Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson - A Review.

N.D. Wilson's Latest Work
reminds me alot of a Friend
. His poetic, narrative, and mixing story all into one message. I couldn't help but think of Renee's book: Stumbling towards Faith. N.D. Wilson's book isn't stumbling though it is a whirlwind of a ride with vivid pictures, conveying images and sometimes I think he is a touch of ADHD in him. There are times I think I follow his writing, when all of the sudden he twists and and discusses painting, where is Paul?

I really enjoyed reading this work, but also had to hold on for the ride and concentrate on what the author was trying to convey. If anything this volume speaks and gives attention more to the beautiful world that we live in and how badly broken it is as well. This story isn't the ending but the beginning of a conversation of how we enjoy the ride of which we call LIFE. Notes from the tilt-a-whirl - really can be called my ride in this fast paced life and how I'm all turned upside down, inside out, and am not happy but am happy all the time. Get your copy ...if you want a ticket.

I had to personally take a break from the book, and then revisit it and enjoyed the delightful poetic story it contains.

All I ever learned in Life I learned from my wisdom teeth.

Article


So I recently had my wisdom teeth out. They were horizontal. (See image)

The interesting thing about this whole process is some lessons I've learned.


1. Don't take your family for granted.

2. There are some things you just won't remember.

3. Pain isn't always a good thing.

4. It is ok to talk like a chipmunk when you're little; as an adult - not so much.

5. Silence sometimes is a good thing.

6. There is a lot of time to reflect.

7. Sleep helps one heal.

8. Healing doesn't happen overnight.

10. Taste is a good sense.

11. Learn to choose your words wisely.

12. Be thankful for friends and the few blessings you have.

13. It is always a bad idea to think about Steak when you can't eat it!

14. Take care of yourself; not too many other people will.

15. Prayer is always a good thing.

Top 10 Things I love about the Ministry!

So I got thinking what are the top ten things I love about the ministry ...and here they are in no particular order.

I. Changed Lives. There is nothing like Seeing people's lives changed - to becoming a Christian. The Transformation process. Romans 12:1,2. God's people are great.

II. Diving into God's Word. The more I read it, the more in awe I am of how God's story impacts me.

III. The Flexibility. There is no other job in the world where I can be so flexible and yet balance out all the plates I have spinning. To being a caring, compassionate person at a time of tragedy to that of celebrating new life, and even new lives together as people get married.

IV. The Networking. Learning from peers, mentors, conventions etc. The mindset of the Kingdom of God is bigger than any one congregation.

V. The Life Long Learning. I can't think of too many jobs where you learn something new about your position every day. The daily and long term effects and the continually changing methods to reach the world for Christ.

VI. The Discipleship process. There is nothing like having a mentor and being a mentor to others.

VII. Leadership. Using your leadership skills, delegating, depending on others. It stretches you and helps make you a better person.

VIII. The Pay. (Just Kidding). Most of us in ministry are not in it to make money though we do see our needs being met. We also see the eternal benefits. It is amazing to me is that at times I just say "I'm just paid to be a Christian, how cool is that?" Sure there is the passage on those that teach and preach. People have given so much to me and my family. I'm just amazed how God provides at just the right moment.

IX. The Location. To bloom where I'm planted. I can't think of any other job or position where you can see so many different places, cultures, and make such an impact on lives. Sometimes we take for granted that we get to travel and speak etc. I remember growing up that I never left Southern Ontario ... and now I've been all over and beyond.

X. The Preaching and Teaching of God's Word. It challenges me. It excites me. It helps me be a better man of God. Usually when I preach - I'm preaching moreso to myself than anyone else. There never is a dull moment.

So what are the things you love about ministry? Any you would add, change etc?

Government is NOT the Answer!

One of the biggest things I'm learning more and more is Government is not the Answer. Romans 13 convinces me of this. We are to honor the authorities. God establishes them; but government isn't the answer to our problems. I'm afraid too many pastors and church leaders (Myself included) spend so much time with listening to politics. Debating politics. Thinking politics. We forget that the Church; Jesus; the Holy Spirit within us; and Our Father already given us the Answer.

So what is the answer: Depends - what is the question?

We debate bailout, health care, justice, social justice, issues and think we have all the answers. Sometimes we don't. We know who has all the answer and WHO is the answer. The problem is we keep getting away from keeping the main thing the main thing. We lose our purpose. We go down a million bunny trails. So what is the church's focus suppose to be? Loving God and Loving others. Presenting the Gospel.

Do other issues matter? Sure. So what are we to do?

Keep our eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our Faith. If we take our eyes off of Him ...we lose our focus and become nothing more than some sort of Organization, association, or "Social Club."

Too often I see groups in the name of "Religion" become Social clubs or social well meaning clubs and along the way forget about Jesus. How SAD!

My Grill Died! Life Lessons from a Grill.

After 10 years - My ole Grill finally died. We got a new one. I got thinking though. That sometimes we treat life like a grill. We're rough on it. We forget sometimes about it. We take it for granted. We sometimes overdo it. The problem is life isn't a grill. We can't after a few years trade it in for a new one. We have to be careful with the time and energy God has currently given us.

How to Share Your Story as a Part of God's Story (your Testimony)

Can I get a witness?

One of the things I get asked about is sharing one's testimony. Do you have one?
How does one go about sharing it?

Here are Three components I would include in one's story (testimony) as a part of God's story.

I. Share what your life was before you became a Christian. (Whether you were raised in a Christian home or not) Don't go into too much detail or overdo it. The reason for this is sometimes others falsify or stretch the truth and tend to glorify Satan's work rather than God's. (Pet Peeve: I've heard a lot of people share their testimony and spend about 90% of the time talking about Rock N Roll, drugs and Sex and less than 10% on the rest)

II. Share how you became a Christian. Use scripture. Talk about God's grace, forgiveness ... when you became a Christian. Celebrate it. For me I use the phrase:

Saved by Grace, through faith - I repented, confessed, in immersion (Baptism) unto Good works. Some use the Roman Road; others the Wordless book etc. Be creative.

III. Share what God is doing in your life right now. There are lots of stories here.

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We should Reflect on the past, but don't stay in it.

Live in the present. Make the most of every day.

Strive for the future. Have a passion, vision for the hope of which we've been given.

So how about it? What is your story?

Bad Theology of a Killer: George Sodini

From George Sodini's Notes


Current Event


Warning language and some violent and random thoughts. I saw this on a news outlet and read and what was curious to me wasn't so much the hatred and anger but the Christian influence and bad theology he got.

Thoughts like:

1. Religion is a waste.

2. Committing Mass Murder is ok, and you still can goto heaven.

3. Mentions a Certain Church.

4. Talks about the hyprocrites he sees.

5. "Religion has a certain stink to it of guilt, shame, fear, and that moral standard that always contradicts the natural tendencies and desires of a person. Therin lies the conflict" WOW - alot in that. Reminds me of the Apostle Paul's sinful nature versus that of the Spirit.

6. What is it like to be Dead? Seems to want to know about death.

7. Thinks Sex is a solution.

8. Picked on in High School.

9. "I can just start being self-righteous and say I live a good, clean life"

10. "Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."

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The above concern me. As a Church leader; as a husband, father, and most important as a Christian.

Hindsight is 20-20. I think we should pray for ALL the families here. Those who lost their lives and the SAD situation. It seems to me that someone, anyone could of set, been the EXAMPLE of a Christian to George.

Helped him with a Healthy Biblical view of

1. Women.

2. Sex.

3. Sin

4. Christians.

5. Grace and Forgiveness.

6. Responsibility for one's actions.

7. Death. It is our enemy.

8. Role model. Imagine if some mentor, youth worker would of spoke into his life in High school?

9. Being self-righteous doesn't earn your way into heaven.

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So much here as a Current Event to use for Small Groups etc.