Last Post in this Location

I've jumped blogging platforms, so all future posts will be a www.knowgrowsow.ca.  This one will be alive for one year.

The Key to Consistency

On my drive into work, I was thinking about Hebrews 13:8 which says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Pentecostals/charismatics lean on this verse as a part of their emphasis on signs and wonders. I don't disagree with leaning on this verse in this way, but it's foundational for much more of our faith practice.

More often than not God's call on my life is suspended because of worry, fear, shame, selfishness, or apathy. The net result is inconsistency in my following of Christ (my call). I am like a teenager learning to drive standard... Jesus asks me to do something and I don't always follow smoothly. I often stutter. Wrestling with the clutch and gas; wrestling with tension between past, present, and future.

When I live my life solely in the future, I worry and fear about the "what if's". When I live solely in the present it renders me selfish and apathetic. When I live in the past, I stall due to pride and shame.

Consistency happens when I live my life solely in Jesus. He covers (forgives) and redeems (builds on) the past. He challenges (calls my attention to give to others) and encourages (strengthens) me in the present. He takes care of tomorrow (with Jesus, the best is always yet to come).

Furthermore, the reality of faith in Jesus' past, present, and future work also feed off each other... my future in Jesus informs my past and present; my present in Jesus is shaped by my past and future; and my past in Jesus renews my present and future.

I can live a consistent life, because Jesus is consistent. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I think life is a journey of trials and mercy designed to correct and affirm our focus.

TGIF

Angela began another round of chemo treatment yesterday. She did not have much fun yesterday, but today has been a bit better... no vomit!  She's discovered CBC's Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean. Wait until I get her on to David Sedaris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5apZmwR9UI). Humour is good thing.

This week was one of our most difficult and we are grateful it's Friday. Coming off a busy weekend, then on to medical appointments, treatments, a sick support team, and an intense head cold left us exhausted this week. There were moments where there was no energy to get up, yet after a quick prayer requesting strength, we would somehow find ourselves up and going.

Each week I listen to a few sermons from pastors that I respect (because they wrestle honestly with the Word and and live a life of integrity). Two of my favourites (I listen to their messages just about every week) are Pastor Barry McGaffin (Kingsway Foursquare in Burnaby, BC) and Randy Remington (Beaverton Foursquare in Portland, OR). This past week, I listened to Pastor Barry's Jan. 27th message, "What did the blind men see?", and it has been feeding me for days. You can listen to it here: http://kingswayfoursquare.com/sermons/. Get in a place where you can listen (really listen) and you will be encouraged.

We are grateful for the countless mercies of God that He has extended to us in days past. We are grateful for new mercies today and we continue to seek His mercy. He is a merciful God.

Clergy & Chemo

This is a season filled with clergy and chemo duties. Friday and Saturday were spent preparing and celebrating with Chad and Charla. Charla has been a friend of ours for a long time, she was a doula at both our kid's births (saved my bacon at Ruby's birth), and has been the best tenant one could ask for (she's put up with our kids stomping around upstairs for over five years). Watching Charla and Chad grow in their love for one another has been awesome. Officiating their wedding was quite simply a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, I officiate a funeral for Diane's mom in Chilliwack. I always find funerals difficult and inspiring. My perspective and faith is always enhanced by remembering the life of a loved one.

I was very glad last night that I listened to Angela. A couple weeks ago she saw that my calendar had a wedding, Sunday sermon, and funeral back to back. She said, "you're crazy, get someone else to do that." So, I asked Isaac to take the sermon. I experienced fruit of her wisdom last night when I laid down to sleep and realized that I had a moment to breathe. Special thanks to Isaac for serving us so well. He opened the building this morning, vacuumed the foyer, played bass, and preached!

This week is also filled with medical treatments. We go to the Vancouver Cancer Agency on Tuesday, have fluid draining at Abbotsford Hospital on Wednesday, and then chemo on Thursday at the Abbotsford Cancer Agency. We're taking out one of the three chemo drugs this round as it is the least effective and causes the most side effects. We hope this will result in less fatigue and nausea. The two remaining chemo drugs are also supposed to help slow down the fluid build-up.

We have been so blessed by everyone's love and support. Thank you for your love and prayers.

  

A Big Thank You!

We had a special evening on Saturday night as we were treated to special show by the Connaught Skating Club in Richmond, BC. Angela's mom has been a ballet teacher with the club for sixteen years and when they heard about Angela their love for others went into action. 65 skaters and over 600 people turned out to enjoy the event and support Angela. Proceeds from the event were directed to Angela and will be used to help with medical expenses and care support.

Our family is very grateful to all the folks that showed up and all those who worked so hard to run this event. Thank you to the skaters, coaches, volunteers, and show organizers, Aundrea and Keegan! Your gift of time, talents, and finances towards our family is a special gift and we are very grateful. Knowing there are so many people who love and support Angela is a bright light in a dark time.

Thank you!
 
  

Life in the Tough Stuff

This last week was a tough one. Angela developed some recent health challenges including stomach pain, gall bladder pain, ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen), and dehydration. She spent Friday night and most of Saturday in the hospital on an IV and this morning she went in for a fluid tap (they drained 6L of fluid!). The rest of this week will be filled with rest, more scans, and more meetings with doctors.

I was the most weary I’ve been in a long time on Sunday morning… even after a long night’s sleep. I can’t imagine how Angela feels through all of this.

I really needed our Sunday gathering with our church and felt rejuvenated throughout and after. The body of Christ (the church) is such a needed part of life. Our church has been such a blessing: loving our kids, cooking meals, doing our laundry, bringing fresh flowers, and of course, praying like crazy!

On Friday, Elisa took Charlie to the zoo so Angela could rest. On Friday night, our dear friend, Renee, helped Angela in the ER which resulted in her being on the wrong end of some vomit. Angela's sister, Claire, stayed up with Angela on Friday in the hospital till midnight. On Saturday, Anna-Lisa watched our kids from 7:00am onward. And for the last two days, Angela’s parents have watched our kids so I could work and Angela could rest.

This week’s a bit up in the air as much of our routine will be determined by Angela’s schedule and health. We’re getting more used to being flexible, but it’s still hard.

In other news, Ruby continues to love school. As a parent, you wonder about throwing your kid to the wolves (aka public school), but seeing her engage and grow amongst her little peers is an encouragement. I continue the prayers that my parents prayed over me, that our kids would have soft hearts to Jesus, understand and live according to Scripture, find good friends, find favor with teachers, be strong in the face of temptation, and know and do God’s will. It is my observation that good and wise parents not only pray this, but also live this out in the smallest details of life. I hope that our kids one day will call us good and wise.

Charlie is so much fun right now. He knows he’s a ham and takes full advantage of this gift. Yes, I call it a gift. He makes us laugh all through the day and that’s been a good thing for us.

I hope all is well in your world. And by ‘well’, I mean your life is wrapped around Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and soon-coming return. Each one of those accomplishments in Christ’s life and mission has critical significance in how we live life today and tomorrow. This is how I frame my day and it makes all the difference.

That’s enough preaching for now! Have a great day and a great week.