him/her you have been called to be a missionary to reach your neighbourhood/city for Jesus. Begin small and don't give up meeting together. It's important that the Body of Christ gather together. We are never meant to be lone ranger Christians.

"Are there resources online that are available for those interested in learning more?" The Church of the Nazarene has a website, Organicnazarene.net. Darrell MacLearn is heading this network and is a great resource. They are also on Facebook. Neil Cole has cmaresources.org. Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch are involved in some very interesting work in Australia and have spoken in conferences around the world. Their books are very helpful in changing how we think about church. I especially enjoy Michael Frost's talks about missional church and you can find some of that on vimeo. There is a ton of stuff out there, but use some discernment. There are some people that are totally jaded with church that they create an insular ministry and speak against the church in all forms but their own.

My one piece of advice would be to not form a church if you are a group of angry people. Anger will not help you reach others for Jesus. Being dis-satisfied with the traditional church is a little different. If you turn that dis-satisfaction into a passion to take hold of Jesus' mission and become missionaries in your neigbourhood, amazing things can happen. But be prepared for it to take some time. Relationships and trust do not happen overnight.

btw - Keep the Japanese people in your prayers and support disaster relief organizations where you can.

Organic Church

2011-03-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

Alright, I have been put in my place and I am going to try a little harder in resuming my blog. I have also changed some of the settings so anybody should be able to comment.
Anyway, I spent the weekend in Calgary at an Organic Church Network training Seminar. Darrell MacLearn is the director of this ministry for the Church of the Nazarene in US and Canada. He is currently based out of McKinney Texas leading and planting organic type churches, as well as traveling and educating leaders on this cutting edge ministry.
Let me take a moment to explain what organic means. (this could be a long blog) Organic means natural of course, but it also has a reproductive quality to it. Organic multiplies, look at Mark 4 for more on this.And when we talk about church, at least in North America we have this strange idea that it's about a building. But church is really meant to be defined this way: The Church is the People of God empowered by the Spirit of God on the Mission of Jesus in His world (taken from Darrell MacLearn). So when we have a more complete understanding of why we are here, it changes the game. When you look at the explosion of growth around other parts of the world, it's because the focus is Jesus and not on building or land. Hopefully, I haven't over-simplified, but I have generalized a little for the purpose of my blog.
I have years of knowledge when it comes to church planting and some experience with it, but after this weekend I realized I needed to get back out there and try again. I currently pastor a church in Lethbridge, and have been sowing seeds for some time about starting new work for the Kingdom of God which doesn't have to be in a church building. If we focus on Jesus and His Kingdom and the mission He has called us to which is making disciples, I think church will naturally form out of that mission. These churches may not be big, but they will be beautiful because they will have the aroma of Christ. These churches can also pop up anywhere, houses, coffee shops, pubs, malls and the like.
Understand that this isn't about being disenfranchised, it's about realizing the mission of Jesus is more important than the building we might meet in to talk about Him. Understand too, that this isn't meant to replace the current church model. It's one model among many.
There is probably more I could say on this, but if this is something you are interested in, then let's talk. Let's start a conversation and see what God can do with it.

Is this relevant?

2011-03-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have blogged here, and honestly I am not sure how effective I am at communicating or how far reaching this goes. It's interesting to realize that anyone can become an author now by way of this route, but do they have anything relevant to say? Who knows!
I have come to realize that I am a rare species in the world of Christianity: someone who is committed to the cause. Now this isn't a humble brag, because I am not a perfect person in any sense of the word. But I really want to see our world changed for Christ and His Kingdom. Now as I say that, like everyone else, I too get caught up in the ways of the world and my focus goes elsewhere more often than I like. But my passion is to see others come to Jesus, and I only know how to do that through the church. I wish there were more like one of my Board members, who cries because somehow we are missing the mark when it comes to reaching those who need Jesus.
Now I am not complaining about my church, I love my church! I also know that other churches are in the same boat as us. The only solace I gain is realizing that people still want answers about the the Big questions about life, the universe, and everything. Somehow, we have to invite others into our sphere, or get invited into theirs so we can share our thoughts about life, which includes how the Good News has changed ours.

If I am off-base don't be afraid to tell me. If there isn't much response, this may become my signing off of blogging for a while.

Good News!

2010-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

I had some good news yesterday. We have had someone new join our church family a couple of months back, and he has been soaking everything in that I have preached over these last few months. He has been embraced by the family and has been accepted as one of us. He has a group of friends now and spends time regularly with them.
Well yesterday we had communion together as a church family. The last time he refrained because he understood what communion meant, the importance of being a follower of Jesus. Well yesterday I asked him if he wanted to participate and he nodded his head yes. He took communion. Afterwards, he told me that he finally understood and said his life was changed. He credited me for his change, and I quickly said it was God which he agreed with, but he credited the attitude of the church for changing his life. And I said, "Welcome to the Family".

Now he had already been embraced by the congregation, but no one had ever pressured him to change or accept Jesus. He was able to belong, without feeling like he had to sign a membership card. He found Jesus by the love we expressed towards him as His followers. He also heard the message preached regularly. He saw the family of God living out the Kingdom before his very eyes. Now comes living out that change in his daily life.

Yesterday, I talked about the Gospel is and always will be Good News. It's news that people really can use. And this time of year especially, is a time where people need some good news. We can't forget how important it is that people see the Good News of Jesus Christ being lived out in our lives.

I shouldn't be surprised, but I still am when I see people wake up to that Good News of Jesus Christ. It's also an affirmation to me that our church is on the right track, spreading His Good News and seeing God change people one life at a time. I hope I never lose that spark when I see God work.

Praise the Lord!!

Real life has no expiry date

2010-11-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have been a little overwhelmed of late. In my circle of friends I have seen three people pass away inside of a week. Now admittedly, they were all seniors and had lived a full life, but it still gives me pause. Physical life as we know it, has an expiry date. we may not know when that is, but all of us are like a container of yogurt, we have a date stamped on each of us.
But, I am incredibly thankful for my relationship with God. Thanks to what Jesus Christ did for me, by dying on the cross for my sin, my expiry date gets wiped away. now that doesn't mean my physical life won't end, it will. But what it does mean, is that I have an eternal date stamp that will allow me to spend eternity in paradise. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
My hope lies in knowing there is something beyond this, and by Jesus' stripes I can access Heaven today and change my time-stamp. It'never too late to change yours.

Mistaken Identity

2010-09-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

I was at a meeting last night and one of the attendees asked if the myspace page he saw was mine. The Mark Noonan in question seemed to be talking about the benefit of guns. I assured him, no that wasn't me, although i may find guns more beneficial when my daughters begin to date a few years down the road (ha-ha).

Other than on a computer, I haven't really even been mistaken for someone else. In younger days, I may have jokingly said I wish I was mistaken for someone famous or rich, or somehow create a false identity like Michael J. Fox's character in the movie, "Secret of my Success", but it's never been a real desire.

Now having said all of that as an adult, I have strived with some purpose to be mistaken for someone else. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 3, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (verses 26-28 NIV translation)

As a follower of Jesus, Paul tells me I am clothed in Christ, which in my thinking means I resemble Christ. I remember back in the 80's being infatuated with the TV show Miami Vice. I wanted so much to be like Don Johnson's character Sonny Crocket. I even went to the point of trying to dress like him. I won't dress like Jesus, because they wore different clothing in Biblical times, but I do want to resemble him in other ways. I want people to mistake me for Jesus in the things I say and the things I do. Obviously, the only way for me to do that well is if I am staying close to Jesus.

There is nothing wrong with Mark Noonan, but I think my life has infinite more value and purpose if people can see me as Jesus. Like Paul if I can be all things to all people, some may be transformed by the likeness to Jesus.

The God Hat

2010-08-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

I was watching a science show that wanted to answer the question of God. Scientists from around the world were asking themselves if God existed from their particular field. Some were for the existence of God and some weren't. There was a mathematician who was trying to discover the overarching theory that would answer everything. This mathematical theory could possibly tie everything in the universe together. And then there was this neuro-scientist who created this helmet that could stimulate a certain part of the brain and make you think you were having some sort of spiritual experience. You would sense within yourself to be in the presence of someone else in this tiny enclosed room. The scientist went on to say if you had this experience in a church or mosque or synagogue and so forth how would you treat it then? You would likely think you are in the presence of the divine.

I'll admit this guy caught me off guard. I very briefly questioned my own journey and if i somehow made myself think it happened. And then I remembered quite happily that Jesus did actually come to earth. He did perform those miracles, he did rise from the dead, and he said he would send the Holy Spirit after he left. So this guy can make our brains trick itself. It still doesn't negate all that God has done throughout our human history. It also encourages me to know that God continues to work in our present and future too.

The joys and sorrows of daily life.

2010-07-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today has not been an ideal day. I woke up wondering what the day would hold and so far it hasn't been anything wonderful. I am having trouble with email, it won't work at all. I am keeping kids apart while trying to work, and am generally feeling frustrated.

Surprisingly enough, I was preparing a lesson about winning and losing in the game of life. And there isn't anything in scripture that says life will be easy, that as a follower of Jesus you will win all the time. it seems to be the opposite in fact. 2 Corinthians 1 talks about when we are weighed down with troubles and trials God bring us His comfort to help us through.

I have to admit, I wish life would go more smoothly than it does. Not that it's all bad. I think the worst of it is the mental fatigue it can bring. Sometimes I am not very good at letting go. Thank God He doesn't let go of us either. I think unloading our frustrations at the Father's feet might be a good place to start, and then look at his promises in scripture to be with us, and help us through to the other side of the situation is a good second.

A New Day

2010-06-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's Monday morning, and I am ready for the week, sort of. I was thinking about my experiences recently from my time in Calgary. I spent a week at the beginning of June for our District Assembly, basically our Annual meeting for our region. It was quite full, but I think it was good overall.

Our District Superintendent, Dr. Dahl, shared some history of the Church of the Nazarene in Western Canada, and he gave a list of communities that used to have a Church of the Nazarene, but now no longer do. I was amazed at how long that list was. I have a bug in me to start new things, so when he spoke of trying to start new works in these areas again, I was intrigued. He asked the Assembly to pray for an area and to pray for God to move people to be part of this new movement. So I said I would pray for Southern Alberta.

I look around me, and all I see is potential. There are communities all around Lethbridge that could use more of God's Kingdom. I don't neccesarily mean they need another church, although as people are changed by the Gospel, they will naturally gather together. So I am praying. I am praying for God to speak to someone else about this dream, and asking Him to raise someone and bring him/her into my midst who would want to go to a new community and start something. I am also praying that God would do something in our faith community that would stir us to boldness and action.

If you read this and something speaks to you, contact me. I believe God has someone already who will join me in this charge. Pray with me that God's Kingdom would come here in Southern Alberta, like it did before.

Birthday Cake or God

2010-06-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
It's been a while since I blogged. I got locked out of my other one, so I created a new one. I also entitled it Mark's Meanderings. Catchy eh? Anyway, i realized I still have a few things to say so I am starting fresh.

Last night I had a visit from the Almighty (yes, I mean God). I didn't sleep well, and admittedly it could have been from the birthday cake I had from my son's birthday on Sunday, but I had an epiphany. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I knew who my neighbours were. Now that doesn't sound earth shattering I know, but what struck me was that God gave them to me to pray for and befriend.

In the Church we talk about the need to see the world rescued by God and yet we as His followers fall short of His mission. Now, it isn't up to us to choose whether the person accepts God's message or not. It isn't even up to us to push it on someone. We are just there to plant seeds and love people the way God wants us to. It's up to God to make that seed grow into something beautiful for Him.

Now that may all sound rather common-sensical, but when God speaks to you in the middle of the night and says to pray and enlist others to join you, I think you better listen!