No, I'm not referring to the in-laws.
Early in January, when we were in Florida, our son Colby, became sick and was diagnosed with pneumonia. We, of course, had taken him to a local hospital since he was running a fever and would not sleep (it was the middle of the night). We only had to wait a couple of minutes before we were ushered out of the waiting room, and into the area where he could be examined. A couple of nurses were on the scene and soon after a couple of doctors. The service was very good and rather quick, compared to what I've experienced here in Canada, at times.
After some discussion, Colby was given some medication, had a couple of needles, had some x-rays taken and was given a couple of prescriptions to make sure that he was well.
Of course, while we were still there, a hospital accountant came in for a visit. He took our information - including our health insurance - and went off to make sure that we could pay for all the good care that we received. A short time later, he came back and told me that I needed to come and speak with my insurance carrier. After a 20 minute conversation, I was assured that they would take care of everything.
Well, today, the unexpected showed up. A bill from the hospital totalling my weekly salary. Ouch!
Often in life, we encounter the unexpected - a sickness, a death, a job-loss, a bill, a rejection - and the list could go on and on. Generally speaking, these type of situations have a negative affect on us. We perhaps, become discouraged, disillusioned, or even desparate.
Obviously, there are times when the "unexpected" are moments of happiness. Perhaps someone gives us an unexpected gift, or takes us out for a meal, or says something nice to us out of the blue. These are moments to appreciate and enjoy.
However, much of the time, we experience the 'unexpected' in the difficult events of life. As a Christian, how should I react to these events? Put on a smile? Pretend that it doesn't get me down? Re-state that there undoubtedly is someone worse off than me?
I have my thought on this matter - But I'd like to hear from you first. What should be my reaction - as a Christian - when unexpected difficulties come my way? Let me know @ pastorken93@hotmail.com
I'll share my thought with you next Monday.
"Send Revival. Start with me."
Pastor Ken
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Forward Living
4 years prior to my birth...that's when it happened. 1967. The last time the storied franchise called the Toronto Maple Leafs won hockey's Stanley Cup. Right now, I'm looking at an art print of the players from that team. They look young and happy as they sit/stand around the fabled Cup. But as I now think about it, those men are all senior citizens. You see, it's been 40 years since they were champions.
But yet, on Saturday night, the organization brought back most of those same players from the 66-67 team. In a moving tribute to a team that showed grit and determination - the modern day crowd stood and applauded in a genuine fashion. In a way, the city (and all Leaf fans) were celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. For a hockey city that has not had a hockey celebration in 40 years - this was as good as it's been in a long time.
I appreciate the past. We can learn so much from it. We are to remember that which has been done and accomplished prior to our arrival. In fact, who we are and where we're going is fashioned, to a large degree, by what has been before us. But we cannot live there. Following the ceremony to the the former hockey heroes last Saturday - the puck was dropped and a new game was played. It isn't natural - I'll explain below - to live in the past, and not be forward living people.
Every year we celebrate a birthday (whether we like it or not). Our birthday is a remembrance of the beginning of our life here on earth. But it is not a re-living of that experience. We grow and change as our birthdays increase. We're not living in the past, but celebrating today. Without the past, we're incomplete, but to not move ahead is to not truly live our life.
For the church to not be forward living is detrimental. Some of what used to be effective and powerful needs to stay in the past. It was effective then, but now God is using other means. It will be the same with those things eventually, as well. If we stay focused on what was and not grow with what God wants to do in our current world, then we'll be missing out on the 'newness' of how God desires to use His people.
I'm certainly not advocating changing the foundations of our faith - and I'm not talking specifically of music or preaching styles. But if the church is not relevant to today's world, then the church is not relevant at all.
We can stand and applaude the past, but the puck is being dropped on a new game. Christ is still the Head of the Church and He still calls us to follow Him.
Will we follow Him - no matter what that may mean - as we march forward to Zion.
Let me know what you think - pastorken93@hotmail.com
P.S. Montreal Canadiens were the defeated foe back in 1967 :)
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
But yet, on Saturday night, the organization brought back most of those same players from the 66-67 team. In a moving tribute to a team that showed grit and determination - the modern day crowd stood and applauded in a genuine fashion. In a way, the city (and all Leaf fans) were celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. For a hockey city that has not had a hockey celebration in 40 years - this was as good as it's been in a long time.
I appreciate the past. We can learn so much from it. We are to remember that which has been done and accomplished prior to our arrival. In fact, who we are and where we're going is fashioned, to a large degree, by what has been before us. But we cannot live there. Following the ceremony to the the former hockey heroes last Saturday - the puck was dropped and a new game was played. It isn't natural - I'll explain below - to live in the past, and not be forward living people.
Every year we celebrate a birthday (whether we like it or not). Our birthday is a remembrance of the beginning of our life here on earth. But it is not a re-living of that experience. We grow and change as our birthdays increase. We're not living in the past, but celebrating today. Without the past, we're incomplete, but to not move ahead is to not truly live our life.
For the church to not be forward living is detrimental. Some of what used to be effective and powerful needs to stay in the past. It was effective then, but now God is using other means. It will be the same with those things eventually, as well. If we stay focused on what was and not grow with what God wants to do in our current world, then we'll be missing out on the 'newness' of how God desires to use His people.
I'm certainly not advocating changing the foundations of our faith - and I'm not talking specifically of music or preaching styles. But if the church is not relevant to today's world, then the church is not relevant at all.
We can stand and applaude the past, but the puck is being dropped on a new game. Christ is still the Head of the Church and He still calls us to follow Him.
Will we follow Him - no matter what that may mean - as we march forward to Zion.
Let me know what you think - pastorken93@hotmail.com
P.S. Montreal Canadiens were the defeated foe back in 1967 :)
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
Monday, February 5, 2007
F.O.R.D.
I guess the joke is true after all. Our new (to us) car of 2 months, died today and left April stranded in town. It, of course, is a Ford. A 2002 Focus wagon to be exact. The #1 selling car in the world. The joke that used to go around - and perhaps still does - suggested that the letters of Ford stood for Found On Road Dead. As of this afternoon, that statement took on a whole new meaning for me.
Well, as you can imagine, no one expects or wants something that they've invested in to fail them - especially so quickly. The car was, after all, inspected thoroughly by a reputable dealer prior to the purchase. It had been well maintained by the previous owner under a leased condition. The mileage was not high. The price was right. It seemed like the perfect buy.
But there I was, standing on the side of the road, watching the tow truck load my car onto the flatbed - and all after only 2 payments.
As it turns out, it appears that the problem is with the alternator. It needs to be replaced. A belt also had been damaged, and needed to be replaced. There is also the fee for the tow. The $$$ signs were beginning to mount.
Back when we bought the car, the dealer tried to get us to purchase an extended warranty. I'm not a fan of such things - feeling that it is wasted money. The package that he was 'pushing' sounded great but was rather expensive in my mind. Surely nothing would go wrong with my car, I thought. However, after talking with April, we decided that it would be best to have the security and peace of mind.
As I reviewed the warranty coverage today, I took note that it said towing was covered; labour was covered and alternator replacement was covered. Oh, how I love that extended warranty!
Yesterday, I took part in the funeral of an 80 year old man. By everyone's account, he was a great person and a model citizen (25 year veteran of the military). The thing that struck me most though, was when his grandson got up and spoke of a moment that occurred just 4 years ago. A former pastor was visiting him and had asked the question, "If you died today, do you know that you'd go to heaven?" His response, was honest - "No". The pastor assured him that he could know, and that day he became a Christian - trusting his future with Jesus Christ.
Today, that gentleman is in heaven - in the presence of the Lord. Not because he was good or kind or had invested much in his life. But because he had accepted the warranty.
The unique thing about this warranty however, is that someone else paid the cost (see John 3:16). All that is needed to be under its coverage is to accept the free offer. Have you?
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
Well, as you can imagine, no one expects or wants something that they've invested in to fail them - especially so quickly. The car was, after all, inspected thoroughly by a reputable dealer prior to the purchase. It had been well maintained by the previous owner under a leased condition. The mileage was not high. The price was right. It seemed like the perfect buy.
But there I was, standing on the side of the road, watching the tow truck load my car onto the flatbed - and all after only 2 payments.
As it turns out, it appears that the problem is with the alternator. It needs to be replaced. A belt also had been damaged, and needed to be replaced. There is also the fee for the tow. The $$$ signs were beginning to mount.
Back when we bought the car, the dealer tried to get us to purchase an extended warranty. I'm not a fan of such things - feeling that it is wasted money. The package that he was 'pushing' sounded great but was rather expensive in my mind. Surely nothing would go wrong with my car, I thought. However, after talking with April, we decided that it would be best to have the security and peace of mind.
As I reviewed the warranty coverage today, I took note that it said towing was covered; labour was covered and alternator replacement was covered. Oh, how I love that extended warranty!
Yesterday, I took part in the funeral of an 80 year old man. By everyone's account, he was a great person and a model citizen (25 year veteran of the military). The thing that struck me most though, was when his grandson got up and spoke of a moment that occurred just 4 years ago. A former pastor was visiting him and had asked the question, "If you died today, do you know that you'd go to heaven?" His response, was honest - "No". The pastor assured him that he could know, and that day he became a Christian - trusting his future with Jesus Christ.
Today, that gentleman is in heaven - in the presence of the Lord. Not because he was good or kind or had invested much in his life. But because he had accepted the warranty.
The unique thing about this warranty however, is that someone else paid the cost (see John 3:16). All that is needed to be under its coverage is to accept the free offer. Have you?
"Send Revival, Start with Me."
Pastor Ken
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