Walking with the rabbi

home alone (pt 3)

After the poor me of the last post I'm feeling alot better now :-)

I am done most of the major projects around the house and I have two days before Patti and the kids are back. A friend is coming over tonight and we're going to watch a movie. I'll be studying all day today. That leaves a few hours to clean the house, buy groceries and do the laundry before they are home on Friday. Very manageable.

The kids will be quite busy when they get home. They have a fund raiser for youth right away on Saturday morning and I'm sure they will want to connect with all their friends here.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone, and hearing how they are all doing. This trip to So Cal for Patti and the kids was planned when we decided to move to Chilliwack. We all agreed that coming back to So Cal after being away for 5 months would be a good thing for everyone. There is something about going back to the place you came from that helps the transition to a new place. I guess its part of the long process of letting go of the past and embracing the here and now. If you've ever made a move, you might be able to relate.

Home Alone (pt 2).

Still home alone. Patti and the kids come home late Friday night.

I usually do this and regret it later and that’s do as many house projects when she is gone so that I can surprise her when she gets back. I’m adding a staircase onto the back deck, but before I could do that, the old hot tub on the deck had to moved down. That was an engineering challenge. Good thing my Dad helped – actualy he did it all, I “helped” a bit.

I’m also working on a new series of messages on Walking With The Rabbi. And I have to do my cooking and laundry! I think I have bit off more than I can chew. Did I mention I'm also doing Matt's paper route for him? Poor me.

the cross and the rabbi

We just finished our series on the cross.

We got into this theme that Love Wins. I actually heard of that phrase first from Rob Bell and fell in love with it. We looked at the cross most of the month of March.



Next week we are beginning a new series on Walking With The Rabbi.

I'm very excited about this series. I have learned alot from Ray VanderLaan and am looking forward to sharing much of it with the people of Heartland in the weeks to come.

home alone

I have been home alone now for 6 long days. My wife and kids left to go back to So Cal to visit friends during their spring break. I stayed home to continue with my work with Heartland Fellowship.

It has been mixed having them gone. I miss them all terribly. I miss the action of the kids, the conversation, the interaction with their lives. I miss the company of my wife and the partnership of our work together. Oddly, however, and I find myself a bit reluctant to mention this, I do enjoy the freedom -- at least for now. I am home alone and can come and go as I please. I can get up early and work on a sermon or study or go for a walk without having to think of the schedules of 5 others. In terms of "getting stuff done" it certainly happens more when they are gone.

I think why I am reluctant to mention this all is because it is a bit bothersome for me that being home alone would expose something that I am not all that happy about -- it's the orientation towards task rather than relationships. Unfortunately when I have spare time, my first thought is what work can I do, instead of who can I visit with or strike up a conversation with.

Perhaps what is the best about all this is that I am disturbed that the scales tip in favor of task over relationship. I think it's good to be bothered by this -- at least I recognize it (I keep telling myself that I am making progress). Afterall, Jesus was all about relationships.

embodying the gospel

In a recent article, author and pastor Brian McLaren, contrasts how we live as people who embody the gospel. The article quotes McLaren as saying:

"Those of us in the west now ... realize that there were a lot of bad consequences of European and American people trying to tell everybody else how things are," he said. "We feel that there's got to be a lot more humility and a lot more gentleness and that the Gospel is made credible not by how we argue and make truth claims. But it's made credible by the love and the good deeds that flow from our lives and our community.'"

It seems McLaren is saying that our lives as Christ followers gain more credibility through loving attitudes rather than logical arguments. This seems good and true. Why is it much easier to give truth claims than live out loving attitudes and what are loving attitudes? How are we doing with this and how much change, internal change do we need to really get this? I know for me, I am overwhelmed by the change needed in my (how does this change happen and will it ever get better?).

Another question, how does change in us occur? Is it through the seasons of time? Is it through hardships? Does it occur when we go to a class on it or hear a sermon on it? How does change inside of us towards higher levels of loving attitudes occur?

when will it end?

When will all this crazyness end?
Link

Chilliwack Chiefs Gone?

I may have gone to the last Chiefs game last night. They battled hard and came up short. Unfortunately, the scoreboard was not in their favor. After an incredible comeback series with Coquitlam, they ended their season in front of their hometown crowd.

A question lies in the mind of the fans at the Prospera center ... was that the last Chilliwack Chiefs game, ever? Will we ever see them again? Good question since the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, are in discussions with the city of Chilliwack to move their franchise to Chilliwack. That would mean the Chiefs would likely move to another city cites an article in the Chilliwack Progress.

Some people are excited about this new thing. They say the brand of hockey will be better, bigger and more exciting.

But I have some questions about that way of thinking. Is better, bigger and more exciting always the way to go? Will the WHL be more entertaining than the BCJHL?

Last night was great hockey. 2 on 1's, big hits, close score, developing plays, even a penalty shot with 26 seconds left in the game. In the BCJHL there is always the element of surprise of a turn over or an incredible display of skill from a developing player.

Tickets now are affordable (mine last night was compted!) but will they be for the WHL? Will the WHL inspire more attendance from the people of Chilliwack? Will the kids have as much access to the players and practices?

I don't know if loosing the Chiefs is good for this town. Sure, I'd love to see WHL games, but at the expense of Chiefs? Not sold on it.

CRC Canadian kid plays professional baseball

Chris is a remarkable person. Recent conversation with him about priorities in his life.
Link

pot growing business out of control?

Is the pot growing buisness out of control?

That is the question of the week by the Chilliwack Progress. It's a bait question ... it seems to me the answer is obvious. Since their own editorial suggests that the pot industry in BC alone is currently a 6 billion dollar industry. A study done by the University College of the Frazer Valley shows that from 1997 to 2003 that pot growing cases grew 214 percent.

Okay, show me any industry that has grown 214 percent in 6 years and is currently a 6 billion dollar industry. Is there one? Do we have any precidence to be able to understand the effects this will have on our community, our people and the people in the industry?

The article in the Progress say that this type of growth and economics are fueled by organized crime. The pot grown here are sold all over the world, and that most of what is produced in BC is shipped across our borders.

Back to the question, is the pot growing business out of control? There are many ways to look at this. One would be from a community development perspective. This huge industry, of which Chilliwack is the largest grower per capita in the province, is aparantly run by organized crime from outside of our city. This means that organized crime is using our city for their gain. That doesn't feel very good. An outside factor is influencing the people who live here for their gain.

Is this good or bad?

Anyone want to comment on what influence (good or bad) they think the grow ops are having in Chiliwack?

good news?!!

For some of you this article maybe good news!

the rabbi

The week before Easter is the week our Rabbi was lied about, betrayed, spit on, struck with rods, endured continual beating, was denied by one of his closest friends, stipped naked in public and was nailed to a cross to die.

I don't know what it is like for you, but the Passion week is deep. It spawns all kinds of questions. Why did Jesus go through all that? What does it mean today, or during spring break or next month? What is the significance of the cross.

It was a year ago that I experienced some trama which initiated quit a bit of suffering. The time between Palm Sunday and Good Friday is a heavy time historically. A friend of mine is going through his own trama and suffering and it's going to continue for sometime. Perhaps in this part of the world we will not have to face death for our faith, but at some levels we will experience a participation in His suffering. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds ..."

I am perplexed when theory and reality come together, when the reality of suffering brings renewal. Renewal and growth seem to come mostly through hardship. But it appears that it's in suffering that we grow. I wish it wasn't this way, but this is the way of our Rabbi.

Good Morning?

Hey, why is it so hard to get up in the morning?

venti cd's keane and appreciation

Just got back from another fertile time at sb's.

Love that atmosphere. People coming going. Music in the background, latte in hand, laptop capturing the stream of random, creative thoughts and insights. Then in comes a dude with backpack, headphones and double shot persona. "Mind if I sit here", he asks as he points to the cushioned seat next to me. "No worries", I say back. He's off to get a Venti and double caramel apple something.

He's back sitting across from me and opening a new CD and boom the conversation starts. He's into heavy metal with a mix of Santana and Rush these days. A professed artist and quite well read. He and I go back and forth about history, and the Scotts who claim to have invented everything, even though the Greeks say the same. We get into Irish history and how we both are amazed at the longitivity of the Celtic traditions. Then somehow we are now into topics of the Gnostic Gospels, which, he explains, are Gospels written but didn't make it into the Bible due to political reasons (which sprouted all kinds of questions in my mind). Now we are into the influence of the Roman emporers and their self profession to be diety. Then it comes back to music and flogging molly, keane, and foreigner.

"Hey, what time is it? ... Oh, gotta go and pick up my son."

The conversation is over - unfortunately. All that interaction between two strangers who know nothing about each other. Yet, deep appreciation for another person is formed over a latte.

It's amazing what opening a new CD will catalyze.

Waves

In some leadership articles, waves are talked about as good things. Waves are there to ride, to move forward with, to enjoy and be led by. Waves, we are told, are things we don't manufacture, rather to wait for. One church leader said all we are doing is riding one of God's waves ... we didn't make the wave, we are just along for the ride.

I certainly agree with those thoughts. I lived in Southern California for about 5 years and certainly enjoyed the surf sessions at the local breaks like seal beach, bolsa chica, goldenwest, and san onofre with my good friend Jeff.



Not all waves are good, however. We all saw the effects of the monster waves in Asia. Horrible. Our small church had an offering and this group of people gave $3500 for Tsuanami relief. I once watched helplessly as a group of people got pulled into a huge swell by a strong rip tide. Only 3 made it back.

Another wave that I have come to terms with is vehicle repairs. They seems to come in waves. What do rear differential, CV rod/joint, frost plug, heater control valve, new bearings, rear brake shoes and pads all have in common? They all appear on my repair bill for my trusted old friend, the 94 Toyota Previa. This is a wave I do not like.



Lots of questions come when waves appear. A good wave may invoke the question, "Will there be another one?" Bad waves beg the question, "How am I going to pay for this?" Or, "How will I get over this?"

look at the sign!!

Hey, anyone else seen this sign? I just saw it yesterday! Who would do this?

vodka and running and flashing lights

A friend just sent me this article. I don't know if it's true. He probably made it up. It would be just like him. Being south of the border, and a bit mischievious ...

Toronto Globe & Mail
March 30, 2004:

In most of the Canadian Provinces, there is a policy of checking on any stalled vehicle on the highway when the temperatures drop in the single digits or below. One morning in March 2004 about 3AM RCMP Constable Bill Wisen was awakened to respond to such a call of a car off the shoulder on the Trans Canada Highway outside of Medicine Hat, Alberta. Constable Wisen located the car still running, stuck in deep snow alongside the highway.

Pulling in behind it with his emergency lights on, Constable Wisen walked to the driver's door to find an older man passed out behind the wheel and a near empty bottle of vodka in the seat. He tapped on the window and the driver woke up, seeing the rotating lights in his rear view mirror and the RCMP Constable standing next to his car. The man panicked, and he jerked the gearshift into drive and hit the gas. The car's speedometer was showing 20-30- 40 then 50 KPH, but its still stuck in the snow.

Constable Wisen , having a sense of humor, began running in place next to the speeding but still stationary car. The driver was totally freaked thinking the officer is actually keeping up with him. This goes on for about 20 seconds when Constable Wisen yelled at the man ordering him to "pull over". This man obeyed and turned his wheel and stopped the engine.

Once out of the car the drunken driver asked about the RCMPs' special training and just how can the Constable run 50 KPH. The man, Mr. Robert Duport of Medicine Hat was arrested still believing that an RCMP Constable had outrun his car.

We Are Number One (in pot growing)

"We Are Number One". That was the headlines on the front page of the Chilliwack Progress today. Number one in grow ops per capita in BC. In other words there are more houses that grow marijuana per person that anywhere else in BC.

We talked about this quite a bit at small group last night. One particular person (not me) was quite knowlegable about the whole pot industry and helped us understand some things -- and he got quite a bit of razz from the group ie "how do you know all this stuff?"

There was all kinds of info coming to the surface. Someone mentioned that on Promontory one in every 4 houses are suspected to be grow ops. Another guy, who is in the construction buisness, told us that one day while they were working in a new housing division, a big cube van pulls up and out comes a swat team to bust a grow op in the newest house of the development. Apparently, he mentioned, that new housing developments are choice places because there is such erratic use of electricity by the contruction crews that it is hard to detect high electricty usage by the grow ops.

Grow ops thrive here. The police stuggle to enforce the law against the illegal drug production. The penalties don't seem to be enough of a deterant. The money that is made on a crop of BC Bud, is apparantly well worth the risk for some.

The grow ops affect all of us. The crime levels are up. Policing costs are increasing. The ongoing debate of legalizing pot is challenging our legal system and perhaps the government is enticed with the increased income on taxing the sale of marijuana.

Grow ops are very subversive. They appear everywhere, define our community, affects the way of life, is a huge factor in our economy and is difficult to control.

How would Jesus connect with the grow op movement? How would he want his followers to live to bring more of His way, His life and His values into Chilliwack. Lots of questions, not many answers.

your stories your pictures your thoughts

Hey, Hey, Hey,

Got a story? Got some pictures? Got some thoughts you want to put out there?

Want to post something here pertaining to your life or Heartland?

Email me the stuff

Done.

mvk

the chapel and the school

Just got back from speaking at Unity Christian School's chapel.

I always get real nervous speaking with high school kids. More nervous than usual.

I loved going. Seeing the students and so much promise for the future. I have given up long ago the notion that a single 25 minute talk from the Bible is going to change the world, but yet inside I hope that something will change for the good as a result.

High school kids, as it seems to me, read you like a book. They know if your faking it or if your the real stuff (smoking what your selling). They won't tell you if they think your faking it (they are too kind), they'll just talk about with all your friends. It's not like the'll say, "Hey, mister talker, I don't buy what your selling, could you finish your talk up and quit the dribble!?" They'll shuffle, and look bored. Kind of a passive sort of variation on the I don't think your the real deal response.

I guess I have spent quite a bit of energy trying to read high schoolers and trying to figure out if I'm cool with them. Why is it that I am so concerned about our public performance when I know that the gospel is all about relationships. Relationships are certainly not about external performance but an emotional exchange between the insides or the souls of two people. We know this, but yet public coolness or performance still gets alot of attention.

Funny how I/we are like that.

UCB

I loved it!

Unity Chapel Band (UCB) came and led us in worship this past Sunday. UCB is made up of some awesome kids and 2 supporting teachers.

Loads of talent and heart. Humble and ready. Thanks!

mvk

Just Barely Making It

I met up with an old from from California last night. He's in town to be with his son who plays for the Giants. I love reconnecting with old friends, the experience was fun and very enjoyable together.



But below the surface, something unwanted began to call out. Reminders. Reminders that I didn't make it as a hockey player, that I didn't make it as an engineer, that I'm not making it as a successful pastor. I didn't play high level hockey, enginnering was pretty tough for me and I'm not pastoring some huge successful church with revival all around.

No matter what success looked likes, it isn't me and I'm turning 41 next week. Strange reality for a person who had so much "promise".

Not only didn't I "make it", whatever that means, but it feels like I'm just barely making it. Barely making it as a husband, as a father, as a friend as a pastor as a human being. On one hand I hate just barely making it. It's very difficult for the ego and it brings up all kinds of difficult questions about my life.

As I think about it more, there is a side of just making it that is sweet. Pain and suffering and dashed dreams are good things, if it produces goodness in a human. Difficult to go through and be in, but there is something very human about it all. My pursuit of making it didn't work for me - I'm giving up on it. Now I'm looking for a new mantra.

I like just barely making it.

mvk

This Is A Big World

Wow, this is a big world.

Messing around with getting something on the web is a bit daunting. It's hard to be current and helpful, because it seems that current is always changing and helpful comes in ever changing forms. I can related to what Bruce Cockburn says, "The trouble with normal is that it always gets worse". Worse perhaps, but ever changing at wizz speeds.

I find that with all the technology, spinning, advertising, and gloss in today's world, it's easy to get cold. So much effort in getting to the place of coolness, that something is compromised. Namely relationships. Boy, do I know about that.

I like my Rabbi's way, his yolk. Jesus was all about relationships. Grace, forgiveness, blessing and loving.

Why is it that I think more about technology, than I do about Jesus ways?

Disturbing, but true.

mvk

New Is Good

Hey,

This is day one of the blog.

Welcome.

Mike