Community

My wife and recently had discussion regarding community: what is it and how do we go about getting it. She is a cyber junkie: facebook, blogging, ... and claims that community is building relationships which can be done over the "net". I say that you need face to face interaction to build relationships. I agree that community is having relationships, but we disagree on HOW to go about it.

It doesn't matter that you have a good relationship with someone in cyber space, it only matters HOW you got there! Face to face interaction is the ONLY way.

I Don't Know What to Call This Post

Came across this book over Christmas. One of the first things the author discusses is how churches often equate a good relationship with God to doing the right things: if you read the Bible everyday, go to church, etc. you will have a good relationship with God. This is not necessarily so, says he. It doesn't matter HOW you go about fostering a good relationship, just that you have a good relationship.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Water

Recently heard a sermon on the virtues of the Ordinances. NO! Virtues is not the right word; this word means "goodness", as in something that is good. Baptism, one of the two ordinances presented, is a good practice. However, the way baptism is often presented is like this: "If you do not get baptised, how can you call yourself a Christian? After all, it is Christ's first command for all who profess faith in Him." I firmly believe that most proponents of baptism would not say that it is a condition of salvation, however the emphasis and subtle (sometimes not so subtle!) nuances that pervade some evangelical messages is clear: Jesus commands us to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Water. John baptized with water (Acts 1:5, 11:15-18) as a foreshadowing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought by Jesus. Jesus commands baptism not IN water but IN the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). So why is water baptism emphasized so heavily?

Too Much Time on my Hands!

When people found out we were moving to Edmonton and would be living in an apartment some asked, "What are you going to do with yourself?" Where we lived in Manitoba it was a rural community and people there have all sorts of chores to keep them busy, especially this time of year: gardening, yard work, etc. WELL, in response to "what are you going to do?" - whatever I want! I won't have to waste all my time mowing lawn, pulling weeds, fixing sewer pumps, and so on and on and on. We go for walks as a family in the tree lined ravine, we go to Fort Edmonton Park, we go to play parks, spray parks. We Blog! Last week I took the kids to the library and we all got library cards. So, we read! One of my favourite hobbies, yet have not had time for it until now. I just finished reading Grisham's "The Summons". I love reading John Grisham; he has a way of pulling me into the story and keeps me there. Right now I'm reading "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Some of my students were really into his books so I thought I would read some too. I have read 3 (I think?) of Paulsen's books.

Our Summer

Evi and I worked at a daycare/summer camp this summer. One trip was to the Eskimo Football stadium! We look awefully mean in our Eskimo uniforms! The family picture is from a Ristau family gathering in Edmonton this summer.

trailer

Don't Have a Cow Man!