Necessary Endings

I am currently reading the book Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud in conjunction with a number of colleagues.  It is proving to be a very good read on both a personal and professional level.

The author does a great job in getting the reader to recognize that there are beginnings and endings in many facets of our lives.  This really isn't a new concept to us as we speak often of "new and old" things and the reality of "life and death".  But, at the end of the day, most of us don't life to focus on the "ending" part of things even though we can all honestly look back and be glad for seasons which have come to an end.

For example; I am grateful my University days came to an end.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my University days immensely and will always carry great memories of those days as it was there I met my wife and attained my passion to serve Christ within His church.  But, I was glad when my days as a student came to an end so that I could launch out into life.  It was a necessary ending.

I am currently thinking long and hard on this overall topic as I am guessing there are still some personal and professional "endings" that may need to take place within my heart, mind and life in order to move on to God's best for my life.  I am concerned that there may be some needed endings impeding what may be God's next adventure.  What about you?  Are there any necessary endings you need to consider?

One Year Ago Today... Africa

It was a year ago right around this time that our plane was touching down in the Central African Republic.  It was truly an experience of a lifetime that will never be forgotten.  Here are a few of the lessons that still ring true within my heart even today.

• Never underestimate what God is able to do through those who are open and willing to respond to Him!
• The fellowship we enjoy in Christ transcends all culturally boundaries.
• Pure religion is to care for the widows and orphans of this world.  I believe this pleases the heart of our father.
• Lord I believe... Help my unbelief as this experience stretched my faith.
• I love my wife and children as it was tough being apart from them.  Being a world apart left me releasing them into the Lord's loving care which isn't easy for this husband/father to do.
• The joy of the Lord seems to be found in the simple things of life!
• The hope of life eternal found in Christ alone is what gets so many believers around the world through another day when surrounded with so much death.
• I can't open my fridge or take a hot shower without thinking and giving thanks for all we have.
• Everyone needs to experience a short term mission trip to another part of the world where there is such need to awaken us to how selfish we are in North America and how much is yet to be done for the sake of Christ our Lord.
• I will forever remember the people I met and their stories of faith and trust in God.

That about does it for now... so many things going through my mind today as I reflect upon this trip.

A Rookie Cold Weather Mistake

It has been nearly a month since my last post as Christmas has come and gone and we are well into the New Year.  Part of my New Year here in Ottawa has been adapting to cold winters once again.

Last week I made a cold weather rookie mistake. My family and I were heading over to the Scotiabank place to watch my son's basketball coach who plays for the Carleton Ravens take on the Gee Gee’s (by the way… just found out what a Gee Gee was) It was a cold night with wind chills around -28 degrees Celsius, but I figured it would be a quick run from the car to the arena and that dressing somewhat lightly would be appropriate. I was wrong!!!Shortly after we got into the arena, I found myself shaking somewhat uncontrollably as the cold had penetrated to the deepest core. I sat there chilled to the bone for the whole night and let me just say that the walk back to the car did nothing but bring on the cold shakes once again. This had only happened to me once before when I did not dress appropriately for a PSU – U of M November football game.
As I thought about this in a spiritual context, I could not help but think of how casual we get with our spiritual lives as well. The journey from hot to lukewarm to cold isn’t as far as we think. It only takes one causal approach to sin for the heart to grow cold and penetrate to the deepest parts of our heart if we aren’t careful. God has called us to dress spiritually as defined in Colossians 3:12-17 in order for us to stay spiritually hot.
In a spiritually cold world, what are you doing to stay spiritually hot?