To Stay or To Go We were leaving Thursday. For 9 days to the Dominican Republic. I remember laying in bed the Monday prior thinking, “How can I tell the team?” I had developed a hernia in my lower abdomen and now, 3 days before leaving, I was contemplating staying home. There were two other … More Beyond Quarantine…Lasting Effects of 14 days
“If someone told you 6 months ago that a global catastrophe would occur in March 2020 of such magnitude that it would grind all industrialized nations to a halt, you’d have thought them insane.” Mark Wanders A few years ago, we met a man in Florida who was part of a team whose primary goal … More Corona. Seeing Grace in Global Crisis
Just look around for a moment. Teachers protesting and shutting down schools province-wide in Ontario…thousands of students out of school. Wet’suwet’en land dispute protests shutting down railways and roads crippling our country…indigenous people frustrated; thousands of people being laid off. Businesses closing or moving out of the country for 2020…Pier 1 Imports, Bose, Things Engraved, … More How much more will it take?
Steeped tea. The art of soaking tea leaves in water to flavour an otherwise tasteless substance. Ever made a nice hot cup? The aroma alone as it’s steeping awakens in us pending enjoyment of the steaming full-bodied beverage. Steeped just right makes just the right flavour. And then, you bring the steaming tea towards you…mmmm…. … More Steeped tea… towards Meditation
“In spite of all our plans and preparations, the best (youth) ministries are continually working and improving their plans, rewriting the script every day, laying tracks just a few yards ahead of the train.” Mark DeVries, Sustainable Youth Ministry An acquaintance asked me the other day to share some insights from working 15 months in … More 15 Insights in 15 Months
Ever have this? You’re hardly out of bed in the morning, and you find yourself complaining about something. I’ve done this. Once it starts, out comes more…and next thing you know…it’s dominated my morning. Then I catch myself and think, ‘I gotta quit this.’ One of the easiest joy-zapping things to do in life is … More Changing ONE Thing, Changes Everything
Everyone would agree that clarity is important in communication. So I wonder why would we not be clear when talking about Christmas? Increasingly we see the word ‘Holiday’ replacing the word ‘Christmas’. Is this helpful? No. It covers over the real meaning of the season….and maybe with intention. But it doesn’t mean it’s helpful. Could … More CHRISTMAS Clarity
“The gift of an open door this Christmas is a gift of giving… giving of yourself, your time, your home, your family, your hospitality, but most of all the giving of gift of love as we become open doors of love to pass right through.” Mark Wanders……….. Christmas. The most wonderful time of year. The … More Give the Gift of an Open Door this Christmas
“If you have never stood before God and been utterly confused, you are serving an idol. God is so much bigger than we could ever fathom.” Quoted by Steve Brown on Key Life. I gave it some thought… Sometimes in life things don’t make sense. We might lift our faces to God and ask ‘Why?’ … More Amidst ‘Utterly Confused’
“One of the easiest things to do is to make excuses why we don’t have time for God.” Mark Wanders, Dec. 2017 A life journey in relationship with Jesus Christ will take time and effort, and include some hard work. It will mean owning our schedule and dedicating intentional time put towards hearing what God … More My Bible, My Journal, and Owning My Schedule
The Artisan Post 