Sometimes small can make you see the bigger picture

From time to time, I would find myself wishing that my church was better.  I know a lot of it has to do with my own understanding of my tradition (meaning I need to study more) and also taking things seriously enough to really prep for church - not getting too tired and falling asleep. But sometimes I would wish that I could feel a better connection with the whole service or that the priest/pastor could keep me engaged enough.

A weekend trip to the sunshine coast (it's a peninsula north-ish of Vancouver) was God's answer to my prayers and taught me that very often, it really is just a problem with me. I just need check how I'm looking at it. In our trip, we attended our Sunday service (Mass) in a small community church (probably 6-8 rows of seats at most) which is shared by multiple traditions - Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and Lutherans. When the service began, the place was a little less than half full and there were 20 people - 7 of which were us who came from the city. My first thought: "is it really worth the trip to have someone come out here to have the service?" Insensitive I know, and I'm sorry, working on it. And then comes the priest who apparently is already retired, and my next thought: "well this is a nice place to retire to." Anyway, as I told the stupid voice in my head to shut up and focused myself, the service began. 

It turned out to be one of the most intimate services I've attended. This priest was very charismatic and lively despite how he looked and the organ music which would normally put me to sleep didn't.  Something kept me focus as if telling me that I needed to hear what ever message was gonna said. It was really quite refreshing and it inspired and motivated me to go back to appreciate my home church (which has a huge congregation).  I'm able to take in so much from the small service and reconsider things that I would normally just go over habitually. It helped me see things clearer and think "yea that's why we do this, that's why this is important." 

Skookumchuck Rapids - I think their the
 only one of it's kind in the world.

I hope by this short sharing, I've inspired you to look deeper into your tradition. Study it more if you have to, so that you may understand why things are the way they are, why it's done the way it is. I pray that you may grow to love what ever church you go to even more and inspire others as well. 

"But every seed dies before it grows" 

- Enough To Let Me Go by Switchfoot

I'm sorry for Mr. Hyde

To start: I love basketball. And I try really hard all the time at it because I know that I'll suck if I don't (same goes with any sport I play, and in some cases I still do terrible despite trying). I'm not really the most talented, smartest, fastest, most athletic guy on the court but I give it my all and I play the game the only way I know how.  I'm also very competitive. I like to win, but don't mind losing as long as everyone's REALLY trying. I like to have everyone I'm playing with take the game seriously when someone's keeping score. (If you want to play for fun, don't keep score).

With that: I want to apologize to anyone who's played against me (and even with me) where I forgot who I am. I'm sorry for being a jerk.

This is something I have been working on for a while now and I'm really glad God is working with me. He humbles me when I go too far and cools me off when my emotions get hot.  When someone has to tell people your playing basketball against(with) that your actually not like the way you are off the basketball court, you know it's bad.  And it's even worse if you scare some people how competitive you get.  It's just not how I want to be because I know no matter where I am or what I do, I am a witness. I am a Christian at all times.  I am very very thankful to God that He has given me this love for sports and that I am able to play sports - basketball in particular.  I am a work in progress...

"I had to tell them and explain to them that you're actually a good person" - I.C.

P.S. As I don't assume a lot of people (in particular those I play sports with) will be reading this, I shall be making amends or an apology of some sort in person.

Summer in the rear view mirror.

It was very much a typical summer for a student that was filled with uncertainty. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Endless job searching (for coop/internship) was unsuccessful which meant that I was to take summer school. Uncertainty of when a job offer/interview was coming made it questionable whether I could leave Vancouver. It was a big test where God was calling me to trust Him. What did that mean? I did all I could do that is within my control. I focused on the present, the moment and what needed to be done at the time, leaving the rest and  'what if's up to God.

In June, I signed up for Campus Outreach Academy (COA) despite not knowing if I was going to get a job in the fall. On top of really wanting to go, I felt like I needed to be there. COA, which was the highlight of my summer, finally came in August. Leaving Vancouver behind, 8 Vancouverites headed for Michigan for a 9 day retreat at Miracle Camp. The theme for this COA: Ecumenism and Christian unity.

I don't think I've truly appreciated this aspect of UCO. Having university students and Kairos staff come together, build relationships and be -what I can best describe as- a family... is just amazing. Everyone, coming from different backgrounds, traditions, cultures, came together and shared 9 days of learning and growing as Christians. Having Christ at the heart of every relationship is what I think makes it so special; it allows me to call someone my brother or sister. There is a love that He gives us and teaches us to share which makes the relationships we build unique. If your reading this and feel like you want in on it, let me know, we're more than happy to share it to you.

My summer was topped with a trip to the beautiful sunshine coast of BC to get away from it all and let things settle down. There I was far enough from the city lights that I could see more stars than I ever imagined (you can't tell where the big dipper was anymore or I just got lost not knowing where to look).

So what happened with my job search? Well God always provides, and He came through for me like He always does .

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." - R.N.

Definition: saint

What I mean by saint isn't exactly being martyred or giving away everything you have to live in hardship - although that is the type of saint we tend to think about.  I believe that being a saint is simply following God, doing good and trying to be the best we can be (we're not perfect but at least we can try). What do you think, good enough definition?

"When you come to where your broken within, the light meets the dark" - T.A.N.