Crimson flames tie my tongue

Finally its the end of a work-week! I don't have very much to say at the moment, but I blog in order to keep up the writing. My current project for the week has suffered from my work schedule, which is dissapointing, but hopefully reconcilable. Discussions with my work-mates have lead down many paths, but one which has crossed the threshold from passing comment to conversation is the philosophy of humour. I talked with one coworker about the motives of humour, and why it is human beings laugh at things. In our context, we thought it was interesting that men tend to cover over concern for the well-being of another with laughter. Thus, it is easier to laugh at someone than for that person to find out you care. What gets me is the relative vulgarity of humour. Jokes are relegated to the inferior category of 'wit' and 'pun' if they are not cutting and/or sexual. And really, it makes me sad. We were designed to build one another up, and to glorify a powerful and awesome God in the words we use. Oh how my own tongue makes me to be a flaming hypocrite! Do you find your workplace is a warzone of acid thoughts and dagger smiles? How do you protect your mind and heart?

God's word. Read in the Psalms what David has to say about God's words. Then take steps to confront sin.

Todd

Abortion in Ontario

Sigh.... Listened to Piper in one of his more recent messages on the subject in the States. Had an odd itch to check out Ontario's situation.



Abort73.com:
Warning. This site begins by showing a movie with graphic pictures.

Abortionno.org
WARNING! This site has an immediate display of abortion footage.

Abortion Organizations with Geographical Locations in Ontario:

Cabbagetown Women’s Abortion Clinic
302 Gerrard Street East Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A2G7
Phone:	(416) 323-0642

Canadian Abortion Rights Action League
P.O. Box 3134 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7B5G6
Phone:	(807) 344-3660

Canadian Abortion Rights Action League
880 Wellington St, Ste 616 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R6K7
Phone:	(613) 789-9956
Website:	www.caral.ca
E-Mail Address:	caral@caral.ca

Choice in Health Clinic
597 Parliament St, Suite 207 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4X1W3
Phone:	(416) 975-9300
E-Mail Address:	choice.clinic@sympatico.ca

Hassle Free Clinic
556 Church St, 2nd Fl Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y2E3
Phone:	(416) 922-0566
Website:	www.hasslefreeclinic.org
E-Mail Address:	admin@hasslefreeclinic.org

Jessie's Centre for Teenagers
205 Parliament St Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A2Z4
Phone:	(416) 365-1888
Website:	www.jessiescentre.org/
E-Mail Address:	mail@jessiescentre.org

London Crisis Pregnancy Centre (LCPC)
261 Piccadilly Street London, Ontario, Canada N6A1S3
Phone:	(519) 432-7098
Website:	www.loncpc.ca/contactus.html
E-Mail Address:	londoncpc@webgate.net

Morgentaler Clinic
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S1V4
Phone:	(416) 932-0446
Website:	www.morgentaler.ca
E-Mail Address:	skb@passport.ca

Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics
427 Bloor St W Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S2Z1
Phone:	(416) 969-8463

Planned Parenthood North Shore
15 Hudson St. Blind River, Ontario, Canada P0R1B0
Phone:	(705) 356-0113
Website:	www.northshore.ppfc.info
E-Mail Address:	ppns@bellnet.ca

Planned Parenthood Ottawa
701-331 Cooper St. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P0G5
Phone:	(613) 226-3234
Website:	www.ppottawa.on.ca
E-Mail Address:	ppottawa@ppottawa.ca

Planned Parenthood Society of Hamilton
611-20 Hughson St. South Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N2A1
Phone:	(905) 528-3009
Website:	www.hamilton.ppfc.info
E-Mail Address:	plannedparenthood@hwcn.org

Planned Parenthood Toronto
36-B Prince Arthur Ave. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R1A9
Phone:	(416) 961-0113
Website:	www.ppt.on.ca
E-Mail Address:	ppt@ppt.on.ca

Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region
151 Frederick St., Suite 500 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2H2M2
Phone:	(519) 743-6461
Website:	www.ppwr.on.ca
E-Mail Address:	director@ppwr.on.ca

Planned Parenthood Windsor/ Essex County
3735 King St. Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9C1P7
Phone:	(519) 254-3807
Website:	www.ppwec.ca
E-Mail Address:	info@ppwec.ca

Scott Clinic
157 Gerrard St E Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A2E4
Phone:	(416) 962-4108

Women’s Care Abortion Clinic
960 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 501 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A3B5
Phone:	(416) 256-7149

Women's Health in Women's Hands
2 Carlton St, Ste 500 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B1J3
Phone:	(416) 593-7655
Website:	www.whiwh.com
E-Mail Address:	whiwh@web.net

Women's Health Services
800 Commissioners Rd. E. London, Ontario, Canada N6A4G5
Phone:	(519) 685-8164
E-Mail Address:	londoncpc@webgate.net

Closest one to me is about a 5 minute drive to Fredrick Street. I'll pass by it tonight on my way to pick up Heather. God is knitting in her womb at this exact moment. And we are so grateful for the privilege!

God bless friends, and listen to Piper when he says we need to befriend people, and care about them rather than be overly fervent and mouthy.

The Ignorant Mr. Anderson

In the last two days I picked up a copy of C.S. Lewis' 'Surprised by Joy'. I had to make one of those cards to put in the back of the book, so that the church would know it was out (it hadn't quite made it to the shelf yet). In any case the book is mind blowing because it is pure Lewis. The entire book is filled with references to books he has read (many classics), and also includes perhaps over 50 inserts of latin/greek/german/french phrases (most of which I did not comprehend). He is constantly saying things like: "This experience was akin to when Euripedes did this with (excuse my memory) So-and-so." And that was one of the really beneficial things about this book. It explained to me quite clearly that I have no right to boast about the books I have read, or the people I know of. C.S. was merely explaining facts about his childhood. I treat some of these names like trophies, even though I have never read them. To have even heard of Homer is nothing compared to someone who translates from the original. So this is good. Secondly, it re-emphasized the fact that spending my time wisely, and fruitfully is something I need to dedicate more energy to. From now on its no longer, "yeah I read Owen, he's pretty good" (having lightninged through Mortification of Sin [which, by the way, means I was probably thinking about something else and skimming/skipping humongous chunks]), but "I need to re-read this because I don't have anywhere near a good grasp on such-an-such an idea".

Be careful what you read folks.

In other news, I wrote a poem. For some reason every time I read Lewis I receive inspiration. I'll post it some other time.

Be Nice to those 411 folk.

So I thought I would try my hand at the call-centre gig, and for the moment (half way through training) I enjoy it. Directory Assistance is one of those bizzarre jobs where you work to provide phone numbers as fast as possible to those who (generally speaking) are either Voice-Automated-Illiterate, thickly-accented, or mumblers. The job itself is sort of like the intellectual side of tree-planting (if there is such a thing) because speed and accuracy are the key elements. Everything about the odd keyboard we use in DA is designed toward that. The hard part is the amount of information which must be known in order to deal with all types of situations. Its a kin to the intense physical rigors of crossing swamps, climbing over trees, and enduring crazy weather systems, only in the brain. So I'll give it a whirl, realizing that I have the better end of the deal because (hopefully) these customers actually want the information I gots. So treat your 411 agents nicely, because you just might get me, and I just might not appreciate the breathing-down-your-neck-and-get-me-your-supervisor kind of angry that exists in this field.

On to bigger and better things however:

I was reading John 2 yesterday, writing out a fair bit of the passage, and suddenly my brain turned sideways, and the whole turning water into wine miracle stunned me. Here are some thoughts and observations which I am currently investigating. This stuff is craziness!

1. The jars Jesus told the servants to fill with water were used for Rites of Purification. He changes that water into great wine. Purification, wine... Something is odd here.

2. What is Jesus talking about when he says to his mom: "Woman, what does this have to do with me, my time has not yet come?" Is he saying, "Hey mom, give me a couple minutes" or is he talking about his death, or what?

In any case, the 1st question pretty much blew my mind, particularily when I looked up in Numbers that they sprinkled water of 'purification' before sacrifices and offerings were given. My take is this: Water of Purification is a physical act of what is supposed to be a heart-felt affection. The Jews tended to (and don't we do this too!) associate these commands as having effectual significance, and over time traditionalized the whole ceremony, so that it was not a true representation of what was going on in their hearts. Purifying our hearts is the issue, the water simply reminds us. Jesus changes the reminder from water into wine. What does wine represent? Joy, Happiness. Read Song of Songs, or many other passages, which talks about Wine being a symbol of a 'full life' or enjoyment. This has definitely strayed from exegesis, but stay with me for a moment. The thing which purifies our hearts is that which also enraptures our hearts. Christ. He is our purification (Heb 1:3) and our desire, our joy, our satisfying drink. Why do we take communion? What is that emblem of wine associating? Joy and Sorrow, Life and Death. Perhaps the cool thing is that Jesus made the best kind of wine, not some crappy vintage. Just like the joy he gives is the best kind of joy, because it originates out of him.

Heather and I are doing well, seeing as we worship King Jesus. I like that title. It reminds me to think of Jesus as our champion warrior, gone out to defeat the enemy's champion on our behalf. All our hopes ride in the strength of his arm, and he has a righteous right hand.

Peace friends

An experience unlike any other

Luke and I are doing well this chilled friday afternoon. As we sit in the freshly (2005) constructed Timmins library, looking forward to a day of conversation with family, reading and relaxation, my mind wanders back to an odd experience I had two days ago. For some context, know that a week ago I was extremely close to quiting this crazy job of tree-planting, for the simple reason that I miss Heather quite a lot. Those feelings of longing have not changed, but my attitude toward the situation has, and this is all due to God's grace. Its funny how crazy this culture is, and it is interesting to note how affectatious every word, action, and deed becomes in shaping the attitude of a work day. My response this past week has been to breathe deeply of the word of God, and pray continually. And this is what happened as a result:

I was planting on my own this particular day, filling in a long row of swamplike terrain, which was brimming with stumps, fallen logs, and the like, singing praises to God and cherishing the fact that (if nothing else) I have the ability to spend 8 solid hours relatively unhindered in concentrating on Jesus, and how excellent he is. All of a sudden, as I was singing the lines of some song like "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him", or something Derek wrote, I began to cry. And then I began to weep, tears of joy flooding my face. It was not due to the hardship of the job, but rather the realization that Jesus lives, and that he is all I need. It really hit me. The experience continued off and on for 15 minutes, and I was stunned by what had taken place. I must have looked insane: a guy in tree-planting gear, laughing, singing and weeping as he runs around planting trees. But it was an extraordinary experience. Nothing flashy or earth shattering, or irrational. It was that realization of the mind which struck my heart the way a particularily tasteful chord strikes the ear, and I was floored by the thought that Jesus is alive, and in control, and beautiful.

Treeplanting continues to be challenging, but now the challenge is turning more from the work, to the people. The mission field here is as ripe as any, and many preliminary conversations I have had with people reveals a wide variety of backgrounds and interests, but a common thread of interest and openness to the things of God. My chief goal in the next month is to spend as much time as possible listening to people, and explaining why my life is full of joy and happiness because of the one I love. Jesus is to be held in high esteem, and my actions (I pray) will mirror that. Pray for Luke and I, as we endeavour to help these people find real joy. Pray that we would not judge those whom we were once very much like. Pray that we would work dilligently to uphold the truth of God's word, and let that message offend people, rather than the way we say things carry the offence.

Thankyou friends, and may God strike your hearts with a similar fire for the lost that he has founded in me this week.

Grace and Peace in Christ,

Todd

The smile behind the laugh

My Dad and I tend to clash personality-wise, which puts a strain on how we interact while doing jobs around the house, etc... So today I was asking the Lord to give me a good attitude while helping Dad out in taking out some seats from a van. And it was a struggle, but we got through it without any problems. The entire time my Dad was uncertain as to whether he should even pull the seats out and go through the hassle it may cause. Then the funniest thing happened. Dad comes in and tells this story:

"So I'm going through the van cleaning out the holes where the seats latch into, and I find a quarter. I said to myself, 'I'm going to be rich'. Immediately I turned to my right and found a plastic bag containing around $50."

This story made me laugh. We made $50 pulling a seat out of the van, when we thought it wasn't even worthwhile to do so. There was a smile behind my laugh though. Dad was thinking about adapting the van so that a few people in wheelchairs would not have to count on the City Bus Service to get to church on Sunday (it is always booked up on Sundays). I think God is telling him to go for it.

Giving allows us to demonstrate where our joy is truly found: The glory of God in Christ.

todd

Happy Birthday Bobo!

Well, its my little brother Caleb's birthday tommorow. He's 17 years of age. He is a pretty cool guy, I must say, though I can still remember the days when I used to beat him up; he could probably beat me up now. In any case, seeing how much he has grown to know and love Jesus is definitely a reason to be thankful. He's developing into quite a mature man of God, something I have seen by way of how Christ has shaped his personality and character over the years.
I spent time with Heather's family this thanksgiving as well, and as a whole it made me reflect on how God has blessed me with a wonderful family too. All the faces, the warmth, the memories laced with tears and soft music. It moves the soul.
Derek Webb's song "beloved" is playing in my head these days (and also on my guitar). Its about Christ and the church, and how Jesus is all that we ever need to be completely satisfied. I'm going to play it at the coffee house for TCF. I love this song!

And don't you ever let anyone tell you
That there's anything that you need
But me
-beloved (Derek Webb)

God the Faithful one.

There is something about the faithfulness of God which is truly mysterious. He does not fail. That is a description of what He is like. It is very humbling when I think about how often I sin, and God is still faithful. How I chase after things which do not satisfy, and God is long-suffering toward me. Most humbling though, is that God restores me. By Christ's life and blood I have no debt to God. I have a new nature, a new set of principles. A new heart, a new objective. Follow Jesus friends. Man will fail you, but the Lord Jesus will never fail you.

Taking Stock

So I was looking back over my past blogging, and was surprised to find all the different things I have said. Alot has been written about the mind, solitude, poetry, music, God's sovereignty, patience, decisions, and so on. There have been changes since I started. Changes in attitude, circumstance, and direction. Most noticeably is my change in attitude toward the subject of dating. As I look back to January I notice that my major issue was not with the relational aspect of dating, but how it is labelled. And in that respect I believe I was wrong. Human beings will always label things. So it is not the labelling which I should be so concerned about, but the content of the relationship itself.

"I do not in any way condone dating relationships, but I believe I can get to know someone better by doing away with titles and inherent expectations involved in a 'dating relationship'."

This statement is simply untrue. This is because expectations are things which are defined by the people in a relationship, not the nature of the relationship.

So things have changed. And I am happy about that change.

-al'Ander

Change

Well it is my favourite time of the year: Autumn. And a lot of things are changing, as usually happens this time of the year. Everyone heads back to school, church ministries start afresh, and creation colours as if a seasonal sun had begun its routine setting, throwing his rays of colour across the country, until at last he tips his hat to the audience, stealing away with warmth in tow.

I find these days lend themselves to personal reflection. Where I am, where I am going, what I will do when I get there, when will I stop using run-on sentences... You know the usual. And to be perfectly honest, I'm kinda scared about it all. Probably more than anything I'm scared of what I don't know, or don't understand. And since I know very little, and understand less than I would like to believe of the things I do know, I am very thankful that Christ upholds me, sustains me, and intercedes for me. I need only dwell on Him in order to wash my fears away, for what shall I fear when Christ is in the forefront of my mind?

I think my favourite Hymn sums it up.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

..."thou my best thought, by day or by night".

Why is it I spend time trying to do or say the best possible things, yet spend no comparable ammount of time thinking about the best possible thing? Pride. For human beings can perceive actions and words, but not thoughts. Honest words and deeds flow from honest thoughts. Think on Christ more urgently, more diligently, and more fully, and your words and actions will change to include Christ proportionally to how much you think on Him. I say urgently, because there is a lack of desperation in my heart; A lack of dependance upon the sufficiency of Christ. I say diligently because there is a lack of consistency in my thoughts of Christ, and I say more fully, because there is a lack of depth to my thoughts of Christ. Some changes are being made this Autumn, and I pray that the Lord would keep me mindful of Himself above all else.

Christmas Time

It seems this time of the year is filled with merriment, joy, and good tidings. Everyone smiles more often, there is a bounce in people's steps, and stores are full. Amidst all of the festivities the truth of the situation is seen. One must be careful to look, and closely, because the reality is neatly disguised in a variety of masks. Christmas is the great escape for most. An escape from university work, an escape from the pain of hard home situations, an escape from diets plauging the conscience (and boy do i need a diet!). What is the truth? People are in pain. Their own sin blinds them to the reality that Christ is meaning, not the gifts given and received. Sadly, even our christian culture has bought into this. May we show people how great Christ is by not conforming to the pattern of this world.